D7LA, Lunch! (Open)

[Seppun Urusai]

Having worked up a sweat, Urusai washes.

Having worked up an appetite, he heads to his favorite noodle shop in town. The proprietor greets him warmly, offers a pot of Darjeeling, and takes his order for a more different spicy noodle dish.

[Suzume Rin]

Having worked up a sweat, Urusai washes.

Having worked up an appetite, he heads to his favorite noodle shop in town. The proprietor greets him warmly, offers a pot of Darjeeling, and takes his order for a more different spicy noodle dish.

A very quiet and respectful voice from behind the Imperial.

"Seppun-sama, apologies for bothering you during your meal."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai turns to face the voice, reddening slightly--whether from the spice or a bit of embarrassment at being approached at unawares is unclear--and swallows the mouthful he has, nodding.

Once he clears his mouth, he says, "Please, join me" to the Sparrow and adds "How can I help you this day, child of the Sparrow?"

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai turns to face the voice, reddening slightly--whether from the spice or a bit of embarrassment at being approached at unawares is unclear--and swallows the mouthful he has, nodding.

Once he clears his mouth, he says, "Please, join me" to the Sparrow and adds "How can I help you this day, child of the Sparrow?"

Rin bows deeply, overly deeply, so deeply there's nearly a forehead imprint in the ground before approaching but maintaining a respectful distance.

"I'm real sorry to bother yah Seppun-sama what with the tournament being so busy but I uh-"
She takes a deep breath and raises her gaze slightly
"-I think I might need your help for something. It's probably unworthy of your time, but you're also the only one I can think of."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Please, sit. Eat. The noodles here are quite good, as is the tea," Urusai says, and the vendor smiles broadly, bobbing in a series of bows at the praise.

"And then tell me, what's the trouble?"

[Suzume Rin]

"Please, sit. Eat. The noodles here are quite good, as is the tea," Urusai says, and the vendor smiles broadly, bobbing in a series of bows at the praise.

"And then tell me, what's the trouble?"

"Oh I'm sure it is Seppun-sama."
Rin looks at the menu and quickly orders something cheap, mentally weighing her purse

"Well it's about my Clan. See, last couple years the harvest hasn't been very good. Now, we don't normally ask for help from anyone. But I reckon at some point being able to do your duty is more important than pride. So I've been trying to ask our Crane cousins 'bout maybe sending some food over. Only problem is I'm uh...."

Rin awkwardly gestures at herself.
"You know, so the Governor ain't gonna listen to the likes of me. But I talked it over with some folk and they pointed out that the Governor would have to at least listen to someone important. Someone honourable. Probably a samurai from a famous family."
Rin traces a circle on the table with her finger, her nose turning a little pink.

"He uh, wouldn't have to go to court himself, unless he wanted to that is. However, I'm pretty sure a few words from him or a letter even and the Governor would have to respond. He might still say no, it's his land and his business. But it's got a better chance than just me on my own convincing him."

[Seppun Urusai]

"I've got lunch," Urusai says. "I invited you, so it's on me.

"And as to the other: when did you plan on meeting with the governor, so that someone who might think compassion is a worthy goal might know when to call on him?"

Urusai takes a pull from his tea, then makes sure the Sparrow's cup is full.

"Also, there are a pair sponsored by the Miya here. I've not seen much of them around, but the Miya operate the Blessing, and it might be a means to secure aid for the defenders of Golden Sun Plain."

[Suzume Rin]

"I've got lunch," Urusai says. "I invited you, so it's on me.

"And as to the other: when did you plan on meeting with the governor, so that someone who might think compassion is a worthy goal might know when to call on him?"

Urusai takes a pull from his tea, then makes sure the Sparrow's cup is full.

"Also, there are a pair sponsored by the Miya here. I've not seen much of them around, but the Miya operate the Blessing, and it might be a means to secure aid for the defenders of Golden Sun Plain."

"That's real kind of you Seppun-sama...suppose I could have a bit of that...and need to try that...ooh and we can share that one."
Giving the Sparrow free reign on food always seemed to end poorly for the food.

"Well, I already met the one time near the start of the tournament. And I think there was meant to be another court day scheduled? But it musta been delayed. So whenever there's the next open court I mean to be there. Even if I have ta wait inline the whole day."

Rin bows her head at the tea pouring, clearly a bit aghast she hadn't tried to refill his first.


"There's folk around here sponsored by the Miya? Wow, so many important samurai I haven't even run into you. That's good advice though Seppun-sama, they're at least worth a try."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods.

"Eat well," he says. "I'd hate to beat a starving person, you know."

He grins and eats more of his noodles.

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai nods.

"Eat well," he says. "I'd hate to beat a starving person, you know."

He grins and eats more of his noodles.

Rin pauses...then swallows.

"Well, if I'm fortunate enough to make it to the tournament...and to face you Seppun-sama, just know there ain't much faster and better than a Sparrow on a full stomach. Makes us super samurai, don'tcha know?"

Slurping her noodles, a little abashed.
"...Gosh, shouldn't be ribbing yah when I'm asking for a favour, that's no way to go 'bout asking someone for something."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai gives a snort of laughter.

"Speed of Heaven, you know," he says. "And given how you've performed so far, you'll likely make the tournament. I'll look forward to seeing your technique."

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai gives a snort of laughter.

"Speed of Heaven, you know," he says. "And given how you've performed so far, you'll likely make the tournament. I'll look forward to seeing your technique."

"And I yours...I uhh. I've never met a Seppun before."
Food consumption continues a pace.

"I don't mean to pry Seppun-sama, so tell me if it ain't appropriate. But, did you grow up in Kyuden Seppun?"

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods, then swallows the mouthful of noodles he'd had.

Growing boy and all that.

"I did grow up in Kyuden Seppun, yes," he says. "Trained there, too, rather than the Guest Home in the Imperial City or elsewhere. Most likely headed into the Legions after this.

"But what of you? Plans for after this is done? Expectations as to where you'll be assigned?"

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai nods, then swallows the mouthful of noodles he'd had.

Growing boy and all that.

"I did grow up in Kyuden Seppun, yes," he says. "Trained there, too, rather than the Guest Home in the Imperial City or elsewhere. Most likely headed into the Legions after this.

"But what of you? Plans for after this is done? Expectations as to where you'll be assigned?"

"Oh gosh, me? Nothing fancy like the Legions I expect. Probably just back home to help the other guardians, maybe to the dojo if they think I did well enough here."

Sipping her tea, feeling slightly more relaxed in the Imperial's company
"I don't know much about Kyuden Seppun, but it's meant to be really pretty. And a lot of history there too. Have you traveled the empire much?"

[Seppun Urusai]

"I've not, actually," Urusai replies. He takes a sip of tea and continues. "This is as far as I've yet been from home.

"But you're right. Kyuden Seppun is beautiful, not least because there is stillness there. Not absence, not really; it's clear that those who have gone before remain interested in it and aware of it."

The voice in Urusai's mind notes that some are closer than others.

"When I am there, I feel my ancestors guiding me, hear their echoes in the potent emptiness between."

That it's not always an echo is noted, as well.

"It is because it is such an oasis, really, that it is beautiful."

He takes another sip of tea. "I am told that Kyuden Suzume has its own charms."

[Suzume Rin]

"I've not, actually," Urusai replies. He takes a sip of tea and continues. "This is as far as I've yet been from home.

"But you're right. Kyuden Seppun is beautiful, not least because there is stillness there. Not absence, not really; it's clear that those who have gone before remain interested in it and aware of it."

The voice in Urusai's mind notes that some are closer than others.

"When I am there, I feel my ancestors guiding me, hear their echoes in the potent emptiness between."

That it's not always an echo is noted, as well.

"It is because it is such an oasis, really, that it is beautiful."

He takes another sip of tea. "I am told that Kyuden Suzume has its own charms."

"Oh no...certainly not like Kyuden Seppun. We'd never compare ourselves to an imperial castle. But you said you liked the stillness? We got a whole lot of that if it isn't harvest season. It can be real quiet in there, folk just thinking or keeping the place running. Well, until evening. Then it's full of stories. By the end of winter you have to be getting real creative on account of everyone having heard all the stories before."

She smiles into her tea at the memories
"Well, I hope your first journey out hasn't disappointed yah. I think Tsuma is wonderful, and it's so big! Never seen this many people all together."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Stories?"

Urusai perks up at the mention thereof. "I like stories" he says, his voice bright. "What've you got?"

[Suzume Rin]

"Stories?"

Urusai perks up at the mention thereof. "I like stories" he says, his voice bright. "What've you got?"

"Umm...al-all of them? Least as many as the Suzume know. I've been collecting from folks here at the tournament so there are a few different ones rattling around in my head now."
A little embarrassed

"You uh, you like stories too Seppun-sama?"

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai puts his hands on the table heavily and leans in, eyes wide.

"Very yes," he says, his voice heavy. "Tell me one. Please."

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai puts his hands on the table heavily and leans in, eyes wide.

"Very yes," he says, his voice heavy. "Tell me one. Please."

Rin finds herself leaning back slightly

"S-sure. Heard this one from Kitsu Masaru-sama the other night."

Rin clears her throat as she furrows her brow, remembering the Lion's story

"Not that long ago, and not that far from here, there was a village. It was a big one and full of energy so there were many children, but we're only gonna be talking about two. One was the son of the samurai whose village it was. And he looked like a fine young man, always presentable and courteous, always honouring the fortunes."
Lowering her voice

"But when he was outta sight of anyone important he was a fiend! He'd take whatever he wanted from anyone, knowing they couldn't stop him. He'd even be pushing and shoving the other kids so they'd know he was in charge! The other child was different, see, he was the son of some poor farmers on the outskirts, and they were a kind family. If they saw someone hungry they'd feed 'em, and if they saw someone needing aid they'd help 'em. The son was just like that.
Rin nods approvingly

And every time the two children met the bully child would always take the money from the kind child, or force him to do work, even though the farmer's son woulda gladly given help if the bully needed it! This always annoyed the bully on account of him wanting a rise from people, but the farmer's son always just helped out. So soon enough the bully would move on to find someone else.

One day a man is traveling to the village with his cart when the wheel breaks and the cart ends up on the side of the rode. The man's old and tired, so he can't fix it himself and now the cart is stuck. Along come's the samurai's son and he's friendly enough. But he sees the poor clothes of the old man and how much work it would be too help and he just keeps on going.

But then an hour later the farmer's on comes by and although it's hard he helps the old man and between the two of them they get the cart fixed up and the old man can keep going.

Weeks pass and everyone has plum forgotten about the old man and the cart when a high ranking imperial comes to town."
She bows her head to Urusai
"And he's in the company of the old man from before. The village's samurai and his family rush out to greet 'em, but they walk right on to they get to the farm of the kind child. There the Imperial himself tells the family that the old man was a personal servant of his, and the man had been carrying goods for the emperor himself. So the kind child, he'd not just helped the servant, he'd helped the son of heaven."
She bows her head

The farming family ended up being given stewardship of the village while the samurai's family got moved somewhere less prestigious where he was instructed to raise his son to honour bushido at all times, not just when someone was watching."

Rin concludes happily, going to take a sip of her tea.