D7LA, Lunch! (Open)

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai listens attentively, following the Sparrow's every word.

When the tale is done, he nods. "I've heard something of that," he says, "although from the other side of it. Not the side of the samurai's son, but from the traveler's. And it's a Seppun in the stories I've heard. The Otomo would not act in such ways, and the Miya would have been too kind to replace the one family--although they might well have taken the farmer's child with them, having use for such a servant in their missions of kindness and compassion."

He nods again. "It is a good story. Thank you for sharing it with me."

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai listens attentively, following the Sparrow's every word.

When the tale is done, he nods. "I've heard something of that," he says, "although from the other side of it. Not the side of the samurai's son, but from the traveler's. And it's a Seppun in the stories I've heard. The Otomo would not act in such ways, and the Miya would have been too kind to replace the one family--although they might well have taken the farmer's child with them, having use for such a servant in their missions of kindness and compassion."

He nods again. "It is a good story. Thank you for sharing it with me."

"Oh! Well ain't that something? Wonderful we got two sides of the story from each perspective. Makes it all the more interesting I think."
She bows her head at the praise

"If Seppun-sama wouldn't mind, I'd love to hear one of his. Just so I can tell everyone back home I heard a story from a real Seppun."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Of course!" Urusai says before taking a sip of tea.

There was in days gone by a clever warrior. What Clan or Family she hailed from has not been recorded, though each makes to claim her for its own--and why not? Cleverness is to be prized in fights and fighters, after all.

But anyway, she was along the road and doing deeds of valor and renown, and of good use for the Empire and Who Rules It, when she came across a terrible figure and a large one, who towered over her and looked down on her with an evil glint in his eyes and a sneer on his lips. She saw the pile of swords by the side of the road, smelled the burning pyres, and she asked the figure why he blocked her path.

"I am the slayer of the road," says he, "and all who pass here meet their ends in me."

Now, the clever warrior had no desire to die that day, and so she asked if there was any way to avoid death at his hands.

"Kill me," he says, "but know that my strength is of the earth itself, and none who have faced me have fared well."

And then the slayer attacked, swinging a mighty sword at the clever warrior. But she evaded it and lashed out with her own blade, the bright metal singing from the saya as she swung--to no avail, for though she cut the slayer again and again, no blood fell from him, nor did his flesh part. And ever and again, he swung his mighty blade at her, so that she began to get tired from dodging it.

But she saw, the clever warrior did, that he always swung from top to bottom in a broad stroke, and she got up under him when he did, hefting him with the force of his own blow and tossing him away. It startled him, truly, and he scrabbled back to his feet in a hurry and came again. Again she threw him, the clever warrior did, and again when he came again.

Now, nearby was a tree, and its branches were thick although bare, and the clever warrior had an idea. When the slayer strode forward again, she threw him again, landing him in the branches of the tree such that his feet could not touch the ground. And then she came upon him and cut him again--and the blood flowed and the flesh parted, and she knew she had her answer.

[Suzume Rin]

Snip

Rin listens intently, eyes wide and un-moving to the whole story

"That isa good story! Nice to hear she wasn't gonna let the slayer get away with it, bet he never thought he'd end up in a tree."
She glances at her skinny arms, not sure she could do the same.

"You mind if I keep it? I know some folks in the dojo who'd appreciate that story."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Stories told are meant for sharing," Urusai says. "And remembering. After all, as the Little Teacher said, 'We tell the tales of heroes to remind ourselves that we can be great.' And the reminder is a good thing."

[Suzume Rin]

"Stories told are meant for sharing," Urusai says. "And remembering. After all, as the Little Teacher said, 'We tell the tales of heroes to remind ourselves that we can be great.' And the reminder is a good thing."

She nods enthusiastically, Urusai basically stating one of her mantras
"We all got stories to look up to, legends to aspire to be."

Now thoroughly relaxed Rin looks over at Urusai
"Didn't think one of the storytellers I'd meet in my life would be an Imperial. Have you always liked telling tales?"

[Seppun Urusai]

"Learned from my uncle, Seppun Fuman."

The voice in Urusai's mind affirms the point emphatically.

"And we do enact the arts. We are samurai, after all."

[Suzume Rin]

"Learned from my uncle, Seppun Fuman."

The voice in Urusai's mind affirms the point emphatically.

"And we do enact the arts. We are samurai, after all."

"Oh, didn't mean nothing by it Seppun-sama, was just uh, not expecting it I guess."

[Seppun Urusai]

"Don't worry about it," Urusai replies. "I know you intended no offense. But I'll note that not all my kin are so forgiving of things."

[Suzume Rin]

"Don't worry about it," Urusai replies. "I know you intended no offense. But I'll note that not all my kin are so forgiving of things."

"Of course Seppun-sama. As you say Seppun-sama."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai busies himself with eating, noting the usual response.

Always, they do this, he thinks, and the voice in his mind responds that they had well better, especially if an Otomo's nearby--and you never do know if one is.

[Suzume Rin]

Urusai busies himself with eating, noting the usual response.

Always, they do this, he thinks, and the voice in his mind responds that they had well better, especially if an Otomo's nearby--and you never do know if one is.

"So...ummm."
Rin stares down at her table
"What do you make of the weather we have been having Seppun-sama?"

[Seppun Urusai]

"Today's humidity feels clammy," Urusai replies once his mouth is clear. "Heavy. I wonder if something is coming, but that may be more wariness than is needed."

[Suzume Rin]

"Today's humidity feels clammy," Urusai replies once his mouth is clear. "Heavy. I wonder if something is coming, but that may be more wariness than is needed."

"Right...I agree."
She nods for emphasis

"So....um. I have met a few artisans at the tournament, what's your favourite form of expression, Seppun-sama?"

[Seppun Urusai]

"So far, it's been stories," Urusai replies. After another bit of noodle and a sip of tea, he adds "Unless it has been the martial contests. Which reminds me: I don't recall seeing you in the dojo. When do you train?"

[Suzume Rin]

"So far, it's been stories," Urusai replies. After another bit of noodle and a sip of tea, he adds "Unless it has been the martial contests. Which reminds me: I don't recall seeing you in the dojo. When do you train?"

"Oh, I like training outside in the afternoons or evenings when I can Seppun-sama. Just feels more natural to me. I've mainly been sparring with Ikoma Aya-sama. She's very sharp."

[Seppun Urusai]

"I'll keep that in mind," Urusai says, nodding.

[Suzume Rin]

"I'll keep that in mind," Urusai says, nodding.

"Well, I shouldn't keep bothering you Seppun-sama. Lots to do at the tournament, don't need little old me getting in the way of things. Thank you for the lunch though, it was very appreciated."

She bows her head respectfully.

[Seppun Urusai]

"I'm glad to've had the company!" Urusai replies, giving a short bow. "And thank you for the story!"

(/scene?)

[Suzume Rin]

"I'm glad to've had the company!" Urusai replies, giving a short bow. "And thank you for the story!"

(/scene?)

((/scene!))