[Day Nine - Late Afternoon] Food for Thought

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

At the conclusion of the day's court at the castle, Wasako made a return to the shrine to collect her thoughts and catch up with her meditative routine. Yesterday was a peculiar day when samurai changed their allegiances but today had a few Lion muttering to themselves and the supposed arrival of another contestant to the throne. There was certainly something strange going on in the neighbourhood. What was she supposed to make from all of this? She assumed the lotus position and closed her eyes to ponder about the day's events.

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

With no further tasks for her to fail at demanding her time, Aya decided to stop by the twin shrines. She had heard that as long as they still stood, there would be peace between the Phoenix and the Crane. Given the state of the Empire, she expected to see two smoking craters. But they were still here. Just more fanciful nonsense then.

She noted the Dragon meditating yet again.

I wonder if she just travels from temple to bathhouse and back again? she mused. Those seemed to be the only places she saw her.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Despite having closed her eyes and attempting to take her soul far away from this place, Wasako still had to contend with the pitter-patter of rain that was descending down on the tiled roof and the cold water spraying at her face. When she thought about it, it was perhaps that a hot bath was in order after her meditations were finished.

Wasako wiped the rain from her brows and opened her eyes to see Aya.

"Oh, Aya-san, good afternoon..." She rose to her feet and bowed politely.

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya smiles a bit

"Ah good afternoon Wasako-san." she offers and returns the bow. "So far I've come across you meditating in the snow and in the rain. I wonder how many more types of weather I'll see you meditating in."

The tone of voice was a bit of a mix. There was some teasing in there, but also a bit of actual wondering that extended far beyond what Wasako looked like at different levels of moistness.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Is that so strange?" she asked curiously. "I'm just trying to get my meditation sessions wherever I can, especially when I had missed so much from my normal routine. If I could, I'd rather meditate somewhere more sunny and warm, but sometimes you just have to accept what the Heavens given you and perhaps use that to your advantage."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya raised an eyebrow at that.

"Strange? No, not at all. Most samurai tend to prefer order and structure to their days. From the guard who patrols from one end of the city to another to the priest who welcomes the Sun back at dawn, offers thanks to the sun at noon, and wishes the sun well in the evening."

She rubs her chin a bit.

"Although I do find the revelation that you would prefer to meditate sunny and warm surprising. I thought the purpose of meditating in the inclement weather was to overcome the external stimulus, to detach yourself from the physical world and seek refuge deep within. What would you be overcoming meditating in a sunny and warm spot? Sunburns? The Temptation to nap?"

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She nodded soundly at first when she understood the reason for her habits, although she did frown faintly at the mention of napping. Maybe napping was a real danger when it came to meditation.

"You are right when it comes to meditating in less hospitable places when it comes to seeking the refuge of the mind. It also work on an empty stomach, or after a long work out, or even after you find yourself very frustrated with something. The same could be said when things are pleasant, you get that temptation to go tree climbing or go down to the village to buy rice cakes. They are all equal distractions that could be used as guides to finding your centre."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya smiled a bit.

"Well, I know who to look for if I need a partner for tree climbing or sampling rice cakes." she offers.

She looks thoughtful.

"I wonder if anyone tried meditating this morning to try and get the voices out of their heads? Or would it be better to be very distracted instead of focused in such a case?"

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

There was a slightly annoyed look from Wasako as she looked down and tucked some loose grey hair behind her ear in thought. Those were probably too personal of examples.

"...do you mean what seems to be happening today?" she said curiously. It was unlikely that any Lion was going to freely admit what was going on or at least she imagined to be the case if she were to ever confront a Lion about it. "I suppose it would probably be best to get the voices out of their heads? I confess I don't know what's exactly the distraction to speak accurately about it. I suppose if they are voices in your head, and only meant and heard by you...then perhaps that's something you'll just have to take into consideration, at least?"

With that, she settled back down to her original sitting state.

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya scoffed at the Dragon's words.

"Seems? I mean, it's more like, what I personally experienced this morning. I suppose you could argue that it's not impossible that what I experienced simply had the same visible symptoms, but given the timing and duration, I would find such an argument suspect." she countered.

"But additionally given my knowledge of the spirit realms, I could probably enlighten you as to what happened." she said, slightly amused at the thought of enlightening a Dragon.

"In short, it was an attack. Spirits aligned with the Steel Chrysanthemum, yet lacking bodies attempting to call upon the bonds of ancestry to influence the Lion into supporting the Steel Chrysanthemum."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

And here Kitamaru had thought he was special, visited by a harping, yet adorable Matsu child.

How that one may have ended up in Toshigoku, he wanted desperately to know. What a tale, neh?

The Shosuro ended a stride behind Aya. Noting the Dragon girl from before, the hat on his tilted forward, signaling a nod.

"Strange tidings this day, harrowing for some I'm certain."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Shosuro Kitamaru wrote:

And here Kitamaru had thought he was special, visited by a harping, yet adorable Matsu child.

How that one may have ended up in Toshigoku, he wanted desperately to know. What a tale, neh?

The Shosuro ended a stride behind Aya. Noting the Dragon girl from before, the hat on his tilted forward, signaling a nod.

"Strange tidings this day, harrowing for some I'm certain."

Aya returned the bow.

"Annoying for others. I mean really, just because you think of someone as family, doesn't mean they actually are." she says.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She tilted her head curiously at the Yogo when she admitted that it was happening to her. Was it not just the Lion, then?

"I see..." she narrowed her eyes at the implications. "It would explain a lot and suddenly things do make sense, to an extent. Could these spirits also be some sort of vanguard for the Steel Chrysanthemum?"

Wasako stood once more to bow the Shosuro. "Good afternoon, Shosuro-san...I guess that's the least of it. I had expected the spirits to attack but perhaps not in the way that Aya-san spoke of."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"This is no Lion seeking glory and tales of their bravery", Kitamaru warned. "This enemy seeks supremacy, honourable methods are beneath them."

Honestly this could go a long way to developing a new method. Though his comments didn't come off as appreciative.

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya shrugged a bit.

"It's hard to say what form any given assault may take. No one expected an army to march before the winter snows had cleared. Spiritual assaults, magical barrages, anything is on the table. One just has to be prepared to fight with everything they have in return." she offered.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She frowned, "I suppose there goes all the rules and expectations of conventional warfare, which perhaps is why the Lion might have been on their back foot in this assault. It might be hard to see the Lion at their best."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"If one does what one can to see they stay their course, when then fight does come they will perform", the Shorsuro contended. "Some assurance would go a long way."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She looked questioningly at Kitamaru for a moment for speaking once more. "Of course, I do expect the Lion do well in their duties and they are bound to succeed. Gomen, I suppose I meant to say that this situation is unusual for all of us."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya shrugged.

"Overconfidence kills just as surely as doubt does. Wary but calm is the best way to approach this, Lion or no."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"Most Lion are Matsu", Kitamaru answered.

[Day Nine - Late Afternoon] Food for Thought

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