The Flow of Destiny [EM, Day 3]

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:48 pm

"I see. I hold myself to bushido extremely closely, but I cannot simply see others being continually mistreated. My budoka for example would have their lives thrown away without hesitation in battle. If the strategy and tactics were sound, I may do the same, but I would at least have reason to try and minimalism their losses. After all, they are fighting for the same cause as I am. To treat them lesser than other soldiers is in my eyes not only shameful, but also a way to hinder their performance."

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou nods. "But treating them as valuable tools is different from treating them as people. This one asks her Order to be willing to stand against the Dark and protect the people from bandits and dangerous animals, but she asks, she does not command. She has not yet had anyone refuse such a request because we all value the same things and are willing to work, and fight, together to achieve them."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:14 pm

This gives Mogami pause and she considers things.

"I want to treat them as people, sensei, though...a commander in battle must never have their orders questioned. The desire and the practicalities seem to clash."

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"You are right, debate has no place on the battlefield," says Kayou. "One the Order decides to, say, kill a wolf pack, we defer to those who are the best hunters and follow their commands. But we place ourselves under those leaders by choice because we trust them and that they will not squander us for personal gain."

"Your men are the same, they trust you. Even without their obligation, this one suspects they would follow you to learn from you and because they can achieve a status they would be unthinkable if they had remained in their village. They serve you because they want too and because they trust you. That is the sort of loyalty one wants, loyalty freely given."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:27 pm

"I see. You have given me something I must act on now, then."

She turns and calls out.

"Tsuruga. Fuwa. I have need of you, please come forth."

At the shrine to the Void, Fuwa rises and quickly walks over.

At the shrine of Water, Tsuruga gives a bow to the Isawa and says

"Duty calls. Thank you for lessons, Samurai Priest-sama."

and then he too jogs over to Mogami.

Both of the Budoka bow to her and wait to be addressed.

"I want you to answer me freely, and with no hesitation. With the Sensei Kayou as my witness, no harm will become of you for your answer."

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou settles in to total passivity, she would give away no reaction at what the Matsu said or did. She did not in agreement when ask to be a witness however.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 12:05 am

"If you were to have the choice to continue to follow me, into possible death, or return to your former lives, before either of you were conscripted, which path would you choose?"

The budoka look at each other in apprehension.

"I mean it, no harm will come to you from this answer."

Tsuruga spoke first, the older man's voice grizzled.

"Follow Matsu-sama. Before her, army was hard. Little in life to enjoy. But before that, life almost impossible. Never go back."

Fuwa nods in agreement. His speech is more refined, and his youth gives his voice a pleasing alto tone.

"Trusuga speaks truth. Life as basic peasant means often times we are used to test new forged blades. Cut down for no purpose but to prove a swords sharpness. Matsu-sama gives us much, and we are grateful."

Mogami nods to them and frowns a little, unsure of herself.

"If I had the power to release you, and you could choose any life? If I gave you money to start a family, have a nice home on my family estate grounds?"

The two men seem unable to process the question, as if such a life had never been possible for them. They stand in silence, thinking.

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou watches, impassively, curious to where this experiment will lead.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 12:47 am

Finally, after a few minutes of silence, Tsuruga speaks up.

"Without Budoka position, life still be hard, even under Matsu-sama's family. Just walking streets dangerous. At least now people see me and don't spit. Tsuruga want continue fighting by Matsu-sama side."

Fuwa nods in agreement.

"Even with your provisions and a home on your grounds, we would still be peasants, Matsu-sama. Now, we are Buke**. We cannot go back."

-----
**Ashigaru and Budoka are considered at least part of the Buke class as my understanding in the Core Book and Emerald Empire, hence why they have a little status rank.

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou nods. "But remember with position comes responsibility. You must be your best so that Matsu-san is rewarded for her trust."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 2:39 am

Both Tsuruga and Fuwa nod.

"Yes, sensei."

Mogami turns to Kayou.

"So, since they don't want to go back to their previous lives, how do I give them the freedom you spoke?"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"They do not wish freedom, not yet, they wish to follow you, ne?" she asks the two budoka. "Lead them, teach them, and they will choose to retire when they can."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:23 am

"Then that is what I shall do. Should we start the lesson for today?"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"Indeed," nods Kayou. "Today, the Tao tells us . . ."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:02 am

Mogami and her Budoka listen attentively to the lesson, staying silent through it all, taking the words in and contemplating on them. When Kayou finished, they all stayed quiet, letting the sound of rain patting off the stone fill the silence.

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

Mirumoto Wasako wrote:

She nodded and closed her eyes to reflect on the Phoenix's words, thinking about a particular place in her mind. "I do admit there's a certainty serenity found in seeing a body of clear water, like a lake in the wilderness and reflecting everything around it. It does make for a very good meditating spot."

"Hai." she nodded in agreement. "It can support you, too, and let you drift away, in spite of the weight of the world."

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

"I suppose so...I don't know if I would let the lake carry me away," she chuckled. "I could easily find myself at the top of a waterfall or some rapids if I get too far. Does Isawa-san live by the sea then?"

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Kyuden Isawa is by the sea." she nodded. "But, the lake I think of, when wanting to drift away, is Sazanami Mizu, in the Ki-Rin province. It's large, but calm and peaceful."

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

"Sazanami Mizu? I might have to see it for myself one day, especially if the one in your thoughts. It must be a truly wonderful place," she said looking to Miwako as she seemed to know everything water and it was doubtful that just any normal lake would have her genuine admiration. "Admittedly, this is my first time outside the Dragon lands. I haven't even considered the possibility of seeing other lands just yet."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"I hadn't travelled beyond Phoenix lands until the conflict with the naga. Since then, I've been from one end of the Empire to the other." She smiled. "I found the Dragon Mountains to be quite beautiful."

The Flow of Destiny [EM, Day 3]

Who is online