[Day Three - Late Morning] Hot and Cold

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

Norikami's words were perhaps like a sudden cold dunk but Wasako did find herself agreeing with him, however grim it was. It was almost strange that they were in the baths, even one showered with cold rain, at this moment when impending doom loomed overhead. There was going to be a war happening, wasn't there? Here they were acting like it was a casual day. "...Yes, you are right about that, Bayushi-san. My apologies about that."

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

At this rate, Noribaka will be banging the peasants in two days. Aya thought as she pondered having to listening to sexually frustrated Noribaka for the next however long it was until he could just find someone to pay.

Enter Yogo Aya, matchmaker!

She sighed a bit.

"I think, what Norukami-san" she said in a rare usage of his actual name. "..is trying to say is that every moment we have in this world is precious, Wasako-san. Yes, you'll likely be reincarnated when your time is up, but these are your only moments as you are now. You should find what is good in them, and seize them before they are lost to time." she offered.

She gave a glance at Noribaka

Now close the deal idiot.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

"Well, ad long as your Lord gives you the funds to afford such things." Osamu offered cracking his eyes open for a moment. "I mean most wouldn't force you to retirement for spending an obscene amount. You could end up on a outpost with two other samurai on the edge of your clans territory though."

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

"Right, of course. Well, said, Yogo-san," she nodded to her direction. "I don't intend on hesitating if I'm allowed the chance. Each experience is a lesson on its own, to forgo them would be to forgo a learning opportunity sometimes."

She smiled sheepishly, "I think to some Dragons, staying in the Northern Wall Mountains is already considered retirement in itself and we are indeed on the edge. We live a rather minimalist life and I think our lord is more than happy to allocate what is needed to the other Mirumoto who find themselves in Winter Court or luxurious posts."

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

He could comment that his lord might spend 100 koku on a trip to a a no name village and expect you to come back broke without telling you why, but it seemed to him Wasako might misinterpret that as a mysterious Dragonism.

He decided to follow up on her comment instead.

"What kind of minimalist life? Do you mind explaining."

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

She looked upward for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "If I could make a comparison, our ways are perhaps similar to that of the Brotherhood or Togashi monk. While we train in the way of the sword and martial pursue, they go hand in hand with our pursuit of Enlightenment. There are admittedly many paths and definition of Enlightenment, albeit attaining it is near-impossible. In our pursuit of attaining it, as my sensei would say, we must sacrifice what is considered extraneous so that we can focus our minds for the journey of being one with ourselves and beyond."

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

"Which includes most possessions and other things that might make your life more comfortable?" Osamu asked. Though really it was starting to sound like a load of crap to him. Something a Lord made up sometime so he could afford more mistresses over winter.

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

"Hai, that would be the ultimate goal," she nodded wholeheartedly on that note as if she was committed to it. There was a reason why she lacked make-up, dye to colour her pre-maturely greying hair and she dressed in her mother's fashion.

"I mean, I'm still young..." she admitted on a less serious note. "But maybe one day I'll shave my head and wander the Empire with only my daisho at my side."

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

"Seems like you might want to already", he said without thinking much. He cleared his throat. "What I mean is, we all have ideas that come from our home. I feel it might be there's something oddly romantic to the Dragon about being a monk like wanderer, as you hear stories about it when you're a kid, eh?"

He fixed her with a slight smirk, he hoped he wasn't teasing too much.

"As is where I come from, everyone wanted to be the secret yojimbo who comes to their lord's aid in a flash, the enemy never knowing what hit them. We all have that dream inside us, some of us live a realization, others of us die in battle, most of us get married and forget."

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

"There are stories like that, although I think that stems more from Brotherhood monks who are able to travel freely. I don't know if a Togashi could do the same given all of the boarders in the political climate. It would be nice, to go wherever you want and just live off the land...or just make do by getting by with nothing," she chuckled a little. "I think I'd want to work on my mastery of meditation first before I even consider shaving my head. It's cold on the mountain and it would be likely colder without hair."

"That's an interesting yearning...I suppose lords could only have so many yojimbo, ne?"

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

He wondered if she missed the mention of most of us get marroed and forget though maybe she knew it didn't apply to her. He shrugged that time.

"Point is it's a dream, duty isn't just uglier than heroics, it's more demanding."

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

Wasako gave a few sound nods at that in agreement. Admittedly, her own path has her "off the grid" when it came to traditional duty, even within the Dragon. However, she understood the notion of idealism versus reality at the very least. "Perhaps not always a dream but merely a path for another time?"

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

"Who knows? All we can.do is what is attainable by our means, if circumstance drops good fortune in my path i wouldn't balk at it", he replied. "Of course some of us have our head in the clouds and forget to live in the moment."

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

She blinked at Norikami, wondering if he was hinting at her. Perking up, she straightened her posture before speaking up. "Well, if I find myself before a luxurious bathhouse, maybe I will live in the moment!"

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

Smile stretching across his face he nodded.

"For now though, let's enjoy the rain." He sat up as well took in the scenery for a bit.

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

"Yes...let's..." she murmured as she sank back in the water, perhaps feeling a bit silly that she got mildly worked up almost.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

The Scorpion rose up to enjoy the rain, as the Dragon sank down to avoid it. It was amusing enough that Osamu had to stifle a laugh.

"Some sailors shave their head you know." He mused after a moment. "Though it's not really done in the pursuit of enlightenment. Sometimes it hard to wash your hair when you are out at sea for an extended amount of tiem though."

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

Norikami had a thought.

"Probably a matter of regret to get long hair stuck in a pulley or rigging as well."

He could imagine some Mantis singing a bawdy song only to get snatched by the hair and hung from a sail.

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

"It's not just a stylistic choice, merely a show that you've gone beyond caring about looks or fashion. Hair is often a sign of vanity, especially when people style, colour and fashion it. Not all monks shave their head either but many do so for a good reason. I'm not ready to give up hair just yet. I suppose maybe when it all goes white, who knows," she looked at some loose strands of hair before combing it back with her fingers and shrugged.

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

"It's making a statement, sending a message, you know. People don't need to wear intent on their sleeve, but I suppose it can help", he said. He thought maybe he shouldn't continue with what he was going to say next. He had a big mouth.

He cleared his throat and sank a little in the bath.

[Day Three - Late Morning] Hot and Cold

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