Mournful Chirping (D8, LE)

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya nodded.

"Even now, you serve him, in your own way."

A soft sigh. "Such loyalty is without peer, Kodama-san. Reichin-no-kami... I never met him. I wish that I had, so I might see first hand the font of such fealty."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"He'd probably say I'm still doing it because he owes me a drink and I'm one to never let him forget it." He chuckles at that idea, but bows in thanks to the Suzume's words.

"He braved the Bloodspeaker's army alone in a city held under siege. Others have the bravery, not many knew Ryoko Owari so well as he. I'm told the inns there have named a few different types of sake after him, should you ever wish to raise a toast."

"What of yourself, Suzume-sama? You're a leader. A warrior. If I understand what was talked about on the walk to Nikesake, you've faced the Toshigoku'd foe."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya chuckled at his comment about owing the monk a drink, but simply listened in quiet.

"Perhaps I can buy you a drink of that sake some day - we can both find out what he owes you." A faint smile, invisible in the dark, and then she added, "I did join the force who fought outside the gates of Toshi no Omoidasu - in order to route the enemy."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"How did they seem? Is there enough left of the people they once were to redeem them? Their time here is likely their last chance to slip the grasp of Toshigoku and rejoin the Kharmic Wheel."

Here, in the mostly dark, it felt safer to ask than it had when Akodo Touki had been looking for solace.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya frowned.

"They acted utterly without honor - striking at kin or turning from one foe to ambush another. Behave antithetical to how Lion normally fight."

She sounded thoughtful. "I do not know how the realm comes to influence them... or how it holds on to them, but they did not show any desire to cease the bloodshed, nor compassion for their comrades in arms."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A brief nod. "Thank you. That helps settle concern about participating in the violence. Leaves me wondering what compels them forward, as a group."

A small tilt to his head, in thought. "Did they move after the more vulnerable or the greatest threat to them?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"They targeted those they felt some personal animus toward, and barring that, those who they felt easy to kill or dangerous.... if there was no personal animosity, it seemed surprisingly practical."

Her response surprised her, as she realized how the enemy had been behaving pragmatically in ignoring her.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A bit of a nod. "As I said, I'm not one to plan a battle." He looks over to the Sparrow.

"I have seen in the past however a mother bird act as if they have a broken wing, flutter around and thereby lead a fox away from its nest. If Ningen-do can teach us anything."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"Perhaps so... though I am a poor actor by nature."

She contemplated his observation in silence, after giving that response. Maybe there was something there that they could use... but if so... how?

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He continues his practice awhile.

"I'm rubbish at it as well. But there's an old tale of Shinsei always being assumed to be small and weak, and yet continually proving otherwise."

"If we are right in the observation, we should likely take it further, right? What happens if they think this city too difficult to fight? Do they seem like ones to lay siege? Or will they move on to elsewhere? For easier prey?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"This city has given personal offense to the general of that army, and she is slow to forgive, and thinks nothing of the lives of those under her command."

Chihaya shook her head.

"They will not simply leave. Not if she has any say over it."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He sighs, but it almost seems thankful.

"She seems like an unwise choice of leader, if she cares naught for those she commands. But it means that the army is not spreading its fire across all of the Empire, so that at least is good."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"She led the empire's forces in the Naga War - she achieved victory, but paid no heed to the cost."

A faint laugh. "The perfect Matsu, some might say. I would question why the Akodo tolerate as much."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A brief, quiet nod in recognition. "Ah. I think I remember hearing about her."

A glance to the Sparrow. "I suppose there are times where those with the power to make the decision, need someone to carry it out, regardless of cost. Such is what happened to Nikesake when it was destroyed for providing food to the Empire during a famine, by the leader she presumably is taking orders from."

****
(Made history roll on previous day.)

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"Hai... though some might consider protest, it is never easy to know the appropriate time."

She ran her fingers along the wood, feeling the marks of the craftsman's knife.

"Knowing when to draw that line is difficult when a task needs doing - when a greater need is present, conflicting with your honor."

As for his history... "I did not know that he had done so before. One more reason, I suppose, to keep him from the centers of authority."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A small sigh. "I've done a lot of research, to learn about heroes and villains since joining my order. It was something hidden in a tale of those who rebuilt the city."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"Truly despicable."

That seemed to be all she had to say on that subject.

Once again, she let the silence stretch out, lost in her own inner turmoil.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He's comfortable with the silence, continuing through his forms

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Eventually, she picked up her flute and began to play once again, a quieter song, mingling with the rain.

It seemed she was out of deep insights for the moment.

/scene?

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

The monk continued his practice awhile, appreciative of the flute's melody.

/scene.

Mournful Chirping (D8, LE)

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