[D9, LE, Just outside the palace] Pleasant Evening

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"Or questions of blood. An educated servant is an effective servant, after all."

Like many who are rich, talk of money vaguely unsettled Masahiko.

"Of course, many samurai don't think that way, but knowledge itself is power."

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

"Of course, I imagine much of life here sees a benefit to have more educated heimen, especially when I noticed that a large bulk of the heimen here aren't probably farmers nor crafters. That's another aspect of the city I've discovered here. That and the need to have multiple tea houses, bakeries and temples. The variety is very much appreciated, it does make it far livelier than the northern mountains."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"It is much livelier than most places, Mirumoto-sama. But I am sure that your mountains have much to recommend them as well!"

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

She chuckled on a slightly abashed note. "Well, it would depend what one seeks when they are there. I'm sure there's far more things you can see and find at Shiro Mirumoto but the Northern Wall Mountains find themselves removed from much of the Empire, and the rest of the Dragon lands. There is much natural beauty to be found in the mountains, on a good day when we are blessed with more sun than clouds.They are something to behold, ominous and majestic with this acceptance that you'll never be able to reach them in your lifetime."

"...but other than that, we probably don't have much to offer when it comes to facilities. Perhaps a humble onsen and a humbler village."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"So what do you guys...you know, do? I mean, your reputation is that you guys meditate all the time. Is that true?"

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

"I can't say that's not exactly true of the Dragon. Seeing as the Dragon even find themselves remote from each other, I don't there's a consistent trend when it comes to contemplation and meditation. That's likely a tale that was spun regarding the Togashi monks, who may or may not take to meditation. There is some individualism in how the Dragon wish to walk their path," she nodded at her first point.

"That said...I suppose I do a good share of meditating and honing my skills with the sword. That, and helping my sensei with the new generation of students."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"A sensei, huh? Well, you've got my respect." He nodded seriously. "The Mirumoto I have had the honor to meet must have had excellent teachers. I can't think of one whose swordsmanship was substandard."

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

"Aide to my sensei," she corrected him with a small smile. "I'm glad that my cousins have been represented well. Were most of those Mirumoto practitioners of the Niten by chance?"

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"Oh, yes. You must forgive me if I do not display the same stiff-nicked disdain for Mirumoto's style that some of my brothers have. I was in the Academy for maybe thirty minutes; they didn't teach me that part."

He smiled. "If you can turn aside my ono when it's coming down, then you've got my respect."

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

"Hai, I suppose there is that supposed rivalry between the Kakita-style and that of the Mirumoto Niten-style? I think I've heard it from my parents and brothers enough times, so they might have attended that part in their lesson at least. However, admittedly I'm not a student of the Niten but I would gladly pass on your respect of the style to my talented cousins," she said with the same smile.

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

See, Granny? I can be nice, just like Doji-sama said.

Right, and the Mirumoto armies are going to launch themselves at the Lion because you said you liked their style. Please.

You are such a killjoy.

"That would be great! I guess things have been tough, lately. You know, between our Families. I had a guy come through here not too long ago, saying all kinds of things to me about the Crane and...well, about things that didn't sit well with me. So it's nice to know that there's some folks out there who like a nice walk and talk. You know?"

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

Wasako tilted her head slightly in thought, "I suppose I've heard things were rather heated as of late for many reasons but unfortunately I can't say I know the entire context of yet...but yes, I hope that despite what's happening around us, a simple walk and talk wouldn't be too hard to find around here. Honestly, we have enough issues from without to think about, let alone within."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"That is so true." Masahiko nodded sagely. "Have you had a chance to meet this...external problem yet?"

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

There seemed to be a brief moment of hesitation before she gave a slow shake of her head. "Unfortunately, no, I haven't. I know that there have been a few who been to the front lines but at the present, I have yet to see combat."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

The Crane nodded. "Well, no matter, I'm sure we'll all get our turn."

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

She nodded in return. "After hearing everything regarding the denizens of Toshigoku, I wouldn't say that I'm eager to face them in battle. However, I am ready to fight them if I must. Apparently, all they know is battle and have been locked in an endless cycle in their realm with nothing else to do. To rush into it headlong would more than likely put them in their element and it would be best not to give them that advantage."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"Oh, certainly. Yes, we must be wise about these things, after all. In light of the difference in numbers, even if we were to set aside the spiritual issues at stake."

The big man smiled. "I wonder how they mean to get over the walls."

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

"The city walls seem well defended from what I saw this morning..." she said cautiously. Without much experience and any strategic acumen, she only had the appearance of safety and Masahiko's confidence to go on. "I don't think they would be poised to repeat their tactics but previously at Toshi no Omoidoso, they managed to push the refugees out of the city through attrition. It was difficult for the governor to continue hosting the stay of all of his guests."

Kakita Masahiko · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:04 am **Posts:** 272

"Our resources are a little more solid than Toshi no Omoidasu. But then our needs are greater as well." Masahiko seemed to weigh this. "A siege with the increased population seems like a challenge."

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

"It would likely take some of the defenders here to guide some of the refugees to somewhere less immediately hostile but with the constant rain, I wouldn't be surprised if it took twice as long to get anywhere else...or the have us completely circled in."

She shrugged. "Some people believe the strangeness today could be attributed as some sort of spiritual attack from the Steel Chrysanthemum."

[D9, LE, Just outside the palace] Pleasant Evening

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