[Day Nine - Late Afternoon] Food for Thought

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

"It's not the time to be seeking personal interests, especially when those interest might not be around at the end of this conflict. It's rather silly to hoard all of your possessions when the house is on fire, no?"

She frowned as she rubbed her forearm in thought. "...what exactly has been going on with the Crane and the Lion here? I unfortunately haven't spoken to many Crane or Lion, less so their politics."

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

"A long and foolish history led to a Crane diplomat being killed in the streets, the Crane responded by killing the Lion guards responsible. One of the Crane performed hari-kuri in the street afterward, the following day a Matsu magistrate opened her own guts to take the blame from the governor."

He scoffed again.

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

Aya shrugged.

"I heard it differently. I heard that the Crane refused to invite the Lion clan to tea, and so the governor ordered the guards to hack the head Crane ambassador to bits in the street to serve as a reminder that this is their town, therefore they are always invited to tea." Aya offered.

Aya hadn't been there, and had been drinking heavily when she was told about the alteracation so her account was perhaps a bit more....colorful than reality.

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

"In the end, it seems that more than a few samurai have paid the prices for this conflict," she said with a shake of her head. It wasn't accurate to say that the bloodshed was unnecessary, considering that it was a matter of honour. There were some wrongs that were righted by both Clans, even after the fact. "That would explain why things felt tense ever since our arrival here. It's hard to stop the snow from melting."

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

"Most are simply angry", Kitamaru asserted.

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

Aya shakes her head.

"A dangerous state of mind to be in when confronting forces heavily influenced by Toshigoku." she says disappointed in those who were getting mad.

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

Aya shakes her head.

"A dangerous state of mind to be in when confronting forces heavily influenced by Toshigoku." she says disappointed in those who were getting mad.

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

"I'm not a tactician but I would imagine it would be like fighting the enemy on their chosen battlefield. Should we allow anger to get the better of us against an enemy who has known nothing but endless anger. That said, we might not have a choice once the time comes. As much as I wish, I don't know I could remain calm against such an enemy, although I won't let it get the better of me," she sighed.

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

Aya tilted her head at that.

"The Dragon warrior who practices meditation thinks they might have no choice but to get angry? Did Shinsei suddenly become unfashionable in Dragon lands? Didn't he say, 'Anger is a weapon you forge for your enemy'?"

She shakes her head.

"If you can't keep your cool Wasako-san, you're likely to become a liability on the battlefield. When Norikami died, I can assure you that he was not angry. Stupid, foolhearty, reckless, careless, and stupid....but not angry. He was completely in the moment." she offers.

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

She couldn't help but frown sternly at Aya. "Please don't twist my words too much, Aya-san. I don't intend to give my enemy a weapon but I also understand that the best of intentions is not absolutely impenetrable. Especially, as a samurai who has yet to personally face the enemy on the front lines. I must learn and adapt. I won't assume that I will be fearless and victorious, I will believe those as likelihoods and manage myself around those changing circumstances. Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change."

Wasako took a long dumbfounded pause like she was hit with a brick suddenly. "...Wait, Norikami is dead?!"

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

Aya tilted her head at that.

"No one told you? Huh. Norikiami would have wanted you to know." she said. "Yup. Dead."

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

Wasako made no effort to hide her emotions as she tried to come to terms with what happened. Her expression alternated between befuddlement and pain...perhaps a bit of disapproval too. She didn't look at the Scorpion as she kept trying to make up her mind. "...How did it happen? When?"

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

Aya shrugged.

"About two days ago. Yogo Daisuke asked five of us to go out on last-ditch emergency mission. The first three died fairly quickly to the arrows of the enemy. Only Norikami and I made it to the portal where a pretty large Tsuno stood guard."

She signed

"Norikami charged. Two quick swipes of the Tsuno's black sword brought Norikami to his knees, the third bisected him." she recounted.

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

"...I see..." Wasako said softly before she sank down in a seat to accept what had happened. She hadn't gotten the chance to know Norikami very well but she did still knew him. He was a strange one and had his quirks. There was also the expectation that they were going to arrive in this town together and at least get a review of the local baths. Norikami was oddly missing on that day and now she found out that he had been gone all along. It was obvious from the start that death was going to happen here and this is perhaps the first realization that it could happen so closely. Nobody seemed like they were fated to die here but the Fortunes thought otherwise.

She closed her eyes and held her hands together in a prayer stance, offering her best for Norikami's soul and where he might see the next cycle. Despite her best intentions, she had to admit it felt hollow. Norikami didn't die peaceful or in some great heroic act. He died violently and she couldn't help but shudder at this knowledge.

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

Kitamaru listened to the two women speak, and then about the Yogo's mission. What were they doing, exactly?

He looked a the Dragon woman praying, saw the look on her face at the news. He decided not to be involved. The situation likely was complicated and Kitamaru was not a person for complexity.

He bowed slightly.

"Yogo-san, I was unaware of this...mission. It's better that you are here rather than dead, but I know even that lacks any manner of solace."

The woman's matter-of-factness had the edge of anxiety in extreme. There was little to say to someone like that. Kitamaru had been told dead comrades are a sensitive point, even among his clan. Not that he truly understood the matter.

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

The Dragon did collect herself after her moment and returned to her feet, letting out a deep breath. Death was inevitable here, as she had come to learn. It was just a rude awakening for the sheltered Dragon. She was perhaps glad that it was Kitamaru who broke the awkward silence.

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

If Aya gave a flip about the Shosuro's condolenses, or the Dragon's unease, it certainly didn't show.

"Uh, thanks, Kit-san, but it's ok. I mean, it was frustrating that while he was able to buy me a moment of time, I was unable to take advantage of it to do anything but run. I wanted to finish the mission, I'm sure if he was still here, he'd be giving me grief for that. And it'll be annoying to find a replacement for him. I'd have never told him this, but not a lot of people could've done what he did. But Regret's a sin too, so I'll just leave that in the past and move forward." she offered.

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

The Shosuro merely nodded. At the least the Yogo could say something about her comrade with clarity, rather than being overly emotional.

"just as well. Scorpion do tend to die quite a bit, don't we?"

There didn't seem to be any dark humor, just a bit of callous observation.

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

Seeing as how casually Norikami's Scorpion kin spoke about death, she did feel a bit silly of how she composed herself earlier but she didn't regret it. If the Scorpions wanted to speak ill of her, she would be at a loss to know what that would accomplish. She merely nodded passively to both Scorpion, not exactly agreeing with everything they were saying but she was listening.

"Hai, it might be best to move forward with Duty..." she said softly.

[Day Nine - Late Afternoon] Food for Thought

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