(D10, EA, Open) Lunching in the Rain

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Ah, I came from both on the way here, I suppose you could say." Poemu gave a faint, sad smile. "I was at the Imperial winter court in Morikage Toshi, and before that as an ambassador to the Lion clan."

She gave a sigh, then slurped some noodles to push away her frustrations. "Ano... I wish there was more I could do to help those fighting and dying, but I have no talent at all for combat I fear. I have already lost one friend, and many that I had just met."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"I am sure that your friendship does more than enough to support those that go into battle," he says with a nod. "Bushi are willing to fight and die for the Empire and their lords, but it is the friends that we have that makes returning from the fight so important."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu gave a weak smile. "Sumimasen. I perhaps sounded as if I doubted myself. Far from it, I know that I can help with my words, both in encouragement and in helping to end the fighting. That does not mean I don't wish I could do more."

Waving away the topic, Poemu gave a conspiratory smirk. "So then, enough talk of such grim tidings. Is your wife pretty Doji-san? You know what they say about Doji maidens..."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"She is. Her name is Doji Ameka, a confectioner. I have to be careful or I'll end up fat," he says with a chuckle. "I never really had a lot of sweets other than fruit during my childhood, so it's a new experience being able to have them regularly."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"A baking Doji... I believe that is a first for me Doji-san." Poemu gave another titter into a sleeve. "It sounds like a hard life indeed! At least you seem active enough to work off whatever sweets you might get. Have you any children yet?"

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"No, we've been married for only a few months. The marriage process was accelerated due to the Unicorn heading out of the Empire. And we aren't rushing that as of yet, since I will need to get established in a proper duty as well. I've only been learning the basics of what I need to serve the clan."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu nodded in understanding and smiled softly. "Hai, I understand that more than you know. My own husband has been with me about a year and a half, but right before... this... all happened, I was supposed to return home to finally help move him and my household to Morikage Toshi for my own permanent duty."

She gave a new sigh, shaking her head. "But that I can still do that when this is all over. My absence from him is my own reason for being childless after all."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"Is it also your first time being separated from him? I've only been away for a week, but that's a week after only knowing her for a few months. And I don't know how much longer it will be before I get to see her again."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Ano... no, I don't think you'd call it my first. He is a herald, so he spends some time on the road, and the rest back home in Atsumaru lands. I, on the other hand, have been at different courts as needed before I was posted to Lion lands more permanently. If anything, we've been apart more than together."

"Still, duty is what it is, and once I get settled down, we'll have plenty of time." She flushed softly, smiling, the idea quite pleasant.

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"I see. That seems to be a very busy life. So... he married into the Dragon. Does he perform heraldry duties for the clan or does he maintain an imperial position despite his new family?" It seemed a curious situation to Monkhbaatar.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"He works for the Dragon clan. Though he was schooled by the Herald's as I was, he never pursued a position in his family. It was a part of the favor that my aunt used to get me into the MIya school, that I would marry an Imperial man."

She looked wistfully amused for a moment. "I honestly think Abe-kun would rather write poetry and sing than travel all over. He'd make an interesting father certainly."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"All I know is that I'll have to learn to be a very different father than mine was. He was a Moto that married into the Shinjo, and Moto sensibilities are... not in line?... with Crane sensibilities. Very different way of doing things," he says with a smirk.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu nodded softly. "Understandable, though... perhaps that was a part of what drew your wife to you at the miai? I doubt she would have gone to a Unicorn miai if she believed that what she sought was a father to her children that would be very traditional, hai?"

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"I think most non-Unicorn participants were likely there for the potential inroads that could be made with a large clan rejoining the empire probably," he says with a shrug. "And were also likely sent by their lords rather than making the decision themselves. I know that I wasn't really given a choice, not that I was against the idea. But it was as much a duty as it was an opportunity."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Of course it was." Poemu quickly agreed. "All the same, how many Crane maiden's were present? I am guessing enough to count on one hand. With so few, and a reputation to keep, would not the Crane make it a point to only choose those most suited and receptive to the duty?"

She gave a playful look. "Perhaps you should ask your wife about it when you get home. She might like a bit of Moto in your relationship."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"Well, most of what I know was taught by my Shinjo sensei and my mother, so I'm not very much like a Moto to begin with. I even look much more like my mother than my father. And everything about my personality that I got from watching my father, the Doji are training me to avoid: proclivity for closeness, familiarity and over-friendliness. All lessons I ignore with my wife already."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Then I see little reason to worry Doji-san," Poemu said with a smile. "You've had the teachings of the Shinjo and Doji both to help your parenting style, and if worse comes to it, you'll be just like your father and raise a fine son."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"Well, when it happens, I'll certainly try my best," he says with a nod. "Were you always assigned to Morikage Toshi? Or have you been to other courts?"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"I am not so old that I have had a lot of experience yet," Poemu said between tastes from her ramen bowl. "After I finished my training and gempukku, I spent some time back home before I attended the Miya courts as a minor functionary. Morikage Toshi was my first real assignment after my time there."

Doji Monkhbaatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:29 am **Posts:** 231

"You don't have to be older to have traveled," the Doji replies with a smile. "While not many courts or castles, I've seen a great number of small villages in my short years. What are the Miya lands like?"

(D10, EA, Open) Lunching in the Rain

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