[D7 - LE] Belated Beatings

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

"There's a freedom there, that let's people explore. Don't get me wrong, it's full of vice. And it'll bring a lot of people down. But it's a spot that let's those who are down, find a way up."

A pause, "Vices? Gambling and Drinking."

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"It looked like a false freedom when I saw it." Myo-en looks unconvinced. "The ways down are many and well-greased, the ways upward few--and fewer of those honest, or with ends worth gaining."

She shrugs. "Still, I do not doubt Reichin-sama's courage, or his compassion. The human lives in that city were worth his efforts."

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

A nod. "Hai. There's many that will slip on those slopes. But one found his way into the Heavens." He says cheerily. "And that seems like something to inspire many who find themselves at a crossroads and wonder if it's worth doing the difficult thing."

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"How does a man become a Fortune?" Myo-en asks, in a deceptively neutral tone for such a complex question.

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

"Now that is a secret that I've not learned." He laughs a bit. "I expect if it were easy, that the Heavens would be upset at overcrowding."

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"Surely the Heavens are as roomy as they need to be," Myo-en replies, mischievously serene. "And knowing how a thing is done does not mean being able to do it, as the snake said to the lark."

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

He nods at that. "Well, as far as I know, you impress the Emperor enough that they negotiate with the heavens on your behalf. Though I don't know if negotiate is the right word."

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"Hm." She taps a finger to her lips, considering. "Did you hear the tales about the spirit Emperor and the former Emperor this winter? The spirit Emperor did some of that kind of 'negotiation' of his own, people say."

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

He blinks at that.

"No, I hadn't heard." He pauses. "On his own?"

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"Mm. That is the news that reached Toshi no Omoidoso, anyway. It was once a Phoenix city, and the common people there were interested in the Elemental Masters--what became of them, how their sacrifice would be marked. Maybe you can imagine." She opens a hand palm-up in her lap. "Among the refugees, the rumor has been that the spirit Emperor made his own answer--declared the late Master of Fire a Fortune and nearly dared the former Emperor to deny it." A frown pinches the edges of her usually generous mouth. From the looks of it, there may be more to this story.

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

He opens his mouth a moment. Then closes it, perplexed.

A few blinks.

He looks to the Togashi, concern evident on his face.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"Only... he named her..." Myo-en's face pinches in obvious unease, her bare shoulders rounding in fractionally--and then straightening back again as she shakes her head slightly like a pony resisting a fly.

"Fortune of blood magic. Maho." She pitches her voice downward on these unlucky words. One hand drifts upward to press some token hanging from a cord around her neck, tucked inside the neckline of her singlet--some kind of good-fortune amulet, probably.

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

His brows come together.

"Oh."

He stands, straightening from his stretching. He bows, rather stiffly.

"I hope I may excuse myself, Togashi-sama. I believe it is of poor etiquette for me to yell angrily in front of others." He doesn't seem to be angry at Myo-en, simply the news.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"If that is the state of things, then... be well until next time, Kodama-san." Myo-en cups her hands together and bows her head.

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

He bows a bit. "I do not want too much of my former life to dominate my current one, but the primary duty of that former life was to fight...practitioners of that. I pray you understand."

He does not mirror her stance, as he cannot physically, but he does bow deeply. And then walks out of the dojo.

It's a few seconds after that, where a guttural, muffled, yell of rage can be heard if one was paying close attention. But there are those polite walls one is supposed to accept as separating you from the noise of the other side.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

Oh. He really did mean that literally...

... somehow Myo-en had assumed he'd at least make it further than the front gate first, though.

She sighs and flows slowly to her feet to continue her cool-down exercises.

((Is this a good time for a /scene? Can always continue the conversation later!))

[D7 - LE] Belated Beatings

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