D12LA, More Scroll Work (Open, yeah)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 4:25 pm

Following an earlier meeting, Seitouna returns to the little tea-shop he'd found a few days ago. He orders his usual dark and oversteeped brew, takes out parchment with which to write, and finds, to his annoyance, that the words won't come.

He tries again. Nothing.

Again. Nothing.

Today, it's just not going to work, it seems.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Contrary to Seitouna, Degarashi did not have much in the way of important meetings today, which left him wandering the street of scrolls for a time making the occasional purchase and generally admiring his surroundings, having never been here before.

By a stroke of luck, after getting a fair bit peckish, he wanders into a quaint little tea shop and notices a friendly tortoise sitting at one of the tables.

"Ah, Seitouna-sama! It's been far too long! Are you busy?"

The Scorpion did his best to bow without upending the contents of the shopping bag at his side.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 4:42 pm

Seitouna looks up, sees who it is, and smiles.

"It has, indeed, my friend, and I'm certainly not too busy for you! Come, join me!"

He gestures to a seat opposite him and adds "The tamago is good here."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

That brings a smile and another bow as Degarashi approaches the table and finds his way into the offered seat, shopping bag thumping into place beside him.

"Hmm, I haven't had decent tamago in quite some time. Tell me, what is this," his eyes fall to the blank paper momentarily, "... riveting tale you're working on?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 4:56 pm

Seitouna's smile falters.

"Damned thing is supposed to be more work on the story of this conflict. But I find my pen-hand won't work well for it, like I'm trying to steer through fog with no wind at my back. Blasted vexing, really.

"But you, you seem in good spirits," and the smile returns. "Tell me, friend, of the good news, that I may joy in your joy!"

Seitouna waves over a server, orders tamago and more tea.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Well, not so much good news as good prospects, nothing is quite official yet, but..."

Degarashi folded his hands before him on the table, excitement evident in his features. "I spoke with the Dragon ambassador, Agasha Poemu-sama, earlier this morning, and amid the discussion she suggested I might find interest committing myself as a sensei of the Butei schools, given my extensive training in the arts. She expressed a willingness to write a letter on my behalf to that end, but only after seeing me perform, so I may be setting a tour through Dragon territory in exchange for her recommendation."

He beamed a little. "Just a possibility for now, it's ultimately up to my betters to allow for it, but given my unique situation the odds do feel favorable."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 5:10 pm

"That is quite the prospect, Degarashi-san," Seitouna replies, "and Agasha-sama has the clout to apply to that end. I'd had the pleasure of speaking with her at some length a few days back, as well; it was a strangely refreshing talk with her."

The tamago arrives, and Seitouna pauses while the servant places it and withdraws.

"Thank you, friend." Then, to Degarashi, "I've found all the Dragon I've spoken with to be open and accessible, really. It's been a surprise, and a pleasant one."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"I've only spoken with the two. Agasha-sama is a driven and focused woman, to the point that she seems to shrug off anything that might alter her course. Makes one simultaneously eager and deeply concerned having her steering any manner of my future."

Degarashi availed himself of some tea and tamago, nodding his approval to both.

"The other I met was actually a Crane wearing Dragon colors, so that went about as you might expect."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 5:25 pm

"Oh? That seems curious," Seitouna responds to the latter comment before adding "And I imagine Agasha-sama made a comment about marriage, as well."

He takes some of the tamago, drinks more of the tea, before going on.

"I had meant to congratulate you on your performance yesterday. You were exquisite in the role; indeed, one might note that the villain rose above the material."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Villains must always rise the highest, so that their fall at the hands of the heroes has the greatest impact. If the struggle were effortless, who could truly say that the heroes weren't simply enacting their will be force, rather than by virtue?"

He had, briefly, sidestepped the comment about marriage, but coming back to it, Degarashi's face was in his palms with a groan.

"She did indeed, went on for some time about me marrying some young Dragon maiden." He held up a finger. "Those precise words, very practiced sales pitch I imagine. She was quite vehement on the matter until I mentioned Aya, at which point she seemed to lean heavily in that direction instead." He muttered. "Probably for the best if she never hears about the rest of my activities..."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 12:26 am

Seitouna gives a snort of laughter.

"She mentioned something similar with me. And such tactics work well for some courtiers, certainly. But, yeah, neither of us is probably eager to have many people look too closely into things."

He takes another pull from his tea.

"So, other than stumbling into a nakado, things have been well? Your hunts have returned quarry?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Degarashi made a semi dismissive gesture,

"Yes and no. The Sparrow remains elusive, and I haven't seen Aya recently, which pains my heart, but such is the weight of duty at times."

He took a sip of tea and continued.

"Though I have found my evenings regularly filled with curtains of silky red and brilliant shining blue."

Degarashi paused to eat, while allowing Seitouna to make his guesses.

"How about you, friend? Any friendly ports make themselves known?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 1:35 am

"Alas! I remain adrift, though I am gladdened that my friend finds safe harbors. But I shall dock again, in time.

"Though there are other hunts that have occupied. I had a bit of an excursion earlier, connected with some people of faith, delivered them from their toils. It was satisfying in its own right, to be sure."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Fruitful work, that." Degarashi nodded, then leaned back a little to stretch out his muscles. "I had other plans that turned up nothing, but not every tree bears fruit." He rolled his eyes at himself. "Two fruit statements in as many sentences. I must be feeling off today."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 1:33 pm

"There's value in keeping metaphors consistent, certainly, though every such comparison eventually splits and rots if left out too long." He grins. "Seems to be catching."

Another bite.

"But I did have the most interesting, shall we say, vision earlier today. It seems that seven moons sought to know which captains steered which courses among the presently stormy seas. And that seems to be information that an armorer could use; getting iron from place to place would be of interest, would it not?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Degarashi's demeanor almost instantly changed from one of casual banter and relaxed humor to one of pure interest, his posture shifting slightly as he leaned more forward, eyebrows gently raised.

"You don't say? That certainly does sound like something an armorer would be keen to know about. One can't have their armor without their iron." He glanced around briefly, checking that their surroundings hadn't sprouted ears. "In such stormy weather, I hear it's beneficial to know where other ships might be traveling, to prevent unnecessary collisions."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 5:18 pm

Seitouna nods.

"It's a wise captain as steers away from such. And there's also some talk from around one particular harbor--capital place, really--about scuttling some ships as have been taking some courses. It'd be a shame to see a friend run afoul of such a thing, truly, which is why I mention it."

He takes another pull at his tea.

"And it's about the course steered more than the pennants flying that the harbor patrol is concerned. They're not too fond of the netting that some have been using to fish with of late; something about the weave disturbs their sensibilities, you know. So if you see anyone working with some of the more recently delivered netting, you might let them know they'd do better to go back to what they were using last year. After all, if this kind of word goes out under seven moons' light, there are almost certainly some serpents ready to strike on such action, as well."

He pops another bit of tamago in his mouth, then.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Mmm, good thing I typically leave the fishing to other, more visible lay workers. I may have my doubts about the reliability of the old net, but it's been tested and proven. This new one seems a bit too complicated for the tasks at hand."

He punctuated with more food and drink.

"I'm not an unreasonable man. If the seas are in turmoil I'll trust the right captain to see me through it. So long as they're competent I care little what force of will or divine whim steers them, provided they keep the ship afloat. I'll keep my eye on the nets, so long as I know where to turn my gaze and look for them."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 6:35 pm

"Oh, the weave is obvious. It patterns after what catches flies--someone thought to apply the principle to fish, as well, is all."

Seitouna considers.

"Again, just trying to keep clean coils on deck. I've seen men snatched overboard when the ropes ran out and they hadn't seen them. Terrible thing to see, devoutly to be avoided."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Degarashi nodded gravely. "Such a tragedy indeed. But we lose so many at see, it's to be expected. One can only hope that the ship doesn't feel any such losses too keenly." Another sip. "Armorers need to keep their armor secure, even seven moons can be eclipsed at the least opportune moment."

D12LA, More Scroll Work (Open, yeah)

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