The Strength of the Elements [DI, EA]

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

"That sounds like you're fighting for them then, to give them time or balm to right their path or continue along it. Not everyone find such peace after injury. May you ever be successful."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Thank you, Kodama-sensei." she smiled. "Where have your travels brought you to us from?"

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

Isawa Miwako wrote:

"Thank you, Kodama-sensei." she smiled. "Where have your travels brought you to us from?"

"Many welcomes, Isama-sama. I serve primarily at the shrine to Reichin in the lands of the Hare clan, though I have also spent some time at the one in Ryoko Owari."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"It's been some time since we visited Ryoko Owari." They weren't particularly fond memories. "I'm afraid I've not visited Hare lands."

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

"One of your kinsmen, Isawa Hachi, helped honor the Fortune in a dramatic way. Have you talked with him? His illness was beyond the healer's capabilities I believe and he's suffered much since he called a pillar of jade out of the earth to honor Reichin-no-kami."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"I am familiar with him." she nodded. "His condition is unfortunate. But, I doubt he regrets it. There are times when we must all rise above."

She looked at the dragons again.

Isawa Somgai · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:26 am **Posts:** 88

Somgai begins lifting the baby up and down, almost like throwing her up to catch her as she giggles at the sensation.

"It is a shame when a life turns to regret when there's still life to live and new roads to travel. I am grateful to continue my travels with my family."

He looks at his daughter and then tosses her up gently (and totally safely) again. "Yes, you like to travel, too, don't you?"

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

A nod at their words.

"Traveling on pilgrimage to learn more of the Empire's heroes has been a blessing. I did not think I'd ever see so much of it."

Isawa Somgai · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:26 am **Posts:** 88

"Who is your favorite hero?"

His head moves slightly so he can look at Kodama, and something about the movement seems very odd.

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

Miwako reached down to tickle Wagikashi gently beneath her chin. The child laughed happily.

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

He smiles at that, trying to place the oddity. "Now that is asking a question that leaves me little thought."

"There's one I know the most about, who I have pledged to serve in two lives now. In that, I agree with the late Emperor."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Tell us more, please" Miwako encouraged.

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

He smiles widely at that. "You ask one who serves the Fortune of Heroes who his favorite is. Reichin-no-kami was a creative, driven man who knew the value of information. Knew that those with power always seek more and take seriously any threat to that power."

He shakes his head, "He knew people, and that people could become monsters, but in doing, they were still people. You can trick people, again and again if you're quick and clever, and stupendously lucky. He was certainly all three. He was patient as well, taking the opportunities given to him at every turn. Taking victories from defeat, again and again."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"You honor him well." she smiled. "He is an inspiration, one that many will look for in these times."

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

A bow at that.

"I can only hope that they do so with good intent. It is not often we have so common an enemy."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Have you gathered many stories? Of heroes?" she asked.

Isawa Somgai · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 6:26 am **Posts:** 88

Somgai's eyes shine bright, almost gold.

"Yes, clever heroes who outfox their opponents. The best kind of heroes. Have you many of those stories?"

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

A brief nod.

"Hai, I've learned a few, and I do favor the hero who is clever over forceful myself, although there are times for that as well."

He frowns than a moment, "But that I think so is the trick. Sometimes we are heroes for one person and villains for another. 'Ah hah!' One might say, 'Our lord kept our favorite monk at the shrine to tend it another year. What a hero.' While the shrine down the road goes untended for another year and the aid to that town disappears. To that village, the lord is the villain."

He looks up to the heavens a bit. "I suppose Reichin-no-kami was a villain to those he thwarted, many times over. And that is why I study and travel, to learn about heroes and those that thought them villains."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"And, to inspire future heroes." She picked up little Wagikashi. "Isn't that right, my precious girl?"

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

"Or to remind us that we're all potential heroes and villains." He smiles at the little one. "Both, all."

The Strength of the Elements [DI, EA]

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