[Day 1, Late Afternoon] Contemplation

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

That brought on a long moment of contemplative silence. Finally, she shook her head. "Iie... At least, not for now. As you say, there is always next time, hai?"

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:55 pm

"Hai, next time" Homura nodded with a warm smile "if Poemu-sama wishes I can escort her back to the rooms. I am a diligent yojimbo and friend."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

She stopped and looked up at him with appreciation for not letting the awkwardness linger. "I don't know the details, but the Phoenix believe the kenku might observe them as they train here so that they could become his... apprentices I believe. The creature presumably accepted challenges at some point by none defeated him? It all sounds... very Phoenix. I am honestly bewildered by the idea of swordsmanship being taught by ravens."

At moments like these she felt the inadequacy of her social acumen. Perhaps she should develop some for their marriage to be harmonious if he likes being entertained that way?

Bayushi Yukinaga · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:23 am **Posts:** 175

He made a thoughtful noise for a moment "Yes it does sound rather Phoenix in nature, their fascination with the mystical and spiritual. I would not be so quick to discount the Kemku though from the stories I have heard they are more than just mere ravens but very potent warriors as well. Though I have not had the chance to meet one."

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

Ikoma Homura wrote:

"Hai, next time" Homura nodded with a warm smile "if Poemu-sama wishes I can escort her back to the rooms. I am a diligent yojimbo and friend."

"I'm quite certain it's safe thanks to your clan to not need an armed escort, but I would take a friend to walk beside in the stead of a yojimbo, hai." She gave a firm nod.

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:41 pm

"I prefer to be a friend than a yojimbo for sure" Homura nodded with a warm smile as they resumed walking "obviously plans are very different now, but had winter court finished normally were you returning back home to Agasha lands? Or was duty to take you elsewhere afterwards."

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

She shook her head softly. "Iie, I would have stayed in Morikage Toshi, likely. Even if court is over, the Lion still keep a Dragon embassy after all, and need a point of contact with my clan. That was to be my duty, unless otherwise changed."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 9:44 pm

"Oh, is that so? Agasha-sama is truly dedicated to the cause, I'm impressed. I would have expected you to want to return home to your family after such a long court without seeing them" Homura commented, slightly surprised "especially with how well you have spoken about your home lands."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

Bayushi Yukinaga wrote:

He made a thoughtful noise for a moment "Yes it does sound rather Phoenix in nature, their fascination with the mystical and spiritual. I would not be so quick to discount the Kemku though from the stories I have heard they are more than just mere ravens but very potent warriors as well. Though I have not had the chance to meet one."

"I have yet to meet any creature of that kind." She mused, wondering. "Would you chase a dream like that, of betting significant effort on something you don't know if it exists?"

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

Ikoma Homura wrote:

"Oh, is that so? Agasha-sama is truly dedicated to the cause, I'm impressed. I would have expected you to want to return home to your family after such a long court without seeing them" Homura commented, slightly surprised "especially with how well you have spoken about your home lands."

"Well, assuming that this turns into a longer term duty, my husband would be sent to stay with me. I would enjoy traveling back home sometime of course, but I would rather see relations improved than enjoy Agasha lands." She glanced over. "What of yourself? You were at winter court, but you have many talents. I'm certain many things could be found for you to do."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:14 am

Agasha Poemu wrote:

"Well, assuming that this turns into a longer term duty, my husband would be sent to stay with me. I would enjoy traveling back home sometime of course, but I would rather see relations improved than enjoy Agasha lands." She glanced over. "What of yourself? You were at winter court, but you have many talents. I'm certain many things could be found for you to do."

"I was actually going to visit my mother after Winter Court. I haven't seen her in many years. A brief respite before moving onto the next court, where ever that was likely to be" Homura looked away, taking a few moments before speaking again.

"Thank you, but my duty is to be at court, and that's where I'll be. I might be able to convince my daimyo on the location, but unlikely the duty. One does not decide their duty, ne?"

Bayushi Yukinaga · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:23 am **Posts:** 175

Matsu Kōgyoku wrote:

"I have yet to meet any creature of that kind." She mused, wondering. "Would you chase a dream like that, of betting significant effort on something you don't know if it exists?"

He thought for a moment "well I guess that would depend on what it was and how much I believed it could be true. Something like the legend of the Kenku Sensei? I might make some small effort to practice in the garden instead of the dojo just in case it were true. It really doesnt change much except for fresh air and a prettier surrounding. But would i change my life significantly to chase a legend?" He paused for a moment carefully weighing his options "no, I do not think so. To do so could be an entire waste of effort for no reason. But I suppose in the end it depends one a number of different factors."

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

Ikoma Homura wrote:

"I was actually going to visit my mother after Winter Court. I haven't seen her in many years. A brief respite before moving onto the next court, where ever that was likely to be" Homura looked away, taking a few moments before speaking again.

"Thank you, but my duty is to be at court, and that's where I'll be. I might be able to convince my daimyo on the location, but unlikely the duty. One does not decide their duty, ne?"

"Hai hai, as you say Homura-san. A traveling courtier then... what other courts have you been to then? I assume that Morikage Toshi's Imperial winter court was not your first."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 12:26 pm

Agasha Poemu wrote:

"Hai hai, as you say Homura-san. A traveling courtier then... what other courts have you been to then? I assume that Morikage Toshi's Imperial winter court was not your first."

"It was my first Winter Court, but not my first court. Unfortunately I've only visited Crane courts. Something about being able to handle a blade" Homura chuckled "and visiting my mothers homelands when I was young. I'm hoping my superiors will consider better locations. The Crane lands are beautiful, but there is more to the empire than that."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

She contemplated his answer with an expression that hinted on appreciation. A man who doesn't put his fancy ideas before his duty deserved recognition. "Even though I've seen you just briefly, Bayushi-san, I am reassured in thinking that our nakodo has performed her duty remarkably well."

But she was getting ahead of herself, wasn't she? "What factors might actually compel you to pursue a dream?"

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

Ikoma Homura wrote:

"It was my first Winter Court, but not my first court. Unfortunately I've only visited Crane courts. Something about being able to handle a blade" Homura chuckled "and visiting my mothers homelands when I was young. I'm hoping my superiors will consider better locations. The Crane lands are beautiful, but there is more to the empire than that."

Poemu smiled warmly at that. "Ah, so Homura-san dreams of traveling and seeing more of the Empire. What a fine goal! If you wished a change from the courts of the Lion and Crane, perhaps a Scorpion court would be an interesting change, ne?"

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 7:15 pm

Agasha Poemu wrote:

Poemu smiled warmly at that. "Ah, so Homura-san dreams of traveling and seeing more of the Empire. What a fine goal! If you wished a change from the courts of the Lion and Crane, perhaps a Scorpion court would be an interesting change, ne?"

"My mother said much the same in her last letter, so it seems I should request it." Homura nodded "I don't know what the difference would be between a Crane court and a Scorpion court, but now I'm curious. Perhaps I'll even risk a Crab court."

Bayushi Yukinaga · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:23 am **Posts:** 175

Matsu Kōgyoku wrote:

She contemplated his answer with an expression that hinted on appreciation. A man who doesn't put his fancy ideas before his duty deserved recognition. "Even though I've seen you just briefly, Bayushi-san, I am reassured in thinking that our nakodo has performed her duty remarkably well."

But she was getting ahead of herself, wasn't she? "What factors might actually compel you to pursue a dream?"

His soft smile grew a fraction at her word "It gladness me that you think so Matsu-San, I am inclined to agree with you."

Her question gave him pause though "Hmmm." It was an interesting question one he hadn't really thought of before. "Well, I suppose that would depend on how attainable the dream really was. If it was a dream for me to one day rise to the ranks of Shireikan or even Rikugunshokan then perhaps I would put my all into it those are incredibly lofty aspirations with low chance of success but that is what many dreams are I suppose."

He paused briefly before continuing "But something like this Kenku teacher? I might make small changes to my life but it's nothing in would devote myself to."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

"Is it your ambition to lead great armies, Bayushi-san?" She resumed walking, but stopped soon after, reaching toward a branch of a plum tree one might expect for the buds to appear and open already, but they remained closed. "Or to defeat some Clan in particular on the field of battle?"

Bayushi Yukinaga · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 11:23 am **Posts:** 175

He thought for a moment "There may be some clans I am more eager to face on the field of battle than others. But it is my ambition to do as much as i can, with greater station comes the opportunity to do more for the empire. To have more and more of a direct hand in its defence and that of my clan. Which soon enough will be the same as your clan."

[Day 1, Late Afternoon] Contemplation

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