D2EM, Might Be the Last Chance for a While (Open)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:57 pm

Seitouna nods his agreement.

"You have the right of that, Akodo-san. And confusion is often unsettling. But I have found the city to be welcoming, even so, and even now."

He gestures around.

"Such places as this are still open, for one thing." He smiles.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki looked around. "That is true, yes." He said, his monotone agreeable enough.

He glanced at the teapot. A little longer... "The safety of our guests is paramount." Touki said. "However, we in the Lion still do our best to make you feel welcome." In an orderly fashion, of course. "May I ask about your interests, Kasuga-sama? I may be able to direct you to a site appropriate to them."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 4:14 pm

Seitouna gestures towards the papers on the table and says "For myself, and for my Clan, I write. But I was fortunate enough to find a stationer yesterday evening, which was decidedly welcome. Though I wonder if Akodo-san might speak to whether or not the local dojo offers training in knife-work."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"Write?" Touki glanced down at the papers. "May I ask what you write, sir?" He had assumed that it was paperwork or similar.

He frowned thoughtfully at Seitouna. "Training, perhaps. I am certain, though, that the dojo is open to all visitors during this season." A brief pause. "Even if the season is extended. On my last visit, I think there were no two members of the same clan. You would surely be welcome to practice your skills there."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 6:09 pm

"I shall have to get by the dojo, then. But as to my writing, Akodo-san, what I can discuss is that I am working on a prose narrative. In later days, things will need to be known, after all."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"I see." One of Touki's eyebrows went up for a few moments.

Slowly, carefully, he poured each of them some tea, starting with Seitouna, of course. "Is this something with which you have experience, sir? It sounds similar to the work done by the Ikoma."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 5:42 pm

Seitouna accepts the poured tea.

"I suppose it is not dissimilar, although I would not presume to match the omoidasu of your Clan, of course. Perhaps it might be something similar to Winter, however, in time to come.

"And sailors do tell their stories, neh?"

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"Ah, I understand." Touki's dark eyes briefly lit with understanding. "I'm familiar with the work, of course." She loved it, and made sure I read it. Touki glanced away suddenly, a strange expression briefly flashing across his stern features.

He looked back, his expression normal once more. "I am not familiar with stories. My first visit to the sea was not long ago." Touki's eyebrows went up, just a little. "Are you a sailor, sir?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:22 pm

Interesting, Setouna thinks as he sees the shift in expression. Lions are full of sensitive spots today.

He says, after a sip of tea, "I've voyaged, yes. Most of my Clan do at one point or another. But I'd not say I'm a sailor, as such, though I worked the deck."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"But, nevertheless..." Touki nodded down at the papers. "You have your story. Or stories?"

He took a sip of tea, and then sighed, briefly closing his eyes.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 6:36 pm

Seitouna smiles.

"It is good tea.

"Anyway, I was talking with the Moto here--Moto Bataar, I believe the name was" and Seitouna does not stumble over it at all. "He had expressed disbelief at whales and orochi. It's a bit of a fresh thing on my mind, though I'll readily admit my work does better after editing than before."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"A Moto?" Touki's eyebrows went up. "How interesting. I met a former Unicorn, now a Yasuki, just yesterday." He shrugged. "I suppose seeing a Unicorn is not so fantastic as it would have been a year ago. Still, this was the first time I'd spoken to one."

"Have you seen such things? Whales and orochi?" Touki shook his head. "In truth, I feel that after seeing the ocean itself, I can imagine great creatures in it. All that water... it was strange to see, the first time."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 7:41 pm

"Oh, yes. Moto-san made quite the impression on the governor's court yesterday, as it happens.

"And, yes, I have seen such things. Whales look like large fish, though their back fins are sideways rather than vertical, and they seem to breathe. Orochi are...best viewed from a distance."

He takes another sip of tea.

"I have not made the acquaintance of any Yasuki here, I must report." And I'm not sure I'm glad to have them here, he thinks Though competition is probably not the order of the day, given circumstances.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"Oh..." Touki's eyebrows went up. "That was him. I see. Yes, I remember hearing him." Touki said blandly.

He listened, interested. "Do the whales or the orochi ever attack the ships? How do you fight them?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 9:19 pm

"I was not subject to such, fortunately, so I cannot attest to direct experience. The more seasoned sailors told me, however, that the whales rarely attack, and then mostly at particular times of year when their young are most vulnerable." He sips at his tea. "It makes sense, truly, for parents to defend their young.

"As to the orochi--they are capricious. And not easily fought, save through prayer. Or so I am told, at least."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"So I understand." Touki acknowledged the comment on parents and young without apparent feeling.

"Hmmm..." Touki's lips pressed together for a moment, but then he nodded. "I suppose there are things in this world beyond our ability to understand. We cannot fight the snow." He glanced towards the door, where the snowy outdoors waited.

After another sip of tea, Touki nodded towards the papers. "Does your story have a main character yet, Kasuga-sama?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2020 6:21 pm

"So far, Akodo-san, it is but notes from which a more cohesive narrative will emerge. And it has been context-building at that. I imagine a figure will push himself or herself forward soon, however.

"And sometimes, it can be done that a single story contains multitudes within itself, much as a painted screen can show more than one scene, or a kimono can be woven from many threads together."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

"Hmmm..." Touki considered that, holding his tea cup in his hands. "Many stories, coming together. I think that would be a fine idea, sir."

He took another slow sip of tea, seemingly savoring it. "So often, a single hero emerges in these sorts of stories. I have wondered if it seems the same to the people who were there." He inclined his head to his breakfast partner. "I suppose you have the advantage of being here. Perhaps your story will feel more real to those who read it?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:37 pm

"It is far easier to remember the name of the ship's master or the mate than of each crewman working the decks, however valiantly each of them may serve. But a good log will note the doings of each.

"And I can hope others will find they enjoy what I write. Much better to be remembered for doing well than otherwise, I think. And I can hope I will be able to write much of you, as well."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki inclined his head. "Indeed. This is why the Ikoma work so diligently. Every Lion has a hero in their ancestor." He gently grimaced.

"Me?" Touki's eyebrows went up. A moment passed. "Perhaps you shall. I think there is little enough about me except for my skill with the sword, and my devotion to my duty. If that is enough to earn a place of note in your book..."

D2EM, Might Be the Last Chance for a While (Open)

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