[Day Three, Early Morning] Wake up and Aw dang, it's wet out

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

It was days like today that Kodama most missed home near the Plains of Thunder.

Granted, it was much a much colder rain than he preferred. But sitting near the entrance, watching the rain come down was a respite from the chaos that was surely going on outside of the shrine.

War had found the world again. It would make it so very difficult to avoid killing. He'd seen so much death.

But what was his life worth, if he was not willing to spend it to save another?

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

For some reason, the cold rain always felt more chilly to Poemu than the snow did. Perhaps it was because of how all encompassing it was, or perhaps it was how readily it soaked one to the bones.

Regardless, come rain or shine, the Agasha would have her morning prayers. The shrine was a fine place to go, and since she had an wide brimmed hat to keep the rain away (along with a straw cloak she'd bought), it was only really unpleasant on the feet. Offering her prayers, Poemu finished and looked around. All of the monks seemed to be in their quarters, or at least under overhangs. Making her way to the entrance, she looked around the streets, much more packed than a morning like this would normally have. She murmured softly. "I wonder what normal is, and if we will find it again."

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

"For some, normal is the most difficult time." The monk says, calmly from his seat near the entrance. He bows politely, then straightens.

"So many choices during the calm, and so often, a long time before consequences for most of them. During times of strife, reward and punishment are quick. It's easy to show yourself heroic during times of strife. And that's what the ancestors want, yes? Glory?"

He doesn't really turn away from looking out at the rain.

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

Poemu gave a slight smile before turning and giving a slight bow. "I think mine would be quite content if I brought more peace than strife sensei. Even if there are consequences all the same for a court, they normally do not put the people in grave danger... I would hope."

She gave a sigh, the air showing it in a puff. "This one is Agasha Poemu from Dragon lands. Perhaps things are seen a bit different here than there."

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

"I am Kodama, who serves Reichin-no-kami in the Order of the Fortune of Heroes." He holds out his hand to collect a few rain drops, and then pulls it in and points up with it, letting the drops run down to the ground as they like along his arm or to drip off of it.

"It's always difficult to determine the direction our choices will take. From every path is seen a different view of the world. Who knows what difference it will make when we move a drop of water from one spot to another?"

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

Poemu gave a soft laugh into a sleeve. "Like the Koan of a Togashi... I suppose my answer to such things has always been to say that we still move the water all the same. Uncertainty is not an excuse for inaction. Isn't that what helps define a hero?"

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

"It can be one thing. Certainty in action can also define a villain. Often, it is a razor thin edge between the two." He shrugs slightly.

"That, I think, is the most difficult thing to determine. The mother who finds the last apple on the tree to feed their child is a heroine to their child. A villain to the next person to come to the tree in hope."

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

Poemu gave a slight frown. "Ano... if I came to that tree, I would not villainize the mother for doing what she could for her child. I suppose that would be called compassion though, or self sacrifice. I am certain Kodama-sensei is right that others might see things as he says."

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

A friendly smile.

"Hai. Perhaps that is one reason Akodo-kami saw the wisdom of compassion. He saw when he had been the villain and when the hero, and how easily he could be either because of even one misunderstanding. And so he helped shape every samurai thereafter."

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

"Then do you believe that these times will have any less? It has been a hectic time, and I do not imagine this city will be unassailed for long, but... I think that the water will find its way. Perhaps this rain is a sign that we must flow with the situation rather than push against it."

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

A small shake of his head.

"If we only flow where we're pushed, then we do not walk our paths but simply move along them. I am loathe to take a life ever again, but cannot stand aside when madness overwhelms or cruelty cuts for the sake of cutting."

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

That brought a small laugh from Poemu, and a wider smile. "You know Kodama-sensei, your words are quite like those that Togashi-dono imparted onto us 2 days ago. I am not certain who that honors more. He was vague, as his words ever are, but he mentioned making our own fate and not letting our path be decided as well. A strange thing to have alongside a call for action, thoughtfulness."

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

He blinks a few times.

"Do the Dragon have ways of communicating from great distances? I don't remember hearing of a Togashi lord being present..."

A shake of the head. "Though I don't truly keep up with the goings on of court or the like, so could have easily missed it."

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

Poemu sighed. smirking softly, as if to herself. "Hai, that is a very good question. There is little doubt every member of my clan present saw and spoke with the man, but no one else saw him, and no one else reported his presence. Perhaps he DID communicate across the Empire. I've heard the Dragon clan Champion to have strange mystic abilities before after all."

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

A brief nod.

"His presence in the Empire has often come at a time that someone ends up doing something heroic, from what I can remember of history. Perhaps your paths have a feat or three to accomplish."

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

Poemu gave a nod as well. "I think many will find some form of heroics inside them in these coming days."

There was a silence while the Dragon just soaked in the rain (not literally). Finally she spoke up curiously. "Order of Heroes... I don't believe I ever met one from your order before Kodama-sensei. Is it a branch of the Thousand?"

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

"Order of the Fortune of Heroes. And hai, part of the Thousand Fortunes. We've only been about for a few years, since the Fortune was pronounced to be."

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

Another thoughtful nod. "There are only a few Brotherhood temples up in Agasha lands, and few more in Miya lands. You are the first of your Order that I have met. Can you tell me a little about your order? I confess, I am not certain about the story of Reichin no Kami either. I am quite interested."

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

"Well, as the latter, Reichin-no-kami in life was one of the first to see the Bloodspeaker's army as it approached Ryoko Owari. He fought in a number of battles there, and later, volunteered to sabotage Jama Suru's defenses in the city, having infiltrated it alone. He did so successfully for seven days, delaying Jama Suru's retreat before reinforcing armies could arrive to take back the city. He took an arrow for the Emerald Champion, saving his life." He pauses and looks to the Agasha, "I'm shortening the tale significantly, I hope you understand."

"His deeds earned him the Hare Clan and the Usagi name. He died to another arrow, in a battle against the Forest Killers, who had been harassing the clan for months."

"His order is based primarily in Hare lands near Shiro Usagi and within Ryoko Owari; both of these places being the main locations in his story. We who serve in the order are seeking to better understand heroes, so we can help others to recognize the Fortune's blessings. A tricky thing, considering there have been heroes long before there was a Fortune."

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

Poemu had to think a long moment on that. The lands of the minor clans were always so hard to remember. "Hare lands... ah, they are near the Shinomen Mori, hai? That would mean the southern Empire. I've never been south of the Spine, so I have never been to them, let alone Ryoko Owari Toshi."

"Which temple are you from Kodama-sensei? And what brought you to Lion lands?"

[Day Three, Early Morning] Wake up and Aw dang, it's wet out

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