The twins exchanged the proper "pleased to meet you"'s before Kasumi continued onto her target.

"Oh, well we just wanted to share some gossip. Like I hear Lesson is on its way."

"Say" she asked to the Bard, "Did you get him to tell the story of Shogi in the middle of the Great Battle? I sometimes think he's a little too humble ..."

Sakura's warning glare cut her off, but Kasumi wasn't worried. One day a Samurai would find out what the twins were really capable of.

Of course, they wouldn't live to tell the story.

 Someone with even a modest level of courtiers skill might well discern that there's no apparent intention upon Kedo's part, only that as a man clad in wave-man grey he's loathe to impose too deeply upon the social interactions of others and would likely have left the introductions to the individual with the highest station present had he not been metaphorically nudged by his Lioness companion...

 ...they might also discern from the attitudes of Ronin, Daidoji and Ikoma alike that banging on the 'glorious Kedo' drum is probably the best way to pay him back for any imagined slight, as he looks downright uncomfortable.

 And only grows more so as Kasumi speaks, although that discomfort is mingled with a degree of anticipation as he remarks modestly "It will be good to see Lesson once more, particularly when...", only to let his words fall away with a rueful sigh and the observation that "...I had not thought Daidoji harriers to be inclined towards gossip.", although in the midst of it all he offers a small nod to the twins, as though acknowledging a point.

"I had heard the tale of the bar games in the midst of the battle," Ikoma Hitori giggled, "and I had heard some discussion regarding a no-dachi that was brought up during our travels.  I take it you have more stories about the mysterious ronin that I have yet to hear?  Oh, I am so excited!  But I will need pen and ink if I am to record them all!"

It was clear the Ikoma would be able to continue in that vein for far long than anyone wanted to listen, but, of course, there were other people to converse with.

Do you think they'd be willing to drop this if they hand the chance to settle it martially?  A duel?  Or personal combat?  Its doubtful the Mantis can play both sides - both a minor and a great Clan - for long.  Perhaps they'd be willing to adjust their event, and allow those who wish to settle their grievances.

"While I'll not argue that that idea has merit, Shoji-san, I believe our Sparrow hosts would discourage it.  No one wants an accidental fatality to mar the games, and given what I witnessed, I doubt either party would settle for less.  I wonder, though, if either of their superiors might be willing to send them home before they cause a problem..."

Shoji offered a bow and a smile of gratitude to Asahina Byako, having navigated his issue of introduction.

"That's a fine idea, Ikoma-san.  I can speak to the Sparrow.  They're probably the best to deal with it, being the official hosts.  I'm nervous, though, that their superiors may have a similar laments.  It seems unlikely that only one Matsu and one Yoritomo are carrying a grudge."

Kedo's comment caught his ear, "Harrier's?  I'm not sure if I've ever met a Harrier before.  Daidoji-sans, I'm pleased to meet you.  My brother will be disappointed he missed the introduction.  I may have to send him to meet you later, if you're inclined."

His eyes drifted warmly back to Byako, unsure if she had more business with the ronin and his Lion escort, or if she wanted to continue their lesson.

Byako smiles at the glance. She turns to the gathered assemblage and bows to each according to their station. "It appears that a way forward has been identified and a commitment has been made to walk the way. If you all don't mind, I would like to return to my tutelage; there is much to learn, before I can even pretend to competence, before the competitions begin!" She turns to Shoji "Shoji-sama, we have seen what grows in the field; perhaps you could show me the intricacies of what is growing in that stream over there?" she says, pointing to a small stream that provides water to the encampment.

After casting an eye toward Lady Sun, Shoji turned to nod to Byako.  "There will be plenty of time to talk with the Sparrow later," he agreed.  "Its best that we finish our lesson during daylight."

He turned and bowed deeper than he should to the ronin, "Kedo-sama, I hope to hear more of your legendary accomplishments at a later date," and to the Ikoma, "Doubtless we've only heard a small portion.  It seems the fortunes shine on the ronin."

And to the Daidoji bows that were as deep as was polite, "Tomorrow, I hope."

If she was ready to leave, Shoji let the Asahina lead him down toward the river.

Byako led the way to a portion of the water way where the water was formed into a bit of a pool; she knew that more vegetation was evident in the slower moving parts. Once there she turned to Shoji and said softly "There seemed to be something you wanted to discuss, beyond your remaining lessons in plant life."

Following, Shoji knelt down to inspect a moss.  After a moment, he looked up at Byako.

Byako smiles, in that exotic, vaguely predatory, way that she always smiles. "I suppose I have a story to tell, though my interest is more in witnessing the dramas playing out in this world. I hope you won't tell those around us; people will act differently, and that will ruin the scene. I am curious, though; how did you know? I have heard that your clan often interacts with those like me, does that give you special insight?"

Shoji's eyes drifted back to the ground, and his hands dipped into the dirt, scraping away some surface dirt.  His smile might have been difficult to see.
After a moment of digging, Shoji produced the root.  "Dried and ground this acts as a mild sedative.  Perhaps for someone having trouble sleeping at night."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 13:10, Mon 21 Sept 2015.

"Ah, I see. A mild sedative, that could be very useful to someone with injuries who needs rest. As for my story, I can probably tell you now, while I see if I can dig some of this up as well."
Byako kneels down and begins digging in the riverbank as well, trying to find the same root.
"my wild times are mostly a blur, as is usual for most denizens of Chikushudo; we live in the moment and past and future are not relevant. One day, however, in winter I was wandering through the woods, play-hunting, when I came across a woman. I now know her name was Asahina Shirako. She was very pregnant and gathering materials to perform a blessing ceremony for her newborn. I'm not sure if it was the exertion, or simply the fortunes playing fickle, but she went into premature labor right there in the snow covered woods. She couldn't make it back home, or anywhere, really; the baby was coming and quickly. She had the child there, in the snow, by herself. She had seen me watching them during her labor, and thought it was a good omen; she even named the child Byako. But Byako, the human Byako, was too weak and sickly from being born far too early. She died within minutes of being born. The shock of giving birth, along with the sadness of losing the child was too much for Shirako-sama. She wrote the name of the baby in the snow next to her, so that her father would know, then held the baby close and laid down in the snow; I think, now, that she had simply lost the will to live.
This tragedy was much like the enlightenment that the monks seek, for me. It made me think about the past and wonder about the future. It made me crave for more of these human emotions. So I take the baby from Shirako-sama's arms and took it to a hole I'd been sleeping in and buried her there. Then I changed into the form of a human for the first time and took her place.
Later the search party found me in my dead mother's arms, with my name written in the snow next to us. They took me, and my name, to my father. Along with the tragic story of my mother dying giving birth to me. My father loved me very much; not only was I his daughter, but also his link to his beloved wife. He never sought to marry me off, and I never looked for suitors; I stayed with him until his dying day. Since then I have been wandering, always looking for human drama, and trying to protect peace and life."
The whole time she was monologuing her story, Byako had been rooting through the mud and muck. As she came to a close, she held up a root and gave a coy grin. "Ah, is this the same type of root? Or have I been digging at the wrong plant?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:24, Thu 17 Sept 2015.

Kasumi's lilting laugh split the air.

"No, not Harriers -- not the traditional kind, anyway." of course, the Shugenja paraphernalia said much the same thing.

"Well, Kedo-Kun, make sure you save time for tea with your former charges. We can talk more."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. If you have time for tea, let us know."

 "Few realise that they have Kitsune-san, if the opportunity presents I shall make you known to one." Kedo answers gladly, bowing slightly when the other man comments, only to wince as though lightly struck when coming out of his bow at the use of the word 'legendary'*

 He is however, along with all else a strategist and so for a moment his head tilts and his lip quirks up as he asks "Perhaps the invitation may do well to be answered by Ikoma-san?, it would permit me to speak with certain individuals and I cannot but feel that in my absence there would be less reason to embroider the events of Toshi Ranbo.", his tone less accusatory and rather more teasing.

 ---

 * Rather disconcertingly, after Toshi Ranbo, Kedo was Glory 6-7. Even now, he's probably 5-6. This means random strangers know him on a TN 30-35 Awareness roll:

OOC: Splitting things a bit.  Sorry.

"My interest is peaked," the Kitsune replied with a bow.  "I'll take you up on the tea."  An open acceptance to cover an open offer.  Things were shaping up rather busily for the shugenja and he wasn't sure when there would be time.

With a bow he excused himself from the "Harrier's" and the ronin.

****
[Down by the river | Byako and Shoji]
Shoji's eyes followed the Asahina as she related her story.  Admiration glazed his eyes.  "That's a powerful gift, Byako-san.  Your father was a lucky man to receive it, and you were most generous to give it.  Or perhaps it was a call to duty?  It seems a shame that more people won't hear the story."

His eyes glanced down, watching her fingers as she pulled the root from the earth.  "Excellent," he praised.  "Now you know how to calm a headache, or simply a busy mind."  His own root he placed back into the soil, covering it up and giving it another chance to grow.

"There's a similar story in my family.  Not that anyone died, or any of your kind making such a sacrifice.  More the setting, I suppose.  Forests are dangerous places.  Years ago... no... generations ago, one of my ancestors found a boy huddled in Kitsune Mori.  A storm was raging, a thick blizzard.  They took the boy and kept him safe until the storm passed and it had thawed enough for them to search for his parents."  He patted the soil, making sure the root was safe.  "It didn't take them long.  By that time half of the Doji family must have been combing the woods.  It turns out the boy was the only son of the Doji champion.  He told my ancestors that he would take care of their heirs as they had taken care of his.  The Doji still honor that promise, allowing members of my family to train with them if they're so inclined.  One of my sisters trains with them."

In reply to Kedo (msg # 33):

"Oh I very rarely embroider events," the Ikoma giggled, "and the details that I alter a purpose Are for the sake of the art, like a colorful wrapping on the grip of a blade.  It does nothing to change its quality for good or ill, but it makes the appearance more pleasing to the eye.  Conversely, one can hardly disguise a true craftsman with an alias and ronin grey and expect the true quality to fail to shine through and be acknowledged."

[Down by the river | Byako and Shoji]
"Please don't misunderstand me; I don't feel that it was I that made a sacrifice. My father is the one who sacrificed; he took a posting in the lands of the Scorpion because it meant he would be able to keep me near. He raised me alone for his whole life. In lean times he would eat millet so that I could eat rice. He even handled his own finances¹ even beyond when I could have taken that duty over. From the moment I came into his life, his life became one of near constant sacrifice for me. I suspect that he even knew, though refused to admit, even to himself, that I was not really his own flesh and blood. But he still loved me and cared for me. Now that I understand what it all means, I understand that I did not deserve this, but I also understand that he wouldn't have cared whether I deserved it or not; I was his daughter.

It is a great thing your ancestor did for the Doji boy. Some do not understand it, but helping those who are suffering, be they hinin² or kuge, is the basis for all that is good within the world. That is the same lesson I learned from my experience."


Footnotes:
1. In Feudal Japan, the woman of the household would handle all of the household expenses; the man got an allowance which he could use as he saw fit, without the burden of concern about household budget.
2. Talk about doing good for people, and even more so, implying that hinin are people (that one should do good for), is probably a pretty major social faux paus.

 "Expect, no... hope perhaps, not that I have yet achieved so exalted a state." Kedo answers, quite unaware that his offhanded inference to the Harriers in the city gossiping with the Ikoma storyteller has been misunderstood to refer to the Daidoji 'twins' and therefore not in a position to address the point (and sufficiently rattled in any case to actually indulge in some egotism - if only by his use of the word 'yet') before he offers a bow to both women and murmurs "But for the moment, if I might leave you in one another's company while I seek an answer to a question that has troubled me for some time?"

 Assuming that permission is forthcoming, he then retreats to go and seek out a certain angry Matsu, hoping that thereby he might come a little closer to touching the sleeve of wisdom.

[Down by the river | Byako and Shoji]
There was an implication, but perhaps Shoji missed it, or he didn't compute the slight.  Hinin may not be samurai, but they are something to be cared for.

"I look forward to getting to know you, Byako-san," Shoji beamed.  His eyes looked up, noting the departure above of the ronin Bono Kedo.  His eyes searched the river around him, "I think I may be taxed, at least for the evening.  I'm not planning on competing tomorrow, but I still should be fresh for Daichi-san, should he need anything."

He stood, offering a hand to the Asahina, "We still have some time before the Fox's competition.  If you'd like, we can resume another day."

Byako takes the proffered hand to assist her in gaining a solid footing "Alas, there are other skills that I must attempt to gain basic proficiency with as well. However, if I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know. I'm sure you will see me around." Byako smiles with a sly, playful smile: "You have as your companion the most handsome fox in camp, after all!"
Byako brushes herself off a bit and straightens her kimono. "Can I offer to walk you back to the Kitsune camp, before I return to the Crane?"

"Whatever you do, please don't tell that to Anzu.  Her ego is inflated enough without flattery," Shoji returned the Asahina's playful grin.

"That would be nice," Shoji answered Byako's offer of company.  "My brother is likely occupied preparing for tomorrow, so camp will likely be quiet.  Anzu and Shoji are fine companions, but rather lacking in the area of conversation," he joked.  He mulled the thought for a moment, "Daichi, I suppose, isn't much for conversation either."

"I will keep it our secret." Byako smiles again. "I'm sure that Anzu, Shoji, and Daichi all speak volumes with their actions; it is the nature of some to vocalize, and others to do. When we join your kind, it is the nature of my kind to vocalize, but I have found that many people are more comfortable conveying their intent through actions, sometimes even more subtle than the most sly courtier in the Emperor’s court. I think even Shinsei was a man of few words." Byako begins the stroll towards the Kitsune camp, talking as she walks.

It wasn't a topic that Shoji was terribly comfortable with, but they had touched on it, and given what Byako had shared, Shoji felt that she had earned a measure of trust.

"Daichi is definitely more hands-on, but when I saw 'isn't much for conversation' I was soft-selling the point.  He isn't at all for conversation.  Or words.  None.  At least, not in a couple of years."  He eyed the Asahina for moment to see if she was following.  He remembered that she probably hadn't actually met him.

"I mentioned our connection with the Doji before?  Well, it doesn't hurt to have powerful friends who can call in favors.  Many of my siblings train in non-Kitsune schools.  My family thinks its important as a minor clan... you know... meet people, build alliances.  Given his gifts, it was arranged for Daichi to train with the Crab.  The Hida."  His voice dropped.  The story wasn't a secret - Daichi wore the Hida school mon - but still wasn't something that Shoji shared often.

"When the Crab allied with the Shadowlands, it was Daichi's duty to march with them to Beiden Pass.  He hasn't spoken a word since."  He paused.  "It must have been horrible."

"Don't forget tea, Kedo-Kun. You wouldn't want me to come looking for you ..."

Quite sure that Kedo wasn't leaving Ikoma-San in their capable hands, Kasumi bowed attempting to dismiss themselves.  "Feel free to come seek us out" she said with a bow.

The Ikoma would probably not be so easy to leave, but if they were somehow 'allowed to escape' they would head to Crane HQ.

Byako is visibly surprised by this. "I see. He must not speak, because the thing he would have to speak about is unspeakable. It is a sad state of affairs. Hopefully he will be able to resolve this within himself some day. If I can do anything to help his troubled mind, please let him know that I would be happy to help."

This message was deleted by the player at 22:32, Tue 29 Aug 2017.