Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

The night is clear, and near perfect for reading the stars if one wanders out to the edge of the tents, beyond the light of all the fires. The light of Lord Moon hides the fainter stars and any wisdom they might have to share, but that's part of the calculations as well. Such a full moon in the darkness could be a good omen, indicating that they will set out with hidden dangerous able to make much progress.

Mari draws her light shawl closer around her shoulders, the ribbons on her sleeves caught and stilled within. Despite the bright light, the fact that Lord Moon let the Mask shine more brightly than the Chrysanthemum was troubling in their current circumstance.

Lord Moon's brightness also cast dark shadows and among the swaying grasses one shadow moves counter to the others. The wind shifts and a blot of darkness blinks a few meters in front of you.

Wonderful, I'm either about to frighten someone or look a moron.

The shadow stood up, revealing himself to the Isawa and the Lord's light. Slowly he walks out of grass and towards Phoenix.

"Pardon me Isawa-sama, I do not wish to disturb you but I did not wish to startle you either. I am Daidoji Hayabe, scout assigned to the 5th Kaisha; you are Isawa Mari yes?"

He stops a respectful distance from the maiden and bows formally despite his casual tone.

Had she not been looking up to the sky, Mari's keen eyes might have noticed the shifting shadows. She starts slightly at the voice, pale gaze dropping quickly to it's source She's silent a moment, chasing down that tickle in the brain saying he's familiar. A memory from earlier in the day is found as her hands drop to her sides for a bow. Hair ribbons flutter pale hints of color in the moonlight as she rises, one hand moving back to keep the shawl from slipping off.

"Yes, that's me, were you seeking me in particular?" She glances toward the shadowed trees. "Oooor...scouting? Which is probably better than hanging around the medical tents, neh?"

"Hunting, I'm looking for a young cricket to join me on our journey, but I am thankful to have crossed your path. I wanted to thank and commend you for your presence on this campaign, there is a decent chance I will not get to when the moment is critical and even if I do not need your aid others will. It seems I also need to apologize, in my efforts to help I have both increased your burden and wasted valuable resources."

Once again he bows to the Isawa.

"I'm sorry."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 12, 2024 8:35 pm

"Hunting, I'm looking for a young cricket to join me on our journey, but I am thankful to have crossed your path. I wanted to thank and commend you for your presence on this campaign, there is a decent chance I will not get to when the moment is critical and even if I do not need your aid others will. It seems I also need to apologize, in my efforts to help I have both increased your burden and wasted valuable resources."

Once again he bows to the Isawa.

"I'm sorry."

There's a lot of apologizing in a society with duels and constant access to weapons. Even so...

She waves off the apology with a rueful smile and small headshake. "ehhh...you wasted less than those injuring themselves through inattention. The critical supplies were mostly packed up well before then. Don't worry, we probably won't take it out on your hide when you come limping in later in the campaign." A younger Mari would have been shocked at joking about possibly using someone's battle damage as a chance to get even in some fashion. After a few years in the legion, the dark humor came naturally.

More seriously, "there's no need for thanks later, in any case. Patching you all up is our duty, and we'd be shamed to shirk it as you would running from whatever put holes in you." She glances out to the shadows "hoping a bit of cricket luck will keep you whole? Getting a bit late to find them, but there's a few still about."

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 3:50 am

There's a lot of apologizing in a society with duels and constant access to weapons. Even so...

She waves off the apology with a rueful smile and small headshake. "ehhh...you wasted less than those injuring themselves through inattention. The critical supplies were mostly packed up well before then. Don't worry, we probably won't take it out on your hide when you come limping in later in the campaign." A younger Mari would have been shocked at joking about possibly using someone's battle damage as a chance to get even in some fashion. After a few years in the legion, the dark humor came naturally.

More seriously, "there's no need for thanks later, in any case. Patching you all up is our duty, and we'd be shamed to shirk it as you would running from whatever put holes in you." She glances out to the shadows "hoping a bit of cricket luck will keep you whole? Getting a bit late to find them, but there's a few still about."

"I disagree about there being no need for thanks. Glory goes to victors but not equally and that bothers me. As far as the cricket goes, the luck always welcome but my purposes are more practical; once the cricket gets used to my presence they are an effective and subtle warning against someone approaching my tent."

He turns to look in the direction the Isawa had been looking. "I hope I didn't interrupt your meditations."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 4:51 am

"I disagree about there being no need for thanks. Glory goes to victors but not equally and that bothers me. As far as the cricket goes, the luck always welcome but my purposes are more practical; once the cricket gets used to my presence they are an effective and subtle warning against someone approaching my tent."

He turns to look in the direction the Isawa had been looking. "I hope I didn't interrupt your meditations."

She glances back up at the Mask. "They could do with interrupting, honestly. Divinations offer no comfort these days, and we're beginning a march as Lord Moon's gaze grows brightest. Always seem to be more odd accidents, and folks behaving oddly when his gaze is fully upon us, and a march always sees some of that at the start anyway as folks shake out of their routines." Ribbons shiver as she shakes her head slightly. "More work for us, certainly." She chuckles, "and yes, without much Glory. Which is fine. The regard of the kami is weightier than that of most mortals."

The plan for the cricket has her nodding. "Oh right...I remember hunting for them as a child. They quiet down as soon as you get close, makes them super hard to catch! I guess that would be a good alarm too."

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 5:41 am

She glances back up at the Mask. "They could do with interrupting, honestly. Divinations offer no comfort these days, and we're beginning a march as Lord Moon's gaze grows brightest. Always seem to be more odd accidents, and folks behaving oddly when his gaze is fully upon us, and a march always sees some of that at the start anyway as folks shake out of their routines." Ribbons shiver as she shakes her head slightly. "More work for us, certainly." She chuckles, "and yes, without much Glory. Which is fine. The regard of the kami is weightier than that of most mortals."

The plan for the cricket has her nodding. "Oh right...I remember hunting for them as a child. They quiet down as soon as you get close, makes them super hard to catch! I guess that would be a good alarm too."

"It's a useful trick when sleeping in enemy territory." He says while gazing at the stars. "It would be better if the omens were with us, but the Thunders had the odds stacked against them far worse than us. If Lord Moon wishes to see us off that is his prerogative; I welcome his gaze as I have served under his light far more than Lady Sun's."

He turned to regard the Phoenix; examining her. "Do those ribbons have prayers written on them, or maybe the names of ancestors?"

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 6:08 am

"It's a useful trick when sleeping in enemy territory." He says while gazing at the stars. "It would be better if the omens were with us, but the Thunders had the odds stacked against them far worse than us. If Lord Moon wishes to see us off that is his prerogative; I welcome his gaze as I have served under his light far more than Lady Sun's."

He turned to regard the Phoenix; examining her. "Do those ribbons have prayers written on them, or maybe the names of ancestors?"

There's a surprised lift of eyebrows at the question. "Not written...well not exactly, and not all of them." The hand not holding her shawl in place rises to fidget with a bluish hair ribbon, almost silver in this light. "They're mostly protective, yes. But also pretty." A grin dimples her cheeks. "Impractical for those getting armor on and off, but I can indulge."

She lets the ribbon trail through her fingers before dropping it. "There are prayers painted in tinctures aligned to ..." she gestures upward, "well, to signs and portents." Her eyes lift past the taller Crane to the moon. "They run on their own schedules. I do not believe Lord Moon chose to watch us march...we happen to be setting out when his gaze is widest. The choice there is ours, well...Mirumoto-sama's. And I'm sure there are good reasons for it...or bad reasons we're stuck with." Her eyes drop with a small shrug, "I won't wish the path of stars, moon, or armies to change, but I do like having some idea of what to expect."

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 6:52 am

There's a surprised lift of eyebrows at the question. "Not written...well not exactly, and not all of them." The hand not holding her shawl in place rises to fidget with a bluish hair ribbon, almost silver in this light. "They're mostly protective, yes. But also pretty." A grin dimples her cheeks. "Impractical for those getting armor on and off, but I can indulge."

She lets the ribbon trail through her fingers before dropping it. "There are prayers painted in tinctures aligned to ..." she gestures upward, "well, to signs and portents." Her eyes lift past the taller Crane to the moon. "They run on their own schedules. I do not believe Lord Moon chose to watch us march...we happen to be setting out when his gaze is widest. The choice there is ours, well...Mirumoto-sama's. And I'm sure there are good reasons for it...or bad reasons we're stuck with." Her eyes drop with a small shrug, "I won't wish the path of stars, moon, or armies to change, but I do like having some idea of what to expect."

"I agree, it would benefit all of us greatly if we simply knew when we were leaving or what path we will take. If you've divined such things I would be eager to hear them." Hayabe removed the blade from his back and sat down in the grass with it across his lap before looking up at the Isawa. "The ribbons do looks nice though, I'm surprised I've never seen an Asahina do it; the Isawa remain priests without equal."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 7:21 am

I agree, it would benefit all of us greatly if we simply knew when we were leaving or what path we will take. If you've divined such things I would be eager to hear them." Hayabe removed the blade from his back and sat down in the grass with it across his lap before looking up at the Isawa. "The ribbons do looks nice though, I'm surprised I've never seen an Asahina do it; the Isawa remain priests without equal."

"Many Asahina are quite in tune with the spirits of air and wear ribbons for their amusement and stick to traditional sacred paper for that sort of thing."

"So do most Isawa, honestly." She adds after a pause. Then, looking back to the stars, she says, "the sky isn't usually good at revealing such mundane clues. It's the spark of heaven peeking through to this mortal realm, and the view tends to be about big things." She points off to a relatively faint star a bit above and to the left of the Imperial Chrysanthemum. "I wasn't looking that night, but I'm told the Imperial astronomers recorded that star flickered reddish that night and has faded since..an omen of our Emperor's passing, perhaps even the passage his soul left this world through? It's seldom so precise as to predict a date for things."

She settles a bit awkwardly to a seat on the grass, noting the chill damp of the dew on it as she rummages in her scroll satchel to bring out a small bag. The color is hard to be sure of in the moonlight, but it has the sheen of smooth silk. Tipping it up tumbles a variety of small stones into her waiting palm. "these are a bit more personal-level for divination. And all they've said is that I'll be traveling soon. I'd have to divine the commander's mind to get better...and that's getting into stranger things than divination, honestly." A small shiver trembles her hand slightly as she pours the stones back into their pouch. "When did you come to this legion? I'm not in a position to review all the new assignments as they come in. Have you been stuck waiting long?"

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 3:01 pm

"Many Asahina are quite in tune with the spirits of air and wear ribbons for their amusement and stick to traditional sacred paper for that sort of thing."

"So do most Isawa, honestly." She adds after a pause. Then, looking back to the stars, she says, "the sky isn't usually good at revealing such mundane clues. It's the spark of heaven peeking through to this mortal realm, and the view tends to be about big things." She points off to a relatively faint star a bit above and to the left of the Imperial Chrysanthemum. "I wasn't looking that night, but I'm told the Imperial astronomers recorded that star flickered reddish that night and has faded since..an omen of our Emperor's passing, perhaps even the passage his soul left this world through? It's seldom so precise as to predict a date for things."

She settles a bit awkwardly to a seat on the grass, noting the chill damp of the dew on it as she rummages in her scroll satchel to bring out a small bag. The color is hard to be sure of in the moonlight, but it has the sheen of smooth silk. Tipping it up tumbles a variety of small stones into her waiting palm. "these are a bit more personal-level for divination. And all they've said is that I'll be traveling soon. I'd have to divine the commander's mind to get better...and that's getting into stranger things than divination, honestly." A small shiver trembles her hand slightly as she pours the stones back into their pouch. "When did you come to this legion? I'm not in a position to review all the new assignments as they come in. Have you been stuck waiting long?"

"Tomorrow will be my second morning here, I arrived late last night. I was on my way back to my family home after serving on the border all season. I was a half day from home when I happened to cross paths with a family servant sent to bring me the message and I came straight here; tonight's sleep will be good for me I think. And you, have you been here long; is this your first time going south, your first time going to battle?"

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:59 pm

"Tomorrow will be my second morning here, I arrived late last night. I was on my way back to my family home after serving on the border all season. I was a half day from home when I happened to cross paths with a family servant sent to bring me the message and I came straight here; tonight's sleep will be good for me I think. And you, have you been here long; is this your first time going south, your first time going to battle?"

"Which border?" She asks with some genuine curiosity. And, after agreeing that sleep almost always made things better, she answers his questions. "4 years in the legions, first time heading south, but not the first time on a battlefield, though that was before Imperial service, with a unit flushing out heretics south of the Mori." Probably only an Isawa would assume people would know which forest they were speaking of when referencing the Isawa Mori like that.

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 4:28 am

"Which border?" She asks with some genuine curiosity. And, after agreeing that sleep almost always made things better, she answers his questions. "4 years in the legions, first time heading south, but not the first time on a battlefield, though that was before Imperial service, with a unit flushing out heretics south of the Mori." Probably only an Isawa would assume people would know which forest they were speaking of when referencing the Isawa Mori like that.

"I have spent most of my service life guarding our long border with the minor clans. It is our most direct route to Scorpion and Unicorn lands beyond and probably the corridor that our supplies will come through. It would also make for a reasonable rally point if a retreat from Crab lands are needed." He continued stargazing. "I spend my days and nights stalking through meadows, streams and woods for people like me wearing Wasp, Hare and Scorpion markings. Sparrow vassals trying to farm on Crane lands, smugglers moving things to and from Ryoko Owari; nothing even close to this scale. I relish this though, though the circumstances are dire I am finally getting to go to The Wall."

If Hayabe even has a Mask he wasn't wearing it now as he beams like a child as he looks up at the night sky and he reflexively clutches the blade in his lap; pulling it closer.

"It's just dawned on me that no matter what happens next it will be remembered, we will be remembered. There is a lot of freedom in that, an unburdening." He smiled.

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 7:17 am

"I have spent most of my service life guarding our long border with the minor clans. It is our most direct route to Scorpion and Unicorn lands beyond and probably the corridor that our supplies will come through. It would also make for a reasonable rally point if a retreat from Crab lands are needed." He continued stargazing. "I spend my days and nights stalking through meadows, streams and woods for people like me wearing Wasp, Hare and Scorpion markings. Sparrow vassals trying to farm on Crane lands, smugglers moving things to and from Ryoko Owari; nothing even close to this scale. I relish this though, though the circumstances are dire I am finally getting to go to The Wall."

If Hayabe even has a Mask he wasn't wearing it now as he beams like a child as he looks up at the night sky and he reflexively clutches the blade in his lap; pulling it closer.

"It's just dawned on me that no matter what happens next it will be remembered, we will be remembered. There is a lot of freedom in that, an unburdening." He smiled.

"Really?" Her eyes crinkle with a puzzled smile. "I'd think it more freeing to be forgotten. No worry that one's name will be tied to their mistakes forever. No legend too big for their children to live up to."

"Still...what do you think we'll be remembered for? The omens I've spotted so far just...keep reflecting the imbalance in the world, not their resolution. Which probably means nothing is settled yet. The decisions and actions that will set the larger stage perhaps haven't happened yet." She tumbles the stones back into their pouch, enjoying the cool feel of them slipping out of her fingers.


(ooc, apologies for the delay. very long day.)

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 7:34 am

"Really?" Her eyes crinkle with a puzzled smile. "I'd think it more freeing to be forgotten. No worry that one's name will be tied to their mistakes forever. No legend too big for their children to live up to."

"Still...what do you think we'll be remembered for? The omens I've spotted so far just...keep reflecting the imbalance in the world, not their resolution. Which probably means nothing is settled yet. The decisions and actions that will set the larger stage perhaps haven't happened yet." She tumbles the stones back into their pouch, enjoying the cool feel of them slipping out of her fingers.

He looked a little sad after the shugenja's words then holds up the blade in his lap for her to see.

"This blade was first carried by the ancestor who's name I carry. It is of Kaiu make but nothing of note, a simple weapon of The Wall chosen by him shortly after arriving to serve duty their in honor of our connection with the Crab. He carried it with honor for nearly four years; even being gifted this tsuba by a comrade. Then he disappeared. There is shame in that, a shame that however minor has dogged my family every since, we could forget that unfortunate history but then what have we gained? Not the wisdom of his experiences, the glory of his successes would not have inspired generations of his line, the mystery of his disappearance wouldn't have sent a score of samurai to volunteer for duty on The Wall. To be remembered means you life served a purpose, maybe only for a few but we cannot all be Thunders."


(Edit to add OOC: No worries, it's Friday night and I assume other people have lives)

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 7:53 am

He looked a little sad after the shugenja's words then holds up the blade in his lap for her to see.

"This blade was first carried by the ancestor who's name I carry. It is of Kaiu make but nothing of note, a simple weapon of The Wall chosen by him shortly after arriving to serve duty their in honor of our connection with the Crab. He carried it with honor for nearly four years; even being gifted this tsuba by a comrade. Then he disappeared. There is shame in that, a shame that however minor has dogged my family every since, we could forget that unfortunate history but then what have we gained? Not the wisdom of his experiences, the glory of his successes would not have inspired generations of his line, the mystery of his disappearance wouldn't have sent a score of samurai to volunteer for duty on The Wall. To be remembered means you life served a purpose, maybe only for a few but we cannot all be Thunders."


(Edit to add OOC: No worries, it's Friday night and I assume other people have lives)

Mari listens, looking over the blade and what details could be seen in the wan light of the moon. "Thank goodness we can't all be Thunders. The danger that would require so many of them is beyond my imagination, but would be awful." She shakes her head to clear the terrible mental image.

"I suppose it's different for those who fight. Courage to prove. It's a bit different with the kami. Their favor falls upon you and shows the world some measure of your soul before you have any real thought about things like honor. There's never been a sense of being inspired to serve them, never a worry that life is without purpose. You are one of those standing between the elements and the mundane world and that's simply how it will be."

Her expression grows troubled a moment before she smiles gently with a fluttery shake of her head. "I think we'll simply have to disagree on the value of being remembered. We're a clan full of scholars and scribes, where so much important work is never really remembered. So many spend their days copying texts that would otherwise fade away, and few will remember who they were, even as they benefit from their work. There's a freedom in knowing you stand with many to create the underpinnings that allow things to function properly."