Sapphire Ambassadors

Ameiko escorted her charge to the garden. She had borrowed a servant from the inn to carry a few items. The lunch box, a spare parasol, and of course, the black and white kite Choudai had made. It was a pleasant day, and the wind, though gentle, was enough for some entertainment. The Scorpion though this a bit of a silly hobby, (it was obviously nothing like the thrill of tabi skating), but also found it humanizing to the great and powerful Otomo.

Though curiously she saw him as just an older man who took to much time to himself. Must be nice.

"Lord Gaitsu, we are here", she said as they crossed from the hedge maze to the garden. It really was quite nice. Of course, Ameiko didn't take much time to enjoy it, she was watching for threats as usual.

"So, Bayushi-san," Gaitsu says, "lovely as this place is, why am I here?"

"Did not Lord Gaitsu express his wish to fly a kite during our stay here?" she asked. She gestured toward the servant, who held up said kite. Mostly so they could hide behind it. "Today seemed a fine day, though if is not pleasing to you perhaps a light meal among the garden would be to your interest."

As she also brought lunch.

Gaitsu smiles--an open, honest smile of pleasure.

"Well done, Bayushi-san," he says. "Tell me of the kite."

"My knowledge of kites, though growing, is yet incomplete", Ameiko bowed slightly in apology. "Though this particular kite was made with care and is quite serviceable, the craftsman once took part in some famed kite flying competition. Though this particular kite was made at my request, it is a gift from another samurai and one such that has experience both in crafting and flying them."

"Oh?" Gaitsu leans forward, intrigued. "Who is the artisan?"

"Hmm? Oh, Bayushi Choudai", Ameiko told him plainly. "He has been a great help to me as a senpai of my clan." She held out her hand to the servant and was handed the kite. She made sure to touch it here and there, smoothing paper, tugging string and bits of wood. To show there were no traps set in it.

"Shall we try it out?"

"I thought he was primarily a chef," Gaitsu replies. "It must be nice to have the time to devote to so many pursuits."

He takes up the kite, readies it for flight, and tosses it aloft.

It catches a breeze and begins to ascend.

"Veterans are often given time to rest after a war", the Scorpion said. "I imagine spring holds some respite for you as well, after a long court season, no?"

She watches the little thing battle the elements above their heads.

"All too little, as it happens," Gaitsu replies as he deftly maneuvers the kite.

It rises higher.

"The more authority one has, the more demands upon time and attention one has. Even Her Majesty, long may She reign, has most of Her moments spoken for by the needs of those She rules.

"But the Scorpion know well of service before self, do they not?"

"Yes", she said, still struggling with that idea, and how clans deal with it differently. "Our lives are a series of rituals that fill our time. i spent most of the morning preparing for this moment, short as it will be."

The kite goes further aloft, and Gaitsu considers it in silence for a time.

"You have questions," he says at length. "You may ask them here, now. I may not answer them all, but you will not be faulted for asking."

Opportunities are not to be passed up. Though Ameiko had to admit she was content in learning by watching, as words could mean many things.

Still, after a while of watching the sky, then the garden as her duty demanded, she sat down among the flowers and contemplated for a long moment.

"It is my wish that I had something to ask worth troubling my Lord Gaitsu for", she said finally, a slight laugh escaping her lips.

"It is not a trouble," he replies.

The kite dips and dives, expertly controlled.

"Why do you enjoy kites?" She asked suddenly.

A short bark of laughter precedes Gaitsu's answer.

"What's not to like?

"More fully, though, it's the kind of thing that encourages quiet solitude, usually, which is welcome after courtly functions. Too, because it's a wholesome thing but not particularly gripping for a lot of people, it becomes a way to find true enthusiasts--and there's a marked difference between those who care about a thing and those who go along for appearances, wouldn't you agree, Bayushi-san?"

"I would agree, yes ..though in my case is it not my duty to accompany you?" She asked.

"Yes," Gaitsu says, "and I do not begrudge your company, certainly. You know quiet, among others."

Ameiko does indeed stay quiet for a bit longer, being vigilant often steals the words from a samurai.

Eventually she leaned down and took in the fragrance of the garden, and was not disappointed.

"Will you be taking any meetings today, lord Gaitsu?" she asked.

"I've one or two," Gaitsu comments. "I'll likely confer with our gracious host."

He looks at her as the kite dips and dives.

"Is there someone in particular you think needs...attention?"