Sapphire Ambassadors

Taijo sat with his back against the stone wall that surrounded the space, his legs splayed out in front of him. He took a series of deep breathes and let a bit of tension escape his body with each exhale. He had travelled long through the night arrive in time and he softly spoke a prayer of thanks to Koshin for delivering him swiftly and safely to his destination. As Amaterasu's first light crept of the land he watched with rapt attention as an explosion of colors heralded the start of a new day.

Jakuchou walked into the garden, taking in the sight of flowers and morning light. She pauses near the monk and nods. "The colors are reminiscent of a flower garden in some ways, no?" she asked.

She moved with a gentle grace that tended to only be common in warriors and dancers, but it's clear that a good push might leave her bedridden from a broken hip.

Further along the path, a young man looks about in a trance muttering under his breath. "Over an acre of garden, with multitudes of flowers with different needs, so how do they make certain they are all taken care of? Do they higher 3 or 4 overseers who tell how much water each of these need? Why not just set clear lines of similar plants and run a water line through, that would greatly reduce the upkeep required." He seems to be standing perfectly still, finger on his chin unaware of the others.

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 02, 2022 3:50 pm

Snip

Taijo hopped to his feet and offered the woman a respectful bow and a warm smile.

"Yes indeed Dragon-sama, it is striking in it's beauty yet it lacks to bring the joy I hoped it might. Better in my mind to let the flowers mix and mingle like they would in nature; like the clans will do here."

He stretched and shook his legs out then offered his companion another bow. "I am Taijo and it is a pleasure to spend this beautiful dawn with you, do you come for the event or are you just passing through?"

"I am here for the event. I don't have any war left in me, so I am trying to find ways to serve my clan with my waning years," she replied in a gentle voice, bowing in return. "I am Mirumoto Jakuchou."

"And while the natural look might be quite fetching, I actually enjoy observing the structure of a garden to try to understand what the original gardener was trying to say with the design. Unlike flowers in the wild, a garden is designed, like a building, a poem, a play or a game. It's less about the flowers and more about the message they are sharing. Like a massive ikebana display," she explains her view, waxing poetic as some are wont to do in their later years.

She looked in the direction of the Crab in a way that suggests he is welcome to join, if he catches the look.

"Are you here for the event as well, Taijo-sama?"

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 02, 2022 11:10 pm

Snip

"You do me greater honor than I deserve, this one is simply Taijo, but yes I have been gifted with a chance to attend this event. I greatly look forward to experiencing what is sure to be a collection of the empire's finest. Hopefully my own works do not bring disharmony to those of greater skill than I."

"Nobody is more deserving of being honored than those that give their lives to the heavens. Some end up doing so through battle, but you have chosen to do so through each action on ningen-do," she says with a soft smile. "But I will respect your wishes Taijo."

"And I am sure your monastery selected you for attendance because of your capabilities. I doubt you will cause any disharmony with your art."

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 1:56 am

Snip

"I have had little interaction with those of the Dragon but you speak with the wisdom of the mountains Mirumoto Jakuchou-sama." He said with another bow. "I have no experience with poem or paint so it will be interesting to see what trials they have in store for us. From what I understand events like this usually require one to show skill in a number of disciplines and I have been told that some take these things very seriously. If I may ask, what talents bring you here?"

"I don't actually have a great number of artistic talents. Mostly my dancing, and I would agree with the Crane on their appreciation of the art of the duel," she says, scanning the garden.

"I really should take up gardening though. I spend enough time appreciating them, I should try to share my own views through such. I'd probably make one of those maze gardens, since they always intrigued me."

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 3:22 am

Snip

"I find it very fulfilling, you may as well. Though I do not think one can make it to your revered age without already finding a path to their own harmony. I have heard it said that some bushi find a state of Zen within combat, did you find this true or were you experiences different? In my mind's eye I can see you dancing across a battlefield though I truly have no concept of your style."

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 02, 2022 11:10 pm

"I am here for the event. . . .

She looked in the direction of the Crab in a way that suggests he is welcome to join, if he catches the look.

"Are you here for the event as well, Taijo-sama?"

Almost as if done before, a gardener 'trips' over a root, spilling a bucket of water onto the young crab. After a swift adjustment to the sudden interruption (not really, but RL no ONI takes his toll yet again), the man turns around and observes the conversation nearby. Taking note these are competitors, he takes in what they are saying. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it when we are searching for zen when we are least likely to find it?"

"I don't know if it's true, and don't even know if I have ever done it. I always used to practice the empty mind. Trying to become so in tune between body and mind that I could react without thinking. Never quite got there though. Unfortunately for me, not every warrior that makes it to my age is exceptional or unique."

She looks to the Crab, "And I don't think the search makes us blind. I just think our greatest epiphanies are the ones we didn't expect. Which probably makes it feel that way, but we still learn during the search."

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 11:52 am

"Unfortunately for me, not every warrior that makes it to my age is exceptional or unique."

"We are all exceptional and unique Mirumoto Jakuchou-sama. Only you have have lived your life, even those who have been around you will not have experienced things the same way."

Taijo turned to make open up their conversation to the Kaiu and bowed to greet him.

Kaiu Kunio wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 11:29 am

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it when we are searching for zen when we are least likely to find it?"

"Indeed Crab-sama, it is entirely possible that the desire to find it makes it unfindable but Shinsei teaches us that those with pure purpose have the strength to never fail."

"Apologies for not introducing myself properly, I am Kaiu Kunio, of the Second Imperial legion. It is fortuitous to be able to see so many unique experiences with their craftsmanship." He pauses to truly take in the words his elders speak. "If pure purpose is all it takes to have never ending strength, then I surely hope I can find my purpose fast."

"Certainly, the individual experience is unique. But I would say I don't know many unique techniques. The nature of my training was always repetition of basics. But then, it is impossible for one person to know what things another person does not. It is possible I can teach a few things," she says with a slight smile at both.

Kaiu Kunio wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 03, 2022 11:09 pm

"If pure purpose is all it takes to have never ending strength, then I surely hope I can find my purpose fast."

"This one is Taijo, it is an honor to meet you Kaiu Kunio-sama." He said with a bow. "Rushing to the goal risks missing the journey, like the noble who sleeps in his palanquin and misses the Ki-Rin who appears before his servants. Be mindful of the moment while you are in it and look to those who have come before you such as Mirumoto Jakuchou-sama to share with you moments you would never experience yourself."

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 04, 2022 1:11 am

"It is possible I can teach a few things," she says with a slight smile at both.

He looked again to the Dragon. "I would be honored to gain any wisdom you feel fit to share; be it martial, spiritual or other."

"Most important wisdom I can share is never skip breakfast. Throws the whole day off," she says with a smile. "Something I learned from a Hida during the clan war."

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 04, 2022 8:08 pm

"Most important wisdom I can share is never skip breakfast. Throws the whole day off," she says with a smile. "Something I learned from a Hida during the clan war."

"It's always important to keep a good foundation in your life. Best advice I got from my sensei." He then rubs the back of his neck, "and one I may have forgotten in my haste to see these gardens this morning. "

Mirumoto Jakuchou wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 04, 2022 8:08 pm

"Most important wisdom I can share is never skip breakfast. Throws the whole day off," she says with a smile. "Something I learned from a Hida during the clan war."

Taijo nodded thoughtfully. "The clan war, yes, troubling times. There is much wisdom to be gained from such strife and much wisdom was ignored leading up to it. Have you considered committing your wisdom to parchment?"

Kaiu Kunio wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:00 am

"It's always important to keep a good foundation in your life. Best advice I got from my sensei." He then rubs the back of his neck, "and one I may have forgotten in my haste to see these gardens this morning. "

He turned quizzically to the Kaiu. "I do not parse your meaning, did something unfortunate befall you this morning?"

"I think he's speaking of the greatest misfortune... not receiving Inari's blessing," she says with a friendly smile.

"I don't really need to commit my individual thoughts as the scribes at the monastery record stories of those that travel into the empire once we return. I've been interviewed a few times, and there are probably copies in a few libraries in the empire after these decades. So my wisdom is available to those that research it. Mostly these days I more share and receive through conversation and discussion. I'll probably be interviewed and have this experience recorded when it is over."