Sapphire Ambassadors

[Expecting, but a public space]

Fresh out of a chat with a Dragon at the shrine, Choudai decided he'd check out this... sand garden.

Probably safer than many gardens I've been in.

Still, it was peaceful, quiet, and, best of all, he seemed to have it to himself for a moment.

Because Fortunes knew, his mind was racing with things he couldn't share with anyone.

Oh look, it's sand. How quaint.

Ameiko wasn't a fan of sand. It was course and it gets into everything.

Still, garden...tranquility. She was to be a cultured person, and so she visited the sand garden that day.

Adjusting her cloak as she entered the young samurai took in the sight, her nose already turning up at it.

Ah. Minimalism.

Then she saw the Scorpion who was a bit extra standing near by and was suddenly quite pleased with the contrast.


"Good afternoon, Bayushi-san", she said cheerily. Should she catch his gaze she would offer a bow.

Well, so much for solitude... and all the same...

One should look after the young.

Even if it's just by serving as a cautionary tale.

...

Wait.

Is that...

"And to you as well, Bayushi-san. Forgive me, but... I think we may have met, some time ago... this one is Bayushi Choudai. Were you perhaps a precocious student? Sparring with your elders?"

Precocious?

She folded her arms, a quite thick eyebrow arching.

"And are you one such elder student who faced the daily disgrace of being soundly beaten by a precocious youth?" She stood taller as well. "I am Bayushi Ameiko, graduate of 100 Stances and yojimbo of Otomo Gaitsu."

If she were a foot shorter and still seven years younger the way she had just screamed I AM A SAMURAI! I DEMAND RESPECT would have been comical.

"Yes, well, I wouldn't have known your adult name yet, would I, Bayushi-san?"

He sounded amused.

"And of the numerous sound beatings I endured in the course of training, I would hardly say any I might have received from a younger student were particularly onerous. It's always nice to see someone excel, after all. I'm pleased to hear you've already secured so prestigious an appointment."

Probably almost as pleased as our superiors.

"Been in town long?"

The young girl's face went from a clear warning she was going to speak over him, to biting her tongue, to looking slightly confused and then looking away, slightly bothered. She unfolded her arms and walked over to him to look at...sand.

"Just today, so far" she said and a beat passed. Then suddenly... "Bayushi-san...tell me, isn't your grandmother Bayushi Oba?"

She knew part of the larger family dabbled in cooking, she recalled eating some kind of spiced rice cake once and being told it was a recipe by her, but it was years ago at some other Bayushi's house her father Rokatsu had dragged her to.

He smiled with genuine warmth.

"She is indeed. Some of the best good fortune in my life, as it happens. And... I believe I have a relative of yours to thank for many a hard but valuable lesson."

He was teasing, of course. A a graduate of the Bayushi Bushi dojo, he knew damn well who her uncle was.

She dipped her head slightly. "I will be certain he knows you are grateful, seeing as you are here and he had a part in your discipline I believe he would appreciate that", she said, still looking at the sand.

Well not really, she was looking at the fence, the sand garden was exactly that uninteresting to her.

"And since you are here, it must be to cook, yes?"

"Oh yes."

The sand really WAS quite dull, but he supposed that was the point.

"It was either culinary arts or kite-making, and I'm far better at the one than the other."

In truth he was also a respectable actor after his time in Naishou, but it wouldn't do to make that too obvious.

"Anyhow, Oba-chan would be disappointed if I failed to use her lessons at an appropriate time."

A pause.

"And I could hardly pass up the look on the judge's face when spices from the Sands hit a palate unaccustomed to them."

He... might have been joking.

"I would much enjoy such a moment myself", she admitted lightly. "Though I am no cook, my mother pressed upon us a taste for the exotic. I look forward to seeing your work, Bayushi-san."

"I hope you will do more than see it. I'll need some volunteer participants for a couple of the things I have planned."

And I usually make extra anyway.

"And you, Bayushi-san... perhaps you'll leave a painting in bruises upon the faces of the unwary?"

Coaxing without coaxing, so to speak.

She chuckled slightly, her sleeve rising to cover her mouth. "Oh, Bayushi-san, no. Now I have been given a sword. The days of handing out simple bruises are over."

The sleeve lowered, the smile was something like a shark.

"Yet if you require a proper palette with which to test your cooking I may offer my mine, for the sake of the clan, of course."

Awwww. Like a young viper.

"I'm sure your sacrifice will be appreciated."

He offered a half-bow.

"I could write a poem about it, perhaps."

"Such drama, all I require is the entertainment and well-being given from a fine meal", she said dismissively, though clearly enjoying the idea. "Though if Bayushi-san wishes to provide other things for my sake, he will be informed of when it is needed."

She frowned at the dull grains in the "garden".

"I understand the point of this, I think, but do you find it foolish as I do?"

"I think it's a thing for monks."

He chuckled.

"Trying so hard to appear simple and profound. If it were less ostentatious about it, I might see something in it."

A shrug.

"But then, I'm just a simple bushi. What could I possibly know about spiritual matters?"

"My uncle told me once, that all bushi become experts in spiritual matters, quite quickly, once they reach a battlefield", she replied.

"He's not wrong. "

Choudai seemed quieter in nature for a second.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't last."

"Oh?" She seemed curious, not prodding like a Scorpion. Certainly not.

(Okay, maybe it's both)

"Forgive me, Bayushi-san."

He sighed.

"Naishou left its marks, even on those of us who returned. And while the danger instilled a certain heightened awareness, the aftermath offered no such... clarity."

Oh, he's saying fighting is scary.

Well, duh.

She didn't smirk at him, though. He was being foolishly honest, and some very small part of Ameiko seemed to appreciate it. Perhaps because he wasn't bemoaning his lot.

"That does sound like a difficult thing", she admitted as best she could without having an idea. Well, somewhat of an idea...just...not like what Choudai was alluding to. "Despite that, though, here you are, neh?"

Was that helping? Probably not. Was she trying to? She didn't know.