Sapphire Ambassadors

Yoshiaki had never been one for sand gardens, some of the monk's swore by them but he found their lack of vibrancy to be a bit off putting. However he was nothing if not open minded so today after cleansing from his work out her took the time to walk this sand garden and see if he could see it as his fellows did.

Doji Takei, jitte thrust through his obi opposite his daisho, looks out over the raked sand and stacked stones.

The Dragon walks the path as it winds through the Sands and notices a man he knows by reputation more than anything else.

As his path takes him near the magistrate Yoshiaki bows appropriately "Good afternoon Doji-sama. Are you a frequent enjoyed of the sand gardens?"

Takei turns sharply, as if surprised. His eyes flicker over Yoshiaki, and his expression softens slightly.

He bows and replies, "Not frequent, Togashi-san, but occasion sometimes calls for clarity, and fewer distractions promote it.

"Do you follow many other Dragon I have known in appreciating such?"

Yoshiaki for his part restrains the smile that threatens to curl his lips at the magistrate's surprise.

"Ah I apologize for introducing a distraction for you Doji-sama." He inclines his head a bit with the words "as for sand gardens I'm afraid I diverge from many other Dragon. I'm not much a fan of them honestly." The monk looked out over the sandsand back to Takei.

"Is there a particular thing you need clarity on Doji-sama? I do not claim to be a wise man but sometimes an outside observer can shed new light on certain situations."

"No apology is needed, Togashi-san," Takei replies.

"But as to need...nothing out of the ordinary. Duties are many, respites are few, and others' work breeds absences keenly felt. But we all take comfort from others, do we not?"

Yoshiaki nods "Indeed it can, such is the life of a samurai though." He folds his hand together concealed in the voluminous sleeves of his loose robes "but we are also human so yes many if not all take comfort in others. It is in our nature to fill absences."

"I trust your time here has helped you fill absences, Togashi-san," Takei says. "My lord would hate for it to be thought his hospitality was lacking."

This elicited a small smile from the monk "Your lord has been more than accommodating. There is a reason I dedicated my entry for Courtesy to the Crane."

"Has Doji-sama been enjoying the tournament? I know additional traffic into towns often keeps the magistrates more busy."

"There has been more work, yes," Takei admits. "So I've not seen as much of the contest proceedings as I might like. But what I have seen, I have liked. I've found Horiuchi Sriyani's work particularly compelling, myself."

Yoshiaki couldn't help but have his look soften a bit at the meantion of Sriyani. The small smile turning gentle and a warmth growing behind his eyes "Yes she is quite talented, to be able to so effectively mold such materials is quite the art."

The warmth slowly faded back to neutral as his mind moved on from the Unicorn "Well hopefully next year you can make a trip to the tournament and have more time to enjoy the displays."

"If my duties allow," Takei says. "That will be eased by a lack of that ka-fi stuff that was bruited about a few days ago. I had reports of public disturbances through the night, some people running around with their kimono pulled up over their heads and shrieking at people."

He shakes his head.

"You don't see so much of that from sake or even shochu."

Yoshiaki's eyes widened slightly "Oh my I had no idea it was such a dangerous substance. The monk I spoke with about it merely said it was invigorating like tea. I didn't realize it caused people to lose their wits like that. Glad I didn't try any." He said with a relieved chuckle.

"But yes even more reason to allow another town to host the eccentricities that this kind of tournament brings. Plus if held in lands close by such as maybe the Scorpion it would increase your chances of being able attend I imagine."

"That is possible," Takei allows, although his eyes narrow slightly. "But, as I say, it will depend on my lord's pleasure.

"You are correct, though. Art tends to bring out...interesting behaviors. And Teitaku Town does promote the arts, so..."

He shrugs.

"It remains a pleasant life."

"Do you enjoy this posting then? A fan of the arts? Do you dabble on any arts yourself Doji-sama?"

"I appreciate the arts," Takei replies, "though those I practice are of the martial sort.

"No, I let Asahina-san handle those for us."

A smile graces his face at the mention.