[D3, MA] Up In the Sky with Lunch (Open)

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"I am uncertain as to that, it has only been a short while since we've been here, though I must say the exposition of talent here has been met with mixed reviews", she said, piucking a flower and dissecting it slowly.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Ah, the infamous wit of Kakita Hyoukasha and Akuba," Gaitsu says, nodding. "Truly, a match made in the Heavens, those two."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"For myself, I do not expect laurels simply for playing the flute, regardless of my talent or any meaning behind my playing", she said. "Yet I believe the Crane are far too happy with their situation, able to speak in such a way without reprisal because they decided this is how such things should be done."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

Gaitsu looks at his kite as he guides it back aloft.

"Be careful not to take a shoe that may not be sized for you."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"it is not my intent to do anything rash", Ameiko said, her nose turning up as she flicked the flowers remnants back into the garden. "I simply would find it proper if they showed a manner of appreciation. Many of the works are quite good."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Ah."

Gaitsu nods.

"Whom does your sensei press hardest?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Hmm?" she thought about that. "Shiken-sensei usually doesn't press too hard, he allows the fear of a future where you have failed your lord to be proper motivation. Suke-sensei was...well, far too lax, but considering the nature of the 100 stances he was keen in giving us freedom to explore the techniques at our own pace. No one who was there lacked motivation of self...well, except for the dumb-dumb, but I was assured by Suke-sensei that it was my perspective alone."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Follow those thoughts."

The kite swoops up, noisily.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"I mean no disrespect, but could your answer have not been suitable no matter my answer?" she asked, considering other responses, even possible lies she could have told.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"It could, yes," Gaitsu replies, "which is a different lesson.

"But I did not ask whether your sensei presses hard, but whom your sensei presses hardest."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

The girl's slender shoulders shrugged. "It's not something I've paid much attention to", she admitted. "I've always been praised."

After a slight sigh and furrowing of her thick eyebrows, Ameiko seemed to arrive at an answer. "Mostly the older students I would shame with defeat in sparring."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"It's a piece of context you'll need to attend to more carefully henceforth," Gaitsu says.

The kite starts to drop, breezes stilling somewhat.

"I'm told the lesson can apply on the battlefield as well as in the courts."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Well, as far as my environment it's my duty to be observant", she offered. "Intent of others is something I am training to be mindful of." She was nodding to herself, checking a list she kept in her mind. "What is this context I am missing?"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

The kite plummets.

Gaitsu hisses. "Such a shame," he says, and begins to rewind the line, walking towards the kite.

"To answer: in my experience, those who are pressed hardest by those in authority are those from whom the most and best is expected."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Hmmm", she thought back a bit. "It seems conceited of the Crane to give themselves a place of authority on such a subjective matter."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Being the Left Hand has its privileges," Gaitsu replies, clearing some leaves from the kite.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Ameiko joined him there, watching for interlopers.

"Is that normal to accept?" She asked.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"That the Crane are the Left Hand?"

Gaitsu raises an eyebrow.

"Even the Lion concede as much, and the Throne would appear to have assented thereto."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"I don't question that the Crane are an important part of the Empire or the wisdom of naming them such", she replied with a smile. "I've known a few who are very pleasant. I only wonder if it is normal to accept abuse simply because it has always been so."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Abuse, Bayushi-san?"

Gaitsu smiles.

"You have much to learn."