[Day 6, Mid-afternoon] Prayer (Expecting but open)

[Matsu Inori]

Inori had not considered that, and rolled the thought around in her head for a bit.

"That may be as great a feat as any other they've done" she said.

And meantit, lit the incense and stuck it in the sand bowl in front of the statue, clasped her hand and prayed.

Inari. As underappreciated as you undoubtedly are...thank you. For rice, and for guidance.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Choudai followed suit.

Hello, Inari. Obachan always said you were her favorite, and she was my favorite, so here we are. You're stuck being my favorite. Sorry about that.

Thank you for rice. Thank you for always making sure I've been able to find what I need for my art. Thank you for sustaining Obachan and myself even when food was scarce after the Rain of Blood. Thank you, Inari. I have nothing to ask of you, you already do everything I could hope for, and then some. Thank you for feeding the farmers who feed the rest of us.

[Matsu Inori]

Inori clasped her hands and bowed three times.

"Perhaps we should not do the great tour, Bayushi-san, but speak few and heartfelt prayers to Fortunes we treasure but whose contributions are overlooked. Like Kojin, the fortune of home and hearth"

She indicated another nook with a small wooden statue. Certainly less opulent than one of those dedicated to the big seven.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Given my present marriage prospects, Matsu-san, home and hearth will be an arena I avoid for as long as possible..."

[Matsu Inori]

Inori was taken aback for a second.

"Mikan. Right."

Had she blundered?

"Seems like that is overshadowing many things these days. I do...understand, though"

Okay that's it. I will find out what this Mikan's deal is.

[Bayushi Choudai]

"I rather suspect you don't, for which I am grateful beyond words..."

He sighed.

"I thought she hated me for no particularly good reason, but I believe I have now given her one."

And I would have cheerfully strangled her in front of everyone if I didn't wish to live to see my child's face.

"So. My home and hearth are vanishingly unlikely to be enjoying blessings of any sort, not that I intend to be there to find out if I can possibly avoid it."

[Matsu Inori]

"That took a dark turn" she said

"Don't apologize though. I've asked, and I wanted to know"

I want to know even more than you told me, but I'm not sure that's good idea. You sure as hell don't seem to think so

Just for a moment, for a second, Inori was GLAD that she was still young. While it was often frustrating and she couldn't wait to have more experience, knowledge and freedom, just then she was happy that she did not yet have to deal with that level of shit.

"You sound like a man going to his execution, Bayushi Choudai"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Tell me, Matsu-san... why do samurai marry? There's talk of alliance, of politics, but ultimately, when all politeness is shed, it's simply about continuing family lines. With me so far?"

He sighed.

"Now, imagine both the process of begetting and of raising children. Imagine doing so with someone you utterly despise, someone you loathe, and they reciprocate in full."

His tone was flinty, and without deception.

"What sort of life is that, for you, the other party, and any children you might manage to produce with the aid of closed eyes, a good imagination, and perhaps a few gallons of sake?"

He shook his head.

"Execution doesn't look so bad set against that prospect."

[Matsu Inori]

Put this way, in very clear words, Inori could see the point. Viscerally feel it. True, no image came to mind immediately of anyone she truly loathed, someone annoying here, a particularly old and cranky Sensei there - and that imagine was bad enough - but...

That probably was not the entire story either, but Inori was not going to pry...yet

She swallowed. Hard.

"Point taken, Bayushi-san. I suppose I could give you a pep talk about duty, and unflinching courage and devotion and whatnot, but I couldn't do it. I don't believe that, really."

She frowned "I think few people if anyone do. I suppose showing up to do it is already plenty, I doubt you could be faulted for not liking the prospect."

The Lion paced a little.

"I still wonder whether this abysmal state of affairs is really how it has to be"

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Neither principal is in favor of it, but both Clans have agreed. Presumably for excellent reasons known only to them."

He let out an exhalation that wasn't quite a sigh, but only just.

"So barring completely unforeseen circumstances, so long as Kakita Mikan and Bayushi Choudai are alive to get married, Kakita Mikan and Bayushi Choudai are getting married. The misery of those two samurai is of absolutely no significance to the agreement between the Clans, any more than our deaths in war on opposing sides would have any bearing on the resulting treaty."

[Matsu Inori]

"And that is all there is to it in the end, huh?" Inori said, standing next to Choudai, avoiding an uncomfortable direct confrontation.

"If these excellent reasons exist, then yes. It would not be yours to wonder why, just to go and do and die"

Although I wonder whether that is actually the case. It might be, which is even more depressing

"Fortunes save us all, and you in particular" Inori said, striding forward to the main altar, bowing, and placing a stick of incense.

It did not feel like there was much left to say.

/scene?

[Bayushi Choudai]

[/Scene, and thankya!]