Dark Edge Village

AKil was drenched. Almost to the bone. Which was unfortunate, because he had taken the time to dress up today. The kimono was probably nice when it was dry, but mostly it just hung uselessly on his body. His hair WAS similarly made up, but it was entirely drenched, to the point where it was just flat. He sighed heavily as he looked in the dojo, frowning a bit. "Well... at least I can make good use of my time here..."

Not too far behind the Unicorn came the drenched Doji. It had looked stormy when she left her yurt, and she had grabbed her cloak and umbrella....but the umbrella was really made for 'Gentle Cherry Blossoms falling lightly and romantically' kind of weather, not 'So, picture a tsunami on dry land without the wind.' kind of weather. The dojo was NOT a place she would normally ever go to, but it was that or trying to swim back to her yurt. Would the yurt even be there when she got back?

The rain had left her cold, despite the cloak, but she did warm a little at the sight of the Shinjo.

"Ah, Shinjo-san, good evening." she offers with a bow. "Fortunate that our paths crossed here with this weather, ne?"

Akil's eyes did brighten at the sight of Fukawa. "Ah, Doji-san!" She used my family name so I should use hers, I think? He bowed politely to her. "The Fortunes were kind indeed, it seems, to have allowed me the honor of your company even in this weather."

Fukawa was pleased with the Shinjo's grasp of etiquette.

"Indeed, Shinjo-san. I suppose the musical performance will have to wait, because that storm shows no signs of abating any time soon. Have you ever seen such weather on your travels?" she returns.

"The larger performance, anyway," he nodded, "No, never like this. This rain is rather atypical to my understanding."

Even at this rapid pace, it was interesting to listen to the sound of the rain beat on the rooftop.

"So....now what Shinjo-san?" she asks. "Playing your flute in the dojo? Combat training? Some sort of combination of the two?"

"The former, more than the latter more than likely," he said, "I think I would not mind learning an art that you excel at first, however."

Fukawa nods.

"I would not mind singing for you Akil-san, if that is something you would like." she offers.

"That would be lovely, if you did not mind doing so, Fukawa-san," his eyes brightened at the thought.

Fukawa nods, and draws inspiration from the rain assaulting the dojo. Then she begins a slow, sad song about a night in the rain.

The night we’d arranged to meet, I realised
I asked my reflection in the mirror
My white coat, my gloomy face
Have I actually gotten my hopes up?
Unable to get a horse
I hurried
Along the roadway, ah

I’ve often
Not had an umbrella on me
And gotten drenched
As I walked along on a Winter's Eve
I can’t blame anybody else
For the story I’ve written of my own will
I just want a little happiness
You’re not coming...
I know that
Silent Night

I don’t like people who obsess about time
Memories I kept losing flit through my mind
No matter what I do, I can’t get rid of the past
I can’t keep moping forever
I’m not special
No matter how many times I try
I never know what to do at this point

Stop lying
And saying it’s not a lie
I’m used to incidents
Where I don’t know what the truth is
And I’m used to getting hurt
I accepted it all
Even it was contradictory
Because I didn’t have the courage to break everything
You’re not coming...
I’m alone
Silent Night

Like those days
When I dreamed about the futures arranged
On the theatre stage

I longed for the faint
Reflection of candles
It’s goodbye, isn’t it?

One day, this rain
Will become powder snow
And softly
Cover my sadness
I’ll find new hope then

I always
Enjoyed the holy night
Because adults
Tend to get lonely quite easily
It’s OK to cry
This silent night is the beginning

Singing: 3 CR for quality. Total=62

Akil listened to every word, a somber expression on his face. She was certainly an incredible singer, there was no doubt about that. When she was done, he brought his hands together and clapped slowly. "That was... sad... beautiful, but sad."

Fukawa bowed at the applause.

"Thank you, Akil-san." she offered sincerely.

She looked at him curiously.

"Do the Unicorn not enjoy sad songs?" she asked, curious.

"I did not say I did not enjoy it," he shook his head, "it is simply somewhat atypical in my experience. I was mostly taught happier songs."

Fukawa nods.

"That seems to match my experience with Moto Butaj." she agrees. "Perhaps you would care to give me a demonstration of your flute skills for comparison?"

"Of course," he nodded. Slowly, he placed the flutes to his lips, playing a slow paced but still happy tune. The Shinjo swayed with his music, eyes closed as he hit each note with a level of skill that might surprise coming from a bushi of all people, and especially a unicorn.