[D4 LA] Serving Tea II: Electric Boogaloo (Amaya's Yurt)

[Soshi Taira]

"We don't all understand it ourselves... but I suspect that's why the courts have ended up that way."

Taira shrugged. "In simplest terms, they have created an art of war that is fought with words alone. Those of us not skilled in it have learned to give them the same respect and deference those wielding swords command."

[Ide Amaya]

"Words are indeed powerful. I have witnessed meetings - on occasion I was able to accompany my father to such - where a careful choice of words has stayed an act of violence. If battles of pleasantries can prevent battles of bloodshed, then I prefer to be a warrior of words."

[Soshi Taira]

Taira nodded.

"I find my battle are battles of blood, but I fight to keep it inside people, where it belongs."

Perhaps that was poor manners, but he was... sometimes a bit blunt.

[Ide Amaya]

The bluntness didn't phase her, "some foes are impervious to words, and should it come to blades or life, then I am glad that men like you exist to keep the insides in." She says this in a way that suggests she's seen what happens when the insides didn't stay in. "You serve as a field medic, then?"

[Soshi Taira]

"I work with the Soshi Magistrates. Some of the cuts people get in back alleys make katana wounds look pleasant."

Taira blanched.

"Sometimes things get... bad."

[Ide Amaya]

She tries to puzzle this out. She knows that the Magistrates maintained law and order, but she can't work out why that would involve cutting people. But she sees the sickly-white pallor of his face, "leave those thoughts to the past, Soshi-Sama. We are far from that place, and I would not have you troubled by such memories." Her soft voice is not just kind, but genuine and sincere.

[Soshi Taira]

He shook his head. "Iie, it is part of my duty, I am used to them. Still, many bushi don't know what it is like, seeing your friend gutted by a fish hook, or flayed with ropes knotted with broken shards of blades. Suffering and dying in their own home city, just because of the greed, and the crime it brings."

A soft sigh. "As I said, there are enemies here you have not seen, and sadly, some of them are the lawless, the wicked, the sinful. They have had centuries to fester in their depravity, new villains sprouting up each time we root an old one out."

[Ide Amaya]

Her eyes widened and her smile faltered as he painted the gruesome picture. Lost for words she only whispers, "I'm sorry, Soshi-Sama."

[Soshi Taira]

A slow sigh. "I'm sorry, for disturbing you. It... I had a run in with the Moto in the Dojo earlier. I get the impression she does not know the sort of battles that are fought... outside of war."

Tucking his hands into lap again, he squeezed them together, staring at his own knuckles.

"Yet that is why courts and doctors and magistrates exist. To fight the wars which are not war."

[Ide Amaya]

"You have given no offense, Soshi-Sama. Sometimes I forget that with all I have seen, there are yet still things more awful to behold," and something in her head ticks over, a new mental connection to consider later.

"I fear such discussion has troubled you, Soshi-Sama, and for that I am deeply sorry. If it pleases you, we can turn our talk to the grim weather that threatens overhead, or perhaps to ma-ai itself?"

She wants to tell him that her very training existed to act much like his, only with words instead of violence, but she thought perhaps he would see such things as weak or ineffectual. After all, the things he had seen and done might not have been needed if her way had worked.

[Soshi Taira]

Taira shook his head. "I am not troubled, Ide-san, though I admit the memories are not tasteful."

Looking at the woman, he continued, "As a more appropriate topic for tea, and more in line with those Rokugani manners we were discussing... how has the miai treated you? Have any of the clans caught your interest?"

[Ide Amaya]

"I have not met half as many of the men here to claim a Unicorn's hand in marriage as I would have liked. I've been able to spend some time with a Clan-brother of yours, a noble Lion, a bookish Phoenix, and one of the Imperial men. I'm regretful the Crane were unable to send representatives, though I think my failures of courtesy might be unacceptable to anyone from that Clan."

"Have you had much opportunity to meet with my Clan-sisters? Beyond tending to our wounds and dramas, I mean."

[Soshi Taira]

Taira contemplated that. "I admit, wounds and dramas have, perhaps, instigated most of my meetings, but they are an undercurrent of a doctor's life. I almost welcome them, I get the chance to see what sort of individuals they are, as they deal with them. In general, I am impressed."

With a soft chuckle, he added, "I haven't met all your kinswomen yet, either, though I make progress, one day at a time."

[Ide Amaya]

"You have an easier task of it, I think. There seems to be such a number of potential suitors I'm supposed to meet. I'm not sure how I'm meant to accomplish that short of making them line up and introduce themselves one at a time."

"And have the events my Clan have hosted been good to you thus far?"

[Soshi Taira]

Taira chuckled. "Hai, well, some of the more martial clans might just line up if ordered."

Scratching his chin, he thought about the events. "So far, I honestly have not had the best showing, I confess. I have a tendency to overstate my case, which did not impress your kin, and I did not have the skills the Shinjo were testing. I have spent much of my time tending illness and wounds, and seeking to share traditions and skills."