(Day 3, LE) The Gentle Barbarian (Misa's Room, Closed)

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj is confused, but it is not a bad confusion, it's learning confusion. It's just very complicated for Butaj." He chuckles nervously. "Misa is so far ahead of Butaj. What if Butaj can't be enlightened? The distance will be forever." Butaj stops speaking and looks into his cup self-consciously, then drinks down whatever is left in it as if it could help.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa's smile was softened at that, and her voice quiet and warm. "Butaj... let me tell you something important to remember. Most great heroes in this world don't reach a state of enlightenment. Many come from simple starts, many are thrust into greatness without seeking it. Regardless whether I have reached a deeper understanding of not, my place, my duty, none of that has changed. Whether Butaj finds that inner peace or not, you are still a strong, brave, honest man. And that can take you very far."

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj listens to her quiet, warm voice mesmerised. When she stops, he needs a moment to shake off the semi-trance and find his wits. "Butaj didn't know Misa thinks this many nice things about Butaj... Where do you think it could take me? Where is this very far?" He asks with some deference to her enlightened mind.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa gave a shrug before laughing a little. "That is up to you. Where does Butaj wish to go?"

[Moto Butaj]

"This is a hard question!" Butaj rubs the back of his head grinning sheepishly. "Butaj is here for the Unicorn, he wants to marry in a way that will serve the Clan best. The Moto will probably want to marry Butaj out because Butaj's mother eloped with an unknown handsome gaijin when she was already married and it resulted in Butaj. That doesn't make Butaj a man who is used to asking much of life, with big plans. Not an ideal bachelor either. If Butaj is indeed capable of bigger things, he'll likely need direction from someone who cares about Butaj. He hopes this may come with new life in a new Clan." No sugarcoating. Honesty will doom him or not, but he won't deviate from it.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa listened attentively, and when Butaj finished she gave a small nod. "I believe you have your own path inside you Butaj, everyone does, even if that path involves following the dreams and plans of others. Still, I think you have much you can offer as a bachelor, so that at least isn't fair. I can attest to your musical skills certainly."

She paused, then smiled brighter. "Speaking of which, I believe you brought some instruments, didn't you?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj has!" He is quick to accept the change of subject. "All of them, actually, all those owned by Butaj. Topshur, tsur, and morin khur. Butaj guesses Misa would like to listen him play?"

[Tonbo Misa]

The gentle girl allowed herself a bit of a coy smirk. "I suppose that would be of some interest, yes. I might sing along, or just wait and sing after. Still, there's a bit of learning as well. What was the instrument you were playing when we met?"

[Moto Butaj]

"Butaj is happy to entertain Misa any way she likes." The Moto reaches out and takes the long shakuhachi-like flute, then leans over to put it in Misa's hands. "This one."

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa could hear Butaj lean over, and she tentatively reached out with her hands. She finally took it with a grip and delicately ran her fingers over it's surface, seeming to take her time in turning it over in her hands and feeling every contour.

"It feels like a Rokugani flute sort of. It is lovely craftsmanship. Did Butaj make this, or did someone make it for you? What was this one called? Is it Moto, or from somewhere else?"

[Moto Butaj]

"It is Moto-made, but Butaj does not know when and by whom. Butaj inherited it from his mother so it holds special meaning for Butaj. It is called tsur." He remains on his knees, holding the instrument for her.

[Tonbo Misa]

"Your mother's? Then it must be very special indeed to you." Gently, Misa let go so Butaj could pull it back. "Do you have a short song with it your mother taught you? I would be honored to hear."

[Moto Butaj]

"Not something with words, not this one..." He frowns in thought as he sits back, then simply starts playing, giving her a sample first before continuing. The low registers often change to a characteristic bee-like buzz.

(Composition!)

"It's for the night, it's a lullaby Butaj remembers."

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa certainly seemed to relax as Butaj played, not in a tired way but in a listening and enjoying mood. Her soft smile never left her face, beginning to end. When Butaj finally finished, Misa gave a seated bow, holding it a moment. "If your mother taught you that Butaj, then she was truly a blessed soul. Thank you for sharing such an enlightening tune."

[Moto Butaj]

Butaj smiles back but does not fully understand her comment. "My mother did what she wanted. When Butaj looks back he thinks she had passions her husband could not meet and talents he could not appreciate, and that called Butaj into being. Free spirit, yes, but blessed soul?" He rubs his nose in slight confusion. "And how is this enlightening Misa? You already are."