(D6 LE Open) - A Prayer for the Future

[Miya Mei]

Mei pauses her polishing and looks at Udo.

"You would make a good courtier, Togashi-san."

"Can you tell me then what has happened the last few days here since I am late? I attended a funeral yesterday for one who was said to have defeated a celestial being?"

[Togashi Udo]

"I am a Togashi of many talents, but few skills." Udo gives a seated bow.

"I can tell you what I know of the last couple of days, though I suspect gossip told you much... though there are always at least a few inaccuracies there." Udo puts the hat back on his head.

"An orochi attacked the village... or would have if it was not stopped by some samurai. The funeral you attended was for the one who was slain. Targeted by the enraged creature because of her prowess. Without her, it is unlikely the beast would have been slain."

Udo leans his head back and looks up. "Other than that, the standard competitions and rendezvous. I am not so much on the inside, so to speak. As a Togashi, I am not always seen in the same way as others. Perhaps there are things I do not know."

[Miya Mei]

"Ah, but the Togashi have long been observers from afar. You may not think you are on the inside, but by witnessing things you are still part of them."

Satisfied with her ritual, Mei sheaths Meng and then draws it with its sheath from her obi to ensure the decorations shine.

"I see your name is high on the standings list as well."

[Togashi Udo]

"There is wisdom in what you say. One cannot witness a thing without affecting it." (SCIENCE!!!)

"I have done well in the events, though I think the Togashi are particularly well-suited for flexibility. We are monks and samurai, and we are trained in many things. What we lack, however, is depth. At least until one is more learned than myself."

[Miya Mei]

"To be able to recognize a flaw is a step to learning."

"Have you thought of who you might pick?"

[Togashi Udo]

"Yes, but I'm afraid to tell you that in this, as in other things, I am left with only questions. Or, as you say, problems." He gives a smile.

"There is not a Unicorn I've met who I would not be lucky to be married to, but it does not make the thinking easier."

[Miya Mei]

"What does your gut say? Sometimes when the mind is too clouded, the stomach points the way. Just need to listen to it"

[Togashi Udo]

Udo laughs. "What if my sensei heard I acted in such a manner?"

"Alas, my gut and my head are at odds. I am not normally inclined to believe gossip, but when there is so much of it and you have one small piece of proof yourself..."

[Miya Mei]

"Gossip only has power if you let it. It seems that letting the gossip have power brings you doubt, and doubt is a sin for all samurai, Togashi included."

[Togashi Udo]

Udo looks closely at the Miya.

"Perhaps I am being a wind chime, letting mere air blow me about."

[Miya Mei]

"You seem far to active to sit passively at the whims of another. You resisted tell me what I wished to know with great force after all"

[Togashi Udo]

"But should I take action based on your words, I am merely blowing in a different wind." Udo smiles.

"My sensei always made it infuriating to try to hold a conversation like this. He insisted it helped me discover my own mind. Perhaps he was right. Certainly, it is clear that I at least learned his."

[Miya Mei]

Mei nods.

"Your sensei was wise. But enough on the hard questions. A distraction might servr your better. Put off a topic and return later to it. So, what have you thought lf the Unicorn as a whole since their return?"

[Togashi Udo]

"They are strong, they are diverse, and they are open. Most will tell you their thoughts openly, or act on how they feel. It is odd, but it is also refreshingly different. A gentle rain after too many days of sun. I am glad of their return, and I think the Empire is improved for it."

Udo shrugs. "Of course there will be growing pains, but... perhaps they learned some secret of ship building, to help our boats survive the ocean in a storm." Udo looks at the ground with a smile. "Certainly they returned with knowledge we lack."

[Miya Mei]

"I am glad to hear it Have they returned with any one particular custom that stands out at odds with the Empire?"