(Day 6 EM) The Arrow Knows The Way

[Miya Mei]

"Being good with words is a Miya family trait. I may have been Kakita trained, but you still pick up the Imperial ways as your are in the palace long enough."

Mei stands in front of Nonin

"Now to draw, mimic my motion. Raise your left hand over your head, bending it, and then bring it back down straight, extended. As you are coming down, you also pull back the string with your right hand. You should end with your right hand just behind but level with your ear"

[Isawa Nonin]

Nonin does just that, competently but not with the Miya's grace.

[Miya Mei]

"Finally, turn your head to look along the line you drew. Look at the target, the bow and arrow should blur. When you let go with your right hand, extend it behind you. The Yumi should flip around in your hand, the string touching the forearm of your left hand."

"If you are lined up, the arrow will know the way."

"Oh, in combat situations, you hold the bow tighter so it does not flip."

[Isawa Nonin]

He follows the instructions, almost fumbling the bow as it twists. "I can see this will take more practice."

[Miya Mei]

Mei watches as the bow twists.

"The proper grip strength takes some time to get used to, but as you say, the more you practice. Eventually it all becomes second nature and you can combine meditation with it"

[Isawa Nonin]

He nods. "May I practice beside you, Miya-sama? I am always pleased to find new way to meditate."

[Miya Mei]

"Certainly. I am happy to have company. Do you care for conversation, or would you rather clear your mind for a while?"

[Isawa Nonin]

"I would be delighted to talk, Miya-sama," he says, finding a place close enough for easy conversation while not too close to interfere with her practice.

"Have you come for the miai?"

[Miya Mei]

"I did! Shamefully I missed the first half as my horse suffered a sprain. Have you found a candidate you prefer yet?"

Mei steps to her own spot and lines herself up

[Isawa Nonin]

"Not yet, so far I have only my family's instructions to guide me," he said, moving through the motions as he had been taught.

[Miya Mei]

"Oh, you were given instructions? If I may pry, what were they? I was simply told to learn of the Unicorn and marry, either in or out it did not matter. An alliance with the Imperial Families would send a strong message to all the Empire, and that message being "Acceptance"

Mei lets loose an arrow and knocks another as she speaks

[Isawa Nonin]

"The talent to speak with the kami runs in bloodlines, so I am to, if possible, choose a Unicorn with a linage that would indicate such talent," he explains.

"I am very pleased that the Imperial families are welcoming the Unicorn back to their homeland. It should make it easier for them to meld back into the Empire."

[Miya Mei]

"Shouldn't they have a similar number of priests as most clans? I am not particularly familiar with how it works, but as you say, if it is by bloodlines, the Unicorn left with all of their families so I would think the numbers would be similar."

Mei looses another arrow.

"That is ths goal. The Unicorn are in a fragile position, and the next few months are vital to their reintegration"

[Isawa Nonin]

"They do, but they have been away from the Empire and the kami for so long, it is hard to say which of them can speak with the kami," says Nonin. "But I will do my best. The Iuchi seem very knowledgeable and interesting."

"I agree, and we can all help by building ties to the Unicorn here."

[Miya Mei]

"I shall keep my eyes open for members of that family then. I have many questions for them."

"Speaking of integration, are there any customs you find to be offputting from our hosts?"