Sacking Out...a puppy? (D8 Late Aft. OPEN)

[Shinjo Akil]

"By the Kami..." his hands covered his mouth as everything was explained, "While I know nothing of the Bloodspeaker, I can gather enough to understand that he is bad. I understand why the Lion may have been cross, but..." he took a breath, "to unleash evil in return upon someone's home is no better, is it?"

[Asako Hirase]

"I am, understandably, biased. You can guess my answer." Hirase was still ired, but trying hard to beat it back down into the dark hole where he kept such feelings. "The Lions refused to return much of our arable lands when the war was over and the Elemental Council, who they blamed, were all dead. Many would have starved, had not the Crane assisted us with their gift."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Of course," he nodded, "your words do make me feel better about where I will be going at the end of the miai, and for that I thank you. To be allowed to join a generous and compassionate clan is quite the boon indeed."

[Asako Hirase]

"Recognize that it is gentility over steel." This was important and Hirase's tone showed it. "The Crane are the Clan from which the brides of Emperors generally hail. They are, in the court, a very dangerous enemy. Never make the mistake of thinking them soft. Compassion they have, but there is always a purpose."

[Shinjo Akil]

He frowned, "so everything they do has an ulterior motive?"

[Asako Hirase]

"No one does anything for no purpose." Hirase was a bit surprised that the Shinjo didn't know this. "Favors are the currency of samurai. When one Clan aids another, it is because they know a favor will be forthcoming when they need one in turn. It isn't malice; it is simply the way of the Empire. Between individuals, things may be simpler, of course...a friend may aid another simply because it pleases them to do so. Yet even then, how much a person can give is still at the mercy of their Lord and the current political situation."

[Shinjo Akil]

He considered the words, then nodded. "That... Makes sense, I think. And is reassuring, thank you."

[Asako Hirase]

For a few moments, Hirase turned his attention to the younglings. Ichiro was currently fighting one of the pups for the ball while the other ran in circles. No one seems hurt; Ichiro was laughing and the dogs' tails were high.

Turning back to Akil, he asked, quietly, "May I ask you something, with the understanding that I have only the intention of understanding and no intention of causing insult or offense?"

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"Fetch!"

A ball was tossed and rolled by. Sasuke ran passed the ball and saw something else that got his attention.

"Sasuke...baka!" Suteichi jogged up to get Sasuke and noticed the Shinjo and the Asako. "Ah, Minnasamas, Konichiwa." he bowed deeply to them. "Sasuke! Come here, now."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Ah... hai, of course, Asako-san." He nodded his head just as Suteichi popped up near them. Of course, he bowed, resisting the urge to laugh just a bit. "Oh, hello again, Bayushi-san."

[Asako Hirase]

Well, there went that idea.

Stifling a sigh, Hirase also bowed to the Scorpion. "I find that training a single skill at once seems to go best, Bayushi-san. Name retention and return is one, the ball is another. Pacing is important."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"Hmmm... An interesting assessment Asako-sama. I will remember that."

[Asako Hirase]

"Are you generally a dog person, Bayushi-san?" Hirase made polite conversation about the whole thing, glancing now and again at his son and the two pups, not back to chasing the ball and knocking one another over as Ichiro laughed. "This is my first real time with one. I prefer cats as a rule."

[Bayushi Suteichi]

"I was given a pup when I was younger. I cannot say I am an animal person. I am still trying to understand them."

[Asako Hirase]

This gave Hirase pause....his mother, may she rest well in Yomi, had always warned him to distrust those who had no love for soft, furry creatures. Still, he soldiered on.

"Is it so hard?" He smiled to take out any sting. "They want attention, food, a comfortably place to rest, and to play. They are very like small children. Learning this now will help you in a few years when you've children of your own, I expect."