[D3, ME] Song for a Dragon (expecting)

[Kakita Masao]

Sitting in the grass outside the Blue Bird House, Kakita Masao looked at his flute appraisingly. The simple, hand-carved wood clearly had no magical powers, and yet it did have the tendency to cause interesting people to appear almost out of nowhere.

Masao set the flute in his lap and laughed at himself for a bit. This village is a strange place. This village is a pit. Just because it's a far cry from home doesn't make it bad.

The Crane starts playing without even selecting a song, letting one string of notes find its way organically into another. It's cathartic for Masao, but a bit of a mess for anyone within earshot.

What. Was. That.

The Crane's eyes close, and he starts to raise the flute to try something else.

[Togashi Keigo]

Once again, art seemed to summon him into the surroundings of the Blue Bird House. Before it was dancing. Now it was music. Someone attempting something more complex but ending with something a little cliche. Poor person.

Once it was finished, he knocked on the gate and poked his head in. "My apologies for interrupting."

[Kakita Masao]

In a deadpan voice Masao says, "It may be for the best to interrupt me now." He lowers the flute and then rises, tucking the flute into his obi absent mindedly. Finally looking toward the actual voice, Masao realizes it wasn't anyone he knows speaking to him.

"Ah, samurai-san, please come in. And accept my apologies for such a poor welcome. My mind is... unsettled ... this evening, clearly." He offers a small bow to the unknown visitor. "Kakita Masao, Iron Warrior nikutai and son of the governor of Samui Kaze Yoshi," he introduces himself succinctly.

[Togashi Keigo]

Keigo chuckled at the sarcasm, stepping into the yard. He bowed politely. He revealed himself to be dressed only int the trousers of a monk, sandals, and tattoos. "I don't feel a lack of welcome, so no need to apologise. Quite the notability, Kakita-sama. I am Togashi Keigo, a monk of our Clan founder's order."

[Kakita Masao]

"The recognition is appreciated, Togashi-san, but I've never aspired to notability. Being a good soldier and protecting the clan was my happy duty. Becoming notable is... complicated," the Crane says a bit grimly.

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, we should probably not start there. You're far from the Dragon Mountains and have no divvy seen much between there and here."

[Togashi Keigo]

"Perhaps. I have a particular philosophical interest in how other people approach the complications of their lives, so if you ever do feel comfortable speaking of it, I'd be more than happy to listen," he assured. "Though I have seen some between here and the mountains. The vast differences in the way the balance of the elements manifest in the landscape is both beautiful and fascinating."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao's face flashes obvious conflict. No. Don't do it. You don't want some strange Dragon man knowing your secrets! The Crane looks at the ground and laughs quietly, darkly. Because I'm managing everything so well? Because a Togashi can somehow make this day worse?

Masao shakes his head and looks up at the Togashi. "Togashi-san might need to take up residence here for a time to discuss my complications," he says with a pained smile. "There are complications of the day, complications since arriving, complications from before. I think I shall have to abandon the notion of being a simple soldier, although that is assuredly all that I wish to be."

So much for, "we shouldn't start there." Ugh, the internal voice groans.

[Togashi Keigo]

I'm starting to think that many of us are quite lonely deep down...

Keigo nodded as he listened, saying, "I would if you needed that to get through it all and I didn't think it would be an imposition on your hospitality. My time is my own. Speak as much as you need to. I can imagine how difficult it would be to suddenly find myself called away from being a simple monk."

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane exhales in shock and looks... embarrassed? There is stunned silence inside his head. Fortunately in the fading light no extra color might be noticed in his cheeks.

"Ah, Togashi-san, you are most kind, but I... I would not impose on anyone, least of all a monk who is no doubt needed by others." The look on Masao's face shows deep conflict.

The Dragon looks at him without expression and blinks.

Masao sighs heavily, feeling strangely pressured by the silence from the tattooed man. His volume shifts low, as though he's saying something he shouldn't. "I came here to do my duty for my clan and my family, and I will. But none of this--" he waves at the Blue Bird House, and off toward the castle--"none of this was my path until a few months ago."

His voice stays low, but it carries hints of agitation.

"As the third son, I was on a path to train for war, defend the clan -- I did that. Made nikutai a year and a half from gempukku. Outranked my older brother. Saved my older brother when." Masao stops cold, just looking straight ahead like he's watching a reenactment of something and he can't look away.

After a time, he looks at the ground, and keeps his eyes there. "Maybe that doesn't matter anyway. Sango is gone. Kitora... I don't know. I'm here in my father's place, so maybe it's already decided." He gives a strained chuckle. "Maybe this is the beginning of my new path, and Yusho--er, Daidoji-sama," he waves vaguely to the house. Masao doesn't even finish the thought.

Still looking at the ground, his hands fidget with his flute, though he doesn't move to actually play it.

[Togashi Keigo]

"Fate brought me here, to you, Kakita-sama. I think that would suggest I am needed here right now, if you're willing to forgive my rather direct curiosity," he responded kindly before listening quietly to what he had to say.

"Perhaps. If it matters to you, then it matters. Life does take us in unexpected directions. It sounds like all this is a relatively new development."

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane looks up at the Dragon, nods, then shares, "My brother Sango was killed by the Crab a few months ago. He would have been ready for all this. Everyone knew he'd be the next governor of Samui Kaze Toshi, and he was training for it. Court, politics... Sango was unflappable. Betrothed to a respected Doji. He should have been here. Or at least Kitora," he says quietly, eyes back to the ground in front of him.

He's still fidgeting with the flute, but it's slower now.

[Togashi Keigo]

"That's a tragedy, Kakita-sama. I'm sorry for your loss," he replied. He bowed his head. "Still... Ultimately, what everyone knew and what people believe should be is immaterial. You were the one meant to be here in the end. Just like I was meant to find you today. Maybe you'll handle it better than you think once you have time to accept it. Or maybe someone more martial will be important. It's hard to say."

[Kakita Masao]

"Togashi-san," the Crane starts to argue. "I know, I'm here, but... Like at the dinner last night. Weapons? Yes, great. But talking to women? Yikes." His voice stays low but agitated again. "And now with ghosts, or curses, or whatever is wrong with this place," he hisses. "How am I to do my duty here? Or with... with what's happened to Daidoji-sama, have I already failed..."