Wedding at Fire Shrimp Village an L5R PbP

Yuuwaku contemplates another umbrella in her quarters.

Sana-kun, she thinks, what are you trying to tell me with these? That your technique is improving, that I am a good friend...

Even in thought, she trails off.

Yuuwaku was a good friend, and one needed good friends after trying to investigate evil curses and going in the sea to save lives. He was even starting to get used to the days repeating... That is a bad sign.

He scratches her door.

"Come," Yuuwaku says, still considering the umbrella.

She glances up as the door opens, raises an eyebrow. "Sana-kun, come in, sit down. Tell me what troubles you."

Because it is clear that you are troubled.

He looks to the corridor. It was empty, no one would see him enter.
"Have you eaten your portion of rice today, Yuuwaku-chan?" He asks in an always polite, deep bow.
"The troubles... Some are the same, some are new."

"I have," Yuuwaku replies. "Now, do please come in and sit; it helps."

My neck doesn't get stiff looking up at you.

"What else has happened?"

Upon being invited, he takes his seat as normal. Should he be politely direct?
No. That would better be saved for later in the conversation.
Such was not the way of the Crane.

"Aside from the troubles, there were small joys. What about you, Yuuwaku-chan?"

"Oh, you know," Yuuwaku replies. "I have been working for after...this."

And enjoying it.

"But what of your own joys, then? I would celebrate them with you."

He smiles slightly. "The daily joys. Good tea, talking with those you hold dear, discovering something new, realizing you can discover more because people don't remember your previous attempts, art."

"I suppose there is something to be said for the opportunity to practice," Yuuwaku says. "And I have noted your work, Sana-kun."

She gestures to the umbrella.

"To what do I owe the honor?"

He needed to think about something to say.
But it was improper for a samurai to freeze, so he needed something to distract himself. Yes, let's take the fan. It will give me some seconds.
His cheeks get slightly red. He takes his fan on his hand, open.
I should have been politely straightforward.
"It is my belief you know, Yuu-senpai."

Yuuwaku smiles gently.

"I can guess," she says. "How long?"

"It's an old thing. I never thought it would get this close to happening."

"And you think it approaches now, Sana-kun?"

She looks up at him. Even seated, the differences in stature are notable.

"Is there something you would like me to help you practice? Some new art you would like to explore?"

"There ought to be a try. I have been involved, in a lesser extent, on the investigation. I wonder... If I get lost on this time happenstance, would anyone remember I existed?"

"I'm sorry, it was not my intention to turn the subject grimm. But I am not trained to contemplate an end at every moment like an iron bushi. I'm scared, Yuuwaku."

Propriety be damned, Yuuwaku gathers him in to her in an embrace. Awkward, maybe, but heartfelt for all that.

She strokes his back. "We all are, Sanaharu. And that's okay. It's okay; you're okay," she says in as soothing a voice as she can manage.

"You'll be remembered, and you'll come through this."

He hugs back. It was not a very strong one, he was weak, or it was not heartfelt. It was time enough to unmake it, but he really didn't want to, his body really didn't want to move. So he stood there. "Thank you, thank you."

"Asahina curse me if I am weak on the path of peace."

Yuuwaku continues to hold him close.

"Remember the stories, Sana-kun? Even the Kami had doubts."

She makes enough space to look up at him. "I would ease you, if I could."

"This... This is good for ease. Thank you, Yuu-chan." He replies. He thought on making something, but that would be too bold (it would not, but he thought yes). Then he thought on another thing, but what would be the need of it?

He thought on doing a third thing, but that was also falsely bold. He didn't want to ruin everything by accident again. But this third thing felt right, so it should echo true.

Thus, on a bolt of courage, he took her hand and looked to somewhere in the room to find a talking subject. This somewhere was the umbrella. "You... You mentioned art before?" Art is good. That should work.

Even now, he is so much like a child, Yuuwaku thinks. I hope he never loses it.

"I did." She nods. "Given where we went to school, it's hardly the furthest thought from my mind. Or yours, clearly."

She gives a small smile. "So, why the seasonal motif?"

"Oh... I thought it would be easy to get. Maybe it's too much of an Asahina thing. Seasons are a symbol on how everything does not last, although they cycle, so they reminded me of our situation on this unfortunate curse. Cherry trees represent the same."

"Of course," Yuuwaku says. "Permanent impermanence, one of the paradoxes in which art exists and from which it takes meaning."

She nods.

"But there is usually an attempt to reify a single moment within that, to highlight it or fix it or both. And falling back on the forms, Sana-kun...I have to think you are trying to hide a thing instead of to show it.

"Why are you hiding from me? When has my critique ever bit you?"

"It's one I like particularly, being a performer specially, although I wouldn't define the presence of it as art. I did so before, but mainly learning to criticize art changed my opinions. This dialogue is one we already passed through before a dozen times I don't remember and five I do, though, so let's not delve further on it again. Not now."

He was buying time again. After giving up on the subject, he looks to her.

"It's... I don't know if it's the type of thing to tell anyone."

"If an artist cannot be open with themself, Sana-kun," Yuuwaku reminds him, "then they cannot truly do the art. It always demands a baring.

"But I promise to be a kind audience for you."

He chuckles some our of awkwardness. "Thank you, Yuu-chan. Thank you." He looks at the door as there could jump someone over at any moment. If anyone wanted to meet with Yuuwaku, it would be awkward indeed to find him there as well.

He turns back to her. "I'm trying to find words but they faulter me. It's... Nothing of your fault, however. Don't worry."

"Sana-kun," Yuuwaku says and trails off.

Do I poke it to get it all out? she wonders. Do I ask him to face it? Do I face what it might mean?