A place to train (D1 - Mid-Afternoon, Open)

[Ichiro Taiki]

Taiki knew well that places to train in the Castle were few and better left to his cousin's men at the best of times - even more so now, with the Castle filled with guests and so much on her plate.

But by no means did that mean he could let himself get soft.

And in fact, the beach looked like a particularly pleasant spot for training today.

Maybe not the best place to train in heavy armor directly under the sun... but that was exactly how the Badger showed up, carrying the large axe he kept faithfully by his side whenever he could. Apparently unfazed by the armor and the sun, he started practicing some Kata with the Ono - hard, heavy swings that clearly depended more on strength than precision. He repeated the Kata time and again, doing push-ups, sit-ups and some stretching between one repetition of the Kata and the next.

He would not fail again. He had to keep his form.

He had to keep strong.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

After relaxing so playing biwa on the shrine, he decided to contemplate, or pay more attention to, the ocean. He wanted to see if he could discover why it was red, and he hoped it would not be because of some Shadowlands thing. After all, this was damn near the Sacred Plains... He expected it to be mostly empty as there were no boats in the horizon other than the same ones of yesterday, but he was surprised by a new sight — a training samurai, apparently a Hida, when they had many grounds to do so. Interested in breaking a deal with his new Crab allies, he watches.

This must be truly hard training if they had to use heavy armor during the sun and amidst the sand. Such thing was complimentable. Sanaharu gets closer, covering the sun with his hand, thinking on sending a servant soon to buy him a wagasa. Not that he planned on staying out on the sun that much, anyway.

When he was near enough, or when the samurai had clearly noticed him, he bows.

[Ichiro Taiki]

As he finishes another repetition of the same Kata, the man notices the tall, white-haired man approaching. After wiping some sweat off his brow and setting his Ono down on the sand, he finally turns to the man and bows himself.

White hair, but tall. A Daidoji, maybe? He had met at least some of them before.

But then.... a biwa?

" 'nnichiwa, Crane-sama. Out to enjoy the pleasant day 'ere at the beach?", he says in a deep voice that sounds friendly... but somehow oddly serious. "Or... lookin' fer a spot to practice as well?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

His accent was different. He arrived a little closer so be could look and... This one was from a minor clan, although much looked like a normal Hida. "I practice no sport out of those born in art, Ichiro-san. As well, we should present ourselves first." He bows slightly.
"I am Asahina Sanaharu, sent there by Kakita Haruka-done and the Kakita Academy. I arrived at this beach to look at its waters, and discover the history behind this red-hot sea having such spectacular, although uncommon, tone".
Thinking well, this would do a good painting if it was not because of it being some demonic water or something like that.

[Ichiro Taiki]

So... an artisan then.

He knew little of them. Hadn't had much time for that. But... the waters were interesting. He looked to the side for a moment, smiling a bit, but kept his head bowed.

"Asahina-sama", he said, bowing a bit lower still. "Yer right. This'un apologises. This is Ichiro Taiki, of the Badger clan. So... I assume Asahina-sama is here fer the weddin', eh?"

He raises his massive shoulders slightly, slowly, and turns his head to the waves. "... 'tis an interesting sea, nuh? Has Asahina-sama found somethin' of its story yet?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Yes. I was sent here to entertain the guests and solidify the good feelings between both clans. My specialty, broadly, are arts that need a testimony to be appreciated, such as music. The things that can only be appreciated once."
He explains calmly. His experiences on this land so far were above his expectations. Maybe it was not so bad, after all, to deal with Crab and Badger. Not that he would like to depend on them in a real court.
"Do you live here, or are you too a guest? Do you know the bride or the groom?"

[Ichiro Taiki]

Things that can only be appreciated once. Taiki pondered about that for a moment, and in the end he smiled. He could appreciate that.

Music could be pleasant, of course. But there was much else that was like that. The thrill of an adventure with his childhood friends. The sight of a rare bird atop a tree. The rush as one saw a wild cat, or a pack of wild wolves, and watched as they went about their business.

There were many small pleasures that were like that. There one moment, gone the next. Fleeting.

He left his musing behind and let smile fade a bit before answering the Asahina.

"This 'un 'been stationed in Crab lands for the last few years. Not necessarily in the Red Sands Coast... but I've visited often. Hida Yoji-sama and lady Hida Kitusuchi-sama are distant cousins of mine." He seemed quite fond of both of them as he mentioned them.

"'Bout Asahina-sama? This'un hasnae 'ad the chance ta meet Daidoji Yushoko-sama yet.... Ye close ta the bride 's well?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, no, although it is my wish I was! I was merely sent to the marriage as an entertainer, and chose to accept the request because my lord is a distant parent of hers. As much the lord Kakita Haruka wanted to attend, his duties at Cold Wind City does not allow as such. Thus, he sent me and his son there."

He nods. The explanation was quite complicated.

"I am a servant on the court of Lord Haruka, you see."

This one was friendly. If there was anything he learned on etiquette, is that the more friends the merrier. His face remained as a smooth stone, unreadable; contrasting the other whole emotions were clearly stamped on his face.

"I must say that I have met, until now, with more Crabs than the people of my own. That's a good thing. I can see Cranes back home all the time, but Crabs are a rare sight for one like me. For a good example, how many Badgers do you think I have ever met at a scenario pretty like this? I think it is one of those moments like the ones I said before. Only happen once."

[Ichiro Taiki]

The Ichiro's own face was mostly impassive this time, the smile almost faded.

Whether that was an attempt at being proper or just him retreating into himself as he took time to think about the Asahina's words is open to debate.

After quite some time thinking about it, at some point adjusting the Ono stuck on the sand as if to ensure it wouldn't topple, he finally spoke again, his deep voice mostly friendly.

"I... I s'pose so. I know our folk are nae too many, so I s'pose we' nae a common sight, really. Meself... a've been in Crane lands a few times. Naet tae Kakita Haruka-sama's lands thouhh, I dun't think. Buh... it's good tae see this 'apning, though... Dinnae ye think? 'Armony n' 'appiness here means focus where it's needed, nuh?"

His accent seems to be oscillating, sometimes clearer, but from time to time parts of what is probably the northern, provincial accent of the Badger homelands comes though in full force.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

It was becoming hard to understand what the Badger was saying. But, as a Crane, only a slight idea was enough for his reaction would be the same — smile and wave, like a good child of Doji.
"Of course. You do seem to be a man well-versed in war, by your training and great composture. May I ask you, though, if you are as familiar with philosophy or poetry? The theme of... things that don't happen again, to so say... Is a very common one in both art and the interpretations of the Tao. Your smile did seem to sour when I mentioned I have seen none of your Clan besides you, alas, may I as well ask if you were involved on the war that happened before this truce of peace, or you had any other motive? My curiosity with this perception is the most unending..."

[Ichiro Taiki]

Even if the smile had mostly faded, the Ichiro's face was still calm and mostly friendly.

The Crane's question did make him a bit uncertain, though. As familiar with philosophy or poetry? He supposed some could be. Those were interesting subjects, in a way. They kept things interesting. They could help thinking about life.

But they did little to save others when... when it was most needed.

So after some time he slowly shook his head. "A'm afraid a'm not, Asahina-sama. Buh dinnae get me wrong - it doesnae bother me, none of wha' ye said. Much on the contrary. It's good to learn more, see more. Just... sometimes... some things take most of our focus."

He then shook his head again again at the Asahina's last question, his face still calm, and gave a slight smile.

"And... nae, I 'aven't been involved in the Crab-Crane conflict. Been on the wall these four years, fighting the fight that must be, whatever else happens. So... no bad feelings, as I said. Dinnae ye worry."

He stretched his chest a bit, then took a more relaxed pose. "Buh yer quaisten go' me wonderin' - do Artisans also focus on th' ways o'war, and physical pursuits?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I shall not say that I am familiar with the way of war because I am not. I'm an Asahina, as the surname is well known. Still, if life as it is lived is art and thought or we would be no different than the beasts, I see not how the focus of a honorable life would be it not. That is the belief of the Crane." He nods. "Would you like to move somewhere else than the beach and have some tea, now I notice I have asked not? Somewhere covered by shadow on this beach would help equally. It does start to annoy me, in fact, to stand on the sun."
He needed a wagasa. Seriously now.
"But to answer your question, the Kakita Academy train specialists on the arts, as such is the belief of the Kakita family. One of the arts is the art of duel, Iaijutsu. But this is a path few take as secondary, although the duelists usually partake as well in other arts. My specialty, myself, is discourse. But of course it was not the only thing I learnt there. I actually went out of my way to learn a more abrangent set of arts, for I am no Kakita to pursue perfection in one."

[Ichiro Taiki]

The Badger nodded as the Asahina spoke. Of course... He had heard of the Asahina. They were pacifists... Like many Phoenix.

He could understand that. Some of that. It was a noble cause to defend. He had seen interclan conflict - some seems to think it kept the clans strong. He thought it kept them busy and unfocused. Of course, when different lords had different ideas on how to best serve the Empire - or themselves - war typically ensued. And... Then there were conflicts in court. He understood little of that, but it did sound like conflict.

Still... He wondered how the pacifists reacted to.... those things. Things that must be fought.

After a long time, he nodded.

"I understand, Asahina-sama. And ye're right in that - it sounds honourable to focus on arts, craft, things tae make us smile and admire. Jus'... as A said - sum thins take most of our focus. I understand ye've little time fer the sword, and I understand yer desire fer peace. So 'ave some of us nae much time fer tae learn much o' th'arts. Dinnae mean we dinnae appreciate them. Jus'... Some o'us mus' be ready. Fer fights that must be, to protect what we are. A'm sure Asahina-sama wid understand that, right?"

The words are said in a serious tone, but he finishes with a smile that tends towards being friendly. Taking his Ono from the sand, he points its head towards a place some distance away with some trees.

"We could go o'er there for some shade, yeah? If Asahina-sama wid agree. An A'd be 'appy to accept her offer for tea... Bug maybe another day?"