[Day 1 - EE] The Way it Goes

[Ikeda Ishi]

The Inn seemed a decent establishment for a drink, while she did not drink to excess, she felt it would be rude to not indulge in a bit of sake while staying in the lands of the Crab. So Ishi found herself sitting alone enjoying a warm bottle of sake and some light fare.

A peasant musician was playing music for the crowd and it was thoroughly forgettable, but at least it provided some diversion.

She would never admit she was bored, but she was finding it difficult to keep her mind occupied.

[Ichiro Taiki]

A large, muscular badger samurai came out from his room, stretching his muscles a bit after the afternoon training and ready to drink at least a bit to relax... as he wasn't sure if he would be joining the festivities later in the day. He would like to make a toast to his cousin, of course. But what he heard about that Yancho at the Hole... it made him uncomfortable about going there. And it would be noisy...

Here, at least, the music was not great, but enjoyable. He looked across the room, asked the innkeeper to fill his sake cup with a tired, but pleased smile, and, after having seen the Imperial drinking and eating alone for some time, he fought back his shyness, took some steps towards her and bowed deeply.

"'nnichiwa, -sama. 's a lovely day for a quiet drink, eh?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

Imperial senses tingling…

Was that Rokugani that was spoken? She glanced at the samurai and just nodded and said, “Hello, it is a lovely day.”

Now her gaze was locked and she was better prepared to parse the mangled tongue.

[Ichiro Taiki]

He glanced at her for a moment, then remembered himself and looked away, fixing his eyes on the ground. Seemingly noticing her effort, he made an effort himself, speaking slowly and more clearly.

"Ah. Pardon me", he said, bowing even lower. "This is Ichiro Taiki, Bushi from the Badger Clan presently serving in Crab lands, often on the Wall. It is my pleasure to make the acquaintance of an honourable representative of the direct servants of the Chrysanthemum throne".

The words sounded a bit odd and unpracticed, but the voice sounded friendly.

"Um... your honourable presence... 'ere for the wedding?", he then asked, his voice speeding up and getting a bit of the accent back.

[Ikeda Ishi]

"This one is Ikeda Ishi, honored samurai of the Badger," she responded.

"You have come a long way."

[Ichiro Taiki]

"It is my great pleasure, Ikeda-sama", he says, still bowed.

"And... I s'pose I have. But then... many of us travel a lot currently. For my part... I've been stationed in Crab lands for quite some time already. So... this time Ikeda-sama must have travelled even longer, eh?", he says in a friendly tone.

"So... I assume Ikeda-sama is here for Hida Yoji-sama's wedding?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

“You are correct,” she said, gesturing that he can sit, it was the polite thing to do.

“I am here with Otomo Yusuke, he is the nakodo that brought these two families together. Sensei said that sake is always better when shared, shall I pour you a cup?”

[Ichiro Taiki]

He bows low again and takes the place she pointed to, trying to be as gentle and polite as he could. It was still as effective as a mountain trying to be gentle.

"Doumo arigatou Ikeda-sama. Will be honoured to 'ave a few drinks by yer side."

He offered to pour for himself, given their positions, and also to refill her own cup, then spoke again, trying to keep the slower, clearer tone in his deep voice.

"So... Ikeda-sama is Otomo-sama's Yojimbo, then? It... Must be hard work, eh? Eyes oit fer danger in court'n - and - elsewhere."

[Ikeda Ishi]

"No different than my normal duties protecting the Empress and their family," she responded kindly.

"Tell me of the Badger and your lands," the Ikeda asked.

[Ichiro Taiki]

He nodded, taking a first sip from his cup.

"Oh. I suppose so. 'Tis an honourable duty, that of the Ikeda", he says, bowing his head again.

"The Badger... Our lands are... harsh, I guess you could say. Small mountains, hills, valleys, scrub. Not ideal for rice, but we make do. And it's an interesting land, with interesting animals, interesting views - at least I think so."

He takes another small sip before continuing.

"Buh then... well, 've gone through a lot recently, 's what our elders say. There...'ve been attacks. From those... not meant for polite conversation. Even in the far north. Since then - been rebuildin', bracing, keepin' strong. So... many of us serve elsewhere to strengthen the clan. Travel lots. A've done so as well, since my gempukku. Travelled around for a couple years before being placed here in Crab lands."

After a relatively long pause, he speaks again.

"That said... been close to the capital only once. Does Ikeda-sama's duty keep her there most of the time?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

“Usually or the estates of the Imperial Families across the Empire. But my duties have kept me in and around the Capitol until now,” she admitted.

“This is all very new to me. I even met a ronin, it was an interesting experience.”

[Ichiro Taiki]

He nods.

"Yeah... leavin' what we're used tae fer the first time can be a surprise. I remember my first days in Unicorn lands, too."

He took another small sip and kept quiet for some time. So... a Ronin. He remember it was somewhat common for some Badger to be mistaken for wave men. Focused on getting by day after day... he could respect that. Although he knew some became little more than bandits...

"So... a ronin? Would Ikeda-sama care to share her feelings about the meeting?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

“Confusing, she had a sense of nobility in a rough way and didn’t seem too focused on her base needs. Yet she lacked any real refinement, it is a pity she could make a decent Minor Clan samurai perhaps,” she said casually.

“I doubt she has the tenacity or skill to last as a member of the more established Clans but then again she could surprise me. Not all ronin are simply lowborn refuse, some are noble samurai seeking to master themselves through the Warrior’s Journey.”

She looks away as if in thought. She focused back on the Badger and said, “As you can see, it was complicated.”

[Ichiro Taiki]

The Badger kept quiet for a while before finally nodding.

"I understand. It sounds complicated.", he said, the accent now fully controlled.

"I mean... Ronin are samurai, right? Errors, or circumstance... " he takes some time before the next words "or kharma... their own or their families... placed them where they lie now. A life without the clear purpose of a lord... It sounds hard. But one can still behave rightly under the hardest circumstances. Should. And... Doing right, being strong, in the hardest of circumstances and times... Is that not a samurai at its core?"

He seems thoughtful for a moment, then looks at the Ikeda's eyes for a short while before bringing them down to the table again.

"Even our Oturi-tennoo-sama... It was an army of Ronin she guided first and foremost to defend the Empire, ne?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

She frowned narrowing her eyes and then nodded saying, "That is true, she rose from the lowest position to the highest."

"I see I have allowed myself to be shortsighted by prejudice."

[Ichiro Taiki]

He took another moment of silence before shaking his head slightly.

"Ikeda-sama shouldnae be harsh on herself. A s'pose our judgment is usually best in that which we ken best, nuh?"

He then took a last sip and asked her

"'nother cup, Ikeda-sama?"

Before her answer, he speaks again

"Sae... What does Ikeda-sama think 'bout the Red Sands Coast thus far?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"It is a a beautiful land that speaks to the nature of the Crab," she said after taking a moment to parse the words.

"Hida-dono lives in a rustic land of beauty."

[Ichiro Taiki]

He nods again, this time a smile clearly showing on the corner of his lips

"It is a beautiful land, isn't it? Has some beautiful nature and interesting wildlife too. I hope Ikeda-sama will have a good time here."

[Ikeda Ishi]

“I find my time spent here quite satisfactory, it will be fondly remembered. This one prays you can say the same,” Ikeda Ishi responded.

[Ichiro Taiki]

He gives her a good-natured smile. "Oh, A usually enjoy mah time here, Ikeda-sama. Th' Fortunes allowing, this time'll be e'en better, wi' th' bridle 'n' a' - eh, th' wedding I mean".

"Speaking o' whilk - does ikeda-sama lik' hunting? Or exploring th' wilderness?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"I have gone hunting during my training, but never as a past time, is that something you like?" she asked.

[Ichiro Taiki]

"Och, It sure is. A love tae see the nature o' the places A visit - landscape, trees... the animals e'en more sae. An I've taken a likig' tae the nature o' these parts, as A visited them a number o times. It's been mah pleasure tae gae huntin' alongisde Hida-dono and her family some times. Maybe Ikeda-sama wid like to go on a hunting or exploring trip while ye're here too, if ye have the chance?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"If my duties permit," she said with a nod. "Hida-dono enjoys the hunt? I was not aware of that."

[Ichiro Taiki]

He nodded with a smile at the corner of his lips. "Oh, she does! A'd thought tha' was well known. Sae... A'll hope Ikeda-sama's duties shall allow it, then. Will be honoured to join yer hunting party if it 'appens and A'm allowed.", he says, bowing his head.

[Ikeda Ishi]

"Forgive my ignorance then, it seems my knowledge is most lacking about the Crab. I hope to learn more of them during my stay," she said.