[Gardens, Juramashi District, Otosan Uchi] WOW!

[Kakita Kenji]

"So you are a Bushi of the Shiba family dojo?" Kenji asked politely "I don't know much about your family name, either. It would be an honor to learn more about it.

Kenji turned to Aiichiro. "The size of the library depends on the dojo. The artists study, well, a lot of art. The students of the duelist dojo study almost exclusively The sword written by Kakita and the history of the Crane Clan, we don't have much time for books, at least during training. Mostly I like to read in my free time"

Kenji went just outside the study and turned to a librarian. A short time later he reappeared with some scrolls and books. He put them on the table in the middle. "I have here some excerpts of the texts my sisters had recommended to me. They deal with imperial etiquette, roughly at least. Just as a book is a window to our ancestors, it is also a pale imprint of what was once true," he said, as if quoting a far wiser man than Kenji is.

"I would", he looked at Aiichiro and Ginkarasu, "warmly recommend that you read these texts, at least roughly."

After that, Kenji began to take a book on courtly fashion and began to read it with little enthusiasm.

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"I see. Overall I depend a lot on books. Sensei tell us that we shouldn't be afraid to consult."
He heard he Phoenix talk. Kami... Yeah, the Phoenix had a lot of shugenja. "Do you defend the Empire from gaijin? Of all things my father told me from the Shiba, that was not one. I'm impressed. I thought the Dragon defended the north? But the dragon does not look like the kind of people who fight." He said, noticing shortly after how the end sounded and trying to amenize it. "...much."
"Most of the time our sensei tell us which books we will need for studying a certain subject, and we take them from the libraries. You are expected to copy like a scribe if only a few pages are important, then pass the book to the next person. Most books in Shiro Kaiu are unique with the exception of our student books, and she really loves taking us away from them. But I don't like reading. It is just necessary. I prefer shoji and talking. Always appreciate company."
He watched as Kenji left the room and reappeared. "What will we use imperial etiquette for?" He asked after the explanation of the content inside the books.

[Kakita Kenji]

"Well, Aiichiro-san, I am not a courtier, but in my dojo and in my family we have always placed great value on etiquette," Kenji said thoughtfully.

He took a deep breath. "We must preserve our etiquette, if we want to preserve structure, culture and human existence, without etiquette we are nothing but animals wallowing in the mud. With etiquette society stands and falls, never forget that Kenji," he said. "This is one of the lessons I have been taught"

"That's why I'm reading this book here," Kenji leafed through his book and read a paragraph from it: "In kimono it is the pattern, rather than the cut of the garment, that is significant. Indications of social status, personal identity and cultural sensitivity are expressed through colour and decoration. The choice of obi and accessories, such as combs and pins worn in the hair, are also important."

"But I imagine it is difficult to understand this if you are not from the Crane Clan... but, imagine etiquette as the rules of the game for adult interaction, at least that's what my sister always told me"

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"My father sent me a letter with the basics of etiquette for me to use outside the Crab, which since I mentioned, I should take it to read too, and can hand out to you if interested. But thinking about color of obis is, like, too much. There is enough spare time, at least for my experience as a student, to try to get those kind of things across. But they would probably sway us over what is really important, which would be staying always in guard against the Shadowlands. The great bear, for example, is always in heavy armor. The adult Hida usually are in heavy armor even outside war service too. They walk around protected, so I can see how kimono patterns would get irrelevant as you don't even get to wear them publicly anyway. Structures and humanity as we known it has been saved in the wall multiple times."

[Kakita Kenji]

"Life in the South sounds.... hard" Kenji simply could not find better words to describe what he thought.

He averted his gaze for a moment

"But, yes, I'll take a look at that letter, Aiichiro-San"

[Kaito Haruki]

"I appreciate that you are building upon your knowledge of etiquette to better improve your odds in the training we are about to undergo, but I have a question which I think the answer would only be found in the most prominent of libraries: how did the Kami know who among our ancestors were hinin, who were heimin, and who were truly worthy of being called samurai but was not ready in their current form for leadership? Especially since the first humans they met had no one to tell them what was the way of heaven."

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"I have probably overdone it." He said, noticing the reaction of the Kakita, finding it a little strange he did not knew about the Hida fact before realizing it should be common sense only to Crabs. "My intention was by no means to intimidate. I ask for your pardon." Aiichiro says, taking one of the imperial etiquette books mostly against his will, but to prove he also considered those important. "And... That's a good question, Haruki. I don't know about the other samurai, but I know how Kaiu, Kuni and..." he stopped by a moment "Hiruma proved themselves worthy to follow Hida."

[Kaito Haruki]

See that boy, you said something so improper it made the Crab of all people uncomfortable. You're here to strengthen your mind to secure a proper position in society, not destroy any chance of a future. You're lucky it was children here and not a magistrate, pretty sure they could find a couple dozen reasons why that statement deserves criminal action. Too bad the spirits will know, now you'll need to run through the river just to make sure you're clean enough for your new senseis.

Haruki fumbles through his pocket for his fan, making certain to cover his face quickly with one hand, and using the other to open a scroll.

(italics are for a spirit that haunts Haruki)

[Yasuki Ginkarasu]

"Huh. I hadn't heard etiquette described that way, but it makes sense. It's like, how you tell if someone is likely to have coin or not likely, from what Dad always talked about. Though I was always confused on that; anyone could wear the kimono that had the right cut, what mattered for bushido was the honor of the person in the kimono. One of the reasons for compassion...the soul you look down on because they're poorly dressed could know their duty better then you." Ginkarasu nods, talking in a hush.

[Kakita Kenji]

"Well, Yasuki-san, just as Bushido is based on the Seven Pillars, so too is etiquette a product of many parts. The right kimono at the right time in combination with the right words can move the world.... at least that is what it is written. As a student of the Kakita Duelist Dojo it is difficult to do justice to politeness. Kakita himself said that one can only truly live with passion, which is in contrast to what the doji teach about etiquette," Kenji said thoughtfully.

Haruki's question cut him off. Kenji had never questioned the order of the Celestial Wheel and he thinks it is very unwise to do so now

"The kami were the wisest, strongest and most wonderful creatures that ever lived. Surely they could test the souls and hearts of men and show them their place in the Celestial Wheel."

He looked over at Aiichiro. Although he only met him today, he opened a window to the rest of the empire for him. The coming time in the dojo would probably challenge many concepts he had been taught.

"That's all right, Kaiu-san," Kenji said, trying to change the subject, "I think it's a good thing that so many different clans will come together in this special dojo. To put it in Sinseis words, "Only when you are in the grave will you have nothing more to learn."

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

He searched his inro for an awkward long time before finding a piece of rolled paper, opening it and skimming the page with his eyes briefly, until he reached the end of the paper, opening his eyes a little bit more as he folded that part. An unecessary folding that would "ruin" a card, if it was not already wrinkled to pieces because of the time it stood ridigly folded. Then Aiichiro headed the letter to Kenji.

"Here is the card." Aiichiro said.

The thing strange with it was that the letter was well written and actually accurate on what a pre-gempukku teen should know of etiquette in the imperial capital, something not easily associated with Crabs, and in the final something about the Crab being resilient as they found beauty in hell. Who wrote that knew what they were doing. The calligraphy was good, too, and the paper still had traces of the perfume it should have been impregnated with when it was send — as typical to mail sent with care for one whom is important, or for one whom you love.
The folding was awfully convenient to hide the sender.

[Kakita Kenji]

Kenji gratefully put aside the book on court fashion and received the letter from Aiichiro. He read through it and admired the craftsmanship. This letter could just as well have been written by a crane, maybe one of Aiichiro's parents was once one?

"This is a very nice letter, Kaiu-san. I can't see anything wrong with it, and the calligraphy is a feast for the eyes," Kenji said honestly.

Of course, he had noticed that Aiichiro was trying to hide something or was embarrassed by the letter in some way. Kenji was curious, of course, but it was more important to him to treat Aiichiro with respect than to reveal his secrets. Still, he would give him a little side blow.

"I guess you were not named Aiichiro for nothing, Kaiu-San, you must be very fortunate," Kenji said respectfully and handed the letter back to Aiichiro.

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"I will send him your compliments in my next letter." Aiichiro said, taking the letter and folding it back in a roll before guarding it again on his inro. "I hope they will allow us to write letters. I also think those are beautiful, so I guard them all. Space is not a problem, so I also hope for there to be a lot of them."
"I thought this level of sophistication was the common norm amongst the remaining of the Empire." He said, diverting his gaze a little. "It makes me happy to be informed it is not." To discover he was cared for just by a letter... Crane were really good at those things. Would keep that in mind. "He liked writing a lot, and they say practice makes perfection. I didn't expect it to be extended to... a thing like this, too."

[Kaito Haruki]

See that reaction from the crane, I bet he wants to fight you so bad.

Haruki ignores the voice over his left shoulder, listening to the conversation in between glances through various scrolls. Currently it's a commentary on a quote "The victorious general strikes while the enemy plans." Why the heck is a courtier writing about this?

". . contrast . . . the doji teach"

You hear that? He's training to be a duelist, they find excuses to fight people for a living. Want to know an example of what should have happened just now? The unseen voice raises in pitch, almost mocking the crane teen sitting just before him. You have dishonored my ancestors, and for that you must be prepared to fight. Swords drawn, at dawn

Haruki swiftly, seemingly without warning to the others in the room, turns around and sternly says "You're not helping you know!" His back now turned to all occupants in the room, no door in his way, only a wall.

[Kakita Kenji]

"I also hope you will let us write letters, I also want to keep in touch with my family," Kenji said with a smile.

"He is absolutely right: practice makes perfect, that goes for all things in life. .... But as always, this is easier said than done," Kenji said slightly distressed. A memory of a hard training day at his father's place flashed up briefly.

"Anyway, letters are a popular means ..." Kenji started when Kaito-San suddenly exclaimed: "You are not helping now!

" Excuse me, what?!" Kenji started angrily and looked over at Haruki and saw him staring at the wall. "If you're going to criticize what I said, at least look me in the eye, Kaito-san."

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

The discussion was getting heated. The Kaiu frowned — apparently people didn't know how to discuss in a civil manner outside Shiro Kaiu. They were either polite to the point of meaning nothing, or aggressive to the point of forgetting their arguments. Aiichiro took his fan from his obi and opened it in a wide, cranelike fashion.
"If this is to become a shouting contest, you may as well dispute in noise against the trebuchets." He said as if it was a common phrase he heard — and it would make much more sense in the Carpenter Castle indeed. The tone was sternly, but not harsh. Quite loud, but not hostile. "Nothing is solved when samurai are swayed by their emotions. Now, I want one person speaking at a time. Starting by you, Kaito-san, which part of our conversation has appalled you and why?"

[Kaito Haruki]

Haruki heard Kenji's words, but they seemed so distant compared to what he saw when he turned his head. A shadow, but with no form to make it. There's only one way that could happen, another spirit has arrived. The shadow is shaped like a monkey, so it has to be a Saru. They're from Sakakku, and that means tricks. Great, another spirit bothers Haruki.
Consider this your warning Haruki-chan! I'll have fun with you throughout this week.

"Which part of our conversation has appalled you and why?" Right, they're still expecting me to answer, but how? Better check Ayako sensei's notes she gave me before I left. They may not give him the right words, but they would point to the right direction. At least it tell you the words not to say if you don't want to sound crazy, but then you would have to explain the scroll.

Haruki takes a deep bow "sorry, I must admit that I was rather distracted from your conversation, I was ruminating over the mistake I made earlier. Please accept my apology."

[Kakita Kenji]

Kenji suddenly had an tingly feeling in his fingers, the day was quite stressful and if he continued to exert himself, he would regret it.

"I accept your apology, Kaito-san. Thank you, Kaiu-san, for your mediation. It's been a stressful day today and my nerves are a little raw, I hope you can accept my apology for my bad behavior," Kenji said politely as he bowed.

The atmosphere was a little tense. But he did not know how to change the subject in order to save the situation.

[Yasuki Ginkarasu]

"What does it mean, you need to wait 43 minutes for the Aide to the Assistant of the Filer of Information Regarding Trees but you wait 35 minutes for the the Assistant of the Filer of Information Regarding Fish? How is the aide more important than an assistant?" Ginkarasu calls out while looking up from the scroll he was given, then looks around abashedly. "Sorry, I was supposed to whisper that. But are trees that much more important then fish?"

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

He was contempt at seeing how everything resolved without his further interference. "Why are you reading about tree and fish? Anyway, it might be because samurai deal more with wood and trees than with fish preparing. For an example, wild cherry wood is very durable, is easy to deal with, and rarely deforms. So we use a lot of wild sakura wood on Shiro Kaiu. I only know about sakura because I asked which wood we were using once, no idea on other trees."