The New Winds

So this is the Capital, huh?

The young Utaku looked from side to side as he wandered the district. He moved with a purpose and a swagger that belied both age and actual capability.

I mean it's big, yeah, but is that all there is to it?

It was impressive, in a way, compared to other cities but, in the end, it was still a city of the Empire. One building looked like the next. Even the Unicorn Embassy, which he had recently passed, only bore the slightest distinguishing marks of its proud heritage and tradition to set it apart from the bland sea. The buildings all look too much the same. The people all look too much the same. Even among the samurai, other than the color distinctions of clan, style and fashion seemed to have been dictated on high by one, boring, voice.

He kicked a rock in disgust, sending a nearby heimin scurrying out of its way, and kept his face impassive and unimpressed... despite his slight guilt at having startled the man. Sure the peasant was beneath him but if he was going to cause fear it should be because he intended to cause fear.

As dull as this is the dojo will probably be even worse. At least here I can move when I get bored. Hopefully the classes will be interesting if nothing else.

Descending the stairs from the Temple to the Kami, Sasaiko sees the scuttling peasant and the rock-kicking figure.

"Did that rock do something to offend you?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

One hand rests at her hip, the other on the strap of her traveling pack, her stance just a bit wide--not the rolling gait of a rider, no, but definitely taking up some space. Dressed in what looks like something between and uwagi and a kosode, with dark blue hakama, she seems to mimic a miko; the scroll satchel at her hip reinforces the impression, even if the traveling pack seems to belie it, somehow.

Ichiro's head raises, slightly, to take in the speaker, "It got in my way. What's it to you?"

Sasaiko gives a snort of laughter. "Looks a bit flat to have a rockfall. But if you get the earth to move, maybe you're another shugenja?"

A shake of the head sends hair waving, "Nah, ain't got the knack for that. Glad to say, honestly, stuffy prayers and scrolls aren't for me." He looks wistful, "Give me a horse to ride and a blade to swing and I'll be happy."

Sasaiko smirks.

"Looks like you've got neither. Guess that's why you're not happy, then. But if you're not, why're you here?"

A long, drawn out sigh at the truth of it all, "Being shipped off to some noble's experiment apparently."

Sasaiko takes a step forward.

"The Ruby Champion's, by any chance?"

"Yeah, that's the one." He nods, "Apparently got some theory or another to test out on us."

"'Us' is right, then," and Sasaiko bows. "I'm called Toritaka Sasaiko. And you?"

"Ichiro, for now." A rough bow, an attempt to be polite but clearly from someone who doesn't care much for formalities, "Utaku Ichiro."

A pause as he thinks, "Toritaka... Toritaka. That's one of the bird ones right? Sparrow? Nah, wait those are the 'Boring Cranes' so... Falcon!"

Oh, you're going to be a fun one, she thinks as she covers her mouth with her free hand and laughs a little.

"You've got it, Utaku Ichiro-for-now. We're definitely not Sparrows.

"But why would you be...displeased...to help the Ruby Champion? Seems an important thing to be able to do, really."

A shrug and a frown, "If it were important it would be my sister here, not me. Instead she's off to Shiro Utaku Shojo and I'm off to... whatever the hells this is."

"A lack of confidence isn't going to help you, Utaku-san, and it wouldn't if you were somewhere else, either.

"Besides," and Sasaiko leans in closer, "doubt attracts spirits you don't want to have any truck with."

The boy laughs, loud and a bit braying, for a fair moment before recovering, "Lack of confidence? You've got me wrong. They're fools for how much they value her over me. Just saying if they thought this was the important spot it'd be her. As for a spirits nothing a little rock salt or ivory can't cure.""

"Oh, you'd be quite surprised at that. Some spirits actually enjoy salt, and much in Rokugan cares not for ivory, one way or another."

She shrugs.

"But I'd not expect to know more about horses than you--but isn't it the case that Utaku men don't ride into battle? I'd heard that somewhere, I'm sure."

"I'd hope not." At the mention of battle he glowers and woe if there was a rock on hand... well by foot. Thankfully the street is clear at this point, "We are forbidden from riding the Utaku warhorses or learning the combat techniques of our family. They cannot stop us from seeking another steed or another teacher no matter how much they might turn their noses up at it."

He rearranges his posture to stand proud and tall, well as tall as he can pre-growth spurt, "I study with the Moto and will face battle as I rightly should. I'll prove my family fools for clinging to such a wasteful tradition."

Might be there's a reason for the tradition thinks Sasaiko, though she says only "I'm sure you'll bring glory to your name.

"As for me, I mean to uphold the Emperor's Law. And that is work enough for anyone, I think."

Another shrug, "Reckon that's a good enough goal. Not one I'd much care for myself but a needed job that someone's gotta do."

"Laws below reflect laws above," she replies.