Gotta Eat (Expecting)

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Laws below reflect those above. They must, since they proceed from the Throne."

There is a passion in her words about this.

[Asako Saburo]

The passion was hard to mistake, and he definitely could understand a person being passionate about a particular field of study, even if it was not his own personal field of inquiry. "The Emperor is the Son of Heaven, so if he is the arbiter and creator of all law, it stands to reason its origins are in the sun and moon themselves." that much, at least he knew. "All law must reflect divine law, maintaining balance and order in all things."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"And who better than those of us who connect with the spirits to work to that end, as the Throne requires?"

[Asako Saburo]

"You are considering application to the Jade Magistry then?" he asked, though it was barely a question, more of a rhetorical statement. "I certainly think it is a high calling among the priesthood. The application of law and the ways of the kami are ... finicky I am told, but at the same time there is a necessity to have some mystical guidance in this. Was not Soshi Saibankan himself a shugenja?" Fuck if he actually knew the answer to that question. Soshi = shugenja in his mind.

He'd probably have kittens if he ever met the Nanbu.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Or the Emerald, yes. A shugenja's talents would serve well therein, as well."

[Asako Saburo]

"Without question. Even if the testimony of the spirit is not admitted, the unique skills of shugenjas supplement those of traditional magistrates. I cannot find fault in that way of thinking. And, with the Topaz Championship coming, it is certain that the Emerald Champion will be looking upon those who compete. I believe many who are here will be joining that competition." It certainly made sense to him.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko nods at the idea.

"It would make sense that those favored by the Lady Ruby would be put forward for the Topaz. Particularly those who do well here."

As I am not, she thinks. But she hides it by drinking from her drink.

[Asako Saburo]

In truth? She was still doing better than the average among them. If the Ruby Champion's experiment went forward according to the plans none of them had been read in on? They'd probably all make an appearance there eventually. but that would be revealed in time. "Especially those, but for us to even be favored as much as we are, the odds seem to favor it. Besides, it isn't that long after the classes complete and we are not far from Otosan Uchi and the fields of the Emerald Champion." He honestly didn't remember where the tournament was held.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"And only a little farther from Tsuma, where the Test happens. And I have heard that the Test requires a variety of skills to complete successfully, as well. Perhaps this will be good preparation for it, though I heve to wonder if being trained to pass a test is necessarily the best approach."

She shrugs.

"I must trust that our sensei know more than I."

[Asako Saburo]

Tsuma. He nodded, making a mental note to find a local map. It wouldn't do to get lost and end up in Lion lands on his way to the test of the Topaz Championship. "Given that every one of the exercises we are performing are things I have heard are expected of 'traditional' perfect samurai who can truly do everything expected of them? I would imagine so, yes. It is almost as if we were being groomed for the championship to an extent."

Cause they were.

"Given that among the training is magistry training in a few days? I think you will find considerable growth you wish."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

He's not the Mantis. That wasn't a comment on your figure, she thinks.

She nods.

"I shall look forward to it. And to seeing your continued performance, as well."

[Asako Saburo]

It might either horrify him to be compared to that man or realize how conscious he'd made her of physical compliments, or mildly amuse and confuse him, considering that he had not once thought of such things in years. He'd been too ill to even properly think about that kind of thing more than in passing. He was far more interested in her as a fellow shugenja. Ironic, in its own way.

"If the numbers are to be believed, you are doing extremely well. I suspect that our sensei expect great things of you." He was trying not to think about his own numbers. It felt... odd to be where he was, even if it was only early on. "Besides the magistrate's tests, which interests you most?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"It's more a general thing, really. The tests that all of us are expected to take, rather than the field-specific trainings."

She takes what seems to be the last bite she has. After, she continues.

"What is and is not required, and what seem to have been covered by Schools--and not. It is revelatory, or would be if I had more perspective. But this gives me the chance for some perspective, which I appreciate."

[Asako Saburo]

"So, in a way, what it is that you seek most of all... is a familiarization with the things that are expected of the many paths we might walk, and a broadening of horizons that comes as a result of that?" At least that was what he got out of it. Given what she was looking for? That seemed like an extremely good and logical choice, all considered. "I could see that."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

She nods. "Something like that. And there is always the chance to learn more than is taught overtly; one never knows what will be found without looking for it."

[Asako Saburo]

"Such as how the Subtlety of the Court was written to discuss the courts ebb and flow in terms drawn from Sun Tao's treatise. Sometimes, various methods can give novel approaches to completely unrelated matters, yes. And a broader comprehension of many topics enables different ways to approach them." It made sense, yes. If she was trying to find novel ways to look into these fields, that would make sense. He wasn't necessarily one to think outside of the box, but ... there were times?

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

She holds up a finger. "Just so, Asako-san. Just so.

"But I think that the hour is coming to an end. We don't want sensei to think we're lazy, right?"

She grins a bit, seeming to feel better from their talk.

[Asako Saburo]

"An excellent point, and we have finished the fine repast that we've been given. I should be getting to classes at this point. Good fortune in your studies." He wasn't even being ironic as he said the food was good. He was odd that way. Bowing, he rose and headed to put the plates up before going to his next examination.

/exit

(OOC: Heh, sets us up for something in d4 nicely.)

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

/scene, and thanks!