[D2, LE] Rematch

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro caught a hint of that worry, and was not entirely sure what to make of it. Still, the words had been encouraging, and that was something, at least.

"Not a great deal, I am afraid, but I agree with your assessment of its charms. I thought perhaps to take some time to paint a view of the river tomorrow."

He placed a stone near the center of the board rather quickly, this time.

"Between that and the teapot, I should be well-set with souvenirs of this place."

[Iuchi Prashant]

Prash is cheerful again at Jiro's mention of making a painting, although apparently still a bit more laid back than he was before.

If anything, it seems clear to Jiro that the Unicorn really enjoys his company, and his gestures and words leave no doubt of that.

"Oh, that sounds lovely, Bayushi-san! I wasn't aware that painting was another of your gifts - although it doesn't quite surprise me that you are also an artist", he says with a warm smile. "Might this one ask you to see the results, if it wouldn't bother you?"

[Bayushi Jiro]

"Of course, Iuchi-san, it would be my pleasure." Perhaps, if you like it, I might even make it a gift. Jiro smiled to himself, treasuring that thought.

"But yes, I have been trained in a couple art forms. They can be powerful skills in the courts, but of course they have a sort of spiritual element all their own, which I find very...comforting." He placed a stone to his left. "Does Iuchi-san practice an art form?"

[Iuchi Prashant]

The Iuchi smiles happily at his offer, nodding.

"Ah, yes... skills in art should be highly valued in courts. But I suppose those who truly dedicate themselves to an art focus more in the process, and in the value of the artwork itself, than in its practical uses? Of course the final product wil have a practical value, but..."

He focuses on the boad again for a moment, then raises his eyes to Jiro's again.
"focus on the path, not the destination - I guess", he says, chuckling a bit. "I suppose I sound monkly again, don't I?"

He then stops for a moment. "I guess this might be a less monkly way to put it", he says, then lowers his eyes slightly.

'Farewell, my old fan.
Having scribbled on it,
What could I do but tear it
At the end of summer?'

"He raises his eyes again, smiling slightly. Perhaps you might even know the poem? But... that is part of the answer to your other question. I always greatly liked poetry, influenced by different poetic traditions practiced by both my parents - even though I'm just starting on the way of words really. And... well, being a Meishodo Master, I also work with more physical crafts. I tend to prefer creating amulets out of my own work whenever I can", he says, smiling again.

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro chuckled. "I don't mind a little bit of monkishness, Iuchi-san. There is something very pleasant in knowing one's companion is thinking about their point very deeply." A pause. "And I think I mentioned how much I appreciate the well-chosen word." And then he met Prashant's eyes with the most sincere of smiles.

"I am afraid that I am not familiar with your poem, though it is a lovely one. My own training in poetry was very much in the traditional forms. Regimented syllables, pillow-words, natural imagery...the familiar, but sometimes the best way to say what one truly means." He sighed. "But your...amulets? They are lovely, Iuchi-san. Very much so."

[Iuchi Prashant]

The Iuchi's smile at his comment about his behaviour once again seems to show that, despite possible differences, he really likes the Scorpion's company.

"Oh", he says, playing with an earring made from a Kawaru coin hanging from his right ear. "I didn't know you had really paid much attention to them, Bayushi-san.", he says, smiling happily. "It is a... different tradition from our people, I guess some find them odd, even offending. I try to keep mine simple and close to nature, much as I can... I'm glad you like them!"

He then chuckkles a bit at his remarks on the poem. "It's funny you should mentioned traditional forms, Bayushi-san. In fact, that poem is a Unicorn reworking of a traditional haiku from a quite well-known monk poet. I... particularly like that version, and I thought it appropriate for the moment, but perhaps I should have gone with the original, traditional version".

He looks down again and recites the other version. Unlike the previous one, this one has clearly traditional metric and techniques, including syllable scheme, a 'cut', its ending in a 'kireji' ('cutting word')... the kigo ('season word') may not be so clear, but the 'fan' (ōgi) does suggest the smmer.

"mono kaite
ōgi hikisaku
nagori kana?*"

He smiles and raises his eyes again as he finishes. "I sometimes think I even prefer the original version, although - or perhaps because - it leaves more of its interpretaiton open to the context of when it is read, or heard."

He looks at the board, continues with another play. "Which version does Bayushi-san prefer? And... do you have a poem you particularly like, or return to often?"


*another shot at a translation, with more traditional form:
now to tear apart
the fan where one has written -
the sorrow of parting!

[Bayushi Jiro]

"Of course I like them, Iuchi-san. They are well-made and...and they suit you." The Scorpion's cheekbones colored slightly at that statement.

"I like both versions of the poem, but I think I like the ambiguity in the original just a bit more. The Unicorn version is...determined to be wistful, I think. Perhaps because as a wandering people there is a cultural understanding of the sorrow of parting that we homebodies have not developed? I do not wish to generalize, but I wonder if that has not introduced a trend in the literature. It would be remarkable if it had not. As for the original, there are many readings possible, including a triumphant one...destroying the object that perpetuates sorrow? How blessed an event, to remove the impediment to happiness."

He placed another stone.

"Although I suspect life would be much easier if the things that perpetuated sorrow were easy to tear apart." He folded his hands. "Though perhaps it is because we do not make the effort? I am not sure."

[Iuchi Prashant]

It is hard to tell with the light where he's sitting, but the Iuchi's face just might have coloured a bit at Jiro's comment as well.

If it did, it seems quickly back to normal as Prash keeps silent, pondering the courtier's words.

Before he speaks, he plays another stone, this time between the centre of the board and Jiro's left side.

"Well... travel itself is of course an important theme in Unicorn poetry. I'm not a specialist in this style, but you may have heard of Unicorn travel poetry?"

As he says that, he smiles a bit and his eyes seem to become a bit distant for a moment, perhaps nostalgic, perhaps something else.

"Ah... it is quite different from more traditional Rokugani forms, but it is quite interesting and may be rather challenging too. Although I suppose it usually focuses less on the 'wistful' side of travelling and parting. It's usually more... lighthearted and witty, I'd say. Although... of course, the theme of parting is very close to our clan. But then... I suppose it is, or becomes, to most, ne?", he says, with a smile that seems to hide something more serious.

"I suppose... maybe sorrow must be a part of one's lessons in life, if one is to find one's true path?", he says, thoughtfully.

[Bayushi Jiro]

"I suppose. There does seem to be a great deal of it in this world." Jiro responded to the Iuchi's move with a rather daring move of his own--a stone directly next to the one just placed.

"I have heard a little travel poetry from the Unicorn Ambassador to Kyuden Bayushi. I liked it very much! I haven't composed any myself, though. Do you have a favorite piece, Iuchi-san?"

[Iuchi Prashant]

The Iuchi looks at the stone just placed, thoughtful, a playful smile on his lips, as if assessing the move and deciding how to respond to the challenge.

He ends up placing a stone closer to Jiro, ignoring the tease for now - and starting to encircle the stones in the centre of the board from all different sides now.

His eyes them seem a bit sad, but only for a moment before he cheers up again.

"There does, doesn't it... That is... Perhaps one of the aspects of Shinseism I find most interesting. 'The truth of suffering' - which is maybe as obvious as it is hard to grasp. And also... the attempt to understand the 'source' of suffering, and the 'end' of suffering.

Then, cheering up again - "Oh, a favourite piece?..."

He suddenly remembers Nesrin singing about peoples, languages, family and kin last year, a warm smile creeping into his lips. He had actually liked that one a lot - but it was definitely not a traditional piece - she had winged it right there!

After some time thinking, he remembers another one, and continues with a happy smile.
"Oh! There was this one piece an uncle of mine who married into the Shinjo used to sing when he visited us! It went something like this"

He recited the poem in a low, smooth but rhythmic voice. It's nothing as remarkable as Jiro's own voice, but it gives the poem an interesting tone.

"Like the hawk who takes to the wing
To see the world
spread around her, I sing

Of hidden glens and ancient groves
and waterfalls./ The world is large,
but we humans are small."

"It is... A bit different from other travel poems, I suppose. But the theme is quite interesting, and... I particularly like how it makes us look at some things in perspective", he says, smiling.

"Do you remember any of the ambassador's poems, Bayushi-san?", He says, looking quite curious. "You made me wonder what they might have taken to your lands - and how your kin received it!"

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro did not. "I do not remember one fully, but...perhaps I could try my hand at it? I think I have one." He smiled earnestly.

"Fond heart, wind-blown
Fallen leaf, whither do you roam?
I follow fair winds to the land of love.

Dream-eyed wanderer,
Dying winds settle to the ground.
Ah, the sound soil takes the seed and makes of love a home."

He finished with a soft smile. "Did I do it right, Iuchi-san?"

[Iuchi Prashant]

The Iuchi looks at Jiro fondly, his eyes shining with ... admiration, clearly, but also...

was that a...

He looks away for a moment, looking down, and takes the back of his right hand to his eye for a moment, as if wiping something off. His eyes show a faint reddish tinge when he raises them slightly again.

"That was remarkable", he says, his voice steady and calm - but sounding a bit different from his usual easy tone, letting it show that some effort went into that steadiness. "You... are a remarkably talented and interesting person, Bayushi-san", he says, again fondly, but with a wistful undertone.

"Perhaps we could try something... different? It is not exactly part of the Travel Poetry tradition to compose linked poems as with Renga verses, but... perhaps we could do some innovation with traditions?", he says, the playfulness in his words covering that undertone that still creeps through. "I don't think my attempt will be worthy of Bayushi-san's talent, but ..."

"Petals flutter, blossoms blow
through gatherings blessed and partings both -
At each crossroad meet cries of wist and mirth

But blossoms may fall close to home -
even if breezing hearts so wish to roam...
Yet zephyr fondness still grows strong on solid earth"

His face seems peaceful, but his eyes clearly let through the emotions within. "How about... Either a travel poem or a traditional poem as an answer?", he says, trying to keep feeling buried below a friendly, playful tone.

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro smiled, though the interplay of emotions was very confusing to him. Was Prashant crying? He wasn't sure what to do with that information. It didn't seem to fit the situation at all. At least, not from his perspective. Something was definitely awry, here. Maybe Nobu-chan would know what it all meant.

"Ah...right." He said. Prashant had asked a question. He needed a response. "Well, a little bit of a game of replies might be fun, Iuchi-san. Let's give it a try."

He fell silent for half a breath, then said:

"Autumn's cradle, home
spreading tender arms; but then
stranger sees it best.

Far too close, I cannot see
The warm hearth prepared for me."

[Iuchi Prashant]

He smiles as the Scorpion recites the poem. The Iuchi's words are a bit more flat than usual, but his warm, friendly eyes are back as he nods at him, then answers with a poem of his own - in the game, he alternates stones at different parts of the board, but some attentive analysis shows there's definitely a pattern of trying to encroach on the centre of the board.

"the first snow tumbles
finding a window ajar -
is it home or afar?"

As he answers, he takes the chance to get some parchment and write the first parts of their exchange down, passing the parchment to Jiro as he recites his answer.

Two games at the same time, then. That's a challenge.

Or is it three?

Well, life's a challenge...

OOC
Slight difference from 5/7/5 there, but there's precedence
Also leaving it open for a 7/7 answer plus a 5/7/5 opening, a travel poem, or something else

[Bayushi Jiro]

Bayushi JIro threw a small wrench in the plans for the center by using some plays in the mid-section of his side of the board to frustrate an easy box-in while beginning his own move on the half-forgotten stones from the beginning of their game to his nearest right.

At the same time, said quietly:

"Warmth in the new house's hearth,
Brings that which is far so near.

When the strange is made familiar
While we share this time together
Then the fond afar is wholly home."

[Iuchi Prashant]

The stones on the right side are not fully forgotten by the Iuchi, but he still tries to focus some of his pressure on the centre part of the board, while ensuring his own side of the board is covered.

A smile follows Jiro's words as the Unicorn receives the parchment again, and he takes some time to think before finally speaking back.

"Kin and kind; or bright and bold
can one keep abreast of both?
how shall hearts thread true and shun all harm?",
he says, smiling warmly - again with a bit of a shadow on his eyes, but clearly showing great fondness - as he hands him back the parchment.

[Bayushi Jiro]

With a flourish Jiro resolves the rear quadrant, snaring a few of Prashant's stones. Of course, the center is looking like it's going to be an issue. It is difficult to win everywhere in go, as in life.

Thinking over the lines on the parchment for a moment, something clicks in Jiro's mind. Looking up with a raised eyebrow, he ponders his response for a moment. The situation, it seemed, was somewhat more delicate than he had initially imagined. Perhaps...but no, who would choose another when they could have a kuge, and a true-born descendant of a kami at that? Jiro glanced at the go board, and the symbolism began to work a new idea into his mind.

He's asking for both. If you cannot win all of him, will you make do with a portion? For a moment, Jiro felt a stirring of anger, which he knew would only lose him what was offered. For a moment, he teetered on the brink, and then his cold, logical self took over. The anger vanished, neatly sliced off at its source. The marriage was not broached, yet, but even if it was rejected, as seemed distinctly possible, there were still opportunities here. Becoming petulant and leaping to a negative conclusion would only make certain that nothing positive would be left between him and Prashant. That would be unbecoming of Bayushi Tomohiro.

Time to grow up, it seems.

Each love imagines
It is the first of its kind.
One heart has held two.

He passed the parchment back with a small smile, a fragile one, perhaps his true one.

[Iuchi Prashant]

Prashant's eyes look partly concerned, partly a bit downcast as he feels Jiro's expression changing on hearing and reading his last lines.

More than anything, he had hoped to shun harm, while keeping abreast of the young Scorpion - or rather, of Jiro.

In that split moment between Jiro's first reaction and his actual answer, the Iuchi's mind wandered, and he actually found a warm smile slowly returning to his face.

It was not the young Scorpion or the son of Lord Bayushi's karo he was sitting opposite. Not on his mind, no. It was Jiro, a bright, interesting, charming young man - one he would like to keep close to heart. He was no symbol to him - and in fact, the Iuchi had been hoping to see through these symbols.

But then I may have... - a shadow crossed his eyes again. Pillow books, plays and stories were full of tragedies born of dividing one's loyalties between duty and those one cared.

And yet, he felt it clearly. He had learned to feel the questions of the path, and he felt its calling. The razor's edge before him was sharper still than most... but he had to find his path, and thread it true. Right views, right intent; right speech, right conduct, right living; right effort, right mind, right focus. To discern true caring from desire was no easy task, but it was the right path.

As his mind finally flew back to reality, his eyes set on Jiro's now smaller, different smile. The Iuchi smiled as well as he placed another stone, now advancing from his side to Jiro's left side, once again trying to secure at least part of the centre of the board. But his smile was also a bit different - oddly enough, it was perhaps even more open than before.

After a brief moment of thought, he smiles fondly again and neatly writes a 7-7 answer to Jiro. In fact... an answer Jiro might recognise.

asahi ni niou
yamazakura ka na?*

* "Is the mountain cherry tree
smelling in the morning sun?"

OOC
- This is the end of a nationalist Japanese poem with some important implications, but the idea here is to emphasise the idea of 'the infinite in the finite of every instant', as per the 'Mono no Aware' philosophy - a 'beauty of the impermanence of things' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_no_aware) - but at the same time a 'plenitude in the moment'.
If you want some more on that, page 157 here here was where I took the line from before looking for the original poem and other stuff : )

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro considered that for a moment, tilting his head first one way, and then another. He took his time with the words, sliding back the parchment at last with a shy smile.

Let us pledge, then, while we are together
Lives of friendship transcendent--
Our whole hearts for many moments,

If time and distance separate us
It will not diminish our affection.
For when we meet, we will be one.

In the game, he conceded the center, and struck for Prashant's side of the board with a new boldness.

[Iuchi Prashant]

Reding Jiro's answer, Prash has a happy smile on his face all the time while he and Jiro play the next few stones as he takes some time to answer the poem.

After some time, he manages to gain a bit of a foothold on Jiro's left side - conceding his own side while doing it. Not long after Jiro places the last stone that gains him many of Prash's, he passes him the parchment again.

'When we wish our ways were near
Hearken hearts as minds get muddled -
Absence's sharpest sting is quenched by memories dear'


OOC
So in the game we've got Jiro winning his own side and Prash's; Prash winning the centre and now going for Jiro's left. Jiro's left and right are still unsolved.

Wanna go for a single roll to decide? Or just RP the last parts as well? : )

EDIT: joining the last line of the poem - it was supposed to break leaving some blank space, but that doesn't work here apparently