Tea with a Kaito (Expecting)

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"That's a sadness, surely. And I guess the elders of your home are similarly restricted in their movements?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"Yes, but they are almost done with the construction of a new bridge. Once I have completed my training, I hope I will be able to go home again. "

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"What caused the bridge to fall?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"The letter I received gave no details on that. I hope it was only because it was old and they were already planning on replacing it anyway. The letter did say they hope to add a few wings to the shrine at the same time."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Sounds planned, then. And I am sure that it will be all the better for it."

[Kaito Haruki]

"I bet it will. What are you looking forward to when you return home after this?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Honestly? The smell. The Valley is fragrant with flowers at many times each year, and it is a pleasant thing I miss when I'm away."

[Kaito Haruki]

"What flowers are the most notable walking through your home? For me, it has to be the wisteria, it grew along the bridge and would give you a sweet smell that almost distracts from the heights."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

She smiles.

"The shion and the jasmine, mostly. Others as the seasons shift, but those, ah, those..."

She trails off, enjoying the pleasant memory.

[Kaito Haruki]

"I think that one of the more unique things about my home is this: Winter is not a season that you bunker down to avoid, it is the default of my home. If it weren't for the people, my home would be a living painting, everything in its place since the beginning."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Isn't that everywhere? she thinks. But she says "Hopefully it's by a good artist. I remember hearing a story of a rather rooted one who became famous for his work--but not because it was good."

She smiles, hoping to make the gentle jest clear.

[Kaito Haruki]

"Was the artist truly bad, or did he just not know what his focal point was yet. Some art that is deemed bad by his contemporaries will later be found and lauded as enterprising by their grandchildren. Those children would have found the center of focus and view the work under new lenses. Little marks that would have been seen as sloppy brushwork suddenly become guiding points to the true center, one which the artist never knew, but it doesn't matter to the new generations. The message remains the same."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I do not think that applies to the specific case, but it is an interesting perspective. Much as the Tao reveals new nuance upon further study, and the law applies in new ways."

She nods.

"It is as Asako-san and I were discussing recently, that. Did you speak with him about our talk?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"I have not, but some ideas transcend words, no?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Or we have not found the right ones for them."

And I'd hate to think Asako-san a gossip, she thinks.

[Kaito Haruki]

"Hai, here's to hoping we someday find them." He lifts the cup to just above his eyes, cleans the lid, then sets it back down, empty as clean as it was at the start."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"To finding what needs it."

She follows suit, then lays out the utensils to clean them and permit inspection.

[Kaito Haruki]

He waits for her to complete her inspection, likely the final part of the ritual, before speaking. "I heard rumors of a games tournament, do you think the senseis are going to test us on that too?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I hadn't heard that, but I would not put it past them," she replies as she begins to pack the accoutrements away. "I am told that games occupy much of court, and court is a calling as serious as any other."

[Kaito Haruki]

"Well, I plan on practicing one of those games during free period today. Consider this me offering an invitation to join me later; I believe it would be a gross miscalculation to assume we won't get tested on them and I am afraid I do not have experience in these courtly games like some of our colleagues. "