That Don't Impress Me Much (Otosan Uchi - Hito District)

[Utaku Ichiro]

The hair waves again as he shakes his head, "Nah. Guess they're probably waiting to see if this bears fruit they can use to their advantage. Otherwise I imagine I'll be married out somewhere. No need to keep me around if I won't settle down and be a good little stable-keeper."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Any thoughts on where you might like to go if that's the case?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"If I'm lucky it'll only be out of the family and I can join the Shinjo or Moto in battle. Otherwise I don't know. The Crab and Lion are most likely to see war... but more often against us than with us. So I guess one of the other clans they set their ambitions against."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I'd heard that the shugenja of your Clan ride to war, as well."

[Utaku Ichiro]

A nod, "Not all of them but many do, yes, to great effect."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Maybe you'll be assigned to one of them, then."

[Utaku Ichiro]

He ponders it for a moment and nods, "Certainly worse fates. Just don't think it a likely choice but as long as I get to fight I'd be ok there."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Just fighting? Such a boy, thinks Sasaiko.

"You mentioned your sister. Any other siblings?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Just the one for now, my twin." The last word twinged with some clear disgust, "My mother didn't want to be off the front for long. Though perhaps there will be more in the future."

They wanted two girls after all.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Perhaps so."

Definitely some issues there, she thinks.

"I'm an only child, so far as I know."

[Utaku Ichiro]

A slight furrow of the brow, "Don't know your parents or don't trust your father?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Neither. Been away from home for a while and haven't been apprised about whether or not another is on the way."

She shrugs.

"Likely not, since no news of not would be expected."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Ah, makes sense. Didn't think your clan left their lands that often. Did you train outside it?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I've had a lot of teachers, gone to a lot of places in and around Toritaka lands. Got to observe a magistrate near Kyuden Toketsu for a while. That was nice. Learned a lot from Toritaka-bugyo and his yoriki, Jorai."

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Now you get to add a bunch more. Hopefully it won't all clash."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko nods.

"I doubt it will. The Lady Ruby is obviously correct, so what would there be to clash about?"

[Utaku Ichiro]

"Different styles. Conflicting lessons. Even if you assume the new teacher knows best it's hard to unlearn a taught reflex."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"We'll just have to be diligent students then, won't we?"

Looking for excuses already, and we're not even there yet.

[Utaku Ichiro]

"If anyone would do less they shouldn't be samurai in the first place."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

At that, Sasaiko nods emphatically and sincerely.

It is a good and fitting thought.