The New Winds

Ichiro was, in theory, sweeping the outer areas where the awning kept the rain from washing them clean.

Ichiro, in reality, was more often than not leaning on the broom as he watches the lightning tear open the sky.

Otoko, on the other hand, paid no attention to the storm. She paid little more attention to cleaning. Her broom was in her hand, and moving, but it just went back and forth. She didn't even notice that Ichiro was next to her.

The Unicorn pauses in his work to watch the Scorpion watch the storm, "You enjoy lightning, Yogo-san?"

Taking a moment to rest and try to focus, Yotsuo found that his mind kept wandering as he thought too much about the uncertainty of the future lessons. His lack of preparedness created a mental dissonance that he could not get over at the moment. He gave up on the effort and went to find a cloth to use for cleaning the floors. There was more mud today than usual because of the rain. He pushed the cloth along the hallways passing by other students and sensei as he did so.

D3 Monkey, Meditation / Void, TN 20: 5d10o10k2 15

Otoko did not see Yotsuo today, and she would still have not noticed Ichiro if he hadn't spoken up. Even then, it took a moment for her masked face to glance over slowly. "...There is... ah, right. Lightning. No... not in particular. It is but one more touch of disorder manifest."

"Disorder? I would not think something of the Fortunes could lead to disorder... well unless they were angered that is." He laughs lightly, though woe to anyone who dared call it feminine to his face, "But I will be the first to concede that theology is beyond me."

"The weather frequently brings disorder. The winds knock over homes, rain washes them away, a lack can wither the crops, and the lightning can burn." She paused to glance over from her inner reverie. "...One may call it something besides disorder, but it is not something we can control none the less, so the end is the same."

"Well it's not like we can really control anything anyway, is it? I mean we just adapt to what happens. We can try to steer it but we're never fully in control."

"That would depend what one considers control, I suppose." Otoko gave a small shrug. She seemed to have gotten out of her inner thoughts fully by now, offering only a bit of a bow as she leaned against a post. "...Yogo Otoko."

"Oh right." He looks a little ashamed at having forgotten basic manners even if, to be fair, he had not been taught many, "Ichiro. Utaku Ichiro."

"...The second of your family I have met here." She paused. "I should not be too surprised I suppose. My teachers always spoke of the Utaku as proud, and rightly so."

While he had never really thought of himself as proud he also couldn't dispute it would not be an inaccurate description of many of his family.

"I fear you have me at a disadvantage. I've never been told much about the Yogo other than vague warnings."

"That is not without some reason Utaku-san," Otoko said quietly, eyes flicking to the side at the crack of a bolt of thunder in the distance. She waited until the rumble passed before speaking up softly again. "I was taught by the Iuchi family in the ways of meishodo, so that is a part of my knowledge of your own family."

"Interesting. I know that is a secret they guard tightly. May I ask how you came to be a student with them?"

"That is... a bit of a secret on its own, I suppose. Still, the basics are that I was not suited to my own family's shugenja traditions, so my lord pulled some favors to have my admittance to the Iuchi school." The Scorpion straightened up, tilting her head. "...I do not think the Iuchi are worried. After all, the Scorpion are quite good at keeping secrets."

He nods, "Your lord, and the Iuchi, must think highly of you indeed."

Otoko shrugged a bit. "Perhaps... I did get sent here after all, hm? It seems most of those sent here were promising students."

Ichiro shakes his head slightly still not fully convinced of that himself, "That seems to be the understanding at least."

"The opinions of our seniors and betters. Surely it is no less than the absolute truth, hm? Though it wasn't visible, the smirk was unmistakable in her tone.

His laugh is a little grim, "I am just not used to being the one chosen for such prestigious placements when it comes to my family."