The New Winds

Saburo, having finished his meal with a bit of tea in the company of the falcon and bathed properly, made his way to the sensei's lodgings. When arriving there, he spoke quickly with one of the servants to ask if a note could be sent for Asako Himeya, requesting a moment of her time for a private discussion. They took the note and departed to see if they could find her. The Asako, for his part, looked... pensive, more than usual. There was something on his mind that had been nagging for days now, and he wished it cleared up, but ... delicacy was demanded.

“Ah, our star pupil. Hello Asako-San. I hope you are well?”

Oh kami he was starting to hate being called that, but the Asako wasn't someone to question on it. Saburo bowed low to the sensei and spoke in an even tone. "Asako-sama. Thank you for taking some time to see me. I had a somewhat delicate question I wanted to see if you would be willing to answer in private." Best to be at least a little direct in the nature of the inquiry, to ensure that there wasn't going to be anyone listening in after all.

"I see. Very well, we can speak privately. Come"

She leads him behind a shoji screen and then nods, expectantly."

When they were in private, he spoke in a low enough tone that none of the passing servants would overhear and sighed. "I have ... had something nagging at me that has been confusing me. I feel that I 'should' know the why of it, but I do not. I know that in ancient times, there was a man of our clan who was known as Yogo, and that there is old, bad blood between our families. I know that people whisper of them... and mother said to stay distant to them, more than any other Scorpion." A shake of his head. "And if you speak with the Yogo here, she seems to have... much the same attitude. She is not like other Scorpion I have met. I do not wish to call attention to it publicly, but I do wish to understand. I have never met someone so ... determined to be unattached to the world around them."

"There is said to be a curse upon the family."

She says quite matter of factly.

"I believe that much has been mentioned, though I do not know the ... particulars I suppose of the curse. I do not think it is quite the same as the disfavor that lingers over my head from Jurojin." Oh, he was well aware of Jurojin's disfavor. It was one of the reasons he prayed so fervently to the fortune. "Is there much that can be said of this curse, which would drive them to such... unique behavior?"

"Because of what happened to Yogo-sama himself, the family is said to always be doomed to betray the first person they truly love"

He opened his mouth to say something, and then clicked it shut. His finger tapped his chin and he frowned, considering his next words very carefully. Well, that was a ... that was definitely a thing wasn't it? Yes, that was definitely an explanation because he had absolutely no reason to doubt the Asako's explanation. "Meaning that the reason we do not speak of him in the family is because of a betrayal, after which he joined Bayushi's ranks... and his descendants are cursed to follow in his train." Which... ok, that fit. That explained some of the behavior. All of it really.

Pause....

"Many things must be complicated when dealing with that family." No. Shit.

"Indeed, you are correct. And yes, the relations between the Phoenix and that family in particular of the Scorpion are very difficult at times."

"Well, in particular I would assume our family. Ancestors have long, generational memories. They do not forget, even if they living have done so. I have no particular issues with the one who is present here. They are generally polite. I just... wanted to know. I think... that I understand why she is as muted as she is. If the curse truly hangs over them all, it is difficult or dangerous to care about others." And he could only imagine how much that got drummed into the kids.

"Thank you for clearing this up for me, Asako-sama. I do not intend to speak with her about it. It would, indeed, be rude for me to do so and I am glad I had the forethought not to speak of it and ask her."

"Certainly, Asako-san. I am glad my insight could be of assistance."

"If it is not too much of an imposition, may I inquire with you tomorrow for further assistance, in more scholarly pursuits than this?" He didn't want to impose upon her overmuch under the circumstances, after all. But still, if he could manage to get more lessons, he was not going to say no to the advantage of having access to her wisdom.

"If there is any way I can assist, I am happy to. It is my duty."