The New Winds

Haruki had trouble sleeping the night before, one scene kept replaying over and over in his travel to Yume-do. So he did what any person with an overactive conscience would do, he paid a visit to the fortune of mercy ,Jizo.

Tanshin was used to rising early in the morning, often before the rest of his clan-mates as a habit from his youth.
When he saw Haruki leaving the sleeping chamber before him, he sensed that there was something troubling him.

Tanshin took his time, allowing Haruki to leave the Inn ahead of him, and also to allow Tanshin to follow him at a respectful distance, so as not to be noticed. Before he left, Tanshin retrieved a letter he had been given not 4 days ago. He hadn't spoken to Haruki about it since that incident. Perhaps this would be an opportunity.

Haruki gets to the temple and begins the process of ritually cleansing himself, paying 2 zeni for a collection of simple plants arranged elegantly to convey a message: that he wishes to ask for forgiveness for a difficult choice he made.

Another visitor to the shrine this morning, the old, grey haired crane, Kakita Toshimoko slowly enters the shrine after doing the required cleansing.

Tanshin waits for the Grey Crane to enter, then follows with the necessary rituals, although slowly to give time for Haruki to complete his offering, and for Toshimoko to do the same.

When Haruki had concluded his prayers, Tanshin approached.

"Toshimoko-dono has come to pray at the shrines. This may be the best opportunity we have to speak with him with discretion.
"Here is the letter as you requested, cousin. May the Fortunes favour us."

"May they bless us all." Haruki takes a moment to smooth out his clothes and step towards Toshimoko-sama after he is done with his prayers.

The old Crane looks up at the two Phoenix.

“Good morning, here to ask for guidance during today’s trials? You are both doing quite well though, Perhaps thanks for your success instead?”

"Not quite, more to clear my mind of some heavy thoughts. Have you heard from Doji Ranma-sama yet?"

Tanshin stood quietly to let Haruki speak.
He still held on to a bit of fear when speaking with high-ranking samurai. Toshimoko's casual tone caught him off-guard.

“On what matter?”

"The one about the group of rowdy men who got . . . overenthusiastic and then apologized in an unforgettable way."

D5 EM: Etiquette/Awareness find the right words to say a difficult concept: 7d10o10k4 52

... passing until this conversation runs its course

"Ah. Yes. I was made aware. "

Toshimoko bows his head and closes his eyes in respect for a moment.

Haruki waits for the moment of silence, head bowed for a little while longer before speaking again. "If a certain someone were to not be so assertive in the conversation, would better results have followed?"

"I have my doubts. From what I can tell, those men would not allow themselves to be captured."

"And the atmosphere would be affected the same regardless?"

"Likely. Once they were trapped, I think they saw no other way, and needed to ensure they kept their Loyalty to their lord. They were dishonorable in many ways, but in the end they kept to Loyalty. It is a common practice of some of the...shadowy...agents in Rokugan"

"Thank you, Toshimoko-sama. This has been quite enlightening. It's just harder to see these moments of such desperation in northernmost reaches of the empire. The less . . . principled kind we face tend to have a survival instinct. Just comes to show you how much we have to learn even this close to taking our swords."

"If I may have a moment of your time, Toshimoko-sama.
I... we. . . Have a letter that was to be delivered to you."

Tanshin held out the paper with both hands, and bowed.

Toshimoko gives a curious look to Tanshin and takes the letter.

"Who sent this?"

He asks, holding the letter, closed, in his hand.