The New Winds

Kenji had written an invitation and was waiting for his guest in the Red Lotus. He was dressed in his best kimono and appeared calm and composed on the outside. He brought his book again and read in it until his guest arrived. There were a few things to discuss.

Nobuko was pleasantly surprised to be invited to tea with Kenji and arrived shortly after the hour asked - not too early and not too late. When she was led to where he was seated, she bowed deeply to him, "Kenji-san. We have not spoken in some time. As such, I was very pleased to receive your invitation."

"Forgive me, Otomo-sama. I've been very... selfish. The tournament had gotten to me. I am happy to talk to you today, but please sit down." he said and bowed to her.
"I hear you have a new servant, is it true?" he asked.

"There is nothing to apologize for. The Tournament has us all focused on doing our best," she replied and moved to sit across from him. At the comment about her servant, her brows scrunched in confusion, though her smile did not falter.

"Yes. A young girl who will be trained as a handmaiden to attend me in my adult life," she answered. "Where did you learn about her? I have only just had her come under my care."

"A few days ago, some of us caught a thief. Among them were Kokyou-san, Kaidan-san, Kichiro-san and myself. We had a dispute about what to do with him, but in the end we handed him over to the magistrate, much to the displeasure of Kokyou-san. After this event I did more research and found out more about Chen and his family, I met Kokyou-san at the magistrate's villa and learned that you took Erina under your wing. Now I wanted to find out if you have arranged things for Chen too." Kenji said rather formal.

The amused and happy expression on Nobuko's face fell away to a very controlled neutral one. Kokyou had failed to inform her that Chen's 'service' was him serving a sentence for stealing. She supposed he had not wanted to alarm Erina - the girl was rather delicate and timid - but he could have brought it up to her more directly at another time.

"Ah. I see. Kokyou-san was rather hesitant with the details and did not tell me who else was involved," she said. "Before I answer you, if I answer you, I want to know what the boy stole and what you were doing at the magistrate's villa with Kokyou-san after Chen was handed over."

She could only assume it happened after, if he learned from Kokyou about her taking Erina in.

Kenji was a little sorry that he had to talk about it now, but it was important, at least for him.

"He was caught stealing bread. I didn't meet with Kokyou yesterday morning on purpose, it was pure coincidence. I went to see Chen to make sure he was treated well and fed. According to him, they had no one to look after them." he answered sincerly

Bread? He'd stolen bread? When Kokyou had said that the two had been in need of supplies, he had not mentioned a lack of food deep enough to drive someone to steal it. Obviously, Chen had been in the wrong to do so, but having been left without direction or care by their betters...

It was not a good place to be, with both compassion and duty warring so.

Nobuko's outward expression did not change, but it clear she wasn't happy to hear all this from the chilly tone of voice she spoke with, "I have not made arrangements for Chen."

"I see. I hope I didn't upset you, that I brought this up before you. I wanted to talk to Kakita-dono about Chen for his future tasks and wanted to know if there was already an agreement. As I see it, they got bogged down in bureaucracy. So I want to resolve this matter."

"So long as it is resolved in a manner that does not cause my new servant distress, you may attempt to do as you like," she said. Erina's feelings on the matter were not strictly important by law, but she did not want the girl to find out her brother had been jailed for stealing. Clearly Kokyou hadn't told her and intended for her to never find out.

"Be careful how you speak to Kakita Toshimoko-Dono," Nobuko warned. "It is his bureaucracy that was 'bogged down'. Try not to imply a failure of duty."

"I would never do that, although I can't guarantee that he'll tell her himself. As far as I know, he was released today. I will try to find a suitable position for Chen and give him the work and care of a lord, I know Kokyou-san was interested in him, as well as Kaidan-san, perhaps I can convince Kakita-dono to give him to one of them." he replied

"It is doubtful he will tell her today. I have her busy getting herself cleaned up at my Great Aunt's estate and fitted for the clothing her station requires. She will not be able to return to her home tonight or through most of tomorrow between that and her duties to me directly."

Nobuko had assumed the 'service' Chen was doing would take longer and so had Erina, so the girl had not hesitated to jump at the chance to make herself more presentable and start learning the full duties of her position.

"Kokyou-san did say he would ensure Chen had a position that would do the boy well before he left Tsuma, but did not indicate it would be in service to him. You should ensure one or the other is interested in his direct services if you do not wish to assume responsibility for him yourself."

"I hadn't thought about whether he would be of any use to me. However, the boy has become a source of a lot of discord and someone should take him under his wing," Kenji thought. "I will talk to him again and ask what his abilities are. But yes, you are right, I should check these things."

Kenji made a long sigh.

"Now that the politics are behind us, I want to ask if you are still interested in tea and talking about,... much more pleasant things?"

"His parents were weavers," Nobuko supplied. The last she would speak of on that topic.

"What pleasant things do you have in mind?"

"Your outstanding performance perhaps? I admit that I'm a bit jealous, you're match against Bayushi-san was marvelous"

Kenji waved for a servant to come: "What tea would you prefer, Otomo-sama?"

"Was it?" she asked, truly curious. She had not been able to see herself in it, after all. "I admit, I was surprised at how well I apparently did. But I cannot really recall much of how it happened. Only that it did."

Nobuko folded her hand into her lap, "I have heard the blends here are most splendid. Whatever choice you make, I am certain to enjoy."

"That was it! Although my memory is also quite faint, my fight has taken its toll." he got silent for a second

"Oh, if that's the case, then we get Dark Oaken Macha, famous for its rich and earthy flavor. The Doji age these in oak barrels, which is quite exquisite". he said, more cheerful

"That sounds wonderful," she agreed and after the order had been placed, shook her head, "If I am being honest, I have been surprised at my own performance this entire event."

"The Fortunes look favorably on the Imperial Family, so it is your birthright. But of course, one could also say that you have taken great benefit from our time in Hirosaka and that is why you are performing so well. "

"I suppose it could be either or both," she demurred. "It is true, however, that I have found myself feeling different since Hirosaka. Like I have been seeing... experiencing the world... properly? Mmm... no... like I had been experiencing it, but with a heavy shroud over my eyes. And now I can see it more clearly."