(Day 4, EM) Offerings to the Kami, together?

[Ikoma Eichiro]

Ikoma Eichiro, bottle of sake stowed safely away, stands just outside the House of the Laughing Carp. To the casual observer, he's as confident as ever, ready to meet (and fight) the day with his usual vim.

To the trained eye however, it's apparent that he is nervous about something. He has checked for the bottle of sake and his cup a few more times than needed, he scratches at his eyebrow like it has fleas and his eyes move like he's practicing speaking to someone internally.

'Alright, it's no big deal. Just like yesterday. Confidence Eichiro, you're a son of Ikoma.'

[Vutall]

Mirumoto Hinata joined Eichiro, and is silent as he performs the offering.

[Ikoma Eichiro]

At the river, Eichiro does his best to show proper deference to the great kami. He claps twice, with all his strength, to get the attention of the water kami and in the early morning quiet it carries well over the flowing water. He still does not know for sure if this is how it is done, but he hopes a kami as old as this river will understand that he is trying his best.

"Great Water Kami, I-we come to you this morning to thank you again for the blessings you bestowed upon us mortal beings. We are unworthy of the blessings that you bestow to us, so let this offering be a small way that we may repay your great generosity."

He produces the sake bottle and cup, slowly and carefully. "I thank you for healing my comrade, Mirumoto Hinata, in her time of need." He pours the cup to the brim, and then carefully submerges the cup into the flowing water without spilling a drop.

D4 EM: Serving the River kami. Etiquette/Perception: 8d10o10k3 51

His offering complete, he settles in for some time of contemplation.

[Vutall]

Hinata takes a seated position and closes her eyes, murmuring something under her breath.

[Ikoma Eichiro]

D4 EM: Meditating with Hinata and the River. 6k3: 6d10o10k3 32

Eichiro sits as well, letting the sounds of the river, the waking city and his companion come and go. Some more quiet time before the busy day that is ahead.

[Vutall]

After a time, Hinata is finished with her own thoughts, and opens her eyes, watching the river, and waiting to see if Eichiro wished to speak.

[Ikoma Eichiro]

Eichiro waits a few more moments before retrieving the cup from the river. "So," he begins, putting the stopper back on the bottle, "uhhh..."

Now? Now he couldn't think of anything? Don't talk about the horses.

"Have you had rice today?"

'Dummy, what kind of line is that, whatever go with it.'

"The food at the inn didn't seem as appetizing this morning for me, so I was going to go and get something elsewhere."

[Vutall]

"I have, though I did hesitate after hearing what happened Luckily it seemed the staff was the usual servants."

[Ikoma Eichiro]

Eichiro fully turns to face Hinata, sitting in the grass on the shore.

"Yeah, it was weird what happened with that ronin. He said he worked for some deposed governor, apparently some of the other candidates had a run in with the man during training." Eichiro speculates, "Thankfully with the blessings of the fortunes, I have recovered. I hadn't seen the others yet, but I hope they have too."

"The magistrate sentenced him to death.. I get why, but what a waste."

[Vutall]

"Better to allow someone to be reborn that to further damage their karma from bad actions, I think?"

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"Yeah, that's what sensei would have said." Eichiro replies, "making decisions like that is part of being a samurai."

He shakes his head, clearing out the mood. "Enough of that, so I have heard the Mirumoto use two swords. Will you be showing that off during the demonstrations today?"

[Vutall]

"It will depend on what weapon my opponent uses. I will match them."

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"So bo, bokken, spear or polearm?" Eichiro seems impressed, "I couldn't do that, my brother taught me a little about fighting with a wakizashi and sensei had me study jiujitsu in the Ikoma style."

"But four very different styles, that's a lot of work."

[Vutall]

My main focus has been on the Katana and Kenjutsu, but Spears, Polearms, and Staves are all weapons our sensei believes one should be familiar with. Never without a weapon that way, he says."

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"My jiujitsu sensei said the same thing," Eichiro grins, "But somehow I think they had different ideas. Being versatile probably helps you adapt to many different situations. Having to fight in a castle vs fighting cavalry or something," he shrugs, "Just like my sensei taught me about the different ways we can use our voice. Speaking in a crowded room to only be heard by one person vs speaking in a garden to a large group."

[Vutall]

"That is a very god way to think of it I believe! Plus, the more you know different styles and weapons, the more you can face opponents using them. You learn the strengths of weaknesses of everything, and how to apply the right pressures to make each defense break"

[Ikoma Eichiro]

Eichiro nods, "I can see that. Strengths and weaknesses hmm?"

"So maybe saving the.. Niten right? for later." Eichiro comments, "What about for the artistry display?

[Vutall]

"I am not sure what I will do yet. We shall see when the time comes."

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"Oh, ok," Eichiro replies. Not exactly what he was expecting, but maybe Dragon are more an 'inspiration at the time' sort of clan. "Well, I hope it goes well. I don't think I'll tell a story, that's what everyone is expecting. Surprise can make for a better display, but then..."

He is silent for a few moments, "nevermind."

"Three days," he muses, "three days and we become adults with duties and postings and On and on and on."

[Vutall]

"Where do you think your journey will take you after here?"