D1LE, Flocking Together Again (Expecting)

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"You will be victorious, I have no doubt."

And her voice is, indeed, certain as a standing stone.

"I believe in you."

She looks him full in the face and smiles. "I very much believe in you."

[Asako Saburo]

Her confidence wasn't entirely shared. There were rumors about Riku's skill, and by tomorrow, he would be able to speak to just how prodigious that woman's Earth and strength really were. His victory was a matter of skill and every last ounce of effort he had in him. But, he would carry the confidence with him.

"I have every ounce of belief that you will prevail as well. They make shugenja very tough in the south, I am told," he said, grinning over at her and nodding. He had to remind himself that they were in public. Displays of affection were things for private, and part of him definitely yearned to have private space in his life once again. Being a child... could be onerous that way.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko presses a hand to her chest.

"I am warmed by your praise, Asako-san. I hope ever to hear such words from your lips."

She bows slightly to him and returns to eating.

After a bite, she adds, "I hope always to earn them from you."

[Asako Saburo]

He chuckled warmly. "You needn't worry about that. Just dedicate yourself as you have. Soon enough, we will be able to see the fruits of our endeavors." Still, it was nice to see the little glow in her when she was offered that praise. He wondered sometimes if she got enough of that, but then he remembered the plight of the minor clans. Even ronin were sometimes remembered more than they, so he supposed it wasn't really that surprising.

"Have you kept much correspondence with our fellows over the last year? A few have written. Apparently my disappearance before graduation caused quite a little stir."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I've not, more's the pity, but that might be because I was moving around a fair bit. Lots of different things to study, so lots of different places in which to do it.

"But, yes, your departure was a surprise, especially after your outstanding performance. It makes sense, given what you have told me, but still, it occasioned no small comment."

[Asako Saburo]

"It only occurred because of Asako Himeya's intervention. The clan is ... particular about how hard it is to find Ishiken in the first place. They can exert a lot of influence on the subject when they wish to." He shrugged and shook his head before thinking on her travels. "Ah, so you have not been on your family's lands as much in the last year? Where have they been sending you for training?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"No, I haven't been in the village a lot. Moving around the Valley, occasionally into the neighboring Crab lands. Lots of library time, as it happens, studying an assortment of things--as has always seemed to be true for me. This Falcon has often flown to other perches, seen what is there, and moved on."

[Asako Saburo]

"In the end, if you work as one of the Emerald or Jade, or even the Imperial Magistrates, they are frequently on the road, so it is a lifestyle to grow accustomed to." And considering his own thoughts on the matter, it would involve a considerable amount of travel on his part as well. He would... he would...

He was going to have to get used to horses eventually.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

She guesses at the thought.

"Better than a cramped palanquin, by far."

[Asako Saburo]

"Hmmm, you know, that is a thought. I don't think I'd want a palanquin. Stuffy, slow, trapped in the heat for even longer. Bah. Let the kuge have such things. There are advantages to being of the Bonge now and again. Your legs never grow weary because of exercise." Certainly one way to sell that, not that the kuge were soft. Some of the few who earned that title were downright scary people.

Nobody dared call the Great Bear soft to his face. Or in the next province over behind closed doors for that matter.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"That's not a thing I'd guess at, though I did have the experience of a palanquin, once."

She shakes her head.

"You have the right of it. Slow and stuffy. Also uncomfortably bouncy if the road is uneven or one of the porters is shorter than the rest."

[Asako Saburo]

"Really? Believe it or not, I've never actually sat in one. There has been less need for such things, since we traveled very little in my youth." It was a simple enough admission. "What was the occasion for you to travel in one, I wonder? You have me curious."

(OOC Apologies for the significant lateness. One hell of a week. I'm jumping back in d5, so if you want to let this go fallow, feel free.)

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Oh, one of those formal things. My parents had to report in to the Lord Falcon, and I was expected to go along. Given the ceremony and my age at the time, a palanquin was obligatory. I will hope to be able to ride next time I have to do such a thing."

(OOC: RL happens. My week's been in #support on the Discord.)

[Asako Saburo]

"Ah, I've never actually been required for that sort of thing in the past, and when i was very young it was always my mother's task to keep me sequestered for the sake of my health. Perhaps we will draw the attention of someone who needs us to take such steps down the road?" He somewhat doubted it, but one never knew.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Perhaps. But I would still much rather ride--even though I know you are not fond of horses."

[Asako Saburo]

"Mangy things," he muttered. "But I do think that I will have to grow accustomed to them eventually. If I were to work with you in the magistrate's duties as time progresses I should think that a certain amount of tolerance has to be there. Perhaps we can find one of the more docile ones."

Actually, the horse he got for the horsemanship event later this week would probably have done rather well. It liked him.

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

She nods.

"There's lots of riding to grow accustomed to.

"But I think the evening is coming to a close. We can't be out too late yet." She smiles. "People would talk."

[Asako Saburo]

He smirked at that. "One of these days, they won't even bat an eyelash at the idea of the two of us being out late," but she wasn't right. "I will ensure that the arrangements are made and we can go back to the Laughing Carp, yes? Thank you for joining me. It's been good to catch up in person."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Of course I joined you!

"But, yes, it has been good to see you again. I look forward to more of it."

(/scene?)