conversations: human
conversations:  Makkura Dojo, Shiroi Hana Shudoin, Hanami Mura. Midmorning, Late Spring, year 1165.
  
  Total darkness, though the sun's warmth could be felt on the skin to the east. A light cooling breeze off the lake from the south, bearing a faint hint of sakura blossoms. The feeling of silk, over the eyes. The intermittent  tokk  of bamboo on stone from the garden fixture in the center of the pavilion, and the sound of a woman's voice.
  
   "One of the teaching exercises performed with our novices is this, Jei-san."  It belonged to a monk named Fumie, slim and still somewhat pretty despite her advancing age and close-cropped ascetic hair.  "It is similar to the children's game of the oni, where one child chases another until the latter is touched, save that novices are expected to navigate by sound and memory, without the use of their staves to guide them. With children, we use specific calls and responses, or take the opportunity to have them practice their scriptures, but in your case I thought we might instead substitute some pleasant conversation."  There is from the right a bare whisper sound, that of feet across flagstone tile.  "Tell me, Jei-san, what brought you down from the mountains to our little village?" 
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  Jei takes a moment to listen to his surroundings before responding to the sensei.  "Sensei-sama, I would say simply that it was my path. The same instinct that guides the migratory bird sent me to this place. In my search for enlightenment, I have felt need to experience existence." 
  
  While blindfolded, Jei still keeps his eyes closed, wary of any stray impressions polluting his perceptions.
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  Fumie continues to walk around the courtyard, for now making no effort to erase her presence. A clatter of gravel against flagstone as she passes an ornamental garden, a trace of lavender on the wind, doubtless a remnant of the herbs used to store summer robes. Her voice follows these telltale cues, slowly passing behind Togarashi Jei.  "Some would say that 'existence' is a phenomenon that may be experienced no matter one's location. "  A sound of trickling water; the  shishi odoshi  in the courtyard's center empties into a miniature koi pond. In the mind's eye, the image of Fumie kneeling to trail her fingers through the water and take a brief drink rises almost unbidden.  "What is it that you believe guides the bird on its journey, Togashi-san? Does it simply know the way, or do the kami that ride the winds whisper,  turn left, turn left?  
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "The enlightened mind knows the way, surely,"  Jei intones, as he pivots an about-face and takes a step forward,  "And while the mind's eye may bring the world to one's sense from any location, experience, action, is not so easily projected onto the world from a fixed location." 
  
  Jei listens and continues,  "The kami speak, to some, and maybe all. But speech is not the only method of transmitting intent or information, and one may not truly know the the whim of the elements without seeing their effect on the environment." 
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  There is a small noise of acknowledgement, and the whisper of silk on stone as if Fumie had brushed her robes against the ground upon standing.  "Then I am curious to know, what did you observe that drew you to a minor village in the lands of the Hare? I have never seen a tattoo myself, naturally, but I am told the Togashi ornament their skin to enhance their connection to the kami. Seek you perhaps a sakura over your heart?"  Her tone is light and teasing as her voice continues to drift sunwise, eventually ending somewhat stationary to the east.
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "The arrowroot covers my heart, the tattoo of healing."  Jei takes two steps forward,  "The Togashi do enhance their connection through their tattoos and in this instance it enhances my connection to others, being able to take the burdens of others into myself." 
   "Given a greater connection to the elements, it is a duty to assist those of lesser means. A village such as this contains those of the least means." 
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  There is a sound of exasperation, and the coolness on Togashi's left arm, as if left by a shadow over the sun, retreats.  "How rude, Togashi-san. It's only the Phoenix that were left unscarred by the Rain, or so I hear. The blossoms are already returning to Hanami Mura - I can smell them."  The pace of the soft footsteps has increased, even with the rising tone of the moving voice.  "Above all this dojo teaches its students to surpass the feeling of helplessness and despair."  From the steps to the rest of the temple, there is a sound of jingling bells.  "Do you wish to add to our game? Our initiates also learn to track swiftly-moving objects by sound - a ball such as this, trailing strips of cloth attached to bells, makes about as much noise as a samurai in full armor." 
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  I have offended her, confound my lack of manners!    Jei bows, whilst still blindfolded.
  
   "Please, sensei-sama, this one meant no offense. Certainly your servant did not mean to reference recent tragedy. And the well-renowned valor of the host Hare in the face of Bloodspeaker aggression is beyond doubt,"  Jin bows deeply, then raises  "If sensei-sama will have this humble student, it would be an honor to participate." 
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  The jingle moves vertically several times, the sound most pronounced at the moments that the motion of the ball opposed that of the belled tassels.  "Your apology is appreciated but not wholly necessary, Jei-san. It may be that I mistook your words as more offensive than you had intended - it can be difficult sometimes to read the emotional state of a speaker by sound alone."  If she was truly angered, it was not enough to deny Jei the chance to save face.  "I am certain now that you merely spoke of the difficulties facing outlying areas in general, is it not so?"  A sharp jangle of silver sound, and then the ball was flying through the air towards Togashi with reasonable accuracy despite his few seconds of silence.
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Sensei-sama is wise and discerns the true intent of the dull tongue." 
  
  Jei attempts to kick the incoming ball and keep it bouncing.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   (3d6)[ 5 ][ 1 ][ 5 ](11) Rolling 3k2 as an Athletics/Reflexes Roll. Subracting 10 from the total.
   
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  The ball jangles against the ground and bounces into the leg Jei stands on; his kick cuts nothing but air.  "This exercise is done best with a tranquil heart and without reservation, Togashi-san. Take a few breaths to regain your focus, and when you move, move expecting to hit - a halfhearted strike delivered with the aim of 'recovering from a miss easily' will cloud your judgement and instinct."  Her voice continues to be stationary, in an even and clear pitch.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Assume that you have meditated on Zanji before these exercises took place. Regain your emotional keel, and use a free raise on subsequent throws.
   
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Hai, sensei-sama,"  Jei replies. Taking a moment to center himself, concentrates on the ball in his hands before throwing.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   (4d6)[ 6 ][ 6 ][ 5 ][ 6 ](23) Now rolling 4k3, as this would be an Agility/Athletics roll. Using the Free Raise to add 5.
   
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  There is a quick step of movement as the ball reaches its apogee, placing their bearer in the path of the projectile.  "This exercise teaches both master and student as the more practiced player must compensate for the inaccuracy of the lesser - that was a good throw, however."  After a few more passes back and forth, including bobbles and mistakes on both sides, Fumie returns to conversation.  "Among the more formal exercises are simple procedures of going about the business of life with successively less of the conveniences accorded to monastic life. First-year students eat from special trays that separate food clearly into specific locations; older students will use the heat of steam and smell of food to determine a plate's composition and location. Most students learn to play some sort of instrument - by ear, of course. The shamisen is common... what else can I tell you about our dojo?" 
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Hmm, perhaps, sensei-sama, does the dojo offer any sort of services to the populace? Healing arts or other such things?" 
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Not as such. The Makkura dojo is but a small part of Shiroi Hana Shudoin as a whole, and of course many of the monks there know such skills - of course, the more gifted students of our dojo do eventually come to study at the main temple, so there are those among our number with some knowledge of the healing arts, but it is not our primary concern."  There is a thoughtful pause.  "If anything,"  said Fumie,  "It is often very difficult for a normal heimin family to raise a blind child who contributes but little to the welfare of the family. The Makkura dojo helps to prevent them from having to make... difficult choices." 
  
  She sighs thoughtfully and tosses the ball; now that a rhythm has been established the game has become easier.  "Happily, there have been some students of the Makkura dojo who have found ways to be of use to the rest of our clan. I understand that a vassal family of the Ujina employs a Makkura adept trained in listening to the human voice as a truthfinder, as a notable example." 
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Sensei-sama and the abbots are most wise,"  Jei permits a bit of cheer to sound in his speech,  "The work done here is most admirable." 
   "If this one may impose to ask another question, Is there any service that a humble Togashi initiate would be useful in providing for the dojo or village?" 
conversations: Disco Soup:
conversations: human
conversations:  "I believe that the Abbot wanted to speak to you later about that very same idea, Togashi-san. Not many of the monks here are accustomed to the rigors of travel, as you so patently are."  Fumie sighs wistfully.  "It must be very exciting. I... have never left Shiroi Hana Shudoin." 
  
  As they spoke, there was a sharp sound of a monk knocking gently on a wooden drum by the entrance to the courtyard.  "Apologies, Fumie-san, Togashi-san, but the Abbot would like to see Togashi-san in the  library ." 
conversations: storybookknight:
conversations: human
conversations:  "My thanks to sensei-sama for the assistance on my path,"  Jin bows deeply to the woman before leaving.
  /exit
conversations: Disco Soup: