[D1EE, Main Hall, Open] The first supper (Occasion)

[Seppun Hibiki]

"The High House of Light was not a journey I felt capable of." She shook her head. "But, I have visited the Phoenix, the Lion and the Unicorn, as well as the Dragonfly and the Centipede."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"The High House of Light was not a journey I felt capable of." She shook her head. "But, I have visited the Phoenix, the Lion and the Unicorn, as well as the Dragonfly and the Centipede."

Ketsudan nods. "Many who attempt the journey to the High House do not return. And some come down who never went up.

"But if Seppun-sama has visited the Dragonfly, she might have seen this one before, as his duty station is not far from the border of that Younger Clan."

[Seppun Hibiki]

Ketsudan nods. "Many who attempt the journey to the High House do not return. And some come down who never went up.

"But if Seppun-sama has visited the Dragonfly, she might have seen this one before, as his duty station is not far from the border of that Younger Clan."

"If I did, I do not remember." she shook her head. "There are parts of my travels I do not recall, but I did not linger long near the lands of the Kitsuki."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"If I did, I do not remember." she shook her head. "There are parts of my travels I do not recall, but I did not linger long near the lands of the Kitsuki."

Another nod.

"Understandable," Ketsudan says. "Still, what has been the best part of Seppun-sama's travels thus far?"

He leans forward, clearly interested in her response.

[Seppun Hibiki]

Another nod.

"Understandable," Ketsudan says. "Still, what has been the best part of Seppun-sama's travels thus far?"

He leans forward, clearly interested in her response.

"Shiro Agasha." There was little hesitation before she replied. "Your cousins are nearly as secretive as the Asako, the Isawa and the others, but they showed me enough to give me hope. And, they make good tea."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"Shiro Agasha." There was little hesitation before she replied. "Your cousins are nearly as secretive as the Asako, the Isawa and the others, but they showed me enough to give me hope. And, they make good tea."

Another nod from Ketsudan. "And several sorts, as well," he adds. "How they get the peppery flavor in..."

[Seppun Hibiki]

Another nod from Ketsudan. "And several sorts, as well," he adds. "How they get the peppery flavor in..."

"I prefer simpler blends, but it is impressive." she nodded.

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"I prefer simpler blends, but it is impressive." she nodded.

"Oh?"

Ketsudan takes a pull at his own tea.

"What is Seppun-sama's favorite variety, if it may be asked?"

[Seppun Hibiki]

"Oh?"

Ketsudan takes a pull at his own tea.

"What is Seppun-sama's favorite variety, if it may be asked?"

"Hōjicha." she smiled. "The roasting process makes it very relaxing."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"Hōjicha." she smiled. "The roasting process makes it very relaxing."

"The classics are classics for reasons," Ketsudan agrees.

His brow furrows, as if he realizes something.

"The way you stand with a cup of tea in your hand..."

He trails off, shaking his head slightly.

[Seppun Hibiki]

"The classics are classics for reasons," Ketsudan agrees.

His brow furrows, as if he realizes something.

"The way you stand with a cup of tea in your hand..."

He trails off, shaking his head slightly.

"Hmmm..? What of it, Kitsuki-san?"

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"Hmmm..? What of it, Kitsuki-san?"

"Remembering lessons, Seppun-sama," Ketsudan replies. "As is recorded in Niten,

the way you stand with the sword in your hands is the same way you stand with a tea cup in your hands.

"And Seppun-sama's words called the words of the Dragon Thunder's successor to mind."

[Seppun Hibiki]

"Remembering lessons, Seppun-sama," Ketsudan replies. "As is recorded in Niten,

the way you stand with the sword in your hands is the same way you stand with a tea cup in your hands.

"And Seppun-sama's words called the words of the Dragon Thunder's successor to mind."

"Mmm..." She sipped at her tea. "That sounds like the kind of lesson that can carry different meanings, depending on the individual."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"Mmm..." She sipped at her tea. "That sounds like the kind of lesson that can carry different meanings, depending on the individual."

"Seppun-sama has the right of it, of course," Ketsudan replies, nodding. "Did not the Little Teacher intimate so much, commenting to the First Emperor that he could not know how the latter would find Enlightenment?"

[Seppun Hibiki]

She nodded. "And, what does the saying mean to Kitsuki-sama?"

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

She nodded. "And, what does the saying mean to Kitsuki-sama?"

"Seppun-sama flatters," Ketsudan says.

"But to answer her question: We must all of us be ready, always, for we can any of us be called up to action at any moment. And this much is corroborated in the teachings of the other Clans, as well--is not the Tenth Order of the Lion 'Be ready to die,' signaling that the cause of it can come at any time?

"Ideally, however, we will do more than simply die. Our lords have invested much in us, and it would be a disservice to them to be so cheaply taken."

[Seppun Hibiki]

"For me, they are items one should only hold up with purpose." she said. "Only when you need it."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

Ketsudan lifts a hand and opens his mouth, pauses, then abruptly lowers the one and shuts the other.

"Hm."

His brow furrows.

"Seppun-sama offers something on which to think," he says. "It will have to be considered."

[Seppun Hibiki]

She shrugged. "It could also be suggested that they are things that feel natural in one's hand. That would certainly be a personal perspective, however."

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

"Seppun-sama's perspectives are of interest, certainly," Ketsudan says, nodding.

"It would be a pleasure to share them again, were Seppun-sama willing."