Walking the paths of the garden of mists, Koyuki was beset upon a very specific idea. Coming here would be far far better with a little of something likely similar to that of which the Dragon samurai from the previous night had had. Such vibrant and roaming illusions, she could nearly feel it on the air. That wasn't entirely true, illusions weren't that easy to spot, but when she focused enough the intricacies became apparent. Walking along, alone, she was attempting the risky behavior of cheer and humming to herself delicately, as if afraid any other might here.

Yamako continued wandering through the garden, pondering the conversations of the day and the possible plans she could utilize for her clan’s needs. However, as she walked she heard humming.

Can the illusions make sound as well? This is truly impressive.

She looked around for the source of the sound.

From around the edge of a true tree which hung it's mighty branches near to the walkway without encroaching upon it, Koyuki barely noticed the sight of Yamako's arm before she came into view and abruptly came to her senses. Ceasing the humming the woman lay her arms down, crossing them over her midsection and staring off into the foliage before her. Acting, as much as she hoped to try, as if it had not been her uttering the noise. In what could have been a brief passing, Koyuki offered the other woman a quick nod of acknowledgement.

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:43 am

From around the edge of a true tree which hung it's mighty branches near to the walkway without encroaching upon it, Koyuki barely noticed the sight of Yamako's arm before she came into view and abruptly came to her senses. Ceasing the humming the woman lay her arms down, crossing them over her midsection and staring off into the foliage before her. Acting, as much as she hoped to try, as if it had not been her uttering the noise. In what could have been a brief passing, Koyuki offered the other woman a quick nod of acknowledgement.

She offered the same nod, sensing something of the Kuni's unquiet but not entirely sure what was causing it. "Good day Kuni-san. I hope I have not interrupted your quiet."

"I have too much quiet throughout my day, samurai-sama," she says, following a brief glance over the woman but not settling her eyes anywhere that tracks a mon. Returning her gaze conversationally, "I welcome the interruption. What do you think of the gardens here?"

She approaches, welcoming a new conversation as well. "I find them startling and compelling. Our clan doesn't specialize in this sort of magic and so it is a new experience." She stares at a particularly complex piece before drawing her gaze back to the women. "I am sorry, my distraction has made me forget myself. I am Ide Yamako. A pleasure to meet you."

Koyuki bows at the introduction, rising with a quick nod, "It is alright, Ide-sama," a hand raised and placed upon her own chest. "I am Kuni Koyuki, and I am connected with the embassy here in the city. The pleasure is mine. It's a sight, mm? I would have to admit I am not certain if I am more or less impressed by the illusions. On one part, I would appreciate it more knowing that it was all truly real. And yet, I cannot help but respect the craft of the illusions themselves that I cannot from a glance tell you which is real and which is fake."

"It's.. all a bit awe inspiring if I allow myself to be carried away by it," she admits, her tone unaffected by the impression her words suggest.

She bows in return. “Ahh, then you are not a visitor as I am. It is good to know even one more inured to these sights finds them astonishing. I feel less of a country bumpkin then, with my gawping.”

"Not a visitor, but I am unfortunately just as new to these gardens as you Ide-sama. Though, from what I am told these are quite the attraction to many so we are not alone in our appreciation of them," she offers, there isn't anything light or welcoming in her tone. Leaving the pleasant nature of the conversation have to speak for itself through the chosen words.

"But, I am no stranger to cities alike this one. Considering I am not a country bumpkin," the phrase sounded foreign on her tongue, "I think you are safe." A pause. "What brings you to the world of dreams, Ide-sama?" she asks, looking to her more directly.

Yamako senses something slightly odd, but leaves it for the moment, letting her serendipitous companion wind her way to things. "Ahh yes, I am sorry, it means one who is from the border worlds where I come from. I did not grow up on the Ide home world, but rather Kuwagata which is mostly known for rather odd riding beatles and amazing space for horses. And as to what brings me, well, the World of Dreams always has room for those trying to learn and grow, especially while serving their clan."

"A good reason as any to come. I can see how educational this city can be," she says, looking out over the gardens toward what of the buildings could most easily be seen out on the horizon, towering above. "I grew up on the station, Hida Prime. My mother was attached to the research teams there. I couldn't imagine what something like riding beetles might look like in real life until I was at least sixteen. We had the occasional vids, of course, of various different creatures in shows. Yet a part of me always doubted living things that roamed planets like that were actually real."

"I was a foolish child," she says, without any intonation that would betray the humor resting in that thought.

Looking directly at the Kuni with the characteristic Ide honesty and sincerity , she says " "We are all foolish when we are young. The galaxy is so large but we see only our corner. It blinds us to all the possibility. It is part of why I enjoy coming to places so different from where I was raised. There is always so much to learn and experience."

"That is a rather beautiful way to look at the world, Ide-sama. Commendable," she says, offering a quick nod as if to further punctuate that. "Have you been to many different places across the Empire? I would love to learn of how things are done differently elsewhere."

She smiles. “It is merely what I have learned, nothing so significant as that Kuni-San. Your words are appreciated though. As for how things are done in other places, I find the fascinating differences in the small ways versus large. How some react to words, what is an insult here and a compliment there, what one would consider direct and another rude. It is fascinating.”

She chuckles. “For example, I am married to a former member of the Komori family. He has little patience at times for what I find fascinating in human nature and conduct and prefers more plain speech. He does well with those of the Moto family that live near my parent’s home as a result.”

"I have found those differences exist even between siblings. I knew two men once, twins. They could not have been more opposed in temperament but they came from the same root, twin souls as they were. Both had such heart for what they were passionate about. Toma, the smaller, was a bright man and could cheer a room with his charm. While Tatsunosuke was alike a rock to weigh yourself again. That they came from the exact same blood is a mystery, and yet- they had just as many differences I would think?" she asks, a quick little raise to her brow.

Kuni Koyuki wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 08, 2022 9:33 pm

"I have found those differences exist even between siblings. I knew two men once, twins. They could not have been more opposed in temperament but they came from the same root, twin souls as they were. Both had such heart for what they were passionate about. Toma, the smaller, was a bright man and could cheer a room with his charm. While Tatsunosuke was alike a rock to weigh yourself again. That they came from the exact same blood is a mystery, and yet- they had just as many differences I would think?" she asks, a quick little raise to her brow.

“It is true, blood can be so close and yet so different. I would find it fascinating to speak to those twins and see how differently they viewed life.”

"Hida Tatsunosuke, the elder, he would have liked you I think," she said, her voice distant. Focusing on the garden around them. Inhaling deeply she lets it out slow and steady, measuring herself and collecting that spirit from the action. Stepping twice away from Yamako into the central lane of the path she looks to her and indicates with a glance the path ahead.

"Care to walk with me, Ide-sama? I think I need to stretch my legs a bit more. Getting stiff simply sitting around," she says.

She nods at the suggestion of a walk and waits for Koyuki-san to get up."To be liked by a Hida is no small thing from my understanding."

After her companion arises, she begins moving slowly down the path that she indicated. "Movement is also quite good for the spirit from what I have seen. I find myself clearer than ever when I can be atop a horse or moving through a windy space. There is something about it that stirs the mind, I feel."

Taking in to step, she's happy to allow Yamako to set the pace. Keeping right in step with her as they walk, "I have not given it the same thought, but I can see what you mean. Certainly makes it hard to remain stagnant. Maybe there is something to that? How the body must move when the mind is no longer stagnant, or full of energy. Same in the reverse, how if the body is in motion so too the mind?" she wonders, almost idly.

"Yes, I could see that. When the mind whirls, the body must move or vibrate in place. I suspect this is the purpose of meditation as its core. To help us harness our body to the mind's yoke and the mind to the self. So that we are not dragged about by our selves."