[Day 9 MA] Faith & Clothes Repaid (Closed)

[Yūrei]

Snip

"You simply learned from the experience, there is nothing wrong with that. Now you are wiser and with a good partner of your own."

She leans back pensively.
"Sometimes that is the way of things, good friends can be found in the strangest of places. I'm glad you were able to find one in...all of that. Being clanless my matches are both more simple, and more complicated. Which is why I've preferred more casual relationships with less strings attached. So this is all very different."

[Ide Yamako]

Snip

"You simply learned from the experience, there is nothing wrong with that. Now you are wiser and with a good partner of your own."

She leans back pensively.
"Sometimes that is the way of things, good friends can be found in the strangest of places. I'm glad you were able to find one in...all of that. Being clanless my matches are both more simple, and more complicated. Which is why I've preferred more casual relationships with less strings attached. So this is all very different."

She nods. "There is a simplicity that will hold your life if you stay ronin. But it also creates a ceiling through which it is difficult to climb. You can only advance so far and your status may hold you back even when you become powerful in your own right."

She shakes her head. "Too serious for such a celebratory day though. I fear thinking back on New Kalani makes me think too much." She stretches her hands for a moment. "So tell me, what plans do you have for all that koku? Tell me you have something fun planned as well with it."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Ohhhh, well that would be a secret. But I'll say I have something quite interesting in mind. A little initiative to help the ronin of this planet. If that is not necessary."

She chews her lip in thought
"Then a new apartment, definitely. One with an en-suite. Oh, and a kitchen, with a big fridge. Maybe two windows...nice part of the city. Clothes, definitely, now that you've shown me what to focus on. Motorbike, I could buy a motorbike! That would be pretty fun."

It's clear the ronin has a lengthy shopping list.

[Ide Yamako]

She smiles. "Well, just make sure you watch your step. The Scorpion like their secrets here. But I like your goal." She chuckled at the last bit. "Well, you've definitely got a plan. But I wonder how long you'll stay here. Do you think this is a place you could grow?"

[Yūrei]

She smiles. "Well, just make sure you watch your step. The Scorpion like their secrets here. But I like your goal." She chuckled at the last bit. "Well, you've definitely got a plan. But I wonder how long you'll stay here. Do you think this is a place you could grow?"

"I think if I do stay it has to be in the right way. I've been lucky to survive so long already, if you keep pushing that luck..."
She shrugs slightly
"I want to do something where people don't try to kill me all the time, and there might be a way. But if not I've- well, there is Ide-sama's offer and there have been others. Things just need to be done the right way. I don't know what I want to grow into yet."

[Ide Yamako]

She nods. "It is wise to take your time and yet also, to know that time is finite. I am sure you will make a thoughtful decision."

Her face grows seriously. "I would also prefer you stay alive. So if there is a problem, I hope you will come to me or someone else you trust. And not go it on your own."

[Yūrei]

Snip

Gravely
"I understand, truly. There are people I trust. Not many, but enough. I believe you're part of that circle now."
Relaxing slightly

"You may also be a part of the circle of people I like. If that is not unprofessional to say."

[Ide Yamako]

She burst out laughing. "Kami, I'm glad cause it would be sorely painful to like someone who doesn't like you."

She sips her tea, still chuckling between. "No Yurei-san. I never expected that kind of professionalism from someone who gave me pleading eyes for baked goods on our first meeting. I am glad for our ability to work together without all the formality of some things."

[Yūrei]

She burst out laughing. "Kami, I'm glad cause it would be sorely painful to like someone who doesn't like you."

She sips her tea, still chuckling between. "No Yurei-san. I never expected that kind of professionalism from someone who gave me pleading eyes for baked goods on our first meeting. I am glad for our ability to work together without all the formality of some things."

She makes her eyes big again
"And they were so good! You made me a very happy ronin then. I had no idea that your kindness ran deeper, I was just very hungry."
She blushes slightly

"It has been nice to work closely without being overly formal, and I feel it means we have worked more quickly and efficiently too."

[Ide Yamako]

She smiles. "Its true. This was not precisely my plan when you gave me those pleading eyes but I am glad it has worked out as it has. I strive to be a friendly person but...well, those thoughts will keep. I don't want to influence your decision too much."

[Yūrei]

She smiles. "Its true. This was not precisely my plan when you gave me those pleading eyes but I am glad it has worked out as it has. I strive to be a friendly person but...well, those thoughts will keep. I don't want to influence your decision too much."

Yūrei raises an eyebrow

"If you are comfortable saying them, I am comfortable hearing them. I've turned to many samurai for advice these past weeks for, uh, some sensitive matters. I'd welcome your wisdom as well?"

[Ide Yamako]

She looked at her, her eyes a bit soft. "Well...I never expected to find someone who could be a friend here. Much less at a pastry cart. I know that's very odd of me to say as a samurai but...you are the most honest person I've met in a long time."

She holds up a hand, in case Yurei wants to interject. "I know there are likely things you are hiding from me and I appreciate the necessity. But when we are talking, you don't lie about who you are. And I appreciate that."

[Yūrei]

Snip

Yūrei blinks twice, her mouth falling open for half a second before she quickly looks down.
"I, I don't know if I'm worthy of that praise. There are much more honest samurai than me, I've certainly told lies and half-truths in my time. But, it might be that I find it more easy to be straight with you. Like you expect me to tell you the truth, so I can without fearing it will lead to trouble."

Rubbing the back of her neck
"Like a good teacher or a parent who expects honesty from their ward but doesn't punish it."

[Ide Yamako]

She continues her direct, sincere look. "Yes but those samurai have similar or relatively equal status to me. As a ronin, you have everything to gain and lose from our association. Lying right and left would not be unreasonable, especially if it got you what you want. And if my presence makes it easier, then I am grateful. I never wish to be the kind of person who causes folks to fear being honest with them."

A small smile ghosts over her face. "I am glad that I can provide that for you, whatever else occurs."

[Yūrei]

Snip

"You have. It's...I've had an interesting experience with role-models. Those I looked up to, basically worshiped-"
Yūrei's face contorts in pain for a moment.
"-I didn't really know them, I guess. But then I've had samurai I never knew who've come forward to share their wisdom and to try and make me a better woman. It feels like a second chance."

[Ide Yamako]

Snip

"You have. It's...I've had an interesting experience with role-models. Those I looked up to, basically worshiped-"
Yūrei's face contorts in pain for a moment.
"-I didn't really know them, I guess. But then I've had samurai I never knew who've come forward to share their wisdom and to try and make me a better woman. It feels like a second chance."

She looked down at her teacup a moment, as if she saw something there while she spoke. “Sometimes…those who are supposed to guide us lead us astray. We have to find the best way for ourselves then.”

She looks up at Yurei. “Seize that chance then. Find where you are meant to be in the universe. There is nothing more satisfying than feeling that sense of belonging and rightness, at least to me.”

[Yūrei]

Snip

"Hai, it's something I've been thinking on since our conversation and since some other events. I've spent a long of time in one place wanting, waiting to go back. But maybe there wasn't actually anything there for me if I did? Maybe I have to find a new place."
Pause

"One where the roof doesn't leak would be nice though."

[Ide Yamako]

Snip

"Hai, it's something I've been thinking on since our conversation and since some other events. I've spent a long of time in one place wanting, waiting to go back. But maybe there wasn't actually anything there for me if I did? Maybe I have to find a new place."
Pause

"One where the roof doesn't leak would be nice though."

She smiled. “I suspect that if you do take that leap, you will find that looking forward rather than backward has its benefits. The past cannot be undone and regret is a sin but it is also a weight that holds us back from what we could be. When we cling too tight, we stagnate.”

[Yūrei]

She smiled. “I suspect that if you do take that leap, you will find that looking forward rather than backward has its benefits. The past cannot be undone and regret is a sin but it is also a weight that holds us back from what we could be. When we cling too tight, we stagnate.”

Yūrei nods, taking a breath, holding it for a moment and then slowly exhaling.

"And worse, it is possible to regret the actions of others. You wind up holding onto something you never had any control over."
Smiling quietly

"I'm sloooowly working past that. Now I know what happened."

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako’s mental ears perked as she sensed a story. Too long around Noburu perhaps.

“The winds drive us where the Kami will. Only we can choose whether we ride into them or not. The mantis have a saying about sailing into them or letting them fill your sails. I always forget what it says precisely.”

She pauses, sipping tea. “Knowing…can change everything. Knowledge is its own kind of power. It’s all in how you use it.”