Avian Education (Day 1, Early Eve, Open)

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I suppose, though in my experience they grow only more sleepy, not less."

Sighing, the big man shook his head. "How'd you get on?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"Sensuifu was, as you said, pretty reasonable. It took a bit of convincing, but I think I convinced him that the kittens are not worth his time. He's quite proud of his hunting skills." Junpei added with his usual small smirk.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"As he should be...they're impressive, especially considering he had to learn them from humans." The big man smiled in memory. "He was too young to have learned them when his kin flew south so I had to teach him, with the assistance of a Moshi friend who had a marked skill with hunting birds. Mostly it was her doing."

[Isawa Junpei]

"How long have you had Sensuifu? It seems for quite some time." Junpei tilted his head to look at the eagle and then to O-Washi.

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Not so long. I got him at the Winter Court at Kyuden Kumiko in 1169. We get on so well because he was barely fledged and he's known me most of his life." The older Isawa reached over and stroked his friend's head, making the big bird chuff in enjoyment. "The kami help, of course."

[Isawa Junpei]

"You attended a winter court?" Junpei perked up form his casual position. No longer leaning on the Crow's Nest, he let his arms hang at his sides, "What was it like?"

[Isawa O-Washi]

"I was chosen as part of the Imperial Guard, hai." Brows furrowed a bit. "It was...well, mostly, boring. If you're a guard, you mostly stand around looking impressive while everyone's on their best behavior. That includes the other guards, too, so there's not much fun to be had even off duty, even less in a Court on such a small Island that there's little city around it to carouse in. If it hadn't been for the ocean, I'd have gone utterly mad with boredom."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Hai, I'd heard that winter in the Mantis isles is a thing of beauty. With little snow touching their lands, I imagine it was still a lovely place to spend the months rather then cloistered in the inner halls where the burning of the braziers can keep you warm as you poor over scrolls in lantern-lit stacks." Junpei smiled, he certainly didn't want to make is sound as though he were complaining about his winters spent in Kyuden Isawa.

[Isawa O-Washi]

O-washi blinked, then smirked. "Um...Kyuden Kumiko's in our part of the Empire, Cousin. One of the Master's made the isle it sets upon during the War of Fire and Thunder. So, not exactly an improvement."

[Isawa Junpei]

Junpei offered a sheepish look, trying to hide the faint hint of embarrassment on his cheeks, "Gomen. Lessons in geography were not high on my list of studies. The only thing I know of those islands is when they were created. One doesn't forget that kind of thing. Isawa Sachi was clearly one of the most powerful among us." He shook his head in disbelief, "Just think, wielding the power to move mountains and part the seas..."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Some of that power is fearsome." O-washi grew somber. "Some of the prayrs I learned when last I returned home made me quite solemn for some time. Knowing what we can do is intimidating when you're actually able to do it yourself instead of it being simply a story of your respected elders."

[Isawa Junpei]

"I wonder what it will be like for me?" Junpei didn't know where to look exactly, more lost in his mind, but needing a clear field to better contemplate the question. "When I finished my work as a tensai I knew very few incantations, but my skill at evoking the kami and importuning with them increased greatly. Still, the rapport I have with the kaze-kami does not yet allow me a great many strengths in the world. The highest incantations I could know are of a far more subtle nature, illusions, the mind, wards. My skills, whatever they are, have always been greatest with the raw, unfettered winds, not their correspondence."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Some claimed I should not have been trained as tensai. I was far from exemplary in my regular teachings and have no obvious gifts beyond the usual for one of our Family. I was chosen in the end, however, and now I hear the song of water even in my sleep. Much of what the mizu-kami enable me to do is some sort of aid to my brothers-in-arms, speed or strength or healing."

O-washi sighed, reaching up to stroke Sensuifu's feathers for comfort. "It is only recently that I touched the destruction that is also water's nature. It was so different than how I considered my friends that I refused to use the power for many months. Then the time came I had no choice and so I unleashed Suitengu's own wrath on my foe."

[Isawa Junpei]

"That is something I am reticent to do as well. I will not try to hesitate, but I have only ever used my talents with the kami to protect and aid, never to attack, to harm. I worry what might come of my power if I turn to such aggressive and wrathful pursuits." Junpei was silent for a moment, "I wonder how the Grand Master balanced the line between the two; peace and war. He was a member of Toturi's Army before joining the Phoenix, and he created some of the most powerful and devastating incantations known in the empire. On the one hand you have such spells as Master Tsuki's Call to Heaven, created by a Master who fell the most out of us all, but also Kuro's Fire, a man who's serenity and guidance rebuilt the Phoenix."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"We are more than our power. It is our will that shapes it, gives direction to the kami. Any man can be driven to mercy, even if he is an evil man. Likewise, even the kindest will turn to violence if there is no other way to preserve that which he most values." The gunso's voice was deep with experienced resignation. "Never doubt that extremes change men."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Of that I am sure, I just wish I knew how I might turn out given such strength of will and power in the kami. I had conversation, in my first days on board, with Hida Musasha-san about shugenja and ambition. I know I want power, the power to defend my home and the Empire. But does that mean that I might be headed down a dark path."

[Isawa O-Washi]

His companion was, alas, the wrong sort to ask such a question.

Turning eyes that were suddenly darker on his junior, O-washi said simply, "Ambition is only Desire. Desire is a sin."

[Isawa Junpei]

That was as good an answer as any and in all actuality is was a framing that Junpei had only tacitly thought of. At the very least it would allow him to mull over the matter for days to come, and given the need for past times on board, it was the best way to pass the hours, at least for Junpei, whether it made him neurotic or introspective. "Arigato, Isawa-gunso."

[Isawa O-Washi]

"Happy to help, Cousin. Especially when you're so helpful in return." He gestured to his bird. "But, I think it's time I took this little fellow back before Yoritomo-san fears Cook actually did stew him."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Understandable," Junpei agreed. "If you need me, you'll certainly know where to find me. I'm sure I'll be here...from sun up to sun down...or even later."