[Day 4, Late morning, Jade Sun, open] No tea like home's

[elonweis]

"If we are lucky, then we will be released from this cycle to enter the next," she replies quietly.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

This is going downhill awfully quickly. I do my best to keep smiling. "Rokugan has been faced with destruction, wars that seemed would never be won and all manner of beasts and corrupted things. True, there is always the next life or cycle but... isn't it better to try and remain alive as long as possible? To better oneself, learn about the world and aid those important to you? Giving into despair and believing there is no hope as a certainty is as likely to damage the soul as an enemy may damage the flesh". I stop and reflect back on my words. I hope her understanding of Rokugani is enough that she can understand some of the meaning and intent. To be sure I add in Rhumaal "Basically, stay positive. Life is what we make of it and there will always be life". I nod once positively, not sure if I am having the desired effect

[elonweis]

The woman was as polite as any samurai would hope, saying the correct and inoffensive thing even if she didn't believe it. "Of course, Mirumoto-sama."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I nod again. This isn't going anywhere. I cannot tell if she is even listening at this point. She seems resigned to whatever is coming. I cannot hope to understand it. Best to change the subject. "Is there anywhere you can recommend visiting in Lanka?" I ask, a new subject that may calm her.

[elonweis]

"It depends on what Mirumoto-sama wishes to see," she replies with perfect calm. "There are the barracks, they generally have an open policy for their training yard. There are the temples and the libraries if you seek enlightenment. There are gardens, of course, if you seek peace and beauty."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I chuckled "You sound like a courtier offering a tour somewhere" I respond with a big smile. "What do you recommend. What do you like seeing Suriya-san?". I have another sip of my tea as I keep my eyes rested upon her gently.

[elonweis]

"Every spring brings a few new samurai, they ask the same question," the young woman's shoulders lift in a small shrug. Suriya was rather confused by the Dragon's line of questioning. Why someone who was the equivalent of kshatriya would care what peasants wanted to see was beyond her. "I like the harbor at dawn and the market in the morning, because both are less crowded during those hours."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I catch the shrug and the tone of voice. I begin to think this conversation bothers her. Ah, I'm just another samurai and she likes less busy places. I get the hint. So the barbarian peasants here are just as impolite at heart as the peasants at home can be. Becoming more stiff I say "If I am asking the same question as so many others and it has come to bore you through reptition then do not feel compelled to answer. I am not your Lord". I have another sip of my tea, my expression more stern "One more cup of the same. Please bill it to the Embassy on behalf of the Legion". I give her a stare that means you may go now

[elonweis]

The woman was not offended. Confused, perhaps, but not offended. After all, they were only foreigners. Perhaps her mother was right to admonish her for her interest in their culture. Suriya bows and rises wordlessly to go.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I watch as she rises, my good humour dissipated. Compassion and courtesy come easier when recipients better receive them. I keep sipping my tea, giving the Togashi a look that could be translated as what did you think of that?