Of Words and Names (D7, Mid AM, OPEN)

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi cocked his head to the side. "So it is the Name of the Fortu--deity that seals the will of the individual into the words, and renders them powerful?"

[Rixy]

She nodded, pleased. "Yes, more or less. It is why invoking a powerful name is dangerous...if your words displease them or if they are of ill intent, they may interpret the words in a negative light or otherwise seek to make trouble for the Speaker."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"I see. When we call on the kami, there are rarely ill effects. If our words displease them, then they ignore us."

[Rixy]

"Most often, that is what happens here as well." Sabera's plum-colored lips formed a wry smile. "However, I am trying to impress the worst possible case for your education and so it is the negative possibility that needs emphasis. I do not know if there are curses in your lands but here, they are among the most feared things that can happen to one that angers a god...or one of their Speakers who is of weak moral character."

[Isawa Junpei]

Junpei simply went back to his same reserved state. He would have left given her insults to his honor, but that was not an option. He was, as Qian-Fan had stated, sentenced to this, and in some small way he felt as though he deserved it. He deserved to be called weak-willed and naive, if not worse. So, he hung his head and took in every word she said.

[Rixy]

This hangdogedness drew the woman's gaze. "Seeker Junpei-san, you seem rather disinterested...is this an ill hour for you to learn? I wish to waste noone's' time, if this is so I can return later."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi inclined his head. "Isawa-san has been through a lot in the very recent past, Speaker. Surely there are more pleasant subjects we could cover in the first lesson?"

Courtier roll=18

[Agasha Qian-Fan]

Despite the Crane's attempts to smooth over things, Qian-Fan was more than aware as to why Junpei was here. he had not expected the Isawa to leap at the chance to learn but he had expected a modicum of respect for the teacher . . . gaijin or not.

"I am sure Isawa-san understands why he is here, Daidoji-san. This lesson is necessary."

He looked to Junpei sternly. He had no authority at all here but he would be damned before the Phoenix were shamed again in this town.



/ooc No courtier roll, he's as brusque as it reads.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded, though the exchange only confirmed his opinion that most Phoenix were painfully stuck-up.

"Of course it is necessary, but if he is aware of why he is here, then he is aware of the severity of his actions. Proceed, by all means, but I think we can get by without the recriminations, subtle or otherwise. They aren't doing anyone any good."

Courtier roll 2=29

[Isawa Junpei]

"Please, no defense is necessary, Daidoji-san. Please, continue..." Junpei tried to formulate her name in his mind, but it was quite impossible to properly pronounce Kalsekeron in Rokugan. Sadly, finding out just how important people took their names here any form of address seemed fraught with peril. He offered an inward sigh and decided to leave his comments as they were, appending, "Though, perhaps we might find one of the tea rooms before we continue, rather than simply in the middle of the hall."

He offered a contented smile, his face now a mask of civility and appreciation. If his 'teacher' and his clansman wanted false sincerity then by gum Junpei was just the person to give it to them.

(Etiquette/Awareness)

[Rixy]

"Of course..think no more of it. Let it be as a rush of chill water, here and past and forgotten."The priestess inclined her head graciously, her long braid sliding across her shoulder briefly. "Tea would be fine...I understand that Rokugan's teas are fine and this chance to sample them is a gift."

Without further ado, the entire group relocated to one of the Embassy's rooms, one which had been readied in advance of this lesson. One of the younger servants soon disappeared after the tea and some snacks and the small troupe of natives settled themselves, save for the woman's Defender who took up station by the door.

"Perhaps this would work better if you asked me what you need to know instead of me simply speaking of what I feel relevant."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Sadly we know nothing about your lands or your gods, and what we do know is not, shall we say, of a pleasant nature. Indeed in my personal experience my sole run in with your ways very nearly had me executed." Junpei smiled and waited for tea, his hands folded in his lap. His tone was conversational, and indeed held a certain amount of self-deprecating humor to it, even if the subject were far graver.

[Rixy]

"I see..." Sabera pondered the problem and did not speak again until the tea had come and been served, a fine Phoenix red prepared by a servant who was sympathetic to the plight of the 'student'. She stared at it somewhat dubiously, it's color unfamiliar, but bravely sipped. A small smile creased her plum-colored lips and she sighed in pleasure.

"Perhaps it would be easiest if you told me something of how your magic works. It may help guide me what else to tell you about ours."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Oh goodness, I'm afraid we might have much the same problem as you, but I'll give it my utmost. Inevitably shugenja in our lands are those with the innate capacity to speak with the spirits. When we are young we do not fully understand the nature of this power but we are, through careful instruction, brought to edification. We hone our skills to sense, commune, and summon the spirits before we learn intricate rites and incantations, prayers, you might say, asking the spirits in a very specific way to grant us powers beyond mortal ken."

Junpei sipped his tea to clear his voice, "You see, the shugenja himself is powerless. Our only power is the ability to speak and understand the kami, the spirits residing in all things. Throughout our lives we seek not to grow in person power, but only to cultivate our relationships with the spirits, and as we do, the kami are willing to aid us in greater, more fantastic ways. Myself, for example. I am considered a prodigy among my people with the spirits of the wind. I was gifted with a divine connection to the kazekami. They and I are brothers, sisters, siblings, and thus they do great favors for me, but it remains beyond my power to, shall we say, summon a great tempest or cause the seas to rage. However, the most powerful among us have such great repport with the spirits that the kami bow to them as their honored master and they possess such power to raise mountains, call tempests, and cause the seas to rise in great tsunami. But it is not their power, it is the strength of their bond with the elements, the kami, the spirits which is strong."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nodded. "This is not to say that we do not also function as priests of the Fortunes, but our magic comes from the elemental kami that comprise and suffuse all things, as Isawa-san has said."

[Isawa Junpei]

"Hai, the kami are, themselves, servants of the Fortunes and thus whatever blessings or salvation we ask from the Fortunes is delivered by the spirits who serve them."

[Rixy]

The woman looked thoughtful. "Hmm. So it is the life of all things that you bind with?" One hand rose to fidget with the ivory lotus pendant she wore. "Is there good or evil in these spirits or do they simply exist, just as grass and trees simply exist?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"That is it," Junpei nodded sagely. "Evil spirits do exist, but they are tied with blood sorcery and are not true spirits of the elements. They are twisted by the touch of Jigoku, the Realm of Evil."

[Rixy]

"In our belief, there is a dark plane that is the home of demons and the unworthy dead. These dark souls can twist the words of a Speaker if not very carefully worded to be proof against such things." Sabera frowned thoughtfully. "But it is clear when one sees or Speaks to them that they are twisted, evil. There is ample time to be silent and not risk the words at all...are your demon spirits the same?"

[Isawa Junpei]

"I don't know," Junpei replied. "Those among my....House...do not teach regularly about the dark arts or the dark realm. I know little about evil spirits, beyond that they can be both subtle and terrifying."