[Moon 16, Mid Morning, Open] Taking Stock

[Asahina Narumi]

"Me? I'm just glad to be able to serve the Empire. It's a unique and exciting opportunity as well," she replies. It's not the whole story as to why she's here, but since she's not trained as a courtier that's probably pretty obvious to a political adviser.

"I was raised in a village outside of Shinden Asahina and trained by my family. I was sent to help maintain a temple devoted to Fukurokujin on the route between Shiro Daidoji and Kyuden Doji after my gempukku. I believe they did so because the monk there, Arata-sensei, had a similar gift to my own and wished me to learn to use it better," she explained, super-simplifying her history. "And now I'm on the Half Moon."

Definitely not trained in the courtly arts.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"That seems quite a jump, to go from tending a small temple to the Imperial Navy." Rinzuki smiles warmly as she slowly kicks her dangling feet in the air. "I"m sure they didn't promote you just for your good looks, hmm?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"Ahh... I," the girl begins fidgeting with her bracelet and looks at the floor. "In between I was also serving the governor of Two Creeks, Daidoji Haru-sama. I read the coins to help determine if travel routes for his servants would be eventful. His influence... Daidoji-sama, had me reassigned." She still wasn't very forthcoming, and it seemed she might not truly understand the gravity and influence it would take to have someone assigned to the Imperial Navy.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Daidoji Haru?" She raises an eyebrow as she watches the other woman's sudden fidgiting. "Handsome?"

[Asahina Narumi]

The Asahina thinks about it for a moment, "Not particularly, but he was not unattractive either..." She pauses as she thinks and then realizes what had been inferred. Now, she'd have to say it outright to prevent being misunderstood to be a manipulative woman of loose morals.

"I... He blamed me for... the death of his son. I was travelling with his escort, since he was to start training as a member of the Hidden Guard," she said, gripping the bracelet now. "And I do not blame Daidoji-sama for his anger. I do not remember if I misread the coins or if I understood my dreams the night before, but he might still be alive if not for me. The last thing he said to me was 'You like to swim? I'll make sure you can get all you want.'"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"You were sent away because you misinterpreted a divination?" Rinzuki stares at her in disbelief. "That's terrible, Asahina-sama. You did not deserve such a punishment."

[Asahina Narumi]

"I do not mind. I see it as an opportunity since I can attempt to serve the Empress where young Daidoji Haru can not," she replies, with a smile on her face. A sad, solemn smile. "Perhaps by my being assigned to an Imperial unit I have been granted an opportunity to fulfill a destiny meant for him."

By now she had completely lost track of her practice and she realizes it after pausing. She continues her movements.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"What of your own destiny? Stepping from your path to walk that of another will only bring trouble, Asahina-sama."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Yes. But a person can have more than one destiny. I am just musing that perhaps he was supposed to do something that now I must. I didn't exactly step off my own path since one does not necessarily control their own destiny. Either way, I would hope that my path included honorable service to the empire and this is just a different way to do so than I had originally expected."

The Crane continues going over her steps, counting and feeling her way through.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"I rather disagree with your interpretation of destiny, but I do not wish to spear a new friendship upon a theological debate." She smiles warmly as she kicks up her feet and lays down on the surgical table, on her back, head turned to watch Narumi.

"Do all the Asahina take vows of nonviolence, or is that more personal decision?"

[Asahina Narumi]

Dropping the previous discussion as well, since she still had visions of Haru lying bloody on the ground in her mind, Narumi moves to the next topic. "It is technically a personal choice. But any person raised among the Asahina or someone trained such is taught the value of another's life. It is one of the most stressed lesson during early training."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"What is the value of another's life?"

"I realize the importance of life, of course" she adds, to clarify. "I am just curious about the differences in philosophy that would lead one down a path of pacifism."

[Asahina Narumi]

"The value of one's life is immeasurable. To deprive one of their life is to steal away from the world something that one cannot replace. All conflict breeds the opportunity to end a life and so should be avoided," the priestess says pleasantly.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"How would you have ended the Khan's march upon the capital without bloodshed, then?" she asks, genuinely curious. "Would you stand aside as the barbarians from the north killed your family with their flames? Or at some point, does killing someone to save the lives of others become the most acceptable choice?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"This is something that is well known to the Asahina. In a world forged in war, our choice is not necessarily the most practical. Each has his own bending and breaking point. One of our number may merely stand before an enemy, choosing to die before allowing another to do so, others might fight back to protect another. The consensus is very strongly in favor of refusing to end a life however."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki shakes her head. "I find that approach very strange, Asahina-sama."

[Asahina Narumi]

"Many do, but those are the principles we are brought up with," the priestess says with a smile. "However, I will say that I have a more practical view and am willing to ask the kami to defend and improve the capabilities of my allies. I could not likely bring myself to end a life but I see no harm in improving a friends ability to protect his own. I may not like the fact that they are willing to kill another but I cannot punish them for protecting himself just because he does not share my views."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"That at least seems like a sensible way to honor your vow," she agrees. "What about your family? Any husbands, children...?"

[Asahina Narumi]

"I have my mother and father, but I have not seen them since my gempukku ceremony. The closest person to me was Arata-sensei, a monk at the temple I tended," she replies. "He was a mentor, and taught me a great deal about how to understand the dreams that I have."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

The Iuchi arches an eyebrow. "Was...?"