Words (D8, LA)

[Otomo Saisei]

Fortunately, he had organized the work as Saisei suggested. All his notes were in proper fashion and the many in the castle were already keen on what to do to prepare the wedding. Yet, there was still a void without his presence.

He wouldn't be able to mourn his death today, as it would trample his own plans over the wedding. Thus, the Otomo keeps it quiet, suggesting the same to the castle retinue and lord of the Province herself.

As he finished to pen the letter, he delivers it to a courier, and completely forgets of what the plans he had set to do at this time.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Otomo sama?"Hana had made her way to the courtyard. Kuma perched on a branch of the near by tree.

[Otomo Saisei]

The young man shakes his head as he gets called and sees Hanatsuko. He bows to the lady, asking, "Toritaka-san. Good day. Has Inari-kami been kind?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Oh yes it has. I feel quite blessed by the fortune." She smiled "I think I saw on of her children before coming here."

[Otomo Saisei]

"I am happy, then." The Otomo looks to the scrolls in front of him and rubs his chin, asking, "How can I help Toritaka-san?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"I would like to write a letter to my lord." She nodded. "Would you help me?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"Sure. I can he--" The young man records of what they said the other day, and bows, "My apologies, I had almost forgotten. There are lessons to be exchanged today."

With a deep sigh, he refocuses his mind burdened by the death of his master. He waves for her to sit down at his side and puts parchment on the desk while she gets comfortable.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Are you okay, Saisei sama?" She was quite concerned that he had forgotten the lesson.

[Otomo Saisei]

"I am... better, focusing on what we have agreed." He says, using the best of his sincerity. "A moment."

With that, he opens up his travelling pack and takes a small wooden box lacquered with scales motifs. He offers it with both hands to Hanatsuko, "One cannot learn without the proper tools. Please, accept this humble ink and pen kit so we may start."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"I am honored Otomo sama but what will you use to teach me. I cannot accept this." She gave her first refusal.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Oh, I have my own kit there," He looks to the open kit on top of the desk. "This one I used when I was still learning. I kept it very well cared and maintained."

He offers again, "It would be an honor to me to have you using it to learn."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"This one is unworthy of such gift, it must bear many memories that you may hold dear to your heart." She refused a second time.

[Otomo Saisei]

"I also hold Toritaka-san dear to my heart, so this won't be an issue. May the memories it bears provide insight of the lessons I had from my Otomo sensei to Toritaka-san." He offers once again, extending his hands with the box.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"I will create new memories with it and write it down for you to enjoy." As she accepts the gift. "I hope you can help me writing this letter... it is quite... difficult for me to write about these things."

[Otomo Saisei]

"It will be an honor." He says, and signals for her to place the kit on the desk and take the brush. "I always try to assume my role, instead of my mind, when I write officialy. It helps making duty fulfilled. So, let us begin. I'lll try to find the best characters to convey the message. Is there a certain mood Toritaka-san would like to add?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Mood... I really don't know... I tend to always be serious but this one feel some what more personal." She sighed.

[Otomo Saisei]

He takes a deep breath, "Well, it should depend on how close Toritaka-san is to her lord, I believe. How connected are they to her?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"It is one of respect and it is more like an acquaintance than actually a friend." She sadly explained. "I don't know even how to debrief what had happened here."

[Otomo Saisei]

"Well, if they are an acquaintance, then I would recommend going full formal, unless there's some specific thought Toritaka-san would like to demonstrate it is hers –– and even then, I would do so subtly."

He arranges one parchment for him, and one for her, "So, Tell me what it is you want to write, and I'll put down in what I would think are the best words. You may copy the characters or ad your own."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

She gave it some thought. "I should start by my travel to meet up with Toritaka sama in Shiro Kuni and why I overshot my trip following the trail of a spirit ending up her in Fire Shrimp." She mused.

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods and begins righting down with some Imperial flourish. Then, he asks, "Interesting. Was this the same spirit we banished away?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"No this was another spirit that had stolen some of my things." She stated. "I lost its trail somewhere."