(no subject)

[yinyangwizard]

Seimei is enjoying the fruits of his labors - that is, the cherry blossoms.

For most of today he can be found somewhere in the foothills or on the mountainsides. He occasionally stops in one of the little stone-lantern-ringed clearings to paint, meditate, do tai chi or play an appropriate song on the koto.

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric joins him, carrying his ash wood flute. He picks up the tune, weaving his own melody into it. He's dressed for travelling and seems... composed.

[yinyangwizard]

Seimei knew that Sinric was planning to leave: he's glad they could meet this way at least one more time before that happens. He continues through the piece, letting Sinric accompany him and add his own flourishes on the flute.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric plays happily, letting his magic seep out. In his music is gratitude - for friendship, for beauty and music shared.

[yinyangwizard]

Seimei finishes the song, and lets Sinric's music trail off.

"If I were a lady, that would have been like a scene out of Genji," he jokes, plucking off his finger picks one by one. He sighs, and his tone turns more serious. "Actually, it reminds me of playing with my friend Hiromasa, a very long time ago."

[thewidewideworld]

"I fear that's not a tale I know?" He asks curiously.

"You play beautifully. Hiromasa must have been highly skilled to match you?"

[yinyangwizard]

"Genji Monogatari is a classic! An epic tale of romance, jealousy, and the price of worldly power. From two or three centuries after your time, though. You will have to read it in the library when you get back." Because Sinric's coming back, right?

"I must say that when Hiromasa and I played together, he was the better musician. Among the best of his time," Seimei adds. "I had to work and practice to provide worthy accompaniment to him."

Although that was partly because Minamoto no Hiromasa had a tendency to neglect other things in pursuit of musical perfection. He was a bit notorious for it.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then I shall as the bar to seek a copy for me, that I might enjoy it when I return." When. A time he hopes will not be so far away.

"One who challenges you to learn and improve by leading is a good friend indeed. But you enjoyed each others company? With and without the music?"

[yinyangwizard]

"Yes we did. And we got into a lot of trouble together!" Seimei chuckles. "Well, mostly Hiromasa got himself in trouble and I would get him out. That was always fun in hindsight. And sometimes in the moment."

[thewidewideworld]

"How old were you, when you were getting into such trouble together?"

[garde723]

Izana has been practicing some of the basic forms of kendo with an eye towards the cherry trees while they worked. Once they were satisfied with their work, they grabbed their hoodie and shinai to head towards the woods and enjoy the peddles bloom.

The breeze is nice and cools them quickly.

Within a few steps into the trees, they hear the song and, following it to its source, find Seimei. Not wanting to interrupt his playing, and needing to put on their hoodie over the sleeveless undershirt anyway, they listen and smile as the song carries them with the scents of the blooms.

[yinyangwizard]

Seimei smiles up at Izana, but without a break in the piece.

When he comes to the end, he bows to them from his seated position. "Izana-san! I see you are enjoying the cherry blossoms."

[garde723]

"Of course, Abe-sama," they say stepping forward from the tree they were leaning against. They offer a deep bow of their own, the "blade" of the shinai in their hand careful pointed away from him as is courteous. "They are wonderful and I normally wouldn't be able to enjoy them. Sidonia has some sectors that have such trees, but they are for those more privileged than myself. It is a pleasure to see you again."

[yinyangwizard]

"And you also. But I am saddened to hear that not everyone on Sidonia can enjoy the cherry trees! They are an iconic piece of our history and national spirit." He starts pulling off his finger picks, one by one. "Will you come and sit with me, Izana-san? I can make us some tea."

[garde723]

"There are parks with ginko tree in many of the more common sections," Izana clarifies with a hint of defensiveness for Sidonia. "I would be honored to share tea with you or just to sit and talk."

And so saying, they put actions to words; crossing the few feet and kneeling down to sit (after laying the shinai to their side).

"I hope you are well?"

[yinyangwizard]

"I am, thank you." Seimei puts aside the koto and produces a tea set from...somewhere. He also has a tin of powdered sencha and a bamboo whisk. "And yourself? It has been a while since we last spoke."

[garde723]

"I am...improved. I am a full combat pilot now, and have been fighting for a few weeks. I was not able to overcome my fear of combat but I have accepted it and am relieved to find it does not interfere with performance during combat. We have also managed to manufacture an artificial kabi-like substance and so are much better armed against the gauna. We seem to be fighting them off, but they have switched tactics from larger mass-groupings to smaller individuals that are harder to target."

[yinyangwizard]

"Hm. At least you have more ammunition to fire at them. And I am glad to hear that you are doing well in your duties, difficult as they are."

Seimei takes the lid off the pot, points two fingers into it, and calls up some water magic. Water pours from his fingers to fill the pot, and he replaces the lid.

[herr_bookman]

Autor follows the sound of the music, his hands in his pockets. He stops when he comes upon Seimei, applauding when he finishes playing. "That's a beautiful song."

[yinyangwizard]

"It is, in fact, a song about cherry blossoms," Seimei says. "I thought it would be appropriate for the setting. Hello, Autor-san. How are you?"

[herr_bookman]

"I'm as well as can be expected," Autor says, shifting on his bare feet uneasily. "How are you? Are you behind the cherry blossoms' appearance? They're lovely."

[yinyangwizard]

"Thank you," Seimei says. "They are indeed mine. I love this place, and wanted to give something back to it."

Hence the cherry trees.

"It was also a very challenging exercise to set up a spell in this environment! And it will be a greater challenge still to make this spell completely autonomous." He starts taking the koto picks off his fingers. "Would you like some tea?"

It's a little hard to see how he will make tea out here, but this is Seimei we're talking about.

[herr_bookman]

"Tea? Tea would be wonderful, thank you," Autor says, sitting down on the ground in a lotus position. He sits with his head bowed and his shoulders hunched, as of bearing a great weight. "I hadn't thought about the spell being autonomous or not. Or how challenging it would be to cast here. Did Milliways resist you?"

[yinyangwizard]

"No. I had permission." Seimei puts the koto aside and produces a teapot and two cups from...somewhere. He takes the lid off the pot, points two fingers into it, and calls up some water magic. Water pours from his fingers to fill the pot. "The magical energies here are intense, and the flows can change in unpredictable ways. It was wearing away at the fabric of the spell in some places."

[herr_bookman]

Autor raises his brows at the water trick. "Neat," he says, motioning to Seimei's fingers. "How did you cause the spell to be more permanent, then?"

[yinyangwizard]

"I am still working out that part." Seimei replaces the lid on the pot and cups his hands around it. He calls up a little fire magic, and a wisp of steam escapes the spout. The water is now hot, but not quite boiling. "Perhaps changing the energy dispersal will do it. Or having some kind of release valve for when the spell is dormant."