D4MA, Not on Patrol (Expecting)

[Shika Nesshin]

"If you feel yourself possessed of one," Nesshin says, "then you should do so. Although it seems to me that those so tasked tend to be unhappy people, even if they achieve their purpose. And I think you would be better served to be happy than not.

"Consider when you have seen one of the mighty smile? Even my own Lord Shika, may he rule here long, even he is sorely beset, and the Deer are a small Clan. Doji-bugyo, similarly. Even Zang-sensei, full of verve as he ever is, even he carries much, as does Pei-Pei-sama. And think of how many are the better off because you are as you are."

He shrugs.

"I cannot decide such things for you, of course, only say what I see. But here, the books!" And Nesshin gestures at the stall's offerings, protected in the main from the rain that is plain in its falling.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Lady Manami sama smiles... Then again we tend to be a very open temple." She nodded at the store where she looked at the books. "I am looking for a story of a minor clan hero."

[Shika Nesshin]

The vendor says "We have a collection of stories of Shika Zang, milady," and Nesshin nearly laughs, adding "Not that one; I promise they're not true." He grins, adding "They'll fail to capture Zang-sensei by half, at least!"

The vendor then says, "Well, we've also got stories about the First Mantis, and some about the early Fox who held the Kirin lands in times of old, as milady desires."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"The first Mantis... was that a story of Gusai...or Yoritomo?" She looked at the Shika because she wasn't very scholarly girl. "I really am bad at this," The young maiden admitted.

[Shika Nesshin]

"Kaimetsu-uo," Nesshin replies. "Son of a Thunder, forged his own way, achieved recognition that was not stripped from him. That kind of thing."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Huh... ah... right... son of Osano wo..." She was bad with memory. It was apparent from that first event on trying to remember one's ancestor. The girl gave a sheepish laugh. "I think that would be a good one for Seppun sama."

[Shika Nesshin]

"That, or perhaps the initial Kasuga," Nesshin suggests, and the vendor makes approving noises. As the latter rummages for a text, Nesshin adds to Oubaihime "We tend to lift up our fellow Younger Clanspeople."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Ah... Do you think that there might be something around about the Neko Clan?" She smiled. "I just want to help Seppun sama achieve his dream."

[Shika Nesshin]

The vendor says "I'll take a look, milady," and Nesshin nods.

"Which one?" he asks. "From what I can tell, he dreams of selling his life in defense of the Throne--a worthy goal, to be sure, but you'd have to attack it to enact that for him, and I cannot believe you'd do such a thing."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Lord Seppun Yuzu sama... anooo he asked this one about something about the minor clans...." The young priestess sighed. "I guess it is my nature to try to help."