Kyuden Shika

"The water rushes to the sea. Get in its way... that's your problem."

The half-smile became the real deal.

"So I simply get out of the way."

"Simply ge-"

It's clear he wasn't comprehend it.

"...Well, there is a reason the Phoenix and Dragon are the scholars if the Empire. I'll have to simply accept such ideas are beyond my understanding."

The Kitsu shrugged, his mood feeling lighter.

"It's a bit more metaphysical than what I just said, but I figure you get the broad strokes."

He paused.

"How did your hu8nt go this morning? Mine was quite a disappointment when I think of how many bandits I've tracked through the mountains."

The Kitsu shook his head.

"I was never one for nature - usually when I traveled, I was lucky enough to be hosted by the lord of the family. I managed to catch a snake, but that was about it."

He didn't mention any of the missing individuals he knew of from the event.

"Well. Then your snake is a more impressive effort than the mushroom I scrounged up."

He chuckled.

"Since I'm usually on the road somewhere."

"I must ask, though - how dark do the Deer expect Rokugan's future to be that we must show our hunting skills to decide compatability?"

"I dunno. None of the tests have really made a hell of a lot of sense to me. I mean... asking me to sing? Please..."

"Singing as part of a package made sense to me - one has to be able to properly protect their partner in the courts, either by proving their worth beyond question or outwitting them or outduelling them. I imagine the singing is part of the first."

"Any partner relying on my singing voice for protection is doomed."

"And yet,"

The Kitsu shrugged,

"How many successful artisans have loving wifes or husbands who are safe and sound within the confines of our empire?"