Heavenfall

"The one I spoke with was very small. Perhaps up to here." Chisei held his hand up to his chest, perhaps just about level with his shoulders."

"So what did he say?" Chisei asked. "What did you talk about with him?"

"I'm pretty sure we threatened each other. Hard to tell, though. Like you said, language issues.

"But the slavery thing stood out most."

He pauses.

"There was some confusion, though, on the other's part, about recovering Fu Leng. He didn't seem to understand why we'd do such a thing."

"Hmmm." Chisei said. "What did he suggest instead?" His frown deepened. "And why is he on this expedition, then?"

He gave a half-apologetic smile. "I hope I don't ask too many questions. It is encouraged in the Isawa. I am still learning the Seppun ways, as you know."

The expression is lost in the darkness. But Dawei's reply is even.

"Questions are fine, though maybe fewer next time you go hunting.

"To answer, though, it wasn't a suggestion, really. Just confusion that we would rescue someone not a child at peril to ourselves. I gather the Nezumi wouldn't normally do such a thing. But perhaps that explains their circumstances."

"But then why are they coming along?" Chisei repeated, still frowning. "We're going to rescue a god. If they don't understand that, why would they be going to rescue one of our gods?"

Chisei grimaced. "It may be beyond what we can speculate. As you said, some things can only be learned by experience."

Dawei nods to that.

"Not sure they realize all of it, either."

"Oh?" Chisei looked at Dawei. "What do you mean?"

"Ah... of course." Chisei nodded slowly.

"In truth, that is not so surprising. Many humans do not. There are whole tribes that do not. There are many in the Isawa who doubt their divinity." Chisei gave Dawei a sidelong glance.

"Fearsome?" Chisei's eyebrows went up. "Why do you say fearsome?"

Chisei's expression quickly turned sober. "Yes. Of course. In the healer's tent. A man got an infection... I was there at the end." Chisei shook his head, waving a hand. "Go on."

"Have you been the one to deal death?"

His expression is lost in the shadows of the night soon to end.

Chisei frowned deeply. "To a person, you mean? No, I haven't."

Shifting, he rearranged the scroll-case at his hip.

Dawei's nod might come through in the night.

"Ask me again when you have."

A pause amid dead silence.

"I hope, sincerely, that you will never have the occasion."

"I don't expect to." Chisei said, frowing. "Although if I have to, I can defend myself. Or those I care about."

Carefully, he cleaned his hands. "But I still don't understand what killing a person has to do with the divinity of the Kami." He tilted his head. "Except that each has affected you."

"That's part of it. That the change happens matters. And the changes aren't dissimilar. Not like some others."

He sighs, audibly.

"It was more with the Kami, though. Bigger, fuller. Like the difference between a mumble and a shout, somehow."

The shaking head might be visible.

"Explanations only go so far."

"Hmmm." Chisei considered this for a while. "Much of our conversation has been about how things are learned, hasn't it?"

Straightening, he secured his scroll case once more. "Shall we continue?" He said, smiling.

Dawei nods.

The game begins to move more as the day moves towards its dawn...

/fade to hunt, and thank you!