Heavenfall

A monosyllabic grunt of acknowledgement, as well as a knowing smile to Matsu. "You're right, girl." His large arm reached over, roughly mussing the girls hair. "Go. Practice your forms."

The smile was then focused on Ryoko, turning more fully to face her. "I suppose that is true. I've never been one for laying down my burdens. I've had to carry both mine, and her own so she doesn't suffer. Perhaps soon, though, I will have to rest."

"You should listen to her when she says that for you to carry it all alone makes her suffer."

Ryoko gazed thoughtfully at his face. "You should rest, setting down those burdens, so you can recover your strength and help her carry her burdens in the future. If she is to chart such an unknown path... don't ask her to do it alone."

Crossing her arms, hands hidden in the loose sleeves of her garb, she added, "As Ongaku, I can only offer counsel - but it is my duty to help my tribe pass their burdens on - to free them to look forward and not back. If I can help you do the same, Yamadono, I would be happy to do so."

The girl tsked at her father, before picking the weapon up again. Standing at the water's edge, she began to move with a tenacity of a dervish, wanting to push out the frustrations.

Yamadono bobbed his head as he agreed, watching the horned woman watch him. A thought passed through his mind, idly contemplating.

"That could very well be something I would ask of you. Who knows what we will encounter upon this journey."

"The consider the offer extended."

Ryoko smiled warmly.

"In return, I get to model the virtues of my tribe, so we both gain something, ne?"

"We do." His grin was warm, it could even be called gentle. The thought percolated in his mind, but he did not speak it. "It would do me well to learn more about the cultures that are joining this Empire. Especially if I am to live up to what Matsu needs and demands of me."

"And more chances to play music with accompaniments is always welcome."

"It's a deal then."

She nodded, and something in her tone implied a certain finality in that statement, and perhaps some expectation.

"My tribe may not join this empire, maybe it will - it depends if they intend to enslave us, to destroy our ways."