Tales To Pass The Time Away (D11, LA. Open)

[Seppun Dawei]

His eyes flicked to Dawei to see if he was listening, but he did his best to cover the tell by glancing quickly around the fire.

The redness that springs out on Dawei's cheeks as he intently considers the chunk of wood he has grabbed up has to be from the fire, surely. And the smile on his lips, well, who knows what thoughts fill an artist's mind?

Someone who attends carefully as his knife begins to call the shape of a man out of the wood (Woodcaring 21) might have a guess.

[Togashi Saruko]

Saruko gave a seated bow to Kaze in appriciation of his wonderful poem. "I'll practice hard to become as skilled as you, Kaze-san."

As Miyako shared another story, she settled in with great delight to listen. At its conclusion, she gave a happy sigh, content with a fine story well-told. "Thank you, Miyako. You know how to tell a tale well."

[Doji Kaze]

Kaze returns the bow before he finds his seat for the story, which his wide smile suggests that he finds very enjoyable indeed.

[Togashi Saruko]

"Is Miyako planning to return home to sweeten the old years of her parents, like Kichirou did for his father?" Saruko asked warmly, as she was herself thinking of her own father-figure, and how she wanted him to live well and happily for many more years.

[Miyako]

She bowed her head with eyes closed at each of them in thanks once her story was finished, pleased that there was enjoyment over it. At Saruko's question, she thought for a moment before answering. "To do so for my Mother, at least. She is still a young and spry woman in her own right, however, and I suspect it will be many, many seasons before I might dare to suggest such a thing without immediately being shooed out of her hut in anger for thinking her an old woman like that. As strong and sharp a woman as one might find in my village, wise in knowing what she does not know: she accepts help and assistance when it is needed, but she also makes it very clear when such is neither requested nor required," she added with a nod.

[Togashi Saruko]

"Sounds like some people I know," she laughed warmly. Most elders she knew didn't like the idea of being treated as old. Except for when it benefited them somewhat, of course, like demanding the young'uns to pay respects.