Refreshments (D9, EM, Open)

[Togashi Saruko]

She nodded, though she hoped that everyone found a place in the new world and could be part of something greater. Something better. A new and better future for the generations to come.

"Maybe so. I hope all of our children will be much more fearless of a changing world as they grow up. Living in fear of change is no way to live life."

[Nanzi]

"So we teach them, Nanzi already plans to have one of his children raised with kin and they with him..." he said thoughtfully.

[Togashi Saruko]

"Oh? You don't plan to raise the one yourself?" she cocked her head to the side, curious.

[Nanzi]

"Oh? You don't plan to raise the one yourself?" she cocked her head to the side, curious.

"It was unclear before Nanzi left but Doji may have another in her belly... Nanzi is a busy man at work and in the bedroom," he joked.

"If it is so, then they will be raised with Hantei after a few years."

[Togashi Saruko]

"My, you certainly have been busy," she remarked, eyebrows raised. Not as busy as Jiyo, but from all the news of Imperial children, it seemed the noble woman had lived in a constant state of pregnancy the past years.

As long as it made them all happy, she was glad for them all though. And she was certain that all these little god-children would be as loved as her own were.

"Then I can understand very well why Doji isn't here. This is isn't a trip for a pregnant woman to join, considering where we're headed. But why do you wish for them to be raised by Hantei? Not that I don't think he and his wife would be loving and doting on the child, but..." she gasped. "... Is Kinsen unable to carry another?"

Was that why Kinsen had been so insistent with Hantei?! Oh... she felt like a fool now trying to reprimand Kinsen and Hantei both if it was a case that Kinsen had... oh, it was tragic.

And a terrible misunderstanding, but Saruko didn't know that.

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi thinks Hantei plans to have more children with Kinsen, no Nanzi wishes for his children to know the ways of their fellow clans to better understand," he said with confusion.

[Togashi Saruko]

"Oooh..." it seemed the monkey understood now, and realised she had let her imagination run away with her. "Well... uh... that's great? But that could be done other ways too, no, instead of letting them raise your child?"

[Nanzi]

"Perhaps," Nanzi said quietly.

[Togashi Saruko]

"Well, I'm certain the child will be happy and well-cared for, no matter where they are." She couldn't imagine any of the Kami being cruel to their nieces and nephews. "I look forward to hearing the good news when we've returned home."

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi is sure too but it has benefits of them knowing another way of being samurai and builds close bonds. We shall see in time if it is so."

He laughed and said, "Just returning whole and successful will be good news!"

[Togashi Saruko]

"Yes..." she said thoughtfully, a small smile on her lips. "... I just hope as many as possible return. Hopefully everyone." But she felt certain that it wouldn't be like that.

[Nanzi]

“Nanzi will be surprised if everyone returns whole and hale, Nanzi has seen many conflicts and fighting and it does not take much for a person to fall. If we take anything away from the tale of Sharp Knife Gondo, it is that we all exist a hands length away from death,” he said confidently.

[Togashi Saruko]

"So it seems..."

She sighed. "Do you feel ready to battle hell itself, brother Nanzi?"

[Nanzi]

“Brother Nanzi would say to the warriors and those that have come that Nanzi is ready to dive into hell itself and face any, and all trials and it would be true. But Father Nanzi has children, he has responsibilities to his people, he has a spouse he cares for more than fish need water. When he was young he did not care about such things as tomorrow or survival only the adventure and the thrill,” he said thoughtfully.

“Now he is nearly thirty summers, maybe thirty-one who knows such things? Nanzi will battle hell as it is his Duty and he would never ask another to do what he could not… yet he does not crave it. Ready, perhaps, but more so as it is what must be done for the protection of what we hold dear and because he swore to his friends and family he would do so.”

“Nanzi is not sure if that is an answer, perhaps he lost way in rambling. You are not warrior, but you are here all the same, do you feel ready?”

He chuckled and said, “One day Nanzi will be too old for such nonsense, a fat gray haired but handsome man spoiling grandchildren and leaving such heroics to those who crave it.”

[Togashi Saruko]

"Oh, don't worry. I'm quite used to rambling myself," she waved it off with a good-natured smile.

As he turned the question back to her, Saruko was thoughtul. "I don't know... I felt ready earlier. Even in the swamp, I felt ready. But maybe just because I seemed readier than others, at least in my eyes." Sighing, she looked at their surroundings. "I think this is the last place of beauty we'll see on this trip now - and having served my purpose helping with the Nezumi negotiations, I don't feel quite so ready anymore."

[Nanzi]

"Your purpose is larger than what you have already done, honored sister," he said to her with a nod.

[Togashi Saruko]

"We'll see. There is much yet uncertain about our futures, especially in regards to this journey. But I think we need to be prepared for a great cost to succeed." She seemed very thoughtful as she spoke.

"Let's hope that that cost isn't too great."

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi is samurai, he is prepared," he said with a nod.

[Togashi Saruko]

She chuckled, dispeling her worries for now. "If only we all had your certainity, Nanzi. It would be quite the fearless expedition then!"

[Nanzi]

"Not all can be Nanzi, hopefully these good spirits will continue. Did Nanzi tell you... some nights ago many of us were drawn to voices in the swamp... this evil is cunning and is using many tricks to ensnare us," he said scratching at his beard.