[D1 LE] A Late Dinner

[Miya Akari]

"Undoubtedly so," she agreed. "So you recently received more advanced training? Which of the Lion dojo do you study in?"

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"Honor's Sacrifice," comes the swift reply. "The Omoidasu and Tacticians train there, and there is always need for bushi to protect the one and implement the ideas of the other."

[Miya Akari]

"A well regarded and renowned school. I am sure that your sensei have prepared you for the task here quite capably," she says, taking a bite of the raw fish.

"So are you trained in Akodo's or Matsu's style then, if you are a bushi?"

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"Neither," Matisutou replies to the question. "Such excellence exceeds this one."

He takes more of his soup, sighing contentedly as the bowl empties.

"Although training in the Exquisite Art has been a benefit."

[Miya Akari]

She nods at that. "I see. Well, I look forward to working with you then. Perhaps we might find time to practice the art together."

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"It would be an honor, Miya-sama," Matisutou replies--and it's true; it would be. "The Seppun techniques are legend, and who could resist the chance to see a legend in life?"

[Miya Akari]

"A technique is only as effective as the one wielding it. I certainly appreciate your words, but do try to temper your expectations, as I am no master. But I will endeavor to honor my sensei's teachings during our practice."

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"Miya-sama's humility is an admirable example," the Ikoma replies. "More would do well to emulate it."

He flags a server for a drink. "How is the local spirit, if it may be asked?"

[Miya Akari]

"It is not ideal," she admits. "They need to make it stretch between deliveries so it gets a bit of water added, particularly when supply runs short. But it's not as though it tastes bad."

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"Better some than none," he replies, just as his is served.

"Would Miya-sama care for some?"

[Miya Akari]

"Ah, I shouldn't. I'll be sore and tired enough tomorrow morning as is. All my running around the island today," she says with a polite nod. "But don't let me keep you from it."

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"Ah."

Matisutou pours, drinks, blinks twice.

"The reports are accurate."

He drinks again.

"What have Miya-sama's investigations so far revealed? Any particular perils?"

[Miya Akari]

"I mean, my running around was more about delivering things from the mainland. But previously we've had issues with people getting lost in fog in the forest. It's a difficult island and forest to comprehend."

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"Hence the exploratory mission, then."

Matisutou nods in understanding. "How many have been lost?"

[Miya Akari]

"I don't have the precise accounting on me, but it's been more than expected," Akari replied. "So we need to be careful in the forest."

[Ikoma Matisutou]

Another nod from the Ikoma.

"Is it known which areas are most perilous?" he asks, then takes another pull from the weak drink.

In another life, he might be setting up a still soon. But that life is not this one.

[Miya Akari]

"If you can't see the ocean, you are in immediate danger of being lost due to the strange effects of the forest on this island. I believe that has been the consensus. Otherwise it's not so bad with the fog pulled back," she says with a shrug.

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"What about the fog?" Matisutou asks. "The briefing received was...thin."

[Miya Akari]

"Just talking about the fog that used to cloak the island. Stories about people getting lost were far more frequent then," she clarified.

[Ikoma Matisutou]

"And it has gone, this fog? It does not return?"