The Day of Thunder

[Otomo Akutou]

Akutou makes sure to step back.

No need to encourage people to hit him with heavy, pointy sticks.

[Kaijarisuigyo]

"Honestly? You might be right. I'm envisioning everything from the point of view of a dream warrior. In the dream, things have to be exceptional or to not be. In the mortal realm, a certain degree of good enough can indeed big good enough.

This place appears to play by both rules at once. Finding a middle path between flaunting with the impossible and doing the bare minimum might be the wisest solution there."

[Ryoshun Yukara]

Yukara chuckled. "I cannot let the perfect become the enemy of the good. A Ningen-do aphorism."

Settling back on the porch and setting her weapon the side, she added, "I appreciate your effort... and your insight. I simply have to make do - until the day I can do better."

[Kaijarisuigyo]

"The fact you are now set on the future rather than ending half your sentences with a reference to your ineluctable doom gives me the greatest confidence in your ability to succeed in your endeavors."

[Ryoshun Yukara]

"You have perhaps encouraged me to think positively."

Yukara chuckled, glancing at Akutou, "And those who have helped me have broadened my perspective."

[Otomo Akutou]

Akutou scratches the back of his head.

It's possible he blushes slightly.

[Kaijarisuigyo]

"If this is a romance thing, allow me to back out quietly from this conversation. That's one of the aspects of humanity whose study of I haven't planned to do before a few more years."

[Otomo Akutou]

"Miss?"

Now it is certain that Akutou blushes.

"I just ain't accustomed t'--don't matter none. Got work t' do here; much as I do love some comp'ny, an' much as it'd be good t' have somebody t' ride th' river with, ain't got th' luxury of th' distraction at th' moment."

[Ryoshun Yukara]

That drew a snort, and then a peal of laughter. Yukara winced at the motion, but could not help giggling, as she shook her head. "Ach, that makes three of us with no idea, then. Kai, Otomo-san, I do not wish to confuse either of you - I am not attempting to flirt at the moment."

Still chuckling, she added, "A thought which I have not even managed to consider, before coming here and meeting so many new and interesting people. In my earlier life, I assumed such matters were utterly distant from my own concerns."

Gazing out at the misty horizon, she added, more composed, "Perhaps when this is over, that is something I can learn more of."

[Otomo Akutou]

Akutou blows out a breath.

"That's a relief," he says. "I mean, I'd be open t' it in 'nother time an' place, t' be sure, but, like I said, now ain't th' time'r th' place."

As I said t' th' Princess afore I realized she's th' Princess, he reminds himself.

A grin touches his face. Wouldn't that just piss 'em all off?

[Kaijarisuigyo]

"One more reason to win and live then."