Phoenix Clan Libraries

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi shakes her head but does not further argue against the Phoenix champion. She didn't believe she was strong, she was stubborn and foolish in some aspects, but not strong.

"A great many new spells. I was looking at Air magic, as the Kitsune libraries that I grew up with are sadly gaunt when it comes to the magic of illusions. Amusing enough since the forest spirits are known for illusions and trickery."

She smiles as she points in the direction of the Phoenix Library's books on foreign lands.

"I learned that the Libraries here do not already have in the information in the book made to match the box I presented your gift in. I learned that my courtier is not subtle enough to find his way into the libraries without revealing what he is."

Her smile morphs into a grin as she looks up at Kazuma, "Knowledge is rather subjective. I have learned a great many things here, but not all of them from books."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma smiles.

You are welcome to have a look around and I thank you again for the gift. I will make sure the information it contains is added to the library.

Kazuma then looks a little puzzled.

You said that your courtier could not enter without revealing what he is. What is he?

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi chuckles below her breath, thinking of the great annoyance Jinu would have if she revealed him.

"My courtier is a Kitsune Fox spirit. He's been pretending to be mortal, he's found that being a courtier comes with limitations. One of them being that they will not allow him access to the library without sufficient cause to. He can sneak most everywhere else in Kyuden Isawa. But the library he cannot."

She had an idea of where she would find him when she left, despite the lateness of the hour. The forest spirit was remarkable predictable.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nodded his head. His smile seemed to briefly leave his face as he looked deep in thought and then it inched itself back onto his face as he started to speak a few seconds later.

You keep such interesting company. If I may inquire, why is he your courtier?

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi frowns, thinking for a moment.
"Honestly? I have no idea. When I was asked to leave my home to come to Kyuden Gotei, Jinu told me he was assigned as my courtier. But now that I am actually thinking about it, he is a forest spirit and cannot be commanded."

She sighs, "There is no telling why he's still my courtier. He's been with me since I left home."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nods.

That is very interesting. Perhaps he has a very good reason to remain your courtier.

Kazuma gave out a small laugh.

Since he is a forest spirit perhaps he knows something that we mortals could not possibly hope to understand.

[Kitsune Keshi]

"He might. He might also do it because it amuses him. There really is no telling. And asking him would probably yield more questions that answers." Keshi shrugs, looking up at Kazuma.

"This is a question of curiosity, what was it like to grow up with access to all of this?" Keshi gestures expansively to the library. So much knowledge of magic held in one location. And while some of it was blocked off to those who were only merely curious, it was still a staggering amount of knowledge.

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma looked around at the library.

I never got the proper chance to explore these libraries when I was growing up. After my gempukku I served in the Phoenix home guard. In the short time that I was in the guard I was never stationed at any city for very long. At least not long enough for me to have free time to roam around the library. The studying that I did do was sadly not in this library. Though it was during my time here that I decided to become a Shiba Yojimbo. Soon after becoming a Yojimbo I was assigned to Tadaka. That was just about twenty years ago.

Kazuma suddenly realized that he had rambled on without really answering Keshi's question.

I am sorry, I did not mean to give you my entire history like that. To better answer your question, I did not truly understand the importance of this library and the knowledge that it held until I became Tadaka's Yojimbo. It was his thirst for knowledge that drove my own and I often found myself in this library trying to research just how I could assist Tadaka and become a better Yojimbo and in the process a better Phoenix.

Kazuma let out a small laugh.

I am sorry I never realized until now just how much Tadaka had an influence on me.

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi smiles, laughing below her breath.
"He has that effect on people. I think, if I had not met him at Kyuden Gotei, I would still be there. Wasting time. I would not have been bold enough to volunteer to come here."

Keshi closes her eyes as she thinks back on her meeting on the docks with the Ishiken. Tadaka had inspired her to branch out, to speak her mind in how her talents were being wasted and just plain escape the monotony that had been her role there.

She would still be a shy flower in the isles if not for that meeting.
"Tadaka leaves his marks on people's lives whether he knows it or not."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma nodded.

I think he does realize that. It may be the reasons behind the actions that he has decided to take. He seems to want to distance himself from the people that he could cause the most harm to.

Kazuma looked into Keshi's eyes.

I believe it is my turn to ask a question. If you were given the opportunity, how much of this library would you like to explore?

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi seems startled by the question, answering before she even took the time to think about it.
"All of it."

She colors as she realizes this is a naive answer, "I... I want to know more magic of course. But I also want to know about many other things. The world is bigger than a single person can traverse in one lifetime, but I want to know as much as I can about everything before it is my time to rest."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma motions towards the main part of the library.

Where would you like to start? I am never one to turn down someone who wants to learn more and with me accompanying you no one will try and stop you. There are also many parts of this library that I have not explored and I think that now would be as good of time as any.

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi smiles, "That is an offer more generous than you could know. To be able to traverse the greatest magical library in the Rokugan."

She seems at a loss as for where to start, looking about for a moment. She laughs softly at her own enthusiasm. "I'm not sure where to start now. Not only that but I would feel terribly rude to just break down and begin studying with you as my escort."

[Shiba Kazuma]

Kazuma chuckled.

If it makes you feel uncomfortable then you do not have to.

Kazuma suddenly realized how dry his mouth was feeling. He did not realize how long he had been talking.

I am sorry. It seems that my mouth is starting to get parched. Would you care to join me for some tea?

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi looks up at the Phoenix Champion with a smile, "I would be honored to join you."

She looks about the library, "I can always visit this place again before I have to head back home. Having tea with the Phoenix champion is not something I'm likely to have a chance to do often. If ever again after I go home."