Proper Forms of Address
- "Mei and Yukemori are not here," Winski said, looking accusingly at Sarevok.
- "If you must know, father," Sarevok said through gritted teeth, "I apologized to her - and more."
- "More?" Peri was grinning broadly.
- "Take your mind out of the gutter for a moment if you will!" Sarevok snapped. "I would not... for gods' sake, I am on my way to bury my true love! But I told her... about my past. She deserves to know."
Peri looked amused, saying nothing.
- "Yes, she does," Jelena agreed. "I have a feeling that there is nothing dramatic about their absence, in the light of the events. They just want to share the story and wonder about us. They have an air of intimate friendship between them."
- "Intimate friendship?" Sarevok asked sharply.
- "Yes. The kind that contains a high level of trust and implicit understanding, even love. Not unlike what you share with Peri," Jelena said.
She, too, looked somewhat amused, which irritated Sarevok.
- "But then, the level of their... intimacy is of no concern to you, is it? After all, love is not for you, and you will always just pine for the memory of your lost love," Winski said, his eyes unblinking, the mirth just barely discernible under the level, neutral voice.
Sarevok's eyes flashed.
- "Winski, don't be mean!" Imoen said. "Poor big bro is a very confused puppy at the moment."
- "Thank you. I think," Sarevok said. Cespenar flapped on his shoulder and patted the bald head. "Just hold your peace once they come back. I wouldn't mind holding to the shreds of my dignity."
The family finished their meal in irritable silence, and after a while the large-eyed Yukemori and much relieved Mei entered the public room of the ryokan.
- "Konnichi wa," Winski greeted them. Sarevok frowned, mouthing the phrase after him.
- "Konnichi wa, Winski-sama," Yukemori smiled. "It speaks well of your abilities that you already speak our tongue."
- "Truth to be told, Yukemori-sama, I have studied it well in advance," Winski said, but he did look pleased.
- "All the same, Winski-sama, it speaks well of you," Mei smiled. "However... I apologize for bringing up a minor thing, but you should not call Yuki Yukemori-sama."
- "No?" Winski frowned. "You both call me 'sama'."
- "Ah, but Yukemori is a younger man. 'Sama' is like 'san' when it comes to aichaku.. emotion, but it is a form of great respect, only appropriate to be used of an older person or someone in a higher position. If you call Yuki that, it sounds like you are mocking him," Mei explained.
- "Oh," Winski was nonplussed. "Yukemori, you should have said something!"
- "I am in awe enough of a gaijin speaking Kozakuran - it would have been disrespectful of me to draw attention to a mistake," Yukemori answered, and Mei blushed.
- "Please, I want to learn the language and the proper forms of address. I find this country, its customs, culture and philosophy most fascinating," Winski objected.
- "Very well, we will do so in future, then," the young man promised.
- "Me, I find the proper customs rather confusing and aggravating even in West Faerun... and I only realized yesterday that Yuki was not joking when he told me that Kozakurans have more than thirty words for 'eating impolitely with your chopsticks'!" Peri sighed.
- "People realize that you are gaijin," Yukemori said. "They will not expect you to know all the customs and follow them."
- "Yeah, they will just think that I am a thick-head hippopotamus barbarian," Peri smirked.
- "Well..." Mei said. "Some of them may. But not all. You already have two friends and the Emperor's gratitude. As well as the friendship of the oyabun of Dojyu's biggest yakuza gang. And you are the ones who slew Kusatte Iru. No-one will ever forget that."
- "Enough of this," Sarevok said abruptly and stood up. "Let us leave now, I can not wait longer. I may be the hero of Kozakurans, but I will just as soon be their foe, if anyone tries to prevent me from paying Tamoko my last respects."
- "Sarevok, I suggest you would try to behave when we reach her family, which, incidentally, happens today," Winski said in a very serious tone.
- "Winski-sama is very right," Mei said. "The Daidoji are proud warriors and they fear nothing. If you try to frighten or coerce them, there will be bloodshed. I don't believe that is the way you want to honor Tamoko."
- "She still cared for her clan and her family, even after the grievous wrong they did to her. I never understood that, but it makes it no less true," Sarevok grudgingly admitted. "Very well, Mei, I shall try to live by your wisdom."
Serious and forlorn now they made their way to the carriage. The weather was humid and hot and the sun hid behind dark clouds. It would start raining any moment.
