Splendor in the Grass (Closed | Noir Rabbit and Kouzai)

Hideyoro sat beneath the boughs of an ancient peach tree.  He sat playing his reed flute, his staff draped across his lap.  As he played, beasts and birds flitted past him, or approached him, nibbling some of the food he left out on purpose.  A few birds perched on his shoulder as he sat motionless, playing his whirling melodies.

Hideyoro always enjoyed Hanasaki Valley.  As Regent Lord of Nippon, Hideyoro's ability to come and go as he pleased within his own borders was oddly restricted, due to the weight of his work.  When he got a few moments though, he would open a Spirit Portal from his palace in Seiankyo to Hanasaki Valley, directly beneath his favourite tree, and Hideyoro would spend hours hiding from his advisors and politicians, playing his reed flute.

Hideyoro's favourite part of the valley was all the life and light.  As a Spirit Bender who saw only through the use of his Spirit Bending, seeing using Spiritual Energy and Chi, Hideyoro circumnavigated his blindness.  Every being that lived, from the smallest bugs, to the birds in the trees, the beasts in the ground, and even the trees and plants and flowers.

Hanansaki Valley bloomed with this life everywhere, and to Hideyoro it was a beautiful.  A magnificent show of dancing lights interacting with one another in one giant harmonious song of life. The air was fresh, the land was alive, and the music he played calmed him.  It was a well needed break.  Besides, few ever came to Hanasaki Valley in the early spring before all the trees and flowers started blooming.  Hideyoro wished it would've been mid-summer, but alas, he could not change the time.

The whirling reed music reached its climax, and it was not much longer until Hideyoro finished, ending on a single high note that was long and drawn out.  Hideyoro gave a satisfactory smile, as he lay back in the grass.  Leaning his staff against the tree and staring up blindly to the sky.

The sky was a big black blot for Hideyoro, but he could feel the breeze on his skin and how it tousled his hair.  He could feel the warmth of the sun beating on his skin, warming him and all other beings in its reach.  It was a good day; and even if Hideyoro couldn't see it, he could still "see" it.  He could see the wildlife and plant-life frolicking in the good weather, and as before, he could still feel the signs.

This was the life Hideyoro enjoyed most.  It was quite, and secluded, and away from his troubles and politics of the capital.  Hideyoro fell in love with Nippon as a boy, and when he came of age he requested a transfer to Nippon to become its Regent Lord.  Hideyoro was not usually the sly, tricky one; but this time he had got his victory.  He had won his prize.  These small moments of peace made life bearable for Hideyoro; as the life of a politician was not always easy or enjoyable.