Kichiro gets off his brother's contraption and jogs forward, slowing down once he's several paces ahead of it. It seems to him like it will be better to have a human face come first before the... thing.
He walks just slightly faster than the vehicle until he gets in comfortable not-quite-shouting distance of the wagon. "Hello, ahead on the road!" he calls out.
Satoshi keeps his contraption's pace behind Kichiro, not wanting to catch up too quickly in case it was too scary... or something happened. And besides, he wasn't the best at this 'talking' part anyway.
Kichiro was right to approach cautiously, as the individual that looked out from the covered cart— heavy crossbow first– looked suspicious. Just behind that heavy crossbow was a male Halfling, whose appearance was quite unattractive. Features that were a touch off, misshapen without a truly disadvantageous impediment, they still seemed to have no difficulty managing the crossbow. "Hello to you, traveler!" Their attention is partially on Kichiro after they determined that they were not approaching too fast. There was wary scrutiny on Satoshi and his contraption, looking uncertain about what it was or how to react. It did help that Satoshi was currently riding it, though.
The horse that had been pulling the wagon, was tied off to the side, older, but still able for tasks like this, had looked up at the sound of their approach, but resumed eating from a bag of feed.
The small wagon itself was enough for perhaps three trunks to fit in it, though the canvas that covered it was laid across bamboo, making a sheltered place to rest when needed.
"The road can be a dangerous place, youngster", a second look was given to Satoshi. "An interesting one, as well. Tell you what— if you mean no harm, and you gather the ingredients, I'll cook. Three's better than one when you're out here."
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Kichiro perks up, ignoring the urging of his Hunger to eat the halfling. "I could see about hunting something? Though there's not a lot of time... so our preserved food would probably be better. Or there are some edible plants around... umm... what would you like for your cooking?"
Satoshi brought his machine to a stop, before deactivating the engine with a sputtering puff of colored steam.
"I... could maybe help some? I'm not the best at cooking, but I do know how to keep a steady temperature on a flame. And we do have some rations..."
He was somewhat nervous around the stranger, but resolved himself to not be too paranoid. Though he probably would sniff the food for poison first just in case... actually, would that be too paranoid?
A smile grows on the face of the Halfling, cautiously lowering the crossbow and coming out of the wagon. "That's how I started, and there's no shame in that! Everything and everyone begins somewhere!"Standing, they were a little over three feet tall, with their clothing decent for the season, with some evidence of patches that manage to not detract from the overall look of competence that they present. His brown hair is mussed, and though the smile it lopsided, it is at least genuine.
"Eddie Wiseacre, peddler of some repute, infamous in others", a wink followed,"however, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal in these parts, depending on what you're seeking."
To Kichiro, he looked thoughtful, gauging the question."That depends on how good a hunter you are. Game is a bit scarce yet, but I can also work wonders with rations and a little flavoring. You share, I'll cook—" an eyebrow was raised to Satoshi.
"–and if you're attentive, I'll give you a few lessons on the way."
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Kichiro hesitates a moment. "Probably better to just use what we have on-hand," he states. "Let's see... we have a lot of preserved meats, some dried rice..."
He walks over and starts rummaging through their supplies for food to offer up. "Hmmm... these dumplings are getting old... we have a few vegetables that keep well for traveling..."
Satoshi, still a bit cautious and nervous, cautiously unpacked a few pieces of his alchemy kit and considered if they would help with cooking. The burner might, but most of his things were too small or delicate for anything more than maybe a single person batch of soup. "...Not sure my equipment would be much help here..."
Packing things back up, he instead turned to be attentive after extracting some dried provisions. "But I'm always willing to learn and be attentive."
The Halfling turns his head at the listing of items, and seems to chew on that for a moment, the change of expression proving that there is no 'good' angle for him. "That can work. I've got a few rations— differently spiced– and between the three of us, we are likely to rival almost any restaurant!" A clap of his hands startled the horse, who looked up briefly before returning to their chewing.
Wiseacre hopped out of the wagon, unloading the crossbow and releasing the tension with an effort and a grunt. "I can start a fire, and I've got the tools." Thoughtful, he turned to Kichiro. "If you would be so kind as to pound a handful of your dried meat? I think a stew would be best for the season."
And then with practiced motions, he starts to set about preparations, giving an explanation to Satoshi about cooking.
Kichiro obediently does as he's told, trying to focus on his work instead of the scent of the halfling's liver.
Satoshi paid close attention, noting the difference between alchemy and cooking. There were some similarities, but definitely some differences too. Though stew wasn't very complicated. Maybe he could try working some potions into food?
With Satoshi serving as an extra hand and watching what got put into the food between chopping vegetables and herbs, and Kichiro softening a bit of the dried meat that he had, the food in the pot is simmering quicker than it would normally take with one pair of hands. It smelled pretty good, too. All it took was a few herbs, half of a trial ration and some dried meat. The stew was cooking away, and would probably be done soon.
"Even the most basic of trail rations could be used in combination with things to get a greater result", Eddie explained. "A little know-how, and you'd be surprised at what you manage. Which way are you headed?"
There was no small amount of curiosity at Satoshi's creation, though he seemed to have some respect for the creation and its creator, so he refrained from asking.
"We... haven't traveled much before," Kichiro admits, "So having to think about cooking on the move is new to us. We're kind of taking our time and exploring for now, but we eventually want to get to Sakakabe."
Their destination garnered a thoughtful look from Eddie. "I hear it's a large, beautiful place. Lots of things to be bought and sold there, and the streets near the palace are lined in gold... Not sure how much truth there is to that last one, but its what they say, at least." The pot caught his attention for a moment, and he gestured to Satoshi, who he had tasked to simply observe it as it simmered.
"There, you can see how thick it has gotten by the bubbles. It's about done if you two want to get your bowls." The stew is spooned out, and its enough to eat now and some in the morning, if seconds is not something that is had. The stew tastes as good as it smells, and your bowl is empty before you know it.
Eddie eats easily, savoring the taste of a job well done, but is efficient, clearing his wooden bowl and wiping it with a crust of bread from the unused portion of the rations.
"I think the gold part is probably exaggerating," Kichiro agrees with a grin.
He's pleased with the stew, firmly quashing the part of him that wishes the meat was more... fresh. "Thank you very much!" he says after finishing a bowl. He eyes what's left but doesn't ask for seconds.
"So you've traveled a lot? Anywhere you call home?" he asks Eddie after a moment of silence.
Satoshi was oddly comfortable simply watching a pot until it boiled. Alchemy involved a lot of observation to get the timing precise, after all.
Satoshi eats meticulously, but not greedily. He is intrigued that the simple stew is actually quite good. Skill clearly matters here. "Yes, thank you. I'm... not sure I've had trail stew this nice before... I'll have to see if I can manage something like it..."
He is, however, slightly uncomfortable and uncertain in the realm of talking with a stranger. About something other than tinkering, that is, he'd been just fine talking to that gnome. Or rambling, anyway....
Wiseacre seems to have traveled a lot, though at the question Kichiro asked, he gave a casual shrug that seemed more forced than actually casual to Satoshi. "Trade Routes, really. That's about the only home I want. It is a lot of surprises, and some really nice places, but the more one is on the road, the better it becomes." A gesture at his face was accompanied by a misshapen grin. "My looks will not open places for me, but my mind can."
He gestured to the two of you. "For instance, being on this road at this time, it would probably do you well to visit the Shuryo Onsen, most famed place in the town it was named for." Indeed, his expression was one of nostalgia and anticipation. The stew had been moved from over the fire and sat just off of it, enough to let it cool, but it should be warmed easy in the morning.
Kichiro nods appreciatively. "It's... different, traveling like this. I can understand the appeal, I think. Certainly it's a lot more exciting than seeing the same few people every day."
The young kitsune gazes off into the distance for a moment, just barely catching himself when he realizes he's starting to think of home.
"So... how far is it to Shuryo Onsen?" He asks, trying to change his course of thought.
There is a moment where a fond smile drifted across the face of the gnome at the mention of the onsen. Shaking his head he looked thoughtfully at the two of you, and at the creation that you approached in. "No more than a week and a half, by my estimates. Though, if what you arrived with is as amazing as it seems, and you are half as capable as it suggests", his relaxed expression turned thoughtful for a second or two. "Somewhere around a week, with no issues, probably. Desperate bandits, or wandering animals might slow you down, but I would be cautious about bothering anyone that had something like your cart— learning what else you had created the hard way does not seem wise."
The wind was light, and the weather was cooperating for now. The chill in the air was still present and the night would warrant a blanket or three. even now, near the fire as you are, there is a chill on your back and your breath is visible. It was not going to be the most comfortable night, but it could be managed.
"What does seem wise is offering to buy any insights you might have, or make a deal with you for what you might be looking to sell." A note of interest was in his voice, curious but respectful. "Would you have any items like that?"
Kichiro looks to his brother. "Satoshi is the clever one when it comes to making stuff," he states. "I'm not sure we have much to spare...?"
Satoshi started slightly, unused to being directly addressed.
"Well... I'm still learning, but I have some skill in alchemy and tinkering. Devices like this prototype self-propelled vehicle are too much work to keep running for other people to use, probably, and my more potent formulae only keep for a day or so before they go inert, but I can brew up some interesting alchemical goods. Though I'm still working on expanding my recipe book. Right now it'd probably be mostly simpler stuff..."
"For selling... probably mostly grease, acid, and other easy stuff. Some herbs if I can find them. I can do fire too, but I'm still working on getting good enough that there's no risk of it cooking off early..."
Satoshi wavered a bit between confident when talking about his work, and nervous about the idea of actually attempting to *sell* any of it. The flasks and vials in pouches along his belt clinked slightly as he shifted.
The casual ease that Satoshi listed a few things that could be produced for sale brought a wide-eyed look to the gnome's face. "That's still quite a skill to have... I'll happily purchase some acid, if you have any to spare. Traveling out here, you have to take what opportunities present themselves. That is a handy skill."
For Kichiro, that marked a duration of listening to negotiations while looking out at their surroundings, trying to ignore the ever-present Hunger.
Not too long, it was time to get some rest, and to see what tomorrow would bring.
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Kichiro is glad enough to leave Satoshi to it. He volunteers to take a watch, and gets some space between himself and the two. He'd see about wearing himself out enough sleep came easily that night.
Satoshi was actually pleased to manage to do some business this easily. It usually took a lot more social awkwardness, assuming he managed it at all.
The night passes and everyone gets enough rest in the presence of their odd company, and the stew is warmed that morning, making just enough to feed everyone one more time. The weather is turning warmer still, that while the cold of the morning is still there, it is likely that in a couple of weeks, frost will be a memory.
Eddie is is a positive mood after your transaction the night before, and does express quite the interest at the morning routine that Satoshi has. Even interest is shown at the minor care that gets given to your conveyance, asking questions whose answers he cannot quite follow when Satoshi tries to explain.
The two of you part ways, as your conveyance is able to traverse areas that his cart cannot, and your destination is the Onsen.
The next several days are uneventful, with the weather warming little by little, as the height of the hills start to decline the further away you go from the mountains. Kichiro is the first to catch the scent while navigating, as faint as it is: moisture. Not just that, but a peculiar sort of moisture that carried with it the scent of rock, and the greenery that lived around it.
The Onsen had to be a little more than a day or so away, and the closer you came, the stronger the scent to where Satoshi could notice it also.
Kichiro hides his relief when they split off from Eddie. The Hunger is... far too eager to have another target nearby. He does his best to focus it on hunting over the next days of travel, but he knows it is not satisfied by animal prey.
So he notes the scent in the air with a certain level of trepidation. Still... he'd managed the last town well enough. He'd be fine with this one, too.
"Anything we want to restock on while we're in town here?" the young kitsune asks his brother. "Stuff for your experiments? Umm... anything for what you make for me?"
Satoshi thought for a time.
"...Well, I can always restock, try a few new ingredients. Those ones from the last town seemed effective... though at the same time it might become increasingly difficult to have every ingredient I've found to work on hand... Anyway, I can always restock ingredients, maybe we can think if there's anything else we need? Or maybe look for some work to keep us busy? The really nice stuff is probably still out of reach until we... get a more reliable source of income."
For Satoshi and Kichiro both, the slight change in region is offering a lot of new things for use and consumption. The faint heat and moisture in the air is allowing a richness of diversity in the plants that had not been seen in their previous stops. Kichiro is seeing creatures that he had known existed but had not seen before, while Satoshi is discovering all sorts of uses for the herbs that his brother finds. Meanwhile some of the properties of the materials are curious enough that they just may be worth trying a few creations using them. This is a place that could certainly do for a couple of days or more, if needed.
Amidst the humidity, and the smell of mosses, Kichiro's Hunger is quick to detect the smell of clean, wet flesh, and the draw is almost intoxicating. It promised quite the selection.
All the while, the invention continued onwards without tiring, Satoshi's design proving its worth as this is much further than you could have gone by horse or on foot in the same amount of time. In fact, it is the ability of the invention that allows the two of you to encounter what appears to be the torii of a shrine, though disused in this season.
Kichiro almost pushes the Hunger away without thought before realizing that maybe, just maybe, he should pay attention to the fact that something is close enough for him to smell. He keeps a wary eye out in case that something is also a predator.
"Wait, let's stop here for a bit," he says to his brother when they reach the disused shrine. He hops off the contraption and starts walking towards the torii.
The standing gate does not seem to be in disrepair as Kichiro approaches, the wood aged but not cracked, the prayer ropes around it intact, not too old. The path up to it is distinct, untouched for some months, at the least. Through the gate lies a shrine, the area around it seemingly maintained, though not recently.
Kichiro stops at the gate, looking around cautiously. "...Do you think it's okay to go in?" he asks his brother, staring at the gate.
"I mean, it's not that we have to go in, just... you know. I feel like we need all the help we can get, so stopping to ask for a bit just... well, it can't hurt, right?"
Satoshi eyed the toril.
"Well... there might well be something dangerous inside, but this also might be an opportunity, yes. The materials from that last shrine were pretty good... maybe blessed stuff works better? We could see if there's anything of use left inside... though I'd also be cautious and polite, just in case something still lives here."
Kichiro shakes his head. "Let's not take anything. Even if it was completely abandoned it still seems like it'd be wrong to take something from it."
He starts moving forward into the shrine area and looking around.
Satoshi nods.
"...Probably right there. Better to leave things alone if we can... But this is still a bit unusual..."
He follows Kichiro into the shrine, also cautious.
The two of you looking around can discern no inhabitants, though the smell that Kichiro gets is distant, from the direction of the town— probably the inhabitants and that spring, no doubt.
The immediate area is untended, probably for a season or so if a guess had to be made. The plant life here is growing on a path that would normally be maintained, some of the pebble designs obscured under sprouting vegetation and grass. The low shrine is little more than the equivalent of a room, an altar in the back bearing the remains of offerings, polished stones, empty gourd bottles of liquid offering, around a depiction of a jovial form wreathed in— or made of– steam. The image seems to be carved from a large rock that was set in the shrine.
There seem to be no recent scents.
Kichiro stares at the image. "Any idea who this is?" he asks his brother.
"...Probably a local Kami of some sort? Let me think a moment..."
It takes Satoshi a moment to sort through the the individual deities that he has heard of, but after eliminating the ones that did not fit, one that did was Qi Zhong. The form could certainly be a reflection of one of his aspects, along with the proximity to the town and its main draw. Though if that is the case, this smaller shrine might serve another purpose, assuming that there is a larger following in the town. That is about as much as the two of you can gather right now, short of seeing the town.
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Once Satoshi explains what he remembers, Kichiro looks back to the shrine again. "Well... healing is definitely... kind-of what I need. A prayer couldn't hurt, right?"
Unless Satoshi suggests otherwise, Kichiro kneels before the altar and tries to put some words together for a prayer. "Umm... oh great Qi Zhong, uh... please help me... get rid of this evil thing inside me."
One second turns into five, then ten, then a minute...
There is no response that Kichiro can discern. Maybe there was something missing? Maybe the shrine was only active at certain times? There are a lot of possibilities. Still, the shrine is not abandoned, so there is that... Perhaps it takes something else to garner a response?
In all honestly, Kichiro hadn't been expecting any kind of response, so he almost just stands up and leaves. Then he remembers something.
"Oh, we should probably leave some kind of offering. Ummm... Satoshi, do you have any kind of... healing herbs or something? Would that be appropriate to offer?"
Satoshi shifted nervously.
"I'm not really a religious expert? Maybe we should find a miko? But at least it can't hurt... I do have some slave herbs at least. Couldn't hurt to try."
Satoshi rummaged briefly before pulling out a small jar of the local herbs he'd collected along the way. Nothing particularly fancy, but he did at least know the usual ones for healing.
Kichiro nods. "That... seems like a good thing to try?"
A few leaves of herbs placed on the altar with an offered prayer does seem a bit more appropriate, but there still appears to be no response. The smells are still the same of this small shrine weathering the season, the cold wind and the distant scent of the water of the onsen. Of course, there are all those tales of petitioners getting a response from deities in times of distress, or after significant labors in their favor, but those tales have always been around.
To critical eyes of Satoshi and the nose of Kichiro, this place has been unattended for a while. There usually are caretakers for places like this— even for a place this small– even if it is one person, but things can and do vary depending on the belief.
Kichiro waits a moment, then sighs. "Well, I guess I wasn't really expecting an obvious response. Still... I wonder why no one's been taking care of this place?"
The kitsune (in human form) frowns to himself. "Maybe... we should look around. Maybe something happened, and the usual caretaker is in trouble? I didn't smell... er, see anything when we looked around before, but maybe we should be looking for tracks..."
He goes outside and does exactly that.
Satoshi wring his hands slightly, wondering.
"We could also ask in the town maybe? This shrine might just have been forgotten... Which would be kind of sad, really..."
Searching around for tracks, Kichiro only finds theirs as the most recent. The state of the ground indicates that while people have come this way, it has been a month or more since they had come. The snows that come do not allow for easy travel, and you are only a few weeks out of the season. If it were not for precautions that Kichiro knew from training, it would be a much harder time of travel for the two of you, as winter nights can be very unforgiving.
Not finding anything Kichiro shrugs. "Well, I guess we just go, then. Asking around in town is probably the best idea anyway."
He leads the way back to the road.
The trip to Shuryo is quickly completed, covering the distance of what may take half a day for someone on foot in much less time. As you approach, each of you can make out looks to be quite the successful location. A guarded wall encircles the main area of the city that appears to have been founded on the edge of the forest, with smaller buildings sprawled out around, but close enough to the wall like they were huddling around for safety. Currently the two of you are starting to reach the outermost buildings, farms with area for crops and livestock, sheltered in their outbuildings against the cold.
While few people are outside, there are a few that can see the curious approach of the conveyance and watch it pass, having never seen a creation like that. There are clusters of buildings that may include an inn, but there is also the option of approaching the gate, as the city has undoubtedly at least one or two places of quality, if not a couple more.
Standing apart from the lower buildings, there is a building of at least two or three stories, which could be the residence of the local headman or even daimyo, though if there was one here, it was possible that it may be a temporary residence.
Kichiro looks around. "Well... are we going to ask around here? Maybe stop at one of the inns? I don't know where else we'd talk. Should we go further into town for an inn?"