"I trust you know your business better than I do, Crab-san. Anything in particular that you recommend to help one stay centered?"
"I trust you know your business better than I do, Crab-san. Anything in particular that you recommend to help one stay centered?"
"Staying centered is what you should ask of Shinsei."
"A fellow Crab! What do you have here Yasuki-san?" Tetsumaru asks as he walks up to the merchant. At the sight of the good luck charms an intense look appears on the Crab samurai's face as he appears to consider which one to pick.
Matsu Niko angered at being ignored says, "Crab-san, I asked you a question and you neglected to answer me. I do not take well to such insults and being ignored."
Kiyoko glances at Niko, then looks to see if the Crab was carrying a daisho, or at least a wakizashi--something to indicate he was of the samurai caste as well. "'Little Phoenix'? Such familiarity is unseemly, merchant."
"Hai. But I have seen many who use a tool to help themselves remember where their center is."
Bayushi stopped and watched carefully, a smirk hidden under his face. It seemed that the merchant had ruffled feathers and fur. As for himself, he idly looked over the charms that were there and the pricing for such. Could never do without some extra bit of luck.
"Yes, to me you are children," says the merchant. "How about a good luck charm for the tournament?"
Anyone who wishes to trade with the Yasuki have to make an honor roll at TN 30.
"Your reminder of Shinsei is timely, Crab-san. I must turn to practice, devotion, and discipline and not toys. I thank you for the wisdom and guidance I obviously needed."
Asao bows to the trader before he moves to continue the journey.
Kiyoko gives the Yasuki merchant a hard stare for several seconds. "...Mmn." With that utterance, she gives the man a curt bow and walks away, following after Asao. I need no 'luck.' I will win by my own merit.
"Ah, I am Hida Tetsumaru." Tetsumaru says with a bow to the merchant. [b]"You have some really beautiful charms Yasuki-san. Unfortunately I think I am not worthy enough to own one of these. I must decline." Tetsumaru says as he moves back with a bow to excuse himself.
Matsu Niko looks the man up and down one more time and says, "I have no need for your wares."
She turns from the salesman before she gets angrier. She puts the man's face to memory in case she runs into him again. She then wraps her arms around her No-dachi and waits for her companions to finish buying this superstitious foolishness.
Bayushi Yoshi offers a nod of respect towards the Crab samurai and moves to follow after his peers. He adjust the covered blade under his arm carefully, keeping in step with the others.
You enter the small village of Tsuma. Just inside the village's fire ditch is a welcome sight, a temple dedicated to the seven fortunes. The temple itself is a large, square, white marble building with slightly angled walls that tower fifty feet into the air. Atop these walls are towers of a small pagoda, and round circular rooftops that are painted a brilliant blue. Each is flanged eight times. Atop the structure is a brilliant mirrored ball representing Amaterasu, the sun goddess. A long flight of white marble steps arched by seven Torii, leads to the mammoth iron doors of the temple, each over thirty feet high. Beneath each of the torii are offerings to the gods.
Tetsumaru cocks his head as he takes in the sight of the temple. Though he has seen more impressive sights in Crab lands he had to admit the temple looked pretty good.
"As tempting as it is to stop at the temple, now that we are in the village we should first introduce ourselves to the Samurai hosting the tournament." He bows apologetically in the direction of the temple, whispering a prayer of patience, before going to continue moving, looking for where they should report.
Kiyoko nods silently in agreement with Asao. She apes his bow, more to avoid any kami's wrath who happened to be paying attention at the moment than any real sense of reverence, and continues on past the temple. I am sure we will be back soon enough.
Matsu Niko bows appropriately to all of the gods of the pantheon so as to not offend any of them.
Afterwards she says, "First we should check in with organizers of the tournament and then we must check ourselves in at our lodging."
Yoshi gives a polite bow to the temple but nothing extravagent before nodding in agreement with Matsu Niko. The organizers and their respective clanmates were of the first priority. Everything else could come afterwards.
Yeah, I thought there might be a good avatar that would work.
Continuing on:
You easily find the home of the pleasant old man, Megumi. It's a pleasing home with a fenced garden. In the midst of the garden is a pond where a blue necked crane appears to be fishing. The house only has four rooms: two for sleeping, one for meal preparation and feasting, and the final room that has a sunken floor for resting. There are two paintings in that room. Both show heroic figures and their deeds.
I'll need a bard skill test at TN7 if you wish to identify the heroes.
He invited you to stay at his house, or he would have.
Yeah. You can stay at the tea house (Scorpion Holding). Kiyoko can stay at the Kakita Bushi school (Crane holding). Or you can stay at Megumi's house.
The Sake tea house is a simple one story building that sells sake, sochu, beer, brandy, or mead. Geisha serve the drinks. You can get a room here with a geisha for 1 bushel of rice, or 1/2 koku. Extra services cost extra. When you arrive, Hida Fujizaka invite you in.
Also, at the tea house, are some of your family. Asao's oldest cousin, Ren, is here to greet the Shugenja. Sugai, Bayushi Yogai's cousin, can be found here.
Also at the Tea House is Kakita Toshimoko, the organizer of the Championship. Finally a cousin of Matsu Niko, is drinking shochu. Hida Fujizaka appears to be Tetsumaru's uncle.
Toshimoko sees you enter, and says, "Hi, welcome to the Topaz Championship."
Upon Hida Tetsumaru's entrance he immediately sees a familiar face by the door. "Uncle!" The Crab samurai says in surprise. He had not expected to see his uncle here. "What brings you here?"
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Tetsumaru turns around at the welcome to see someone who looks highly ranked greeting his companion. Standing at attention he introduces himself with a bow.
"My lord! Hida Tetsumaru of the Crab clan!"
Matsu Niko walks over to the organizer of the competition, bows and says, "Most honorable organizer of the Topaz tournament, my name is Matsu Niko of the Lion clan, I am glad to make your acquaintance, my Lord. I am my family's participant this year."
------------------------------
After the formalities, Niko seeks out her cousin and says, "Cousin, it is a delight to see a familier face, is the shochu made from rice or sweet potatoes in this prefecture?"
Spotting her kinsman Toshimoko, Kiyoko approaches him and bows. "Your welcome is kind, Toshimoko-san," she says. "You are the host this year? Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Are there forms to fill out?"
The Kakita swordswoman looks to any paperwork near Toshimoko--or if there is none, she simply looks around the room in search of it--and continues, "I will be staying at the Kakita Bushi dojo here. Does the Championship begin tomorrow?"
Upon Hida Tetsumaru's entrance he immediately sees a familiar face by the door. "Uncle!" The Crab samurai says in surprise. He had not expected to see his uncle here. "What brings you here?"
"The drink, Tetsumaru-san. It's all good," says Fujizaka.
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Tetsumaru turns around at the welcome to see someone who looks highly ranked greeting his companion. Standing at attention he introduces himself with a bow.
"My lord! Hida Tetsumaru of the Crab clan!"
"Welcome Tetsumaru," says Toshimoko.
Matsu Niko walks over to the organizer of the competition, bows and says, "Most honorable organizer of the Topaz tournament, my name is Matsu Niko of the Lion clan, I am glad to make your acquaintance, my Lord. I am my family's participant this year."
"Nice to meet you, Niko-san," says Toshimoko, and he returns the bow.
------------------------------
After the formalities, Niko seeks out her cousin and says, "Cousin, it is a delight to see a familier face, is the shochu made from rice or sweet potatoes in this prefecture?"
"It's made from rice," she answers. "It's Suzuki." she says to your companions.
Spotting her kinsman Toshimoko, Kiyoko approaches him and bows. "Your welcome is kind, Toshimoko-san," she says. "You are the host this year? Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Are there forms to fill out?"
The Kakita swordswoman looks to any paperwork near Toshimoko--or if there is none, she simply looks around the room in search of it--and continues, "I will be staying at the Kakita Bushi dojo here. Does the Championship begin tomorrow?"
"There are some forms to fill out, Kiyoko-san," says Toshimoko. "But the contest doesn't officially begin until the arrival of the Emperor and other dignitaries."
Kiyoko nods. "I see. When will they arrive? And do you have the forms with you?"
Sugai-san." Yoshi says with a smile upon his face, excited to see his cousin waiting for him. Introductions were cut short though as the Crane spoke up, welcoming them all to the Topaz Championship. Bowing his head in greeting, he would clear his throat and speak up. "It is an honor, Kakita-sama. I am Bayushi Yoshi." He then falls quiet and listens to the others beside his cousin, his smile small upon his face.
Matsu Niko first puts parchment to paper and fills out the forms required by the tournament committee and signs them with a flourish. "I hope to avail myself well during the tournaments Toshimoko-san." and once finish she moves to her cousin.
---------------
She then introduces her cousin to her companions and then says, "Cousin, how was your journey? I hope it was pleasant. Ours was pleasantly uneventful."
Sugai-san." Yoshi says with a smile upon his face, excited to see his cousin waiting for him. Introductions were cut short though as the Crane spoke up, welcoming them all to the Topaz Championship. Bowing his head in greeting, he would clear his throat and speak up. "It is an honor, Kakita-sama. I am Bayushi Yoshi." He then falls quiet and listens to the others beside his cousin, his smile small upon his face.
"Likewise, Yoshi-san," said Sugai.
Matsu Niko first puts parchment to paper and fills out the forms required by the tournament committee and signs them with a flourish. "I hope to avail myself well during the tournaments Toshimoko-san." and once finish she moves to her cousin.
---------------
She then introduces her cousin to her companions and then says, "Cousin, how was your journey? I hope it was pleasant. Ours was pleasantly uneventful."
"Yes, it was uneventful," said Suzuki.
Watching and listening to the others, Asao works his way to Kakita Toshimoko and bows respectfully. "I thank you for the opportunity you are providing us. The legends of those who have competed here before us should be more than enough to keep us all humble."
---
After the pleasantries are exchanged, Asao will move to Isawa Ren. "I trust you have had your rice today, cousin? Do we know when the Light of the Heavens will choose to open the competition?"
"It was lovely rice," Ren said. "Filled my belly. The competition will open when the royal barge comes to Tsuma. Have some sake, to fill your parched pallet."
Bayushi Yoshi eats and drinks readily after seeing someone else partake first, the original lessons instilled in him running true. He leans over to his cousin, whispering softly into his ear.
"We did have...an encounter on the road. I wish to speak of it with you in private, later." He says to Sugai, turning his eyes to his fellow competitors. Tomorrow, they would strike to see who was worthy of becoming the Topaz Champion.
"Hai. But only the one. The kami don't appreciate slurred speech, after all!"
Kiyoko awaits an answer from Toshimoko about when the dignitaries are expected to arrive, and wonders where the forms are that she needs to fill out. I wonder if they serve umeshu here, or simply sake. She had a strong preference for the former over the latter.
I did not know that, but then I may have forgotten.
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The forms were produced by Toshimoko. Only a few things to fill out and sign.
Niko fills out her forms and continues with the banter with her cousin.
"Suzuki-san, how is the marriage contract coming along?"
Kiyoko fills out the required forms, still wondering when the dignitaries are expected to arrive.
Niko fills out her forms and continues with the banter with her cousin.
"Suzuki-san, how is the marriage contract coming along?"
"It's coming well, I'm going to marry an Akodo."
Tetsumaru takes the accepts the registration form with both hands and a bow before returning to his uncle.
"So uncle, did anyone else from the family accompany you?" he asks as he start preparing to fill out the form.
"No, not really," he says. "Try the sochu, you might like it."
Niko says, "An interesting match, was it yours or Grandmother's choice?"
Niko says, "An interesting match, was it yours or Grandmother's choice?"
"It was Grandmother's choice."
Niko scratches her chin and says, "Considering the traditional emnity between ours and theirs it is a mite odd. Hopefully, he will wear the Matsu name with honor. Hopefully, it won't be unseemly for me to share some shochu with you cousin."