Hana couldn't help but playfully roll her eyes at Ragnhildr's comment. "Not all of us are used to bone-chilling cold, Ragnhildr. Probably will take us a far bit of time before we. Until then mayhaps you have come tips for us warmth-spoiled laymen?"
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Hana wakes up from her dreams feeling more tense than she's been for a while. Not wanting to think about it, or really let alone know about it quite yet, she quickly occupies her mind with work. More or unless content with the gear she's already brought way back in Sandpoint, Hana mostly contents herself by assisting the various laborers and wrights in the caravan. Throughout the day she thinks about employing her shinobi skills scout ahead of the caravan for a bit only but something at the back of her mind stops that train of thought every time. Instead, when she finally finishes helping where she can, she decides to cheer up a noticeably irritated looking Torra. "Hey, Torra!" She says cheerfully. "Has it going? You feeling alright?"
Hana was content to examine the small town they'd found themselves in, trying her best to recall if she ever heard about the place when that train of thought is broken when she hears Koya and Sandru speak of the fabled homeland of the Ulfen up north. "I always wanted to see the Lands of Linnorm Kings," she says half-seriously, making sure to give Sandru a playful look. "What's not to like? Strange dragons, hunky shieldmaidens, great ale. Could do without that much cold and snow but I suppose no place is prefect."
I'm doing OK GM. Been busy with work and its made it harder to post but other than that I'm good.
Ragnildr:
Hana gave the Ulfen a sympathetic look. "Ah. I understand. I'm a sucker for love songs but if you're ever in need of something more rousing Ragnhildr I know a couple Ulfen bawdry songs that might just do the trick," she offers with a kind smile.
The next day, when the caravan reaches Ravenmoor, Hana is quick to give Koya's friend a hearty "Hello there!" right as the two women start chatting. As they do, the kitsune wonders if the other woman is the Desnan Koya spoke of last night, knowing it would be quite a coincidence if she were.
With her ballad finished, Hana readily accepts Yuto compliments with an thankful smile despite her own mild doubts about her performance. She quickly turns her attention to Koya though when the old Desnan mentions something interesting. "The Shackles, eh? Wish I could have meet this person. Sea shanties and the like are kind of a blind spot for me and learning a few would be nice if they knew, though hopefully drinking copious amounts of rum wouldn't have been an learning requirement," she says breaking into a cheeky grin. The musician is on the verge of asking Koya a few more questions on her well-travelled friend when she finally notices a distracted looking Ragnhildr. "Got something on your mind, Ragnhildr? Hope my song didn't put you out of sorts."
Back on the move with the caravan, Hana takes some time to chat with a few of its members she hadn't already had a chance to speak at any real length yet. Seeing the small gathering of storytellers that Koya had mentioned to bring about, she opts to spin a few yarns herself, doing so through her music. "Ever heard of the Romance of the Sun and Moon?" she asks, already playing a few notes on her shamisen. "It's kind of a tragic tale too. About two godly lovers from the east who are torn apart by the envious and the cruel. It begins with the senseless death of the Moon but ends with their love reaffirmed everlasting even if it is changed forever." Without further preamble Hana plays the ballad to its entirety. It's not her finest performance, her shamisen still not quite properly tuned, but its stronger and more confident that her last one
Sad to see you go Seishin but I hope you feel better with time. It's been a pleasure.
Inn: With seemingly nothing of note going on in town, beyond some depressingly provincial attitudes on outsiders, Hana readily joins Yuto and Teruko in returning to the caravan. Right before she leaves though the kunoichi does give Arend some words of advice. "Be wary of those ninja, ya here. They're a sneaky bunch. Never know when you might one run into one."
"It's just like my friend here said. We're just coming through really," Hana answers causally, reflecting Arend's warily smile with a far more sociable one. "Rain got in the way of that but at least it gave us a chance to meet you fine people." Her smile deepened. [b]"Anyways, since we might be staying for a spell mind telling us what's the going-ons in town?"
"Hmm?" Hana asks, looking towards Ameiko and then Yuto as they ask their questions. ”I’m fine why do… Oh..” Looking at her shamisen, Hana spots a cord that’s far to high-strung. Wondering how in Shelyn’s name she could have missed the discord, let alone not hear it in her music, Hana quickly fixes it as she explains herself to her worried friends. "Sorry about that. Mind is a million miles away. Thought that some music would help… but I guess that wasn’t the case.” The kunoichi shrugs and puts the instrument away. Without much of an idea to do next, she opts to help around the caravan doing whatever she can. The next day, when they arrive at Wolf’s Ear, Hana listens to her friends’ arguments as they figure out whether they should stay in the town or keep going on ahead. Despite her crush’s desire to move out something compels Hana to agree with Yuto. "I know you what to reach Brindlewood as quickly as possible, Ames. But there's something... off about this place. I dunno, I think Yuto is right. Heading out in the mud seems like a bad idea and if these people are in some kind of bind I don't see why we can't at least ask what it is?"
Having returned from her scouting, Hana for a time listens in on Yuto's conversation with with his mother before eventually moving on. Regardless of her feelings on the matter, if the werewolves of Wolf's Ear were dangerous enough to attract the Erastilians than perhaps it was necessary to deal with them. Still wanting to clear her mind, the kitsune starts strumming her shamisen, playing a cheerful Varisian travel song.
Hana sighed, her eyes still upward. "I guess you’re right Teruko. I’m just… venting I guess. Seeing connections that aren't there. Forgive me.” Wanting to make sure that that Wolf's Ear was truly free of werewolves, and wanting to be alone for a while, Hana volunteers to scout ahead.
"People tend to rather paranoid around shapeshifters, and paranoia often leads to death," Hana answered idly, her eyes skyward as tries to suppress and ignore several bubbling emotions at once.
29th (Yuto and Ameiko)::
"I’ll be looking forward to," she happily tells Ameiko.
When Yuto comes around to give her a big hug, Hana happily accepts it and feels more like yourself than she has for awhile. The next day Hana’s mood takes a definite nosedrive when she hears of the fate of her former kinsmen. Though she tries to sound neutral on the matter its clear from her tone that the death has left her disquieted. "No. It isn't how I wanted things to go but..."[b] she sighed not knowing quite what to say. [b]"I figured this would happen one way or another." Suddenly wanting to be alone for a moment, Hana breaks away from the group and wanders aimlessly for a bit before finally remembering that she still some of the dead's ninjas tools to sell. She starts looking for a smith or weapon merchant to do just that.
Hana gives Yuto a warm smile that feels almost strange on her face after all the chaos, bloodshed and paranoia of the last few days. "Sure, Yuto. I can certainly tell you a samurai epic. I always did like them despite how repetitive they could get sometimes. Samurais, especially the noble ones, tend to be big on constantly having all their titles reiterated every couple of verses."
When the kunoichi finishes her epic song she feels as if a part of a great weight had left her shoulders and that a sense of normalcy was slowly but surely returning. So much so, that she forgets her awkwardness around Ameiko and gives the Kaijitsu a coy look. "You always did like Varisian songs more. Here I was thinking it was because most of the visitors at the Rusty Dragon preferred but now I know its because of your weak fingers," she says in jest while showing off her own fingers. "But seriously. Forte or no, if you ever wish to learn a few more I'm here, Ames."
"Minkai?" Hana asks, surprised by the question for a moment before realizing the mistake she made earlier. "I've never have actually been there, Yuto. My clan was exiled from Minaki over a century ago before we made it to Varisia. I've only heard about our homeland from stories told from by elders," she admits, strangely nostalgic about a simpler time for a moment before coming back to earth. "I could tell you a few of them if you want? Heck, I could even sing them."
Hana bobs her head Ameiko's way. "Yes. Some of my clan could fake sleep pretty well and even feign death but as far as I can tell he really is just sleeping." When caravan starts moving again Hana makes sure to be on the same cart with their prisoner, monitoring even him as he continues to sleep. When Teruko looks to her the kunoichi's answer is indecisive. "I don't know. I doubt my clan will give up the chase that they know I'm here. Having extra intel could be vital to stopping them next time. Plus, I want to at least..." Hana trailed off and shook her head. She couldn't let idle hopes get in the way of practicality. "Never mind. If everyone else wants to drop him at Galduria than that's fine by me. I don't want to bring more harm to the caravan than I already have."
"She's trying to wake him up," Hana answers, amused despite her nervous anticipation and the little sleep she got last night. "Perhaps we just need to wait a little longer for him to wake up. Or maybe..." The kunoichi's eye narrowed as careful watched the sleeping man. Faking one's sleep or even death was a rudimentary technique of her clan, one that their could prisoner could very well be using to give himself more time to escape.
At first Hana thought of denying Teruko's assistance only to think better of it. Going it alone could only get her so far. Moreover, she figured could very well need someone nearby in case things got... intense. "Yeah, a pretty face from someone he doesn't despise with a passion would be good," she says with a fragile smile. Afterwards, the kunoichi would take turns swapping watch shifts with Yuto, her eyes looking over her kinsmen unconscious body. She would get little sleep that night as she waited for him to finally awake.
"If pushes comes to shove and we can't make him see reason than I won't hesitant to do what I have to protect the caravan.", Hana tells the half-orc firmly with more self-assuredness than she really had. Not went willing to real dwell into that topic yet, Hana quickly turns her attention to answering Yuto's question as they head back to camp. "Sorry Yuuto. Some of my clan knew how to brew truth potions but that was a secret they never taught me."
“Thank you,” is all Hana can say after Teruko makes her remark. Hana’s own mother ironically enough used to say much the same whenever her self-loathing got severe, but hearing it another seems to make the sentiment more real to the ninja. It’s perhaps for that reason why Hana doesn’t take offense when Sandru’s asks whether she'd be willing to torture their prisoner. Instead, firmly shakes her head. “Torture does little more than provide cruel amusements for the debased. Even my clan knew that, sick and twisted as they were. No. I want to interrogate him another way. When it comes to my clan failure is not an option. Those who do, well… The kunoichi trailed a lone finger across her neck making it clear what she meant. "It’s possible that we may be able to win him over by providing him a way out by offering him protection. It will take a lot to break him out his programming and loyalty but I… I want to try at least. After all, if I could do so could he,” she argues, feeling strangely hopeful despite the odds.
Hana ignores Lone-Pillar's probing look as she returns back to her "normal" human form. Despite her kitsune shape effectively being her natural one, the kunoichi has spent some some time as a human that her false one feels more right, ironically enough. She does though accept Yuto's hug and thoughtful concerns even when decides to answer Teruko's questions. "No, no. I'll answer some of the questions now. Might as well after keeping them for so long," she says with a fragile smile on her face. "Some of us can turn into true foxes, Teruko. But its a rare talent. Most of us can only turn from human to kitsune. Still, it wouldn't surprise if a few have gained the talent since I've been gone so we should be on of the lookout for strangely inquiring foxes around." She turns to Ameiko and admits with some shame that, "The Nogistunes, my family, were an assassins and spy clan from Minkai who went about getting close to to their noble marks by infilrating their palaces and keeps as courtesans or bards. We fled Minkai after one of schemes went wrong and nearly got us all killed. That's how we ended up in Varisia.
Hana accepts Teruko's healing touch with a grateful smile. "Feeling much better. I think the poison got worked out of much system after you and Seishin went the extra step to save my life. Thanks my the way." Feeling almost entirely back to her full health, the kunoichi begins the going through the bodies of her kinsmen, picking them of anything useful. It's only when Ameiko and a few others arrive that she ends the grim task and focuses her attention back on the living. "Thanks to your sister and Seishin on back on feet, Ames. But it was a bit touch and go there for a moment," she admits, her voice turning quiet at the last bit. Knowing that she was perhaps closer to death than she ever had before triggers something in Hana as she realizes how none of her secrets did anything to help her or the rest of caravan. If anything all she did was delay the inevitable. The kitsune looked thoughtful in her crush's eyes and allowed a fear in her heart to finally die. It was time. "Ames... everyone. There's something else about my clan that you all need to know. I-I should have told you all the moment I saw my family again but... well I suppose it doesn't matter now. Only the truth does. And here's mine." Concentrating for a moment, she released the magical energies that maintained her human form. In flash, her "normal" features are replaced with a more vulpine aspect, with red-orange fur enveloping her skin, black claws extending from her fingers and a whole row of sharpened teeth materializing from her mouth. "My true name is Hana Nogistune. My mother and I are kitsune and so is the entirety of my clan."
With the battle's end, Hana finally takes a moment to steady her breathing and apply some much needed pressure to her neck. The efforts of Seishin though are what really brings her back from death's door. "Thanks, Seishin. I swear, one of these days I'm going to be durable enough that you won't have to worry about patching me up every five seconds," she says half-jokingly. The kunoichi grows much more serious when when her eyes flick towards their newest prisoner. "Unless someone at camp knows how to read minds one of us is going to have to interrogate him. Consider this me offering to be that person," she says firmly despite her lingering cuts and bruises.
Just the +4 (along with her default +2), and I really hope she doesn't bleed out 'cause of this. Same!
Are the Heal bonuses to Hana's Fort save cumulative? Should she be rolling a +4 or a +8?
Hana grunts weakly as her last remaining potion does little to quell the raging poison in her veins. Even still, the kunoichi refuses to sit idle as others fight for her sake. Using what energy she does have, she forces herself to move toward one of her former kinsmen. When she arrives at her target she slashes with her wakizashi, putting all her power behind the strike.
"Th-Thank you, Ter," is all Hana can manage to gasp out as the Kaijitsu tries to save her life. With her aid and Seishin's healing, Hana tries to stand tall and return to the fight but the poison coursing through her veins keeps her legs wobby and her vision blurry. Not knowing if she'd be able to reach the mysterious stranger and her former family members let alone survive more than a second fighting in that mess, she opts to drink her last remaining potion and hope its effects it enough to stave off the poison in her system.
Even with the mending power of Teruko's healing, Hana struggles to stand as her neck still bleeds. With shaking, weak fingers she goes through her belt pouch and retrieves a potion that she quickly pour down her throat. The potion does little beyond provide a minor rush of energy, but its just enough to allow the kunoichi to weakly speak even with her slashed neck. "I-I think... I think their trying to flee... Back to their caster.
Hana gripes her wakizashi tightly as she realizes her fears had finally come into reality right before her eyes. Steeling herself, she barks out a oath in her native tongue as prepares for what must be done. Minkaian:
"I will never return to the clan! Alive or dead, you will not have me!" Despite her defiance, one of the ninjas does manage to catch her unawares and slash at her throat. With her neck bleeding profusely, it takes all of her self-control not to immediately use her hands to stem the flow of blood. Instead, she focuses her ki the best that she is able and hastily performs a series of hand signs. When she's done Hana's form seems to double and then triple as three identical versions of her self appear on the battlefield. All three shakily back up from their attacker, trying to create some much need space between them.
Hana's face lights up with relief as she sees Seishin return to the camp. It quickly returns to a look of concern when he mentions that Asperia ran off. "I can," she says firmly. "She couldn't have gotten far and once we find her Teruko can use her magic to see if she's actual who says she is. Yuto? Torra? You ready?"
Hana sighs and turns away as she fails to spot anything in the caravan that seems off. Despite her frustration, the kunoichi can't help but think that she was having her hopes up. After so many years away from her clan it would have been miracle if they hadn't changed their tactics. She promptly turns to where Ameiko and a couple of thee have gathered. "I think Ameiko's right. Pointing fingers isn't going to help us now. Besides, beyond maybe Asperia, I'm not sure if any more of them have tried to infiltrate the camp. I looked all over to see if anyone or anything reminded me of their tactics and found nothing," she admits, feeling utterly worthless as she does. "I think the best thing we do is find Asperia and Seishin and try to... Wait," the kunoichi looks around the camp for any sign of the two finding nothing. "Where did they go?!"
Hana's heart seems to do a flip as she hears her crush rebuff Romia's bait suggestion. Her mind knew that Ameiko would say the same thing for just about anyone in the caravan but her heart couldn't help but be relieved that she still cared despite all the lies. Of course, when Yuto asks her more about her clan her rosy cheeks dissipate in a flash. "Some of them do," she admits coolly, her face stoic. "Many in my clan are masters of disguise and would their talents to infiltrate a group to get intel before an attack. It's possible they could have done so while our two groups were intermingling."
Sense Motive DC 20:
It's obvious that Hana's hiding something about her clan's abilities but as to what you cannot tell. Whatever it is, she seems ashamed of it. With that in mind, and wanting to avoid answering anymore questions about the nature of her clan's abilities, Hana explores the camp for any tell-tale signs of kitsune infiltration.
Torra and Shalelu:
"We have sharp eyes, Torra," she admits anxiously, almost ashamed. "Not as a good as dwarf's but better than most humans." Hana leaves at that. Admitting her clan's evil was one thing but she still wasn't quite ready to completely reveal herself. Not yet anyway. "Regardless, Shalelu's right. I know they operate even if my eyes aren't as good as yours. Nine out of ten. They'll attack at night when they think were at our weakest."
Later, when the Nogitsunes finally leave, and the feeling of eyes on her back dissipates, Hana comes out of the shadows and finds some of the others. Her eyes look for Ameiko first but when she hears Yuto suggestion she immediately focuses on that. "No," she says bluntly, perhaps harshly than she intended. "They've seen me and know I'm here. We'd have to be an army before they even considered letting me, a runaway and traitor, go. Never mind that they've likely already marked the caravan as a target. Having them close by will only make it easier from them to stab our backs."
Amaya:
Hana squeezes her wakizashi with an newfound intensity as Amaya's words seem to pierce her delusions of things ending so easily. "You're right," she admits frustrated, shaking her head. "You're right," The whole attempt was a farce and she was being a coward. And for what? One of them had already seen her and soon her aunt would know of it if she didn't already. A confrontation was destined to happen. "Even I can't warn Sandru and the others now but I can at least tell Shalelu and the other guards to get ready when things go south." With that said, she gave Amaya a confident nod and slipped into any shadows she could find.
Moving stealthily around the camp to avoid the eyes of her former family, Hana quickly finds Shalelu and Torra and quietly gets their attention from behind of the main wagons. "I know the people in that caravan. They used to be my family," she admits in a quick, hushed whisper. Before either can ask a fellow up question from that revelation , the kunoichi continues ahead with her warning. "They're dangerous and are likely preparing to attack and rob us when our guard is down. We and the guards need to get ready when that happens."
Thanks for letting us know about the third game, Aganhei. Been distracted by Father Day's and other IRL stuff but I have to agree with Yuto that the caravan stuff has kind of made it difficult what to write without an obvious immediate mission or goal in mind. I am super appreciative of the incorporation of Hana's backstory though and it has gotten me really jazzed.
Hana's face looks pained with concern as she absorbs what Amaya had to say. It was entirely possible that her former clan would fellow them, especially if they thought the caravan had something worth taking beyond just gold and weapons, but the kunoichi still wanted to at least try and avoid the confrontation if possible. "We could try to intimidate them away with our numbers or strength to make it not worth the effort, yes, but that's such a gamble and I... I don't know how far my clan would go if they were determined."
For a split second, Hana thinks about drawing her weapon right then and there when she realizes that one of the younger Nogitsunes has spotted. Ironically, its suddenly Amaya's hearing voice that brings her out of it. "I am," she says in a hushed whisper. "These people aren't who they say they are. Their con artists, thieves, and worse. I would know... they're my family. Former family that is." Hana looks away for a second. Her face ridden with a buried shame that she hoped she'd would come to light again. It's only made worse by how much Amaya looks her sister. The very thought of having to explain this Ameiko makes Hana's churn but she powers through it and focuses on the present. "We can't allow them near the campsite or know where it is, Amaya. It's one of our, their, oldest tricks. Pretend to be travelers and get another caravan to take us in so we can rob and cut their throats them while they sleep." Her eyes turn to Sandru, Ameiko, and the others while talking to their possible would-be killers. "I think of them has spotted me. If I try to warn the others now we might just end up in a fight. I think the best we can do is now quietly signal them and make an excuse to part ways with the other caravan." She looks at Amaya intently. "Think you can do that?"
For a second, Hana thinks her heart has stopped altogether as she recognizes the face of her grand-aunt in the crowd of visitors. She wants to scream. Wants to run. Wants to fight. But she doesn’t. Ironically, her training from the very clan who tried to turn her into a heartless tool comes to the forefront of her mind. It calms her and forces her to think things through. Sandru is far to close to the visitors to be warned without causing a scene or for Hana to be recognized herself. Instead, the kunoichi quietly backs away without say so much as word to anyone. As she does, her eyes try to find Ameiko or Amaya or anyone who isn’t already chatting with her former family.
Hana responds to Sandru with a weary eyes and a still cautious tone. "I'm not sure. They seem like a normal Varisian caravan. Just a bunch of normal families. But..." The kunoichi's voice goes down to a whisper, "It's like I said. My family was dangerous precisely because they were good at appearing defenseless and benign. I say we stay on alert but avoid coming across as overly hostile."
Hana’s blood seems to turn cold as Sandru mentions the other caravan. "I-I…" She shallows and tries to take in a calming breath. It doesn’t fix her nerves or the thumping in her chest but its enough to get her talking properly again. "My family travelled on the road a lot, yes, but if that’s them…” One of her hands suddenly went to her wakazuki on instinct and her voice grew more confident if not entirely free of fear. "Then we need to be on guard, Sandru. The clan that me and my mother fled from is dangerous and will resort to any low to get want they want.” Her paranoia now well and truly ignited, Hana moves away from a likely bewildered Sandru and draws her weapon fully and prepares for whatever may come. Her eyes her stare intently on the road where the other caravan should be coming from, searching for any tell-tale signs of the Nogitsune's clan presence.
Hana's would be Ameiko (shocking, I know), Amaya, and Sandru.
With the fog having finally cleared up in the sun’s rise, Hana leaves her shamisen behind and looks for someone to talk with. When she fails to spot Ameiko, or her mysterious sister Amaya for that matter, the kitsune tries her hand at chatting with Sandru and his family at their cart. She gives Koya, Yuto and Cyrus each a hello but makes sure to give Sandru her thanks. "Hey Sandru. Turns out you were right about… you know. I had nothing to worry about. Probably. Hopefully.”
For better or for ill Hana has little luck in finding insidious bandits laying in wait in the fog. As such, when her vigil comes to an end, she returns to the main campfire and decides to cheer up her fellow travelers by playing a few songs from her homeland of Minkai.
Ameiko:
Hana might not have noticed Ameiko’s mumbling but she did see that her crush was confident in Aesial’s trustworthiness and that was enough for her. "Well, if you really think its fine then I suppose we got nothing to worry about," she says cheerful though there’s still some lingering doubt hidden in her voice. That doubt quickly turns to guilt when the sear hypocrisy of her words bubbles up to the forefront of her mind. ”I’m sorry for being worried about this, Ames, especially since…” For a moment the truth is on the tip of her tongue but in the end the kunoichi falters to get it out. "Especially since I should trust that you know what your doing. Your are more of an expert at this whole adventuring thing after all." When the next morning arrives Hana takes in the foggy welcome in stride. Knowing that her sharp kitsune eyes will make her better able to see any possible bandits, she volunteers to help watch the perimeter with some of the caravan guards.
Hana only half listens to Lone-Pillars advice about their current course and Sandru’s concerns about heightened possibility of them encountering Szcarni bandits. Her mind was far to busy still figuring out how best to talk to Ameiko about the Aesial situation. Eventually she decided to go fully with Sandru’s advice and just be straightforward about it. “Hey, Ames. Do you have a minute?” She asks quietly, her tone far less energetic than usual. "I want to talk about Aesial if that’s ok. I-I think there’s something you should know about him if you don’t already.” The kunoichi took in a steadying breath for she continued on. "This might sound crazy, but Amaya told a couple of us last night that Aesial might be hiding his true form. Do you know anything about that? Does it even make sense to you?"
Sandru: Hana sighs as Sandru pours some cold water on her concerns. "Maybe you're right Sandru. If Amaya is able to see through whatever Aesial has going on than Ameiko probably can too. Ames is way to smart to be fooled. Plus, she's keen-eyed. And strong-willed. And beaut-" Hana's cheeks turn to a shade of red as she realizes that she probably said a bit to much. "Uh, well, it's like you said. I should probably should just talk to her about it. So I'm going to go do that. Bye!" The kunoichi promptly fled the caravan runner before he had the chance to ask about her slip of the tongue.
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