“My friends,” he said to you, “I am to leave Tsuma and begin a progress around the Lion provinces when the tournament is finished. I understand that you are all expected in Dragon’s Guard City in a month’s time, as part of the retinue of your daimyo at the trade negotiations that will occur there; in the interval, however, I was hoping you might join me on my travels, as my guests, in honor of the experience we shared here, and the memory of… what was lost.”
An invitation from a Clan Champion not being something that one denies, you went. You visited the lands of the Matsu first, near the Crane border, and saw the vat, seemingly endless plains of rice the Lion use to feed their massive armies. Next you traveled to the provinces of the Akodo, near the ruins of Otosan Uchi, and saw the renowned fortress of Shiro Akodo, with some of the finest fortifications outside the Khol and Kaiu Walls. Finally, you turned northeast, across the lands of the Ikoma, ending your journey in Mura Sano Eiyu ni Suru, the Village of the Reinstated Hero.
The village is renowned in song and story as the place where a disgraced ronin, after years of searching, fought and slew his dead lord’s murderer, only to die of the assassin’s poison as well. In honor of the ronin’s tale, the Lion have constructed the Shrine to Duty, honoring the virtue of bushido that perhaps most defines a samurai’s life. It is one of the holiest places in Lion lands, and pilgrims from across the Empire travel to it to pay their respects. Nimoro, carrying what may be one of the heaviest duties that a samurai can know, is eager to pay his respects.
[spoiler]It has been more than a year since the Topaz Championship, and the cherry blossoms are once again dropping from the trees as spring returns to the lands of the Emerald Empire. Two weeks ago, you met again in Tsuma to watch this year’s contestants compete in the championship, and Megumi was on hand to stand by Doji Sarutomo’s side as he awarded the Armor of the Topaz Champion to a new recipient, a young Mantis archer. There, you once again encountered Matsu Nimoro, a year older and already showing the strain of the burden he now carries.
Watching the tourney brought back many memories and Nagatsuna found himself constantly checking to see whether a certain face was among the throng with a knot of emotions that defied his ability to control them.
“My friends,” he said to you, “I am to leave Tsuma and begin a progress around the Lion provinces when the tournament is finished. I understand that you are all expected in Dragon’s Guard City in a month’s time, as part of the retinue of your daimyo at the trade negotiations that will occur there; in the interval, however, I was hoping you might join me on my travels, as my guests, in honor of the experience we shared here, and the memory of… what was lost.”
Nimoro had gained Nagatsuna's respect a year ago and he accepted without question the invitation to travel the Lion lands with him. The Crab already could see how much only a year had aged the young champion. Looking at the others, How much only a year has changed us all...
An invitation from a Clan Champion not being something that one denies, you went. You visited the lands of the Matsu first, near the Crane border, and saw the vat, seemingly endless plains of rice the Lion use to feed their massive armies. Next you traveled to the provinces of the Akodo, near the ruins of Otosan Uchi, and saw the renowned fortress of Shiro Akodo, with some of the finest fortifications outside the Khol and Kaiu Walls. Finally, you turned northeast, across the lands of the Ikoma, ending your journey in Mura Sano Eiyu ni Suru, the Village of the Reinstated Hero.
The village is renowned in song and story as the place where a disgraced ronin, after years of searching, fought and slew his dead lord’s murderer, only to die of the assassin’s poison as well. In honor of the ronin’s tale, the Lion have constructed the Shrine to Duty, honoring the virtue of bushido that perhaps most defines a samurai’s life. It is one of the holiest places in Lion lands, and...
The sights of the Lion lands were impressive but upon reaching the fortress of Shiro Akodo Nagatsuna couldn't help but feel a little self indulgent while his clansmen guarded and fought to protect the empire on the walls much like the ones before him. Reaching the Shrine to Duty reinforced this feeling, I must return soon. Hearing the history of the shrine dug up those memories of a situation much the opposite of the one told here, where a ronin poisoned and murdered a champion. How fragile all this is. Nagatsuna sits and meditates at the shrine thinking on duty and what it means to himself, his clan, and the empire......
Ume had come to the tournament much as she left it - maybe even a bit more driven than before, if that was possible. She was not hostile, not looking for any fight. But seeing a Mantis take the championship over the Crane actually send her to cheer.
Her behavior towards her champion was immaculate, however. Although they had been standing on nearly equal terms a year before, now he was one step away from her ultimate Lord, and it showed. His invitation send blushes to her cheeks, actually.
Despite her reserved behavior, especially around the Hida, she conducted herself with visible pride during the tour of the Lion lands, dropping hints and comments here and there that left no doubt about how deeply she felt called to the traditions and history of the lion.
Finally, as the journey winds down in the Ikoma lands, and she approaches the village containing the holy site, her armor of duty begins to show a few cracks. Her sleep grows less wholesome, and during travel, she can be seen staring off into the distance more than actually paying attention to where she was, and what she was doing.
Megumi watches the tournament proudly remembering the previous years events. Although she was cheering for the Crane competitors she was happy to pass on the armour to the new Mantis Champion. It was something she both relished but also was not entirely looking forward to; she had begun to enjoy some of the prestige attached to being Champion.
While sight-seeing in Lion lands she is curious and, if time will permit, asks Nimoro a little of the history of the places they see. The Crane is careful not to give the slightest offense to the Lion Champion and she will mostly listen as he explains.
Upon arriving at the Village of the Reinstated Hero like most of the other samurai, Megumi pays her respects.
Yukari's return to Tsuma brought back many memories from the previous year, some of them pleasant and others not so much so. It seemed an age since she herself had stood before the crowds facing an opponent.
At Nimoro's request, Yukari accepts without question. The young Lion was a Clan Champion now, afterall, and it would have been unfathomably rude to decline - not that she would have in any case. During the Topaz Championship last year, she had faced off against Nimoro in one of the events, but she hadn't spoken with him as much as she had with some others, such as the other Matsu, Ume, or with Utsuro,Tsuto and Tenmaku. However, all of the competitors had been bound by what had happened the year before. The horrific memories of the dinner evening had probably bound them in a way that a quiet, uneventful tournament would never have.
The Unicorn travels through the Lion lands with the rest of the group, accompanied as always with her large white steed Arashi. The stallion's bridle is now adorned with a pointed, spiralling horn attached to the browband, the mark of a full-fledged battle maiden's horse.
For most of the journey, Yukari is content to enjoy the journey, taking in the sights and sounds of the Lion lands with interest. The Unicorn themselves were a mostly nomadic clan - as such, the thought of so much time spent travelling didn't faze Yukari. It was an opportunity to see places that she would most likely never see otherwise. Finally, as the journey winds to an end at Mura Sano Eiyu ni Suru, the battle maiden listens to the story of the disgraced ronin with some interest. She would be sure to pay her respects at the Shrine - Duty was indeed a virtue the battle maiden considered was of utmost importance to a samurai.
Heihachi remembers the tournament well...the omens he saw still haunt him.
Patrolling the wall over the last year has made him more cautious, and still no more at ease with etiquette.
He has maintained a friendship with both Nagatsuna and Chodatai...and he was happy that he had a friend at this years tournament. While he and Nagatsuna were rooting for a crab to win, it was not even close, luckily the crab had already passed his gempukku, or he would not have been an adult...Heihachi had helped heal some of the samurai during the tournament, thankfully the water kami did not get out of control.
You have reached Mura Sano Eiyu ni Suru, the Village of the Reinstated Hero, where the last of the shrines, that of Duty, lies. Your timing is impeccable - from here, you must travel on to Dragon's Guard City to meet with a trade delegation from the Kitsuki family, to act as part of their entourage and honor guard during the negotiations there, expected to involve representatives from most of the Clans. You are expected there in two weeks, and the journey from the village will take 8 days or so; plenty of time.
The famed Shrine to Duty is actually rather small, a single pagoda surrounded by a tiny garden and a stone-paved path. Residential houses are located to either side, and the noise and bustle of urban life is clearly audible, but the modest street which leads to the Shrine is kept clear and meticulously clean. A single monk sweeps the path and hands out incense as you approach.
Besides the Phoenix, there are a few other devotees at the Shrine. A pair of elegant Crane noblemen pray ostentatiously, accompanied by servants holding parasols to shade them from the afternoon sun. A Scorpion bushi stands quietly to one side, murmuring prayers from beneath a wooden mempo. Finally, a Dragon samurai with the shaven head of a monk, save for a long braid, kneels nearby in contemplation.
In addition to Nimoro and his not-inconsiderable entourage, you see two Phoenix standing before the shrine, laying incense and saying prayers before the statue of Ikoma Teidei, the Reinstated Hero for which the village is named. One is an older man with thinning hair, lean and weathered, and he also carries a shugenja's scroll satchel on his hip. The other Phoenix is a young woman, probably within a year or two of your own age, her hair tied back in a maiden's foxtail. As you approach, you can hear that the two are having a low-voiced conversation. Although they are keeping their voices discreetly down, it is clear they are having some sort of argument.
Besides the Phoenix and the Lion's group, there are a few other devotees at the Shrine. A pair of elegant Crane noblemen pray ostentatiously, accompanied by servants holding parasols to shade them from the afternoon sun, and Scorpion bushi stands quietly to one side, murmuring prayers from beneath a wooden mempo.
While sight-seeing in Lion lands she is curious and, if time will permit, asks Nimoro a little of the history of the places they see. The Crane is careful not to give the slightest offense to the Lion Champion and she will mostly listen as he explains.
Nimoro is happy to tell the stories of the places you visit, and he knows the tales well. Most of the stories are of great battles fought, and his descriptions include not only the heroes who fought there but also the specifics of the battles themselves; Nimoro has a good speaking voice, and it is clear as he speaks that understands not only what happened, telling it with a bard's flair, but why, and some of his tale diverges into what he thinks the generals of each battle must have been thinking as they gave their orders.
A few tales, however, take on a more personal, even emotional and meldramatic, turn, and these too Nimoro seems to enjoy. He doesn't tell many of them, but it seems clear that there is something of the romantic in Nimoro's soul as well.
The famed Shrine to Duty is actually rather small, a single pagoda surrounded by a tiny garden and a stone-paved path. Residential houses are located to either side, and the noise and bustle of urban life is clearly audible, but the modest street which leads to the Shrine is kept clear and meticulously clean. A single monk sweeps the path and hands out incense as you approach.
Nagatsuna lights the incense and begins to meditate. Before long however, he finds the arguement both disruptive and discourteous. To no-one in particular but just loud enough for the Phoenix to over-hear it, "Is not the serenity of this place sacred? I find that when one is contemplative in such a place, one can find the answers they seek." He bows his head again and continues to meditate on duty.
Daichi was silently kneeled in contemplation before the shrine and continued to ignore the arguement until the large crab spoke of it. "It would seem that not all find the serenity of a holy place to be a necessity." He did not speak loudly nor softly but enough to be heard though his eyes remained closed for another moment before he opened them to focus on the pair that were arguing. There was something of disappointment and a spice of outrage in his look as he watched the pair.
Heihachi sits to meditate with Nagatsuna "Be calm brother, once in the void, petty arguments of those around you will not bother you so, think of it as another test, a test of meditation. Let your mind be calm as a frozen lake, for a stone will not cause ripples if the lake is frozen." he then lights his incense and begins to meditate.
The arguing pair don't seem to hear any of the comments being made around them, but they do step out of the way of the statue for those who wish to approach it nevertheless. Nimoro - flanked as always by his bodyguards - steps up in their place, kneeling before the shrine and closing his eyes in prayer.
The two Phoenixes continue their discussion in hushed tones, the elder seeming patiently exasperated, the younger politely indignant.
Heihachi sits to meditate with Nagatsuna "Be calm brother, once in the void, petty arguments of those around you will not bother you so, think of it as another test, a test of meditation. Let your mind be calm as a frozen lake, for a stone will not cause ripples if the lake is frozen." he then lights his incense and begins to meditate.
Obviously something other than just the two Phoenix is bothering Nagatsuna, "As you say brother......until the stone is large enough." However, both Heihachi's and the Dragon's words seem to calm him somewhat....
Ume approached the Shrine, and cast a short glare towards the bickering visitors, but refrained from commenting. Duty was not always pleasant, and it seemed almost fitting to find the shrine represent not only the ultimate rewards of duty, but in some small way also the rocks on that path.
She knelt a respectful distance away from her Clan Champion, but still oriented into his general direction. She was no Yojimbo, and probably could not stop an assassin before the deed - but at least she would not be in the wrong room this time.
Heihachi sits to meditate with Nagatsuna "Be calm brother, once in the void, petty arguments of those around you will not bother you so, think of it as another test, a test of meditation. Let your mind be calm as a frozen lake, for a stone will not cause ripples if the lake is frozen." he then lights his incense and begins to meditate.Obviously something other than just the two Phoenix is bothering Nagatsuna, "As you say brother......until the stone is large enough." However, both Heihachi's and the Dragon's words seem to calm him somewhat....
"If the lake is frozen through, no stone may cause a ripple, no matter how large"
attempt to touch the void in my meditation
Upon hearing the comments of her companions Megumi also eyes the two Phoenix. She sits quietly for a while, attempting to meditate once again but then finally giving up. Knowing this will bother her and prevent any peaceful meditation she rises gracefully and approaches the two arguing Phoenix with a bow. In a very polite, muted tone she whispers to them.
"My apologies for intruding upon your conversation but my companions and I have just arrived after a long journey. Seeing as everybody else here is trying to meditate and the three of us seem to be the outcasts in this matter, I was hoping either of you honorable Phoenix might show me around town or perhaps sit down for tea? I am a long way from Crane lands and would appreciate any guidance you could offer."
She makes a slight smile to both Phoenix and awaits a response, hoping they will agree or at least catch the meaning behind the Crane's polite words.
Yukari casts a glance at the arguing Phoenix, frowning a little as she too kneels before the shrine. It did not seem right to be arguing in such a place, even if they were keeping their voices down. It seemed disrespectful.
Trying her best to ignore the argument, the Unicorn lights her incense, before sitting in quiet contemplation. She wanted to offer her own respects to the Shrine.
Upon hearing the comments of her companions Megumi also eyes the two Phoenix. She sits quietly for a while, attempting to meditate once again but then finally giving up. Knowing this will bother her and prevent any peaceful meditation she rises gracefully and approaches the two arguing Phoenix with a bow. In a very polite, muted tone she whispers to them.
"My apologies for intruding upon your conversation but my companions and I have just arrived after a long journey. Seeing as everybody else here is trying to meditate and the three of us seem to be the outcasts in this matter, I was hoping either of you honorable Phoenix might show me around town or perhaps sit down for tea? I am a long way from Crane lands and would appreciate any guidance you could offer."
She makes a slight smile to both Phoenix and awaits a response, hoping they will agree or at least catch the meaning behind the Crane's polite words.
The two Phoenix turn, obviously surprised by the interruption, but the elder immediately gets a thoughtful expression on his face. "Please forgive our disruptions, Kakita-sama," he says, bowing. After a moment of confusion, the young woman does so as well.
"I am Asako Kato, Acolyte of Air, of the Order of Inquisitors, in the service of lord Asako Heishi," the older man goes on. "This is my niece, Asako Ryoko, also my apprentice in the Order. May I have the honor of your name?"
"Of course you may," The Crane begins cooly. "My name is Kakita Megumi, it is a pleasure." She smiles lightly to the both of them again then tilts her head away from the shrine momentarily.
"Of course you may," The Crane begins cooly. "My name is Kakita Megumi, it is a pleasure." She smiles lightly to the both of them again then tilts her head away from the shrine momentarily.
Kato bows in acknowledgment of the introduction. After he straightens, he heaves a sigh, looking sideways at his niece. "I have reports on my recent investigations that I must send to lord Heishi-sama. However, I have also received a summons to the City of the Rich Frog to investigate an incident there. My apprentice has volunteered to carry the reports back to lord Heishi-sama in the Phoenix lands, but I do not believe it would be safe for her to travel alone."
The young woman visibly stifles an outburst, but Megumi can see the irritation in her features.
"There are no escorts available for you Asako-san?" Megumi asks the young woman innocently. "What road would you take?" The Crane has a ponderous look upon her face as she watches the two Phoenix. For a few moments she glances back at the various samurai who joined her on the tour through Lion lands.
"There are no escorts available for you Asako-san?" Megumi asks the young woman innocently. "What road would you take?" The Crane has a ponderous look upon her face as she watches the two Phoenix. For a few moments she glances back at the various samurai who joined her on the tour through Lion lands.
"We have, as yet, found no one who might serve as an escort, I'm afraid," Kato replies carefully, studying the Crane samurai-ko. "But her journey would likely take her along the road to the east, toward Toi Koku."
Megumi watches Kato as he explains his apprentice's dilemma. Something seems to strike her oddly about him and the quizzical look on her face deepens. She shakes her head slightly and smiles to both of them once he has finished.
"Well our road lies in the same direction. If you can tolerate our ill manners," Here the Crane smiles warmly. "I am certain it would not be a problem for you to join us. What is your final destination, we may even be available to deliver you safely there if you wish Asako-san."
When the samurai-ko has finished the thoughtful expression returns quickly. Her eyes wander over Kato and after a long pause her face turns a brilliant red. She begins rapidly, stumbling over the words all the while bowing repeatedly to Kato, making quite the scene in the process.
"Please forgive my ignorance Asako-sama! I, I did. Well, that is-" Her voice loses the casual coolness and begins to crack. "You are, err. I have mistreated you-" Megumi continues without getting a full sentence out for a minute, maybe longer - it certainly feels like a lifetime to her. Finally she takes a second to compose herself, the redness in her cheeks still as brilliant as ever. Her bow this time is less frantic and the Crane remains low in her embarrassment. Her whispered voice comes out a bit more smoothly once again.
"I have treated you as an equal, please forgive this stupid girl Asako-sama. I did not realise you are the Master of Air and Jade Champion. I offer my deepest apologies for the mistake and, err, scene."
Megumi watches Kato as he explains his apprentice's dilemma. Something seems to strike her oddly about him and the quizzical look on her face deepens. She shakes her head slightly and smiles to both of them once he has finished.
"Well our road lies in the same direction. If you can tolerate our ill manners," Here the Crane smiles warmly. "I am certain it would not be a problem for you to join us. What is your final destination, we may even be available to deliver you safely there if you wish Asako-san."
Kato smiles broadly, bowing. "You are too kind to offer, Kakita-san, but I would be indebted indeed for your assistance. My apprentice must travel to Pale Oak Castle to deliver our reports to Heishi-dono. If you and your companions would care to join us, we are staying at the House of the Jade Tiger, and would be honored to have you share our meal this evening. We can then go our separate ways in the morning?"
"I would be glad to join you for dinner and will relay the message to my companions when they are ready." She replies warmly. "I look forward to meeting you again later."
The Crane waits patiently for her companions by kneeling and fidgeting with her kimono.
Kato and Ryoko bow to Megumi once again, then slip out of the shrine. As soon as they are out of sight, Ryoko's voice can be heard once more, drifting plaintively back toward the shrine from the road, then fading slowly as they move away.
Once Nimoro has completed his meditations, he rises, allowing anyone else who wishes to approach the statue to do so. (Around this time, the Crane courtiers slip out, though the Scorpion is still praying off to one side.) Once you have all finished praying, Nimoro bows deeply to each of the samurai who traveled here with him. "Our roads divide here, my friends," he says solemnly. "It has been pleasant to travel with you and recall... simpler times. I am pleased that I have more to remember of the Topaz Championship than... how it ended." He smiles, then gestures to the Lions in his escort. "May the Fortunes bless your travels, samurai," he says, mounting the horse that will take him south again, toward Shiro Matsu. "I look forward to our next meeting."
Once Nimoro has left, you are left alone in the shrine, with only the still-praying Scorpion for company.
Nagatsuna having finished his meditations stands and comments to Heihachi, "To be frozen completely and not feel any stone would cause me to miss all life has to teach. That is not a state I wish to reside in as I so enjoy all it has to offer." Nagatsuna seems to very much enjoy theological and philosophical debates with his brother even though he seems to mostly lose in the end. He walks up to Megumi since she seems to be impatiently awaiting them, "Did you have a chance to complete your prayers Kakita-san?"
Hearing the Hida approach causes Megumi to look up from her busy work. She smiles but it's clearly a little forced.
"No need to worry Hida-san, I've completed my prayers. I wish I could have done more but my mind was wandering." She begins to fidget with her kimono once again, smoothing the folds and imperfections. "Hopefully the two Phoenix did not disturb you much. The three of us chatted and we were all invited to dinner with them at the House of the Jade Tiger." The samurai-ko appears sheepish as she continues on.
"I've offered for us to escort one of them to Pale Oak Castle, it shouldn't take us far out of our way."
Daichi had returned to his meditation once the argument had become quiet again. His eyes were closed and he was silently in contemplating the meaning of Duty in his daily life. As the others once again began to rumble around the Dragon bushi silently finished his prayers and stood preparing to return to the House of the Jade Tiger.
Ume watched her lord disappear into the distance, and felt a sting. She hadn't been half as reassured by the prayers and meditations as she'd have hoped she would be, and despite her earnest intention, had not managed to have a more personal conversation with her young clan champion.
She looked over to the Hida and Katika, and a thought crossed her mind. What were they going to do, so far from home? Just travel back? Somehow that sounded unlikely.
Hearing the Hida approach causes Megumi to look up from her busy work. She smiles but it's clearly a little forced.
"No need to worry Hida-san, I've completed my prayers. I wish I could have done more but my mind was wandering." She begins to fidget with her kimono once again, smoothing the folds and imperfections. "Hopefully the two Phoenix did not disturb you much. The three of us chatted and we were all invited to dinner with them at the House of the Jade Tiger." The samurai-ko appears sheepish as she continues on.
"I've offered for us to escort one of them to Pale Oak Castle, it shouldn't take us far out of our way."
"Our travels will be taking us that direction but my duty lies with those on the Great Wall and I must return there as soon as possible now that Nimoro-sama has left us. This place has reminded me of that responsibility."
Megumi looks up to the larger Crab with an impassive face. When she begins speaking there is an unmistakable edge to her tone.
"Of course you are Hida-san, the Great Wall will be there for you when you return. For now we are expected in Dragon's Guard City, which is not far off from Asako-san's destination. I believe we can spare the short journey."
She lets a wide smile pass over her face but whether it is due to politeness or smugness remains a mystery.
Megumi looks up to the larger Crab with an impassive face. When she begins speaking there is an unmistakable edge to her tone.
"Of course you are Hida-san, the Great Wall will be there for you when you return. For now we are expected in Dragon's Guard City, which is not far off from Asako-san's destination. I believe we can spare the short journey."
She lets a wide smile pass over her face but whether it is due to politeness or smugness remains a mystery.
The Crabs face darkens as he meets her look unwaveringly, "Of course I understand my duty to be at Dragon's Guard City and need not be reminded of that, do you Kakita-san? From there my path will lead back to the Wall as all paths eventually do." His face softens, "You speak of this short journey as if it could not delay us further. The tourney proved that the unexpected will happen whether you wish it to or not. Do not be seduced into a sense of complacency just because this journey through Lion lands has been uneventful so far. I do not fear challenges only unnecessary delays. I will speak to them and if their need is great than I will see them to their destination." He begins walking down the path to The House of the Jade Tiger.
"I for one am very ready to provide you with an escort. I do not expect any trouble here, in the heart of the Lion provinces, but we would not be good hosts if we left anything to chance" Ume added. This was not some borderland province of the Crab or Unicorn. This was the heart of Rokugan.
Besides, the detour might actually be enjoyable with some of her former rivals. Some of them, the Unicorn and (much as it galled her) the Crane seemed like genuinely proud and honorable samurai
"I know my duties Hida-san." She says blinking rapidly after the large Crab has left. No doubt many of his cousins would be irate at Megumi's not-so-polite reminder; Nagatsuna's response was reasoned however. Not knowing what to do the Crane merely returns to smoothing her kimono shyly until he is out of sight. It takes a little while but her voice comes out in a more cheerful tone to Ume.
"Thank you Matsu-san, I am certain our escort will go uneventfully. We will reach Dragon's Guard City having done a service for the Phoenix."
Daichi studies the other young samurai as they discuss their plans to journey to Dragon's Guard City as well. It appeared that they would be going to visit the pair of Phoenix at the House of the Jade Tiger which seemed to be the best place to appoarch them to discuss the journey to Dragon's Guard City. He moved out of the shrine and down the road towards the inn.
Ume nodded to the now-former Topaz champion. "That's quite correct - and it gives us a little more time on the road, as opposed to just waiting things out in the city." She took a measured step towards her, but not enough to invade her personal space. "An added boon, I think"
Heihachi is still meditating, fully in the void...
"The journey has been enjoyable so far. There is much beauty within the lands of the Lion. Another couple of days of travel will allow us to see a little more of our glorious Empire, a good thing to be sure."
Megumi had taken her mind off the busy-work to peer at the Matsu. It was clear she was measuring the other woman, the Crane's eyes flickering wildly. In a moment Megumi had risen gracefully and let her gaze drift to the others still in meditation.
"Perhaps we should leave them to meditate awhile. We could continue chatting over tea if you would like Matsu-san. I had the honour to show one raised by the Lion the fineries of Crane tea. Perhaps you could introduce me to some of your own?"
Tea. Ume could not help but smile at the oh so textbook way of initiating some conversation with her. Well, she could certainly follow suit in the courtly game - even if she was not necessarily good at it, she knew the most important rules.
"I will gladly accept your offer. Beware though, some of the Lion's finest teas are acquired tastes, and it takes experience to fully appreciate them." She answered, with a knowing smile. Just like her clan, the brews were easy to dismiss as offputting, but had a charm that could captivate you and make you return almost against better judgment.
The Crane smiled politely to the Matsu. It would be an interesting time sampling the teas of the Lion, no doubt there would be a little reservation on both sides however.
"I look forward to trying some of your finer teas." Megumi began motioning for Ume to join her for the walk. "Even if it takes some time to fully appreciate the unique taste."
Unconciously the Kakita's feet guided her around until she stood outside the House of the Jade Tiger.
Finishing her prayers, Yukari rises to her feet and moves outside to rejoin her companions.
With Nimoro's farewell, Yukari returns the deep bow to the Lion Champion. She had enjoyed the journey so far, but now it seemed their travels would take a different path. Hopefully, it would be as interesting as it had been so far.
Yukari then heads over to her remaining companions. "I apologise if I have kept you all waiting. Are we staying in this village for the evening, or journeying on immediately?"
Once everyone has finished their prayers (Heihachi in particular being both refreshed and deeply in tune with an awareness of his duties as a samurai), you all make your ways, together or individually, to the House of the Jade Tiger. The inn is a respectable, middle-quality place, two stories high, with a small garden, stable, bathhouse and other comforts. A wooden post in front of the main door is topped by a small stone statue of a tiger, painted jade green.
Stepping inside, you discover the inn's common room to be warm and well-lit, a welcome contrast from the cool that was quickly overtaking the early spring evening. The room is crowded with other samurai, along with the usual assortment of merchants and other commoners. Ronin are seated amongst the tables, but the majority of the samurai here are Clan samurai - primarily Lions, of course, but you also notice the two Cranes from the shrine earlier, surrounded by a swirl of servants and sycophants. At another table, a man in the colors of the Unicorn is sitting with some ronin, and at a third, Asako Kato and Asako Ryoko are seated. When they recognize Megumi entering, they rise and bow to her, with Kato gesturing for her and her companions to join them.
As they do so, another samurai enters the common room, a shugenja in the green and gold of the Dragon, but with a bright rainbow pattern edging his kimono.