During the days Nagatsuna will see if Ryoko is willing to share any additional information about who or what may be hounding her steps. Upon stopping for the evenings (both of them) he will quickly eat and catch some sleep so that he can be awake during the later hours when assassins and worse like to creep about. He is even less welcoming of conversation than usual from everyone else, other than Heihachi (who is quiet anyway), not wanting the distractions from the mission at hand.
Ume enjoyed Ryoko's outlook immensely, and honored it by showing her the same distanced appreciation she herself upheld. The travel was, curious as it was, growing on her. She hadn't expected that to happen, but even the they stayed outside... she woke up with a smile on her face.
Despite not wishing to be controversial, a few sideway remarks here and there escape her into the Hida's direction. Good natured, but the "Mountain" might feel otherwise.
As they set out on the road again, Yukari is fairly cheerful and upbeat - it is clear that this way of life appeals to her. The Unicorn will chat with anyone who seems willing to talk, sometimes riding and other times leading Arashi on foot so as to more easily hold a conversation with her companions.
As they travel, the battle maiden will also watch her surroundings with interest, once again taking in the sights and sounds of the Lion lands. When they pause to make camp for the night, the Unicorn will see to her horse's needs before her own, ensuring that he is fed, watered and comfortable before she will stop to rest herself.
As they travel, Heihachi wonders how the battle on the wall goes. It's almost not worthwhile to be here, when his abilities versus the darkness would better serve the Empire on the wall...but still if cultists WERE involved, perhaps this trip would be a boon to the Empire...
Daichi travels quietly in comtemplation and pray most of the time almost as much as a Shugenja would do but that doesn't stop him from seemly having an opinion on anything that is being discussed amongst the travelling group of Samurai.
Megumi remains respectful to those who prefer to travel quietly but she is happy to join in conversation with Yukari. The Crane is curious to learn a little more about the Unicorn's steed and will openly discuss her homeland should the question arise.
Aside from some pleasant conversation Megumi will just enjoy the travel to Rugashi. Once there she will make it a point to invite Ryoko for tea again.
Haihachi is ever on the lookout for for the omens of good or ill fortune.
Ume enjoyed Ryoko's outlook immensely, and honored it by showing her the same distanced appreciation she herself upheld. The travel was, curious as it was, growing on her. She hadn't expected that to happen, but even the they stayed outside... she woke up with a smile on her face.
Despite not wishing to be controversial, a few sideway remarks here and there escape her into the Hida's direction. Good natured, but the "Mountain" might feel otherwise.
The Hida doesn't seem to react to Ume's remarks until on the second day he simply says to the Matsu, "I have not forgotten...." Without further remark he continues to walk as if waiting for the coming storm.
During the days Nagatsuna will see if Ryoko is willing to share any additional information about who or what may be hounding her steps. Upon stopping for the evenings (both of them) he will quickly eat and catch some sleep so that he can be awake during the later hours when assassins and worse like to creep about. He is even less welcoming of conversation than usual from everyone else, other than Heihachi (who is quiet anyway), not wanting the distractions from the mission at hand.
Ryoko does her best to answer Nagatsuna's questions, but she is, to say the least, extremely fuzzy on the details. There are, he gathers, maho cultists out in the Empire... somewhere. They want to hurt the Asako Inquisitors... probably. They could be waiting to strike at her... in theory.
Haihachi is ever on the lookout for for the omens of good or ill fortune.
Should I be making an Awareness/Divination (Omens) roll as well?
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Haihachi is ever on the lookout for for the omens of good or ill fortune.** spoiler omitted **
5d10.open(10).takeHighest(2)=15
Moves up to Nagatsuna, "Look those trees growing together, an omen of joining, expect a new companion..."
Heihachi pets his little dog, while he's speaking to Nagatsuna
Haihachi is ever on the lookout for for the omens of good or ill fortune.** spoiler omitted **
5d10.open(10).takeHighest(2)=15
Moves up to Nagatsuna, "Look those trees growing together, an omen of joining, expect a new companion..."
Heihachi pets his little dog, while he's speaking to Nagatsuna
Nagatsuna looks toward the trees, "Hrmph, by the time we reach Dragon's Guard City we'll have half the empire with us." He takes Heihachi's reading of the omens with a great deal of seriousness and seems to immediately accept that this will come to pass. "Of course, the will have the advantage of knowing we are coming from miles away with that dog barking at every shadow."
Daichi makes a note of the omen and speaks to the group, "It appears that we will get a companion soon if I am reading the omens right."
"I see you see the trees as well Mirumoto...."
"Another companion?" Megumi asks to no one in particular. She glances around blindy to see if anybody outside of her companions can be seen. Noticing Heihachi's dog startles her and she wonders how she could have missed it before.
"I'll have to keep my eyes open." She says out loud as she continues to scan the immediate area.
Ume smiled when she took a closer look at the dog, and made a funny face at the small creature, hoping to elicit some response from the animal. Quite childish, an inner voice scolded her. But he was just cute, and it was a harmless enough fancy.
"More companions? I hope we won't have an army with us before we reach the city. That would be awkward, to say the least." She jokes.
"Good Kanbe..." Heihachi says as he pets the little animal...
Oops:
Kambei not Kanbe, oops.
Megumi remains respectful to those who prefer to travel quietly but she is happy to join in conversation with Yukari. The Crane is curious to learn a little more about the Unicorn's steed and will openly discuss her homeland should the question arise.
Aside from some pleasant conversation Megumi will just enjoy the travel to Rugashi. Once there she will make it a point to invite Ryoko for tea again.
Yukari is only too happy to enthuse to Megumi about Arashi, and the subject of horses in general. On the subject of homelands, the Unicorn is curious about the Crane lands in general, having seen but a small part of them last year. She is happy to talk about her own clan's lands in return also.
As some of the group begin to talk about omens, Yukari will glance around herself curiously. She couldn't see anything particularly special, but she was hardly an expert in the way of these matters.
"Another companion? This trip is turning out to be rather interesting," the Unicorn muses thoughtfully. She had no objections to another companion - they already had a couple of additions, and the group was still much smaller than it had been when they were travelling with Nimoro, after all.
As the evening of the second day approaches, the group arrives in Rugashi, a bustling trade crossroads of more than 2,000 people. There are inns and guest houses aplenty to stay at, and you spend a comfortable night enjoying the spare but sincere hospitality of the Lion. As you leave town the following morning, however, a strange sight greets you only a mile or so beyond the city walls: squatting next to the road is a muscular, bare-chested man in a dusty, tattered hakama of green cloth. His tanned skin is covered in scars, some of them rather fresh, and strange tattoos coil around his torso. He looks up with a broad smile as you approach.
"Good morning, friends! Are you sharing my road?"
Megumi spends the night at Rugashi comfortably enough. She wished there were more of her home comforts available but she could stand what was offered. The Crane stayed awake relatively late attempting to chat with anyone willing. When the time came to continue on she prepared herself for the road once again glancing down at her finer kimono wishing she were already in court rather than travelling more.
The appearance of the friendly man on the road gave Megumi a little pause; his scars were quite off-putting for the young Crane maiden. Still she forced a smile to him and returned his greeting.
"Good morning, it seems we are sharing the same road if you are heading toward Pale Oak Castle. Are you travelling alone? We have heard the roads can be dangerous."
While talking the Crane's eyes look over the stranger a little more thoroughly seeking out some means of identification. She wondered if he was a member of one of the great Clans and that is exactly what she was searching for.
"Indeed Kuni-san. I read the trees as the omen shown to me by the Fortunes." He doesn't speak much again after the omen is read but nods in affirmation everytime someone asks if there was going to be a new companion. He withdraws to his prays when they arrive in Rugashi for the night and isn't seen again until morning.
Daichi gives the man a bow before speaking. "I believe that we are sharing your road atleast for awhile. The omens spoke of our new companion and this chance meeting has occured it seems the fortunes have directed you to us." The dragon bushi was convinced that this was the companion spoken of in the omens as their meeting seemed to coincidential on the tale of the omens.
You all recognize this man as a Dragon, belonging to one of the Three Tattooed Orders, though which branch is not immediately obvious. His dress and manner mark him out at once as one of those who have been touched by the Fortunes, and the tattoos that cover his bare chest and shaven head easily identify the general nature of his vows.
He claps his hands delightedly at Daichi and Megumi's responses, standing up quickly. "The road told me there were people walking on it, but I didn't believe it. Roads lie all the time, you know. But here you are, and I am going there too!" He looks at Daichi and Heihachi both (even though the latter has yet to speak) and adds, "You should try talking to roads. They're much more reliable than trees." With a deep bow, then, he addresses you all, saying, "When I'm around other people, they usually call me Hitomi Fuguki."
Nagatsuna's eyes narrow thoughtfully as he is reminded of the old rivalries between the Hida's and the Hitomi's yet still he bows, "I am Hida Nagatsuna, Hitomi-san. It is indeed fortunate that our paths have crossed." He continues to watch the man carefully.
Nagatsuna's eyes narrow thoughtfully as he is reminded of the old rivalries between the Hida's and the Hitomi's yet still he bows, "I am Hida Nagatsuna, Hitomi-san. It is indeed fortunate that our paths have crossed." He continues to watch the man carefully.
"When two paths meet, only their shadows can say what they do together," Fuguki replies solemnly. He stares at Nagatsuna for a moment, then adds, "I hope I don't punch me in the face."
"When two paths meet, only their shadows can say what they do together," Fuguki replies solemnly. He stares at Nagatsuna for a moment, then adds, "I hope I don't punch me in the face."
Nagatsuna's face turns to a frown at the mention of 'shadows'. You may just yet Hitomi...you may just yet....
Nagatsuna's face turns to a frown at the mention of 'shadows'. You may just yet Hitomi...you may just yet....
Fuguki laughs, then abruptly stops. "I guess we're both waiting then," he tells Nagatsuna, scratching his chin. He then looks scared and ducks behind Ryoko, who looks startled. "I always pity the anvil!" he tells her in a whisper loud enough to carry to all of you, and visibly trembles.
Fuguki laughs, then abruptly stops. "I guess we're both waiting then," he tells Nagatsuna, scratching his chin. He then looks scared and ducks behind Ryoko, who looks startled. "I always pity the anvil!" he tells her in a whisper loud enough to carry to all of you, and visibly trembles.
Shisumo:
He gets a surprised look and thinks to himself, Did I say that out-loud? As the Hitomi ducks behind Ryoko, Nagatsuna watches the man's hands very carefully. "And are the paths shadows what caused your wounds?"
Fuguki laughs, then abruptly stops. "I guess we're both waiting then," he tells Nagatsuna, scratching his chin. He then looks scared and ducks behind Ryoko, who looks startled. "I always pity the anvil!" he tells her in a whisper loud enough to carry to all of you, and visibly trembles.Shisumo:
** spoiler omitted **He gets a surprised look and thinks to himself, Did I say that out-loud? As the Hitomi ducks behind Ryoko, Nagatsuna watches the man's hands very carefully. "And are the paths shadows what caused your wounds?"
Fuguki ignores Nagatsuna's question, now seeming to focus on Ume. "There is a fire on your head," he tells her. "Did you catch all the sheep?"
Heihachi watches the interaction with the monk, he's not sure that this is the new companion or a clever wolf who brazenly walks amongst the sheep...
Megumi watched the Hitomi with some interest especially his exchange with Nagatsuna. She was growing curious to see how it would end but when he approached Ryoko and Ume the Crane decided it best to introduce herself.
"Greetings Hitomi-san, I am Kakita Megumi." She bowed to him politely. "Do you travel alone often? I only ask because you mentioned 'when I'm around other people', that seems to imply you are alone most of the time."
"Greetings Hitomi-san, I am Kakita Megumi." She bowed to him politely. "Do you travel alone often? I only ask because you mentioned 'when I'm around other people', that seems to imply you are alone most of the time."
Fuguki doesn't seem to hear Megumi at first, but - still looking curiously at a spot just above Ume's head - he says, "I'm never alone. There's always everybody in here with me. I'm here, and me, and me, and me..." he trails off in a mumble, suddenly seeming tired.
Yukari returns the bow to the tattooed man. "I am Utaku Yukari," she says, introducing herself in return. This Dragon seemed like a very strange man indeed to the Unicorn. Absently giving Arashi's nose an affectionate rub as the horse nudges at her arm, the battle maiden watches the exchanges between her companions and Fuguki curiously. She wasn't quite sure what to make of him yet - he didn't seem quite.. sane to her.
Fuguki ignores Nagatsuna's question, now seeming to focus on Ume. "There is a fire on your head," he tells her. "Did you catch all the sheep?"
Ume looked at the curious person with a mixture of distaste and subdued compassion. Fire on her head? Sheep of all things? It did not make any sense to her.
"I am sorry, but I am a Samurai of the Lion Clan. You certainly must mistake me for someone else." she replied, cautiously. She wasn't yet sure if that was some kind of insult or merely rambling, but the figure had not earned any sympathies yet.
"Who asked you?" he snaps, a little peevishly, at Yukari, before turning to Ume again, his expression softening, as though abashed. "I'm sorry," he says, "which of us is me again? I won't forget, this time, I promise."
Nagatsuna had heard of people coming back from the shadowlands with broken minds, being unable to handle witnessing the horrors there. Perhaps this crazy monk needed pity and an end to his suffering. The Crab gripped his tetsubo tighter while he concidered the situation. Still the dragons were always a little strange to say the least. He had to be sure......
While the madman is distracted with Ume's sheep he steps close to the Mirumoto and speaks in a low rumble,"Mirumoto-san, what do you make of your clansmens antics? He does not seem well...."
"Who asked you?" he snaps, a little peevishly, at Yukari, before turning to Ume again, his expression softening, as though abashed. "I'm sorry," he says, "which of us is me again? I won't forget, this time, I promise."
Yukari pauses for a moment, somewhat taken aback by the Dragon's rudeness. Courtesy dictated that she introduce herself politely, and the monk had thrown that back in her face. The battle maiden's face darkens as she frowns at him. And the other clans thought the Unicorn were 'uncultured'! Fine. He obviously didn't want to acknowledge her, so why should she waste her time?
She moves over to Heihachi, muttering quietly to him, "I hope those omens aren't referring to this meeting." It's clear that the Unicorn isn't particularly happy with this turn of events.
"I am not quite sure either of us is. I think you may have left some time ago." Ume replied, with growing irritation. If his mind was sick, then the man would probably be tainted as well - and that was exactly the clue she had hoped Not to find.
Maybe it is a distraction? What else is there to gain from him?
Fuguki looks pained, raising his hands to over his ears. "The distraction of culture is that culture is a distraction," he chants in a sing-song voice. "Please stop shouting at me..."
"He possibly has been blessed by the Kami, too many for him to deal with easily it seems..." or possibly he's been corrupted, Heihachi thinks to himself.
The wild ramblings of the Dragon seem to intensify Megumi's curiosity about him. She watches blankly but it doesn't take long for her to grow irritated as well. When her annoyance begins showing on her face as a frown the Crane begins plainly.
"It is quite rude to ignore those talking to you and even worse to insult fellow samurai. I hope this is merely a lapse in judgement Hitomi-san."
Ume blinked, startled now. She licked her lips, and tried hard to make up her mind about what had just happened. The man was either blessed in such excess, he would have better staid with his minders - or he had been twisted by the darkness of the lost brother.
Either way, he should be in a monastery, not some road. She glanced towards her companions. Further detours wouldn't be possible, she wasn't comfortable with dragging him along with them, but leaving him here wasn't a good option either.
The wild ramblings of the Dragon seem to intensify Megumi's curiosity about him. She watches blankly but it doesn't take long for her to grow irritated as well. When her annoyance begins showing on her face as a frown the Crane begins plainly.
"It is quite rude to ignore those talking to you and even worse to insult fellow samurai. I hope this is merely a lapse in judgement Hitomi-san."
"You all began it," Fuguki replies, in a tone that sounds astonishingly reasonable. "Calling us insane and corrupt. You could be nicer, seeing as you are on my road." He abruptly turns, running several paces down the beaten track, before veering to the right and running headling into a tree. There is a sharp smack, and Fuguki falls back into the dirt, blood streaming down his face from the wound on his scalp. He shakes his head (little droplets of blood flying this way and that), then stands up again. "You're on my road again!" he shouts at the tree, falling into a martial arts stance, but he does not attack it - instead, he slumps backwards, falling to the ground and then into a backward somersault, rising to his feet in the middle of the road once more. "Well? Shall we go?" he asks you, blood still pouring down his face.
With the realization of where Fuguki's wounds come from Nagatsuna chuckles to himself and relaxes, "Lead on Hitomi-san but I think the rest of us will be avoiding the wiley trees instead of confronting them." With that he sets off down the road again.
"I am sorry, Hida-san. I must admit my knowledge of my brethen is more broadened to our clan and not specialized to knowing much of the Hitomi family. We, dragon, are known for being eccentric and the Hitomi even more so but I feel that Hitomi-san here is beyond our mortal understanding and has been personally touched by a Kami."
Daichi moves forward to Fuguki after he has risen again in the middle of the road and gives a slight bow. "I will keep an eye on the road if it will speak omens but yesterday it was the trees that spoke the omens to Kuni-san and I."