Heavenfall

Shinjo nodded as she listened to Reiko's extremely thorough assessment. Finally, she mused, "Mm... I wonder... if that's why our brother doesn't like using his real name." She looked to the man in the hood. "Shinsei-san... A connection so strong that it lets Reiko-san see him in dreams... Do you thi...

"Names are important," Shinjo agreed. "Before we were born, our parents codified the world and made it what it is using Names."

"We're going to be camping near one of their cities and attempting some diplomatic overtures to them then," she said. "Although, callous though it is to say, their backs are against the wall at the moment. I don't think they'll be hostile, at least. And we have several of their number coming with us."

She gestured for her to sit across a low table from her on a cushion on the floor before taking a seat herself. "No need to apologize, you haven't offended. We need people of all types. Whatever reason brings you here, you're still at risk, and I still appreciate your presence," she replied. "I'm su...

"One of Reiko-san's followers, ne? I appreciate your willingness to join us. It will be a dangerous journey," she said, dipping her head before stepping aside. "Please, come in. I'd be happy to share what I know."

She nodded, listening and taking in everything he said. "Regardless... It's where we need to go. Where we're committed to go. The important question is whether you're willing to help us get there."

An enormously tall and beautiful woman appeared on the other side of the door. She was dressed for movement, a pair of trousers visible under her shortened kimono with a few smudges from the outdoors. "Good afternoon. I am Shinjo, of the Ki-rin Clan. Please, come in."

Shinjo nodded and took out a rough map. "Between Jin-san and the Nezumi, we have a route chosen." She pointed to the river that ran past where the castle was marked. "We will follow the Seidou river a little way, then cross the Twilight Mountains south, and from there follow this river south until i...

She looked back toward him with a smile as she felt the contact, glancing only briefly back out the window. "Just thinking about my brother... We're so close. I'm anxious to start on our journey. It's been a little bit lonely without him or Ryoshun."

Shinjo sighed from her place nearby. "I'm glad all of you answered the call for that reason. Unfortunately, our missing brother was the expert in the Spirit Realms..."

Shinjo sat by the castle's narrow window, looking out where it overlooked the farmland the the Seidou river, to the sky beyond that darkened imperceptibly even at night. She was dressed in a loose kimono, ready to retire for the night, but her natural restlessness and the upcoming march kept her up.

[This event is now closed] Shinjo entered after the four others, bowing respectfully to the man sitting in the center of the room and to the rest of those present. Her eyebrows rose when she saw the hooded man there. Then she looked to everyone present. "I am Shinjo, of the Ki-Rin Clan, for those I ...

"Can you tell me more about it?" The woman asked, seeming calm despite his words.

"We will do our best to keep them safe... but everyone here volunteered to be here, knowing it was a dangerous quest," she said with a nod. "So... yes. It's that important to us."

The air around her smelled oddly pleasant, even to his nose. There was something unpleasantly human to it, but another scent that was like freshly budding grass after rain. Something uncorrupted on a fundamental level. "He's my brother," she responded quietly. "And my best friend. I have to save him...

She nodded. "You'll go free at the end of the journey, if you help us. Several others Nezumi will be joining us, as well, but you likely know the entire route the best."

"Stop that!" Commanded the woman before him, and the kicking finally ceased. He was left standing before the woman who was even taller than he was, something unusual among humans, as far as he could tell. After a moment of studying him, she said, "My name is Shinjo. Did they tell you why you've been...

Shinjo Koyama wrote: ↑

Tue May 12, 2020 3:53 pm

*is happy because his wife is here*

Fu Leng wrote: ↑

Tue May 12, 2020 3:54 pm

Looks like word has been spreading. I've acquired some Glory. Lot of good it does me down here, of course.

Have a little more patience, Brother.