Heavenfall

Mai strolled along the river in her gray kimono, inspecting each tree carefully. Every branch was measured for thickness, length, and curvature. Suitable candidates were rapped on with a knuckle and the bark examined for any boring damage. Finally, she located 'the one.' A nice, thick branch of cherry selected, she cut it down with an ornate knife.

Closing her eyes, she envisioned the final product. Expertly, her hands began to work over the wood, removing imperfections and shaping it to her need.

(Beginning Craft:weaponsmithing will discuss in forum)

He knew people probably expected a proper Imperial to show up with an entourage- or at least to have come in with the Imperial supplies that Shiba had sent along.

But as the man still getting used to being called Jiyo Sora stood by the river's edge, looking up at the castle, he figured that anyone looking for reasons to be disappointed in him could just wait a little bit. They'd get their chance soon enough, and he knew for a fact that the quartermasters didn't need him stumbling around and confusing things.

Besides, he needed the time to tamp down the temptation to piss on Hida's most recent pile of rocks. Punching the Anjing Daimyo in the throat when she inevitably showed up to object and then getting hurled across the line of the horizon by her enraged Kami spouse wasn't exactly something that would reflect credit on the family he'd sworn himself to.

So he looked at the sunrise over the river and took a few moments to collect himself. Others might think of what lay ahead as hostile territory, but for him, he had entered enemy country the second he'd entered Seidou lands, and grabbing such peace as he was able seemed wise.

So he had a seat by the riverside and had breakfast.

Among the Ayakashi-influenced court surrounding Shiba, he would have probably had some kind of vegetable soup, maybe some rice. An egg or two, if he was willing to go to the trouble.

But he was back on the road, and he tore into a strip of dried hare with, if not pleasure, at least familiarity, and chased it with a pull on his water bottle.

Seidou lands. It would have to be the fucking Seidou lands.

He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't notice the Bat Clan artisan nearby.

He was more focused on trying his hand at catching some fish on a line, for a change. No way he was building a fish trap in that mess.

Not bad! These southern fish like the eddies in the current as much as our mountain trout...

"Well done! What do you use for bait? Worms? Meat? Or something special?" The voice was one not heard for a few years, but still one he'd heard before.

Sora perked up. Turned around to look at the speaker.

The Isawa... well, they had a reputation, but he'd gotten along with every member of the tribe he'd ever met.

Including this one.

"Kyosei! Glad to see the last five years have treated you well- I'm using beetles, actually- easy to catch them before the day really warms up if you know where to look..."

"Beetles? Interesting. I usually just use some dried meat. Of course, cold as it usually is, it has to be something we brought ourselves. Ever been far enough north for Ice fishing?"

Mai perked up hearing the voices, but didn't yet interrupt their conversation. She was too busy seated on the ground carving a 3 foot long....thing.

Kyosei of the Isawa wrote: ↑

Tue May 19, 2020 4:47 pm

"Beetles? Interesting. I usually just use some dried meat. Of course, cold as it usually is, it has to be something we brought ourselves. Ever been far enough north for Ice fishing?"

"Not due to being in the north, but the Spine of the World gets damned cold in the winter... that said, chopping through the ice seldom ends well."

He made a face.

"Not as pleasant a bath as the one we built in the Seppun lands, that's for sure. You here to help Reiko too?"

Stupid question, of course he was. Why else would anyone come from the pleasant lands of the Isawa in the north to this humid place?

Kyosei nods. "She asked me a while back, and I agreed. Foolish thing to do, but I keep my word. And now, at least I have heirs to follow after me."

Sora chuckled at that.

"Heirs, huh? Lucky you."

He shrugged as he brought in another large fish.

"Since she taught me to read and write, I could hardly say no. Besides. The Emperor wants his brother freed. So here I am."

From downriver came a sight. It was big. Large even. Towering over everyone on the banks of the river, it was attired in heavy armor made from iron plates and hard wood and leather covering most of its body, including a full helm shaped for his rodent like head. A massive axe that was bigger then some there was over his shoulder, and he was chewing on.....was that a tree root? His eyes were casting about, as if looking for something, though he slowed a little at the sight of people.


(Edit: Forgot to include roll for him trying to bring food as offering 2 raises. tn 30: 28 womp womp)

"Two boys and a girl. So far. One that the Spirits claimed, though." He bows his head, closes his eyes, and swallows for a second. Looking back up, "Emperor. Still not sure what to think of that. He's not coming, is he? Still have a question for him, after all."

Then he caught sight of the figure coming, and swiftly pulled out a small knife, dark black in color, and set it near his arm.

"What is that?!"

"Looks like a giant rat with a giant axe to me. But I also think if it wanted trouble, it would have been sneakier..."

Besides which, his eye wasn't showing him any immediate danger.

Sora pointedly left his own weapons where they lay.

As he approached the Nezumi, he finally spotted the Bat Clanner.

Awfully crowded here...

"You lost, friend? Or were you looking for the Seidou?"

Kyosei followed his ... friend? ... but kept the knife in his hand. Wouldn't likely do much to the giant rat, but that wasn't what it was for, after all.

A wrinkling of his snout. When he spoke, it was in the common human tongue, if rough. "Here for war pack. Hear-hear they come, bring prison trap companion. Travel to Nezumi empire nest. Hear they fix-heal hole from day heaven-fire falls to earth." He stopped a distance away, looking down from his prodigious eight feet. The craftsmanship of his armor and axe stood out in particular. He was tense, as if waiting to be attacked.

Kyosei blinked. He had not expected this. Language, even almost understandable language! His brows wrinkled, as he tried to place the words in his mind, figure out what the creature had said. Some was obvious, other parts - less so.

His knife hand dropped to his side as he thought.

Ch'jak'matt wrote: ↑

Tue May 19, 2020 5:16 pm

A wrinkling of his snout. When he spoke, it was in the common human tongue, if rough. "Here for war pack. Hear-hear they come, bring prison trap companion. Travel to Nezumi empire nest. Hear they fix-heal hole from day heaven-fire falls to earth." He stopped a distance away, looking down from his prodigious eight feet. The craftsmanship of his armor and axe stood out in particular. He was tense, as if waiting to be attacked.

Sora cocked his head to the side as he looked up at the creature.

"War pack... well, sounds like we're here for the same thing, then. Nezumi, that's your people? Well, I can't speak for the Seidou, but no Nezumi ever did me any harm, so I won't bite if you won't."

He held out his empty hands, palms up.

Mai looks up, sees the rat, panics, and then sees the armor. That glorious, glorious armor.... What she wouldn't give to examine that. Yet, it is on a rat. A giant one. Why did no one tell her such a thing existed?

She picked up her materials and fell back behind the other humans. Just to be safe.

He pointed at himself. "Ch'Jak'Matt. Nezumi Warrior." Behind him his tail lashed a moment. "More come. One take-held many seasons. We hear they want guide. Rememberers and warriors come. Know lands you go to. Was nest of chief of chiefs. Was....." He gestured at the city, struggling for the word. "Main Nest. Many die..... "He unshouldered the axe, resting it on the ground, holding out all ten fingers extended, showing the leather gloves with armor plates of iron sewn into them "Winters ago, when Fire Rush from sky and heaven falls."

"Huh. Wonder if anyone told this to the gods? That their fall caused a capital city to be destroyed." Shaking his head as he muttered under his breath, he then looked up. And up.

"Well, then, welcome. Do you know how many of you are coming? Are they all as... tall as you?"

Sora clapped one of his hands to his chest.

"Jiyo Sora. I serve the Emperor Shiba. While my word won't carry as much weight as some here, I can promise you that any help you offer us will be remembered by the Emperor. And if your people have endured ten years since this disaster, you must be even tougher than you look, so I'm sure the help will be considerable, if we can earn it."

He gestured to Kyosei.

"This is Kyosei of the Isawa Tribe. And this..."

He turned to regard the artisan. Cocked his head to the side.

"Is someone I've never seen before in my life, but I'll go out on a limb and assume she's a nice enough person."