[D3, EM] Solid as a rock

[Togashi Nadare]

There was a feeling of being drawn to this place. Perhaps the spirits of the earth were guiding his steps? Or the blood of Togashi.

Nadare approached the stone marker and paused to look around at the vegetation. It all seemed natural, vigorous even. Looking back down he smiled.

"I expect you have quite the story to tell."

He sat cross-legged and listened.

[Togashi Saruko]

Having followed Nadare to get a good look at the area around the camp, Saruko was standing upright as she looked around in contrast to the tattooed man who sat and listened.

She took notice that the flora was growing along nicely here. The grass was tall, the trees were tall and wide. It was perhaps one of the more undisturbed places she had seen on this expedition so far.

The stone marker in the clearing was quite an oddity where it seemed nature was ruling supreme. "It must be quite the old tale," she said softly.

[Togashi Nadare]

"Time passes differently for rocks, Saruko." The tattooed symbol on his back appeared to move, turning. A second look would suggest nothing had changed.

He closed his eyes and placed his hands upon his knees. "It will have seen much."

[Togashi Saruko]

Her eyes were drawn to the shift in the tattoo, but then it seemed like it was unchanged. Such is the mystery of his power... she mused and stepped closer to the stone marker.

Brushing a hand over it, she tried to get an idea of what purpose it served. Maybe it had directions. Or warnings?

"I wonder why it was placed here..."

[Togashi Nadare]

"We could continue to wonder, or we could ask it?" He opened his eyes and threw a smirk in her direction. "Either path holds answers of a sort."

[Togashi Saruko]

"That it does. I think you can find different answers than I am able to though," she smirked in return, and gestured with her hand for him to continue.

"After you, Nadare."

[Seppun Takako]

A new face appeared...this one not a Togashi, nor even a Dragon.

"Ah, gomen minna-sama." She eyed the two strange people....and the rock?

"Am I bothering?"

[Togashi Nadare]

"Hello fellow traveller. You are not bothering me. Do you wish to know if this rock feels the same way?" He looked over towards the newcomer.

[Togashi Saruko]

"It's no bother to me," Saruko assured the newcomer.

"Have you come seeking answers too?"

[Togashi Nadare]

As they waited for a response Nadare took a good long look at the rock. It was definitely a rock. It probably had some lichen on it. Maybe a little moss. An insect or two?

Day 3, EM. Rock inspection. Looking for anything of note. Investigation/Perception. 2CR for details. Void for +1k1. TN?: 5d10o10k4 20

[Canary]

It also has some very subtle writing carved into it, but it's mostly worn away. The stone has likely been here for at least hundreds of years. A faint smell clings to it, but to his nose, it just smells vaguely like an animal of some sort.

[Togashi Nadare]

"Scent markings. Some sort of carvings upon its face as well. Perhaps this was a memorial to some event in the deep past." He looked at his companions. "Judging by these lichens and the wearing patterns it is very old."

[Togashi Saruko]

It also has some very subtle writing carved into it, but it's mostly worn away. The stone has likely been here for at least hundreds of years. A faint smell clings to it, but to his nose, it just smells vaguely like an animal of some sort.

"Hmmm..." Saruko looked back at the stone as she listened to Nadare. Scent markings could probably just be the animals living in this place, marking their territories.

A memorial sounded curious. Perhaps there was something the animal spirits had put here?

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and tried to feel if there was anything familiar here... were there perhaps any ties to Chikushudo or another realm here?

[Canary]

It would normally fade into the background, but... It feels, strangely enough, particularly strongly of Ningen-do itself.

[Togashi Saruko]

That was certainly a surprise, and yet not. "How interesting," she mused, her voice warm and gentle, "I can't feel any strong pull to another realms - but actually the opposite. It's very much of this realm."

[Togashi Nadare]

"I wonder if we will see more markers like this as we travel further south? Or if this is the last. Or perhaps the first?" He shrugged and then smiled. "Perhaps we should leave it to its slumber."

[Togashi Saruko]

"Hm," she nodded, looking thoughtful. "It's possible this marker served a purpose a long long time ago. But as you said, it's an old stone, so it should probably be left alone to continue its rest."

From a small pouch attached to her sash, Saruko took out some of the dried fruit she kept with her as a light snack and placed it by the base of the stone marker, and offered a brief and soft prayer to the spirit there. "Continue to watch over the land, stone spirit."