Warding the Wagon (D5, EA)

[Shoji Haka]

As the coolness of the morning starts to fade away, Haka sets about protecting the camp from malicious spirits. That takes the form of dozens of little dolls crafted from sticks, reeds, and mud. They're currently in a loose pile near the center of the wagon; every so often, Haka returns for a handful of them, then walks back to the edges of the camp to set the dolls up in a rough circle around the camp. She hums quietly to herself as she works.

[Bayushi Umeno]

It was just past midday, and that meant a quick lunch for Umeno. The air was far too humid for her tastes, even used to life along the shore as she was, so she found a larger jug of the coolest drink she could find (likely beer), a bit of rations for the road, and found a seat in the coolest spot of shade and rest she could find.

While the Scorpion wasn't a quiet eater, she wasn't particularly loud or obnoxious either. She stared at the strange woman as she worked, clearly noticing that her sight... wasn't ideal. Yeah, that sounded like the diplomatic way to put it. Umeno recognized the woman from the brewery back in Crab lands, though she'd been busy conversing at another table. She didn't immediately speak up, not the sort to needlessly interrupt someone at work, but she was intently curious what the blind woman was doing.

[Shoji Haka]

Haka carries her current load of stick figures to the very edge of the camp, setting them up very carefully a few feet from each other, then retraces her steps to the pile and gathers up more. "For protection," she says, seemingly to Umeno, before carrying another batch out and setting them up in the same way as the previous.

[Bayushi Umeno]

Umeno raised an eyebrow and gave a grunt. She'd never met a blind person before, but her curiosity only went so far. If she was there, she was there, and there was no use questioning how.

"If it's protection we want, there's plenty of blades and hammers to be found around here. Take it that means this is all some sort of spiritual magic mystical stuff then?" It was sort of a question, sort of a blunt statement.

[Shoji Haka]

"Yes, protection against ghosts and spirits," she says, speaking more loudly as she moves further away. "Much more difficult to stab them in a meaningful way!"

[Bayushi Umeno]

"I can't say I've ever had the opportunity to try. Suppose only certain places get stuff like that. We supposed to around here I take it then?" Her own voice seemed to naturally carry, when she wanted it to, such as was the case now. Umeno frowned a touch, not liking the idea of creatures that her hammer couldn't touch.

[Shoji Haka]

"This one does no think that anyone knows for certain," she calls back. "Hopefully not!"

A few more dolls are put in place, then Haka walks back and stops a short distance from Umeno, seemingly looking right at her with white eyes. "Eating woman was warned about using names, yes? Doing so attracts the attention of malignant spirits. It is much better to simply tell you that Shoji Haka has been setting up dolls around camp."

[Bayushi Umeno]

Umeno gave a small shrug out of habit as a reply. "Can't say I paid attention to all the details, but if saying my name around here's not something I'm supposed to do, then I won't. I'm not sure I even trust your way if that's the case. How about you just call me Eating then for now, and when you think we're safe, I'll share more."

"I'd write it down instead if that worked, but I'm not very good at writing." She had the decency to sound a touch sheepish at that before she grunted quietly. "Oh, right. Sumimsasen. Suppose that means it doesn't matter."

[Shoji Haka]

"There is little safety out here," she says. "Too much open space, and the group moves too quickly to set up proper wards."

Shrugging, Haka turns back to her pile of dolls. "This one is not always correct, but she is right more often than wrong when it comes to ghosts and spirits. Names are powerful and dangerous."

[Bayushi Umeno]

"I'm not doubtin' you," Umeno said matter of factly. "Like I said, I don't know the first thing about spirits or stuff like that. All the stuff I've been around don't mind names at all."

She paused, frowning, which touched her gruff tone. "That mean ghosts and spirits are what have that Kami guy? If that's the case, don't know why I'm here with my hammer."

[Shoji Haka]

"This one has no idea. She hopes not." Haka frowns as she picks up one of the dolls, only for it to break in half. "Hmm. That is not a good omen."

[Bayushi Umeno]

That actually caused Umeno to give a gift, low laugh. "I'd be more surprised to see a good omen at this point honestly. It's been one thing after another on this trip so far, and the surroundings don't exactly radiate good vibes."

[Shoji Haka]

"This one heard mention of a swamp. It sounded rather bleak from what the others were describing."

Haka licks the top half off the doll, near the break, and tries to stick it back onto the bottom half without success.

[Bayushi Umeno]

"Oh, I figured everyone smelled this place well before they saw it anyway. Not sure what it's like in your tribe's lands, but Bayushi don't smell like stagnant water and mold. Well... not any place I've been yet At least. Was some back in Kuwagaya lands though, swamps I mean."

Umeno hesitated. "Um... your smell's workin' just fine, right?"

[Shoji Haka]

"Yes," she laughs. "This one grew up and spent much of her life in a forest, though, so she is accustomed to the smell of vegetation. It is stronger here, she admits."

"It is good to place names to the smells, though."

[Bayushi Umeno]

"Usually is, yeah." Seemed silly still, but Umeno held back a defiant introduction. "Not a ton of forests down on the bay, but you can still find 'em around. You get used more to a briney, fishy smell. Ever smelled the sea before SH?"

Would the abbreviation be safe? It ft very informal and familiar, but she needed a work around.

[Shoji Haka]

"SH?" Haka's brow furrows in confusion.

[Bayushi Umeno]

Umeno cleared her throat and looked a bit embarrassed, rubbing at the back of her neck. "Well if I can't say names, I can at least abbreviate them, yeah? I'm kinda new to all this you know."

[Shoji Haka]

"Abbreviate?" Haka's confusion remained, then she seemed to get it. "Oh, this is like with written letters? SH?"

[Bayushi Umeno]

"Oh... oh, right." There was a first realization, immediately followed by a second. Neither lessened Umeno's embarrassment. "Yeah, it's like that. I guess with sounds you could say Shoha."