Not Out Of The Woods Yet (D16, EN. Open)

[Togashi Saruko]

While many were getting their injuries taking care of, or helping the wounded, Saruko took up her usual place by the wagon.

They had won, but they were still in enemy territory. And as someone in better shape than most, she took it upon herself to keep up the guard routine.

[Nanzi]

Victory.

This was a great victory, but how would history remember it? That is what occupied his thoughts, most would be satisfied with just being here but not Nanzi. He was already thinking of the ramifications of the endeavor and what it would mean for this new Empire. The tribes would be further diminished, the Nezumi were not in a position to recover and be a powerful state once more, and the Kami were now reunited.

His body was worn, even though he had recovered from the foul magic of the witch he still felt exhaustion? Diminished? They had done an impossible thing with very minimal loss, some would paint that as a miracle but that only brought other questions to bear.

But for now they had victory and Nanzi did love to win, it was a much better feeling than the latter. He gave a thought to his friend, Victory over the forces of hell will go a long way to aiding the Empire and some unity but the divisions are there and with no external threat, internal strife will be easier to find. Regardless, Nanzi will be glad to be rid of this place. He longs for a warm bath and good drink, and the comfort of his family.

He gave a nod to Saruko as he held out his hand for the Raven to land, regarding it with a gentle petting of the feathers. He said, “Nanzi trusts all is clear thus far, Master Wedding Planner?”

[Togashi Saruko]

"Brother Nanzi," she said, her voice a little tired after a rather exciting day. The jade pendant she wore was brought out from the inside of her clothes and put the stone to her lips, in the adopted 'jade-greeting' of the expedition.

"All clear so far, defender." A brief chuckle, until she gave a curious look to the raven. "... I don't recall you having a bird before?" At least it hadn't been something she had seen before during the trip.

[Nanzi]

“Nanzi is pleased by that news, no spiders posing as children or hags wearing the faces of others,” he said with confidence.

“Ah this, he came to me… clever one this. Knew that the charlatan that returned that morning was a monster out to kill Matsu. This clever one has warned of danger when near, clever and good. Nanzi named him Hadananzi after his father. A miracle it was whole in so dark a place,” he said to his sister.

[Togashi Saruko]

She tensed a little. "Your jade."

He hadn't returned the gesture. And she was wary of... creatures... that one just found out in this place.

[Nanzi]

His jade necklace was about his neck touching his skin and he gestured to the simple collar of jade on the Raven. He continued, “Always about my neck sister, close to my heart.”

[Togashi Saruko]

Something was not right, but she couldn't put her finger on it. The presence of a strange bird that had suddenly appeared since she last spoke with Nanzi like this did not alleviate the concerns that had been present in her mind since they set out from Great Mountain City: that people didn't truly understand the dangers they were facing.

But, the monkey princess was a smooth operator in hiding her feelings, and smiled easily. "Well, it's good to see you're alright after the fighting... I was worried when I heard the sound of fighting draw closer to Reiko, but it thankfully didn't get any closer." She heaved a deep sigh. "It's been a long day, and we're still in this terrible place."

She shifted a little to not be so guarded anymore. The tattoo on her forearm seemed to still have that faint light of Tengoku that had been barely visible earlier around her entire form during the wedding ceremony and the fighting.


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D6 Sincerity (Deceit)/Awareness. "Everything's fine. I'm fine. How are you?" +1k1 Sakkaku-touched. +2k0 tattoo.: 9d10o10k5 44

[Nanzi]

“Yes we held the line, it was a near thing but we prevailed. It will be good to return home and have some peace with the family,” he said calmly seeing nothing amiss.

“Everyone played their part and we found victory.”

OOC: Not rolling as there is no reason for him to suspect being lied to.

[Togashi Saruko]

"Who was with you at the second line? Are they all alright?" she asked, concerned about the losses they might've suffered today.

[Nanzi]

"Who was with you at the second line? Are they all alright?" she asked, concerned about the losses they might've suffered today.

He replied, "Nanzi fought back to back with Jiyo Aumu and beside Hantei Kinsen; there was also Kanna of the Spider. By the end only Kanna and Nanzi were standing, against undying rats and me and a witch to lead them."

[Togashi Saruko]

"... But Kinsen and Ayumu are alive?" she asked, hopeful that they hadn't lost the two of them.

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi would not let his sister die, if Nanzi can help it. Ayumu-san proved his wroth and yet lives," he said in reply.

[Togashi Saruko]

She breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear... I haven't heard about what happened to the first line yet, but I hope they're all still alive."

It would be a miracle from the Heavens if they managed to do this without much loss, but she hoped for that miracle nevertheless.

[Nanzi]

"The Seidou warrior woman fell along with Ko from the fish people tribes... Taochusu fell but he is most certainly dead," Nanzi replied sadly.

"He will be honored as a samurai posthumously for his sacrifice, of that the Crane will see to."

[Togashi Saruko]

She murmured a brief prayer for the fallen ones, hoping for their safety and for the deceased to find their way to the Waiting Realm. Brother Ryoshun, please look after them.

"A small miracle in itsef that we didn't lose more, but I won't scoff away Heavens' blessings."

[Nanzi]

"United the Empire can do anything," he replied.

[Togashi Saruko]

"If people are united in spirit, the impossible can become possible." She agreed. "I'm happy brother Hantei and sister Shinjo listened to Shinsei, to his wisdom."

[Nanzi]

Nanzi chuckled and said, "Wisdom, sure... Nanzi is focused on other concerns now but he is pleased that Hantei was there."

[Togashi Saruko]

"I am too. Today was the deciding moment on whether or not the brothers would be able to mend the rift between them..." and she was glad it had worked out, despite Reiko's odd protests the day before.

"You doubt Shinsei's wisdom, brother Nanzi?"

[Nanzi]

"I doubt this man completely," he said confidently.

"At a minimum he is hypocritical and a maximum he is a charlatan, a skilled one but one all the same."