Eternal Danger Islands

Kuni Makari sent a good amount of time walking about the festive setting in the City of Prosperous Dawn. It was a veritable street faire with goods and foods from many of the walks of life local to the area. One particular stall advertised bowls of udon big enough that even a Crab couldn't finish, a challenge he'd put to the test just for fun.

Makari invited the now "familiar" Clansmen that he had hunted ghosts with, that he had worked at the Topaz Championship with. He sat himself down and leaned against the booth, staring out to the crowd as he waited, hoping that the curse of the winter dragon was over after the night before, wondering who would show.

Tamori Retsukaarrives first. The plain looking Dragon Shugenja entered the Udon shop and bowed pleasantly to the Crab. She wore a simple, dark blue kimono with a floral pattern stitched in green thread.
"Good morning, Kuni-san. I hope the day finds you well." she says pleasantly with a bow before taking her seat. She waits for the staff to pour her tea and she orders a bowl of yakisoba. She sat quietly as she waited for her food or the next guest.

Makari smiled to himself, it would be the Dragon to arrive first, even if it isn't prayers. "Tamori-san, the day will find us, well or not, so we must endure and enjoy." He treated his first companion to seated courtesy before reaching into the sleeves of his own and produced a long-stemmed pipe, purely to chew on the end while he waited. My, how he loathed waiting.

He grimaced involuntarily as a server screeched in an absurdly loud manner to the back something about not knowing the difference between hot noodles ordered and the hard noodles. Each place had its own quirk, she just happened to overshadow the entire establishment.

"I hope you find the day to your liking, and the festival more relaxing than I have so far. The omens spoke of much, and so little has come to pass...forgive me, ramblings of the idle." He hadn't slept well, and it probably showed in his absent-minded shuffling.

"I missed much of the festival, unfortunately. My duties didn't allow me to." she says, not as disappointed as her words suggested. "I hear you were honored by the Administrator." she says as she takes a sip of tea.
Then another familiar face arrives, that of Ujina Shouta. The "Black Hare" is wearing a brown and gold kimono with a black haori vest around it. He looks like he's dressed his best today.
"Good morning, minna-san." he bows before taking a seat. He places and order of Champon. Retsuka pours the new comer some tea. He seems excited to be sitting with you and keeps looking around. "So, I hear Akodo-sama saved us all from disaster? He has quite the reputation, I hope to be part of the next adventure." he smiles, knowing that the Kuni is also a member of the famous "Ghost Killers" the Administrator kept talking about.

Kitsune Satsuna was growing restless in her accommodations at the palace. It would be in poor taste to complain but the whole building made her feel enclosed and disconnected, unlike the open and incorporating architecture of the Fox Clan that embraced the surrounding area instead of taming it. Certainly, the grounds had gardens but they were well groomed, artistic and somehow made Satsuna miss the lush, wild forests of her home even more.

The polite knock at her door brought a bit of unlikely relief to disrupt her ennui; an invitation from her Kuni acquaintance to meet at a noodle shop. Normally she would have been nervous about being in a more intimate setting, one where her “quirks” might get noticed but her father had hammered into her that she was now the future of her family, and thus needed to try harder to represent them favorably. There was also the possibility of the commoner’s fare to have some pheasant or other fresh game, as the seafood prevalent to the area failed to satisfy the little vupline that nudged at the back of her mind.

Politely shooing away the little tree sparrow who had joined her for the walk, Satsuna tried to be as unobtrusive as possible as she entered the Udon shop. It did not reflect on her visage, but she was a bit surprised to see two others had already joined Kuni Makari before her. She wasn’t as familiar with them but she did not let it deter her from politely bowing and greeting them before taking her seat at the table. Inside she grimaced a bit seeing the Ujina dressed so finely, her own copper-red kimono wasn’t her best even if it was finely embroidered to hide familiar fox-shapes in an intricate leaf pattern but any highly skilled artisan might have noticed it had been refitted to her smaller frame at some point. Relics from her sister, who as the darling of her family once had the finest of things.

”Thank you for the invitation, Kuni-san. After such events as last night, it is pleasant to enjoy a simple fare with our associates,” said Satsuna, smiling at little because was was indeed more comfortable in a small crowd.

Makari set down his pipe as three steaming bowls were set down in front of him, he waved his thanks as everyone was starting to come together. "Thank you for accepting my invitation, Ujina-san, Kitsune-san," he greeting them by arrival. "The festival may be nearing its close, but that is no reason to stop enjoying ourselves before we return to our duties."

He smiled at the Hare's open enthusiasm and admiration for Akodo-gunso, while wondering about his attire, the day after the festival, who was he trying to impress? "I'd be more than happy to speak of your willingness to serve with us to Akodo-gunso, new blood is always a welcome strength in my eyes, especially after your performance at the Topaz Championship."

Shouta digs in greedily to the dish before him, while Retsuka simply picks at hers quietly.
"Glad to be invited. I was expecting Akodo-sama to be here, is he coming?" Shouta asks between mouthfuls. Retsuka suppresses a grin at the Hare samurai.
"I believe he was speaking with Bayushi-san and Ikoma-san about how best to deploy our new Guntai. I expect the Administrator will be sending us out soon." she says.
"Oh, good." the hare says with a hint of disappointment. "That's where I recognize you from, Kuni-san!" he exclaims.

"I'm glad someone does. I know I did not make as grand a showing as others, but I was a top competitor regardless" With a wink, Makari picked up a bowl and started slurping the broth down.

After a long gulp, he set it down and leaned back, catching his ankles on the stool to support himself. "I know it's not exactly mid-morning conversation, but I'm curious, about all of you." He gave each one an appraising glance, trying to weigh where they laid their value, "What are you hoping for here? What do you want out of these 'assignments' that will eventually start coming. Don't be too modest either, where are you hoping to go?"

"I simply wish to serve my lord and the Empire. Truly." Retsuka says, rather plainly. She continues eating. Shouta however grins between slurps.
"Before the events that lead to war between our clans some thirty years ago, Kuni-san, the Hare were the largest and most powerful of the minor clans. I will do anything to pave the way for my clan's return to glory."

The Ujina seemed eager enough to engage with the Kuni, who was the only one she was mildly familiar with so Satsuna took the advantage of seeming politely hushed to inquire from their server about fresh game. If the boy was shocked about her request, he did not show it but that was likely from a lifetime of not questioning the samurai. His father had recently brought in a few rabbits and some pheasant, the latter of which Satsuna almost too hastily ordered with her noodles.

It was a pity she didn't get the chance to hunt something herself as she was certain any number of these shops would have prepared it for her. A tickling image nagged at the edge of her mind, a little orange figure crouched in the grass springing forth to clamp its toothy maw down an unsuspecting rabbit with a satisfying snap. The warmth of its life force filling the space between her incisors as the prey twitched into its final rest…

Satsuna blinked away the fantasy and turned her attention back to the table, realizing that her thoughts could be viewed as inappropriate with their Ujina company. Catching the end of the conversation, she kept her neutral expression at the false claim that the Hare family was the mightiest of minor clans. Let the Hare boast what he wants. The smallest kit yaps the loudest for attention. Catching a rabbit in her jaws indeed.

"I am merely here to bring befitting recognition to my family,” she added after a moment had passed, realizing that there had been a brief lull where the others had waited for her own reply. That was the reason she was given by her family, but she couldn’t very well say that she was there because she was told that she had to or that she’d be perfectly happy to find that gateway to Chikushudo to slip away and join her spirit ancestors. "Curiosity is met with curiosity, I would ask the same question of yourself Kuni-san."

The Crane nakado glided into the udon shop, exhibiting living proof of the Clan's reputation for grace and presence. Kakita Miho was a touch tardy but she wasn't about to make a show of timidness, instead she was fashionably late and unabashed to show it. She was, in fact, incredibly busy and important. Everyone knew that and it was a show of good faith accepting an invitation from the Crab, even though if she didn't think she could have benefited from meeting more intimately with the members of her squad, she would have politely declined.

It took her a brief moment to notice the small party gathered at one end of the shop. Miho’s training immediately turned the frown that tried to form into bright, welcoming smile as she approached. The group was much smaller than she had anticipated and their Gunso wasn't present.

”Good day, Kuni, Taymori, Kitsune, Ujina,” she said, nodding and awknowleging each in turn. ”May I join your company? I apologize for being late, I was deep in a very important conversation. Festivals put everyone in the mood for romance.” If, important was whether or not one of the Phoenix could tolerate a partner who whistled when the spoke then what she was doing was important indeed.

Makari tamped his pipe for when he was done trying his hand at this meal, a little bland compared to the fare from last night, but good, and plenty.

"Plenty simple, I'm here to prevent the spread of malign intent across the Empire, and proven by last night, where are some...paths that need to be closed for the safety of the people" Close enough to true, there was no lie to it at least.

He wondered i these were all of the answered invitations, and was a little disheartened at the lack of response he received.

He looked up as he finished, noticing the Crane that had walked in at the end of the conversation. "Welcome, Kakita-sama, I am glad for your company at my humble gathering, though I make no promises for how many more may or may not arrive. We have already ordered, so feel free to move at your own pace." A woman like her was rarely found out in a common area like this, and Makari was curious what brought her to answer his letter. Was she here like te Ujina was? Hoping to talk to Akodo-gunso?

Miho decided she would make the best of the situation since she knew so little about the foursome that sat at the table and she was certain none of them had betrothals arranged. Her eyes passed briefly over the group, it seemed the guests had sat across from their host and she was unsure whether or not it had to do with politeness or the fact that the Crab was one of the largest men she had ever seen. The Dragon was almost dismissable and she kept searching her memory of anything important the woman had done beyond earning a place in the guntai but came up with nothing and almost cowering in the corner was the amber haired Mantis girl, clearly a member of the Fox clan which she knew was an important distinction for arrangements. Last, it was impossible not to notice the last guest, his attire almost made up for his over zealous eating, but she was glad that she did not have to sit next to the Hare as his noodles speckled broth across the table.

”Thank you for your invitation, Kuni. The present company is all that is necessary to enjoy this fine morning. I am fond of intimate engagements,” she smiled as she took an empty seat beside the Crab, making sure to that is was clear she was undaunted by his height. Their Clans had a tumultuous history and so she was already expecting him to be less than friendly.

After allowing a little small talk over the events of the festival, Miho innocently smiled over her rice bowl that had finally arrived and redirected the conversation. ”We have had such little time to get to know each other, I suggest we take advantage of this moment to go around and share something the others might not know. Something simple, perhaps a favorite dish, what you miss about your home or a hobby you enjoy. Since I have come up with the game, I will go first.” Thinking for a moment, she then continued, ”Let’s see.. I have read the complete works of Sei Shonagon.”

As the Kakita addressed the group, Shouta looked up from his nearly finished bowl. The food fell from his mouth as it hung open a moment. He quickly recovered and gave a seated bow.
Retsuka suppressed a giggle at the Hare samurai. They made room for the Crane and listened diligently as she spoke, as if she commanded the room with her mere presence.
Shouta nearly shot up from his seat to speak next.
"I, Ujina Shouta," he says, making sure a certain newcomer heard it. "And I defeated the bandit king Takimon the Cruel in single combat." he says, his chest swelling with pride. Clearly he was very, very skilled at impressing women. (sarcasm)
"My name is Tamori Retsuka, and I love the smooth yet course feeling of stone on skin." she says quickly to pass it to the next person.
"I am Tsuruchi Chouko, and I am late." a new comer says. She is a rather attractive, with a gold-embroidered green eye patch covering her left eye. A scar can be seen running down to her chin. She sits at the table.
"Technically, you didn't know I was late, so I played by the rules?" she says, reaching for the pot of tea.

"Technically, I didn't know you were coming at all, Tsuruchi-san, welcome to what I suppose has turned into the fair-game table." He glanced over at the emerald archer with approval as she sat next to him, claiming the last open seat at the table. Two women on either side of him and Ujina-san, odds that any man can enjoy, especially since they, for the most part, seem good company.

"And to finish this round off, I enjoy the calm introspection that comes with a long travel across the roads." Makari gave a self-assured nod to conclude his answer. "Two of us now have asked questions that each can answer, so there are four more rounds to be taken if everyone wants to play. Pick a question, something without personal bias, that can have an answer by everyone to give an idea of who we are. Let's get to know each other, right? Who's next?" Makari waved over some more food and cups for the rest of his guests. This was getting good after all.

"I'll go next, to make up for my tardiness." the Tsuruchi woman says, having quietly ordered food as the Kuni finished.
"What skill are you most proud of? We are, after all, serving together. I am most proud of my skill in tracking those who flee justice, or hide behind masks of lies." she says cooly. Shouta nods sagely at that.
"I too am good at chasing down villains, but I find it is helpful to have quick feet and an able sword hand in such adventures. And few are faster than I. Ikoma Kotone-san being one of the only samurai who's ever kept up with me." he boasts proudly. "Are you going to finish that, Retsuka-san?" he asks. "Oh, oops, that's not my question... just a question." he grins sheepishly. Retsuka shakes her head and he reaches over to scrap food off her bowl.
"Those are fine skills, ones I share, though I am not so skilled at either. I am most proud of my study of the Tao. I do my best to remember the wisdom of Shinsei. A passage I enjoy; “Master the Way of the Earth, and you will find the virtue of the eternal mountain.”" she speaks softly.

As the group went around, Miho listened to not just their answers but the way they presented themselves and what information they chose to provide. She resisted the urge to begin taking notes, deciding that they might become defensive too quickly if the the informal nature of the meeting was disrupted. Still, it was difficult and she could feel her fingers curl around the leatherbound book tucked away in her sleeve and she went over what she would write later in her head.

The Hare was established for a young man but boastful coming from a small clan. Both him and family would likely be eager to accept any marriage from a higher station or clan, but not many of the greater clans would be likely to accept a union with a lesser one. Perhaps a Mantis if she could find one that tolerated his energy. The Dragon, not unexpectedly decided to be obscure in her answer and she was left wondering if there had been a deeper meaning that she had missed or that the woman simply enjoyed hot stone massages. The Fox had just as cryptic of a reply, saying she enjoyed the simple conversation of a tortoise. Miho somehow got the notion that the girl was being quite literal but dismissed the feeling as ridiculous.

Their last arrival was a pleasant surprise for Miho, knowing the woman had some status in certain courts. Her answer was dodgy even if it was made in good humor and she wondered if anyone else at the table viewed it as being a poor sport.

Miho wondered what sort of question the Crab had posed to the group before her arrival but was quick to assume it wouldn’t have interested her. The few Crabs she had met or been taught about did nothing but talk about warfare and the Shadowlands but she couldn’t blame the less refined clan for having a narrow view on the world.

At the very least, the Tsuruchi led in with a very good question. More mental notes were made and she was nearly dying to write down the things she was learning by the time it was her turn again and chose to go with the obvious. ”I am afraid my skills are not quite as industrious as apprehending villains or as studious as knowing the deeper passages of the Tao. I do excel at the art of arranging harmonious matrimony for those in need, a talent I will gladly provide for any and all of our guntai,” she said brightly, reminding them that her services were quite available.

Makari was glad that everyone here was such a good sport about this off-the-wall bonding time he made. He hadn't spent nearly as much time with the Guntai as he had originally wanted, and that left him feeling isolated from the rest of them at times, but that was also partly the blame of his studies and research of this obscure land with it's unusual tether to practically every other Realm. Ujina-san was an entertaining blowhard that he could easily lose time around just listening to him blather on. Tsuruchi-san was a unique specimen that Makari wanted to learn more about, bounty hunting probably took her across many of the clan borders, so her stories would be exotic and new to him. Kakita-sama was rather...pushy in her position, and probably was trying to pair them off already, and Kitsune-san was just so softspoken.

He pondered a moment, tapping the head of his pipe on the table as he thought. Each of them had some useful insight he may be able to keep in mind, but nothing so far was terribly surprising, each of them met well with they own clans stereotypes, and likely thought the exact same thing about everyone else here. "I suppose if I were to pick one thing in particular, it would be my ability to see more of someone than they intend to give, though it does occasionally land me in some awkward situations, like during my game with Shosuro-sama last night." He let out a slightly embarrassed laugh, knowing that in time, calling out the Scorpion for losing to him on purpose was going to haunt him. But even the Superior tactician needs to learn not to underestimate their foe.

"You've landed in an awkward spot with a Shosuro?" Chouko's good eye studies the Crab intently. "What did you do?" she asks, rather bluntly changing the subject.

Makari shifted his huge frame to address the question directly, shielding the Tsuruchi from Kakita's urging gaze. "That's debatable. We had a friendly competition of wit on game boards after dinner last night in the main hall with our hostess, me with mine, and him with his. I did not appreciate the way he played his game, and said as much."