Wedding at Fire Shrimp Village an L5R PbP

Knowing the spiritual turmoil happening around, Hanatsuko walked around the streets. Her falcon cried from the sky and her dog walked beside her. She hoped it would be a eventful night but she wanted to keep watch on the evening during the setting sun.

You know you don't have to do this right?

"I know but I want to."

"Atchoooooo!" Snizzes the rather bulkier than normal Otomo from a short distance. Perhaps unnoticed before.

"I apolo--tchoooo!" He snizzes again, and shivers a bit.

The Toritaka blinked a few times at the loud sneezing. She moved toward the sound. "Are you okay?"

"Hai!" He says, making himself fully visible under one of the lanterns. He says while rubbing his nose, "Apologies, I think the cold bath I had prior this evening might have taken its toll."

He bows, and announces himself, "Otomo Saisei, assistant to the nakodo. I haven't had the honor of meeting properly since the event yesterday. How has Inari-kami treating samurai-sama?"

"Yes, I have been blessed. I hope Jurojin blesses you." The woman bowed. "This one is Toritaka Hanatsuko... That one is Sari." The woman whistled and the falcon came down to perch in her shoulder. "This is Kuma." The falcon gave what could be considered a bow. "I remember you from yesterday..."

I should teach Sari to bow... You did a great job with Kuma.
Teaching him to bow was really difficult. Mother helped... He is an assistant to the nakodo.

She was going to continue but for some odd reason Hanatsuko froze.

The boy smiles to both pets, but takes a tiny step back to cover his nose while... "Atchoo," sneezing again. "Beg your pardon." He says, wrinkling his nose. "I remember Toritaka-san also. We did a very good job yesterday. I hope the Fortunes will be happy."

"The wedding will be blessed." She wondered. "But I hope that the two samurai to be married can help keep the relationship between the Crane and the Crab in good terms. War can change people's view."

"Hai. That good terms is certainly where my hope is deposited." He says, knowing all too well that war changes everyone's views in extreme ways.

The Otomo looks to her and the creatures again to ask, "May I ask, Toritaka-san, why are you strolling at this time of the night. Coming back from the Mantis party? I confess I did not see you there."

"The Mantis had a party?" She shrugged. "I don't do well with lots of people around. I prefer the outdoors and my friends." She petted the falcon then lowered to the height of the dog. "Right Sari chan?" Sari barked in agreement. Hana stood back to face the imperial.

"Atchooooooo!" Sneezes the Imperial as she stands back from petting the dog, "I'm sorry. I should get some sleep soon."

He moves around the dog, looking at him with a smile and then towards the inn, "Care to patrol this way then until I reach the inn. By the way, where is Toritaka-san staying?"

"I am staying at the Inn. I shall escort you to your destination." She nodded. "We don't want any troublesome spirits or kami knows what that roams around the streets at night." She said nonchalantly.

He smiles at her disposition, initially, but then narrows his eyes as she mentions spirits. The Otomo asks, "That is... true. I have been importuned earlier today, and it felt... well... corporeal. Has Toritaka-san seen a troublesome spirit?"

Hanatsuko nodded in agreement. "I have encountered such spirit. It has transended from the spirit realms to Ningen-do." She pressed her hand on her heart still pained by what had happened the previous night. "I can still feel the ringing in my ear." Her hand moved to her ear as it tried to get a ringing to stop.

"Atchooooooo!" He sneezes louder, now. "Pardon."

After a moment to catch some air, he says, "I haven't seen the spirit, but something did try to pull me down into the bath house pool, and the water felt suddenly cold, and chilly. Something entirely different from the voices and dreams I often have."

"I see..." She pondered. "Hmmm... The chill is a sign of a spirit all right. The one I have encountered seemed to be looking for its parents." She explained. "I wish I could help you with your sneezing but I am not a medic."

"Atchooooooo!" He sneezes again, "Thank you for worrying. Yeah. The sneezing has nothing to do with what happened earlier. I kind of sneezes when..."

He inhales, business t tries to say, "Atchooo!"

"When there are animals nearby. I am sory." He rubs his nose again, "So. Tell me more of this parent seeking spirit. I mean, I don't look like a parent and it pulled my leg. Not sure it is the same. Maybe this town is beyond haunted."

The woman frowned. "I can send my friends away if it makes it better." Then she started to explain."The area seemed to be cursed... She said something about 4 nights of pain... hearts to be mended... if not found I will be called out to sea." She shook her head. "I think the child fell into the water and was left for dead."

"Holy kami! Atchoooo!" He says, and then sneezes once more, "No need to send them away. It is my problem, and there might be fur in your clothes, so..."

The young man shakes his head to refocus, and says, "So it does make sense that I was pulled underwater. It is not just with me, but overall. I am very grateful for your insights, Toritaka-san. Since you seem knowledgeable: what should I do to protect me, or end this curse –– seek a priest?"

"Very well." She continued. "I am investigating the way to end the curse. Perhaps is not the people but the place. Seems it goes back to 10 years ago." She looked at sky. "Do you know the history of this town?" She asked with genuine concern.

He shakes his head. "I've never heard of this place before."

"Neither do I... I should check with the Castle to find out more about it." The woman nodded. "History can help solve mysteries. I think this is one Jigoku of a mystery."

"Please, do bring me information of what you find out and let me know how can I be of help." The Otomo manages to complete a sentence without sneezing for once.

"Yes Otomo sama." She nodded and bowed.

"May the Kami light your path." He says with a bow, and enters the inn.

/scene?