[D1, MN: Expecting] A Promised Drink

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Shitoru sat in the darkness of the inn common room, he had some tea prepared, as well as sake. Though in truth, it might be his company could do without further spirits.

He was relaxed and ordering his thoughts. He hoped this would be pleasant instead of awkward.

[Sutorenja]

Sutorenja was not a night owl in fact she ascribed to the Akodo-kami school of thought that a samurai should sleep early and be prepared when others are sleeping. Tonight was no different, she had already been asleep for several hours when she came to in the dead of night.

She dressed herself quietly so as to not wake the Ikoma and made her way downstairs after cleaning up. The Scorpion was there, she nodded and said quietly, “Bayushi-sama, it is good to cross paths again.”

The place was dimly lit with lanterns and a single staff member was up in case a samurai had a need.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Good evening, mina-san." Hifumi greeted them quietly as she approached.

[Sutorenja]

"Good evening, mina-san." Hifumi greeted them quietly as she approached.

"Fuzake-sama, it is good to see my savior once more," she said kindly with a deep bow.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"I hope your experience here in the village has been better than what we encountered at the border." she offered a smile.

[Sutorenja]

“In hindsight I do not fault the Crab for their… overzealousness, they are besieged daily or so I am told by many dangers. Still perhaps some reflection of Courtesy and Compassion may do them some good in the future,” she said firmly.

“But I am but a wave-woman and should not judge my betters.”

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"So long as you do not presume to educate them, I believe having thoughts of your own is proper", Shitoru replied to the matter of the Crab. He bowed to both women. "Thank you, I know the timing may lack convenience for some, I'm pleased you both arrived." He gestured for them to join him and then sat as they did.

"Matters being what they are, I'd like to ask of either of you have come across scenes more ominous relating to our shared moment in Sparrow lands."

[Sutorenja]

She glanced at the Monkey samurai to allow her to speak first.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"I have not." she shook her head. "But, I have considered consulting my yarrow sticks to see if I might divine further insight."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Would you wish to do so now?" he asked. "If so our time is yours."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"I can." she took out the yarrow stalks. "What would you have me focus on?"

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Will there be misfortune if our companion enters the castle tomorrow?" he started with something simple. "And if there is no misfortune, will they have an auspicious meeting?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Very well."

Sitting down, she withdrew 50 yarrow stalks from a bag. One was then returned to the bag and set aside. The remainder were roughly divided into two piles. One she set before her to the right. The other was set to the left. From the right pile, one stick was picked up and placed between the last two fingers of her left hand. She then picked up the left pile, removing sticks four at a time, until 3 were left. Those were placed between the fourth and third fingers of her left hand. This was then repeated with the pile on the right, until one stick was left to be placed between the second and third fingers.

These five sticks were set before her. Then the piles were combined and divided again and the ritual was repeated. In the end, there were three piles, of five, four and eight stalks. Hifumi quietly contemplated the meaning of each line.

- - -
[D1, MN: Expecting] A Promised Drink, Divination/Intelligence regarding Sutorenja entering the castle, TN ??: 6d10o10k3 26

[Dapper Dog]

The fortunes read as follow; the day to come will be fortuitous but there is no danger in the castle for their companion, but a mortal end is assured many times in the days after. Death has many eyes.

Blessed is the one between Heaven and Earth.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Tomorrow will be safe." she assured them. "Death still waits, however."

"Blessed is the one between Heaven and Earth."

[Sutorenja]

"Well I suppose that is a relief," Sutorenja said letting a breath.

"Thank you."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Does that comment carry meaning to you, of any sort I mean?" Asked Shitoru. "Blessed is the one between Heaven and Earth. It sounds a simple thing, a parting comment by many a fortune teller, but i find it rings strange with the vision Fuzake-san had some days ago."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"It does make me wonder about the throne in my vision." the Monkey frowned.

[Sutorenja]

“The Empress is often considered by those of a spiritual bent the bridge between Heaven and Earth. At least as far as I can recall, maybe it means a mountain?” she offered.

“If it is tied to the vision it makes the things a little more dire.”

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"It seems there is further warning, but tomorrow is no danger, least not to your life", the Scorpion thought on it some. "The Empress, glorious for eternity, still ages as a mortal, she has children who wear her colors for now, could this vision of a man on a cracked throne be one of them...yet what does that have to do with Sutorenja-san, I wonder?"

[Sutorenja]

"I assure you I am no threat to the Throne of Heaven," she said to the samurai.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

He laughed. "I suggest no such thing, you seem a fine samurai despite your lot in life." He bowed slightly to reassure his intent was not such. "I am merely attempting to read the portends and see what line is being drawn by fate to link them."

[Sutorenja]

“I am concerned though, even if I am safe tomorrow, someone is coming to kill me. I don’t like knowing that my life is threatened,” she said honestly.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"None would, and from your words you seem to have no idea who would wish you harm...", he watched the woman closely, if there was anything he could read from her it might help.

[Sutorenja]

“None that would be of noble blood and would somehow threaten the Throne,” she said closing her eyes as if trying to remember anything she could piece together.

“Maybe we should search for this noble woman, anything about her you can recall?”

OOC: Sutorenja Sincerity: 5d10o10k3 16