[Day 0 - LA] Miss Blue Sky

[Hida Kitusuchi]

“You didn’t have to come out to check on my work, mother, Kaiu Otomu has assured me that it will be ready before the Crane delegates arrive,” the Lord of Bronze Carp Castle said, glancing at her mother who was weighed down by her heavy armor.

She didn’t respond but she was sure her mother had heard her. She was glad to see her mother, but that was two days ago and now she was already counting down the days until her mother returned to her provincial castle and was not underfoot second guessing every decision.

Oh it was never vocal or public but the raised brow or pursed lips said more than words ever could. Especially since it was another year without the cries of a squealing babe to fill her personal chambers.

She sighed and just waited for her mother’s assessment.

[Hida Fuboshi]

“I think this shade of blue is too Crane blue, maybe darken it to let them know they sleep under the protection of the Crab,” she said after a long moment.

Fuboshi rested her heavy tetsubo on her shoulder and added, “If this Otomu fails to deliver I will know the reason why. These Crane will be expecting the Moon, and they whine like mewling children when their hosts come up short.”

[Hida Kitusuchi]

The Lord of the Castle just nodded, no reason to antagonize her mother needlessly.

[Kuni Takeshi]

Takeshi arrived at the Blue Bird House. His lord, Hida Kitusuchi, had appointed him to spiritually cleanse the place before the arrival of the crane delegation. For this purpose he had a small bag of sea salt and some prayer texts with him. Dressed in his prister robe, he went to the guesthouse full of zest for action, but as he entered he saw his lord and the lord of his lord.

He once took a deep breath when he saw the small mountain. Of course she was here, she would want to supervise the wedding.

He bowed deeply. "Hida-sama" he addressed them both, but then turned to Kitusuchi. "As discussed, I have made the necessary preparations to give our guests the greatest possible spiritual comfort."

[Hida Kitusuchi]

That was a moderate relief and she replied, “I have complete faith in Kuni-san that all is as it should be. If the Crane complain it shall not be about the purity of their souls at least. Hida-dono was just complimenting how well we have prepared for our guests.”

[Hida Fuboshi]

Fuboshi added to the Kuni, “Make sure that someone comes by daily to bless their baths, make a big a show of it. These pompous priss-ass Crane love a good spectacle. Add some poetry or flowers, Crane love that crap.”

[Kuni Takeshi]

"I will arrange this, although I doubt that we can satisfy the crane delegation. But still we will do our best, even if they will hardly appreciate it, Fuboshi-sama"

[Hida Fuboshi]

"Good."

The provincial daimyo seemed pleased with that response and added, "At least someone can get things done around here."

[Hida Kitusuchi]

The Lord of the Castle let the slight slide off her and she said, “Kuni-san, I am thankful for your attention to your duties. My family is thankful as well and I know your own family is expected to grow soon, a good sign for any lineage. How is Mumiko-san these days?”

[Kuni Takeshi]

"I thank you for serving you, Kitusuchi-sama." a short bow for thanks.
Takeshi straightened up again: "Mumiko is in good health, my skills and the kami have guaranteed her health,.. even if she is nervous... and admittedly so am I. It will not be long now,..."

[Hida Kitusuchi]

“When the time comes do take the time you need for your new family, my court will manage without you, I am sure,” she said warmly.

[Kuni Takeshi]

"I thank you for your offer, be sure that when everything is in dry clothes and the little one has survived its first winter, I will immediately resume my duties. My father would wish nothing less of me."

[Hida Fuboshi]

“Just be prepared to wash, Kuni-san. Daichi and Yoji were little shit monsters, they were so tiny and yet they could shit mountains. They grow up fast,” she said wistfully.

“I pray you grow old enough to watch them think they know all there is to know about life.”

[Kuni Takeshi]

Takeshi nodded. "I will take it to heart, Fuboshi-sama. I admit that this might be one of the things that makes me nervous, but with my mother's help we should be able to work it out somehow," he said.

"Speaking of her, is there any news of her, Kitusuchi-sama? Anything extraordinary in the hinterlands?" he asked.

His mother was a talented scout, but Takeshi still worries about her from time to time, after all, she was not exactly the youngest...

[Hiruma Sen]

Sen didn’t want to come into town at this time of day. It was too active for the quiet Hiruma’s taste, and there was more chance to run into someone important- oh, well, Sen had a good run. The lanky Hiruma offered bows to the gathered much more important than them samurai gathered.

Sen swallowed down the nervousness and spoke, albeit quietly, “Good afternoon...”

[Hida Kitusuchi]

Takeshi nodded. "I will take it to heart, Fuboshi-sama. I admit that this might be one of the things that makes me nervous, but with my mother's help we should be able to work it out somehow," he said.

"Speaking of her, is there any news of her, Kitusuchi-sama? Anything extraordinary in the hinterlands?" he asked.

His mother was a talented scout, but Takeshi still worries about her from time to time, after all, she was not exactly the youngest...

"Last I heard she was going to be working the border crossing, should be easy work beyond dealing with the all the guests inbound for the wedding," she responded.

[Hida Fuboshi]

Sen didn’t want to come into town at this time of day. It was too active for the quiet Hiruma’s taste, and there was more chance to run into someone important- oh, well, Sen had a good run. The lanky Hiruma offered bows to the gathered much more important than them samurai gathered.

Sen swallowed down the nervousness and spoke, albeit quietly, “Good afternoon...”

"Afternoon, soldier, you loafin' off?" she snapped. She allowed a tense moment and then chuckled darkly and added, "Relax Hiruma-san, just watching this Kaiu polish this turd of a manor for the priss-ass Crane. Tell me, you think the Crane will appreciate this gesture. It feels like licking their ass on a hot summer day if you ask me."

[Hiruma Sen]

The Hiruma stood straight back up, a bit of a curious expression as they glanced up at ‘turd of a manor’. The Hida’s rather crass attitude put Sen at ease, oddly enough. “Ah, well, I would hope they would appreciate the effort being put forth. I guess it would depend on the Crane? And I guess since they are Crane, they can at least fake appreciation for all that’s worth.”

A shrug, “Never understood them, honestly.”

[Hida Fuboshi]

"I don't think they understand themselves, but as long as they can keep our soldiers flush in rice I won't complain... at least when they are around," the daimyo responded.

[Kuni Takeshi]

"Last I heard she was going to be working the border crossing, should be easy work beyond dealing with the all the guests inbound for the wedding," she responded.

"Good, then the area should be safe." he said, before the other Hiruma appeared. He looked at them. Hiruma Ten, was it? Or was it Maegi? Ah they introduced themselves.
He had heard the name before, probably from his Mother.

[Hiruma Sen]

"I don't think they understand themselves, but as long as they can keep our soldiers flush in rice I won't complain... at least when they are around," the daimyo responded.

“Hmmm. True. It is nice to have the rice.” Sen was very grateful not to be starving. “Is there going to be a good number of Crane in attendance? Hopefully more of the bride’s family than any of the others.”

The Hiruma glanced over towards Takeshi. It made sense that he couldn’t remember Sen very well, the scout being elusive and a bit of a hermit of sorts. “Ah, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything...?”

[Hida Kitusuchi]

“It is the Crane, they do everything in flocks,” she joked.

“Honestly I am unsure though I expect enough that the manor should not go to waste. It would be insulting if only the bride showed up,” she mused.

[Kuni Takeshi]

"I don't think they understand themselves, but as long as they can keep our soldiers flush in rice I won't complain... at least when they are around," the daimyo responded.

“Hmmm. True. It is nice to have the rice.” Sen was very grateful not to be starving. “Is there going to be a good number of Crane in attendance? Hopefully more of the bride’s family than any of the others.”

The Hiruma glanced over towards Takeshi. It made sense that he couldn’t remember Sen very well, the scout being elusive and a bit of a hermit of sorts. “Ah, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything...?”

Takeshi shook his head. "As far as i'm concerned you're not."

“It is the Crane, they do everything in flocks,” she joked.

“Honestly I am unsure though I expect enough that the manor should not go to waste. It would be insulting if only the bride showed up,” she mused.

"I only hope that they get along with the other guests. Everyone knows how easily the cranes are offended." Takeshi deliberately left out that he meant the local samurai by 'other guests', but it was no secret that the cranes were not held in high regard in the area.

[Hiruma Sen]

“I wouldn’t worry about the other guests as much,” Sen gave a firm nod. “Oh! But probably should give them plenty of warning about venturing too far on the outskirts of the farmlands, though. The Crane that is. If they for whatever reason go out there. Had to set up a little something for a poultry poacher out there. Father also said that the areas outside of the village have seen lots of activity, generally speaking. Not that I expect any of them to go out there for a stroll, either.”

The Hiruma turned to the two Hida, “There gonna to be a hunt during the festivities?”

[Hida Fuboshi]

"Let the Crane find out the hard way," the older Hida mused.