Weasel watch (D0 EE)

[Shosuro Himeko]

Himeko had no love for the Crane. Half of them had sticks so far up their own rears they couldn't bend their back and other wanted to put things in you. Usually not in the good way either.

However, if she were to choose right now, she'd take the pompous glamour over.....this. Sitting on the stump where a tree once was, looking at samurai do the peasants work with them. The Sparrow were a strange lot, chirping so much they would almost forget to breathe, but to see them actually getting themselves muddy was weird. Why didn't they just get more peasants? Or come up with a better way? Surely there had to be a way to do this that didn't mean each plant had its own samurai! Or at least that's how it looked to her, she had no idea what was going on.

Blowing some smoke out from her Kiseru once again, she continued her very vigilant and important duty. One that would ensure the survival of Sparrowkind, and perhaps all samurai; watching out for Weasels. The night terrors of Sparrow children. Burner of buildings. Devourer of Yams. The last one didn't seem too bad but Sparrow cared about them so she did her duty. Her boring, boring duty.

[Dapper Dog]

Suzume Aiya.jpg (30.41 KiB) Viewed 5029 times

"Ohayao, Scorpion-san," a samurai... well she assumed it was a samurai said.

“I see you found Shino’s stump, that used to be the best climbing tree in the whole village until the Biro needed a fence and then we chopped it down, well that was three years ago. I was knee high to a cicada back then, fresh out of my training! You know I was second in my class, never could beat senpai, he was so good at telling tales and a fair hand at the sword as well.”

The woman knelt by a bucket and washed her face to remove the grime and dust and before tending to her hair and then rose up and added, “So what brings you to our humble village?”

“Oh I’m Suzume Aiya, daughter of Suzume Miyo and Suzume Hijumitsu, grand daughter of the great Suzume Uji and so on and so forth. You know my great grandmother built the guard tower with her bare hands.”

[Ikoma Ren]

In the distance, there is a slow tramp of steps, and the rustle of cloth as Ren continues to trudge onwards. Sparrow was on the long way through on the trek to Crab lands for the wedding, he could appreciate the rugged beauty. Something about it stirs the young samurai's heart, song forming at his lips.

"Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
Shiro Akoka, mountains mother
Oh, Take me home....
Oh country roads~"

There is life in his heart and a smile on his face as he begins to see people up ahead.

Good. Maybe a hot meal and a bath. Though...looking ahead, maybe a bath is off the table

[Shosuro Himeko]

Suzume Aiya.jpg
"Ohayao, Scorpion-san," a samurai... well she assumed it was a samurai said.

“I see you found Shino’s stump, that used to be the best climbing tree in the whole village until the Biro needed a fence and then we chopped it down, well that was three years ago. I was knee high to a cicada back then, fresh out of my training! You know I was second in my class, never could beat senpai, he was so good at telling tales and a fair hand at the sword as well.”

The woman knelt by a bucket and washed her face to remove the grime and dust and before tending to her hair and then rose up and added, “So what brings you to our humble village?”

“Oh I’m Suzume Aiya, daughter of Suzume Miyo and Suzume Hijumitsu, grand daughter of the great Suzume Uji and so on and so forth. You know my great grandmother built the guard tower with her bare hands.”

Himeko took a deep drag from her kiseru, blowing it out away from the cleaning girl before she finally turned to the chirping girl who addressed her and bowed.

"I am Shosuro Himeko. I didn't need to know the rest, as you are you and not them, but continue to be proud of your lineage Suzume-san" the Scorpion smiled softly "a shame though that the same cannot be considered for the history of this tree. Even if it's given a new life, it cannot stand and grow anymore. A lesson there in one being cut down before they have time to fully grow, ne?"

She peered out across the fields, bringing her kiseru up before speaking again.

"Your lovely village is my respite from travels on the way to a wedding at Fire Shrimp Village. Quite well planned, as I cannot say before now I have graced a village of your clan. It's been a learning experience so far. Now then, what of this senpai you could never beat? Have you considered why he seemed so unbeatable, hm?" She looked back at Aiya. Resisting a sigh as the Ikoma started singing. Maybe he was going to start working the fields?

[Dapper Dog]

So many travelers passing through, this was lovely. Better have the best yams put out for a good meal and maybe some rice, not too much mind you. She started doing the math in her head and as she greeted the Lion and then said to the Scorpion, “Oh I am not worried about beating my senpai, it was an honor to learn at his side and now he gets to serve as page to Suzume-dono, what an honor.”

“A funny story that how he came to be the page, old Suzume-dono has terrible aching in his bones and his aunt makes the best salve to soothe his old bones but that year the weasels had been terribly bad so old man Hito needed to cut down the bushes that make the best salve to clear out the varmints but then how would we get the salve? Well the villagers were in quite a row so they came a to compromise and cut down only a third of the bushes and the rest they left alone so that Suzume-dono would have his salve.”

“So Senpai had to stand watch over those bushes and chase off the weasels, and he did so dutifully for three months. So Suzume-dono made him official Bush watcher, what a promotion and then he got promoted again to be his page, this time next year he will be the Master Counter of Yams I tell you what. He deserves it, he works really hard,” she said kindly.

“So you folks hungry, thirsty?”

[Ikoma Ren]

"Thank you for your hospitality. Your humble generosity matches your beauty." Ren beams at the girl, assuming she is a Sparrow samurai of some type. He eyes another one for a moment in Scorpion colors and offers a bow. "I am Ikoma Ren, of the Lion Clan. Please watch over me."

He looks around, the same broad smile on his face. "Food and drink would be a gift from the gods. It has been a long journey so far."

[Shosuro Himeko]

There was a small tut from the Scorpion, although she bowed to the Lion and said "Shosuro Himeko. I can watch over you if you wish Ikoma-san but I'll expect a return for my efforts later" with a small teasing smile before turning back to Aya.

"How wonderful for him, Suzume-san, but why him and not you. What separates him from you? Why shouldn't the next Master counter of the Yams be Suzume Aiya? Nothing is set in stone Suzume-san, unless we decide it is. Life is free flowing, and ever changing."

She took another drag of her kiseru, blowing the smoke upwards away from the other two, before continuing.

"Have you considered what it would take for you to claim such a prestigious position? Oh, and nothing for me thank you."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

Another samurai walked along the fields. She watched the Sparrow work with some interest, before she caught sight of the Scorpion and the approaching Lion. It seemed as if she was expecting to find them, as she nodded to herself and made her way towards the stump. A monkey peered over her shoulder at their destination, chattering to her. The woman didn't seem bothered by the creature clinging to her back.

"Shhh, Dango, be nice."

[Dapper Dog]

“Can’t say that I have, but we all have our role to play. I guard the border and the people here and another keeps track of the millet, another makes sure that the yams cure right, and another gets to be cabbage keeper. I do look forward to that, every year the older folks gather and cure some of the cabbage it’s an old recipe I hear but we just call it kim-chi, spicy as all heck and adds a kick to broth like you would not believe,” she said responded.

“You know my mother said that one time her sister made a batch so spicy that my cousin Yuto spit and shit fire for two weeks!” she said with a laugh. “But seriously, if you’re hungry you can join me and mine for some dinner, spiced yams, some rice, millet porridge and pickled treats. Might even have some fish, if we are lucky.”

[Ikoma Ren]

There was a small tut from the Scorpion, although she bowed to the Lion and said "Shosuro Himeko. I can watch over you if you wish Ikoma-san but I'll expect a return for my efforts later" with a small teasing smile before turning back to Aya.

"I expect that could take quite some effort on my part. I have no doubt that your attentions are quite sought after Shosuro-san, but I do return like with like." The smile never leaves Ren's face, but there is a glint in his eyes as he says it. His attention moves as yet another arrives. "It seems that there is quite a group gathering."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"The gatherings are just the beginning." she said as she offered a bow. The monkey took the opportunity to drop to the ground, where he watched the others with curiosity. "I am Fuzake Hifumi."

[Dapper Dog]

“Well salt my fish and call me grilled, this is mighty nice to see so many samurai passing through. Where are you all headed if you don’t mind me asking? It’s been a spell since we had so many come through here. Not since old Bo grew a gourd bigger than Big Toe’s dog… ahem I mean Suzume Hiromata. Which if you do see him, don’t ask him about his big toe, he’s mighty sensitive about it,” she finished.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren chuckles. "I wont. But to answer your question, I am headed to a wedding to be my Clan's representative. To show our good will"

[Dapper Dog]

Ren chuckles. "I wont. But to answer your question, I am headed to a wedding to be my Clan's representative. To show our good will"

"Oh I love a good wedding, I always cry," she said wistfully.

"Is this a Lion wedding?"

[Ikoma Ren]

"Oh no no." Ren puts a hand over his lips. "It is with the Crane and the Crab. Despite not being a direct part, my superiors felt that it would be appropriate to convey out well wishes"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"There will likely be samurai from many clans in attendance." Hifumi nodded.

[Shosuro Himeko]

With others joining and the conversation moving past the content little chirper, Himeko listened as she took another drag of her kiseru.

"I expect that could take quite some effort on my part. I have no doubt that your attentions are quite sought after Shosuro-san, but I do return like with like." The smile never leaves Ren's face, but there is a glint in his eyes as he says it. His attention moves as yet another arrives. "It seems that there is quite a group gathering."

"Is Ikoma-san insinuating that I would be hard work?" she tilted her head, giving the man a curious but amused look "we sit among the hard working Sparrow who personally tend to their own crops. Maybe that would be an easier duty?" She smiled, turning to the newest arrival.

"Fuzake-san. Good evening, I am Shosuro Himeko" she gave the woman a bow "it almost feels like a party now. All blessed with a wonderful host" she gave a nod to Aya "perhaps I should speak with your superior on your behalf, as you have been so kind as to provide for us. Are they out in the fields also?"

[Ikoma Ren]

"Is Ikoma-san insinuating that I would be hard work?" she tilted her head, giving the man a curious but amused look "we sit among the hard working Sparrow who personally tend to their own crops. Maybe that would be an easier duty?" She smiled, turning to the newest arrival.

"Oh no no. I'm saying that I'm hard work. I hear that I can be an abundance of attention to look over. Not that I would mind, but...."

[Dapper Dog]

Seeing them all speak she excused herself to handle a few things while some peasants brought over a table and started putting out some grilled yams, small bowls of rice and pickled vegetables for the samurai.

[Ikoma Ren]

"Is Ikoma-san insinuating that I would be hard work?" she tilted her head, giving the man a curious but amused look "we sit among the hard working Sparrow who personally tend to their own crops. Maybe that would be an easier duty?" She smiled, turning to the newest arrival.

"Oh no no. I'm saying that I'm hard work. I hear that I can be an abundance of attention to look over. Not that I would mind, but...."

[Shosuro Himeko]

"Oh no no. I'm saying that I'm hard work. I hear that I can be an abundance of attention to look over. Not that I would mind, but...."

"Hmm, I see. Then I must insist" Himeko motioned to the fields "it would be much easier to watch you from here if I know exactly where you are. Off to it Ikoma-san, the Sparrow are laying out a feast in preparation for your kind assistance."

Himeko chuckled, bringing the kiseru to her lips again to smoke before speaking again.

"After all, if I can be here assisting the Sparrow by watching for dangers, I'm sure Ikoma-san can also assist. Ne?"

[Dapper Dog]

"We would be mighty honored if you joined us for dinner. Please enjoy," the Suzume replied with a warm smile gesturing to the food. She had changed now to a simple kimono, a drab brown with white embroidery.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren looks back at the Scorpion. "It looks like your work just became easier." He turns to their host and bows. "We would be honored. Please allow me to share." Ren rummages through his pack and produces a bottle of sake.

He gives it a quick shake. "It's so hot out I don't think it needs to be heated"

[Dapper Dog]

"That's mighty kind of you, and I even have my cup ready!" she said producing a cup.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"You're being very kind to us, Suzume-san." Hifumi smiled. "Thank you."