[Day 0:MA] Strolling in

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko and her gang walked down the streets of the Fireshrimp village, her gang being a bird and a dog. She looked around wondering how she could have gotten so lost and arriving at this place.
"Hey Sari," She knelt down to talk to the dog. "do you think we will find some new friends here?" She looked up at the falcon. "What about you Kuma?" The falcon screeched. "You want to get some fish, huh? Maybe when we have seen the sight." She scratched the dog's head, standing up and resuming her walk.

[Dapper Dog]

She can hear singing, it is beautiful and lyrical but not coming from the broad avenue.

A narrow alley between two buildings.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

The Toritaka girl blinked a few times as her ears perked up. She looked at her gang and nodded. Sounds like a lovely singer is around "Kuma, Sari there seems we are to investigate." She followed the voice.

[Dapper Dog]

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The song comes from… an older woman as she sat on a stool and washed clothing. Sitting next to her though was her daisho. She stopped her singing to fret over the clothes in varying shades of light blue and white and then continued singing some more until she finally noticed the presence of the Falcon and rose.

She was quick to grab the sheathed katana and said politely, “Apologies, I pray my washing did not disturb you.”

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko smiled and bowed to the lady. "Not really, I was just wandering around. You have a lovely voice that seemed to be carried by the wind." She shook her head. "I seem to be the one disturbing your task. My apologies."

[Dapper Dog]

"It is fine, you honor me with your kind words. You do not seem like a local, may this one ask from whence you came?" she asked as she settled back into washing her clothes, her sword resting next to her leg.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

She gave it some thought. "I come from a village south of Shiro Toritaka." She nodded. "It seemed that I got lost at some point and arrived here." She wondered. "Have you traveled much?"

[Dapper Dog]

“I am not so well traveled.”

“I have never been to Shiro Toritaka, what is it like?” she replied as she washed.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"The mountain winds keep it cool. The falcons tend to nest near by an keep the small animal population under control. The castle is small and modest." She explained. "It is to keep our friends." She whistled and Kuma perched on her shoulder. "This is Kuma."

[Dapper Dog]

“Hello Kuma,” she said curiously.

“That is a rather interesting companion. Did you train them yourself?”

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko looked right. "He was trained by my brother. He died in battle. Kuma came back home. He took a liking to me." She looked at the bird and smiled. Then Sari barked. Hanatsuko chuckled. "You also want pets huh?" She looked at the girl. "That one is Sari. I trained her." The Toritaka petted the dog.

[Dapper Dog]

"I am sorry about what happened to your brother, unfortunate," she said in response.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"It is part of what the samurai life is. I think his legacy lives with Kuma." So does his spirit. The falcon chirped and Sari barked. "Do you live here? and What is your name?"

[Dapper Dog]

"It is part of what the samurai life is. I think his legacy lives with Kuma." So does his spirit. The falcon chirped and Sari barked. "Do you live here? and What is your name?"

"I am just passing through, you can call me Bujeihime," she responded to the woman.

"I suppose we are both here for a short time."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"So it seems." The Toritaka nodded. "This one is Toritaka Hanatsuko...it is an honor to meet you." Hanatsuko bowed. "Have you heard any interesting rumors?"

[Dapper Dog]

She laughed and said, "I apologize... rumors were never my strong suit, but if you wish to hear a tale or two I can do that. Less a rumor and more local folklore."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"That would be great, Bujeihime san. To know the tales of a place is better than none at all." Hantsuko smiled taking a seat.

[Dapper Dog]

Bujeihime began her tale, “Well they say some time ago, perhaps a century or more this region was in constant conflict with the Crane often changing hands between them and the Crab. This is what gives the region its name, the Red Sands Coast, named for the blood stained battles fought all along the coast.”

“During these many conflicts a mighty Crab bushi became the rival of a skilled Crane bushi, they fought many battles over the years and what started as mere conflict became a lifelong obsession of proving who was the better fighter among the two.”

“They decided that they would face each other on the beach just outside the village under Lord Moon’s light, they dueled to the death but in the morning no trace of them was found, only stained bloody figures. Perhaps they died, perhaps they did not.”

“The figures have since been lost and some say they were cursed and that anyone that has found finds a bloody end. An interesting tale, though I lack the skill to tell it well,” she finished.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"It is quite interesting. Even if you lack the skill to tell it it was wonderful. " She looked over he shoulder to the falcon. "Isn't that right, Kuma san?" The bird gave a nod. "Perhaps, it is worth investigating and appease the spirits of the beach."

[Dapper Dog]

"Then take care, I know nothing of spirits but the dead are not to be trifled with," she responded.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"I know... but it is my duty to seek spirits. Make them go back to where they are meant to go." She nodded. "If I survive I shall find you and tell the tale's that is if I am successful in my investigation." She stood up and looked at the falcon then to the girl washing clothes. "Thank you, for the story."

[Dapper Dog]

"May you find success in your endeavors," she said quietly.