Session Report: 21 May 2021
Introducing...
General Summary
In this session of Tsuwamono, the following events transpired:
Devil in a Dandelion Dress1559年11月16日 Introduction (Night)
Nijō Castle
Historical Entry: Devil in a Dandelion Dress
In the process of going about his duties as a general, Ryūzaki Sanosuke received an unexpected correspondence from an ally. As that ally happened to be Tsukijō Hanahane, the message went on for quite some time. By its end, Sanosuke had picked through enough of the flowery language to get a grip on what was happening. It seemed that a business rival of Hanahane's had arrived in Japan. Rather than deal with more competition than Juntoku no Chukyō already offered, the flamboyant vessel had directed this newcomer to the Silver Meteor Storm instead. Indeed, she should be arriving at Nijō Castle any minute now... A quick call to Sanosuke's administrative assistant, Trivia, confirmed this beyond doubt. Young Miss Chōko Dufour had already arrived, in fact. Trivia was even now in the process of showing her to her new offices, a vacant room in one of the most desirable positions overlooking the castle gardens. Apparently, Miss Dufour had assured Trivia that everything was already approved by the higher-ups. Sanosuke, the higher-up in question, had approved no such thing. That room wasn't in use, however, so he didn't contradict the assumption as such. Both he and Trivia got the sense that this was a young lady used to getting what she wants. Such a sense was only fortified by the revelation that Chōko Dufour had found her way into the mental network. No doubt she had ordered Shigeaki Fujino to include her in a way which broached no argument. Quite an enterprising businesswoman indeed. With such arrangements in place, the discussion was able to continue with a direct mental link between Sanosuke and his newest recruit. Miss Dufour would be working for him. Of that there seemed to be no confusion. She'd take a workshop and some resources for her own projects. In exchange, the young mechanic would be willing to work on any projects which Sanosuke requested when on duty. That seemed fair enough, and Chōko even promised more. Once she got her blooming business off the ground, Sanosuke would surely share in its success. This girl had, by her own word, left Développement Dufour due to personal reasons. Was she now trying to accomplish something similar in Japan? Regardless, the arrangements were now set. It had been so dizzyingly quick that Sanosuke wasn't sure how much of a say he'd had in things at all. Still, the relationship certainly seemed mutually beneficial. Before they parted mental ways, Chōko had one last request. If any other scientific minds existed in the local area, she'd very much like to be in contact with them. There was only one answer to such a query. Sanosuke promised to introduce her to S.P.I.R.A.L. at a later date. An enterprising businesswoman indeed.1559年11月16日 Introduction (Night)
Nijō Castle
Historical Entry: Mister "H" and the Royal Attaché
Passing through one of the corridors of Nijō Castle on his way somewhere else, Ryūzaki Sanosuke was almost moving so quickly that he missed a great tear in the wall to his right. It wasn't a hole in the material. Not as such. Instead, it looked like a rip in the very world, revealing a bare portion of somewhere else beyond. As Sanosuke slowed and investigated the anomaly, he was in a prime position to observe the dapper man who strolled through. A cane came first, followed by an immaculately-trousered leg. Then, the rest of the gentleman, topped by a fine mop of white hair. For all the gentleman's grandeur, Sanosuke's attention was focused on the woman who came after her. Dressed in foreign finery and no small amount of golden jewelry, her curly copper hair overshadowed a bedazzling pair of round spectacles. Clearly, neither of these people were from around here. As is common when a portal to the land of dreams opens in one's hallway, Sanosuke was somewhat at a loss for words. Fortunately, the gentleman seemed ready to pick up the slack. He introduced himself simply as "H". In the same land but another time, that letter might have had some unfortunate connotations to it. But he was not to know that. The woman gave her name as Othéa, and Sanosuke's interactions with a certain flamboyant Dreamer came to his aid in discerning the little flourish in its pronunciation. They were both from the Dreamlands, where Sanosuke's own cohorts had visited not long ago. Upon meeting with several individuals from the realm of "Japan," Miss Othéa's curiosity had been piqued, and she wished to see that place for herself. With that explanation, "H" went on to ask Sanosuke for directions to this place called Japan. On this count, the Silver General was well able to offer his aid. The realization that they'd found their destination so soon clearly pleased both of his visitors. "H" soon excused himself, however. By the gentleman's own account, his presence was rarely welcome in any given place for long. He stepped back through the portal and sealed it behind him, leaving Sanosuke and Othéa alone. By this point, the Silver General had largely regained his composure. It was his duty to be a good host, after all, even to unexpected visitors from the conceptual planes. Othéa, however, seemed more interested in Sanosuke's clothing. From the fine weapon at his hip to the clothing befitting his status, she was able to accurately guess that he was a lord of this place. Sanosuke didn't try to deny it. Without asking for permission, Othéa stepped in, running her hands across the threads of his clothing, smoothing a crease here, attacking a wrinkle there. When she finished, she stepped away and asked if he had a mirror. Sanosuke did not. At least, not on hand. A quick look down at himself was sufficient, however. Othéa's hands had perfected his already exquisite outfit. Her fingers had somehow put the perfect crease to every joint and brought out the color to deeper and more vibrant shades than should be possible. Even when walking amongst the country's elite, Sanosuke had rarely seen an outfit this fine. That seemed to have been intended as a sample of Othéa's abilities. She had some experience working with those in command. Smoothing the way for them and ensuring that they always looked their best. Other tricks, too, were at her disposal. All she asked in return was that Sanosuke allow her to observe and, perhaps in time, share in his successes. It was not a difficult decision for the Silver General to make. He rarely shied at bolstering his own forces, especially where lovely women were concerned. Sanosuke offered Othéa a room in the castle, which she accepted without hesitation. So long as she had access to the servants, there should be nothing else that she needed to start serving as part of the Silver Meteor Storm immediately.1559年11月16日 Introduction (Night)
Ōtsu Castle
Historical Entry: Zinnia the Earthbound
Aotsuki Tsukamoto opened his eyes. Apparently, after that misguided meeting with Saika Magoichi, he'd fallen asleep on the floor of the meeting room. It wasn't a great surprise. As his mastery over his body grew, he physically needed little sleep these days, but mental exhaustion was another matter entirely. It had been a strenuous few days. Of that, at least, there was no room for doubt. But what had woken him up. Looking about the well-lit room, he realized with a start that his three Sheele were all missing. Aotsuki's heart jumped up into his throat. Unlike some sheele, their bond was so close that his soul companions literally could not survive away from his presence. The lamp in the room had burnt out, so the light Aotsuki was searching with... It was coming from something on a nearby shelf. The sleep had all but fled from Aotsuki's eyes as he squinted to take a closer look. The glimmering object there on the shelf looked like some kind of glowing crystal shard. It was lighting the room all by itself, and making noise too. The thing seemed to grow as Aotsuki turned his attention on it. Soon, he heard noises as well. Laughter, chatter, and the rolling sound of waves. Lurching up, he took a few steps forward. Aotsuki's first step landed on tatami, but his foot dug into soft, warm sand on the second. The sudden brightness, like noon on a sunny day, blinded him for a moment. Combined with the unexpected yield beneath his foot and Aotsuki was suddenly tumbling forward. He had an impression of a shining white coastline and three faces gazing at him in muted horror. The three sheele, who hadn't been so far off after all, surrounded an immaculate sand castle there on the beach. If he didn't do something, Aotsuki was about to slam into that same sand castle. Unmitigated disaster rushed up as he pitched forward. Fate chose this moment to intervene. By all accounts, Aotsuki should have tumbled headfirst into the girls' exquisite project, but a particularly strong wave pushed him off trajectory at just the right moment. Catastrophe averted. Nobody yet seemed composed enough to speak, so a relieved silence fell over all four of them. This lasted but a moment before being broken by a shout from the nearby tree line. It was, inexplicably, Zinnia the Traveler, toting a brimming bucket of seashells in one tentacle. Aotsuki had met the eccentric Zoog girl on his recent visit to Baharna. But that had been in the Dreamlands. Nothing here added up, unless... A few words with Zinnia confirmed it. He'd somehow stumbled through a rift between Earth and the world behind the veil of sleep. As if to drive the point further home, a distant shipwreck caught Aotsuki's eye. Around the wreck, a few dark-featured Baharnan sailors watched him from the distance. Perhaps this was one of those things, the miniature rifts that the Date Clan had been dedicated to wiping out. In the end, the reason didn't really matter. He was here now, so he could retrieve the stray pieces of his soul and return. Zinnia, it seemed, wanted to come with. It made a fair bit of sense. She was "The Traveler" after all. For all the places she'd visited in the Dreamlands, it seemed she'd never had the opportunity to visit Earth before. Aotsuki welcomed her back through the rip in space and, in short order, they were back in the familiar rooms of Ōtsu Castle. Feeling a lot more sure of things now, Aotsuki and his sheele cast one last look at the sand castle through the gap before turning to their new companion. Zinnia didn't seem to...quite understand what it meant to be here in Japan. She wanted to set up a base camp; get ready to explore the surrounding uncharted lands. In the shifting landscape of the Dreamlands, perhaps this would have been the sane course, but everything in Japan had been more or less charted long ago. Displaying his usual amount of patience, Aotsuki explained the situation to her. Fortunately, these new revelations didn't seem to blunt Zinnia's appetite for the novel. She was just as excited to visit some of the land's more interesting locales, as well as that "Tournament" that had come up in their discussion. It was around this point that both of them noticed the room dimming. The rift, and the light that came with it, had vanished. Functionally, at least for a time, Zinnia was stuck here. As a gracious host should, Aotsuki offered her a room. She could always return through the portal in Ise Grand Shrine, after all. To say that Zinnia was grateful would have been an understatement. The betentacled zoog all but swore her allegiance to Aotsuki there and then. If there was any way she could help him, or this castle he apparently owned, she'd be ready. That level of commitment might have been a bit quick, but Aotsuki was happy at least to set Zinnia up with the standard communications bundle. Judging from what he knew of both of them, Zinnia might very well get along well with Shigeaki Fujino as well. If such a relationship allowed the two to reach new heights, Aotsuki could ask for no more.1559年11月16日 Introduction (Night)
Ago Manor
Historical Entry: Shigehisa's Nightmare
As chill as the night air was, Maxim was glad to put that warm, dewy, chaotic place behind him. He was just returning from a "trade meeting" at the Matsumoto Black Galleon docked in Ago Harbor. Docked in his harbor. That made it his responsibility, but didn't really make dealing with the Black Blade any simpler. Still, he'd accomplished what he'd gone there for. Now, he could return to Ago Manor and... There was a sound. As Maxim stood before the manor's wide wooden doors, he head it again. A mechanical clinking and clanking was coming from right around the corner. It set his teeth on edge. Maxim checked his weaponry and stepped around to the side of the building. It was more difficult going than he'd anticipated. Whatever groundskeeper the Tanahase Family employed clearly didn't pay much attention to this edge of the property. Crunching his way through bramble and heath, it wasn't long before Maxim found what he was looking for. Outside one window which looked much like all the others, a green-skinned wet gremlin was poring over some kind of mechanical contraption. That device was rigged to the window below it. With a flash of engineering genius he hadn't known he possessed, Maxim discerned its purpose. The simple mechanism would drop that foul-smelling bucket on top down over whomever next opened the window. This was not a normal situation, but neither did Maxim sense any threat. The iguanalike intruder harbored a simmering sense of resentment that he could feel from here, but it wasn't directed at him. Rather than pick a fight right away, the Knight Commander cronched closer and asked the goblin if he could help them. It was meant as a tepidly hostile way of asking what the sheol was going on, but Maxim's intruder seemed to take his request seriously. She reached out with one hand, dropped a hammer into his grip, and asked him to hold it. Bemused, he did just that. A strange, damp, moonlit discussion ensued. This was a Kappa, a freshwater yōkai, apparently, although they weren't exactly common in this part of Japan. She'd come all this way to get some petty revenge on someone who'd thrown a shoe at her in Lake Biwa. Once the offender inside opened his window, a pail of the most brackish, nastiest bog water the kappa had been able to find would drop right on his head. Maxim wasn't against a little petty revenge. In fact, some of his closer associates absolutely encouraged it. Still, the target of this prank was a guest at his manor. He couldn't just let this happen without learning a bit more. Unfortunately, the intruder's description of the man didn't strike any bells. About her height, with longish black hair and a smug expression. That almost sounded like Netabi Shigehisa; a dandy who'd been sent by Empress Genmei to teach Maxm how to be a "true Japanese gentleman" or something. There was only one problem: Shigehisa was a good bit taller than this goblin-physiqued kappa. On his queer visitor's request, Maxim relinquished the hammer he'd been asked to hold. A few more bangs here and there and the device was ready. Really, it was a mercy that the racket hadn't woken the room's occupant already. With everything in place, the kappa retired to a smoothed-down patch of grass a few feet away. The spot had a good view of the window. What's more, there was room enough for Maxim. He took the seat offered to him, crouching beside the intruder as he tried to puzzle out just who she was getting back at. In the end, it didn't really matter. This was someone in Ago Manor, under his roof. Maxim voiced his decision: he couldn't let the kappa exact her revenge, no matter how petty it was. In return, he got nothing but a mild rebuke. In fact, the intruder started picking up small rocks and throwing them at the window. Maxim winced and prepared a technique he'd learned from a certain Kensei. If the worst came about, he should at least be able to stop the rain of bogwater. At about that time, one of Maxim's resources came through. It was Kitsuno, in fact. The knight's frilled adviser commented that a person's perception of others' height could very well vary with how much respect was involved. If this kappa saw Shigehisa as lower than dirt, such as because of a thrown shoe, she might very well underestimate his physical height. In truth, Maxim hadn't ever heard of such a theory before. Still, it did explain the discrepancy. He had to wonder no longer. Netabi Shigehisa himself threw the window open, a snarl upon his sleep-muddled face. The bucket above tipped, but a subtle move from Maxim was enough to manipulate the air around the thing enough to keep it aloft. Only a single drop of foul water fell to the ground. It totally missed Shigehisa, who didn't even notice. Indeed, he was too busy staring at Maxim, Lord of the Manor, whom he was supposed to turn into a gentleman, crouching in the dirt outside with a goblin. A range of expressions passed over Shigehisa's face in turn. Confusion. Incredulity. Anger. Then, something Maxim didn't expect: heartfelt appreciation. Maxim was the same, yet different. Something about the unblemished skin, the piercing eyes, and that jawline... Shigehisa shook his head. Perhaps, just perhaps, this brutish foreigner wasn't such a lost cause after all. Even if had been caught in an bizarrely compromising situation. As it turned out, Shigehisa recognized the kappa as well. He had indeed thrown a shoe at her several days ago, when he spotted her alongside their boat on a cruise across Lake Biwa. What's more, he was unrepentant. The kappa threw a rock at his face. In a dizzying display of martial mastery, Shigehisa raised his war fan and deflected the missile with unerring precision. Then, he blushed. Maxim blinked as Shigehisa stammered. It was perfectly normal to sleep with one's weapon, he explained in a fluster. Especially one which was as important as a war fan was to tactician. Finally, the Knight Commander had to step in. He got the kappa's name, which was Maggu. All kappa were named Maggu, according to her. At least part of that was a lie, but Maxim just filed the name away from later. With her throwing a rock at Shigehisa, and him throwing a shoe at her, they were now even, right? It was a close thing, but Maggu seemed to accept this. The embarrassing redness of Shigehisa's face as he blustered was revenge enough for now. As for the tactician, he was done with all of this. He deflected any assurances that Maxim had saved his life. After all, that contraption over his door was just a rainwater collector. Soon, Shigehisa was closing his window once again with assurances that they'd continue their gentlemanly training in the morning. As he left, he spared one last glance for Maxim's stunning features. That left the Knight Commander alone with Maggu. He hazarded that she'd want to go back to Lake Biwa after all that commotion, but also had to admit that he didn't know how far away that was. As it seemed like too much trouble to make the trip again, Maggu refused. She'd just hang around here. The bog nearby was pretty nice, after all, even if the harbor water was way too salty. Water shouldn't be salty, she assured him, so Maxim should probably look into that. That, with the exception of the bizarre comment about saltwater, was good enough for Maxim. It was probably a mercy that Maggu wouldn't be taking up lodgings in Ago Manor itself. At least, not while Netabi Shigehisa was still here. He did find a bit of appreciation in his heart for this wet gremlin who'd traveled several provinces just for some petty revenge. Perhaps Maxim would call on her again.1559年11月16日 03:00? (Night)
The Abyss
Historical Entry: A Waste of Grey Matter
The moon was right and spirits were high at the clearing on the coast of Oriab now known as Queen's Landing. For now, for Hashinara Yoshitakatomo, that was enough. Faithful Tōdaisen Nobuhara had sent out word that pilgrims were welcome to settle this corner of the Dreamlands. They would no doubt begin to trickle in over the next few days. Then, colonization could truly begin. At the moment, Yoshitakatomo's interest was absorbed by the madwoman she'd found wandering the shores. Or, it should have been. Something else had caught her attention; a shadow a bit blacker than the rest of the night around it. The thing extended a rubbery claw, and Yoshitakatomo put a name to its horned skull: Night-gaunt. The creature seemed to be here for Yoshitakatomo and her* alone. An invitation, it was clear. The Princess-Daimyō bid loyal Hosokawa Gracia to watch over Carmilla before taking the hand that was offered. In a moment, she* was wrapped up in smooth black limbs; held firmly but not violently to the creature's chest. They were ascending, quickly. Under the gibbous moon overhead, Oriab stretched out under Yoshitakatomo. There, on the northern coast, was Baharna, where she* and companions had first met the denizens of this strange land. Across placid Lake Yath, the frozen Ruins of Tyrhhia heaped and huddled in a flurry of snow. Their sight reminded Yoshitakatomo that an unresolved mystery yet lurked there amongst the Wamps and Ghouls. Those goat-headed reliefs carved into pillars at the ruins' center were no doubt the key. Elsewhere, more mysteries yet presented themselves. Yoshitakatomo had not been to the southern coast of the island yet. A great, stony, almost-human face carved into Mount Ngranek stared down upon brush and heath there. It was clearly not a fertile land, yet a city flourished there at the edge of the sea all the same. But that in itself was strange. Hadn't the Baharnans told Yoshitakatomo that theirs was the only settlement of note on this island? The city below looked just as large, but dark. Not a light nor a flicker of activity broke the silence of its dark streets. Just next to it, a yawning cave entrance towered up out of the ground, as though threatening to swallow the city whole. The aperture didn't look natural. It was too tall, too open, and it called to Yoshitakatomo without a voice. Even so, the ancient Daimyō let her* attention move from the strange display. They were high enough now that she* could see over Ngranek itself, to the eastern side of the island. A valley dipped there between the northeastern and southeastern shores. It seemed barren, sandy, a desert parched for rain. The surface of the dunes was broken only by a few oases and the hulking shapes of black ruins. At its center, a black tower jutted forth from the sand at a leaning angle. Even from such distance, Yoshitakatomo could tell that the tor was not built by the hands of man. Its surface was unmarred, perfectly intact without entrance or window upon it. At its very tip, a green light flashed at irregular intervals. There was something there, something powerful and arcane that Yoshitakatomo could get the barest taste of on the wind. Before she* could look more closely, however, the night-gaunt dove. They were gaining speed at a terrifying pace. For a moment, it seemed as though they were going to slam right into the side of Mount Ngranek at terminal velocity. If a night-gaunt wished to kill Yoshitakatomo, surely there were better ways to go about it than this? Just before impact, their true destination showed itself. A hole in the rock, about the size of a person. The 'gaunt slipped into this and the tunnel beyond, plunging them into complete blackness in an instant. The journey from there was interminable. They were still moving, at great speed in fact, but the utterly unchanging blackness made time hard to measure, and distance more mysterious still. As a precaution, Yoshitakatomo reached out mentally to her retainer back at the Landing. She* delivered instructions on what to do if, for whatever, reason, she* did not return. With that done, there was little else but to wait. Fortunately, it was not long from there until they reached their destination. Yoshitakatomo became aware of a great emptiness around her*. Everything was still bathed in opaque darkness, but they were clearly no longer in a tunnel. The night-gaunt twisted in the air, bringing them both upright, then deposited Yoshitakatomo upon a stony surface that she* could feel, but not see. Her* transport didn't seem about to add anything, sitting silently just behind. So, Yoshitakatomo took magic into her* own hands. A few spells and she* was even less perceptible than the shadows in the abyss. What's more, the layout of the temple before her* fed back into her* mind even without such limiting senses as sight. For it was a temple. The soaring roofs and great pillars called forth a building that could be nothing but a place of worship. The two towering obsidian doors opened without a whisper at Yoshitakatomo's touch and she* stepped inside. There was something familiar about this place. Had the Daimyō been here before? Perhaps in a dream. It seemed she* knew where to go, feet beating a silent but steady trail across the black floor. Even if this place did not hint at familiarity, there was a sound now. It was soft, organic, wet, but enough to guide Yoshitakatomo until she* arrived in the throne room. A cyclopean seat of power dominated the back half of this chamber, as invisible as anything else. And yet, the man who stood out against the darkness, white against black, was far too small for the throne. Nodens. He was engaged in much the same activity as he had been last time Yoshitakatomo visited. On the ground before him, a disgusting creature with exposed brain and skin several sizes too small wailed its last death cry. Nodens' sword cut through its neck and, with his free hand, he reached down and scooped the grey matter freely from its head. Elsewhere in the room, three night-gaunts watched this display in faceless silence. The Abyss had not seemed to lurk beneath Ngranek last time Yoshitakatomo had visited, so the occultist could be forgiven for thinking that the night-gaunt brought her* somewhere else. With Nodens' scarred, pale hide on display, however, everything fell into place. She* had been summoned yet again. With a blade in one hand and the other full of brains, the ancient God of Sleep made no mystery about why he had done so. It was Yoshitakatomo's new position as Champion of Omoikane. There were far worse beings in the Dreamlands to associate oneself with. If it had been the Great Ones of Kadath, for example, Nodens would have cut Yoshitakatomo down where she* stood. As it was, Omoikane was still dangerous. The Goddess of Nightmare had a dangerous approach to forbidden knowledge, demanding that all nameless terrors be unearthed and understood. As one of humans' few allies in this shifting place, Nodens knew better. He would not interfere in the relationship between Yoshitakatomo and Omoikane, but did caution against delving too deeply. Some things were better left unknown. The Princess-Daimyō had a theory of her* own on that matter: "Curiosity will always take two paths; either a road of peace or a cliff to climb that leads to the unseen." As if to snub the god who would snuff out forbidden knowledge, she* then proceeded to ask Nodens a series of increasingly occult questions. What of the Wamps in Tyrrhia? They were former humans, were they not? And the night-gaunts, why did they abduct Baharnans from Oriab at night? On the former, Nodens would not speak. The Wamps had ignored such warnings and learned secrets which they had come to regret. As for the night-gaunts, some were delivering Baharnans and Dreamers who had learned too much. Others were not his doing. Nodens was not the only being to dwell in the Abyss. Something about the way he said that seemed a portent to Yoshitakatomo, but she* barreled along with the questions all the same. At being asked of Yhtill, Nodens finally shut their discussion down. There was something in his empty expanse of eyes, yet trying to discern it was like trying to make out details on the distant stars. Yoshitakatomo could not read his reaction to the name. Easier to read was Nodens' frustration. He had not brought the Daimyō here to answer her* constant questions about the occult. Rather, he wished to remind her* of their earlier agreement. That creature, from the Cities of the Dreaming Moon, which had contacted Yoshitakatomo. It would not wait forever for their meeting. If she* did not wish to make an enemy of Nodens, Yoshitakatomo would not entertain its pleas. Rather, the thing was to be slaughtered on sight. As before ,the Princess-Daimyō did not make any commitments. Neither, however, did she* refuse Nodens. With an assertion that Yoshitakatomo had grown stronger since their last meeting, and that she* would heed his warning, it seemed that their meeting was over. The rest of the creature's brain dribbled out of Nodens' hand and onto the floor as the Daimyō of the Hashinara Clan left without so much as a bow. Outside, the same night-gaunt was waiting. It caught her* up, embraced her* as before, and delivered Yoshitakatomo without incident back to Queen's Landing. It seemed like little time had passed, yet that was not a meeting nor a warning to be dismissed. That strange message from the Moon still loomed in Yoshitakatomo's mind. Would she* accept the meeting?1559年11月16日 Introduction (Night)
Matsumoto Black Galleon
Historical Entry: Which One is the Oracle?
Following their agreement on trade, Maxim had taken his leave. The others had gone with him, leaving Fubuki alone in the tepid baths with Shōjō. The red-clad girl was still sopping wet and asking inane questions, but she was not what occupied Fubuki's interest. Rather, the Black Blade was most curious about the dark-haired, becatted girl who had burst in to retrieve her white-furred feline friend. It wasn't too unusual for someone to show up unannounced on the Matsumoto Black Galleon. Perhaps it was a bit rarer in the Mirror Imperial Palace, but Fubuki was never one to put great concern on managing the comings and goings of her* domain. Still, they should at least be properly introduced. Playing gamely along with Shōjō's torrent of nonsense, Fubuki took a moment to find what she* was looking for: a stray clump of white hairs stuck between two planks on the floor. The trail led Fubuki out of the bathhouse and into the main building. A scratch here, a snowy hair there, and soon she* had arrived at a room which wasn't quite like the others in this hall. Most notably, it was lit from within. A powerful scent of incense wafted out from the slight crack between the sliding doors. Shōjō, who had of course followed alone, seemed to be winding down at this point. Fubuki left her with a mystery. What can be traded, yet is even more valuable than money? That was the Black Blade's preferred currency. Of course, Shōjō figured this out right away. The answer was obviously Money 2. With that she departed to tell her mother about this startling discovery. Now alone, Fubuki was free to effect some introductions. She* knocked. As if waiting for this very moment, the door slid open apparently under its own power. If there had been someone, for example hiding by the door and making it slide open mysteriously, their form was lost in the blinding flash of white light that magically erupted from the room's interior. Once Fubuki blinked it away, she* beheld the dark-haired cat-hatted girl from before sitting within. A low table was spread out before her, with a rich red cloth laid over it. Mysteriously, she was holding out a sheaf of cards in her hand. This was unusual, but Fubuki didn't hesitate for an instant. Stepping forward, the Black Blade took a seat on the other side of the low table. She* reached out and plucked one of the long, rectangular cards from the rest. Upon its surface, a mighty black tower was emblazoned against a rolling desert. A single emerald glittered at the tor's peak. For a moment, the fortune-teller was silent. Fubuki looked closer. The girl was actually reading something in her lap, a small book, while hoping the other wouldn't notice. Still, the Black Blade said nothing. Soon the other was ready. She pronounced that the Tower represented destruction, or purging perhaps, or... Fubuki, however, was only interested in one thing. How could she* avoid that fate? The very idea seemed a bit strange to the other. Avoid it? How can one avoid fate? With a faint smile, Fubuki passed the card back. Except now, it wasn't the Tower. This card displayed Tsukijō Hanahane in all of his glimmering, shining glory. At the top, it read: "The Lovers." Fubuki wasn't sure she'd* put that last detail in there, but it still got the reaction she* was hoping for. The fortune teller trailed off as her eyes met Hanahane's brilliant gems. She sputtered, stuttered, and was completely lost for a moment. Finally, Fubuki laughed and gave the actual Tower back. The fortune teller took it with a blush, admitting that she'd been trying something new. Usually, to get a vision of the future, she would have to do something quite different. As if to demonstrate, the girl whacked the cat biting the top of her head. Its teeth dug further into her skin and her eyes suddenly shifted. They colored yellow for a moment, their pupils narrowing to feline slits. She spoke with a voice that wasn't quite the same as before. The Voice of the Prophet. This fortune was more specific than the other. It foretold that Fubuki was hounded, to be chased by something from a place beyond. It would come for her* sometime after dawn. If the Black Blade would survive, she* must heed the words of sages long dead. Blinking, the fortune teller came back. Her wide eyes were back to normal as she gazed at Fubuki expectantly. The Black Blade could only confirm her predictions. There probably would be an attack, but that was why she* had created this place; so that her* friends would not suffer the same disasters as might befall her*. The sentiment seemed to strike home with the becatted girl. She nodded slowly, then explained that she'd come here from Kaya. There was a feeling, a sense, a prediction, that she was meant to meet someone aboard this ship. It could be none other than Fubuki. Plus, she was really tired of all the tourists in Kaya. If Fubuki would have her, she'd like to count herself among those friends. The Black Blade was all too happy to oblige, so long as the girl helped out from time to time. The Black Galleon was still being set up, and wasn't yet quite self-sufficient. On that note, if the fortune teller could whisk up a trader from the mists of the future, that would be a big help. The girl was at least willing to try. She bonked herself on the cat again, then pronounced a cryptic premonition. A time would come soon when Fubuki would be able to find a trader such as she* sought. It would not be free, however. The rats would hold the answer. Some of that was straightforward, but Fubuki didn't know any rats. ...Did she*? Nah. Some cats, but no rats. Regardless, the teller herself couldn't help. She didn't write the fortunes, they just came from Elsewhere. Still, she was happy to be on board as part of the crew. She introduced herself as Nekoi Nekoi, then staggered when Fubuki introduced herself* in turn. The Black Blade did not bother with obfuscation here. She* gave her true name, Matsumoto Ooawagaeri, as well as Fubuki and some other nicknames. As it happened, Nekoi was a fan. She'd been around during the legendary Black Blade's heyday, and had followed his career with great interest. That they had been brought together now, after Ooawagaeri's supposed death, could only be fate.Rewards Granted
- 1 Kuma Commendation
Character(s) interacted with
Notes
- Chōko Dufour and Othéa have joined the Silver Meteor Storm
- Maggu has joined The Wolfpack
- Nekoi Nekoi has joined the Matsumoto Family
- Zinnia the Traveler has joined the Aotsuki Clan
Report Date
21 May 2021
Primary Location
Secondary Location
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