A Gift, An Invitation

Life, Organisation Association

Coming straight from the Halloween Hijinks at Yakisoba Yashiki, Fubuki found herself* in a quandary. Mōri Motonari had, more than once now, promised some kind of reward for her* actions in aiding the fallen of the tournament. However, each and every time, some bizarre event had precluded their meeting. For this reason, Fubuki was glad when Kikkawa no Myōkyū reached out through Fujino's mental network shortly after their recent spooky fiasco. Motonari was feeling well and wished for Fubuki's company within the arena at her* convenience.   The Shimonoseki arena was not far from where she* was now, but Fubuki's sometimes-ally, Maxim, seemed to have other matters on his mind. The Knight Commander voiced a decision to travel into the eastern forests in search of that tree Ryūzaki Sanosuke had uprooted and thrown miles away. It was pet and property of Hospodar Mikhail, after all, and so should be returned to its owner. Fubuki could see the rightness in this and offered to come along. First, however, she* did not want to put off the meeting with Motonari any longer. So it was that Fubuki, Maxim, and Aotsuki made the short trek to the arena together.

Aotsuki had business of his own to attend there and Maxim seemed, as usual, to be locked in some bizarre event or other, so Fubuki made her* way alone to the Mōri box where Mōri Motonari awaited. Accompanying the recovered Daimyō were her wife, Myōkyū, and also the pale, winsome oni whom Fubuki had seen intimidate Ibaraki-dōnyo a few hours before. The latter of these wore white robes reminiscent of the priestesses running Motonari's "infirmary," and might be guessed to be affiliated with whatever religion they practiced. Her role in their current meeting remained, for the moment, unknown.   Motonari began by thanking Fubuki for her service. Their guest's actions had saved the lives of many Mōri subjects, and had not gone unnoticed. Looking around thereafter to ensure that no others were in position to hear, Motonari lowered her voice. Bluntly put, she wanted Fubuki to consider joining the Mōri Clan. As Motonari put it, Fubuki's actions in the tournament showed the kind of wisdom and discretion valued in her generals. What's more, both were demons of a sort, but neither beheld themselves to their own violent nature. The Daimyō admitted to feeling a certain kinship with Fubuki on this point.   While flattering, receipt of of this uncommon invitation brought shock as well. Fubuki took a moment to consider, then decided to reveal a bit of her* true nature. Letting a fox tail slip free from her* metamorphic disguise, Fubuki informed Motonari that she* was not quite what she* seemed. Rather than respond in anger or betrayal, the Daimyō laughed. That Fubuki was a Kitsune, as she now assumed, explained much of her abilities and actions. Such a thing did not matter enough to her to void Motonari's invitation, however.   Fubuki hesitated another moment, but eventually asked for time to consider her* response. This request Motonari graciously granted. She encouraged Fubuki to enjoy the tournament and understood if she* had other allegiances which would make joining the Mōri difficult. In the meantime, Motonari still owed a gift. Upon the Daimyō's signal, their third guest stepped forward, a lacquered wooden box held gently in her pale fingers. Fubuki accepted the gift graciously and gently opened its lid. Inside, on a plush crimson cushion, sat an ivory-white Hannya mask. Its subtle curves and fine details glowed slightly to Fubuki's mystical vision. This was clearly an item of some power.   Before she* could say anything in return, their meeting was disturbed momentarily by a blast of radiant light from below in the arena. It seemed that Aotsuki had succeeded at one of his longtime goals. Fubuki's attention was brought back by the crystalline oni's soft voice informing her* that the mask was a gift from the "Hannya Sūhai." Placing the mask upon her* face, Fubuki was pleased to find that it fit her* current form's head perfectly.   Through the eyes of the mask, the world seemed to jump into sharper clarity. Try as she* might, Fubuki could not tell what precise effect the item produced. As she* puzzled over it, Motonari began to speak. Many believe that the Hannya mask represents anger and vengeance, the Daimyō explained, but to the Hannya Sūhai, it symbolizes instead something more ancient: "Wisdom." Hannya-bō, who crafted the first masks, believed that by wearing one's anger upon the face, the heart could be lightened and true clarity achieved. Something about these words spoke to Fubuki, and she* promised to take their message to heart.   The Mōri party prepared to depart then, perhaps on their way to second lunch. Before she left, however, Motonari urged Fubuki to consider her offer. If the other should choose to act in the Clan's service, Motonari suggested, she* should wear that mask so as not to make her* new affiliation quite so public. Fubuki did not answer directly, but stated that she* would continue to grant her* assistance, should it ever be needed.