Some Earthly Vignettes

Miscellaneous

The attention of many greater beings was upon the heavens, where Aotsuki Tsukamoto and Ryūzaki Sanosuke were engaged in their first conflict with the Arbiters. However, these were not the only events of note transpiring at this time. Back on Earth, a number of stories were continuing, or just taking their first steps...

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"Ah, bringing out the hard stuff right away, I see."   Matsumoto Ooawagaeri watched as Hakutaku, or this little edgy punk who bore her name, whipped out a table containing two mugs brimming with ice-cold milk.   "What's wrong, buster?" she sneered. "Too scared to get your throat wet?"   Ooawagaeri took the cup and gazed into its shimmering white depths. Then, in a single motion, he quaffed the whole thing down. The milk hit him like a mallet to the teeth. It was cold, preternaturally frosty and refreshing to a degree that a lesser man might have been bowled over by the sheer sensation. The erstwhile Black Blade, however, stood his ground. Pulling his mask back over his face, he tactfully hid the milk mustache now staining his upper lip.   "Heh. Big deal," Hakutaku jeered at him. Then, she took her own mug in both hands and drank it down as fast as she could. The little bully froze, her eyes crossing. Her knees buckled under her and she teetered before falling of the stage. A wet splat cut the thin air as the remaining milk from her vessel sprayed across the ground.   "Oh dear," said Ooawagaeri.   Before anyone could react, Hakutaku rose once again. More specifically, she was lifted up by the Cart Driver, who had apparently caught her after that tumble off the stage. She was still obviously suffering from the freezing milk, and tottered over to collapse in the chair as soon as the driver let her free.   "Too...too milky...buster..." she slurred.   "It was your pick, after all," Ooawagaeri stated matter-of-factly.   "I am pleased!" This voice came from above, where Princess Masamune leaned over the railing with an eager expression. "This masked man is, without a doubt, our victor!"   A cheer went up from the motley crew assembled. Even Bedivere, who has sought this boon for her own, gave a shrug with a, "Ah well, can't win 'em all," before joining in with the celebration.   "You have earned a boon from the Eternal Princess," the Eternal Princess proclaimed. "Speak!"   Ooawagaeri considered this for a moment. Then, as instructed, he spoke: "I seek passage to the east and yet was brought to this realm instead. Might you, the ruler of this place, know why?"   The princess nodded. "You were brought here because I wished to be entertained," she stated, as though this were the simplest matter in the world.   As he pondered this answer, the erstwhile Black Blade caught something out of the corner of his eye. The Cart Driver, silent until now, had just passed something to Hakutaku out of his big hat. He then moved to the next member of the Hyakki Yagyō, fishing around in his hat for another parcel...  

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In the heart of Ago Manor, Knight-Commander Maxim and his Bugyō, Tanahase Muramatsu, were finalizing their plans for a series of watchtowers on the inland borders of Shima Province.   "It might be overcautious of me, but with this, not only will we be able to train our people but also ensure their safety. Spare no expense from what reserves we have," the foreign lord commanded. "If we need help procuring resources for it, we can send people where needed."   Muramatsu nodded in agreement. "Trade has been smooth in Ago of late. We should have the materials we need on hand; it's just a matter of compensating the right people. Although..." He hesitated and raised his head to meet Maxim's eye. "Very few other provinces have this kind of defensive network in place. Are you expecting an attack?"   "I hope not, but there was an incident at the tournament." Maxim went on to explain the events which had taken place when the sky shattered over Shimonoseki. "I don't think these will help much with that threat, but it could give the people peace of mind. It might also help with foot traffic in the province."   His adviser seemed to accept this answer without question, although his pale features registered some small discomfort over the magnitude of what had occurred. "I'll se it done, then."   "If you need assistance with anything," Maxim reassured him, "I give you full authority to use those who are available in the way you see fit."   With that, Maxim left Muramatsu to the arrangements. He strode through the halls of Ago Manor, sending out a mental ping to Kitsuno regarding an ongoing task as he went.   "We were able to recover the bodies of Menhaku and Caradoc, although not their souls. It will be difficult to bring them back without some very powerful magic," the adviser replied from afar. "As for Kumazaki Terutsugu...we weren't able to find his body. Even with magic. It doesn't appear to be anywhere near the Palace."   Maxim furrowed his brow thoughtfully but did not slow his pace. "Hm...and everyone that was there who might know is away. He isn't one to run and hide, so I'm sure he's somewhere if he didn't die."   A pause, as Kitsuno asserted silent agreement.   "I might know someone who can give us some information on how to retrieve the souls, as I'm sure that magic is out of our reach," Maxim continued. "I had been meaning to get your thoughts as well on the matter. Do you know of any Oni who had dealings with Jigoku?"   "Sure," the answer came breezily. "The hags. NOt the kind of people I'd want to have a soiree with, but they're straight from Jigoku."   "Are they on Mount Ōe as well? I think a meeting with them is in order..."

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In the deepest depths of Wakigami Castle, a shadowy figure rummaged through the instruments in his forbidden laboratory.   "I understand quite a while has passed since I returned, but for everything to change so quickly, even in here..." Katsusada Shishauezaemon's eyes flickered behind his mask as they passed over the Mugen Gauntlet, the slumped Jikininki, a frozen horror on ice, and not least, Kashin Koji sulking with a sealing charm over her mouth.   He had returned to progress a certain project; one which would require a great number of souls to bring to fruition. Yet it seemed activity in this lab had not been entirely on hold while he was away...