Laying the Groundwork Oneiric

Miscellaneous

Somewhere in the myriad halls of Wakigami Castle, Princess-Daimyō Hashinara Yoshitakatomo received word that her* two retainers, Hosokawa Gracia and Matsumoto Hiei had traveled to Ise Grand Shrine to await her* arrival. Before leaving herself, however, the many-lived necromancer had some telepathic business to manage. The reports of a Hound of Tindalos hunting one of her* allies had troubled Yoshitakatomo. She* now reached out to Matsumoto Ooawagaeri to clarify the details of what had transpired.

From the Black Blade's testimony, Yoshitakatomo learned that the creature did indeed seem to have a weakness. Ooawagaeri, in his guise as Fubuki, had almost discovered it thanks to Kan Shōjo's counsel and Maxim's quick thinking. They hadn't had a chance to test their theory, however, due to the untimely interruption of Dōhan. To hear that her* rival necromancer, even in his stolen Shōta body, had been involved surprised Yoshitakatomo. It occurred to her* that the ancient oni patriarch may indeed possess some knowledge of these "Ryōken" or how to ward against them.   For now, her* main purpose was ending the threat. To that end, Yoshitakatomo devised a plan by which they would bait the Hound into appearing, then fall upon it with their allies at hand. It seemed that the other Cardinal Generals were currently busy with their own pursuits, however. With just Yoshitakatomo and the Black Blade alone, she* wasn't entirely convinced of their success against a creature which had nearly wiped all traces of itself from history with its relentless ferocity.   Assured by Ooawagaeri that the monster would not stop until either he or it were dead, Yoshitakatomo began to consider alternatives. If the thing would follow them even into the realm of dreams, perhaps they could leverage the uncommon nature of that plane to their advantage. So, ensuring that the Black Blade would be accompanying her*, Yoshitakatomo put out the call to all of her generals. She* would be traveling to the Dreamlands to investigate the Date rift from its other side. Any of the Cardinal Generals who wished it could join her* by traveling to Ise Grand Shrine and passing through the portal there.   With that, Yoshitakatomo teleported to the shrine in question. Hosokawa Gracia and Matsumoto Hiei were indeed waiting for her* there, as was a groggy Yagokoro Tokuyo, who promptly complained about being woken up so early in the afternoon. Fubuki, with her* retainers Aka no Kitsunebi and Taira no Tokuko, appeared promptly thereafter.   Giving the other generals a few beats to respond, but not receiving any answer, Yoshitakatomo reached out and pulled apart space and time, magically creating a rift from Japan to the Isle of Oriab in the Dreamlands. Tokuyo looked on, aghast. If her Daimyō could do this on her own, why had Tokuyo been woken up in the first place?! Yoshitkatomo reasonably pointed out that she* had not been the one to wake the priestess from her slumber. She* then called upon all present to mark the symbol of Omoikane upon their foreheads. This would serve as the key to pass through the membrane to the land of dreams, and she* made certain that Tokuyo would instruct any latecomers to perform in the same fashion.   Just as she* was about to step through to Oriab, Yoshitakatomo received a late apology from Aotsuki Tsukamoto. He and his companions would indeed be joining them. What's more, he had an edge of urgency in his voice that spoke of trouble to come. Nevertheless, Yoshitakatomo gave him the briefest of instructions, then passed forth into the Dreamlands.