Yoshitakatomo and the General's Return

Gathering / Conference

Hashinara Yoshitakatomo returned back to Wakigami Castle from the bowels of the earth and an enigmatic meeting with Gakutensoku. Upon her* arrival, Tōdaisen Nobuhara informed the princess-daimyō that not one, but three individuals awaited her earliest convenience to meet. This was not including General Baby Huey, who had recently returned from his great project in the Takeda lands. With characteristic poise, Yoshitakatomo stated that she* would meet all three of them at the same time.

Arrangements were made, and soon Yoshitakatomo was ascending the three floors of Wakigami Castle to grant a joint audience. Before she* had quite arrived, a voice addressed her* from the shadows. It was that of Alice of Clubs, who even in this world referred to the other as her “Queen” with the utmost deference. Pleased that her* companion had made it back to this side of the veil of sleep, Yoshitakatomo bade the Alice to stay in the shadows for now; the rest of the castle need not know of her presence at this time.   With that resolved, she* opened the door to the meeting chamber and stepped inside. Awaiting Yoshitakatomo were indeed three very different individuals. The first was a young man of vulpine aspect, although his arched feet marked him as being only partly of Kitsune  blood. He sat with those bare feet impudently kicked up on the meeting chamber’s table, the very picture of relaxation. Second was a young girl with golden hair and an expression of pained politeness. She jumped up and bowed hurriedly, apparently well out of her element, holding the position until Yoshitakatomo ordered her to relax as her* guest. Finally, and most enigmatically, a “metal human” with Japanese clothing and a featureless face hovered in the corner, watching with glowing blue eyes.   Unperturbed by her* unconventional visitors, Yoshitakatomo first dealt with the fox-eared young man. He introduced himself as Shiranami Reiji, and quite bluntly asked if he could receive sanctuary here from the dangerous people after him. A bit more probing revealed that while he didn’t exactly know who was hunting him down, it was on the orders of someone from the capital, and Reiji truly believed himself to be in danger. When asked what he could provide in return, the young dastard stated in no uncertain terms that he was a genius. What’s more, he possessed an eidetic memory and thorough knowledge of practically every law in Japan.   Naturally, Yoshitakatomo saw the value in such abilities, and agreed to grant Reiji the sanctuary he sought despite the risks. She* did caution him not to make much noise while he remained in Wakigami, but after some back and forth, they eventually agreed that he would only be held not to break any laws throughout his stay. Without so much as a word of thanks, Reiji took his lave and Yoshitakatomo turned her* attention to her next guest.   This girl, Sumioka Noriko as she introduced herself, still seemed terrified in the princess-daimyō's presence. She was obviously lacking in age, experience, and confidence, but apparently possessed quite a working knowledge of commerce. This was a skill greatly valued by the Hashinara Clan at this point in their growth, and so Yoshitakatomo did not have to deliberate long before offering Noriko a position in the clan. Through the overwhelming nervousness that gripped her, the girl accepted, and was told to report to Tōdaisen Nobuhara for assignment.   Finally, Yoshitakatomo arrived at the most curious of the visitors. This creature appeared humanoid, but was obviously not of flesh and blood. Instead, it appeared to be formed of a metal not of this world. Introducing itself in an androgynous voice as Ochi Iso, it spoke in a strange, logical manner that could nevertheless quite easily be understood.   Through conversing with the creature, Yoshitakatomo learned that its purpose was to discover and catalog information about this planet. However, Japan was a more dangerous place than it had been aware of, and so it now sought protection and assistance from the natives. Yes, it had come from another place, but that place was classified, and it could not currently communicate with its masters due to “temporal distance.”   Perhaps bemused, Yoshitakatomo agreed to grant the android the assistance it requested. Calling upon Gamō Torasaburō, she* gave orders that Ochi Iso was to accompany the big man on his patrols, and that he was to protect it, so that it could freely gather more information. Torasaburō agreed with his customary gusto, and it was done.   Before she* could move on to other matters, however, Yoshitakatomo was interrupted by a rat-tat-tatting from the chamber door. Following the rapid knocking, a tiny voice demanded to know how long those inside intended to keep the General waiting. At once understanding, Yoshitakatomo bade the General enter, and he did, accompanied by his new Sheele. This tiny teacup was called Rashōzemon, and apparently held only the greatest esteem for her master, Baby Huey. She introduced him by his full title, which took some time, and added two more monikers onto the end. In addition to his other exploits, Baby Huey was now also the “Craftsman of the Heavenly Stairwell” and “Heir to the Peerless Gates of Rashōmon.”   Yoshitakatomo, no doubt pleased to have her most trusted general back in the fold, received further reports from his miniature herald. Rashōzaemon went on to proclaim that the Stairway to Heaven had been completed with Baby Huey’s help, and Takeda Shingen now requested the Hashinara’s aid in their assault against the Heavenly Pagoda. This news was accepted with solemn poise, and Yoshitakatomo wasted no time in transmitting the news to her circle of generals. Things were now in motion, and it fell to the Hashinara to decide how much and in what capacity they wished to be involved.