[Day Three, Late Evening] Evacuation

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

Kodama could only help the Temple or the Shrine with the evacuation.

And he earnestly hoped that the Lion samurai would honor their ancestor properly. Here though was countless treasures of knowledge of the Empire's unique history.

Here is where he'd help.

Having gotten clean after his time at the field hospital, he'd run here to help.

He fell in among the other monks who were no doubt more familiar with the scrolls and treasures, in order to do what he could to assist in storing away or packing what they could bring out of the city with them.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

Myo-en's meager possessions take only a few minutes to pack up. Emerging from the guest dormitories, she can tell straight away that there's work for an extra pair of strong hands her. Even if the monks prefer not to entrust their most valuable treasures to a member of a strange Order to carry, Myo-en can certainly help pack up, load the monks' carts and carrying frames, and carry something if needed.

A very large black crow launches itself from the guest hall roof when Myo-en emerges and swoops back and forth above her head, diving and harrying her with hoarse caws.

Myo-en seems only a little rattled by this. "I told you, we're evacuating." She looks upward as she speaks, shielding her eyes from stray wing feathers with one hand. "We have to."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A bit of a hurried bow from this particular monk. "Togashi-sama. I see you have a friend. Would you be willing to help me load this crate? I do not have the strength to get a good grip on it."

Or, you know, a second arm.

Still, he's earnest.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

One did not get to be known as a friend of the brotherhood without earning it, and now was time for Mai to display why she was worthy of being called such one more. Among those working to aid in the evacuation and preservation of the lives of those whom were here she made what efforts she might. Persuading those who might otherwise see it as their duty to stay, reminding them of the need for guidance those many being evacuated just outside the city streets would need.

Mai glanced over, noticing the bird swooping Myo-en, but maintained her course and task for the moment. There would be time to join them and speak shortly.

Isawa Hachi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:42 am **Posts:** 401

Hachi packed his belongings into his backpack, with a little room left over, and then looked around. He did have some extra room, so putting some of the scrolls or smaller statues from here would be appropriate. Despite his halting walking, he still seemed to get where he needed with decent speed.

"What can I carry? Is there anything we should hide? And anywhere to hide it?"

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"The temple very much appreciates all the help," Kioka says as so many have come to help them clear out the important things from the temple.

"There are a number of very important scrolls here that we should not lose to an attack, should the city fall."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

Kodama bows deeply to Kioka. "I will help however I may. You will be coming with to shepherd them?"

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"This one will be staying in the city, with permission from the governor. Someone must watch over the temple, and this one will remain to do so. Everything else is leaving."

She bows to Kodama.

"This one thanks you for your efforts."

Isawa Hachi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:42 am **Posts:** 401

"Depending on size, I can fit... 8 to 10 scrolls." He holds the pack open, and waits till it is loaded, before shrugging it on.

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

Kioka thanks Hachi with a bow and a kind word.

Isawa Hachi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:42 am **Posts:** 401

One last time, Hachi gives reverence in the Temple then makes his

/exit.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

Kioka wrote:

"This one will be staying in the city, with permission from the governor. Someone must watch over the temple, and this one will remain to do so. Everything else is leaving."

She bows to Kodama.

"This one thanks you for your efforts."

He nods, just a little in acknowledgement. "Is there anyone or anyplace we should be bringing the scrolls to?"

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"There is a temple in Nikesake." She pulls out a letter. "Please deliver this with the scrolls. They will keep them safe until the scrolls can be returned."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He takes the letter and reverently puts it away to try and keep the wet off it as much as possible.

"Hai. It will be done. Fortunes smile upon you Kioka-sama."

H feels like he should thank her; but he knows not for what.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

Kodama wrote:

A bit of a hurried bow from this particular monk. "Togashi-sama. I see you have a friend. Would you be willing to help me load this crate? I do not have the strength to get a good grip on it."

Or, you know, a second arm.

Still, he's earnest.

"Of course." Myo-en helps Kodama with the crates without hesitation, using her totally broken Has Two Hands advantage to its fullest. "This temple has sheltered me. Moving a few boxes is nothing in return." Her smile is a bit strained, but that's probably understandable under the circumstances.

Kioka wrote:

"There is a temple in Nikesake." She pulls out a letter. "Please deliver this with the scrolls. They will keep them safe until the scrolls can be returned."

"Are you sure you must stay, sensei?" she asks the nun, whom she's seen reasonably often during her winter sojourn in the city. "Wisdom lives in human beings, not temple halls. And the army that's coming won't respect your tonsure, I think."

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

Togashi Myo-en wrote:

Kioka wrote:

"There is a temple in Nikesake." She pulls out a letter. "Please deliver this with the scrolls. They will keep them safe until the scrolls can be returned."

"Are you sure you must stay, sensei?" she asks the nun, whom she's seen reasonably often during her winter sojourn in the city. "Wisdom lives in human beings, not temple halls. And the army that's coming won't respect your tonsure, I think."

"Must is a confusing term. Perhaps it is only an inner duty that demands my presence here... but this place is sacred. If the city is held, this one wishes to ensure the temple is ready for everyone to return. If the city falls, this would would prefer to know someone was here at the last.

"It is not selfish desire, though. Some things are important enough to protect. While you are correct that the knowledge and wisdom will be preserved, the stand this one makes is the place itself and its power, not the temple per say."

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"Hm. Will this place be any less sacred without its human keepers?" This riddle is intriguing enough to distract Myo-en from her box-moving task, at least for a few moments. "Is it as sacred with one monk as with one hundred? If you left and returned, would the sacredness come back with you, or would it fly away for good?"

The large crow, which had flapped off on its own errand while Myo-en was too busy working to make a good perch, reappears again, alighting on a crate with a single raucous caw. It begins preening rainwater out of its wing feathers.

Kioka · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:21 pm **Posts:** 86

"These are excellent questions, Togashi-sama. Is a sword a sword when no one wields it?"

Kioka looks about. "This one believes that wisdom comes and goes like the waves of the ocean, and it is not something that can be collected. Perhaps the tides are merely out for this one at this time..." She smiles ruefully.

"This one can remember the home of her birth. There was a feeling of warmth there and some amount of nostalgia. Is that in the home or in me? Perhaps it is in both."

She grows silent for a time before continuing. "It is not so much that the sacred place will lose its value if there is no one here, but if it is not a place worth standing before... maybe it's not that valuable. This one already gave up her clan to stay here when the city fell to Lion hands, what is one more thing to give up for this place?"

Her face shifts a bit and her mood becomes a bit lighter. "Besides, if this one is here alone, maybe the dragon in the sky earlier today will come down and make me an Oracle."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"If that happens, please let Reichin-no-kami know, I remember he still owes me that drink." Kodama calls out, bringing another armload out for the cart.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"If it's a thing you do on your own path, that I can understand," Myo-en says slowly. "A place doesn't need you to risk your life for it. But your life is yours to do with as you choose."

The corners of her mouth twitch up at Kodama's wisecrack. "That must have been a special drink, to carry a debt all the way into the next life..."

[Day Three, Late Evening] Evacuation

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