D7 EE: Another Bird in the Hand... (Inn, Open!)

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

This was certainly how the Tortoise did not intent to start his evening. But after the servant left, things most certainly changed in a heartbeat.

The request to the innkeeper for use of their side room must have been odd at first, but likely soon became clear after Asakuro brought from his room the mysterious peafowl that had been delivered to him that evening. A bit of convincing, promises to keep an eye on the new guest, that they wouldn't bother the other guests, and so on, and some minutes later he had the side room, peafowl on one side, he on the other, a bowl sitting in the middle, the scene still visible from the inn's main entrance and common area due to a lack of screen but otherwise (hopefully) out of the way of anyone passing to and from their rooms.

"It's okay, dear bird... please, eat something, I will not harm you..."

The Tortoise had put together a bowl of food for the bird to pick at - a mix of whatever flower petals and plant stems had fallen into the streets from the stalls selling plants in the market combined with some chopped raw vegetables and a small sliver of fish - for the peafowl to pick at for a fresh meal while he gently observed and assessed the creature. Next to him, his own meal of steamed vegetables, fish, and rice, eaten slowly so as not to frighten.

Compared to the absolutely beautiful and vibrant Mojaku, the Imperial Peafowl whose plumage was prominently on display home at the Menagerie, this bird at initial assessment had... issues, it seemed. The color was quite off, the peafowl overall on the too-thin-to-be-healthy side - this bird was certainly going to be a project. However this bird had been brought to him, a wise decision was made: if there was anyone whom would make an attempt at giving this bird good care and a good home, none better than the Imperial Peafowl Supervisor to take on the task!

But this was certainly not going to be an easy one...

Peafowl assessment: 17

(open!)

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

Sitting quietly . . . well he couldn't really do anything else, and avoiding the rain for a while with a pot of tea, Ayanojo was staring at the peafowl in the next room with a look of wonder.

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

The Shosuro entered the inn and appeared not to give a look to anything as they approached a servant, had a very quiet word with them and then turned toward the Phoenix.

They still wore their hat, so the slight tilt of their head was quite apparent.

Even ore so when it moved again, seeming to note what Ayanojo was looking at.

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

The fascination with the poor peafowl getting some care and attention was momentarily broken by the Scorpion's arrival. Ayanojo made a seated bow to the Shosuro and waited to see what would happen now, taking glimpses at the bird while he did so.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

The Tortoise set aside his chopsticks and bowl of food for a moment so he could stand up and get a better look at the peafowl's food bowl and ensure it was eating. Reaching down to pick up his own small bowl of steamed vegetables, he smoothly and gently walked over to the middle of the side room to dump the contents in the big bowl for the peafowl to partake of it; when the bird lifted its head for a moment, the Tortoise used his foot to gently slide the bowl a little further away from the center - "a little more space for you, friend" - and once the bird hopped a couple steps and continued eating, he moved to return to his cushion on the other side.

At the first step back, however, a glance into the next room over revealed that he was now with audience. Instead of sitting back down, he approached the entrance between the two rooms to greet them.

"Ahh, good evening, samurai-sans - a most fascinating and wondrous creature, the peafowl, is it not?" he called out with a small smile as he offered a bow to greet them. "A special delivery to this one from earlier this eve - a bit worse for wear, but the color should brighten with time. Unfortunate that the rains are still so harsh, otherwise this one would wander around outside for a bit, but a bite of food and some space to walk around a bit should do it some good until the morning." He glanced back to the peafowl to ensure it was still eating its food before looking back.

"This one is Kasuga Asakuro - have you both had rice today?"

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

Especially at a distance, with the hat, the scarf and the mask, it was impossible to tell what Kitamaru was thinking of the situation by searching the Scorpion's face.

Body language, however, might prove more effective.

The Shosuro seemed to be caught between any number of trials in that moment. A step forward, a glance back at the inn's servant, head turning toward Ayanojo again, then back toward the Kasuga.

The figure rooted itself in place firmly, seeming to be properly collected, then bowed.

"Shosuro Kitamaru, a pleasure."

It sounded practiced, to say what is expected when another introduces themselves.

The hat tilted slightly at the Phoenix, the Shosuro seemed keenly prepared for some manner of event, as if about to take action of some sort.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

"Indeed a pleasure, Shosuro-san," the Tortoise acknowledged the man, offering another bow, shorter this time, after they had been fully introduced. Another check on the peafowl: the bird momentarily looked up from its leafy meal, cocked its head to one side and then the other as if looking around at a most curious scene, let out a bwok-ing sound once, and then returned to pecking away at the stem of what had been some sort of leafy greenish plant, now diced up into finer pieces.

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

Ayanojo had been caught a bit by surprise, distracted by the sight of a bedraggled peafowl indoors, so it took him a bit usual to write out his normal greeting. He held the wax tablet up so hopefully they could both see it.

Quote:

Good evening, I am Asako Ayanojo, tensai of air.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

It took a moment or two for the Tortoise to realize what was happening, but when it soon became clear he kept the smile on his face as he bowed his head to the Phoenix. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Asako-san." He turned his head to once more look at the bird, ensuring that it was quite alright, before turning back to the two of them.

"My humblest apologies for interrupting the both of you - a most curious sight, one can imagine, and one worth explaining as well. This one was delivered custody of this fine creature most suddenly and without warning but a short time ago - perhaps a former owner whom mistreated it and knew that I had experience taking care of peafowls before? One cannot say for certain, only that from where and from whom it came from I do not know," he offered in explanation before offering a nod.

"Have you been in the city long, or do you also come from the journey from Toshi no Omoidoso?" he asked.

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

Kitamaru moved slowly, as if unable to quite comprehend the matter of the Asako's writing.

There was of course a very difficult hurdle, but not one of the Phoenix's issues.

The Shosuro gulped.

This city was an interesting place. A very interesting place.

Collected after a moment, the straw hat shook.

"All is well."

The Scorpion shook with a breath, not quite concealed, but the noise was stifled.

"May I visit the bird?" came the question, very mildly.

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

The Phoenix relaxed a little once he realised the bird was now going to be cared for . . . and not just fattened for the oven or something. He concentrated on writing out his next message and didn't really pay any attention to anything strange the Scorpion might be doing.

Despite his parents telling him many times to never bring a strange Scorpion boy home without thoroughly checking what he wanted, Ayanojo never seemed to be concerned around them.

Eventually the message was done.

Quote:

I have been here all Winter. The bird will be all right now, Kasuga-sama?

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

"If you wish to join in observation, you may, Shosuro-san, though I would caution against too quick of movement as the creature may still be somewhat frazzled. My pot of tea is still quite hot and you are most welcome to a cup from it... some dark blend, so I was told, but I did not catch from where," Asakuro acknowledged before turning his head to read the Phoenix's writing.

"I believe in due time it will be, Asako-san - a full belly is just a start on what I expect will be a journey ahead. As Supervisor of the Imperial Peafowl I do have experience tending to and taking care of such creatures, but not in this condition. The bird appears to have languished, either in the hands of a poor caretaker or some unscrupulous merchant that did not know what they were doing - or most likely did not care. Even if made healthy again, it will be a project to get it to follow directions and commands at all times... continuing care and attention will be needed, and that is what I intend to provide."

For its part, the bird continued to peck away at a root vegetable in its bowl that had garnered its attention.

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

The Scorpion quickly took a seat near the bird, as if their lord had called upon them.

Sitting perfectly still, Kitamaru watched.

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

He blinked and looked at the bird with a slight smile, then took a few sips of tea while he wrote out his next message.

Quote:

I can see the peafowl is in good hands now, Kasuga-sama.

Then a second message for the semi-silent Scorpion, which he held up with a bright smile.

Quote:

Do you like birds, Shosuro-san?

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

Kitamaru seemed keen to be staring at the bird, but an ear caught the sound of the Phoenix's writing.

The figure looked up, suddenly also recalling they were inside and so removed their hat. Dark hair pulled into a proper top knot occupied the subject's head, fox mask still smiling mischief.

A nod.

"I prefer this sort", said the Shosuro.

Staaaaarrrreee

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

Ayanojo smiled and then tried to remember if it was polite to mention a Scorpion's mask or not. He could remember that you didn't poke at a Kuni's face paint patterns, but was it the same with Scorpion?

Decision made, he scribbled in the wax again. Stared at it for a second then smiled and turned it around for Kitamaru.

Quote:

I like them too. Also I like your mask.

There was a little fox sketch next to the mask comment.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

As the two start a little discussion, the Tortoise took two teacups and poured for the both of them a bit of tea from his teapot, setting it down within reach. Whether they took it or not was up to them, but he would at least offer the courtesy he promised.

"Some Lion blend I am unfamiliar with - a bit on the bitter side, but certainly warms on a rainy day such as this one," he mused before taking his own seat back down on a cushion to observe the bird. The peafowl, meanwhile, lifted its head up while it was chewing of a long leaf, head slowly rotating to eye carefully and cautiously the three of them. Even after it finished chewing, it did this for another few moments, more slowly, before quickly diving its head back down into the bowl once more.

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

A hand drew up to the smile of Kitamaru's mask at the fowl. Was this particular Shosruo enamored, perhaps?

Head bowed in thanks after receiving tea, Kitamaru set the cup down and resumed viewing the bird.

The attention drawn by Ayanojo received a glance, then a double take at the wax board. The Scorpion spent a long moment inspecting the sketch, pointed at it, then the hand rested over the smile again.

Amusement?

Asako Ayanojo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 3:25 pm **Posts:** 132

Well the Scorpion hadn't shouted or attacked him so things were going great. As the topic had turned to tea, he added his bit.

Quote:

Lion teas are quite bitter. I like the mint infusion here as long as thye don't steep it too long.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

"Mmm, I will have try the mint then, Asako-san. I have heard that a bitter black tea can also be quite good when mixed with a little black currant leaf, though I have not found such a blend to be common enough to partake of it regularly," Asakuro responded to the Phoenix before taking a sip from his cup. The peafowl looked up for a moment, let out a quick "bwok" noise, and dove back into eating from the bowl.

"Though kept mostly for the beauty of their plumage, I have heard of some that have used the birds as watchers of the home - unlike a guard animal, not meant to defend its owner, though a peafowl certainly can be quite fearless, but with its most characteristic chirp simply to alert on the presence of an unfamiliar person. They can get quite loud, in fact, though this one has quite thankfully kept to the quiet side for now," he explained further knowledge of the peafowl before taking another sip of tea.

"I do not know why one would let such a beautiful creature languish so. This one definitely male, though color muted, likely from the undernourishment. Some adequate meals and in a season or two it should return to the mix of vibrant blues and greens one would expect," he added with a nod.

D7 EE: Another Bird in the Hand... (Inn, Open!)

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