Keep the fires lit (D10, LE, Chidoriyama inn)

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Suzume Chihaya had found a new place to stay while in Nikesake. She had, at first, stayed in the castle, but after that business with the Crane, and the overflow of important people, she moved out.

She preferred these homey little inns. They were quieter, and in some ways for one such as she... safer.

So she found herself in the rain under an overhang, calmly splitting wood.

*ssshhhhhhhhThunk*

It was a way to loosen up after battle, short though it had been, and a way to earn her keep. And a way to keep herself humble and her head screwed on straight.

Also it kept the fire in the kitchen going, the inn warm, and that was something worth doing.

*ssshhhhhhhhThunk*

This was peace - memories of simpler times washing back. Better times, and worse times. Far worse times.

What a life she'd led... she wondered that she hadn't found herself in that realm of slaughter - if Emma-O hadn't booted her back, she might well have. She'd have to offer a prayer of thanks tonight...

*ssshhhhhhhhThunk*

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Tucked into his own little nook with a couple of bottles of sake, Bayushi Degarashi sat and watched the night sky, taking note of a few patches where the clouds seemed like they might be thinning. It could just be wishful thinking on his part, however.

Taking a sip of his drink, the Scorpion closed his eyes to enjoy the relative silence of the rain falling around him.

*ssshhhhhhhhThunk*

Degarashi's eyes blinked open.

*ssshhhhhhhhThunk*

The noise wasn't precisely loud, or disruptive, but it was sharp enough and distinct enough to draw his attention.

*ssshhhhhhhhThunk*

Stepping out from his hidden little alcove, the Scorpion headed towards the source of the sound, eyes cast down as he searched. From Chihaya's perspective, if she'd been looking in his direction, the vague shape of a man would have materialized out of the clouds as her surprise guest peeked over the edge of the roof upon which he stood.

"Konbonwa Suzume-shoi! How has that wood offended your personage, if I may ask?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

*ShhhhHHHDONK* "Kuso!"

Chihaya dropped the axe which had turned in her hand, landing blade flat on the log, flicking her hands back and forth to ease the stinging pains which shot through her fingers.

Scowling she cast around, looking for the source of the voice.

"Bayushi-san, where are you hiding... and don't you know where firewood comes from?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Amused that he hadn't yet been spotted, Degarashi decided to take full advantage of the situation.

"Ie, it's a terrible, terrible tragedy Suzume-shoi. My soul wanders the streets of Nikesake after being struck down in the fighting. With Seppun-hime. I made a comment about her battle mempo and suddenly found myself in Meido." He let out a loud, lengthy sigh. "Alas, I couldn't find peace and was sent back to perform some unknown act of repentance involving you and copious amounts of alcohol."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya peered into the shadows, and then cast her gaze up and down the street.

"If you are standing in the rain to do this, you deserve to be however wet you are now, and more."

With a grumpy expression she picked up the axe, leaning it against the side of the little lean-to.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Yare yare, bringing one's relative level of moisture into the mix already? Must be some strong drink to feel the effects just discussing it."

Crouching down, Degarashi moved forward until he was just a floating head and veil over the edge of the roof.

"Neh, Suzume-shoi. Do you know one of the most interesting weaknesses to exploit in anyone's defenses?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

A soft sigh, and she just crossed her arms.

"No. Though I suspect you intend to tell me."

She couldn't hear what direction he was speaking from, thanks to the continuing rain, and bustle of a city under siege.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Consider it a free bit of advice should you ever encounter another less than amicable Scorpion."

He moved closer to the edge of the roof, just enough to allow him to look directly down at the Sparrow.

"When searching their surroundings for signs of danger, humans almost without fail, never look up."

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

She felt a tingling on her neck, likely a result of her imagination, but did not look up when he said that.

Instead she sighed, adding, grimly, "I'll keep it in mind. Now, are you done getting rained on for your little trick?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Likely not. If you're going to be coming up here to share a few drinks I'll need to secure the rope. There is, however, a lovely dry spot which overlooks the city once you get up here."

He didn't actually wait for a response to his invitation, choosing instead to lower the rope and lightly tickle Chihaya's nose as long as she refused to accept it.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Unfortunately, ropes being rather thick by nature, it more... slapped her in the face.

Waving it away with an irritated snort, she pulled a ladder from the wall, such as might be used to fix leaks, and set it against the side of the building, ascending in silence.

Once there, she cast her gaze about for this 'dry spot' he had mentioned.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Degarashi sighed a deep, long suffering sigh and retrieved his rope. Then he gestured a shirt distance away, where an alcove was created by a small overlap between buildings. It wasn't what would be called an intimate spot, but two bodies would stretch the limits of comfort a little bit.

The sake sitting in the alcove was completely unmolested by the rain.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

Chihaya examined the alcove with a skeptical eye, wondering if this was a ploy.

Then she shrugged and ducked out of the rain, claiming a seat with her back to the wall of the taller building.

Examining the sake, she checked for two cups - to see how planned this little event was.

"You never cease to surprise, Bayushi-san."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

There was a small set of cups, like one might find bundled together with a proprietary blend of sake. More than could fit in the tiny alcove, but definitely more than two. The Scorpion was either really ambitious, or further obfuscating whatever plans he had arranged for. Clearly, he didn't intend to make it easy to determine.

Once Chihaya was settled in, he did the same, offering up as much space as he could within the sparse confines. Then he lifted the bottle of sake and offered to pour.

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

With a faint sigh, she accepted the drink, listening to the rain and the distant shouts of defenders changing the guard.

"You choose interesting places and times to drink - to what are we drinking tonight, then?"

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Oh, who needs a reason at this point? Grief, loss, endless war..." He shook his head, glancing at the Sparrow without turning his head.

"How about this time we just drink to pleasant company, and the freedom to relax beside someone without a threateningly poised blade being brandished about?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"Oh, have you encountered an excess of threatening blades lately?"

She sounded surprised. Apparently acting was more dangerous than she knew.

Taking the drink, she nodded, "Hai, I can drink to another day, good or bad."

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

Degarashi thought carefully about how to respond, sipping his drink thoughtfully. Too many of the wrong words to the wrong person could be especially lethal in his situation.

But, for good or ill, he trusted Chihaya's discretion with certain details.

"Mm, consider this if you will. I am but an actor. On the stage I can be called to perform many roles, and I take a fierce pride in performing mine to the best of my ability. While on the stage, dressed as some famous samurai, an enemy of that samurai can look upon me and be amazed at my wholly accurate portrayal of their fiercest rival."

He took a sip, then refilled his cup. "Now, imagine if I made the mistake of performing that same role in the streets, where there was no stage to tell that rival they were watching a show. What then might happen?"

Suzume Chihaya · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:29 pm **Posts:** 850

"You would risk impalement, yet were you to break character and show them your face, surely you would be no longer in danger."

It seemed simple enough to her - the idea of truly appearing to be someone else under close scrutiny was the stuff of ghost stories to her.

Bayushi Degarashi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:02 pm **Posts:** 1027

"Yes, quite so. Dropping the act is a quick and simple way to protect my own life from such a mistake."

Here he took another sip, internally cursing Tameaki for the sudden habit.

"Next, consider this: what if the one which I portrayed were my lord, enjoying the performance and unaware of their enemy's presence, yet dangerously close to them all the same. What might I do then?"

Keep the fires lit (D10, LE, Chidoriyama inn)

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