Ever watchful, Day 1, Early Evening, Open

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

Disturbed greatly by the news and refugees that flooded the city that morning, Yoichi couldn't help but fall to routines that were natural to him. Enemies of unknown number, lives at stake, a panicked retreat. All fear and confusion stemmed from the same place, a lack of knowledge. And to his brethren among the crab, it was his duty to provide that knowledge.

Yumi. Armor. Everything he needed in his traveling pack. Whatever may come next, it was time to prepare for the worst. Without a word to anyone, Yoichi set off to scout the surrounding area, eyes intent as he mapped the land, looking for anything of note, stragglers, enemy combatants, or trouble of a different nature.

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

As Yoichi scouts the land, he notices a new figure on the wall, walking the top and surveying things. He walks slowly, pausing often.

By the way he carries himself, he is not a guard, and occasionally others come up to him and have brief conversations before wandering off.

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

Someone else was about in the area below the walls, outside, seeking something.

He took mental notes on everything, he'd need to be accurate when he gave a report, so that anything he noticed might help Aya identify issues.

He was quiet, and mindful of his surroundings,but he wasn't invisible...not skulking.

Norikami might notice a Crab in the woods, or a Governor on the wall, but that wasn't his concern in an immediate sense.

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

Shimizu Kendo wrote:

As Yoichi scouts the land, he notices a new figure on the wall, walking the top and surveying things. He walks slowly, pausing often.

By the way he carries himself, he is not a guard, and occasionally others come up to him and have brief conversations before wandering off.

Finding nothing on his initial sweep around the city, Yoichi couldn't help but notice the figure pacing along the wall, conversing with others. By the way the figure was approached, Yoichi could only assume they held a position of authority. When a proper moment arose, Yoichi took to the wall and approached, standing a short distance away as he waited to be acknowledged.

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

The governor nods to the Crab.

"Hiruma-san, thank you for your vigilance in this time."

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

Yoichi bowed his respect to the governor, holding it a moment more than necessary before rising. "It is both my honor and duty to serve in this crisis, Shimizu-sama. I could scarcely call myself a Crab by remaining within the walls while others face unseen dangers."

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

Norikami had to keep himself from skulking, it was dark and natural to him.

Just walk normal, don't want to get shot at by the guards on your side.

He knelt down and checked some tracks. Horses, guards, a lone wolf. It must have gotten separated from the pack following the refugees off the road.

It was cold though, he shouldn't stay out too late unless he had real reason to.

Eh...another half hour won't kill me, and it means I don't have to put up with Aya right away.

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

Hiruma Yoichi wrote:

Yoichi bowed his respect to the governor, holding it a moment more than necessary before rising. "It is both my honor and duty to serve in this crisis, Shimizu-sama. I could scarcely call myself a Crab by remaining within the walls while others face unseen dangers."

In the dimming light, Kendo nods at the Crab's words. "Yes, I suppose that's true. I've always found the practicality of the Crab to be refreshing."

He pauses a moment. "You're welcome to walk with me a time. If you see something, I would prefer you comment that keep it to yourself. I thought that I might come to the walls this evening to help prepare myself and keep my mind sharp on the state of things... for we don't know what's to come."

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

"I would be honored to accompany you, Shimizu-sama. Thus far I have seen nothing of note besides a Scorpion wandering the area. You may want to inform your guards not to shoot at him. Or don't." He allowed himself a dry chuckle at that statement.

"I seek to be prepared as well. I know not what lies ahead of us, thus our best course of action is to know as much as we can." He turned his gaze back out over the walls. "That we may have to defend against our own ancestors disturbs me greatly."

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

Kendo looks at the Crab closely while he speaks, intent on his words.

"We are in strange times and circumstance. I believe your choice of action is quite different than my own. You could leave this place. You could choose a side."

He turns and looks back over the city. "It seems likely that I will not have that sort of a choice. It seems likely that my duty to the city will decide for me."

He frowns slightly and carries on. "Of course, your duty is no different than mine, I just know less of it. I do hope that it ends up with another on the walls, and one likely to be as accustomed to it as the Crab."

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

"Our duties are not so different. Lives are in danger, but so long as I stand against the threat, fewer of them may be lost. My stance with the Lion, for good or ill, does not matter. From here on my duty to this city is no different than yours, and you may freely call upon my aid in its defense. I am certain my fellow Crab feel the same."

Yoichi was thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps one of my fellows has some measure of knowledge in strengthening the defenses of the city. I'll be sure to ask when I see them."

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

"That would be appreciated."

He walks down the wall a bit more before stopping again to talk.

"What brought you to the city? Did you come with the refugees? Were you already here?"

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

Yoichi shook his head softly. "I was already here, training and familiarizing myself with the unfamiliar landscapes, how to survive in them. It is a matter of fortune that I was still here when the emperor was slain."

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

It'd been long enough. Norikami decided to head back. It was dark, in any case and he wouldn't get much more done without a lantern...which would likely give him away to the sort he'd been seeking.

He passed the guards at the small gate, those larger having been closed long ago and after a short word with them, decided to head up to the wall.

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

Hiruma Yoichi wrote:

Yoichi shook his head softly. "I was already here, training and familiarizing myself with the unfamiliar landscapes, how to survive in them. It is a matter of fortune that I was still here when the emperor was slain."

"Fortune for us all, it would seem. How do you find the city? There are many things to see in this city."

Bayushi Norikami wrote:

He passed the guards at the small gate, those larger having been closed long ago and after a short word with them, decided to head up to the wall.

Kendo sees the samurai ascending the wall and does not change his path to avoid him.

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

"The sake is plentiful and the buildings strong and handsome, but I must confess I spend much of my time away from the walls. I have a fondness for the open, wilder spaces of Rokugan. To stay in one place for too long creates a restless energy in me."

Yoichi glanced at the Scorpion as he approached, noting that their paths would inevitably cross quite soon.

Bayushi Norikami · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:22 pm **Posts:** 315

And approach he did.

"Good evening, have to say I'm surprised there aren't more eyes on the wall tonight. Don't figure most will sleep well."

He bowed. "Bayushi Norikami, mina-sama. I hope I'm not intruding."

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

Hiruma Yoichi wrote:

"The sake is plentiful and the buildings strong and handsome, but I must confess I spend much of my time away from the walls. I have a fondness for the open, wilder spaces of Rokugan. To stay in one place for too long creates a restless energy in me."

Yoichi glanced at the Scorpion as he approached, noting that their paths would inevitably cross quite soon.

"I would be most interested to hear of the places you've visited in the wild. Already, it feels like you might know more of what it is like outside these walls than I, and it is my home."

Bayushi Norikami wrote:

And approach he did.

"Good evening, have to say I'm surprised there aren't more eyes on the wall tonight. Don't figure most will sleep well."

He bowed. "Bayushi Norikami, mina-sama. I hope I'm not intruding."

Kendo inclines his head to the new samurai. "Bayushi-san. I don't see any reason you could not join us." He glances to his companion. "I came out here for some peace myself, and I am finding it in the fading light and the knowledge that others are watching."

Hiruma Yoichi · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:08 pm **Posts:** 71

Yoichi bows quickly to the Scorpion, if belatedly. "Hiruma Yoichi, Bayushi-san." His attention returns to the governor shortly after. "Perhaps when things are less chaotic we can sit down and discuss where I have been. I feel we may not have the time for such luxuries in our immediate future."

Shimizu Kendo · **Joined:** Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:45 pm **Posts:** 126

"I would enjoy that... tell me, how much of an obstacle do you think this snow is? Or perhaps, do you think it more an obstacle for those within the city or those without?"

He looks to the Scorpion. "If you have thoughts, please do share them."

Ever watchful, Day 1, Early Evening, Open

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