[Day Twelve - Early Afternoon] On the Dragon's Perch

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako assumed her station for her watch by clambering up the side of Dragon embassy and using the bricks as foothold until she managed to hold on to the edge of the roof to pull herself up. There was likely no need for this anymore, especially when that word that supposedly the invaders left their camp outside the city. Despite the threat going away, she'd like to get an idea of what was going around the neighbourhood and keep vigilant in case something happened. It wouldn't surprise her if the Emperor was going to be using complacency to strike back.

She crossed her legs and watched the street below.

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

Tetsu remained on the ground for now, though climbing the building could be a suitable test of ability. Instead, she looked up from below on the streets. "Mirumoto-sama, what are you doing?" she asked plainly.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako blinked and looked around before finding Tetsu below. She placed her hands on her hips and straightened her shoulders to make herself look more proud, in case this was going to turn into a question of what she was even doing up there. "Well...I'm just keeping watch around here and what are you doing?"

She did recall other Dragons doing their share of roof perching. Perhaps, she was merely following the same tactic of defence...or just looking for an excuse to climb something.

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

Tetsu raised her brow. "A question is a question, not a judgement," she could not help saying. Then she looked up and down the streets. "What threat do you believe requires this watch?"

She smirked, wondering how this roof-climber would react.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She let out a sigh at the question with a shake of her head. "I'm not too sure, not fully. It seems the Steel Chrysanthemum is almost capable of throwing a variety of threats at us, returned enraged souls...tsuno...bulls on fire...Lion ancestors...I wouldn't be surprised if he was capable of throwing birds at us at this point in this. Perhaps, being prepared is the best defence."

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"There is wisdom in not believing in the army's retreat but let it not consume you." The Togashi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she darted up the side and took her place next to her fellow Dragon.

"Did you partake in any battles against these various types of hostiles?"

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D12 EA TotVD TN 15: 4d10o10k3 32

D12 EA Athletics/Strength, TotVD +1k1: 5d10o10k4 26

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"No, of course not," she said with a small shake of her head, finding the idea a bit silly but only by a bit. "I don't intend on being here all day, only for long enough to get a sense of the neighbourhood. We had gotten comfortable here and might have paid a price for our complacency."

She watched Tetsu climb up the roof, which perhaps is a more suitable sitting place for a Togashi than a Mirumoto, nodding at her twice once he had done so. "...I have, tried to. The forces of the Steel Chrysanthemum are as vicious as they are relentless."

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"The Empire itself is paying for its complacency. Look at this chaos one usurper has caused."

Tetsu raised a brow. "What does it mean to try to battle?"

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako frowned at the question in thought before closing her eyes after a soft sigh, after she was trying to go into a half-meditative state. It was far too easy for her mind to drift off into self-doubt and if she was a bit honest with herself, perhaps some survivor's guilt. "I did fight a few of them but only ashigaru, that was perhaps easy enough...I participated in a recent operation where we were to rescue Matsu Tani, the daughter of a daimyo I believe, myself and three others. We weren't successful, worse still, only Kitsu Izumi-dono and I managed to make it out."

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"So you fought. What you tried was to rescue someone." Tetsu looked to the heavens above. "You are lucky, then. You live to improve your skills. Do not waste that opportunity when your compatriots lack it." Of course, she was assuming they were all dead.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

To be fair, Wasako had also initially thought them to be dead. The denizens of Toshigoku weren't exactly known for their mercy, not in the last few days when they had been slaughtering both peasants and samurai alike. They had beasts who filled their ranks, as well as bloodthirsty samurai. If they had strung them up to be banners, that might have given some indication that they had been spared, even if for a terrible fate. The last of any life signs were very concerning. However, Touki did mention that there could be a chance...

"Hai, I suppose I am lucky and I will continue to live to improve my skills. If at the very least, ensure something like this would never happen again," she said as she opened her eyes and glanced down to the white cloth she wore around her arm. "It is the least I could do to honour them."

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"Remember that the core reason for this path of self-improvement is for yourself, not to honor anybody else." Tetsu smirked at the Mirumoto. "That being said, no true friend would want to see their friend wallow in grief.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

The other Dragon was starting to sound like her sensei but she wasn't going to complain about sound advice.

"No, of course not. It may just take putting the pieces together, at first..." She said before she straightening her posture before she thought about slouching. "But after I do, it is time to move on and advance forward. I should still make a future for myself with the time I have been blessed with."

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"The path is long and arduous but that is what makes us stronger." Tetsu looked blankly over towards the gates. Then she looked back to the Mirumoto. "I am Togashi Tetsu."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"I'm pleased to meet you, Tetsu-san, and I also welcome your wisdom," she gave a nod at the other woman in appreciation of her introduction and company. There was a point she did wonder if Tetsu was going to disappear without giving her name. Strange things have happened here. "I am Mirumoto Wasako, of the Northern Wall Mountains. I've come here from Toshi no Omoidoso with the other Dragons...have you recently just arrived?"

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"Your duties did not keep you at the mountain?" Tetsu inquired, mildly curious. "As for myself, I am a recent arrival. I cannot claim to have been inside Toshi no Omoidasu."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"My duties in the north would typically keep me there, especially as my sensei's assistant. However, I could only learn and teach so much without actual experience in the world abroad. I haven't been dismissed from my duties just yet but he did wish that I journey south to the Lion lands to continue my education on the road, so to speak. The Lion are in many ways different from us but it does make for a great learning opportunity. I don't know in his great wisdom, he had thought there would be a war here or at least a war of this nature," she said with a vague gesture toward the gates.

"What had happened in Toshi no Omoidoso was happening here. I suppose the difference here is that they left first."

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"A sensei's assistant? I'm impressed," Tetsu stated earnestly. She looked to the town's denizens and smirked. "Yes. I can imagine you could learn much from the Lion, as I have. After all, their prowess in battle is renowned to be the greatest.

"And yet..." she trailed off in a whimsical matter. She wanted the Mirumoto to fill in the gaps.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Hai..." she in agreement in a cautious note as she looked to Tetsu wondering what she meant. "I'm sure their prowess in battle is perhaps more traditionally prepared to fight a foe similar and not a whole army of returned souls. Also, they are not on the attack either."

"Unfortunately, the departure of the Steel Chrysanthemum's forces are concerning...they didn't exactly just up and vanish either. I think we could still see some of their tents in the distance," she as she placed a hand over her eyes and looked to the direction of the gates.

Togashi Tetsu · **Joined:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 57

"Indeed. The Lion were blindsided by such a foe. Time will tell if they learn from this lesson.

"However, know this: the Lion teach us about strength and, at the same time, powerlessness." She looked down below, wondering if any passerby samurai would hear her. "Do you know what I mean?"

Tetsu did not bother to see if there were any tents remaining. "They have living soldiers among their ranks too. That requires more logistics than an army composed of spirits alone."

[Day Twelve - Early Afternoon] On the Dragon's Perch

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