The Hero in Town [Day 1, Late Afternoon]

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

What a better place to meet an old friend than a shrine of such a name! Horonigai glees with the thought.

While waiting, she walks around checking the plaques describing the story of Matsu Hitomi and her deeds.

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

A woman with muddy socks, fingertips and slightly frazzled hair walked in to the shrine. She looked for a second before spotting Horonigai and approached.

“The beautiful Seppun Horonigai! Nothing pleases me more than to see you safe.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Wearing borrowed clothes provided by the Lion, and definitely devoid of any stain or mud, the Imperial maiden spins around at the sound of Ren's voice. Horonigai dashes in hurried steps to meet her friend, and stops at the limit of a respectable distance to bow –– a bit deeper than one of her station would, yet faster.

Her saddened eyes sparkle a bit. "Konnichiwa, Asak-"

Horonigai puts a hand over her mouth in her usual faux pas, "Akodo. Ren-san. How have you been?"

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

Ren shook her head and lifted up the woman’s shoulders just a tad.

“No need for any such display. You are the lady Horonigai. I’m just a simple Lion... and hopefully someone you still consider a friend.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

She straightens up as requested and frowns at the comment. "Nani?"

"Still consider –– what that's supposed to mean?" Horonigai hands land on her hips. "By any chance did you forget?"

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

“There is no way I could possibly forget my dear.” She said with a smile.

“I’m not old enough to have my memories abandon me completely.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"Un!" She nods. "You saved me. Do not forget. Better, I'll make sure you never forget. Worry not about age. The more, the better."

A thought runs across Horonigai's mind as she just repeated words from her own mother to Ren. "Speaking of more. Aren't you planning on children, by now?"

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She smiled softly... if not distantly for a moment and nodded, “Planning, planned, and executed said plan. I have a small boy born several months ago.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"Nani?"

She narrows her eyes. "Months! And not even a letter to tell me that?"

Horonigai leaves the pout behind and asks more, "I bet he's cute like his mother. How did you named him?"

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

“I am sorry my dear... I have had so much to do with my wedding... my cousin’s wedding. The baby... a move of homes and now a new assignment... I have cherished each one of your letters.” She said with a smile.

“We named him after the name my brother took at his gempukku. Kenta.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

She nods with certainty. "Yosh! Kenta is a good, strong name. Fortunes should provide him good health and prosperity."

"Ne! How was your wedding. Tell me more." Horonigai inquires with full attention.

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

“It was lovely my dear. I married a good man. One who honors himself and his wife. The big event with all the people is wonderful... but the act of trudging our paths together has been much more beautiful. It’s not easy... but that gives it merit in my eyes. Adversity hones growth.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai nods again with a genuine smile. She imagines the whole scene as if in the eyes of a Kakita artisan painting a masterpiece. Yet, there's a blur over the husband's face she can't yet envision. "A good honorable man. I'm so happy for you. I know he's an Akodo, of course, but... how is he like –– what do you like about him the best?"

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

“Strong of mind but deliberately kind. Perceptive but without guile. He makes the days brighter... and together we form more than either alone.” She replied.

“I wish he were here... or rather... that ‘this’ was not as it is...” she tilted her head.

“Tell me dear... are you alright... You must’ve gone through the darkest night these few days.”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Like a mirror shattering, reality around Horonigai get's back to its dreadful taste. She looks down to her hands, weighting words to her friend. "I..."

For some reason, her eyes are called by the statue at the shrine when she replies, "I am not alright. I feel terrible, in fact. But I'll be fine, soon. I have to."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

“You aren’t. And you will. And I will help in any way I can.” She said with conviction.

“What happened... what was your vantage point?”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"I was there, Ren-chan. But, I simply," she explains with a lower tone of voice, "couldn't move. I saw the energy booming from the Steel Chrysanthemum and wasn't able to act. Not in time."

She looks down to her arms again. "I could only. On-" Horonigai gags, "... hold him. When he fell."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

Ren gently puts her hand on Horonigai’s shoulder.

“I know the feeling... I experienced the same at Kyuden Asako...”

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"I wonder if that was Heaven's call, or if I simply failed." She looks up to Ren's eyes with a hint of despair.

If my whole Family failed.

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

“It was neither.” She shook her head.

“The powers of good are not the only ones at work in this realm my princess. Evil takes many forms... and wields terrible power that a normal inhabitant of this realm has no means of stopping.” She paused.

“The Heavens do not constantly wield their power to prevent man from experiencing hardship and despair... Do you know why?” She looked into Horonigai’s eyes.

“Because steel thrust into the fire and hammered mercilessly comes out stronger on the other side. Those of us who walk this plane of Men... gain power through difficulty. We unlock the part in us that can overcome any evil. It is us who protect this realm... under the guidance of heaven... and to employ watchmen incapable of defeating the enemy is a recipe for an even greater calamity.” She paused.

“It is up to you if the forging process strengthens you... or breaks you. But I know quality material when I see it.”

The Hero in Town [Day 1, Late Afternoon]

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