Earning my Innkeep (D1, LA, Chiisai Yama Inn)(Expecting)

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

After journeying to the inn she had stayed at to retrieve her belongings, Chihaya had moved herself to the city proper.

Now that she was back on her feet and finally free of the worrying attentions of monks, she wanted to get back into the swing of things.

Sssssshhhhhh *THUNK*

In this case, literally. She'd picked up the habit about a year ago, and now she was splitting wood for the proprietor of a small inn, the Chiisai Yama, tucked into the shadow of the wall. It wasn't one which held guests of great status, especially not such as her, but that made it suitable to her.

Sssssshhhhhh *THUNK*

It was quiet, and she was unlikely to cross anyone important... it was also comfortable with simple but filling meals, and was only a short walk from the onsen, and a similarly short walk to one of the few places one could get decent shochu at a fair price.

Sssssshhhhhh *THUNK*

Yes, this, at least, was a moment of zen. Simple labor, the complexities of the empire reduced to a simple stroke of an axe, over and over again. Then warm food, good drink, and sleep in a comfortable, small room, without fear of interruption or dramatic events caused by other lodgers.

Sssssshhhhhh *THUNK*

Bliss.

Hida Shiko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 42

A redhead with blue colors on her armor casually strolled past on the nearby street, a bright patch of distinctive color in the corner of one's eyes.

She was taking a sip of sake from a bottle every now and then, as she dragged her feet forward at the kind of slow pace that allowed her to overhear the nervous conversations that must be going on all over the city's streets. Of course, she was also still recovering from a hangover; the past few nights had seen a *lot* of drinking. Maybe the past year, was a more apt descriptor of the time spent drinking.

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

Sssssshhhhhh *THUNK*

It was easy to enter a trance of sorts, but Chihaya couldn't shake a lifetime of experience that made her always on guard, even if only a little.

The splash of color was caught by her instincts, and it registered during the next downswing.

Blue... and red.

Ah. That was familiar.

Sssssshhhhhh *DONK*

Hissing at the discomfort of an axe turned mid stroke to land flat on the wood, she gritted her teeth while waiting for the shooting pains through her arm to subside.

Then she turned back toward the splash of color meandering past so slowly.

Raising her eyebrow in surprise, she called out, "Hida-san? Hida Shiko-san?"

Hida Shiko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 42

She stopped, took a swig, and craned her neck to look around. "Huh?"

Not immediately seeing the source of the voice that called out to her, she turned the whole of her body next.

"Someone call for me?"

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

Chihaya hefted the wood axe onto her shoulder, and used her left hand to wave.

"Hida-san! It is you!"

She smiled broadly.

"I would never have expected to see you here. It's been too long!"

Hida Shiko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 42

Through the haze of a hangover, the present buzz, and the present *buzz*, it took her a few moments to register the person attached to the voice and wave.

"...Oh, Suzume-gunso," she finally said, approaching and then giving a slight bow.

"...it's been a while, yeah."

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

Oh, she didn't seem entirely well.

Chihaya hid her concern with a small gesture, inviting Shiko out of the flow of traffic and closer where they could speak more easily.

"I'd written, but I wonder if perhaps you never received my letter. How have the fortunes treated you, this last year?"

Has anything improved since... well... Sozen?

Did you catch the witch?

Hida Shiko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 6:07 pm **Posts:** 42

"I've mostly been travelling," she said, before avoiding awkwardness by pointing the topic to more present business.

"Guess I picked the wrong place to travel to. Or the right one."

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

"Yes, I suppose time will tell."

She rested the axe on the stump, using the handle as a place to set her chin, gazing at the Crab contemplatively.

"Are you staying in the city?"

Earning my Innkeep (D1, LA, Chiisai Yama Inn)(Expecting)

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