[D2LE] Endless Waiting (OPEN)

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

There was more than just a chill in the air. Snow layered the ground of the garden, and more was falling, continuing to blanket the area in a gentle white.

Touki was undeterred, though, playing his flute as he did so many nights. Wearing an extra layer, he stood beneath his usual tree, a bit off the path. Its branches protected him as best they could, but there was still a gentle dusting of snow in his hair, and on his shoulders. His knuckles were pale, and the occasional shiver marred his playing.

Still, his song was clear and lovely, if strangely melancholy, accompanied by the wind and the snow.

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

"Ah, excuse me, Akodo-san?"

A Scorpion courtier approaches you in the garden and bows. "I am Bayushi Kiku... I just arrived in the city with the refugees, and I'm afraid I'm a bit turned around."

This woman seems very sincerely lost.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

If one were to nominate a place for 'coldest lands in the Empire', it would easily be the Dragon lands, if for no other reason than their mountains. And while the Togashi lands had their mysteries up in the peaks, the lands of the Agasha surely came in a close second for chill.

Thus is was that Poemu, in fact, did not mind the cold at all. She had layers to her kimono, and she moved with ease through the snow. One could say the cold never bothered her... at least it didn't seem to that evening.

The gardens were softly lit, but there still wasn't much to see, so a song easily caught her attention. Approaching the sound, she spotted the Lion samurai. Keeping a bit of distance, but still in the light, Poemu watched, waited, and listened.

The song was interrupted by a Scorpion, and finally Poemu approached just a bit. She didn't seek to interrupt any conversation, but the Scorpion looked like she needed assistance.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki straightened and then bowed respectfully to the newcomer. A Scorpion... Touki's eyes narrowed as he briefly studied her.

"Allow me to assist you, Bayushi-sama. This one is Akodo Touki." He straightened, tucking away his flute in his obi, assuming his rigid guardsman's stance. "Is there something that I can help you to find? Your quarters, perhaps?"

He cast a glance aside, spotting the Lion. "Agashi-sama." Touki murmured, bowing again. "This one is Akodo Touki." Perhaps she needed help as well. He turned some of his attention to the more highly ranked samurai. "May I assist you as well?"

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

The Scorpion woman bows deeply to Poemu, then turns back to Touki.

"Ah, I apologize. I didn't realize you were giving a private concert. I feel so embarassed. I will, of course, leave you to it."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki shook his head. "I assure you, Bayushi-sama, I was not. In truth, I did not realize I had an audience at all, much less an audience of two." Yes, best to head off the suggestion that he'd been playing for this Agasha he'd met all of ten seconds ago; it wouldn't do to allow rumors to spread.

He cleared his throat. "And I should reassure you both that you are not interrupting. Please, allow me to assist you. You are lost?"

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

"Oh! I misunderstood the situation. Apologies to you both. I am out of sorts since fleeing through the snow."

She focuses on Touki. "Well, not lost, per se. The Lion keep an orderly city, and even in all the panic they have been most kind." She bows. "It is more that I do not wish to be out of place, and I was wondering where rooms might be for those from visiting clans?"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Bowing to both as she approached, Poemu gave a polite smile. "This one is Agasha Poemu, and she meant no trouble at all in her listening. I was merely out walking the gardens when I heard your singing Akodo-sama. I would not have approached if Bayushi-sama did not seem so troubled."

Looking to Kiku, she gave a small nod. "There are still rooms at the castle I imagine, and I had heard that the Scorpion from winter court are there. Have you tried there yet?"

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

"I feel so foolish. I had not. I just came barging in, interrupting song and peaceful reverie, only to ask a silly question. It's just..." She shakes her head as if to clear it.

"I thank you both for your consideration. Perhaps there is some way I can make up for my oafish behavior?" Her words sound hopeful.

[I'm just keeping to one Sincerity roll for awhile here to make life easier, but you can assume she is sounding very sincere.]

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki nodded agreement. "If you'd like, I could guide to where the Scorpion are staying, Bayushi-sama. We may find someone there for you." Well, it didn't seem as though his flute playing was going to summon any Kenku tonight, anyway.

He shook his head. "It's fine, miss. I assure you, it is my duty to assist you."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"And I would accompany Akodo-sama in that task." Poemu smiled and gave a bow, gesturing that they could start out whenever. "There is no need for any sort of repayment. Your safety and comfort once you get settled in would make me pleased enough Bayushi-sama."

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

"There is much kindness in the city! Aren't you worried about all the strangers, given the recent treachery? Surely, there are more guards on patrol...?"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu glanced over with a touch of puzzlement. "We are in a city of the Lion Bayushi-sama. They have guards at the gate, and on patrol. If they ask us to carry our weapons and wear our armor out of caution, I would be worried, but as it is, they surely must have their own city kept same."

She gave a nod toward Touki in acknowledgement.

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

She laughs a small, empty laugh.

"I'm just paranoid after the road I guess! I was traveling with a very zealous Matsu; it made me jump at shadows."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki frowned. "There should be guards about, on the streets and the like, if not in these gardens. Have you not seen any besides me, miss?"

He cleared his throat. "In any case, there are certainly guards at the castle. If you would like, I can deliver you to them, and they can escort you to your delegation."

Bayushi Kiku · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2020 4:39 pm **Posts:** 46

"No, that's perfectly fine. I cannot imagine a world where they would be better company than the two of you. You seem positively delightful."

She bats her eyes at Touki, but not in a particularly sexual way.

"Your music was lovely, by the way. It is no wonder you enchanted the Dragon with it." She looks at Poemu. "And had he known you were listening, no doubt he would have played better for the inspiration."

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki blinked. Is... is this random Bayushi trying to set me up with this random Dragon?

He stared at Kiku a moment, and then turned a bland expression on Agasha, deciding to let her handle this. She is rather pretty, but really.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu gave a silent laugh in a sleeve. "I doubt there was any way Akodo-sama could have performed better. Perhaps I will need to see if my husband can sing for me so well."

She glanced to Touki, as if to reassure him a moment. "Traveling with a strange Matsu... did you catch her name Bayushi-sama?"

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

Seeing as personal space was likely going to become a commodity in the future, Wasako found herself in the gardens meandering about. While it wasn't exactly a harrowing experience, seeing the streets full of refugees and so much uncertainty in the air was enough to at least concern her. However, this was likely only the beginning of a lesson and there were harder tests to come. She walked the garden ground to collect her thoughts regarding both what she saw and experienced. It was likely she had to follow that with some meditation before the evening was over.

She did eventually catch the murmurs of conversation in the clearing ahead which distracted her from her thoughts. Approaching forward, she did see the ranking Dragon among them and some friends, from what she could assume.

"Good evening, minasama," she said with a bow and an apologetic smile.

Akodo Touki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 8:17 pm **Posts:** 628

Touki turned to the newcomer. His playing had drawn quite the crowd. Or perhaps it was just the night that brought more visitors to the garden.

"Good evening, Mirumoto-sama." He said with a bow. "This one is Akodo Touki. Allow me to introduce Agasha Poemu-sama and Bayushi Kiku-sama." As the lowest ranked, it was his duty to perform the introductions, of course. "We were just..." What were they doing, anyway? "Engaging in some idle conversation, I suppose." He finished blandly.

[D2LE] Endless Waiting (OPEN)

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