Merit-Making [D2 LE]

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

((Expecting, but also open))

The rope ladder dangles down the outside of the city wall some distance from the north gate, out of immediate line of sight for the refugees gathered outside. Myo-en stands at the bottom, steadying it for the next person to climb down.

She doesn't know how much they'll be able to help, but surely anything is better than nothing? These people can't stay in Toshi no Omoidoso--there physically isn't room--but if they can make it through the night and have enough supplies to travel a few days more, they might find safety in another settlement. Somewhere outside the path of the Steel Chrysanthemum's brutal army, perhaps

An especially large crow swoops down from above to land in the snow near her feet, muttering to itself.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

At the top, an unexpected face appears and looks down from above. Avoiding unnecessary noise she merely looked down toward Myo-en and watched carefully for a sign of acceptance or to be waved off.

Around her foot a tabby cat nestled up against Mai's leg while she stood there looking down. Purring gently against her while they waited for the answer.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

Myo-en's brows arch a bit, and she takes one hand off the ladder for a few moments to give Mai a broad wave by way of greeting--a gesture that is meant to be easy to see even from the top of the wall, in poor light.

Trust a Togashi to turn up where needed, even when you didn't expect her...

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

Shimmering against her shoulder once more Void came to rest, and she smiled down and looked to the side. Surely, any other yet at the top merely awaited confirmation from below that Mai shouldn't be turned away. Granting the acceptance, she elected herself down the ladder first then.

Meanwhile, the cat that purred up against her leg stalked off back toward the city. She would greet Mai again once she returned.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

There was another person on the wall watching, though Osamu made no move to approach the small group descending a rope ladder into the fields below. Instead he remained where he was; more then a few paces away from where the others descended, and observed. He was curious as to the outcome of this.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

Myo-en holds the ladder steady while Mai clambers down. Lacking a free hand, she can't wave again at the man in Mantis colors who's appeared on the wall-top, but she does attempt to catch his eye and indicate, by gestures of her head, that he's welcome to come down as well.

She could probably make herself better understood at the top of the wall by hollering--solid though its construction might be, it's only a fortification for a provincial town, not Otosan Uchi or some towering Crab bastion--but it seems wiser to keep their access at least a little discreet. As much as the thought troubles her, if desperate refugees find the ladder someone might get hurt.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

All the way down Mai lands in a puff, the sound her feet make when hitting the ground, and a huff, the one she makes herself. Turning about she inclines her head toward the other woman and speaks softly, "I hope I do not interrupt something important Myo-en-sama, but I thought it appeared an evening venture that might do for another set of hands?"

On her shoulder once more, Void shimmered slightly. It's movement detectable with but a touch of focus. Which, arguably, was all she required to sense all those that existed around her, at least up until a certain distance that was though she never mapped it out.

Osamu · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:53 pm **Posts:** 408

Osamu shook his head, making sure to exaggerate the motion so it could be seen, before pointing from his eyes to the Rope ladder. Apparently he intended to watch it and make sure no one tried to scale it other then the two women.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 9:33 am

Make that three tattooed women as Tsukimi had waited for her turn to climb, and now with Mai safely down, the athletic Tsukimi climbed swiftly.

At least the trio were very recognizable.

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

Another woman with tattoos appeared on the wall. Miwako had come to take a look at the conditions beyond the city. The situation at the gates was heartbreaking and she was concerned about what else may be out there.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

When Miwako joins them at the bottom (assuming she does), Myo-en addresses the others. "The future isn't clear, and I am not sure how much a few people can help. I only have a little food for traveling..." she shakes her head, for once regretting her light pockets.

"I thought to cut some brush and help the people make shelters--or use the snow, as hunters sometimes do in the mountains, if we have to. At least keep them warm for the night. Those who are strong enough to travel in the morning would be best advised to keep moving on, I think."

Dark eyes circle the other women, alert for better ideas.

Togashi Mai · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:22 am **Posts:** 417

"I shall follow your lead Myo-en-sama," she says, with a quick bow of her head, but to glanced to each side to see if the others had ideas. Explaining herself, how she came to be here, would come later perhaps. Now was hardly the time.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 9:22 pm

"My own resources are few... just some rations that would last a person about a week, flint and steel," she remarked in a low murmur. "Making shelter is a good start. I'm uncertain if fire is a good idea or not, if we can even find enough tinder and wood for it."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

Miwako had listened quietly after she descending the ladder.

"Unfortunately, resources out here are likely to be scarce as well." she sighed. "If we could find some caves, perhaps, but that will be difficult."

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"I don't know this land well," Myo-en admits with a slight shake of her head. "I came just before the first snows and have hardly been outside the city since. But let us see what we can do."

She picks up her staff, which she'd set against the wall while she managed the ladder, and slings her small bag over her shoulder, ready to set out. "To live in winter, people need shelter and warmth first. Second, water and food. If we do not have the second, we must at least try to provide the first."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 11:17 pm

"Shelter and warmth, right," she nodded. "I know there's some forests over that way, that we saw during scouting today, but... it could be dangerous, and there are... bodies there." Tsukimi sounded hesitant.

----

OOC: But if there's trees/brush in the area that we can use instead, that would be great.

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Bodies?" the Phoenix asked with concern.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"There is some smaller brush growing near the road," Myo-en says, suiting action to words by beginning to move in that direction. "A city expecting siege should clear the land around its walls anyway--I think that is said here in Lion lands."

Without slowing down, she shoots Tsukimi a brief look of concern over her shoulder. "...dead bodies?" she echoes Miwako's question.

---
OOC:
Subject: GM Question Thread

Mindshred wrote:

Sure. There shouldn't be any issue with gathering brush. Go with a TN 15 Craft: Woodworking or Carpentry/Intelligence to make it into a passable shelter. On a failure, it's still a lean-to that will work for like, one person.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 11:40 pm

Tsukimi nodded in confirmation to Myo-en, and then looked to Miwako. "It... one of them was torn limb from limb... I don't know what could have done it. But I know Matsu Tani-sama removed the heads of the deceased we found, and we brought back any swords we could find," she said, continuing in a low tone.

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"How close to the city was this?" she asked as she began to follow Myo-en.

Merit-Making [D2 LE]

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