"It's kind of you to show me around the area," the slim Yasuki said to his companion as they walked through the market. "I wouldn't have had the first idea where to look for a fortune teller here, and today of all days I think it could be important."

"It is my honor to act the role of a good host for our guests, Yasuki-sama," Sayomi responded with a kind smile, despite the scary situation earlier that day. "The temples is probably experiencing a rush of petitioners right now, forgetting the wise wives and sages that live in here that also look after them."

“I expect you’re right,” Ryoichi said with a nod. “It’s clear that the temple priests have their hands full placating the spirits. But with things so…uncertain right now, I’m hoping to find someone who can give at least some guidance on what the future holds.”

Sayomi cast him a curious but friendly look. "What sort of guidance do you search for, Yasuki-sama? If it's about the, uh, succession, I think you'll find the answers are varied as if the Heavens have not yet decided. But for more personal things, there are many who can provide answers - such as marriage, love, family, or wealth. Those tend to be the usual popular problems people seek guidance for."

She led him away from the booths and stalls, and to some of the more permanent shops that had curtains drawn before the door to indicate what could be provided within. Signs like "noodles", "clothing", and "accessories" were common words to see.

The Yasuki shook his head. "The succession is up to the Empress, of course," he said. "It's not for me to say. No, I'm looking for advice for myself, mainly."

"There were a lot of very weird omens this morning," Ryoichi said. "Not only the earthquake...but there's a big split in the tree in front of the Ikoma dojo now, and some weird monk has shown up out of nowhere, stirring up trouble in that same dojo. I feel like these might be signs of something? I have to think these are all related, but I don't quite understand how."

"What do you think?"

"Hmmm..." her brows furrowed as she considered it. "Monks do tend to like to stir up trouble of sorts wherever they go, for good or bad, is often my experience. I hope this weird monk of which you speak hasn't vandalized the poor tree."

That tree did nothing but its duty!

"I am no expert in omens though, but apart from the earthquake, what other omens did you perceive?"

"I wouldn't think that a monk would do such a thing, but they are known for being eccentric," agreed the slim Yasuki.

"As for other omens, well, the court astrologer back in Kyuden Hida cast a horoscope for me earlier this year and said that I would have something 'important' to do here in the north," Ryoichi added. "He couldn't give me much more detail than that, though. I'm hoping that now that I'm here, a new divination might reveal more about what I'm supposed to be doing."

"Ah, hmm, I see..." she considered it, and adjusted their course past another shop that said "incense", but stopped by the next one that had a curtain with the symbols for "apothecary".

"'Old Nan', as the locals call her, is one who reads tea leaves and palms. Shop-owners in the district here like to speak with her about the future of their children, like if they will live long lives or do well in a business venture. Does that sound suitable?"

" 'Old Nan' sounds ideal for my needs," Ryoichi said with a grateful nod. "I don't necessarily need a formal priestess, just ... someone who, you know, can see the future."

With that cryptic remark, the slim Crab parted the curtains shading the apothecary's door and stepped inside.

"Don't let in all the cold, young 'uns," said the older woman who was presumably Old Nan in reaction to feeling the gust of cold air coming in as the entryway curtain was pushed aside. She grumped and pulled herself a bit together when she saw it was a pair of samurai.

"Hmgh, samurai-sama," she bowed, despite having a permanent hunch to her back from a year of bowing to the higher caste. "Good day."

"Good day, elder," Sayomi greeted with a big smile and a short bow. One respected old people! "This guest from the Crab lands is seeking a fortune from someone wise."

"Wise, eh?" Old Nan chuckled a bit and reached for her pipe. "Wiser than all the other old farts put together."

The Yasuki bowed politely to Old Nan.

"Good day, grandmother," he said. "I'm called Yasuki Ryoichi, and after the recent omens, I was hoping you might be able to share some guidance from the fortunes. Is that something you could help with?"