An obviously-Isawa shugenja, dressed finely - by the standards of daily temple-going, not of the imperial court - strolls peacefully about the temple complex this evening. He is neither hurried nor aimless, seeming to take in and makebrief prayers at each shrine, large and small. If anyone were inclined to observe him for a time, he could be characterized as obsessive or methodical, depending on the good will of the observer. The Isawa himself took little notice of those around him, nodding or bowing respectfully to those who happened close to him but not indicating he had any intentions beyond the temples themselves.

Isawa Shingo wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2025 6:50 pm

snip

Hoshiko has been a frequent visitor to the complex, as is appropriate to her station. Even with the new shrines set within Crane House requiring her attention, there were always more Fortunes to recognize.

She frowns slightly, pausing to look pointedly to a space just beside her left shoulder and...apparently whisper to it. With a small sigh, she approachs Shingo. "Good evening, Isawa-sama, and many apologies for the interruption. I've a question for you, if you've time for it. If not...I completely understand."

Asahina Hoshiko wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2025 8:02 pm

snip

Shingo lets the faintest frown cross his face at the whisper and sigh, but he restores a proper smile and gives a gentle bow to the Crane.

"Of course, ah, Asahina-sama," he replies, making an educated guess as to who approaches him. "This one is Isawa Shingo, lord of House Yoshinobu and pleased to make your acquaintance."

Her smile stiffens slightly. Lord? Emma-O's icy balls...if your obsession messes up relations with another clan at my first and possibly only Imperial court, granny...I'm cleansing the house as many times as the kami will listen to me.

Aloud, she merely says, "it's in the way of a genealogical question...did you have a perhaps great-great...maybe one more generation there, grandfather named Isawa Gobo? I'm told you've a bit of his look about you."

Though possibly only in wearing the same colors she thinks, recalling the many, many others over the years who 'looked a little bit like Gobo-kun.'

Shingo's impeccable on cracks as he tries to quickly flip through a mental catalog of ancestors. How do the Lion do this, he rages internally. I can't name all the living cousins without writing it out.

After a moment, the Isawa forces an obviously unnatural smile onto his features and responds. "I am... Trying to recall, at the moment," he says, with an almost audible grinding of his teeth. "I should be happy to get back to you with a... A verified answer... If you wish. Addressed to an Asahina...?" The eyebrow that has risen far up on his forehead indicates he had been expecting some kind of introduction from her before other conversation.

Isawa Shingo wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:43 am

snip

"Ah...apologies" She offers another bow, with that extra depth calculated for contrition--and to hide her grimace as letting herself forget something so basic simply due to the standard pestering ghost. "Asahina Hoshiko of House Yamada, priestess of the Crane and intermediary to the court of Emma-O"

Show him the fan!

Not now!

"Please don't go to any trouble over the question. It's honestly quite unlikely." After all, nobody had seemed to have any connection to that line so far.