D9 LA - Home-sick? (Possibly expecting)

[Yasuki Masaki]

The afternoon fishing and drinking the last day had that often strange effect of making a feeling one can't put their finger on - or doesn't even quite note is there - suddenly painfully obvious.

She had kept away from home long while studying in Shinden Asahina, of course. Even then, rivers and ponds were never that far away, and they immediately helped her feel at home - not to mention home was but a couple days away, less on horseback.

The pond in the Forecourt had some of that effect as well, of course - perhaps that's one reason why she was drawn to it quite often. But seeing the river... she knew she'd want to come here again.

Especially now, with a pressing question in mind. The wind was the element she'd learnt to be closer to, of course - but when she had questions, she often defaulted to the element that reminded her of home the most. To her teacher's chagrin, of course... but 'fish out of the water', and all that.

She'd sent a missive to Shiori and Daichi, and when she got to the riverside she took a look back, wondering if they would be able to join. But for now... why not to get started?

Taking out a small bottle of sake from her sleeve, she pours a small amount on the river, kneels, touches the water with the tip of her fingers...

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D9 LA - Commune with Water kami. 2 Raises called for clarity. Water slot 1 | 5k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 20)
Success with 2 Raises for clarity.
Question 1: "What does Ekibyogami [Fortune of Plague and Pestilence] have in reserve for the Empire in the near future?"

(Question 2 will possibly be a follow-up depending on the answer!)

[Cearnach]

The sake moves and pools on the surface of the river, creating at first a clear sheen, but then coalescing into an image of this same river, this same spot, lined with the blistered bodies of peasants for a good twenty feet up the banks.

[Kuni Shiori]

It seemed that urgency was potentially going to be the day's theme. Making like a mountain kami scurrying off stage, Shiori kept a rather open schedule to make an appearance, especially if there was something dire involved in the business. She would quietly appear and stood at a distance when she realized that Masaki was having a private conversation of some sort.

[Yasuki Masaki]

The sake moves and pools on the surface of the river, creating at first a clear sheen, but then coalescing into an image of this same river, this same spot, lined with the blistered bodies of peasants for a good twenty feet up the banks.

The water's first answer almost makes her lose her footing, but she manages to control her balance, keeping her fingers touching the water.

...Huh. Not just rumours then, unfortunately. Not good...

She thinks for a moment. If this is coming, what is most important to know next?....

The next question is chanted aloud, although in a whisper.

"Whirling carps and dancing reeds,
dear spirits of the flow.
as such sorrow has its seeds
planted - whence will its roots grow?"

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Question 2: "Where will this curse from Ebikyogami start from in the Empire?"

[Cearnach]

The waters turn dark, and at first Masaki is left to wonder whether the river intends to answer at all. But soon she realizes that the waters in the image are not flowing like a river, but undulating like the sea. The image of the sea lingers, until, just at the end of the kami's strength, Masaki can make out a sandy shore with strange, think vegetation encroaching on the beachfront. The image pans up, and the greenery extends, thick and choking, to the horizon and beyond.

[Yasuki Masaki]

It seemed that urgency was potentially going to be the day's theme. Making like a mountain kami scurrying off stage, Shiori kept a rather open schedule to make an appearance, especially if there was something dire involved in the business. She would quietly appear and stood at a distance when she realized that Masaki was having a private conversation of some sort.

As the water stops moving and Masaki stops concentrating, her efforts to keep her balance finally fail, and she falls down on her back. It's at that moment that she sees Shiori standing at some distance and awkwardly give her a sitting bow.

"Kuni-san. Thanks for coming." Her eyes shift to the river again. "... there are troubled waters ahead, I'm afraid."

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori would return the bow slowly, sensing a bit of tension or ghastly news in the air. She would approach Masaki so that they could better speak, finding a spot to sit across from her. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Yasuki-san, but I confess the details are still a bit thin for me. What were your findings?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

Shiori would return the bow slowly, sensing a bit of tension or ghastly news in the air. She would approach Masaki so that they could better speak, finding a spot to sit across from her. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Yasuki-san, but I confess the details are still a bit thin for me. What were your findings?"

"Kuni-san may remember Hiruma Daichi-san mentioned a 'plague cure' being offered in talks?*". She slowly starts to get back to her feet. "It seems the spirits readily confirm the fears related to that are more than just idle talk - and point to the sea as its likely origin."

Finally up, she shakes her head slightly. "I did not get a clear answer as to where on the coast." Eyes on the river, then the ground, then the sun. "I wonder if more information could be gained by speaking to other elements... or if the water might be able to answer more questions. If the sea is involved, the river does seem like a good place to ask, but..."

She looks at the Kuni. "Your family's lessons do involve many matters related to purity, don't they, Kuni-san? Do you think these could be helpful in finding answers related to bodily purity as well, and effects that might threaten it?"



*Would be mentioned IC in our Crab Clan D7 thread, which still hasn't progressed to that, but assuming it was mentioned IC since we were talking about it.

[Kuni Shiori]

"Kuni-san may remember Hiruma Daichi-san mentioned a 'plague cure' being offered in talks?*". She slowly starts to get back to her feet. "It seems the spirits readily confirm the fears related to that are more than just idle talk - and point to the sea as its likely origin."

Finally up, she shakes her head slightly. "I did not get a clear answer as to where on the coast." Eyes on the river, then the ground, then the sun. "I wonder if more information could be gained by speaking to other elements... or if the water might be able to answer more questions. If the sea is involved, the river does seem like a good place to ask, but..."

She looks at the Kuni. "Your family's lessons do involve many matters related to purity, don't they, Kuni-san? Do you think these could be helpful in finding answers related to bodily purity as well, and effects that might threaten it?"



*Would be mentioned IC in our Crab Clan D7 thread, which still hasn't progressed to that, but assuming it was mentioned IC since we were talking about it.

"Now that's concerning..." She said with a deep frown on the matter. "Here I was hoping that it was an offering that was merely as a means to skim a few things with little effort, especially when it would likely appeal to our cautiousness...but this likely reality makes things much more complicated. I could imagine that the Crab lands would be hit the hardest with much of our population on the coast." It was likely that bit was true, considering that not all Crab wanted to live a life in constant defence of the Shadowlands. There were parts of their territory, much like the Yasuki lands, where they could actually prosper.

"We aren't so secluded either, as I'm sure such illnesses could travel from and to other lands, they spread very much when unchecked. Much like how we safeguard against taint, I think illnesses are also in my Family's purview," she nodded on the matter, considering they were versed in analyzing the body in many ways that others would be considered blasphemous.