[Day 4 - Late Afternoon] Kami's Dread (Open)

[Kuni Shiori]

At the conclusion of the day's proceedings and the late lunch meal that followed, Shiori meandered through the halls of the kyuden proper. Not that Shiori was scared of the possibility of rain, it was an accepted fact Kuni face paint was never meant to stay perfect throughout the day, but it didn't make venturing outdoors terribly inviting either. Still, there was so much of the kyuden's nock and crannies that she had yet to see. Surely, she imagined, this might have been a wonderous opportunity for a Kaiu somewhere to see the interior of a Lion's keep.

However, her walk wouldn't have been as peaceful as she imagined when she heard some faint screeching in the distance. That immediately brought the Kuni on high alert when she broke from her stoic demeanour and spun to gaze behind her. She thought it might have been goblins or escaped mujina on a rampage but that wasn't the case, but she wasn't too far off the mark. It made itself clear when it sounded again and moved at a brutal force right for her. She almost felt like the floorboards were going to be ripped apart and throw her off her feet but she managed to maintain a sure stance with her hands up as she resisted this spiritual force.

Her heart pounded and a headache surged through her head she could feel this raw outrage in the kami. It overwhelmed her to the point that she found herself sympathizing with their emotions without realizing it, knocking her unawares from reality. The kami lacked the same sentiments as mortals, their reasoning and sense of being were so very different. However, their emotions were very real and that was all that mattered right now.

With her internal fibre, she tried to steel herself back to reality, to find some anchor from this wretched spiritual current. The kami were too outraged to be forced back into submission and she didn't dare to try, unable to match their anger. Instead, she focused on returning to the stillness of the early and urged the kami around her to do the same. With a gentle hand, this took much convincing and coaxing, even as it still felt like that ground was unravelling around her worse than that earthquake the day before. She lost track of the time of how long it took, it felt like an eternity and she could only be patient in her approach. Eventually, time felt lost and she felt her emotions exhausted to the point of being numb...then everything felt still...

Still, like the earth. And it was over.

Re: [Day 4, LA, EVENT] A Disturbance in the Force

Rolls
Day 4 - Late Afternoon, A Disturbance in the Force, Athletics/Stamina: Void spent for +1k1 (1/3), unskilled | 4k4 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)
Day 4 - Late Afternoon, A Disturbance in the Force, Lore: Elements/Intelligence, Neutral: Void spent for +1k1, Phantom Skill (2/3) | 5k4 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)
Day 4 - Late Afternoon, A Disturbance in the Force, Courtier/Ring: Void spent for +1k1 (3/3) | 5k4 ⇒ 22 (TN: 20)

[Soshi Eiji]

At the conclusion of the day's proceedings and the late lunch meal that followed, Shiori meandered through the halls of the kyuden proper. Not that Shiori was scared of the possibility of rain, it was an accepted fact Kuni face paint was never meant to stay perfect throughout the day, but it didn't make venturing outdoors terribly inviting either. Still, there was so much of the kyuden's nock and crannies that she had yet to see. Surely, she imagined, this might have been a wonderous opportunity for a Kaiu somewhere to see the interior of a Lion's keep.

However, her walk wouldn't have been as peaceful as she imagined when she heard some faint screeching in the distance. That immediately brought the Kuni on high alert when she broke from her stoic demeanour and spun to gaze behind her. She thought it might have been goblins or escaped mujina on a rampage but that wasn't the case, but she wasn't too far off the mark. It made itself clear when it sounded again and moved at a brutal force right for her. She almost felt like the floorboards were going to be ripped apart and throw her off her feet but she managed to maintain a sure stance with her hands up as she resisted this spiritual force.

Her heart pounded and a headache surged through her head she could feel this raw outrage in the kami. It overwhelmed her to the point that she found herself sympathizing with their emotions without realizing it, knocking her unawares from reality. The kami lacked the same sentiments as mortals, their reasoning and sense of being were so very different. However, their emotions were very real and that was all that mattered right now.

With her internal fibre, she tried to steel herself back to reality, to find some anchor from this wretched spiritual current. The kami were too outraged to be forced back into submission and she didn't dare to try, unable to match their anger. Instead, she focused on returning to the stillness of the early and urged the kami around her to do the same. With a gentle hand, this took much convincing and coaxing, even as it still felt like that ground was unravelling around her worse than that earthquake the day before. She lost track of the time of how long it took, it felt like an eternity and she could only be patient in her approach. Eventually, time felt lost and she felt her emotions exhausted to the point of being numb...then everything felt still...

Still, like the earth. And it was over.

Re: [Day 4, LA, EVENT] A Disturbance in the Force

Rolls
Day 4 - Late Afternoon, A Disturbance in the Force, Athletics/Stamina: Void spent for +1k1 (1/3), unskilled | 4k4 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)
Day 4 - Late Afternoon, A Disturbance in the Force, Lore: Elements/Intelligence, Neutral: Void spent for +1k1, Phantom Skill (2/3) | 5k4 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)
Day 4 - Late Afternoon, A Disturbance in the Force, Courtier/Ring: Void spent for +1k1 (3/3) | 5k4 ⇒ 22 (TN: 20)

"-n? -an? Kuni-san!" cried a voice breaking the stillness.

There was a very concerned looking Scorpion quite close to what had looked like a Crab having some sort of medical emergency.

[Kuni Shiori]

"-n? -an? Kuni-san!" cried a voice breaking the stillness.

There was a very concerned looking Scorpion quite close to what had looked like a Crab having some sort of medical emergency.

In actual reality, Shiori might have been affected by some sort of rigor mortis or merely just trying to do her best impression of a statue. However, her eyes were wide open and there were beads of sweat on her forehead. She had been perhaps so withdrawn in the world that the Scorpion's voice first seemed like a mere murmur before they solidified into words in her ears.

There was some movement from her eventually as she broke out from her out-of-reality reverie, stopping herself short of stumbling forward as she reached out to balance herself against the nearest wall. She started to catch her breath while trying to keep a thin semblance of composure to not alarm Eiji but that might have been too late.

"Scorpion-san," she would say in return, barely making out his clan but not quite having the sense to discern his Family yet.

[Soshi Eiji]

"-n? -an? Kuni-san!" cried a voice breaking the stillness.

There was a very concerned looking Scorpion quite close to what had looked like a Crab having some sort of medical emergency.

In actual reality, Shiori might have been affected by some sort of rigor mortis or merely just trying to do her best impression of a statue. However, her eyes were wide open and there were beads of sweat on her forehead. She had been perhaps so withdrawn in the world that the Scorpion's voice first seemed like a mere murmur before they solidified into words in her ears.

There was some movement from her eventually as she broke out from her out-of-reality reverie, stopping herself short of stumbling forward as she reached out to balance herself against the nearest wall. She started to catch her breath while trying to keep a thin semblance of composure to not alarm Eiji but that might have been too late.

"Scorpion-san," she would say in return, barely making out his clan but not quite having the sense to discern his Family yet.

At the address, the Scorpion took a step back since it seemed shaking the Kuni would now be uncessary.

Now came the hard part, making sure she was alright without offense.

He offered a polite, though a touch quick bow.

"Ah, this one is Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji." he offered. "Ah...does the day find you well, Kuni-san?"

[Kuni Shiori]

At the address, the Scorpion took a step back since it seemed shaking the Kuni would now be uncessary.

Now came the hard part, making sure she was alright without offense.

He offered a polite, though a touch quick bow.

"Ah, this one is Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji." he offered. "Ah...does the day find you well, Kuni-san?"

Shiori would bow right back when she saw Eiji do so, perhaps a bit of mimicry on her party but it did make her recall that she lacked a bit in manners. First impressions weren't great if she just merely addressed him. Unfortunately, it wasn't like their rank differences were so great that she could coast by doing the absolute minimum.

Kami, now she started to feel the onset of pins and needles in her legs that made her shift her standing stance. "Pleased to make your acqinance, Soshi-san. I'm Kuni-ke no kashin Kuroyama Shiori."

"I am...It's been..." She stammered at first before deciding that the Scorpion got the jump on her, so it was best to just get to the matter than to pretend everything was fine. "...Did anything happen just now?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiori would bow right back when she saw Eiji do so, perhaps a bit of mimicry on her party but it did make her recall that she lacked a bit in manners. First impressions weren't great if she just merely addressed him. Unfortunately, it wasn't like their rank differences were so great that she could coast by doing the absolute minimum.

Kami, now she started to feel the onset of pins and needles in her legs that made her shift her standing stance. "Pleased to make your acqinance, Soshi-san. I'm Kuni-ke no kashin Kuroyama Shiori."

"I am...It's been..." She stammered at first before deciding that the Scorpion got the jump on her, so it was best to just get to the matter than to pretend everything was fine. "...Did anything happen just now?"

Despite having gone to the temple three days in a row, this particular soshi had the spirituality of a slightly damp rock.

Slowly he shook his head.

"...nothing unusual that I was able to perceive, Kuni-san." he admitted. "I saw you standing there and you looked like...."

A small pause.

"....you might benefit from a conversation with me, and so I made my way over. But you must have been very deep in thought for me to have come so close to you undetected, my apologies if I startled you."

[Kuni Shiori]

Despite having gone to the temple three days in a row, this particular soshi had the spirituality of a slightly damp rock.

Slowly he shook his head.

"...nothing unusual that I was able to perceive, Kuni-san." he admitted. "I saw you standing there and you looked like...."

A small pause.

"....you might benefit from a conversation with me, and so I made my way over. But you must have been very deep in thought for me to have come so close to you undetected, my apologies if I startled you."

"So I see..." Shiori murmured with a tinge of disappointment when Eiji didn't have much to share on his end. Her gaze gave him a quick appraisal up and down, seeing no scroll satchel on his person. Not that meant much on its own, especially with a Scorpion, but she had to assume that Eiji wasn't a shugenja.

"No apologies needed at all, Soshi-san," she said gently to dismiss the notion. "It was for the best that you approached me, or else I might have risked standing here all day and lost all track of time. So I do benefit from the conversation, thank you."

She gingerly took a step forward to test the sensation in her feet, quickly deciding it was perhaps far too early to start walking. "...There's been a lot of outrage in the kami just a few moments ago. I don't know what could have done something like that but I imagine that whatever it is, I would hope that it had some physical signs of manifestation. Perhaps far more subtle than what I experienced but a sign, at least."

[Soshi Eiji]

He wasn't a shugenja, but when those in tune with the kami spoke, it was wise to listen.

"Hmm, I see. And it wasn't some sort of....spiritual aftershock from yesterday's earthquake?" he wondered.

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori frowned momentarily in thought as she looked up momentarily. "It could be but I would imagine that such aftershocks might have come by now, potentially even beforehand. It would be concerning if this is of a warning to come..." she said, a bit of a loss of the situation, her eyes looking at both sides of the hall as she tried to come to a quick conclusion at what just transpired.

It felt doubtful that she would be the only one who experienced this, she would hope not. If so, what could she do with this information? Surely, there must have been some Phoenix or some elder Shugenja who could make better heads and tales of this. She didn't want to start telling people to run for the hills if it turned out the hills themselves had eyes.

"My apologies, Soshi-san," she said with a quick bow. "It wasn't my intention to raise concern. I'm sure it will make itself obvious soon but I can tell that it seems to have passed now. There is definitely peace now, rest assured...I hope your day is going well?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiori frowned momentarily in thought as she looked up momentarily. "It could be but I would imagine that such aftershocks might have come by now, potentially even beforehand. It would be concerning if this is of a warning to come..." she said, a bit of a loss of the situation, her eyes looking at both sides of the hall as she tried to come to a quick conclusion at what just transpired.

It felt doubtful that she would be the only one who experienced this, she would hope not. If so, what could she do with this information? Surely, there must have been some Phoenix or some elder Shugenja who could make better heads and tales of this. She didn't want to start telling people to run for the hills if it turned out the hills themselves had eyes.

"My apologies, Soshi-san," she said with a quick bow. "It wasn't my intention to raise concern. I'm sure it will make itself obvious soon but I can tell that it seems to have passed now. There is definitely peace now, rest assured...I hope your day is going well?"

Eiji shook his head.

"Think nothing of it, Kuni-san. Given all the momentous events of the previous days, one more ill omen won't break me. But also given the stakes for the Empire of things happening at this year's court, it is much wiser to listen to everyone, shugenja or not. "

He tapped his fan.

"I'm sure Kuni-san has a wide network of shugenja she can converse with about such matters. However, if one more might help, Yogo-ke no kashin Itoh Kiuchi, is quite an amicble fellow, and perhaps his family's unique traditions might give you another perspective that could be of use?" he suggested.

[Kuni Shiori]

Eiji shook his head.

"Think nothing of it, Kuni-san. Given all the momentous events of the previous days, one more ill omen won't break me. But also given the stakes for the Empire of things happening at this year's court, it is much wiser to listen to everyone, shugenja or not. "

He tapped his fan.

"I'm sure Kuni-san has a wide network of shugenja she can converse with about such matters. However, if one more might help, Yogo-ke no kashin Itoh Kiuchi, is quite an amicble fellow, and perhaps his family's unique traditions might give you another perspective that could be of use?" he suggested.

"You are right about that, I would believe that the next few weeks are bound to be the most important as everyone hangs on each word of the Empress to see where her legacy will take the Empire in the future," she said on the matter, ignorant that the Empress didn't exactly have weeks left to settle her affairs. There was a slight sting she felt in her recovering joints once more that made her look about the hall with a cautious snap of her head. It made her wonder if it was something she said.

"Not as wide as you say, unfortunately," she said with a faint smile at that, a touch rueful. "I have worked out a literature trade with one shugenja but that's about it. I'll take Yogo-san into consideration when I find myself in another gathering. By duties, we do find ourselves overlapping in duties, so I suppose there might be already a bridge that simply needs to be traversed. That said, I am made aware that a few of my delegation members have already been in touch with you, or your delegation at least. I doubt I need to recommend anyone in exchange?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"You are right about that, I would believe that the next few weeks are bound to be the most important as everyone hangs on each word of the Empress to see where her legacy will take the Empire in the future," she said on the matter, ignorant that the Empress didn't exactly have weeks left to settle her affairs. There was a slight sting she felt in her recovering joints once more that made her look about the hall with a cautious snap of her head. It made her wonder if it was something she said.

"Not as wide as you say, unfortunately," she said with a faint smile at that, a touch rueful. "I have worked out a literature trade with one shugenja but that's about it. I'll take Yogo-san into consideration when I find myself in another gathering. By duties, we do find ourselves overlapping in duties, so I suppose there might be already a bridge that simply needs to be traversed. That said, I am made aware that a few of my delegation members have already been in touch with you, or your delegation at least. I doubt I need to recommend anyone in exchange?"

Eiji raised a fan at the Kuni's question.

"Oh my, Kuni-san. I hope that they spoke favorably about me. While I cannot claim to have met everyone the Crab has sent to Winter Court, I can say that they've all been at least pleasant exchanges, some moreso than others, but overall I've been left with a good impression of your clan this season. A pair of Yasuki, a Hiruma, and now a Kuni. I suppose I'll need to meet a Hida at some point for the full experience."

He wasn't exactly fishing for compliments, but to say he was incurious about the impression he'd been making among the Crab and his delegation had been making, would definitely be a lie.

[Kuni Shiori]

Eiji raised a fan at the Kuni's question.

"Oh my, Kuni-san. I hope that they spoke favorably about me. While I cannot claim to have met everyone the Crab has sent to Winter Court, I can say that they've all been at least pleasant exchanges, some moreso than others, but overall I've been left with a good impression of your clan this season. A pair of Yasuki, a Hiruma, and now a Kuni. I suppose I'll need to meet a Hida at some point for the full experience."

He wasn't exactly fishing for compliments, but to say he was incurious about the impression he'd been making among the Crab and his delegation had been making, would definitely be a lie.

Shiori felt well enough now that she didn't need to favour standing so closely to the wall. She put her hands together and slowly started stepping forward as they continued the conversation. "I apologize but I didn't ask for specifics of your meetings, Soshi-san. I just know that there was already some trade discussion in the works but we haven't come to a full agreement yet? Still, nothing is off the table."

She gave a glance to Eiji as they walked, "To be clear, I don't intend on stepping on my delegate mates' toes on what they've might have spoken to you about, especially when they've already done so much work canvassing the courts for potential trades. All of the accolades should go to them. I have been mostly just observing for the time being, I wouldn't be so surprised if the Hida are doing the same but I'll make a mention of your asperations to meet one," she smirked momentarily at that.

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiori felt well enough now that she didn't need to favour standing so closely to the wall. She put her hands together and slowly started stepping forward as they continued the conversation. "I apologize but I didn't ask for specifics of your meetings, Soshi-san. I just know that there was already some trade discussion in the works but we haven't come to a full agreement yet? Still, nothing is off the table."

She gave a glance to Eiji as they walked, "To be clear, I don't intend on stepping on my delegate mates' toes on what they've might have spoken to you about, especially when they've already done so much work canvassing the courts for potential trades. All of the accolades should go to them. I have been mostly just observing for the time being, I wouldn't be so surprised if the Hida are doing the same but I'll make a mention of your asperations to meet one," she smirked momentarily at that.

Eiji paused a moment in the walk at the Kuni's words, before quickening his pace a bit to make up for the lapse in steps.


"Ah, no, my apologies, Kuni-san." he said, with a bob of the head. "I wasn't trying to suggest negotiating with you seperately in some sort of attempt to go around negotiations currently in progress."

He actually looked a little shocked at the suggestion.

"Winter court is more than just an opportunity to negotiate trade deals. It brings together the best of the Empire to interact with each other in all sorts of ways. While I might learn more about the Crab from speaking with you, as far as negotiations go, the Crab delegation is one being. Whatever has been promised to one, is promised to all." he concluded.

[Kuni Shiori]

Eiji paused a moment in the walk at the Kuni's words, before quickening his pace a bit to make up for the lapse in steps.


"Ah, no, my apologies, Kuni-san." he said, with a bob of the head. "I wasn't trying to suggest negotiating with you seperately in some sort of attempt to go around negotiations currently in progress."

He actually looked a little shocked at the suggestion.

"Winter court is more than just an opportunity to negotiate trade deals. It brings together the best of the Empire to interact with each other in all sorts of ways. While I might learn more about the Crab from speaking with you, as far as negotiations go, the Crab delegation is one being. Whatever has been promised to one, is promised to all." he concluded.

Shiori blinked and returned the bob with a small bow of her own. "No apologies needed on your part, Soshi-san. You weren't suggesting negotiations in the slightest. Perhaps a bit of compensation on my part, as I brought up the topic and I wanted to make it clear that wasn't meant to be some fortuitous segway into trade negotiations. In fact, it may be some wish to mine to be able to offer something."

Unlike a Yasuki merchant...patron...courtier, she didn't have an immediate idea of what to offer.

She gave a glance at their surroundings. "We are sorely missing tea to make that sort of occasion obvious, it seems. I'm sure the trade deals that you've still managed to be able to glean some charm from my Clan, the Yasuki are natural in that manner. Hopefully, I can provide something to do you, no matter how intangible."

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiori blinked and returned the bob with a small bow of her own. "No apologies needed on your part, Soshi-san. You weren't suggesting negotiations in the slightest. Perhaps a bit of compensation on my part, as I brought up the topic and I wanted to make it clear that wasn't meant to be some fortuitous segway into trade negotiations. In fact, it may be some wish to mine to be able to offer something."

Unlike a Yasuki merchant...patron...courtier, she didn't have an immediate idea of what to offer.

She gave a glance at their surroundings. "We are sorely missing tea to make that sort of occasion obvious, it seems. I'm sure the trade deals that you've still managed to be able to glean some charm from my Clan, the Yasuki are natural in that manner. Hopefully, I can provide something to do you, no matter how intangible."

But your clan is the one with the tea......fortunes, maybe I *am* getting obsessed with trade deals. Eiji wondered, giving himself a bit of a shake. Not all exchanges are commerical, even when talking about the intangible.

"Getting to know someone who is both an excellent conversation partner, and who I can speak to on matter spiritual should the need arise is quite fortuitious as it is, Kuni-san. And I would hope should there be something you wish to discuss that lies in my domain of expertiese, you wouldn't hestitate to reach out." he offered.

[Kuni Shiori]

But your clan is the one with the tea......fortunes, maybe I *am* getting obsessed with trade deals. Eiji wondered, giving himself a bit of a shake. Not all exchanges are commerical, even when talking about the intangible.

"Getting to know someone who is both an excellent conversation partner, and who I can speak to on matter spiritual should the need arise is quite fortuitious as it is, Kuni-san. And I would hope should there be something you wish to discuss that lies in my domain of expertiese, you wouldn't hestitate to reach out." he offered.

If Shiori meant some sort of jab regarding the trade of tea, it didn't seem obvious given the Kuni's cool and gentle demneaour.

"That's a place we can start, then," she nodded once. "What would Soshi-san consider his domain of expertise if I wanted to reach out now?"

[Soshi Eiji]

If Shiori meant some sort of jab regarding the trade of tea, it didn't seem obvious given the Kuni's cool and gentle demneaour.

"That's a place we can start, then," she nodded once. "What would Soshi-san consider his domain of expertise if I wanted to reach out now?"

Ah yes, what do I bring to the table to someone that the Heavens themselves have empowered to move literal mountains?

"Ah, well, I would like to say I don't like to brag, but as one trained as an Ikoma Bard, that would categorically be untrue." he offers with a small smile. "Storytelling, be it humurous little pieces of fiction to lift ones spirits, or epic recountings of the noble deeds of the heroes of the Empire both past and present, that is what causes my heart to beat, my lungs to breathe in and out. And, of course, given that people are often interested in stories during these long dull weeks, I get to meet interesting people, so I know many people of different talents and am always happy to bring new friends together."

Or as a Crab would put it: he talks alot.

[Kuni Shiori]

Ah yes, what do I bring to the table to someone that the Heavens themselves have empowered to move literal mountains?

"Ah, well, I would like to say I don't like to brag, but as one trained as an Ikoma Bard, that would categorically be untrue." he offers with a small smile. "Storytelling, be it humurous little pieces of fiction to lift ones spirits, or epic recountings of the noble deeds of the heroes of the Empire both past and present, that is what causes my heart to beat, my lungs to breathe in and out. And, of course, given that people are often interested in stories during these long dull weeks, I get to meet interesting people, so I know many people of different talents and am always happy to bring new friends together."

Or as a Crab would put it: he talks alot.

Shiori gave Eiji an appreciative nod regarding his talents. "While you might be required to brag because of your vocation and training, it's pretty obvious that the honour of being trained outside of your Clan is no small feat. They are worth bragging about, in a sense. To be able to stir emotions and enrich people's lives, it's no surprise that you find yourself becoming popular in a short amount of time. I know my traditional duties don't overlap with your field, Soshi-san but those are skills I do find admirable. They are very inspirational talents."

[Soshi Eiji]

Shiori gave Eiji an appreciative nod regarding his talents. "While you might be required to brag because of your vocation and training, it's pretty obvious that the honour of being trained outside of your Clan is no small feat. They are worth bragging about, in a sense. To be able to stir emotions and enrich people's lives, it's no surprise that you find yourself becoming popular in a short amount of time. I know my traditional duties don't overlap with your field, Soshi-san but those are skills I do find admirable. They are very inspirational talents."

There was probably a misundertanding there, but it was probably a matter of semantics, so Eiji didn't bother correcting it.

"Indeed, Kuni-san." he offered.

He looked at her curously.

"Might I ask if there are any stories that have been particularly inspirtional to you? I'm not well versed in the stories of the Crab, and I'd like to learn more." he inquired.