[Otosan Uchi, the scary Tsai District] Zankoku Hon'o

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

Aiichirō heard of the Brutal Flame tower, one that was used in a great 4th century battle. If something was good and durable, it was normally projected by a Kaiu. So naturally, he got curious and decided to take a visit
This was a mistake he would not repeat so soon.
Tsai was... Scary. Looked like the scorpion big cities the caravan dropped by to commerce and didn't let him even leave the tea house out of safety concern. Red light houses. So many Scorpion references and rōnin on the roads.
But a Crab should not demonstrate fear, so he moved on. It shouldn't be long until the tower, the light is visible from here...

[Kitsuki Shara]

Aiichirō heard of the Brutal Flame tower, one that was used in a great 4th century battle. If something was good and durable, it was normally projected by a Kaiu. So naturally, he got curious and decided to take a visit
This was a mistake he would not repeat so soon.
Tsai was... Scary. Looked like the scorpion big cities the caravan dropped by to commerce and didn't let him even leave the tea house out of safety concern. Red light houses. So many Scorpion references and rōnin on the roads.
But a Crab should not demonstrate fear, so he moved on. It shouldn't be long until the tower, the light is visible from here...

"Wow, so this is what a shakedown looks like."
Up ahead near the gates a skinny looking Dragon clearly not yet past gempukku stares wide eyed at the backs of two rough looking ronin across the street from her. The wavemen in question seemed to be leaning menacingly over a streetfood seller's cart, while the vendor cringes back in terror.

"Fascinating...I hope he doesn't get hurt though, those buns were really nice."
The Dragon reaches down without looking and raises a red bean bun to her face, chewing quietly as she continues to observe.

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

Noticing a Dragon not far ahead, he rushes a little his step to reach her, wood clapping along the road, even if the Kitsuki was not moving. This place all reeked of too dangerous to be alone in. When he got near the girl, then he noticed... The basically assault that was happening there. It made him remember of the Yasuki he traveled with, and those merchants were in some trouble.
"What's happening?"

[Kitsuki Shara]

Noticing a Dragon not far ahead, he rushes a little his step to reach her, wood clapping along the road, even if the Kitsuki was not moving. This place all reeked of too dangerous to be alone in. When he got near the girl, then he noticed... The basically assault that was happening there. It made him remember of the Yasuki he traveled with, and those merchants were in some trouble.
"What's happening?"

She turns and bows her head politely, still munching on the bun

Whispering "Crab-san. Blessings upon you. I think those two ronin over there are demanding money from the vendor. I would go over and help but I don't have the money. So I'm just watching and waiting, they probably won't hurt him too badly."

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"They would just steal from you too. Or taint you. The Yasuki told me never to try to negotiate with bandits because they will always do more harm than you think." He said, directing his look from the scene to look at Shara. "Let's find a samurai."

[Kitsuki Shara]

"They would just steal from you too. Or taint you. The Yasuki told me never to try to negotiate with bandits because they will always do more harm than you think." He said, directing his look from the scene to look at Shara. "Let's find a samurai."

"Sure!"
She hops up
"I think there was one patrolling two streets over, he looked pretty bored though."
With a last glance at the embattled vendor she turns back to Aiichiro
"I'm Shara, of the Kitsuki. And you must be very brave."

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"I am Aiichiro, of the Kaiu." He presented himself. "I thank you for your compliment, but what is it due? Must I also say you are quite... attentive. I wouldn't have guessed myself they were trying to rob from the merchant. Also, if this guard was bored, then he will be no more."

[Kitsuki Shara]

"I am Aiichiro, of the Kaiu." He presented himself. "I thank you for your compliment, but what is it due? Must I also say you are quite... attentive. I wouldn't have guessed myself they were trying to rob from the merchant. Also, if this guard was bored, then he will be no more."

“All Crab are brave, Kaiu-san, everyone knows that.”
Across the road the merchant hands over a small jingling pouch to the satisfied looking ronin.

“And you don’t have to be attentive to spot a crime, just hungry.”
She offers him a bun
“My family loves this sort of thing... the watching and the preventing of crime, not the committing of it.”

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

Aiichirō heard multiple times in his clan that people around the empire often did not recognize what the Crab did, something more evident with the lack of Jade that made many Kaiu angry. This, however, was one of his first experiences by himself, and it was the exact opposite...
It feels good to be rewarded when there are no expectations.
He cleans his hands by scrubbing them against his clothes and takes the bun without denying first three times.
— Preventing crime is a noble thing indeed. They should be dedicated magistrates if they love their duty.

[Kitsuki Shara]

Aiichirō heard multiple times in his clan that people around the empire often did not recognize what the Crab did, something more evident with the lack of Jade that made many Kaiu angry. This, however, was one of his first experiences by himself, and it was the exact opposite...
It feels good to be rewarded when there are no expectations.
He cleans his hands by scrubbing them against his clothes and takes the bun without denying first three times.
— Preventing crime is a noble thing indeed. They should be dedicated magistrates if they love their duty.

“Oh they are! Or so I hear at least, I just get letters.”
She nods happily as he accepts the bun
“I’m sure your family are very dedicated too! Although you’re in the Capital. So maybe your family are ambassadors or diplomats?”
Tilting her head to the side
“Or maybe sumo? The Crab are the finest sumo too.”

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"I also receive only letters from my father. He is not any of the two as far I know, he is a... A bushi" He noticed how generic it sounded. "A... A philosopher of sorts too. And knows a lot about a lot of things. Perhaps he knows something Jiu-jitsu, but probably not sumai. He would never stand a chance against a sumo."

[Kitsuki Shara]

"I also receive only letters from my father. He is not any of the two as far I know, he is a... A bushi" He noticed how generic it sounded. "A... A philosopher of sorts too. And knows a lot about a lot of things. Perhaps he knows something Jiu-jitsu, but probably not sumai. He would never stand a chance against a sumo."

“A philosopher? He would like Dragon lands I think, we enjoy philosophy. I’ve spent a few good days just sitting and thinking myself. Then it turned out chores weren’t done, maybe there’s some philosophy about when we should think about philosophy.”

Looking the Kaiu up and down
“Then you must have journeyed to the city for some reason? I hope it was a good one, nobody should go to a city for bad reasons.”

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"Perhaps? I hope they allow us to send letters, even if they need to read the letters first. This would make a great suggestion for my next one." He started walking. With the rōnin gone, there would be no need to fetch samurai.
"I do stop to think a lot too, but it is part of my duty. Gempukku being near and everything. I... I am not sure if it is a good reason, but I think it is. I am going to some temporary special dojo in the capital."

[Kitsuki Shara]

"Perhaps? I hope they allow us to send letters, even if they need to read the letters first. This would make a great suggestion for my next one." He started walking. With the rōnin gone, there would be no need to fetch samurai.
"I do stop to think a lot too, but it is part of my duty. Gempukku being near and everything. I... I am not sure if it is a good reason, but I think it is. I am going to some temporary special dojo in the capital."

Inviting herself along, Shara falls into step with Aiichiro

“There’s nothing wrong with stopping and thinking, unless you’re in the middle of a race. Is it the Ruby Champion’s special dojo you’re heading towards?”

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"Yes, I agree and yes, it is." He looks to the sides for safety. "It is a quite specific thing to know. Is it that famous or are you also going there? But I'm not going to the dojo right now. I'm going to the Brutal Flame tower."

[Kitsuki Shara]

"Yes, I agree and yes, it is." He looks to the sides for safety. "It is a quite specific thing to know. Is it that famous or are you also going there? But I'm not going to the dojo right now. I'm going to the Brutal Flame tower."

“Oh of course you’re not walking to the Dojo now... you’d go to the north gate for that.”
She bows her head slightly at the question
“I was invited to attend also, so I shall. I am sure it will be well. May I also attend the Brutal Flame Tower with you?”

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"Sure. I just don't see very much how it could be of your interest. I'm going here because it is, like, a real battle tower from centuries that survived a war and is still functional. It's older than the Wall!"

[Kitsuki Shara]

"Sure. I just don't see very much how it could be of your interest. I'm going here because it is, like, a real battle tower from centuries that survived a war and is still functional. It's older than the Wall!"

Shara smiles quietly
“I’m sure it will have a wonderful view. And if not, I’m accompanying such a knowledgeable guide I’m sure he can fill me in on the history.

It’s called ‘Brutal Flame Tower’ after all, it has to be interesting.”

[Kaiu Aiichiro]

"It was used to defend the city in the Battle of the White Stag. I already went to the walls here that defended against an oni horde. But I don't know very much. I just asked people what would be interesting to do in the capital and they told me to go after those places."

[Kitsuki Shara]

"It was used to defend the city in the Battle of the White Stag. I already went to the walls here that defended against an oni horde. But I don't know very much. I just asked people what would be interesting to do in the capital and they told me to go after those places."

Shara looks very impressed, to speak so openly of Oni and the gaijin who had attacked the capital!

“I’m already learning a lot then. We have to journey to the Dragonfly lands to find that kind of history back home. They gave you good directions indeed.”
As they pass through the gate she shakes a long sleeve at the tower ahead
“Is it taller or shorter than the wall?”