The New Winds

A interesting sight in the shrine to Sadahiko, a Kitsune girl sit making a paper fox.



//D5 LA Acting: AWA Random Kitsune girl 2 raises TN 25: 9d10ro1o10k4 64+3 exceptional roll! Max Raises 5
D5 LA Artisan: Origami 1 raise TN 20 paper fox: 6d10o10k4 60 exceptional rolls! Why not this in Law?

Following the guidance of a servant back at the laughing carp, Kichiro would arrive at the shrine in search of Bayushi Kaidan. A rather enjoyable walk through the gardens as the radiant glow of amentarsu greets the new day. A small box wrapped in a yellow cloth is carried by the young lion as he climbs up the steps of the hillside.

DR:LA Artsy Stuff Invest/Perception against Disguise TN40: 7d10o10k5 32

Upon reaching the top of the steps and standing before the shrine, Kichiro was shocked to discover a Kitsune! A spirit of the fox sitting there folding paper into an impressive form of art minding her own business. Kichiro first raises a finger to call out then stops himself as a mumble. What was the protocol for this? There was a protocol for everything, himself a man of strict discipline, but this was coming up as a blank! Damnit what was the protocol!?

".....Konichiwa?" Kichiro mutters in his own confusion and bows awkwardly.

"Is it afternoon?" Her sweet voice answered. "Oh my... Who are you?" She questioned back.

"N-No I mispoke." Kichiro nervously corrects himself and inspects his surroundings. Hoping for another mortal soul to anchor him in reality in the presence of spirits. None in sight. After a deep breath Kichiro reestablishes his On and steps forward with a strong sense of pride and confidence. "This one is Akodo Kichiro of the Great Lion Clan. A samurai of the upmost honor and master of the scholarly arts of warfare." Kichiro's boastful reply a mask concealing true self.

The kitsune blinked. "An honor to meet you Akodo san." She smiled. "Do I make you nervous?"

"Guarded." Kichiro corrects then half concealed the box he was carrying against his hip. "Surprised to find a playful spirit residing within these shrines. I am in search of another samurai like myself. Has another decorated with the mon of the scorpion passed by these parts?" Kichiro's eyes scowl towards the kitsune. Suspecting the spirit's harmless pranks might of gotten the best of Bayushi-san.

"What is your friend's name?" She smiled. "Have we met before? Perhaps, perhaps not." She looked into the Akodo's eyes trying to read him.

"Bayushi Kaidan." Kichiro answers in a strong tone. Any attempt at direct eye contact was avoided by Kichiro. Eyes darting in any direction to avoid meeting her gaze. Too uncomfortable at what she might see. The kitsune's desire for treasure is well known but didn't he hear that they are also known to devour souls? Does that mean she can see his soul? A truly horrifying thought.

"Afraid not spirit. My exposure to the supernatural has been limited. Less said the better."

"You can call me Yukihime." She giggled. "As for your Bayushi friend, he left this here." She showed him the paper fox.

"Nice to meet you Yukihime." A sincerity in his voice even as his eyes still distrust. After the paper fox is presented, Kichiro gently takes hold of it with a pinch and inspects the elegant artwork. "If left as an offering to Sadahiko you should return this to the shrine. Less it was a gift crafted in your likeness?" Kichiro returns the paper fox. Their disguise so well made that Kichiro was completely oblivious to the many hints. Ancestors above must be having a laugh.

"What do you think? Is it made by my likeness?" She wondered. "Am I a pretty fox?"

Kichiro freezes in place. His usual racing thoughts crashing to a complete halt. "Uh..." Kichiro calculates his next move on the board. All his life he's trained to make decisive battlefield decisions that effect the lives of thousands and can define an entire war! This however he was woefully unprepared for.

"Well... You see..." Kichiro struggles to find a maneuver out of this. After a long sigh, the facade of the mighty prideful lion crumbles. "Hai. Very pretty." Kichiro surrenders to sincerity over an elegant twist of words.

She take out her fan and covered her face and blushed. "That is a good answer Akodo kun." She nodded. "I think you are sincere. Do you practice any art?"

Kichiro's face flushes bright red but he maintains a warrior's On. His left eye twitching every so often from the frustration of this embarrassing situation. As inviting as it was to toss himself headfirst back down those stairs and escape this situation, only a coward runs.

"Every proper samurai observes at least one courtly art. I am no different." Kichiro brings his wrapped box in front of himself and stares down towards it. "Had hoped to offer my recent work as a gift to Bayushi-san. Thanks for fixing me up before one of the most important competitions. Guess I just missed him." Kichiro shrugs.

"which art you practice Akodo kun? Besides the art of Bushido." Yukihime smiled politely. "I practice poetry. Would you like for me to perform one?"

"Kintsugi. An art taking what was once broken and mending it to be more beautiful than ever before. My parents enjoyed pottery and it felt like a means of understanding them." Kichiro keeps his explanation and history short but can't help but faintly smile. Never one to bring up that part of him, his guard was much lower around Yukihime than any samurai at this tournament.

"Please. Go right ahead." Kichiro invites her to perform.

"Rain hits my window
Angels tap-dancing softly
A heavenly sound"

She fanned herself. "It is weird, neh."

//Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/colle ... iku-poems/
LA5 Fluff Perform poetry: 6d10o10k4 46

"Not weird. Dare I say its something special." Kichiro turns away. "The quiet comfort of home. The gentle pitter patter of nature. That rhythmic sound racing alongside the beat within us all." If there was ever a time to hide behind your straw hat now was the time. He did just that. "It's a lovely poem."

"Why are you giving me your back Akodo kun?" The fox said sadden. "Why put up that guard? Do you think i will take you away to Chikuchudo or I will eat your soul if you look at me?" Yukihime pouted.

"Possibly." Kichiro replies and lets out an amused huff. "My entire life I've been on guard. Survival at the cost of maintaining this fantasy and never letting anyone close. I don't know what you see with those eyes of yours. What truths you can decipher. Regardless... You do not know me." Kichiro stops hiding his face but takes a seat on the shrine steps. Taking in the view from here.