The New Winds

This Event is for Scorpion Clan members only

Bayushi Jiro was woken by the glare of light reflected off his golden mask. Shocked and slightly irritable, he twists out of bed, one hand reaching for his wakizashi.

Kaidan yawned at the sudden awakening. It is the first night here and we get drills The boy sighed and yawned again. He took his bow and quiver. He wondered who would light the light at this hour.

The two Scorpion found themselves in a small room sitting on cushions. In front of them was a tea set, prepped for a ceremony. Additionally a middle age man in a Crane colored kimono sat with his eyes closed.

“Ah. Good evening. Which of you will serve the tea?”

He looked at Jiro, who had his hand still on his Wakizashi and frowned slightly and an even bigger one was given to Kaiden who had a bow and arrow readied

Jiro's eye slid over to Kaidan. This was well outside his normal experience. But tea was a comfortable thing, a homey thing. And so he set his sword to one side and stepped forward to pour as requested. "I will," he said firmly.

Kaidan sighed once again. He placed down his bow. Still, he kept it close just in case this was not what it appears to be. He was wary and wasn't expecting midnight tea. His nights at Shinden Asahina were never the best. Just arriving and woken by... this weirdo. He kept an eye on Jiro, just in case he needed help.

The man nods and waits patiently for the tea to be served, looking quite comfortable and not at all in a rush.

jiro steps forward to pour for all of them, his smooth movements reflective of his recent mastery of his center. He spoke quietly, "This one is Bayushi Tomohiro of the court of Bayushi Shoju. I present to you my cousin, Bayushi Kaidan." Here he set the cups of tea before his cousin and guest. "I hope that you will forgive my impertinence of a moment ago. I am unaccustomed to taking tea so late in the evening, but there is a first time for many things."

Kaidan just kept quiet as his cousin poured his tea. He didn't want to be impolite but he so tired of midnight unsolicited visitors. He narrowed his eyes trying to study the man in front of him. "Who are you if you be so kind."

“I am surprised. Most Scorpion are well versed in the positions of the Imperial court. I am the Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume. I have a task for the two of you”

Kaidan frowned. He bit his tongue. "What is it?" He frowned again.

"A young man named Hitoshi, of the Mantis. I need you to ensure he is able to undergo his gempuku."

Jiro blinked. "We would be only too happy to assist, Emerald Champion-sama. But is there some reason to believe that he will be unable to do so on his own merit?"

Kaidan sighed. "This will help the how?" Then he moved closer to Jiro and whispered "Isn't he supposed to be dead?"

“Many do not wish to see him do well, my brother in law especially. “

He then smiles and closes his eyes.

“I am certain you will make the right choice, Bayushi-sans”

Then a bright flash of white and the two are left in Jiros room, alone, with only a hot teapot full or fresh tea to remind them anything had just transpired

"Who is his brother-in-law?" Jiro wondered aloud. "Also, yes, Kaidan-san, he is very dead."

Kaidsn blinked a few times as the light flashed. His eyes try to get back used to the room light. "Odd..." He placed a finger on his chin. "Maybe I should have paid more attention to Obahan's explanations of the Crane history."

"That would have come in useful, but no use worrying about it now. It seems strange that he would appear to us, given that we are ostensibly from a rival clan, but then it is equally strange that he has taken an interest in this Mantis boy. I wonder what connection they share?"

He looked at the steaming tea. "I could try and read the leaves."

Jiro's brow furrowed. "Well...I suppose that wouldn't hurt anything. Go for it, Kaidan-san."