Sapphire Ambassadors

Yoshiaki had slept in much longer than normal due to the commotion at the Jinbaori last night. It was not like his time was overly burdened though so he still felt refreshed and ready for his routine.

The monk arrives at the dojo, a familiar face to any servants or other regualrs and welcome to varying degrees.

He begins his warm ups as usual preparing his muscles for the trials ahead.

Asano arrived right after her lunch, picking up a practice bow and looking at it curiously; There was no guarantee just how much she would be using it, if at all, but she figured she'd at least look at it. She'd seen yumi before, of course; They were one of the most popular weapons in Asahina lands. She'd never actually held one before, not even a practice bow like this, unstrung as it was. She looked back at Yoshino, "Do I need to worry about this now, or you want to start somewhere else?"

"A demonstration first, ne?" She suggests, following behind Asano with her unstrung yumi and quiver. Spying the Dragon she bows politely in his direction without moving to disturb him.

"Let's see..." She looked about for a suitable place to set up targets for practice.

Since yesterday was forms today was exercise. He did push ups and squats, more active things like rolling across the mat and crawling on his hands and feet.

As he saw others join he stopped and bowed "Need any help Doji-san? Setting up targets. I've no skill with the bow." He said with a small smile.

Fortunately the spaces were quite spacious, and Asano set the bow back down to help as well. When the Togashi came up to help she bowed deeply to him, "Greeting Togashi-sama."

She looked at Yoshino for what she wanted.

He bowed back "No need for such deference Asahina-san, i am aa mere monk. Hello again." He said with a smile "any more luck with hedges these days?" He asked with a small smile.

"Good afternoon Togashi-san. Help is always appreciated." She bows once more. "Thank you for coming to my aid last night."

Yoshino didn't immediately move to get the targets set up. She seemed more willing to talk today. She was in need of some reassurance and security that only company brings.

His laughter was soft "I hardly helped, most stood around and stated the obvious." He said his voice calm as always but threads of amuesment playing through it "I am glad you seem to be feeling better."

"Feeling better... were you sick or something last night, Yo... Doji-san? You know I know how to heal both wounds and the symptoms of sickness, I should hope."

She looked at Yoshiaki and inclined her head, "Though I make it a point of never underestimating the wisdom of monks, no matter how they may call themselves 'mere monks'. So I could definitely understand asking Togashi-san here for help."

"I was going to tell you after this."

She sets her yumi and quiver down. "Or shall I talk about that first?"

Doji Yoshino wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 19, 2022 4:17 pm

"I was going to tell you after this."

She sets her yumi and quiver down. "Or shall I talk about that first?"

"I would like to hear, yes. You know I want to look after people, especially people I consider friends, like yourself. So a bit of an explanation would be nice. If you don't mind."

Yoshino nods and starts. "On my second night here I think something happened. I didn't feel so well the next day, as you know. I believe the cause was a... a creature. I'm not sure what to call it. Some kind of spirit. One of shadow." She flinched as she said this. "It's hard to describe and my mind is jumbled of late. I was woken up last night by it. I somehow sensed it and there was this... this inky darkness. Like a moving shadow. Approaching me."

Yoshino wrapped her free arm around her waist.

"I screamed and fled the room as fast as I could, and some other guests like Togashi-san came to my aid, but it was gone. Two Scorpion consoled me, and they say they'd seen something similar. Kitsune Shizenko-san was there too. She asked the spirits, I believe of the Earth, about it. They confirmed there was something. That it had... come through the painting in the room. The key thing is that it's real. I believe it is trying to harm me. I spent last night with Kitsune-san for safety. I don't want to return to the same room. I was hoping I could stay with you tonight Asahina-san?" Yoshino asked hopefully.

"A creature of... shadow? Here?"

Asano thought a moment after hearing everything Yoshino had to say, frowning deeply, "And the spirits said it came from a painting... I wonder, maybe it's a creature of dreams then, something from Yume-do? I can't imagine a Shadowlands creature all the way here, popping out of a painting, unannounced. Not that I know much about such things of course..."

She put her chin in her hand, "You can absolutely stay with me. Perhaps I can figure out some way to make you safer... For now, you said Scorpion samurai had seen something similar? Perhaps it is one creature, but perhaps many..."

"Yes... although perhaps not what you may be thinking. I've been told it likely isn't from that or the South. Maybe a ghost instead? Honestly... I don't know. This isn't anything I studied." Yoshino comments hopelessly.

"It could be from dreams. I really don't know."

She dips her head toward Asano and keeps it there for a long moment. "Thank you cousin." She looked up with a frown however. "I hope it is only one. Many is a scary thought... but it could be."

"Hmmm... I do not specialize much in spirits, but this is something I could look into I think. Until then, I swear you will be safe with me."

Asano inclined her head back to Yoshino before looking over to the Togashi, "Not that I am not open to any advice others might have, of course. That is part of how I would want to keep that promise."

"Thank you again, and agreed." She also turned to the Togashi in case he had some unexpected wisdom to share.

Yoshiaki had been listening intently to the tale told all at once and not in frantic fear or the aftermath of such.

When the two Crane looked at him he shook his head a little "I have studied some of the spirit worlds but a spirit of shadow isn't something I've heard of. Otherwise it could be something from Gaki-do if it is feeding from you but I would have to research a bit more."

"Please don't be troubled Togashi-san. The local shrine keeper is helping." She couldn't involve everyone in her problems.

Yoshino tried to change the subject. "Ja, how about some archery?"

"Whether I am the target or not a malicious spirit in the place I sleep is troubling enough Doji-san." He spoke with a little chuckle at the end.

"I will leave you to teach the archery though, there I am nothing but a hindrance."

"Would you like to observe? It will only be amateurish, as I only know enough to hit a nearby target and not hurt myself. Still, you'd be welcome to join us."

She looked to Asano for agreement. "Ne?"