Sapphire Ambassadors

Raakun had guided Shizenko to the maze. The little creature is so obsessed with the many leaves but Shizenko can't leave him alone.
Look so many leaves in the path.
Raakun said as he got into the maze.

Shizenko sighted. The things I do for him.... as she enter the maze trying to follow him. "Raa kun! Come on...where are you?" The young woman looked around for her little friend. Hopefully she would find him before he get into trouble.

With the way his day had started, Choudai was in a bit of a state, and had gone into the hedge maze to try and clear his head.

And to be alone.

So of course, just as he was finding a nice, quiet place to scream into his own hands, he heard someone else calling out.

What the hell kind of name is 'Raa'?

Choudai looked about, trying to orient himself relative to the voice.

Shizenko looked around trying to find the racoon dog and instead was found by the Scorpion. "Ah... Scorpion Sama..." the girl bowed. "I am sorry to interrupt your stroll but have you seen a racoon dog?"

Ah, I have finally gone completely mad. Well, it was only a matter of time.

..

What the hell mon is that?

...

Called me sama, probably a Minor Clan

"Samurai-san, I am sorry to say I have not. Of course, I have not been looking for one..."

Who in the name of sanity goes looking for a tanuki?

"This one is Bayushi Choudai."

The girl bowed deeply. "It is an honor to meet you... This humble one is Kitsune Shizenko of the Fox clan." The girl straighten. "My little friend seemed to have come to the maze looking for... it doesn't matter." the Priestess chuckled nervously. "I guess he will come when he misses knows it won't find what he is looking for."

Fox Clan, Fox Clan... they live in trees or something, right?

"At least your friend picked a fine day to be outdoors, Kitsune-san, no? And in such well-tended surroundings, too."

The Shugenja nodded. "Indeed... may I be of any assistance Scorpion sama?"

The tanuki started chiterring.

You got this Shi chan

The young ko smiled politely. "I am kind of a spiritual guide... but if you think it is too awkward, I understand." She shyly said.

"Spiritual guide?"

Run!

"A shugenja, then?"

"Hai.." She nodded. She looked toward the chiterring then back to the Scorpion. "It is what most of the clan does... take care of the spirits of the realm of Chikushudo. Kitsune Mori has many such visitors. It is up to us to guide them."

The tanuki shook its head. baka

Shizenko covered her mouth as if she had said something wrong. "ano..."

"Sounds a bit complicated to me... but then, I'm just a simple bushi."

He paused.

"Does your guidance have an artistic component, by chance?"

"It isn't... the bushi protect the spirits and we guide them on their journey amongst the ningen." She nodded. "I use paper... I mean origami as offerings to the kami.

The tanuki popped beside her.

"Ah... seems that someone wants to join us." She looked the tanuki. "This is Raakun... he is my friend." The tanuki bowed?

It seems my slide into madness is complete.

"Is Raakun partial to origami, then?"

Choudai didn't return the tanuki's bow, exactly, although he did reflexively nod his head.

"I confess, I have little aptitude for it myself."

The Kitsune shook her head. "Raakun is more into dancing and painting."

The tanuki started chiterring. Don't forget food! If I am going to be a true tanuki spirit we can't forget the sake.

With a smile and a chuckle. "And we can't forget that he loves food. Eating it I mean." She lowers to pat the Tanuki's head. "I don't think you should be drinking sake just yet."

Ah, wonderful, the creature likes food. Of course it likes food!

...

"Painting, hm? Something else I have little aptitude for, but I can at least appreciate."

He cocked his head at the creature.

"Seeking Inari's favor, are we?"

Shizenko smiled. "He is a rascal that is always seeking the blessing of Inari. This one must watch what she eats for my blessings are tied to the food." She looked up at the Scorpion with a bit of melancholy.

"Do you have an artistic side?"

"Ah, Kitsune-san, don't we all?"

He was on firmer footing now, although the friggin' Tanuki still had him convinced he was having some sort of fever dream.

"I dabble in the culinary arts, as it happens... so you might say Inari is near to my heart as well."

"Good to know." The girl nodded as she stood back up. "Inari no kami is one of the Kitsune venerated fortunes." The tanuki went up her back and flopped on the Kitsune's head. "I would be very interested to see what interesting plates you would make." She was unphased by the tanuki on her head.

Nor was Choudai much phased by what he was prepared to regard as just one more surreal image.

"I suppose you'll get your chance during the competition... lacking any other art to present, I've been preparing something of a menu. A good thing about Crane hospitality, ingredients are easy to come by."

"That will be wonderful. I offer my services as a scribe... But you probably have some one to write those things down... The menu I mean. There are probably better scribes than this one in your delegation."

Don't sell yourself short

Choudai arched an eyebrow, although his mask hid it.

"Bold of you to assume we're a... delegation, Kitsune-san. At any rate, I would hate to monopolize your talents for something I mostly keep in my head."