Sapphire Ambassadors

Choudai did his best not to stagger back into the Jinabori. He needed to rest, he had to cook up the evening's presentation someplace where the smell of the red meat cooking would go unnoticed, and he had to get his act together, and he had to see about getting hold of the only Crab he'd seen at the event...

Later. Need sleep.

Said crab just happens to sitting at a table, with various scrolls surrounding him on one side. If one were to look at the open ones closely, they would find mundane information about this or that craft. He takes the time to roll the one his is currently reading and clears a space in front of him large enough for what one presumes would be breakfast. "Ah, Bayushi-San, I see Lady Sun has blessed you this morning."

For my many sins.

"Indeed, Kaiu-san. And it seems Inari is about to bless you, unless I am much mistaken..."

I'd hoped to be better-rested.

"Did you find last night a restful one?"

"Indeed I did on both accounts, but there is still time to have food brought out for you as well, if you would like."

"I've just eaten- down at the shrine."

He must sleep like a stone.

"Concerning a disturbance under this roof last night. Has Kaiu-san heard of it?"

"Eating at a shrine, disturbance last night, hm? I am guessing this is something you need advice from someone who has lived close to the wall for?"

"Possibly. Have you met Doji Yoshino-san?"

"I do not believe I have had that pleasure yet."

"Well. She had a bit of a fright. Something one could have brushed off as a nightmare."

A pause.

"But I didn't. She mentioned a shadow."

"Do you have anything more to go off of than just 'a shadow'? Do you know how little that narrows the list?" He, nonetheless, clears even more space from the table, offering a seat to the one he is talking to.

Choudai took the offered seat, and lowered his voice.

"We're light on details. Kitsune-san talked to some spirit in the room. Said the shadow thing was a spirit that came through a painting- I took the painting to the shrine, but nobody seems to think it's the painting that's special. Asahina-sama at the shrine didn't have much to go on beyond that."

(Holding for gm input on roll)

"So from what I am hearing, this is not something from south of the wall. It is some from of gaki, a hungry ghost. It is likely eating a part of Doji-San's personality, entering and exiting through works of art. There isn't much a bushi can do, other than be attentive and be able to warn a shugenja quick enough to maybe strike it down. On that end, if I were able to, I would craft a ward over where she sleeps, ensure that she sleeps in the same area as a shugenja, and take precautions to protect whatever it is the ghost wants." He takes a moment to take a drink and pauses the conversation to allow the servant to bring the food and leave the area politely. "The paintings themselves aren't special, but it's not a bad idea to find a way to figure out if others are affected too."

That's... handy to know.

"That is extremely helpful, Kaiu-san- actionable information is crucial."

Choudai nodded, as if to himself.

"Your pardon, I may want to write that down. It has been a long night."

"By all means, better to get this information out right. Hope this helps."

"It can't help but improve upon ignorance."

One thing his studies to impersonate a Yasuki had taught him that the Crab and Scorpion both held in common: Ignorance kills.

"Speaking of improving upon ignorance, might I interest you in talk of the Tea Houses, I hear there is quite the competition. Best to get your mind on something absolutely mundane before going to bed."

"Ah, well... as it happens, I have already taken a small interest in the subject."

"As a matter of fact, so have I. I find the Opening Blossom tends to have enough varieties of tea to have something for whatever mood I'm in."

"Ah, Kaiu-san, need you even ask which one caught my attention?"