[Day 4, Early Morning] Everybody's a Critic (Open)

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:19 pm

As the sun crested the horizon, Choudai strode up to the shrine with a painting under his arm.

He didn't really seem to know what to do with it, and instead looked about.

He was plainly exhausted.

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:22 pm

Asahina Jorujo greets him, bowing slightly.

"Bayushi-san," he says.

"What is the matter?" he asks, recognizing that now is not the time for levity.

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:25 pm

"Asahina-sama, how good to see you... have you had rice yet? No, probably not, it's damned early, maybe I'll make some for us... wait, no."

He set the painting against the wall, not taking his eyes off of it.

"Last night at a the Jinabori, we had a disturbance- Doji Yoshino, I believe is her name? She cried out, clearly terrified. She talked about a shadowy monster of some kind entering her room. Kitsune Shizenko consulted a spirit, and it said something about a creature entering through the picture."

He paused.

"So here it is, and here I am."

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:31 pm

"I see," Jorujo says. "But I doubt it is the painting itself that is the problem. There would have been...other events, else.

"But you would appear to need something to restore yourself. I have only just eaten, and I am certain there is still somewhat to refresh you. If you would; I will not oblige you."

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:33 pm

"So it's not the painting?"

He frowned.

"Then why would the spirit say it came through it?"

He blinked.

"Forgive me, Asahina-sama. It has been a long night. I would hardly turn down your gracious hospitality, of course."

The threat to Hatsuki and our child persists.

Killitkillitkillitkillitkillit.

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:36 pm

Jorujo leads Choudai into the shrine and its rooms. As they proceed, he gestures at a door.

"From the reading I've...recently had occasion to do," he says, "it's like this door. Does the door determine who goes through it?"

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:39 pm

"Only if it's secured."

And sometimes not even then, wheeeeeeee!

"So something's coming through..."

Blink blink.

"Does Asahina-sama have any idea how many paintings there are in this town?"

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:41 pm

Jorujo sighs as he comes to a small room and gestures for servants to, well, serve.

Amid a clattering of cutlery and the like, he says "Only that the number is very large."

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:42 pm

"And growing larger by the day."

He grimaced.

"I'm only a bushi, Asahina-sama, and not even a terribly good one. What can we do?"

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:44 pm

"Unfortunately," Jorujo says, "I do not yet know. The research resources here are...limited. General wards, if there are any who can produce such, would be of at least some use. My school does not tend to such prayers, however."

A bowl of rice and pickles is served.

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:46 pm

Choudai took a mouthful, chewed thoughtfully, then absently produced some spices from a pocket up his sleeve and added them to the dish.

"I'm not sure Kitsune-san knows any either. She didn't seem to suggest warding the room. Are there any other shugenja present for the competition?"

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 8:53 pm

"If memory serves," Jorujo says, taking tea, "another Asahina, a Lion, and a Unicorn. Some of the monks might know useful techniques, as well."

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:04 pm

Monks.

"I may see about the Lion and the Unicorn, then..."

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:07 pm

Jorujo nods.

"I will continue to research this problem," he says. "But others may know more.

"Of all the times a Kuni would be useful. Or a Toritaka."

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:13 pm

Visions of dark spirits using painted faces as gateways danced through Choudai's mind.

"As Asahina-sama says..."

He continued his... not exactly breakfast, since he hadn't been back to bed.

"I take it, then, that Asahina-sama has been aware of some sort of issue prior to this?"

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:19 pm

"Not long," Jorujo says. "And much of my time since learning of it has been spent in looking into how to address it."

He sips at his tea.

"Not that that is much comfort, I admit."

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:58 pm

"Puts you well ahead of me. I found out about it when I was meant to be sleeping."

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 1:42 am

"That would dampen things, yes," Jorujo replies.

"Without more information about the nature of the thing, what can be done against it is...unclear. Unfortunately."

Post by **Bayushi Choudai** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 2:17 am

"I suppose I could sit up with a sword to hand. See how that works..."

Asahina Jorujo · Post by **Asahina Jorujo** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:26 pm

"That is...one way," Jorujo admits, clearly uneasy. "Although many such...things are...resistant to blades, as such."

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