[Day 1, Late Evening] Headin’ on home

[Hiruma Sen]

Having went to the village earlier to find someone, Sen figured that it was a good idea to pick up rice on the way back. Dad’s been busy, after all, and someone had to. Still, it was a hefty bag to carry all the way back.

The sun had just gone down, too, so Sen was extremely cautious. It’s fine. Most that could happen is some wild dog. I could take that on by myself easy. But droppin’ the bag would be bad.

Still, even at a cautious pace, the Crab moved forward. Away from the village and that impending party. And all the Crane. And Scorpion.

[Yoritomo Koemi]

Koemi lurked around the fields, keeping her watch on affairs. She was freshly clean from a bath so she kept out of any dirtying affairs.

What brought her there though was a curiosity in the hunters, the trappers. And while she did not find the ronin again, this Crab seemed to fit the description. "Hello," she announced her presence in hopes of clearing up any allegations of stealth. She eyed the bag of rice. "There weren't any bags closer to town?"

[Hiruma Sen]

It was odd. This Crab seemed to be heading out of town with the bag of rice. “Eh? I got this bag in town. I live on the edge of the farmlands, right before some hunting’ trails.” Sen futilely tried to point in the direction of the home in question, but the bag of rice got in the way.

“Ah, another Mantis. Been seein’ you lot everywhere.” The Hiruma thought about bowing, but the rice made that awkward. “Hiruma Sen. One of the scout n’ hunters here.”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"Oh." Koemi looked at the paths and then scratched her head. She hadn't been out on these fields before at this time of day. This error might have been why she was never placed in charge of navigation.

"Yoritomo Koemi," she answered. "Don't worry about bowing with the bag and all." She gave a proper bow for her own accord. "Did you happen to see a ronin around these parts? She was looking to do the same bit of work as you, from what I gathered."

[Hiruma Sen]

Sen’s face lit up the moment Koemi mentioned the ronin hunter. She was actually excited. “No way, a ronin hunter? What was her name? What does she look like? I want to compare techniques! I wonder if she’s good at trapping?”

Well, it was clear that the Hiruma did not see the ronin in question.

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"She called herself Yue," Koemi answered, a bit surprised by the Hiruma's reaction. This seemed to be her territory, after all. "I imagine it helps keep her from starvation while on the road."

[Hiruma Sen]

“Yue? Hmmm. I’ll look around for her tomorrow. Maybe she’d like to help out with setting up some snares? Then I could see her technique!” Sen just nodded, agreeing with her own plan. “So what did you need to see her for?”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"She may help you in exchange for some coin," Koemi commented. "That's usually how it works with ronin."

She shrugged. It wasn't something she had thought much on herself until she ran into Sen. "I was curious what your opinion was of having someone else in your hunting grounds," she admitted.

[Hiruma Sen]

“Well, it isn’t my huntin’ grounds. Plus, I’m not the territorial type.” Sen wished she could strike her chin thoughtfully, but the bag of rice was in the way. “So I guess it’s more of a kindred spirit kinda deal.”

“So,” she paused, a slight smile tugging at her lips, “Yue, what’s she like?”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"I suppose it isn't," Koemi said with a soft smile. "But I see. It must be nice to not feel territorial." She caressed one of her kama, looking out past the fields. "I'm not much of a huntress on land but I do like it. Fish are easier."

She peered at the Hiruma and then shrugged. "Pleasant enough? I really only cared about whether or not she was suspicious," she admitted.

[Hiruma Sen]

“Fishing’ and huntin’ are all about patience.” The Hiruma would agree that fishing was a lot easier. Especially net fishing. “There’s a lot more moving about in huntin’, though.”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"I suppose fish are naturally easier. I was just speaking about being accustomed to the sea." Koemi eyed the Hiruma one more time. "Do you have a bow at home to use?"

[Hiruma Sen]

Sen couldn’t help but chuckle. What kind of hunter would be without? “I primarily use the bow, actually. Well, bow and traps. Not really a spear hunter.”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"A trap, huh? Why not charge in with a weapon?" she asked. "But a bow in general makes sense. I never liked them myself, but it's respectable." She flexed her sword arm and smirked. "Preferences, that's all."

[Hiruma Sen]

“You can set up multiple traps and move between them. There’s only one me and multiple hot spots. More chance to get a catch.” Sen seemed to think that it was a practical way to hunt.

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"I see. Sounds impersonal," Koemi admitted. There wasn't as much fun in finding a weakened prey as there was in chasing it down and squeezing the life out of it. "I suppose everyone hunts for different reasons."

[Hiruma Sen]

Sen couldn’t help but shrug again, “I dunno, it’s a practicality issue for us Hiruma. Sure, a hunt where I find a nice pheasant or quail at the right time is nice, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Maximize my chances of baggin’ somethin’.”

Shrugging was likely a poor choice, as the rice nearly slipped from the Crab’s grip. “If ya want an excitin’ hunt, you do them big hunts. Daimyo’s putting on a boar hunt later during the festivities.”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"Kind of how like net fishing isn't sporting but needed to feed a large group?" she asked, certain that she was right.

Koemi glanced at the bag of rice. She made a slight move to help but ended up not making any sort of approach. Disturbing as she was, it seemed like the sailor had some sort of helpful side to her. "Oh? That must have slipped my mind." She looked back past the farmlands, thinking back to her conversation with Yue. "That ronin I mentioned. She wanted to know if boars were nearby."

[Hiruma Sen]

“Same premise, yeah,” Sen said with a nod. The Hiruma had control over the rice again, but nonetheless appreciated the gesture the Mantis made. “Ah, best be tellin’ her about the boar, then. Hunters know that boars aren’t somethin’ you want to find while alone. They’ll tear you in half.”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"I suppose it'll be either one of us," Koemi said. She wasn't going to go out of her way to warn a ronin despite her generally positive disposition towards her. This Hiruma, well, could make her own choices.

"Can a boar really do that? I heard of bears doing so but one of those things?"

[Hiruma Sen]

“Boars are dangerous by themselves but they also tend to run in packs. The lone ones tend to be large males that have a nasty temper. Tough bastards, too.” Sen frowned, recalling some deaths she’s seen.

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"I see. Sounds like worthy prey for that upcoming hunt that you mentioned," she said, clearly excited by the prospect of slaying such a beast. Surely, she had never pursued any animal that could really fight back, at least on land.

[Hiruma Sen]

“Just don’t go underestimatin’ a boar.” Sen would have crossed her arms, but rice bag. “I’ve seen yari break against their tough hides.”

[Yoritomo Koemi]

"Huh," Koemi let out. "I didn't figure they'd be so tough." She patted one of her kama. "Any other tips?"

[Hiruma Sen]

“When you see them lower their snouts towards the ground that’s what we call the gorin’ stance. Means it’s gonna charge at you and try and disembowel you with its tusks.”