Salutations (Day 6 Mid Evening)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

The Mantis funeral for Tsuruchi Biji was a solemn affair. With no body to consign to the fires it wasn't necessary to have a fire. They'd consign a few of the man's possessions to the sea when they were underway though. The rest would be returned to the family.

The light rain had made it a wet affair but it wasn't the first time the Captain had been out in the weather, and the same could be said for the crew. After a few words were spoken by Moshi Minari a few others of the crew stepped forward to say their piece before retreating back to the crowd.

Various offerings were then made to the fortunes, predominantly Osano-wo and Suitengu and the funeral was finished. Most of those gathered returning to the ship or wherever they wished for the evening if their time was their own.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

The sun was setting at the beach. It was a nice scene to look at, and one he might paint his umbrella on... If the red sea was not linked with such catastrophe of a curse. Still, it would be pretty to have a real location painted instead of an idealization. One he visited, even, unlike the Spine of the World Mountains he never did.

He was under an unpainted wagasa, watching things from above the cliff.

This very cliff. He remembers waking up here before everyone went to kill themselves on his vision. He looks back at the beach, tranquil. At least the little group there was not one of...

Were there people on the beach without any wagasa at such a bad climate? This spoke ill, and it was his duty as a cursebreaker auxiliary staff to investigate. He goes down the hill and approaches them by afar to see what was happening.

Weird Mantis being weird.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

If Shouji noticed the approach of the other man, it didn't show. Though with most of the offerings done and his crew retreating Shiuji went to make his own.

Wading out into the surf he poured what may have been a bottle of sake into the water followed by some other object that it was hard to tell what was. He'd stand there letting the ocean water lap around his knees for a few minutes before moving to return to shore. His prayers it seemed were done.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He doubted the Captain himself, samurai themselves would come to throw over piss-quality sake in the ocean by the beach on a raining day. What it could be... Perhaps an offering for Hida Gusari-sama. The object could very well be the statuette... Which assumed it was intact after the ritual.

He observed the man for some time, fearing he would retreat in the ocean. He was getting deeper... And deeper.

It could not be.

"Tsuruchi-sama!" He hurries as fast geta on sand would allow, bringing his wagasa over him.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

The young Captain turned as a voice called out to him. He'd been just about finished with his prayers and about to return to shore.

Seeing the tall Crane almost drew a sigh from his lips, but he shoved it down. Instead turning towards the man and offering the man a polite bow. "Is there something I could help you with, Asahina-san?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He returns with a bow, still holding his wagasa up. He had trained that, didn't he.

"Come closer! It's hard to hear you with the rain!" Indeed, water dropping over his wagasa made some noise. Most of all, though, he wanted not to talk with the Captain by screams.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji hadn't thought it was that hard, but there was no reason to stand in the water all afternoon. Tucking the empty bottle under his arm, he scooped up a bit of seawater and rubbed it across both hands before approaching closer.

Wading out of the surf and onto the beach proper, it was easy to tell the Captain was soakedwet hair clinging to his neck and his wet kimono hugging his form. Apparently he had been out in the rain for awhile.

"Is that better, Asahina-san?" He asked now that they were at a more conversational distance.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He approached the Captain better, half-covering him with his wagasa, a gesture that didn't cover any of them properly, as proper distancing was needed. The first droplets of rain began to cover the sleeves of his kimono and his waist. "Oh, Tsuruchi-ue, I was the most worried. I had a vision during the curse of many people walking towards the sea until they drowned, and I had to convince them until they broke out of their stasis. I feared such would repeat."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"From my understandings just that thing happened for two nights or more befire ending yesterday night." Though if the loss of thim was actually five days well... "Of course it could of been more being as I seem to have lost two days in the last five."

"So after days of such relaities, I can't blame you for your worry. Though I can assure you I had no intentions to step in the water deep enough to drown." The curse had ended after all hadn't it?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, this may be why I dreamt with the sea the night the curse started... It was somewhat unsettling. I sought why those waters were red due to this place's proximity with the Sacred Fields of Lady Sun, and had just convinced myself it was due to rust... When all happened. Why were you at the sea, Tsuruchi-ue? Instead of over the sea, that is."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Hoenstly Shouji hadn't given it much thought, waters were the color they were. As long as he could sail on them and they didn't poison the fish it was fine by him. The final question brought him back to the present and his eyes shifted from the Crane to the Sea and back again. "It was funeral." He offered, with a gesture to the departing members of the crew. "One of my crew was lost here and we were just finishing up."

"I was offering my own prayers when you called me."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh my- Pardon me for my interruption, Tsuruchi-ue, I knew not and had no I'll intent. Should you wish to continue them, I shall watch. Should you offer me the honor, I may also say some last words of my own." He offered in a deep, polite, apologize bow, taking the wagasa back to himself without perceiving on the gesture.

He looked at the sea. This was a person he knew not, and mounted not — indeed he did shy from talking with people of the fleet. He wondered who it was, but this was no time for curiosity.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"No need for apologies, it's not like we made any sort of fuss about it as some things are private affairs." He glanced towards the sea. "And I already said all that I need to."

"As for saying something, you can if you like. The man's name was Tsuruchi Biji." He offered simply. "He was eaten by a sea monster." His eyes drifted towards the Crane again to see if that elected a response.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Oh, I have heard of the monster during the curse. Was it the same one? It should be... Otherwise, the Crab should already be in alert and never we would be allowed to stand there."

He nods and walks some centimeters more in the sea, not wanting to soak his feet.

"Oh, for the most honorable death be one not so praised! To go so others may live, to resist with your own self to help your betters and servants alike! The greatest duty is not to live, but to save! Worry not, for the Fortunes know not injustice. May Suitengu take you on his care, you who rest in the sea! And, when Osano-Wo calls over this shore a storm, may his thunder call your name, and his lightning illuminate the place where you had fallen!

Jizo, your temple rests on east of this shore! To you I plead, Lady of Mercy, take him under your wing should he be lost and grant the proper eternal grace Tsuruchi Biji deserves! Judge of Meido, hear my plea as well, for this one died on duty and deserves all that is just!

Farewell, Tsuruchi-sama, farewell!"

Salutations (Day 6 Mid Evening) - Oratory/AWA + VP + Voice + Raise - Kakita Artisan 2 tech: 10d10o10k5 66

(Kakita Artisan SR 2: Etiquette/Willpower against TN 61 or to become sad, yet hopeful... Wow, that was really a good discourse.
Raise called: To speak so very loudly)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

If he was honest Shouji had stated it was a private affair because he hadn't wanted the man to speak. He hadn't thought it appropriate to deny the man though, so he had let the man pick his own path.

Still he had spoken well and was respectful enough to call on the correct fortunes. So he dipped hischead in thanks. "Thank you."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"You are the most welcome." He replied with a bow, again. He was really good at holding a wagasa effectively while bowing, there was that. He would now, on a normal occasion, get some conversation rolling. But under the rain was not a normal situation, so he waited for the Captain either to dismiss or invite him.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Seeing the man didn't seem to have much of a plan for conversation, Shouji looked towards the sky for a moment. "Well, I should be getting back to my ship. I don't exactly want to stay soaked all evening." Being wet did get uncomfortable after all.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I got my wagasa here, though I am yet to paint it. Although I'm starting to get some fondness for the base color." He replies. Well, he knew when he was not invited as well. "Farewell, then, Captain. I'm returning to the Blue Bird." He bows in a goodbye.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

The Tsuruchi returned the bow. "Good luck with your painting, Asahina-san. Have a pleasant end to your day." Shouji replied before stepping back towards his ship.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

/scene