[Day 0 - Mid Evening] Ebisu's Blessing

[Sutorenja]

The samurai's home was not much larger than the other homes, but it did seem to have more dignity and prominence maybe due to the proximity of the Old Meeting Tree. Compared to most samurai homes it was shabby and with faded paint but it was shelter and not in disrepair just... plain and austere.

The sun was preparing to set but still the heat brought a sweat to her brow. She was thankful she had kept her hair short, it was useful for battle but also meant that her shoulders and back did not have needless hair trapping heat. She gave herself a moment of respite and then got back to chopping the wood for the Sparrow samurai’s family. They had been kind enough to allow the wave woman to stay with them for the night before she continued her way to the lands of the Crab.

The people here were simple and good, but kind. They had next to nothing compared to other samurai she had met and yet they were so giving and selfless. It made them seem like truly beautiful people even if they probably did not bathe as often as they should have. They were not dirty people by any means but… she pushed the thought away and just focused on chopping.

No need to get distracted by things that don’t matter.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Away from the house, but closer to it than the Tree, was a Scorpion samurai who walked in a simple mask stylized as a manner of artful skull. He wore a hat to keep the sun off and his kimono was only a single layer. Much like the Sparrow lands, the Scorpion territories administered by the Bayushi were hot in the right season, or wrong...regardless Shitoru was accustomed to the miserable feeling and sought a bit of space to begin some late practice.

Seeing the woodchopper Shitoru gave a slight bow from a distance, then settled into his stance. He drew his blade quickly in a flash and then held his stance for a long while. Perhaps he was listening to the sound of the axe, or meditating in some other way.

[Sutorenja]

The ronin, as shabbily dressed as she was, did her best to acknowledge the clan samurai but was mostly focused on chopping wood. Still it paid to be respectful to strangers with keen blades.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

One swift move, then held in the transition stance. Many moments, many breaths and heartbeats followed in silence. Then a cut in time with the falling of the chopper's axe. A weed was cut, thinly and joined the other refuse on the packed dirt of the village.

Shitoru continued this ritual for a while, choosing moments when the axe fell to strike in time with his breath. Twice a leaf passed and he nicked it proper, straight down the middle each time.

He seemed to be keen on continuing in step with the woodcutter, perhaps when she was finished he would be as well.

[Sutorenja]

Chop. Chop. Chop, chop, chop went the axe for some time, perhaps thirty minutes before she found rest and took in her handiwork. She wiped her brow with dirty cloth and then found a set under the shade of the Sparrow’s porch and awning.

Plenty of wood chopped and now she could rest and think. Had the Scorpion been keeping pace with her or was she trying to keep pace with him, she could never tell with their lot. Secrets on secrets, is what she knew of them.

Maybe that was all there was to know.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Finished, Shitoru removed a cloth from his obi and cleaned the blade carefully. Satisfied with that, the sword went back into it's sheath with a click. Watching the tree a moment and all of the people there he came to a decision and walked toward the ronin.

"Good evening:", he said with a wave. "Are you a local? You don't seem a Sparrow. I'm called Bayushi Shitoru."

A bow.

[Sutorenja]

“Master samurai, you honor me with your name, this one is known as Sutorenja,” she said in a respectful tone.

“I am no Sparrow, only a traveler just passing to points unknown. These fine folks were kind enough to share what little they had for modest work. A blessing to be sure.”

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"I see", was all he seemed to have to offer. The heat continued, a drop of sweat or two rolled down Shitoru's neck. Then...

"Ah. I travel to Fire Shrimp village. Heard of it?"

[Sutorenja]

"I see", was all he seemed to have to offer. The heat continued, a drop of sweat or two rolled down Shitoru's neck. Then...

"Ah. I travel to Fire Shrimp village. Heard of it?"

“Can’t say that I have, Master Samurai,” she responded.

“Is it far from here? I have learned that my knowledge of the Empire is much more limited than I had been led to believe,” she offered in a friendly manner though doing her best not to press or overstep the gulf of difference in their stations.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"It lies in Crab lands, some fishing village", the Scorpion informed. "Do you fish? I am not one of the wilds, myself."

[Sutorenja]

“I have learned the basics, yes, it can be relaxing some say, I find it anything but. But perhaps they indulge as a hobby and I rely on it for survival. A fishing village in Crab lands?” she countered trying to place where it could be but sadly being failed by her education.

“There was a stream nearby the Sparrow told me but not much for fishing, and it has dried up for now.” She smirked, that had been a two hour ambling tale, well told if tedious.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Are you the active sort, then?" His hat tilted with his head, curious.

[Sutorenja]

"Are you the active sort, then?" His hat tilted with his head, curious.

“Active sort?” she responded mulling over the question.

“I don’t stay idle, if that is the question, Bayushi-sama. If this one has a choice she prefers action to inaction. If she catches your meaning.”

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Indeed", he nodded. "Fishing is stillness from what I'm told." He rested an arm in his kimono. "You said you travel to parts unknown, have the Sparrow no work for you other than Ebisu's humble tasks?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

The Monkey and her monkey had been wandering around. There wasn't much to see in the Sparrow village, but Hifumi still seemed interested in everything. She had listened to several stories this evening, as every Suzume seemed to have a few. Now, she'd made her way towards the sounds of chopping wood. She waited to approach, not wanting to interrupt the conversation.

[Sutorenja]

“The Sparrow always need more hands but I am no farmer, and they have enough mouths to feed. No I shall move on in the morning, had a wish to see the Wall that the Crab are so fond of. Crab always have need for strong arms,” she said with a nod.

“Something we often try to forget about is that even as we live in peace the children of Hida sacrifice daily without complaint.”

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Commendable", the Scorpion commented. No need to speak of the tales he'd heard of Crab doing nothing but complain about their trials fighting the enemy in the south. "As Fire Shrimp village is in the lands of the Crab, perhaps we will see more of each other."

The Monkey and her monkey had been wandering around. There wasn't much to see in the Sparrow village, but Hifumi still seemed interested in everything. She had listened to several stories this evening, as every Suzume seemed to have a few. Now, she'd made her way towards the sounds of chopping wood. She waited to approach, not wanting to interrupt the conversation.

Shitoru didn't turn his head immediately at the woman's approach. Eyes wandered beneath his mask, but it was hard to tell his attention had shifted for a moment.

Then the Monkey with a monkey was actually noted, and the Scorpion did what was proper. He all but ignored the ronin for the moment and faced the clan samurai, hands resting at his sides instead of in his kimono as was proper and he bowed.

"Good evening, samurai of the Monkey. I am Bayushi Shitoru", said the Scorpion with a bit of practiced tone. It was welcoming enough, but there was a wary feel, as if there were some hidden expectation to their meeting. His mask hid his face, and thus perhaps any clue to what that was. "What brings my clan's honored neighbor this far away from home?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Fuzake Hifumi." she bowed. "I am journeying to Crab lands, to bear witness."

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Ominous...",Shitoru observed from behind his mask. His head tilted slightly toward the ronin again. "Seems to be many travelling through these parts are on their way to the lands of the Crab."

[Sutorenja]

"Bear witness," she said looking at the Monkey. "I like that."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Fate has led me to many places, across the Empire." she explained. "I rarely take part in whatever events take place, however. I belive I am meant to watch and remember."

The monkey chattered and screeched.

"This is Dango." she added.

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Curious..." the Scorpion leaned on the small, shabby fence of the home where Sutorenga rested. "You seek events and let fate guide you? An interesting life. Both with the freedom of roaming and the prison of predetermination."

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"Hai." she nodded in agreement. "But, we all have our path and I have found some enjoyment in mine."

[Sutorenja]

While the Monkey samurai experiences... something the ronin said to them both, "I was already planning to go to the Wall, perhaps the Crab will not mind another observing this wedding?"

[Bayushi Shitoru]

"Not for me to say", Shitoru replied evenly. Then a slight nod, visible by the tip of his hat. "Though the purpose of a ronin is oft overlooked, one might seek work, and if one happens to befriend a crab and gain invitation, none would argue methinks."