(D6 EA) For Last Night's Favors (Expecting/Open)

[Asahina Sanaharu]

The Miya's message ended, he resumed his search for Junza — or any shugenja. Thinking better about it, Junza was an occupied woman for all he knew. Perhaps... The one that had spare time enough to bless the Blue Bird House also had time for him? He then continues to search, but for this time for a shugenja different — Hiruma Roger.

[Hiruma Roger]

The Hiruma can be found enjoying a cup of tea and reading quietly in one of the seating alcoves of the castle.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

It did take him some time to find the shugenja, but he managed to do so. Looking around the room, he approached him with a deep bow.

[Hiruma Roger]

Roger looks up and smiles, returning the bow with a nod from his sitting position and waves at the spot opposite, "Asahina-san, please join me, have you had your rice today?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He liked those Crab shugenja, you know. Very friendly, in contrast to the Hida... And even knew the standard courtly salute! He smiles slightly back and sits where invited. "Thank you for the offer, Hiruma-san."

[Hiruma Roger]

He leans over, pouring another cup of tea for his guest before continuing, "What brings you buy the castle today?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He accepts the cup of tea with a humble nod. "Hiruma-sama, are you aware of the curse there was?"

[Hiruma Roger]

"Curse? " He frowns," I have not seen any direct proof of a curse, though I have heard rumors of some ghost activity, the basic investigation by the Kuni have come up with it being a hoax, to my knowledge."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I believe Kuni Junza-sama would be your superior, Hiruma-sama, as Kitusuchi-sama's trusted? I would like you to ask her about it next time you meet, for she had dispelled the curse alongside us."

[Hiruma Roger]

"As a guest, I do not answer directly to anyone here, I am afraid I have not actually met Junza-sama, Though i did discuss the issue with the Spiritual Advisor to the Lord of this castle. Kuni Takeshi-sama was the one who investigated the incident at the Hole a couple days ago, when the ghost supposedly manifested. "

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I'm... I'm the most sorry, Hiruma-sama. I assumed you were Kitusuchi-sama's servant on this castle. Please accept my apologies." He bows seatedly.

"The curse I speak of happened not a couple days ago but very much yesterday. I believe we may then be talking about different curses. It was not about a ghost, but about time itself. As strange this claim sounds, I could gather at least ten testimonies, all samurai, that could confirm this."

[Hiruma Roger]

He shakes his head, "My daughter is a cousin of the groom, as was my late wife, we are from further south, along the wall in Hiruma lands. We are only here for the festivities." He frowns, "I am not aware of any time linked curse, I am only aware of the ghost that threatened the groom on the day the bride arrived here. Our investigations imply this was not a true spirit but a manifestation of air spirits convinced to play a trick on people. I am not aware of whether the source was ever discovered I am afraid. " He sips his tea, "I am sorry if I am slow minded this morning, I just got up, I awoke late last night with a feeling of unease, I went for a walk on the beach and then patrolled through the docks for several hours, but could not find the source of my feelings. I only got back to my room just after dawn. Maybe I just exhausted myself the day before at the Pepper festival and it finally caught up to me?" He smiles weakly beneath the mask.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"How old is your daughter, Hiruma-san? I knew not you had one, such little one should be most charming. For your unease, being it related with the beach... I believe it is part of the curse I mention, Hiruma-sama. It was one where the days repeated themselves and some people could not remember what happened yesterday on the curse. They thought that they were always on the day next the Pepper festival."

[Hiruma Roger]

"Chisa-chan is 9. she is about to enter training at the Hiruma Dojo full time next spring. " He smiles, "She is quite the fire cracker." He hmmms, "The Pepper festival was the day before yesterday."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Nine springs, how lovely. Talking about springs, hmmm... I have heard that here in the Crab they use the expression with winters? Pardon me for my ignorance, but this one is always eager to learn."

[Hiruma Roger]

He nods slowly, "The Lion count years by summers, by the time of marching and fighting. The Scorpion count years by winters, the time of courtly combat. I understand the Dragon count by harvests, the time of bountiful blessings. The Crab also count by winters, the time of defense, and some brief respite. Do the Crane count by Springs? I had not heard that before."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Yes, we do. Firstly for the holy celebration of the Emperor retiring to talk with Amaterasu being hosted shortly after it. But springs are used primarily for ladies. When talking about you, for an example, I would use winters. Springs for myself and your daughter."

[Hiruma Roger]

"And why would I be Winters and you Springs, are we not both priests in the service of the empire?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"And why would I be Winters and you Springs, are we not both priests in the service of the empire?"

"I'm an artist, Hiruma-sama, although I have a sister, yes, a priest." He replies. Seemed like a common mishap.

[Hiruma Roger]

"Ahhh i am sorry, I assumed as an Asahina you were of the priestly caste, my mistake." He smiles, "Chisa-chan is training to be a Crab Bushi herself"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

So Roger knew not of the previous days. It meant that he could repeat the fluff conversation again safely.
"Oh, it reminds me of my younger sister."

[Hiruma Roger]

"Your younger sister? Is she training with the Daidoji then?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods. "Yes, as an archer. The concept may sound odd, but the Asahina do have archery."

[Hiruma Roger]

"Hai i am aware, the Scorpion have faced off against them many times in history, the affinity for air magic of your family serves your masters of kyujitsu well"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods slightly. "Thank you for the kind compliment, Hiruma-sama. You mentioned before having a wife... Is she here on the castle?"