[D3, LA] Taking wing

[Kakita Masao]

Kakita Masao had returned to the Blue Bird House to find out Yushoko was in danger, maybe dying, and there was nothing he could do to help. Nothing to help, or to vent the anger that crawled all through his body. If he was back at home, he'd be dismantling training dummies with his dai tsuchi, that was certain. Here...

So Masao put his trust in the magistrate, who did seem to have a plan, and in the rest of the flock. No purpose was served by him hovering, irritating the ones who might be able to help. So the nikutai banished himself from Blue Bird House -- at least for now -- and, flute in fidgeting hands, headed out onto the beach. Perhaps the sea breeze, or the rumble of the waves, or something else might settle his mind. Yesterday went so well, he reflected. Today is a disaster.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Masao would note Hanatsuko sitting on the sand. Her bird at her side and Sari's head on her lap. She patted the dog's head. As she grew up in full house, she enjoyed, these moments of 'solitude' with those who don't judge her. She had forgotten of the time as she tried to figure out what had happened the previous night.

The waters were clear and the ebb and flow was soothing. She had her flute by her side as she waited for the Crane to arrive.

[Kakita Masao]

Even as heavy as his heart is, spying the Falcon and her friends gives Masao a sense of relief. Without hesitation he moves toward her, although his hands are still fidgeting with his flute.

Masao stops at a respectable distance to announce himself, knowing if he was sitting on the beach right now, he might hesitate to talk. "Toritaka-san," he says gently, but loud enough to carry. "I am most pleased to see you and I hope it wouldn't offend if I join you here?"

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

She looked up at the man and nodded. "You are welcomed to seat anywhere you like Kakita sama." The bird gave what would be a bow and lifted to the sky as he decided to go for a hunt. He was probably hungry for a late lunch or an early dinner. Sari barked playfully at the man. Hanatsuko is not one for much ettiquete and stayed seated on the sands.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao leans to one side as Kuma-san's wing beats fill the space between them. Far from worrying about etiquette, the Kakita simply sits so he's facing Hanatsuko, then reaches out one hand toward Sari to let her sniff if she wishes. "Hello, Sari-san," he says happily. For a few moments, it might even seem like he's ignoring the other human, but once the dog's reaction is seen, he looks up at her. "You are sure I'm not bothering you, Toritaka-san? You seem deep in thought about something."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

The dog licked his hand and the Toritaka smiled. "No bother at all, Kakita sama." She looked at the water. "This beach was a battle field once. Now is overlooked by a shine for fertility. The irony things that bring death is overlooked by things that bring life."

Hana... you are not going to die here.

"Fortunes..."

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane smiles at the dog and scratches it gently behind one ear.

The mention of a battlefield doesn't bother Masao, but he notices her sudden word. "Toritaka-san?" he asks quietly.

Maybe she saw a battlefield ghost. Grandmother, I don't think Falcons see ghosts everywhere they go. Well, you do. ... Yes, I suppose I do. But that's because I'm bringing one with me.

He shakes his head a few times to clear it and see if the Falcon had responded.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"My apologies Kakita sama... I am trying to make sense of things that happened in this place. It is not right." She frowned "I just need to get a bit distracted." She looked at the falcon in the distance. "That is what he wants."

Yes, distract yourself and stop wondering about it for a while. The answer will come.

"Yeah that is what he wants. Is there anything you wish?"

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane is not sure he understands -- with ghosts, he certainly doesn't -- but distraction he very much appreciates right now.

"I think my favorite distraction is the flute, honestly. Grandmother said that great samurai can't just be great warriors, that they must have some other value. So I started singing and playing the flute because I had to do something, but I keep playing the flute because it's a good distraction. It never feels like a chore."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

She nodded. "Your grandmother was a wise woman. " She picked her flute up. "Do you want to play a duet?"

[Kakita Masao]

I told you I liked this one. Even if she's a bit too ghosty. Yes, grandmother, of course.

Masao is quick to agree, and tries to suggest options. He quickly realizes that a good portion of the songs he knows are Crane military music. "How about Suitengu's Rest? It's a nice meditative tune. Appropriate to the setting," he smiles.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"My apologies Kakita sama but I haven't heard that one." She lowered her head apologetically then looked at the Kakita and smiled. "But if you play it I will follow your lead. I know I can try and play by ear." The girl smirked.

[Kakita Masao]

"Ah, that is the spirit," he says excitedly. "Excellent."

Masao plays two bars. "It comes back to that sequence several times. If you ever get lost, like getting caught on a wave you can't control, just take a breath and come back to that passage. It's like the center of calm seas." Hoping that the suggestion was helpful, Masao plays those two bars again and then gets ready to start.

The Crane launches in with a steady energy, but he's not playing like himself.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

She nodded and followed flawlessly The song seem odd and not quite as she would have expected of the Kakita. "Ummmm, Kakita sama... I hope you don't mind me asking but... is everything okay? "

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane looks down at the sand. "Uh, Toritaka-san... My apologies. I had thought the music might settle my thoughts, but instead I've upset the music."

He shakes his head in exasperation. "It is... not a good day. I think there is some kind of child ghost in the Blue Bird House, which may threaten little Kio, and my cousin appears to have been poisoned." The information tumbles out of him, not filtered or made polite at all, just a portion of the chaos in his mind poured out onto the beach.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"The child ghost is it a girl?" She wondered. "I met this morning Kakita Konoharu." She looked at Masao and tilted her head. "I can try and help... but if it is what I think it is I am on the case." Hanatsuko smiled.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao looks a little shocked. "Yes, a girl. Kio called her Hitomi." At mention of the magistrate, and Hanatsuko's confident smile, Masao sighs in relief.

"I am so pleased, Toritaka-san, thank you. Working together, I'm sure that you and Kakita-sama will resolve things so quickly."

He looks out toward the water, talking to himself: "I'm still... I don't know what to do about Daidoji Yushoko-sama. But if you are dealing with the ghost, maybe that will help her too." He still sounds anxious, but he is clearly more calm than before.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

The Toritaka placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Jurojin will bless her." She take the hand away. "The burden of the world is not in your shoulders Kakita sama. This wedding will be blessed by Fortunes and peace will continue to reign."

Cute words, Hana chan. I just hope you are right. War...

Hanatsuko blushed. "Ah... ye... yeah."

[Kakita Masao]

The touch is a shock to Masao, who looks at the hand and then at Hanatsuko.

"Th-thank you, Toritaka-san," he stammers. He swallows and takes a deep breath. "Your presence is most reassuring." He smiles, awkwardly, all kinds of feelings swirling within him.

It's been a hard day, grandson. And she is right, the inner voice says with a sigh. You haven't failed here, and there will be much more to do before we go.

Masao looks at Hanatsuko and notices the blush. "Toritaka-san, are you all right?" he asks with obvious concern. "I-I am fine. And your touch was... not unwelcome." He looks at the sand again.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Eeek"

I love it when you blush. Hahaha.

Hanatsuko lowered her head. "Idiot... me..." She took at deep breath. "I... I... I made a mistake... I am so so sorry. It was not my place... IshouldhaveaskedbeforeItouchedyouandnowIfeel..." Kuma perched on Hana's head and lightly peck her. "Fortunes Kuma, why did you do that."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao looks up, seeing her even more distressed than he is, and as she rushes to explain, the Crane takes two steadying breaths.

As collected as he can make himself, and in a voice just loud enough to be clear over the waves, he says, "Toritaka-san need not apologize. Her compassion, in a time of distress for this humble soldier, is a most honorable thing. We should remember it that way." He breathes slowly. "Kuma-san doesn't want you to be distressed. And neither do I." He takes another breath, barely keeping his voice up where she can hear. "Our time together is precious to me."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"But my distress is his fault..." She took the bird from her head and looked at it. "You should stop making fun of me."

You relaxed... that is better.

Hanatsuko chuckled then laughed. "Oh well..." she smiled "I hope you are relaxed." She nodded. "Tomorrow will be a better day."

[Kakita Masao]

The Crane looks perplexed, unsure exactly who all is in this conversation.

"Ah, I... am relaxed... Toritaka-san," he says, a little suspiciously. Clearly not relaxed, but certainly not thinking about his earlier concerns.

He looks around but mostly keeps an eye on Hanatsuko and Kuma. "Uh, Toritaka-san... are there any ghosts around right now?" Now don't go getting judgey, grandson. You're hardly one to be upset about ghosts. Grandmother, I don't think all ghosts are like you. He shakes his head gently and looks back at Hanatsuko.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

"Good." She nodded then closed her eyes and focused. She wouldn't lie to the Kakita."Yes." Her answer was simple.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao looks at her and nods, the Falcon's calm sufficient that he didn't believe there was a threat. He takes a calming breath.

"And, uh, you heard what I said?" He looks around nervously. "About... our time together?"