[Day 4, Early Afternoon, open] Up in the Air

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Even before they left the ship, Fuichi knew where he had to go. The spire of that watchtower extended even higher than the Coral Tower at Samui Kaze Toshi. The Air kami had to be absolutely thick there, and anyway it would give him a chance to see a wide swath of the countryside.

So, determined to become as immersed in this new atmosphere as possible, the young bishi strode out the front gate of the embassy and began to make his way toward the edge of the city.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi trailed just beside Fuichi just as he made his way out of the embassy, her destination seemingly to the same place as they walked on. "Daidoji-san." She greeted him with a quick bow.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

He responded in his customary graceful manner. "Bayushi-san, good afternoon." He gestured at the sights around them. "Fascinating, no?"

[elonweis]

A servant from the embassy, one of the heimen, dutifully followed behind the pair. He kept a bludgeon on his belt and eyed the surrounding streets and its people with a certain wariness.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi seemed to smile within the tone of her response. "-Ah, would that be fascinating...in terms of the city or that we're here at all? I don't think many of us were expecting to travel out this far from the time, for a training mission too. Even when I try to compare the tales I've heard from my grandmother, nothing here seems to match anything she told me."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

He brightened. "A little of both, I suppose. Really, being on a ship at all was a fascinating circumstance, but here, this, this is entirely new."

As they chat, he continues to move through the streets, bearing relentlessly toward the spire.

"It smells different from home as well. Far less incense."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi lifted a incredulous brow at the commentary and ease into a soft nod. "Mm. That's one of the things different around here, the lack of incense might just be something we'll have to chalk to them not carrying the same brand here. They burn something around here, I know that for certain."

"-Ah I've spoken out of order. This one is Bayushi Hoshi, formerly of Ryoko Owari Toshi." She bowed politely with her introduction as she walked.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

"And this one is Daidoji Fuichi, late of Shinden Asahina." He smiled. "I shall have to look for the temples next, and see what brand they have." A soft chuckle. "But orders are orders, neh? Let's see what we can see from on high."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

"Temples to our Fortunes might be far and none in between Daidoji-san. Their temples might be worth a visit though, with Lanka being in so much turmoil, I don't think whoever they worship will be in short attention..." She paused a moment to lessen the edge of her words. "-Ah hai...let's see if it's a different story from their towers."

[elonweis]

The tough leads the two to the closest tower. He steps out infront of the the two samurai to talk with the guards there and something changes hands. Whatever it was, it was enough to get both the Scorpion and the Crane up in to the tower proper. The view was breath-taking and the squalor was lost in the height.

Farmland stretched for a distance away from the city walls before ending a verdant strip of forest. From here, at least, it looked peaceful.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi took in his surroundings, breathing deeply of the pure air and taking a cheerful gander at the countryside. Casually, or rather as casually as possible for a Crane, he studied the faces of the guardsmen on duty, trying to guage their reaction to him and to the trained warrior at his side.

[elonweis]

The guards gave them both wary looks, doing little to hide their suspicion regarding their presence. Their equipment was worn, but well-taken care of and there was a hardness to them made of experience and doing things that were necessary but not pleasant.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi kept up his easy smile as he turned to his babysitter. "Will you please ask them if it would be permissible for me to pray here? I feel a sense of...nearness to Kaze-no-Kami, and as a priest I would feel remiss to ignore it, but I would not wish to offend either."

[elonweis]

"Hai, Daidoji-sama," he replies with a bow. At least he was polite for all that he appeared to be a man better suited to the streets of Ryoko Owari. Hachi, because he did have a name, turned to the guards and started speaking with them, indicating the Crane with a nod. Surprise flickers across the guard's faces before one of them (the captain perhaps?) nods.

The gaijin turns and gives Fuichi an odd bow of respect. Hachi returns to the his wards and bows, "I told them you are brahmin, which means priest, and the wind spirits speak to you. They have given leave for you to pray."

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi practically beamed as he returned the captain's bow. "Thank you, Hachi. Please give the captain my thanks as well."

He then sat quietly near the parapet and permitted himself to close his eyes to better hear the wind. Hoshi would alert him if things went south-west, and anyway what could he really accomplish if they did?

With a sincere effort, he opened his soul to the winds. He felt them stirring in the folds of his robes (how he'd missed them!) and whispering between the strands of his long hair....

Konbanwa, minna-sans, this one is Daidoji Fuichi, from far to the North and East, across the waters. Will you take the time to speak with me?

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi wasn't entirely here for a sight seeing trip, keeping an eye on the guards as much as they were watching her. She did find the view to be pleasantly serene...but can't help to feel something was missing in comparison from the turmoil in the city. There had to be something out there if the refugees where packed in the city like sardines...

"Good." Hoshi said softly in approval. "Thank you." Then played yojimbo to the shugenja when he began his communing.

[elonweis]

The kaze-kami came at the priest's call, bringing with them the scent of unfamiliar flowers and spices. They swirl around the Crane priest, plucking at his clothes with whispers of curiosity and soft murmuring laughs that only those whom were blessed with the ability to hear them could perceive.

You're pretty Scion of the Emerald Lands. It declares as it runs a hand through his hair in an invisible caress. Of course we may speak.

The guards, meanwhile, were slightly unnerved by this display of power.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

He chuckled. So I am told by many, but thank you for your kindness, minna-sans. You must be able to see truly far away, neh? Despite my beauty, my eyes are not the equal of your knowledge. Tell me, what is out there in this land that causes so much suffering for this city?

[elonweis]

The winds still at the question.

It almost seems as if they wouldn't answer when a tangible sense of panic and fear hits the Crane like an avalanche. The feeling, because it was that, was suffocating and choking. And driving it all was a consuming malevolence... one that wanted to swallow both the Kingdom and the World whole.

Freed from her prison, she comes, the devourer who's hunger is never sated.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi caught the chuckle from Fuichi at least, ...that must be a good sign right?