The Day of Thunder

The sound of the stream echoed through this part of the forest, a quiet burbling. Depending on the imagination of the listener, one might hear it as conversation, or music, or something entirely different. Hikaru, of course, tried to find the music in it. Slowly, he raised his flute to his lips. Hik...

Hikaru's lips twitched a little at the crow joke. It was almost a smile. "I very much hope we're all supposed to be here." He said, pitching his voice low. "Although I suspect it will be for a multitude of reasons." He gave Han-Hei a look. "May I ask with whom you trained, samurai-san?" He bowed pol...

The soft jingling of an exorcist staff sounds nearby as two monks appear, one small with pale hair and odd eyes, the other the very definition of the phrase "tall, dark, and handsome." The taller one follows slightly behind the smaller, clearly an acolyte or student of some kind. The appearance of ...

Whoops! Hikaru is also training EM! Sorry, I should have checked here first.

https://dayofthunder.fallenash.com/view ... f=19&t=316

Well, we can get different people, anyway.

Draw and cut. Draw and cut. The garden was pleasant, perhaps even soporific. But Hikaru did not sleep. Indeed, the young man was fairly active, practicing his cut again and again. It was a smooth motion, the blade sliding from its sheathe, completing a smooth cut, circling around, and returned to it...

Hikaru doesn't know that!!!

With all the stories recently told to him by the olds, this is kinda what I'm imagining for Hikaru in the briefing scene:

As prompt as Hikaru was to arrive, he was hardly the first. It was almost surprising to see so many there, and yet... no so surprising. As it was both surprising and not surprising to see so many familiar faces. A serious expression on his face, Hikaru swept the crowd with his gaze, pale eyes wideni...

Nanzi Ai wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:35 am

Please send all spousal applications to my attache, Doji Hikaru.

... hey!

Hikaru nodded. "I will see to her safety, even before my own. I swear it." There was a note of steel in Hikaru's quiet voice, and in his pale eyes. There could be no doubting the sincerity of his words. After a moment, he swallowed, sighing, the momentary flash of fervor fading. "And yes. She has mu...

Hikaru briefly closed his eyes, although his almost-smile was still there. "I have traveled with her for several days. She still has those ideas. And more." His expression grew more serious. "But I promise you, I am not speaking to flatter. Or, if I am, that does not make it less true. And that is g...

Hikaru blinked, then gave one of his tiny smiles. "She did tell the wall story, in fact." He tilted his head, regarding her. "Did it happen more or less as she'd told it?" The story as told by Makime had seemed to favor Anjing more than Sora already, actually. Frowning, Hikaru lowered his bowl once ...

Hikaru maintained silent watch while the conversation went on. Some things were meant to be shared between the Kami and their children only; as one of Lady Doji's retainers, this was something with which he was quite familiar.

https://youtu.be/S-OgkNgxm3k?si=KEgUerlL0djEffHj

Planet of the Bass! Women are my favorite guy!

...

... sorry, Ranmaru...

Hikaru let the skepticism pass without comment. Instead, he gave a quiet sigh, and a "Yes, Lady Anjing" when encouraged to eat more. He did so dutifully, raising the bowl to his lips. "It's very good. Very... intense spices." Hikaru coughed gently as he felt nasal passages opening, and rather more b...

Hikaru nodded. "I carry them everywhere." His chin tilted up. "I am aware that this may seem strange to other Clans. But as a servant of Lady Doji, it is one of my duties. I was trained by one of her students, and have even shared with her some of my works." The fog almost seemed to settle in deeper...

Hikaru grimaced. "I respect riddles as a form of poetry, I suppose. There is a certain artistry about them that I admire." He shook his head. "But I paint to express something, or to share something, not to convey information. Perhaps if..." Here, his imagination failed him, and he waved a hand. "Ce...

Hikaru bowed. "If it would please you, I would be honored to paint something for you. Perhaps some would find it indulgence, but I travel quite nearly everywhere with my painting supplies. Even on a mission of the utmost importance, like this one." He glanced down, tightening his kimono a bit around...

Hikaru's brow creased. Easy would not be how he would describe it... and yet, he would certainly agree that the Crane court lived well. "Yes." He agreed, a smile just touching his lips. "She taught me well. As did my many teachers. But I suppose she was my first teacher, as mothers are." He inclined...

"Harbinger was looking into establishing more tea houses, potentially in other territories." Genji, who was silent up until now spoke up, his soft voice carrying through the fog still. "It's certainly an invasion of dreams. I..experienced some of it. Been trying to avoid it as much as I can, really...