The Day of Thunder

With his report delivered, the world saved, and all else being equal, Sora now had one goal in mind.

He appropriated a bottle here, a bottle there.

And then he went looking for any Hikaru remnants he could find.

Norikage was of that heritage indeed, it was easy to tell even if he hadn't heard all the songs, or couldn't tell you which stomping ground was who's.

The biggest giveaway was likely that he also had provided a supply to black out the unnecessary things of.the last few days.

Stalking the camp, he was patting people on the back and making enough sarcastic remarks to make new friends he wouldn't recall. Then he bumped into Sora.

"Oooji!" He came forward and gave the old man a hug, then enough slaps on the back to make him wonder.if.thr fighting was really over. "....". Norikage wavered ever so slightly, like his night might end there and then, but recovered swiftly.

"Good evening, you marvelous bastard."

Nozomi slipped in amongst the others with an old, tired smirk and nodded towards the Bayushi when she did. "One of these days, these old gatherings of warhorses from the mountains will come to an end," she said with a rueful grin. "But not before these bones are gray and shattered. I guess you can take the monk out of the mountains, but you can't completely take the mountains out of the monk."

Norikage, arm around Sora's shoulders turned to regard the monk. "S'truth", he nodded. "There's a whole range cragged into the creases of ojiichan's face here and I feel like I've tumbled down the slopes of the Seikitsu. The mountain follows us f'sure."

He held out one of his uncorked bottles. "Your order got'ne rules 'bout booze? 'ere, break'm all."

"'Sides. Dunno 'bout you two, but I've been keeping a lid on things all damn week. Had it! Need t'not just be a wreck when I get home...."