The Day of Thunder

[Nanzi Ai]

"I feel both is the cruelest of all, but maybe I lack the your experiences," she said honestly. "But yes, no reason to fret on it, for now."

"How soon will you be putting on this dinner for our hosts?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Ideally, tomorrow evening. It's going to be a rough and ready affair regardless of what we do, and we cannot be sure what the future might bring."

[Nanzi Ai]

"I will be there, anything else on the agenda or just be ready?" she added. "You been getting enough sleep?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Be ready, and if you have any rice or something nicer to spare, it would not be taken amiss."

At her second question, he shrugged.

"Sleep, yes. Rest... no."

[Nanzi Ai]

“I can bring tea and soldier’s rations,” she said with a chuckle. “I think the tea will have to suffice, though perhaps we can round up some folks to do some hunting? If you trust the animal meat to not be… corrupted.”

[Jiyo Sora]

"I know an old Hikaru trick for dried fish, should be able to make some trail rations a bit more palatable... not sure hunting is wise, we've got so many damn scouts out there at all hours they might hunt each other..."

[Nanzi Ai]

"And yet we still get surprised," she mused.

[Jiyo Sora]

"Because, with all due respect to Lady Makime- who I do think the best choice for heading our material defenses- we're not facing an ordinary foe. In my old days in the Spine of the World, we wouldn't have dared raid a village like this, with all of these armed people in it. But if we could have turned the people inside it against one another? Nothing would have been more natural."

[Nanzi Ai]

"As my Honored Father says, a cunning enemy will come at you sideways," she responded. "I don't think I fully understood that, until now."

[Jiyo Sora]

"And doing so feeds the paranoia, which furthers exacerbates the situation..."

[Nanzi Ai]

"Lots of fear, few grudges, and strange happenings make for a volatile mix. Stability seems in short supply," she responded.

[Jiyo Sora]

"Which makes diplomatic efforts all the more important."

He chuckled.

"Although every day I find myself wondering why I'm here instead of Yuzuru, given the situation..."

[Nanzi Ai]

“This is exactly where you need to be, Jiyo-sama. Even if you don;t see it, it seems plain to me we need your critical eye… and I suppose the prophetic eye to see things we may miss. You have a certain concern for those of lower stations others may overlook and more importantly you know everyone and everyone knows you… a vital advantage when diplomacy is needed,” she said kindly.

[Jiyo Sora]

"Ah, except when those I must advise know me entirely too well."

He grinned.

"But point taken, Nanzi-san."

[Nanzi Ai]

That small quip stunned her to silence, but she felt it a small victory and just smiled.

[Jiyo Sora]

He resisted the urge to reach out and ruffle her hair with difficulty.

He settled instead for, "You know, you remind a bit of my elder daughters. Probably because you've got almost no superficial similarity to them."

[Nanzi Ai]

"I... thank you, I am not sure I follow the logic, but I appreciate the words," she said. "I am sure you miss your family, we will get you back to them soon, Jiyo-sama. That is my wish for you."

[Jiyo Sora]

"And you to yours, Nanzi-san."

Including your mother, if at all possible.

[Nanzi Ai]

She smiled and before she felt awkward or at a loss of words she said sweetly, “I shall leave you to your patrol, Jiyo-sama. I should return to my Duties and see to the safety of the villagers. I appreciate your time.”

[Jiyo Sora]

"And I yours, Nanzi-san."

He bowed to the young Crane.

"Carry the Fortunes."