The Day of Thunder

Norikage lead Yukara down the street. He was chatty despite being tired, being a little stressed helped him move his mouth.

"You'll like the old folks", he told the cat-eyed girl. "They seem like good people and they aren't screaming about nightmares. So a leg up on most."

Bayushi Norikage wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 28, 2023 10:23 pm

Norikage lead Yukara down the street. He was chatty despite being tired, being a little stressed helped him move his mouth.

"You'll like the old folks", he told the cat-eyed girl. "They seem like good people and they aren't screaming about nightmares. So a leg up on most."

"It is good that they rest easy."

She followed along, expression a more positive form of neutral than normal. "While some may disagree on what makes a good person, I trust your assessment of them."

Her stomach rumbled, and she added, "Particularly if they offer something more palatable than my traveling supplies."

He lead the way in and slipped off his sandals once he got inside. "Toshie-san, Daisuke-ean, you around?"

He lead her inside the house when she was ready.

Slipping off her own sandals, she padded after him, glancing about appreciatively. By her standards, this was a palace. It had a roof that probably didn't even leak. Walls without holes in... doors!

Curiously, she peeked past Norikage, seeing who his hosts were.

How had he gotten hosts, for that matter? That was impressive to her in its own right.

"Have a seat, will ya?" he gestured to the small table by the hearth. He also sat down. "Maybe they're out right now, if we're waiting too long I can do something, or maybe I'll fall asleep and tumble into the pot." he scratched his chin. "Odds are pretty even on which it is right now."

Yukara looked genuinely concerned. "Do not do that. I have seen burns like that and they are quite painful."

Sitting where directed, she set her bisento down gently beside her, and folded her hands in her lap.

"I will clearly have to try and sing you to sleep - if you are this exhausted. Perhaps after we eat, you might try to rest."

A very old woman soon padded in from the yard in back, such as it was. She smiled at Yukara, "Oh, a new guest! Welcome, dearie," she greeted with a bow. "I'm Yoshie. Daisuke is still at the shop, preparin' dishes for the fest."

"Well I hope you know I was joking", he said in a grumble. When Toshie entered he offered her a nodding bow by way of greeting. "Obachan, this is Ryoshun Yukara-san of the Bat clan. Yukara-san, this is Toshie, my host." After introductions he relaxed a little, leaning back on one hand. "Anything to eat around here?" he asked the old lady.

She smiled. "Oh yes, of course. It's a little unseasonably warm, so I have some sauce for cold noodles cooking along with some cabbage. I'll bring out some pickles, as well. You two are welcome company if you want to come back, or you can wait by the hearth and it won't be a minute."

With that, the little old woman hobbled back to the cooking area in the back.

"Very kind, we'll stick around", he said to Yoshie. Then he leaned further back and laid down, putting his arms behind his head to rest a bit. "Sadly...I don't think I'll sleep like this." He pulled off his mask and smirked. "At least we can talk, then?"

Yukara offered a seated bow. "Hello, Toshie-san. It is nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of Norikage-san."

She was trying to remember the manners she had just been taught.

As for it being a joke about him falling in the pot, she seemed to have played the role of the straight woman too well.

Glancing up at him, she paused, taking in his face, studying him with an odd intensity.

He was not hideous, so why did he wear the mask?

She didn't know if it was polite to ask, so she simply stared. Obviously that wasn't a problem, right?

He met her eyes. "Is there something on my face? Maybe ink from the calligraphy earlier today?" he smirked.

"No. I just do not understand why you hide it. It is a handsome face."

Her response was quite matter of fact, as if she didn't realize it was flirty - perhaps she didn't realize, given her own background.

"If the mask is not hiding something, I am not sure I understand what it is for. You do not appear to be overpoweringly shy."

"Oh, the mask? Well, there's a lot to it, really", he said and picked it up. He held it over himself, looking at it. "The story is Shinsei struck Bayushi with his staff for lying. My lord asked Shinsei how he could tell he had lied, and the monk say your eyes show sincerity, but it's ruined by your lying face." He smirked. "Something like that. So he put on a mask and, some of us think, he threw his next fight in the tournament of the kami. It's just a story, I wasn't there, but in order to establish a precedent, he decided to hide something about himself, make others assume things."

He smiled, tiredly, but smiled. "I liked the idea, whether it's true or not. So i took up a mask myself." A chuckled. "Also people can't tell when I'm sticking my tongue out at them."

Yukara seemed confused by this information, or at least thoughtful. She furrowed her brow. "It is hard to envision Rock-sensei encouraging a lie, for honesty is a virtue."

She pondered this further. And then inquired, in a voice that seemed serious, but perhaps her eyes revealed a lack of worry. "Do you often stick your tongue out at me, Norikage-san?"

"Well it would be rude", he said a yawned again. HIs eyes were getting heavy. He thought about sitting up again, but that seemed like a lot of effort. "Do you think you've ever done something to deserve it?"

He had a passing thought about a joke he could make, and it caused him to grin slightly. He surely shouldn't.

She observed his features thoughtfully. "I am certain I have, at some point, done things worthy of ridicule."

As he hid his smile, she added, "Regardless, I would not discourage you if it brought you happiness."

Resting back on her heels, she continued, "With any luck, rest and food can help with that."

He laughed. "You think so? Well, you're wrong." He shook a finger at her. "You've asked questions, told me when you don't understand something, and looked cute when you're embarrassed. I have no problems."

"I see." Yukara blushed a little, resting her chin on her hand, and continued, "Well, I shall endeavor to remain so agreeable."

With a soft sigh, she studied his resting form. "I was curious - how did your Lord feel about your choice to come north? I am still learning how these clans operate - my own tasks have been primarily directed by one individual."

"I was ordered to follow a fox this way, it wasn't my decision", he answered. "And I suppose if your own lord felt you were called here by some great power, they'd have an issue telling you to stay, right?" He looked back at her. "Did the monk ask you to come? Or did you just feel it was right?"