The Day of Thunder

[Otomo Akutou]

Normally, Akutou sleeps early so as to rise early.

Tonight, though, not so much. Just couldn't get comfortable, stomach upset from festival food and...whatever it was in the air. Maybe some nascent thoughts about one person or another--A man can't help thinkin' things, even if doin' 'em's a diff'rent matter--or some damned bee in his bonnet despite the season. Doesn't matter.

What does matter, though, is that if he's not going to sleep, Akutou's going to try to clear his head or exhaust himself enough that he can sleep. And that means looking for food and drink away from the festivities.

For whatever luck's to be had that way.

[Aoyama]

Snip

He comes across a tall and somewhat imposing woman in armor and a polearm in an at rest stance leaning against her shoulder but one got the impression she was rarely if ever at rest.

Sharp eyes caught Akutou and scanned him, an assessment probably? Her eyes left him as quickly as they had found him and a voice, rough in a way, husky, filled the air "The festivities do not agree with you Samurai-sama?" The question curt, not friendly but not quite aggressive either.

[Saru Shang]

Shang found the festivities rather loud and boisterous, especially with that rather dubious herb that was being burned liberally. Ultimately, that was perhaps something everyone could have used after the start of the morning. However, it seemed like after all that dancing and drinking, Shang felt like it was eventually time to make her way back to her tent for some relaxing sleep.

She meandered the streets with a small skip in her steps and she hummed one of the tunes she had heard earlier this evening. Her steps shuffled to a stop when she came across the two samurai starting a chat with each other. "Oh...forgive me, I was just trying to make my way back to the camp. The night fog seems to make this village twice as large!"

[Otomo Akutou]

He comes across a tall and somewhat imposing woman in armor and a polearm in an at rest stance leaning against her shoulder but one got the impression she was rarely if ever at rest.

Sharp eyes caught Akutou and scanned him, an assessment probably? Her eyes left him as quickly as they had found him and a voice, rough in a way, husky, filled the air "The festivities do not agree with you Samurai-sama?" The question curt, not friendly but not quite aggressive either.

Akutou stops, sways just a little, then recalls his manners and touches his hand to the brim of his hat.

"I think, ma'am, they 'gree wi' me a little more'n I 'gree wi' 'em," he says. "Might could be t' other way 'round, though."

She meandered the streets with a small skip in her steps and she hummed one of the tunes she had heard earlier this evening. Her steps shuffled to a stop when she came across the two samurai starting a chat with each other. "Oh...forgive me, I was just trying to make my way back to the camp. The night fog seems to make this village twice as large!"

Another touch of the hat-brim. "Ma'am."

[Aoyama]

Snip

Snip

this new arrival was subject to the same scan Akutou had been though it was even more brief. "The fog can be disorienting for those unaccustomed to it."

She paused as if weighing something in her mind there was a small almost imperceptible sigh "Would you both like an escort back to the edge of the village toward your camp?" It was asked in a detached business like manner.

[Otomo Akutou]

"I know where the camp is, ma'am," Akutou says. "I was hopin' t' find a bit of quiet, though, an' some food 'r drink t' enjoy in it. If'n you've got a recommendation that way, it'd be 'preciated."

[Saru Shang]

Shang would return a nod in Akutou's direction, "Good evening!"

"...Is it always so foggy around here?" she mused curiously when it was brought up. "Maybe it's kind of a silly question since you're so close to the river. It is the river, right? I'm so unsure of the lay of the land, it hasn't been so friendly when it comes to exploring. But, I digress, if you're offering help, I'll be more than happy to take it! However, I'm also open to the possibility of drink, too. Food too, for Stag-san. You can't exactly divide yourself in half."

[Otomo Akutou]

Ain't she a fun 'n'? thinks Akutou.

Then recollecting his manners, he says "Otomo Akutou" by way of introduction.

[Saru Shang]

Shang stopped herself from stumbling to dip into a proper bow. "Shang, of the Saru. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Otomo-san. And..."

She said as she slowly turned her attention to the village woman, wondering if she was a friend of his.

[Aoyama]

"Aoyama." The woman replied simply "Protector of the village, head of the guard." She bowed precisely as low as was respectful "The village is often covered in fog for most of the year. You get used to it."

She shifted her gaze to the man "We are a small and relatively young village as things go. There is food to be had however we are not burdened by overly many choices." Her manner was distant and business like through out "....but old Tenma makes the best food in my opinion. He has a stall a bit off the market. It is quieter there if that is what you seek."

[Otomo Akutou]

"That's--" something between a cough and a belch interrupts Akutou--"'scuse me, that's mighty kind o' y', Miss Aoyama. Tenma, y' said, right? He th' one as had rice an' pickles yesterday?"

[Saru Shang]

"Oh..." Shang murmured to herself as she heard that Aoyama represented the guard of the city. She drew her hands into her sleeves and tried to adopt a more proper posture. The last thing she wanted to happen was cause a ruckus for being...mistaken for one of those people who wander the streets after having a few too much to drink. "Your help would be most...helpful, Aoyama. I'd say something in the form of rice or baked goods would do much for the body after some over-enthusiastic celebrating. Rowdy stomachs, too!"

[Aoyama]

Aoyama noted the change in Demeanor "No need to get all proper for me Saru-sama, I'm merely the protector of a small out of the way village. I'm sure you Kami followers deal with far more important people than me." She seemed like a no bullshit kind of person.

"and something like that sounds like Tenma. He does often try different things."

"I can show you the way or if you think you can manage I will bid you good evening."

[Otomo Akutou]

Akutou nods.

"Much obliged, Miss Aoyama," he says, once again tipping his hat. "Not lookin' t' make your evenin' harder."

[Aoyama]

Another bow, precise as the first "It is my...honor to assist samurai of the Empire and guests in our village." She pauses around the word as if it took a second to come to her mind.

[Saru Shang]

Shang let out an abashed chuckle at Aoyama's keen observation. "...ah, well, we're still guests here and you're the hosts. It's been really wonderful that you've been able to accommodate us on such short notice and share your plentiful stock with us. The least I could do is be the least amount of hassle possible and not cause a fuss! Nothing about importance and such, just common decency!"

She would follow Akutou and Aoyama as they made their way toward Tenma. "So, what's Tenma's special tonight? Pretty hard-working cook to be keeping his shop open when everyone is celebrating. He wouldn't happen to have something to drink too, would he?"

[Aoyama]

She strode with a purposeful gait but ensured her pace was not so fast to cause her current charges to scramble and keep up "I spend most nights corralling drunks and lechs. Not many, but enough that I don't foresee any of you being a hassle."

"Tenma has a variety, depends on the day sometimes breaded chicken with rice, sometimes steamed vegetables from the farms, sometimes a new experiment. Makes some sauces. Has some drinks on hand too. Festival brings him good coin especially one with so many outsiders." her eyes remain forward scanning the streets as they walked, the sounds of revelry far off.

[Otomo Akutou]

Akutou's stride is, by training, long and rangy, the better to cover ground on the hunt. Even if it is a little uneven against the evening's earlier exercises.

"Speakin' o' exper'ments," he says, "I smelled somethin' like bitter cut grass over yonder," and he motions back towards the festivities. "That ring a bell f'r you, Miss Aoyama?"

[Saru Shang]

Shang walked with a saunter. Yes, a saunter. She wasn't in a particular hurry to go back to her tent and figured that this would extend her evening a little to get some further information about both the village and a fellow visitor. She glanced around to take in her surroundings and nodded at Akutou's question. It wasn't extraordinarily peculiar, maybe more so that it was so effective.

[Aoyama]

"Kava." She said simply at first. It was unclear if she intended to expand on that information for a bit "a plant that can be smoked or brewed into a tea. Gives energy. The local healer grows it."