Nakahama

There was a thoughtful expression.

"You know a deep dive into bringing the jimen tori back to their special place would make for a good nature documentary. It could appeal from a tourism point of view also, although I worry that might disrupt their special place."

"That's a good idea. A documentary."

"The Governor also seems to enjoy contests. She might be glad for us to organize a test of strength game, to meet samurai - local and visiting - who might best help."

The Fox agreed. "There are a number of ideas that could make it more appealing. I'll help in any way I can. Whatever may convince her to help the jimen tori."

Sorato listens thoughtfully. “I don’t see any reason the provincial authorities would mind, so there’s no harm in asking. It’s just a bit of habitat restoration, no more than a day or two of work. No downside to it for the locals, that I can see anyway.” He reaches around to retrieve his holorecorder from his pack. “Let’s get some images and recordings we can use to write up a quick request. The light in here is poor, but… too much artificial light might disturb the birds anyway.”

Haruhi smiled at all their good thoughts.

"Good ideas!"

"I'll see if I can set something up for tomorrow." She was unsure how hard it was to get on the Governor's calendar.

"Anyone who would like is welcome to come."

"If we can't get in to the Governor, her sister also seems very involved in decision making. Or an assistant might sign off, if they don't consider this a big deal." Sorato is languidly recording stills of the cavern (including the pile of dirt) and the jimen tori.

"True. Speaking with the Karo would be useful." Kiyoshi was carefully looking over the birds.

Sorato switches his holorecorder to live mode and takes a steadier hold of it, panning it around to capture Kiyoshi and the birds milling around the obstructing debris. The animals' calm behavior in this moment will make a good case that non-mechanical excavation by a small group of people won't disturb them very much.

"They really aren't much afraid of humans, are they? Tamori Kanna-san said they complained of some humans occasionally chasing them up here. For the most part the islanders must be leaving them alone, though." He chuckles. "Or feeding them?"

The planetary database didn't contain any warnings about jimen tori raiding unsecured garbage receptacles, but that didn't mean they weren't acclimatized to humans in any of the many other ways wildlife could adapt to their disruptive bipedal neighbors.

"They are pretty friendly, as long as you're friendly to them." Kiyoshi nodded. "Finding the Special Place has been their main concern. With the way blocked, they've been wandering all over looking for it."

"I have an idea. My patron Yasuki Reina is well connected and very interested in the jimen tori. I think she could help us get the digging approved, rather than directly approaching the Governor ourselves."

"Let's organize our thoughts into a proposal that she can champion. I bet we could get approval to dig pretty soon if we did that."

"And then it would be much easier to recruit help. The project would be official. An assistance to the city."

"That's clever. The Governor and her sister the Karo are both really busy with this investment summit," Sorato says over his shoulder, now recording images of the narrow fissure that had led them to this underground space. "I've been involved with habitat restoration proposals before. Never on a Crab world, though, and every place has quirks of its own. Local connections should help a lot." Somewhat ruefully, he adds, "Shame I don't have copies of those old requests on my travel densai. Still, I can help with the draft," he offers.

"I really appreciate it! I am sure it will be made better by your expertise!"

"I'd like to see another project through to completion to help the animals here" Sumiko smiled, turning back to look at the birds "without help they might struggle. At least there's no spiritual monsters involved in this one right Kitsune-sama?"

(oops posted in wrong scene)

"Thank the Fortunes." He nodded. "Our past experiences are why I want to see the natural areas of the island preserved."

"Hai, same" Sumiko nodded to Kiyoshi "even if the Crab would not want to give me any credit or want me involved, helping the jimen tori would be more than enough."

Susumu Sumiko wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:56 am "Hai, same" Sumiko nodded to Kiyoshi "even if the Crab would not want to give me any credit or want me involved, helping the jimen tori would be more than enough."

"The Spider have been good allies to the Crane. We want to help you. If you would like to be more prominent in this, to help your clan establish itself and reputation here, I'd support that."

Sumiko bowed.

"You are very kind Kakita-sama. I'll do my best to make sure Crab Spider politics do not get in the way of ensuring the Jimen Toris survival though don't worry."

She had a look around.

"I think we have learnt all we can?"

Haruhi nodded.

"Let me talk to Yasuki Reina-sama and report back. We can meet up in the morning and follow up as she advises. Hopefully we can be digging soon."

"Feel free to reach out to strong friends to help in that effort, once the dig is approved."