D5 | ME | Set the Board | Expecting

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

A letter had arrived upon Kanna's letter box at the Spa, asides the paper itself, it had a little keyring of a smiling frog on a lotus leaf, with a littler pink beanie on it's head as a gift.

"Esteemed Tamori-sama,

I would like to formally request a reading of the fates by your hand, as I face a time of personal tempest, and I might be facing important decisions regarding my future, in particular, some that might affect our joint efforts on representation of the Dragon in Nakahama and thus might need to be discussed.

I have scheduled a room on the Kappa's Pond, at Mid-Evening. You just need to confirm your appearance through normal digital message.

Sincerely,
Kitsuki Ichitaiyo."

==

The fixer awaited the meeting on a private room of the tea house, overviewing the facts and options on her head once again. She felt electricity on her chest, nervousness and anticipation, like a distant rolling thunder that threatened a small wooden boat on stormy waters.

She was dressed in a simpler navy blue kimono with silver edges and sewing, keeping to her usual topic of bearing dark clothes to contrast, yet, laying down the armor of power that lied with suits and pants.

[Tamori Kanna]

Ichitaiyo had received a positive confirmation in return on her communicator.

Kanna wrote:

Of course I'll be there! And oh my kami, thank you for such a sweet gift! It's super-adorable, especially the itty-bitty beanie on frog's head!


All the best,
Kanna!

==

And as she had said, she'd be there!

She wore the same outfit as she had this morning - casual and muted colors topped off with a cute hat. Kaida was peeking out of the bag as the small Tamori entered, and the first thing she said was: "Oh my Kami, Ichitaiyo-san! You won't believe what happened at the Ryu River Onsen; a giant VOLCANO LIZARD appeared and started attacking people!"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ichitaiyo had received a positive confirmation in return on her communicator.

Kanna wrote:

Of course I'll be there! And oh my kami, thank you for such a sweet gift! It's super-adorable, especially the itty-bitty beanie on frog's head!


All the best,
Kanna!

==

And as she had said, she'd be there!

She wore the same outfit as she had this morning - casual and muted colors topped off with a cute hat. Kaida was peeking out of the bag as the small Tamori entered, and the first thing she said was: "Oh my Kami, Ichitaiyo-san! You won't believe what happened at the Ryu River Onsen; a giant VOLCANO LIZARD appeared and started attacking people!"

Ichitaiyo didn't even finish standing before Kanma dumped the news, leaving her blinking for a moment before straightening.

"A-are you wounded?" She asked, not sure what to follow that up with, despite the fact that Kanna seeming was unharmed. "How did get resolved? It's resolved, right?"

[Tamori Kanna]

ping

"No no I'm fine," Kanna waved off any possibility that she - the great Tamori Kanna who could do anything (except face terrors from the deep) - would be wounded in a fight. "I don't know how it got there, but it attacked Moto-san! Like CHOMP! Thought she was a goner, but turns out she's really tough! I was there with Yoritomo Ochiba-san, and she like, did this super-cool stuff fighting it that hurt it a lot, and Shinjo Suh-Hyun-san like went whoosh with her katana!"

Kanna caught her breath.

"And then I asked the kami to make Ochiba do that cool thing again, and she like BAM! Brought it down! It was really cool to watch them fight, but lots of people got hurt. Not us, not even Moto-san, but the heimin in the area, some really badly. But no one died, and I helped the wounded so the Crab could take them to the hospital."

And then Kanna sighed, having finished her report.

Kaida in the meantime hopped out of the bag and took a moment to sniff at the edge of the table. Probably contemplating something... plotting...

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

ping

"No no I'm fine," Kanna waved off any possibility that she - the great Tamori Kanna who could do anything (except face terrors from the deep) - would be wounded in a fight. "I don't know how it got there, but it attacked Moto-san! Like CHOMP! Thought she was a goner, but turns out she's really tough! I was there with Yoritomo Ochiba-san, and she like, did this super-cool stuff fighting it that hurt it a lot, and Shinjo Suh-Hyun-san like went whoosh with her katana!"

Kanna caught her breath.

"And then I asked the kami to make Ochiba do that cool thing again, and she like BAM! Brought it down! It was really cool to watch them fight, but lots of people got hurt. Not us, not even Moto-san, but the heimin in the area, some really badly. But no one died, and I helped the wounded so the Crab could take them to the hospital."

And then Kanna sighed, having finished her report.

Kaida in the meantime hopped out of the bag and took a moment to sniff at the edge of the table. Probably contemplating something... plotting...

Not that she would openly admit it, should her mask as a collected detective slip, but she did think Ochiba and Shiwahime were pretty cool. Then she noticed the little dog- and she was 90% sure that pets were not allowed in here, thus had to be smuggled in. Ichitaiyo raised a finger over her mouth to signal the little boy. Boy? Or was it girl? Didn't matter. She raised the finger to beg them for silence.

Done with the little report, she gestured over to the table. "Well, then might as well come and take sit, take some rest. It must have been a long day, after fishmongering and fishfighting."

[Tamori Kanna]

snip

Kaida, seeing the finger, didn't intepret it at silence, but as a command to not go on the table/take things from the table, so he sat down and looked curiously at both hoomans with a sideways tilt to his head. Ichitaiyo would be relieved to eventually discover that Kaida was indeed not a barker, only doing so when he/chosen hooman was threatened. Because he was a brave boy.

Except against unregulated poultry of unusual size.

"Ah yeah... it will be nice to sit down and relax with some tea, in good company," Kanna nodded, joining her Kitsuki companion with no argument at the table. "There were some real scary fish at the market. I didn't know they could look like that! You did pretty good though!"

Wait... hadn't she dressed up as an anglerfish the other day at Ochiba's party? Without knowing what it was?

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Kaida, seeing the finger, didn't intepret it at silence, but as a command to not go on the table/take things from the table, so he sat down and looked curiously at both hoomans with a sideways tilt to his head. Ichitaiyo would be relieved to eventually discover that Kaida was indeed not a barker, only doing so when he/chosen hooman was threatened. Because he was a brave boy.

Except against unregulated poultry of unusual size.

"Ah yeah... it will be nice to sit down and relax with some tea, in good company," Kanna nodded, joining her Kitsuki companion with no argument at the table. "There were some real scary fish at the market. I didn't know they could look like that! You did pretty good though!"

Wait... hadn't she dressed up as an anglerfish the other day at Ochiba's party? Without knowing what it was?

As reward for his duty, Kaida was rewarded with strokes on his head. "Good boy."

"Did I? Well, my duties have taken me to assist on a big bidding event at Pale Blossom some years ago. It involved plenty of studying and learning how to work with the tides of the attending public, so I guess I lucked out by having experience." She explained, her eyes still distracted by the little cute orange thing, before realizing such. Quickly she turned back and lifted the kettle.

"Tea, Tamori-sama? This is a local blend, I have been told it is quite good."

[Tamori Kanna]

nip

Kaida happily wagged his tail and closed his eyes as Ichitaiyo rewarded him with head-petting. Awww yissss. Perhaps he realised he had found a new servant, and padded after the Kitsuki to seat near her, and watch her very closely.

"Thank you, Kitsuki-san, thank you. Tea sounds very nice. Kaida-kun, be nice, neh?" Kanna giggled as she watched the interaction. "If I may say so myself, I think we have done a great job, since we're just two, and the Scorpion are... twice that! I do hope we'll be able to make stronger friendship with the Crab when it's all decided."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Kaida happily wagged his tail and closed his eyes as Ichitaiyo rewarded him with head-petting. Awww yissss. Perhaps he realised he had found a new servant, and padded after the Kitsuki to seat near her, and watch her very closely.

"Thank you, Kitsuki-san, thank you. Tea sounds very nice. Kaida-kun, be nice, neh?" Kanna giggled as she watched the interaction. "If I may say so myself, I think we have done a great job, since we're just two, and the Scorpion are... twice that! I do hope we'll be able to make stronger friendship with the Crab when it's all decided."

Ichitaiyo served the tea with restraint and care, making sure to drop would look anything less than polite and aesthetic.

"I wholly agree on the regard of our current successes, and we are still on the position where we can fight for the position of being Green Carp's new developers."

Served cup, now onto her own.

"Regardless, even if we don't get that victory, I do believe that we have found success in becoming acknowledged people for the local population and samurai. The connections and bonds we are forming will be far more important for the future that what we might earn during these weeks, if not for the Dragon, for ourselves."

The aroma of the tea was certainly unique, sort of peachy, but with an underlying citrussy note that kept you on touch.

[Tamori Kanna]

Ichitaiyo served the tea with restraint and care, making sure to drop would look anything less than polite and aesthetic.

"I wholly agree on the regard of our current successes, and we are still on the position where we can fight for the position of being Green Carp's new developers."

Served cup, now onto her own.

"Regardless, even if we don't get that victory, I do believe that we have found success in becoming acknowledged people for the local population and samurai. The connections and bonds we are forming will be far more important for the future that what we might earn during these weeks, if not for the Dragon, for ourselves."

The aroma of the tea was certainly unique, sort of peachy, but with an underlying citrussy note that kept you on touch.

Tea was enjoyed with a moment of blissful silence, as even Kanna didn't disrupt the first sip of a new type of tea to try. Already she was thinking of how this blend could be wonderful for the medi-spa; it would need a beachy name, she thought.

"Yeah! I really hope that if Usagi no Yomogi gets the chance to open up a branch here, I'll get the opportunity to be stationed on Green Carp for it. I really like it here, truly."

Her cheerful green eyes turned on Ichitaiyo, meanwhile Kaida decide to lie down and rest as there didn't seem to be doggie-treats served here.

"Do you like it here too, and hope to get a permanent position? Is this something you want to know for a divination?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Tea was enjoyed with a moment of blissful silence, as even Kanna didn't disrupt the first sip of a new type of tea to try. Already she was thinking of how this blend could be wonderful for the medi-spa; it would need a beachy name, she thought.

"Yeah! I really hope that if Usagi no Yomogi gets the chance to open up a branch here, I'll get the opportunity to be stationed on Green Carp for it. I really like it here, truly."

Her cheerful green eyes turned on Ichitaiyo, meanwhile Kaida decide to lie down and rest as there didn't seem to be doggie-treats served here.

"Do you like it here too, and hope to get a permanent position? Is this something you want to know for a divination?"

Ichitaiyo cast her eyes aside for a moment, as the thoughts and stirring of doubts tangled the following words to come, taking a sip of the tea to make her hesitation at least a little more sightly.

"It revolves a bigger context and said desire. Is it better for purposes of the divination if I grant you the whole story?"

The slate dragged itself to reflect Kanna's form upon them, almost pleading. "I intend to confess to some things either way, as I seek advice. I just need to know if before or after that."

[Tamori Kanna]

Ichitaiyo cast her eyes aside for a moment, as the thoughts and stirring of doubts tangled the following words to come, taking a sip of the tea to make her hesitation at least a little more sightly.

"It revolves a bigger context and said desire. Is it better for purposes of the divination if I grant you the whole story?"

The slate dragged itself to reflect Kanna's form upon them, almost pleading. "I intend to confess to some things either way, as I seek advice. I just need to know if before or after that."

"Uhm," Kanna straightened, as even she could tell there was a sense of unease to what Ichitaiyo was sharing so far. "Sometimes it can be easier to understand the future if we understand the past? There's that popular saying that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it, or something."

She took another sip of tea, then gently placed the teacup down. "Whatever makes you feel most at ease, Ichitaiyo-san."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Uhm," Kanna straightened, as even she could tell there was a sense of unease to what Ichitaiyo was sharing so far. "Sometimes it can be easier to understand the future if we understand the past? There's that popular saying that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it, or something."

She took another sip of tea, then gently placed the teacup down. "Whatever makes you feel most at ease, Ichitaiyo-san."

Ichitaiyo took a looong breath, and steeled herself and her eyes. "Alright."

"To begin.. my situation is that I am marked for shame within my own family for actions of my father, and no matter the result of my work here, I won't receive any recognition nor reward for it. While it is a samurai's duty to simply follow orders without expectation of recompense, I know for a fact I am little more than a rag to the Kitsuki and will just exist for as long I am useful, and that use is.. throwing me to dishonorable tasks that simply other refuse to do."

She sighed.

"I am tired of such. I desire to have some control over my future, or know I am working towards something. I want change, to no longer be leashed such way. And there are so many ways to achieve that. I could take my work here in Nakahama, and try to hold it as leverage, but that would anger the whole of the Dragon instead of just my family. I could renounce to my family and take the shame it involves and become Ronin. I could just force myself to seduce and marry somebody, to the dishonor of the fact I am deceiving them. Or I can stay where I am, and keep taking on the situation."

"I have no allies within the Kitsuki, and before you ask, my parents have passed. One of them was a peasant, which 'sullied the blood' and is the source of the shame I've inherited."

And she bowed before Kanna in humilty. "I am.. simply lost as to what to do. What cost to pay. And I need guidance and other opinions."

[Tamori Kanna]

nip

Kanna was frankly disgusted. She was sharing her valuable time with such a dishonorable cur and... oh wait, no that was in a different universe where Kanna wasn't made of sugar, spice, and everything nice.

Kanna listened attentively to Ichitaiyo, nodding gently at a few points to show she was in fact paying attention and understanding.

"I think," she began, "at moments like these, we should remember what our Togashi-brethren say when they quote stuff from old men; that all have the potential for greatness, no matter the circumstances of their birth. I don't think Ichitaiyo-san has sullied anything or is at fault!" She was very convinced of this. "You're a good person, I'm sure of that. Please, my friend, you don't need to bow like that to me!"

It did feel a little awkward when the Kitsuki was bowing like that to her. "We could put our two heads together and think of something, yeah? I... I guess letters of recommendation won't help much huh?"

As she spoke, she did reach into her bag for her divination cards.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Kanna was frankly disgusted. She was sharing her valuable time with such a dishonorable cur and... oh wait, no that was in a different universe where Kanna wasn't made of sugar, spice, and everything nice.

Kanna listened attentively to Ichitaiyo, nodding gently at a few points to show she was in fact paying attention and understanding.

"I think," she began, "at moments like these, we should remember what our Togashi-brethren say when they quote stuff from old men; that all have the potential for greatness, no matter the circumstances of their birth. I don't think Ichitaiyo-san has sullied anything or is at fault!" She was very convinced of this. "You're a good person, I'm sure of that. Please, my friend, you don't need to bow like that to me!"

It did feel a little awkward when the Kitsuki was bowing like that to her. "We could put our two heads together and think of something, yeah? I... I guess letters of recommendation won't help much huh?"

As she spoke, she did reach into her bag for her divination cards.

Ichitaiyo straightened, for once her face finally.. soft. Vulnerable. Not holding any visage of masks to maneuver around the passions of others, stoic walls to conceal her thoughts or project calm, or a scrutinizing gaze, searching for truths hidden among the details on a person.

"Thank you, Tamori-sama. I am in your debt."

She knew that Kanna would reject such notion, but to take anything for granted would be an insult upon the woman's generosity.

"Is there anything I should prepare for the reading?"

[Tamori Kanna]

ding

"You don't owe me anything. You'd do the same for me, I'm sure, if our roles were reversed." Kanna innocently believed in the goodness of her fellow samurai, especially fellow Dragons. "But no, there is nothing you need to do to prepare. Just relax, and try to think of where you are at now, and what you want your future to be. Sometimes it helps to try and picture that."

Smiling, Kanna unwrapped the cards and spread the cloth out on the table. "We'll do a three-card spread. Your current place and troubles, and then your futures... divination is a bit complicated sometimes, because we can change what happens! Sometimes the point for divination is to clear our heads and see beyond. See the possibilities."

The deck was shuffled and placed between them in a fan-like spread. "Pick any three cards without looking at them. Then place them facedown in any order."

Kanna meanwhile slid up a holoslate and intoned a quiet prayer to sharpen her mind. This was important to Ichitaiyo, so she needed to do her best! The essence of the fire kami's wit imbued her jade bracelet. Wow, I'm getting really good at this prayer!

----

D5 ME casting Mental Quickness (last chance with last void slot) | 4k2 ⇒ 25 (TN: 15)

+1 Intelligence to Kanna

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Dong

For the naivité, at this very moment, Ichitaiyo was willing to earn all the the dishonor that she could take, so Kanna could see her goals reached as well.

She closed her eyes took slow breaths in and out, trying to center herself, and to connect with the peace and void she had eluded for so long. She would let serendipity guide her hands, as she picked one from the left side, other from the right, and one from the center.

Open eyes now, her slate gaze fell into the turned down cards, a little curl of anxiety snaking through her gut.

She wanted to reverse her situation, thus decided to flip the right and left cards, leaving the center one in the middle.

"I am ready."

[Tamori Kanna]

"I am ready."

Kanna nodded, and reached for the center card, turning it over.

The Nine Swords.

The card depicted a woman that is sitting on her bed while she holds her head in her hands. It appears as though the woman has just awakened from a very bad nightmare. She seems to be upset, anxious and fearful. Nine swords are hanging on her wall, and a carving that depicts a person defeated by another can be found in her bed.

"The Nine of Swords. At this point in your life, you feel fear and anxiety - your nights are restless and filled with your worries. As samurai, we shouldn't commit the sin of Fear, but that doesn't mean we don't feel it," Kanna pointed out kindly, as this was a very sad card. "You feel you carry something traumatic with you, that you find shameful to confide with others about, and these feelings hold you back and shape how you act today. But, we both know you're on the way to breaking out of that since you told me."

"This card is the one we come to when we can't break free of what holds us back. Any card within the suit of Swords represents those who are concerned with the mind, with logic, with intelligence, and with communication, but somehow the Nine of Swords was caught on the destructive end of the mind, the one which turns inward on itself, multiplies and festers. Questions are plaguing you, and you find yourself reciting all the possibilities - all the things that can happen to you. You are haunted by what could be. Stuck in repeating cycles."

"When this card appears to us, it is a sign that we must focus our attentions to what we can control, and learn to ask for help. The world is less cruel than we might think."

Having shared this observation from the card, Kanna picked up her teacup for a quick sip. "Let me know when you're ready to move on to the next card."

---

D5 ME Divination/Intelligence for Ichitaiyo. +1 Intelligence from MQ | 6k3 ⇒ 35 (TN: 15)

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Cathartic healing begins

And she felt Seen.

It was a moment she allowed her shoulders to fall, to.. admit to the card and Kanna that reality. She felt the sting beneath her eyes and the knot on her throat swelling for a moment, mouth unable to hold back the frown and weight of what she had been carrying. She could tell her story, twist it as many ways she could, or do it with the face of vengeance, ambition or resistance, when beneath laid pain, solitude and fear.

She allowed herself to hold that moment of despair, let go of the thick poison that she contained. Breath in and out, glad to be able to let go in silence and without judgement.

And she rose back up, with a neutral face. To stand before what fate prepared for her.

"I am ready for the next card."

[Tamori Kanna]

Awwwww

Kanna watched Ichitaiyo take it in, and let go. Often, in her experience, divination was often as much about providing comfort and guidance as it was about esoteric ways to make sense of the unknown. With a nod, she flipped the next card, the one on Ichitaiyo's left.

The Star.

It showed a woman kneeling at the edge of a small pond, holding two containers of water. One container poured the water out to the dry land, as if to to nourish it. The lush green land around her seems to say that it is working. One foot is inside the water which shows the spiritual abilities and inner strength of the woman. The other foot on the ground shows her practical abilities and strengths. Behind her, there is a large central star surrounded by seven small stars. There is bird standing at a tree branch, representing the ancient crow of myth that carried news of the first Day of Thunder.

Seeing this card, Kanna smiled. "The Star is a good card. It brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on with life. The smaller stars on the card represents the blessings you have around you - which may not be clear to see right away. But even with these blessings, the card symbolizes that you hold within you all that you need for your for your fulfillment. The only thing you need is courage."

"To receive the Star in your reading means that you have gone and passed through a terrible life challenge. You have managed to go through this without losing your hope. While you suffered, you perhaps were not aware of your own strength, but you are now perhaps recognizing that the loss helped you discover your own resilience and inner power. It is only now that you can really appreciate all that you have."

"If you can find your courage to go on, what awaits is hope, renewal, healing, and rejuvenation. While you are blessed more than you know, it is your inner strength that will light the way forward."