Nakahama

Haruhi arrived at the entry point to the upper chamber with the secret Jimen Tori place-of-thriving below. A freshwater lake full of fish, presently inaccessible due to earth in the way that had been dislodged by construction above.

She had sketched out engineering solutions so they could dig an opening without disturbing the lake below. She had digging tools, netting, light sources, recording devices... All the planned equipment.

She and her friends and patron Yasuki Reina had successfully prepared paperwork to the right administrative contact at the city. The dig was approved! And the chamber below would be permitted a nature reserve, restricted to jimen tori use.

What the nature nerds needed was digging help!

She'd passed the word. Are you strong? Or just happy to help? More hands most welcome!

She took some measurements as she waited for the others to arrive.

Sumiko had helped as best she could with carrying the tools, carefully positioning them near the entrance of the cave.

"I wonder how many will come and help" she mused as she picked up a spade "if it's just us I'm not sure how long this'll take."

"The path down isn't that difficult. Removing the rubble should be all that we need to do." Kiyoshi said. "But, there is a lot of it."

She greeted them both as they arrived.

"Moto Shiwahime-san offered to help. That should help a lot! And, worst case, it's just going to be a lot of work and take awhile."

"But maybe it will provide an escape route for jimen tori who might otherwise be hunted." She frowned. Disturbing news.

"Ah."

Sumiko had hoped Haruhi might not have heard about that. She had a thoughtful look before smiling and picking up one of the spades. Holding it out to Haruhi.

"Here. This whole movement is because of you, and even if others are going to join us to help I'd say you should be the one to start the digging. The first spade in the ground."

"I agree with Susumu-san's idea" a young man dressed in tragically pristine sportswear strode into the dig site.

"A symbolic gesture! The first to come up with the plan and the first to put it to action. I think it fits rather well"

Hinata smiled brightly at the gathered samurai and bowed to each one of them. Looking around until finding the pile of tools he discards some of the items of clothing, it was humid and hot enough, he could do without the sleeves.

He is thankfully, yet to remove his shirt again.

Yet.

"Thank you for the invitation Kakita-san! We haven't really shared time since our arrival at the Sky Carp. Iam glad to see you've been pursuing your passion!"

The sounds of heavy boots heralded the arrival of the Moto. Work boots, construction gloves, heavy tear resistant pants, protection glasses and, finally, a dust mask hanging around her neck...she had come ready.

On her back was slung a shovel, a pickaxe and a few other powertools she had rented for dig work.

''Hey, wassup'' said the large woman as a way of greeting, setting her tools down.

"I like that idea. Should we take a picture of Kakita-san moving the first shovel?" Sorato asks, with a smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes. He'd arrived with Haruhi and the other two original cave-finders, dressed in well-used outdoor clothing.

Moto Shiwahime wrote: Tue Nov 25, 2025 2:36 pm The sounds of heavy boots heralded the arrival of the Moto. Work boots, construction gloves, heavy tear resistant pants, protection glasses and, finally, a dust mask hanging around her neck...she had come ready.

On her back was slung a shovel, a pickaxe and a few other powertools she had rented for dig work.

''Hey, wassup'' said the large woman as a way of greeting, setting her tools down.

"Oh, thank you for bringing more shovels, and extra buckets, Moto-san. But, hm, please don't turn those power tools on in the cave," Sorato says apologetically. "We have permission for hand excavation. Even if we could get those down the tunnel, I'm afraid the noise would disturb the jimen tori inside."

((Good news, I didn't use up my Earth slots! So I can Commune as well as dig.))

She took the shovel from Susumu-san with a smile.

And then turned at Bayushi-san's voice.

"Bayushi-san! I'm so glad you made it. Yes, I was hoping we'd get a chance to catch up after that first day, but I've gladly followed your successes in the competitions. Thanks so much for coming!"

And there was Moto-san!

"Moto-san! Thank you so much for coming. This is a chance to do a great good, and clear the path for the poor jimen tori to their happy place with a freshwater lake and so many fish. We just have to clear this rock."

She double-checked all the engineering set-up to prevent rock from collapsing down as they dug, as much as could be managed.

A happy wave for Agasha-san.

She glanced at the group, gave them an encouraging 'we can do this!' smile, and then took the heartiest dig that she could.

Yes, this was going to take a lot of digging...

https://sakkaku.org/r/20575 16

((Storyteller said a cumulative TN of 200 Athletics/Strength (1/timeslot) ))

The small Fox wasn't athletic by most definitions, but he didn't lack strength or endurance. He eagerly took his turn at removing the rubble.

- - -
[D8 LM - Can you dig it?], Athletics/Strength, Untrained | 3k3 ⇒ 19

35/200

There was a small clap for Haruhi as she did the ceremonial first dig. The Agasha was hopefully covering the picture of the first shovelling from the Kakita.

"This is for a great cause" Sumiko agreed with a smile, turning to bow to the others as they arrived.

"Oh Bayushi-san, hello" she gave Hinata another smile, then noticed the large Moto. There was a thoughtful pause before a smile and a "and Moto-sama. Thank you for helping out!"

She collected another shovel, and added "I'll do my best also Kakita-sama" as she started to help the digging. Despite her tiny size, she actually seemed to contribute a decent amount.

D8 LM - Can you dig it? Athletics/strength | 3k2 ⇒ 24

59/200

She nodded at Sorato's warnings

''Allright'' she took the pickaxe firmly in hand ''We don't have much time before the hunt...let's hope we can make it''

And she began swinging, fracturing bigger earth fragments and dislodging stones
----
Can you dig it? str/athletics | 9k4 ⇒ 45

(104/200)

Haruhi cheered as it looked like they were more than half-way through.

"Wonderful! Oh Fortunes, you all are a great help! We're close. If we can't break through this morning, we can take a break and return later today."

"There's a race later that goes around this mountain, so after that" Sumiko offered as she kept working.

"It's a good cause. It might be good to brush up on my yard-ruining skills anyway." He says with s bright and friendly smile.

His work is perfectly Acceptable

119/200

"Everyone, step back, please." Kiyoshi focused on his connection to Chikushudo, calling out for assistance. A large mole-like creature came shambling into the cavern. The Fox scratched it affectionately, then moved aside and watched it dig.



It burrowed its way through into the cavern below, but the passage it left was still narrow and difficult. There was more debris to dig out. However, the end was literally within sight.

- - -
[D8 LM - Can you dig it?], Summoning a burrowing animsl spirit to assist, Earth Affinity | 7k3 ⇒ 39

158/200

Haruhi watched the burrowing spirit digging.

"Oh that's brilliant! And adorable. Closer and closer!"

"Uff." Sorato's holorecorder is long since put away in his backpack outside the cave. He dumps another bucket of dirt and small stones onto the growing pile at the cave mouth and heads back in...

D8 LM---digdigdig Athletics/Str (open TN) | 4k3 ⇒ 22

(180/200)

Setting the bucket down, he arches his back to stretch away the not inconsiderable stiffness. "I don't think I can haul much more, Kakita-san. We're so close now, though! The Earth itself might manage the rest..." He wipes his dusty hands on his dusty trousers to get them as clean as possible (only somewhat) and then produces one of his durable holoslates and begins to murmur a series of mostly incomprehensible incantations in Old Rokugani.

The remaining debris blocking the passage shudders, grumbles, and seems to slowly flow away like water soaking into the rock around it.


D8 LM---digdigdig Commune: Earth | 5k2 ⇒ 18 (TN: 20) 198/200
D8 LM---digdigdig Commune: Earth (second spell slot) | 5k2 ⇒ 18 (TN: 2) Done!

The mole spirit had curled up in the warm cavern below. Kiyoshi descended to thank it for it's assistance.

Haruhi cheered!

"That's it! We're through. Oh thank you thank you. Everyone did so well. Let's go down and see what we find!"