(Expecting) Storming Forward [LM, Day 12]

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ochiba lounges up against a railing as heavy rain hammers down overhead. Between the weather and the hour the shrine to Osano-Wo was quiet, which she considered, was a pit. After all, they were missing out on a decent storm!

The Mantis is dressed in more formal clothes given the location, what could generously be described as 'business pants and a sleeveless business vest'. It had a collar at least.

Daikoku-no-fortune had been properly thanked for his many blessings over the past weeks (doubtless a sign of more to come) but then Ochiba had made for the smaller less ornate shrine for a meeting. It seemed with the festivities winding down all the visiting samurai would be heading their separate ways and the Mantis was curious to see where her friend was off to. And of course, for any juicy gossip.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

Ichitaiyo stumbled up the stairs with a tired gait, yet, smiling quite satisfied. It had been long twelve days but.. she had achieved more than she ever had on her life.

She was dressed as usual, business pants, a crisp white shirt, but now covered by a leather trench coat as she fought the rain, damping her white hair into loose wind strands. "Ochiba. How are you doing?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ichitaiyo stumbled up the stairs with a tired gait, yet, smiling quite satisfied. It had been long twelve days but.. she had achieved more than she ever had on her life.

She was dressed as usual, business pants, a crisp white shirt, but now covered by a leather trench coat as she fought the rain, damping her white hair into loose wind strands. "Ochiba. How are you doing?"

"Ohaiyo Ichitaiyo-san!" Ochiba waves, nodding politely as she pushes off the railing to stand upright.

"You took like you've been through it, but that smile, ah ha! I'm expecting some good news. I can only assume my words of wisdom for yourself and Nagisa son yielded results."
She grins, walking over to the other samurai.

"And you'd mentioned something about advice going forward on the fortune of fire and thunder?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Ohaiyo Ichitaiyo-san!" Ochiba waves, nodding politely as she pushes off the railing to stand upright.

"You took like you've been through it, but that smile, ah ha! I'm expecting some good news. I can only assume my words of wisdom for yourself and Nagisa son yielded results."
She grins, walking over to the other samurai.

"And you'd mentioned something about advice going forward on the fortune of fire and thunder?"

Ichitaiyo nodded sagely as she always did, throwing her arm around Ochiba's shoulders. "Indeed. She has been keeping me very occupied, using every moment we can before I have to part. I promised I'll come back, but it might be a time."

And she raised a finger. "Did you know Moto Shiwahime? The Unicorn that died on that firefight? She was my first friend here on the planet. And well- she decided to visit me as a ghost during the bon festival, before she was off to be an honor guard. Long story short, it is on me to follow and make sure all those bastards end up facing justice."

And she raised the mon she kept on her belt, showing the insignia of the Kitsuki, showing the thunder and fire on the middle of the Dragon. "I figured I need the help of the Kamis now, and you're pretty blessed by Daikoku, Osano-wo and Benten."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ichitaiyo nodded sagely as she always did, throwing her arm around Ochiba's shoulders. "Indeed. She has been keeping me very occupied, using every moment we can before I have to part. I promised I'll come back, but it might be a time."

And she raised a finger. "Did you know Moto Shiwahime? The Unicorn that died on that firefight? She was my first friend here on the planet. And well- she decided to visit me as a ghost during the bon festival, before she was off to be an honor guard. Long story short, it is on me to follow and make sure all those bastards end up facing justice."

And she raised the mon she kept on her belt, showing the insignia of the Kitsuki, showing the thunder and fire on the middle of the Dragon. "I figured I need the help of the Kamis now, and you're pretty blessed by Daikoku, Osano-wo and Benten."

At the 'very occupied' Ochiba mouths a 'nice', looking extremely pleased for them.

"Moto-san? We didn't know one another but we ended up fighting shoulder to shoulder a few times, she was fearless. A lucky shot was a poor reward for that courage." Her mouth dropping open slightly.

"A ghost? Well you don't just ignore that sort of thing. If a ghost asks you to seek vengeance you have to really be looking into it. Well unless it's an evil ghost I suppose, but even then you still gotta look into it."

There's an approving sound at the insignia.
"Sensible, very sensible. Well, it's true you're gonna need some blessings going down that road."
Steering Ichitaiyo towards the shrine itself, where at its center was a rough-hewn statue of Osano-Wo himself, clearly sculpted by hand.

"You're off to a good start, those scum like skulking in shadows, that's never for the storm, he clears the air, so to speak. If you're acting forcefully and uncovering schemes you're already on his side, but we can talk some more specifics. Oh, and let me know if you need a ride off-planet since you've currently got one arm wrapped around the newest and dare I say, most successful captain on Green Carp."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

At the 'very occupied' Ochiba mouths a 'nice', looking extremely pleased for them.

"Moto-san? We didn't know one another but we ended up fighting shoulder to shoulder a few times, she was fearless. A lucky shot was a poor reward for that courage." Her mouth dropping open slightly.

"A ghost? Well you don't just ignore that sort of thing. If a ghost asks you to seek vengeance you have to really be looking into it. Well unless it's an evil ghost I suppose, but even then you still gotta look into it."

There's an approving sound at the insignia.
"Sensible, very sensible. Well, it's true you're gonna need some blessings going down that road."
Steering Ichitaiyo towards the shrine itself, where at its center was a rough-hewn statue of Osano-Wo himself, clearly sculpted by hand.

"You're off to a good start, those scum like skulking in shadows, that's never for the storm, he clears the air, so to speak. If you're acting forcefully and uncovering schemes you're already on his side, but we can talk some more specifics. Oh, and let me know if you need a ride off-planet since you've currently got one arm wrapped around the newest and dare I say, most successful captain on Green Carp."

Ichitaiyo squeezed the half-hug and let the woman free. "Congratulations! Can't think of anybody who showed themselves worthy of being the main character of their life like you."

"Kanna is planning to stay a while longer.. so might as well take the opportunity, be lost and away from my Lord for a while. Say, do you plan to pass over Unicorn territory? Said ghost gifted me her bike and could use a way to move it."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Ichitaiyo squeezed the half-hug and let the woman free. "Congratulations! Can't think of anybody who showed themselves worthy of being the main character of their life like you."

"Kanna is planning to stay a while longer.. so might as well take the opportunity, be lost and away from my Lord for a while. Say, do you plan to pass over Unicorn territory? Said ghost gifted me her bike and could use a way to move it."

"Oh yeah, you know, it is nice to shoot people and be rewarded for it. Really if you're not getting something out of it you've got a problem."
She shoulder bumps Ichitaiyo, after all, the Dragon had been bravely ready to shoot some people herself.

"She is? Huh, well that's great!I think Kanna will really elevate the spas around here, less giant lizards more otter face masks, all about those now actually, my pores have never feel better." There's a thumbs up at the mention of Unicorn territory.

"Think we might be passing through there. My only condition is you do something awesome on the bike to honour her. Ideally get video of it too, oh and bikes look better with giant skulls mounted on them, just something I've found, anyway-"

She gestures up at the statue.
"-Speaking of, there's a real easy way to gain the fortune's fervor, you know if you don't have time to sail into a storm. So I guess it's a bit more boring but-"

She raises her hand up high a little higher towards the rafters, a whole above the statue itself is letting the rain pour in but there's plenty of dryer warmer spots around the joinery. And in the darkness something moves...if only slightly, once a samurai's eyes had time to adjust they would be able to make out several birds of prey sitting out the storm somewhat grumpily.

"-He really likes birds. I was a little surprised too but apparently Osano-Wo-no-fortune was the first falconer...ever. Therefore, if you need to get his blessing on short notice."
Ochiba fishes around in a pocket and pulls out a small piece of salted fish, she cocks her arm back and lets it fly up into the darkness where a falcon darts forward and snatches it out of the air.

"Find some birds of prey, and feed them. Easy, right? Wanna give it a shot?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Oh yeah, you know, it is nice to shoot people and be rewarded for it. Really if you're not getting something out of it you've got a problem."
She shoulder bumps Ichitaiyo, after all, the Dragon had been bravely ready to shoot some people herself.

"She is? Huh, well that's great!I think Kanna will really elevate the spas around here, less giant lizards more otter face masks, all about those now actually, my pores have never feel better." There's a thumbs up at the mention of Unicorn territory.

"Think we might be passing through there. My only condition is you do something awesome on the bike to honour her. Ideally get video of it too, oh and bikes look better with giant skulls mounted on them, just something I've found, anyway-"

She gestures up at the statue.
"-Speaking of, there's a real easy way to gain the fortune's fervor, you know if you don't have time to sail into a storm. So I guess it's a bit more boring but-"

She raises her hand up high a little higher towards the rafters, a whole above the statue itself is letting the rain pour in but there's plenty of dryer warmer spots around the joinery. And in the darkness something moves...if only slightly, once a samurai's eyes had time to adjust they would be able to make out several birds of prey sitting out the storm somewhat grumpily.

"-He really likes birds. I was a little surprised too but apparently Osano-Wo-no-fortune was the first falconer...ever. Therefore, if you need to get his blessing on short notice."
Ochiba fishes around in a pocket and pulls out a small piece of salted fish, she cocks her arm back and lets it fly up into the darkness where a falcon darts forward and snatches it out of the air.

"Find some birds of prey, and feed them. Easy, right? Wanna give it a shot?"

"It's gotta be awesome but I'm not allowed to die on that bike. I promised that to Shiwahime I had to have like, a long happy life and biting it young was copying her in a way that cramped her style." Ichitaiyo agreed to the petition, following the Mantis into the cover.

Then, as Ochiba explained, she stared with wide eyes into the lines of bird of prey, never having seen so many, much less together like this. She felt like a girl regaining a little of the belief of magic in life, seeing that proof of the divine truly walking among then.

Without much words, she took one of the bites and flung it over to the skies- other bird of prey swooping in to claim it.

"Wow..."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"It's gotta be awesome but I'm not allowed to die on that bike. I promised that to Shiwahime I had to have like, a long happy life and biting it young was copying her in a way that cramped her style." Ichitaiyo agreed to the petition, following the Mantis into the cover.

Then, as Ochiba explained, she stared with wide eyes into the lines of bird of prey, never having seen so many, much less together like this. She felt like a girl regaining a little of the belief of magic in life, seeing that proof of the divine truly walking among then.

Without much words, she took one of the bites and flung it over to the skies- other bird of prey swooping in to claim it.

"Wow..."

"Smart ghost, got her priorities right. We all invested a lot in your badass bootcamp, so I second her! No dying young even if it would be awesome and cause a huge explosion."

She grins at Ichitaiyo's reaction to the birds of preying, her smile widening as another falcon snatches the treat.
"I'm not sure I like all birds, but falcons. Well they're fast, they're fierce and they're the best at what they do. I can get behind that."

Ochiba is content to spend a few quiet moments with Ichitaiyo as the two stare up at the falcons, many of whom are now staring back in case any other treats sailed their way.

"I reckon you picked a good patron, or maybe he picked you? It's going to be a whole new Ichitaiyo after all this. You should be proud of yourself, you were in the shit and then you fought hard to climb out."

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Smart ghost, got her priorities right. We all invested a lot in your badass bootcamp, so I second her! No dying young even if it would be awesome and cause a huge explosion."

She grins at Ichitaiyo's reaction to the birds of preying, her smile widening as another falcon snatches the treat.
"I'm not sure I like all birds, but falcons. Well they're fast, they're fierce and they're the best at what they do. I can get behind that."

Ochiba is content to spend a few quiet moments with Ichitaiyo as the two stare up at the falcons, many of whom are now staring back in case any other treats sailed their way.

"I reckon you picked a good patron, or maybe he picked you? It's going to be a whole new Ichitaiyo after all this. You should be proud of yourself, you were in the shit and then you fought hard to climb out."

"Thanks. If Osano-Wo picked me, he did by putting you in my life."

Other snack went up into the sky. Another raptor of the skies swooped in to claim it's treat.

"I owe so much now. To you, to Kanna, to Nagisa, to Shiwahime, to Haruhi, to Kotori, to Taraka, to Junpei, to all the people of Nakahama for these last telve days. And now I have to live my best life and bring justice to the last conspirators. This is my place in the universe."

"I will have to live gloriously from now on. Even if I hit my face on walls or fall into the mud."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Thanks. If Osano-Wo picked me, he did by putting you in my life."

Other snack went up into the sky. Another raptor of the skies swooped in to claim it's treat.

"I owe so much now. To you, to Kanna, to Nagisa, to Shiwahime, to Haruhi, to Kotori, to Taraka, to Junpei, to all the people of Nakahama for these last telve days. And now I have to live my best life and bring justice to the last conspirators. This is my place in the universe."

"I will have to live gloriously from now on. Even if I hit my face on walls or fall into the mud."

"Ehh" shrugging. "You can't live gloriously without a little mid and running into walls, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right."

She throws a treat hard and it soars up out of the shrine, most of the falcon watch on without moving, but one a younger hungrier bard seizes the opportunity to take flight and brave the rain, snatching the fish out of the air and squawk triumphantly as he settled back down to devour his prize.

"And that's what friends are for. Never thought I'd call a Kitsuki one mind, we're sort of natural rivals. But you? I think you get it, what people have to do to get by and why. Figure you're gonna use those detective skills for good. And if anyone gives you grief you let me know and I'll pay'em back 10 fold."
She rubs her hands at the thought

"Oh, and uhhh yeah, I guess like half the samurai on the island I found a reason to be coming back more often. This really sweet Kaiu. He's got hidden depths, kinda like a cross between a nerd and a badass."
A badass nerd? Was such a thing possible.

"So now I'm dating which feels...weird? There's something about Nakahama I suppose, puts things into perspective.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Ehh" shrugging. "You can't live gloriously without a little mid and running into walls, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right."

She throws a treat hard and it soars up out of the shrine, most of the falcon watch on without moving, but one a younger hungrier bard seizes the opportunity to take flight and brave the rain, snatching the fish out of the air and squawk triumphantly as he settled back down to devour his prize.

"And that's what friends are for. Never thought I'd call a Kitsuki one mind, we're sort of natural rivals. But you? I think you get it, what people have to do to get by and why. Figure you're gonna use those detective skills for good. And if anyone gives you grief you let me know and I'll pay'em back 10 fold."
She rubs her hands at the thought

"Oh, and uhhh yeah, I guess like half the samurai on the island I found a reason to be coming back more often. This really sweet Kaiu. He's got hidden depths, kinda like a cross between a nerd and a badass."
A badass nerd? Was such a thing possible.

"So now I'm dating which feels...weird? There's something about Nakahama I suppose, puts things into perspective.

"Guess we all needed a little peace on our lives, and doing weird stuff we have never done before to earn that new wisdom. In ways, it brought violence to those who needed it some, brought peace to the shaken..." she thought out loud, thinking of how Kanna had to face a unwarranted kidnapping, and being presented with the cruel reality of negotiating with the Scorpions.

She glanced down to her next bird snack, and flung her offering to the heralds of the thunder god. Promptly, other of his patrons swooped in to take in the bite.

"I hope you string him along for adventure as well, he sounds a little the type that could use a little excitement. Or might like to see you in armor and strip it down." Ichitaiyo offered with a smirk. "Make sure you tell me when you pass by, to have our chats. Maybe some advice on skirting the law the right way."

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Guess we all needed a little peace on our lives, and doing weird stuff we have never done before to earn that new wisdom. In ways, it brought violence to those who needed it some, brought peace to the shaken..." she thought out loud, thinking of how Kanna had to face a unwarranted kidnapping, and being presented with the cruel reality of negotiating with the Scorpions.

She glanced down to her next bird snack, and flung her offering to the heralds of the thunder god. Promptly, other of his patrons swooped in to take in the bite.

"I hope you string him along for adventure as well, he sounds a little the type that could use a little excitement. Or might like to see you in armor and strip it down." Ichitaiyo offered with a smirk. "Make sure you tell me when you pass by, to have our chats. Maybe some advice on skirting the law the right way."

"Oh I'm sure I can get him up onto the bridge from time to time. But you know, it really sucks fighting alongside people you care about, I mean, what if they die? Usually I'm really just focused on the killing side of things, it's got me thinking."

Down in the shrine a baby falcon clumsily flops to the wet ground and starts hopping towards Ichitaiyo, squeaking loudly with its mouth open. Clearly this one wasn't having much luck competing with the adults.


"Oh it's a big empire, but we'll be in touch. I mean, decent odds I know a certain autoshop you'll be visiting from time to time. We can be badasses most of the year then spend that peace back here. Well until the next serial killer, or giant lizard, or coup?"
Ochiba if anything seems pretty psyched for any of those.

"I did have a little something to remember me by. You know that rifle you were making big eyes at over in the badass academy? Well I couldn't get a Thunder on short notice, but the Hiruma make a Terracotta Arms replica that's almost as good. Whenever you shoot someone with it, think of me?"

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Oh I'm sure I can get him up onto the bridge from time to time. But you know, it really sucks fighting alongside people you care about, I mean, what if they die? Usually I'm really just focused on the killing side of things, it's got me thinking."

Down in the shrine a baby falcon clumsily flops to the wet ground and starts hopping towards Ichitaiyo, squeaking loudly with its mouth open. Clearly this one wasn't having much luck competing with the adults.


"Oh it's a big empire, but we'll be in touch. I mean, decent odds I know a certain autoshop you'll be visiting from time to time. We can be badasses most of the year then spend that peace back here. Well until the next serial killer, or giant lizard, or coup?"
Ochiba if anything seems pretty psyched for any of those.

"I did have a little something to remember me by. You know that rifle you were making big eyes at over in the badass academy? Well I couldn't get a Thunder on short notice, but the Hiruma make a Terracotta Arms replica that's almost as good. Whenever you shoot someone with it, think of me?"

"Ryusei might be a lover, but truly have not felt that nervousness for other crewmates, even as friends?" and a beat of pause ebbed. "If you can control that passion, the wordless communication between deep bons will allow you a tactical advantage."

Ichitaiyo was unable to stop herself from bending over and offering some of the bits to the baby falcon, a wide and melted smile easy to see out of the corners bordering her rebreather, before she turned in genuine surprise to the generous gift. "Really? You're mighty generous.."

She straightened and bowed before the Mantis. "I cannot accept this." Yeup, the three insistences thing again. But Ichtiaiyo couldn't quite hide the want for the weapon.

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Ryusei might be a lover, but truly have not felt that nervousness for other crewmates, even as friends?"

“Nah” Ochiba shrugs, unbothered. “Obviously I want them to live. But it’s a dangerous job, we know what we’re getting into. It’s a different vibe with people I care about, like actually care about. You know that list is getting really long these days.

Ichitaiyo was unable to stop herself from bending over and offering some of the bits to the baby falcon, a wide and melted smile easy to see out of the corners bordering her rebreather, before she turned in genuine surprise to the generous gift. "Really? You're mighty generous.."

She straightened and bowed before the Mantis. "I cannot accept this." Yeup, the three insistences thing again. But Ichtiaiyo couldn't quite hide the want for the weapon.

“I’m a generous person. Everyone I meet gets the full Ochiba all the time, and that ain’t cheap. I gotta insist you take it. It looks good on yah, and you’re still bony enough you shouldn’t be taking fire if you can help it.”

Ochiba spends a few moments lining up a throw before tossing a snack on a straight trajectory into the open mouth of a yawning falcon above who looks equal parts shocked and elated.

[Kitsuki Ichitaiyo]

"Nah” Ochiba shrugs, unbothered. “Obviously I want them to live. But it’s a dangerous job, we know what we’re getting into. It’s a different vibe with people I care about, like actually care about. You know that list is getting really long these days."

"When the danger that assails your life is often the cold embrace of the void between planets, it is the warmth of the souls you have bonded with that will keep your heart beating against the threat of entropy." Ichitaiyo dispensed in sage wisdom, with a reverent nod to her words.

“I’m a generous person. Everyone I meet gets the full Ochiba all the time, and that ain’t cheap. I gotta insist you take it. It looks good on yah, and you’re still bony enough you shouldn’t be taking fire if you can help it.”

Ochiba spends a few moments lining up a throw before tossing a snack on a straight trajectory into the open mouth of a yawning falcon above who looks equal parts shocked and elated.

"The Full Ochiba, hah! Now I can see you as a woman who pegs." Ichitaiyo smirked, then granting a little whistle of praise to the perfect throw.

"Nagisa is already telling me she's gonna stuff my gullet with all the Crab fried goods she can so I can get the meat I need." Beat. "Which means, I cannot accept such perfectly engineered piece of weaponry under the pretense of my physical weakness."