Although the city beyond the walls is said to never sleep, things within the Inner City tend to be a bit more peaceful. The early hours of the day see various samurai make their way out of their homes, many through those gates to the outer city while a fair fewer come back the other way, but even this sudden burst of foot traffic does not reach many of the streets of the city-- like rivers of humanity that know their well-trodden paths.

But there are trickling side-streams. Along one road in the Hito district, a stream of little people dressed in a rainbow assortment of outfits-- each tiny person carrying box wrapped in cloth containing some sort of food stuff. As brushes, parchment, scrolls and books were stored within the school building, nothing else was necessary for their classes.

At the beginning of the path, just where it diverted from the main road, stood a tall, thin young man with a slightly scraggly and weary look to him. Pale skinned with extremely short, but extremely messy hair and large golden eyes dressed in a dark brown kimono with tan trim. Around his top part he wore a light green kataginu with an owl symbol printed on the back. A single sheathed sword hung from his belt and a satchel was slung around his shoulder.

His eyes darted along the children as well as up the road where more could be expected. He met any glances his way with a slight nod, but remained a silent guardian presence.

At the end of the path was quite the opposite. A rather short and thin woman of around thirty with pixie-like features, her hair fashioned in a pair of side-tails with pink ribbons. Her kimono being on its base white, but covered with so many pink, orange and green floral and leaf patterns that the white only peaked through the various brilliant colors. With a large smile on her face she waved with both hands to each child that approached, calling them by name and a chipper "Good morning!"

Only when someone failed to respond back with a proper "Good morning!" she she step in their path to block their entrance and repeated her greeting until the child properly responded.

The day began early in the home of Kano Kazuma.

The apprentices were generally the first to rise, tackling their myriad chores in the pre-dawn starlight. These shipwrights, carpenters and smiths in training were generally drawn from lower ranking Buke families, or more rarely a few of the higher ranking Shokugyousha. They generally kept to themselves, although they privately wondered amongst themselves why their masters eldest son had been held apart from the family craft.

Next was the lady of the Home, Motoko, who set to work with quiet dedication on the more intimate chores, the preparation of the meals, and the setting out of clothing and implements for the day. She was a solidly built woman in her own right, maternal and outwardly kind, she wore the status of her caste in her posture and her self sure demeanor.

Hiruto generally woke sometime after his mother, although he moved sluggishly and bleary eyed for much of the first hour. The boy could have easily slept half the day away, and what sleep he did get was plagued with terrible growing pains as his bones ached and throbbed, courtesy of the various large statured families of the Crab that had intermarried over the generations.

Bathing, breakfast and dressing were each brief and unceremonious, and as the family did not keep servants, the morning meal was an intimate affair with the apprentices joining them.

The last stop for the day, before everyone went their separate ways, was a brief display of respect and observance to Ebisu, the Fortune of honest labor, in which both incense and the forge were lit with the same taper. While more classically associated with toil in the fields, Kazuma had reminded his family many times that every civilized person whatever their station labored in their own way, and that the lowborn certainly did not possess a monopoly over diligence or integrity.

After the brief observance, Hiruto gathered up his things and slipped out of the gate of the small fortified compound in the Karada district where he hustled to catch with Sanjiro at their normal meeting place where they would walk in together.

Hiruto eyed the silent guardians sword with covert glances. The carry, make, shape, state and wear on a sword and its scabbard could tell you many things about the one who carried it, and although the boy only had the vaguest notions of what he was looking for, he knew he was supposed to notice them, and so he looked.

He exchanged a few low conversational words with Sanjiro before they reached the woman. "Good morning!" Hiruto offered his greeting eagerly, maybe a little too eagerly, and there was the slightest blush of pink on his chubby cheeks as he passed and added a glance behind as they moved along.

"What did you bring for lunch?" Hiruto asked offhand as they moved on, with a hungry glance towards Sanjiro's satchel.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

Sanjiro's day began as it always did, rising well before Lady Sun began her ascent in the heavens when almost everyone else in the household was still asleep.  Moving with practiced swiftness and precision, he quickly bathed and dressed.  Breakfast would have to wait, as Junzo-sensei always insisted that his stomach was empty before their morning.  Something about not wanting to have to clean up the contents of his pupil's stomach again.

In his defense he had only thrown up the once, and when dealing with the Void these sorts of things were to be expected.  After all, he had only just wrung his first bell, and thus he was finally being allowed to wander more freely in the Void in an attempt to gain understanding about the interconnectedness of all things.  And to say that the experience was disconcerting was something of an understatement,

Meeting up with his master at the entrance of the compound, the two made their way to the quiet corner of the Chisei District where they practiced every day.  The relative quiet and isolation were absolutely necessary, hence the early hour of their meeting.  It was after all for the safety of everyone else, as the damage that an inexperienced Ishi who lost control of their powers could cause was immense.  Of course, isolation was hardly the only precaution that had been taken, numerous wards had been erected in the area, and blocks placed on Sanjiro's abilities until he had proven sufficient control and discipline.  Not that the young man was aware of any of this.

The lesson passed like it often did, with a large chunk of time spent in quiet meditation followed by a period where Sanjiro tried and failed to influence the Void, making subtle
alterations in reality.  If Sanjiro's failure bothered him, it didn't show on his face as he and his sensei discussed the results of the day's lesson.  His question at the end of the lesson inquiring about if the Elemental Water in his own body was the same as that in a tree or the clouds overhead earned him a rare smile and nod of approval before being dismissed by the elder Ishi who, as he was wont to do, said nothing.

His first of many lessons for the day finally complete, Sanjiro quickly began his trek home, only pausing to stop at the temple of Fukurokujin to pray, just as he did every morning.  The young shugenja was well known at the temple, and more than a few of the priests had a soft spot for the young man.  After all, the number of people his age who saw fit to pray to Fukurokujin for guidance were scant at best.

His prayers and conversations with the temple's caretakers finished, Sanjiro scampered home just in time to find the household bustling with activity.  Unfortunately, today's lesson had run long (a fairly typical occurrence), and he had missed the morning meal.  As such, he had to settle for a lukewarm bowl of soup that a thoughtful servant had set aside for him.  Not that he minded in the slightest.  After all his friend Hiruto often joked that Sanjiro seemed to live off of only air.  It would certainly go a long way to explaining his physique, that's for sure.

Hurridly slurping down his breakfast, Sanjiro quickly slipped out of the gate of the small compound where he hurried to catch up with Hiruto at their normal meeting place where they would walk in together.  Chatting amiably as the pair made the trek to school, he followed Hiruto's example, quickly exclaiming "Good morning Momonaga-sensei!" as they approached the woman standing at the end of their path.

A smile flitting about at the edge of his mouth as Hiruto glanced back at their teacher, Sanjiro gave his friend a gentle nudge, his eyes sparkling with barely contained mirth as he replied.  "Looking for something there my friend?  And I'm not sure, I didn't pack it as this morning's lesson ran rather long.  But if I had to guess, rice, tofu, and maybe some dried fruits and nuts.  Why, are you hungry?  You know I'm always happy to share."

The morning started early. Lion, even in the city, started their day as soldiers. It was their duty to the Empire and their lineage. Wake early. Eat a hardy breakfast of a fried egg, wheat noodles, and dark broth. Share, as a family, a reading from an important work of history- with Mei sitting attentively as her older sister advertised her boredom. Then the girls ran laps around the small courtyard of their city home while their parents attended to setting the servants on their proper course and readying their business for the day.

After that, there was still time for Mei and her father to sit down and continue their long-running go game as he questioned her about her studies. A samurai- as a commander- would have to think about many things at once and should be able to keep the wisdom of their ancestors' forefront at all times. Mei would stare down at the board, working to think ahead while she recalled the quotations her father asked for.

"And the Battle of Forager's Gultch?" Ryouichi asked in his dark, deep rumble, "What is the lesson we learn from that?"

"Um..." Mei began, staring down at the board. Her lips parted for a moment, closing, as she reached out and set down a small black stone. "That a battle which can be won without crossing of swords is a victory for both sides!"

"Good," her father said, adding a white stone and then moving his fingers to flip several others.

When the time finally game, Mei was sent off to school with a neatly tied satchel for her afternoon meal, and carefully rolled scrolls of work. Rushing quickly through the city, even the Inner Ring not a place to delay for too long. She quickly caught up with Hiruto and Sanjiro, doing her best not to smile or call out too loudly.

Before she could speak, though, Mei's focus was quickly distracted. Pulled to their teacher. Rather than a simple good morning, the young samurai stopped. Her feet came together, and she bowed low, head down. "Good morning, Momonaga-sensei," she said, rising slowly. By that time, she was several steps behind her friends and had to hustle to catch back up.

A single candle flame. Shiro's eyes snapped awake as the servant girl lit the wick. She quickly scrambled out of bed in her only state of disarray for the day. As the servant retreated with a bow, Shiro assumed lotus position and began her daily meditation. Her family honored the Hinokami to light their way in darkness. Control, preparation, focus, dedication, these qualities were all demanded by the Flame to ensure their light was respectfully utilized, thus a day in the Bayushi household always began with the Rite of Sparking.

Of course, this was not the Bayushi household. The Otomo house was unfamiliar with her customs, and Shino always heard whispers from the servants about some of the strange traditions she had, but they didn't dare disobey her grandmother. Shino's meditation always began just as the hour of the Hare began, just like back home. Of course, the rest of her family wasn't here in Otosan Uchi, so she could only meditate alone.

Thirty minutes later, after Shino had burned the candle away and properly put out the flame, the rest of the serving girls came in for her daily preparations. Shino welcomed the sight. She bathed herself with the tub of hot water they brought in then sat at the mirror as the girls set to work brushing her hair and doing her make up. "I want to wear a bun today, and that golden peony hairclip Grandfather bought me the other day."

Her personal maid, Satoko, quickly understood the one she meant and got the girls to arrange her hair appropriately.
Shino took her time picking out a newly embroidered rich maroon silk kimono with decorated peonies and leaf designs wrapping around it. She made sure to check herself as satisfactory in the mirror before walking out to join her grandparents, Otomo Shigenari and Otomo Teruko, for breakfast.

Breakfast among the Otomo was a very stuffy affair, but Shino could play quiet and cute. It always made her grandfather smile when she 'accidentally' burned her tongue on the rice porridge while eating it daintily, and her grandmother loved making a show of wiping her chin for her after eating. She was happy making them happy, but it was a stark difference from the animated conversations and raucous laughter that often accompanied meals in Scorpion lands. Other clans really had no idea how to party.

Shino set out for school precisely 45 minutes early. A Scorpion was never be late; being late meant a lack of preparation or something had gone wrong. In order to make sure accurate information came in, it was never a lack of preparation.
She loved watching the other kids slowly trickling onto the road and seeing her outfit.  There were quite a few envious glances and whispers as well as a few jaws dropped from some boys. Shame the other girls didn't have her fashion sense.

As Shino made it to the gate, she spotted Hiruto and Sanjiro ahead as well as Mei rushing to catch up to them. Shino smirked and rolled her eyes. Shino didn't rush; if she was interested in people, they came to her. Still, her eyes lit up at seeing Momonaga-sensei. "Momonaga-sensei! Good Morning!" she approached excitedly. "I just finished the story you recommended, Nyoin no Nikki, last night. It's so pretty and sad! Do you have more stories like that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:30, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

Hiruto flushed a shade redder and shook his head. It was not entirely clear if the gesture was meant in reply to his first question, or the second, and he did not seem eager to explain himself. "That's alright, but thanks." there was a brief sigh.

Hiruto did not assume his present shape by accident. The boy loved food, from heavy savory dishes to colorful sweets, and it was only within the last couple of years that his family, and his instructors had really been encouraging him to eat less and exercise more. It was an ongoing war, and not all his battles in that respect could be called victories.

"Did you see Shino's dress? The cost of it could probably feed a hamlet for a year. Beautiful though." he admitted with another glance behind them. Unlike many of his peers, Hiruto had some appreciation for the gulf that separated the Heimen and Shokugyousha from their superiors. That was not to say that he argued against it, far from it, he had embraced his place in the order of things. It was just a facet that had helped to shape his humble personality.

"How did this morning go? Are you feeling alright?" he asked afterward with a hint of concern.

Chuckling softly, Sanjiro elbowed his friend gently in the ribs but let the topic drop.  "Appreciation of beauty is the beginning of wisdom my friend.  Or so said Shinsei at any rate." Sanjiro quipped, idly quoting the Tao with a smile.  "But you would be quite correct, on both counts."

Pausing for a moment to smooth out a crease in his fiery orange robes, Sanjiro nodded "Yes, I'm just tired is all.  We tried something new today and it was... well, let's just say it was a little more taxing than I expected.  But thank you for your concern my friend, I certainly appreciate it."

However further conversation would have to wait, as hearing the patter of rapidly approaching steps, Sanjiro glanced backward just in time to see Mei approach.  Inclining his head slightly in greeting, he smiled warmly.  "Mei-san, good morning."  He wasn't normally this formal with the other children, but with any Lion it always seemed best to er on the side of caution.  At least in public at any rate.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:08, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Momonaga continued to greet each child as they arrived, waving with both hands in a quite over exaggerated manner.

"Good morning, Hiruto-chan! Good morning, Sanjiro-chan!" she chimed like a bell as the two boys arrived together..

"Good morning, Mei-chan" she cooed before taking on a sudden and somewhat bemusingly overly serious face and returning the bow greeting that the Lion girl offered.

And when Bayushi Shino arrived, she chimed just has happily to her, "Good morning, Shino-chan!"

At the question, she fluttered only a little before clapping her hands together with delight. "Of course, Shino-chan! There are many new books ranging from Miya Yumi's collection of tales from affair to Otomo Ishihama's tales of the last days of the court of Shogun Hantei Jodan!"

Of course, she could not stop for very long as there were many more children coming to greet. She didn't miss a beat to turn away to greet the next, "Good morning, Aika-chan!" she called to the next girl to approach after Shino.

Looking back to Shino with an unspoken apology and the suggestion, "You should see me after class."


Inside the classroom a pair of boys already sitting at their decks and wearing the brown and light green robes that were so predominant among the classroom could be overheard by Hiruto and Sanjiro as they came closer into the classroom.

"... and that's the fifth merchant this week."

"But why would anyone steal cucumbers?"

"That's the mysterious part. But Tsukitomo says the merchant saw a very round child flee into the alleyway and disappear."

"Very round child? You don't think..."

As if of the same mind the two boys both turned their head to gaze in Hiruto's general direction. Then, as if realizing only then that he had arrived and was close enough to hear, they both suddenly turned their attention to their books pretending to be very much engaged in reading.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

It took a moment for Hiruto to realize that his classmates had actually inferred that he could some how be associated with a theft from the market.

Cucumbers of all things!

By the time he had gathered his wits, the two were back to their studies, but he was left feeling mildly confused and indignant. How could they think such a thing about him? And how many others might think the same?

"Sanjiro..." he whispered when he felt he could get away from it. ""Psst, Sanjiro, have you heard about these thefts in the market? Apparently there is some child, well, shaped like me, that was seen running away, and now some are looking at me with suspicion. Can you believe it?" he rattled off, obviously bothered by the notion of being associated in anybody's mind with criminality.

Shino walked to class happily thinking about what type of books were in Miya Yumi's collection. Still, she overheard the rumor immediately upon entering the classroom. That was the other reason for coming early.

She quickly put her hand to her mouth to cover her snort of laughter. That was too rich. Hilarious as rumors go, but amateurish.

She walked up to Sanjiro, Hiruto, and Mei with a wide smile.

"Morning Isawa-san, Akoto-san. Kano-san, I just heard of your accomplishments. Good job!" she started sweetly. "Keep it up, you might actually lose weight!"

"Good morning, Bayushi-san," Mei returned the greeting, managing to keep her stoic demeanor for the moment at least. She considered a retort to the other girl but it was rarely wise to enter fights you couldn't win. And she knew it was difficult to win being mean against Shino.

"Maybe there's some kind of misunderstanding?" she offered, trying not to insert herself into Hiruto's conversation but, well, he was difficult not to hear.

Frowning slightly as he overheard the conversation between the two boys, Sanjiro glanced over at Hiruto.  It wasn't hard to figure out what the two were implying after all, and he wanted to see how his friend would react.  Thankfully Hiruto let the matter drop, instead choosing to whisper worriedly to his friend.

Leaning over, the young Phoenix murmured softly "I wouldn't be overly worried about it my friend, as I'm pretty sure the tale has changed every time I've heard it told.  It's just a funny story and gives people something to gossip about."


Speaking of gossip, scant moments later Shino approached the pair and inserted herself into the conversation.  Something dark slithered behind Sanjiro's eyes for a moment as she took a jab at Hiruto, but it was fleeting, and so when he replied just a second later, his tone was one of perfect politeness.  "Bayushi-san, good morning.

Pointedly ignoring the Scorpion's quip, he gave Mei a nod of agreement, as he continued "Still, it seems that it might be the perfect thing for the Investigators to look into, what say you all?

Hiruto frowned at the jab about his weight, and the notion that the rumor had spread so quickly as he covertly adjusted his clothing to make himself briefly appear more svelt.

With Shino and Mei having joined them, he nodded to the Akodo's sentiments before he chimed in after Sanjiro. "My thoughts exactly, if we can catch the real thief it would clear my name, and besides, I am sure the merchants are not excited about losing their profits. If the guards have not caught them yet, perhaps we could be the ones to do it?" he looked around again. "When should we meet?'

Shino clicked her tongue irritably but moved on. Other clans just didn't know how to have fun. She couldn't imagine how any of them would get on in actual Court.

"Please, if you want to clear your name, it's much simpler than that. It's an obvious rumor, can't stand on its own legs. Why would Kano-san steal cucumbers? It's not like you like cucumbers, right?" Shino quipped.

"I can just drop a mention of a Mantis clan urchin or something and half the school won't even remember you. You want me to?" Shino raised an eyebrow and smirked temptingly at Hiruto.

"Honestly, it might actually be those criminals, because who actually bothers to steal cucumbers? They're cheap." she continued theorizing, now genuinely curious. She smiled her own personal catlike smile. "I smell a very interesting story. We should meet at this merchant's stall after school."

Merchants? Profits? There were few ways quicker to earning Mei's disapproval. A frown hits the corners of her mouth, but her brow is less able to hide her feelings. Furrowing together at the scent of a whiff of a suggestion that money might be involved in whatever they were soon to be dealing.

"Um," Mei said, glancing to a side. Shifting in where she stood. Turning over the possibilities and justifications in her head. And the possibilities. But Mei- for all her struggles to maintain face- was easily read.

"It is our duty to guard the well being of the peasantry," she finally found her way into agreement. "Especially if someone is making false accusations," she looked toward Hiruto.

"Agreed.  And I think we should talk to Reju-sama after class and see if we can get a more accurate picture of what's going on.  After all, we have nothing but rumor and speculation to go on, and we all know how accurate that is..." Sanjiro replied, his gaze lingering on a certain Scorpion for just a moment longer than the others as he spoke.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:42, Sat 13 Mar 2021.

Hiruto seemed somewhat relieved. Although the notion that he was being associated with this sort of thing obviously bothered him, the hope that their group could get to the bottom of things seemed to improve his mood quite a bit.

He shifted a little awkwardly at Mei's response. Which seemed to him textbook, and overly formal, before he replied.

"Thank's guys, and sounds good to me Sanjiro, as soon as we are done with our lessons for the day, we can find Reju-sam and hopefully learn more about what's happened."