Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

He had checked with the scribes, but their tally of the dead was still incomplete. And so he found his way to the barracks where the Sixth Kaisha was quartered, to see if his friend had survived.

"Excuse me," he said to one of the soldiers in the common room. "Would you know where Otomo Hana-sama might be quartered?"

Masayuki returns to the Fourth Kaisha's barracks and takes stock of who has returned. He is thankful that so many have, knowing it is only the second fight for some, including the bandits we met on the way. He compliments them on their success.

He does not see Daidoji Nobu, but he and a few others not present survived.

He muses, Dadioji-Chiu makes a good leader. She brought everyone together, allowing us all to work as a team regardless of our many differences. He is pleased to be part of The Fourth.

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 04, 2024 4:15 pm

He had checked with the scribes, but their tally of the dead was still incomplete. And so he found his way to the barracks where the Sixth Kaisha was quartered, to see if his friend had survived.

"Excuse me," he said to one of the soldiers in the common room. "Would you know where Otomo Hana-sama might be quartered?"

"Oh her?' the soldier said looking up from the game of hanafuda he was playing with some of the other soldiers. "Yeah I could direct you to where she's quartered....if I didn't like you." he says which earns him a snicker from his comrades.

"She's off at the baths. Something about never feeling clean again, how can I still smell that awful stink, this outfit is completely ruined. Courtly garb isn't exactly practical out there ya know?"

Nobu thanked the soldier and headed towards the bath area.

The onsen was much more utilitarian than the elaborate bath houses the Crane had gotten used to while on palace duty, being geared towards the soldiers of the garrison rather than perfumed courtiers - but it would serve. Disrobing in the washing area, he sat on a wooden stool and scrubbed himself dutifully. Armor and rolls of fat had protected the big man from most of the hazards of the previous day's battle, but there were still vivid purple scrapes and bruises on parts of his body. But Nobu made sure that he was clean, before taking a large towel and proceeding into the bathing room.

He didn't have to go far to overhere three women talking.

"That was seriously digusting."

"Well there's a reason the Crab's duty is an inglorious one."

"I mean, they're certainly brave, but how can the Crab smell anything living so close to that?"

There were a bit battle worn, but it seemed that the three flowers had survived the battle, somehow.

The big Crane waddled into the baths proper, carrying a fluffy white towel.

"Please excuse me," Nobu said, bowing to the assembled flowers, before dropping the towel and stepping into the bath. Aware of his size, he was careful to slip into the water without creating a big splash.

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 06, 2024 2:32 pm

The big Crane waddled into the baths proper, carrying a fluffy white towel.

"Please excuse me," Nobu said, bowing to the assembled flowers, before dropping the towel and stepping into the bath. Aware of his size, he was careful to slip into the water without creating a big splash.

As per usual, Otomo Hana took the lead when it came to diplomatic efforts.

"Daidoji-san, it's good to see you on the other side of that battle, bloodied but unbowed." she offered with a polite nod, given being in the bath.

Hana glances up and down, then gives a slight smile.

"Indeed, it looks like the rumors about you are true, Daidoji-san."

Hana glances up and down, then gives a slight nod.

"Some of them appear true, at least, Daidoji-san."

"Ladies," he said, bowing his head in acknowledgement to each of them in turn as he soaked in the hot water. "Thank you for the kind words. I am very glad to see you all have survived the battle as well. There was some hard fighting, and I ... I had some concerns. It is fortunate that our courage and strength at arms carried the day."

Hana spared the Daidoji a considering glance.

"It certainly was, Kakita Hana and Isawa Hana had a lot to overcome, and there was little aid I could offer either of them. You would think the Crab could have spared a few of those tetsubos....though I'm not certain even I could convince Kakita Hana to pick up such an inelegant weapon...effective though it may be." she agreed.

"Ah, and I suppose we should also take a moment to spare you some thanks for the....unpleasantness before our arrival. I heard that you were of great aid, though such aid cost you dearly." she said, stepping around just whose face the Crane had been beating in on the march there.

"Such a shame that it had to be done, of course," Hana says. "Even if it was done well."

"Demonstration of the superiority of technique, I think," Hana says. "And it was done well."

"I had hoped to disarm him, or otherwise have a more elegant solution," Nobu admitted. "But unfortunately, such was not possible." The big Crane looked a bit downcast at that.

"But how did the Sixth's new commander fare during battle, if one may ask?" he inquired, trying to change to a more positive subject. "I could not get a good look from where the Fourth was positioned, but I understand your company performed well in the heat of combat."

Hana nodded at that.

"If Daidoji-san had been hearing rumors that a certain ronin had his position for..less than honorable reasons, allow me to settle the matter. While I cannot vouch for his behavior off of the battlefield, Osoroshii-sama, is quite the skilled warrior and ruthless tactician. Had the unthinkable happened and the general fallen to enemy arrow, Osoroshii-sama would have had the skill to carry on the mission." she revealed.

Hana nods.

"I can add that, as a commander, he was stern but fair, and for all the talk about his exploits, he was never less than upright and honorable with those under his direction."

Hana nods.

"It is clear, too, that the Shireikan's commands during the battle were expertly coordinated with those of the Rikugunshokan, almost as if the two of them were playing shogi as a team."

"Well, I am certainly grateful that the shireikan's superior tactics have preserved the main strength of the Sixth Kaisha," Nobu said with a small smile, tilting his head slightly towards each of the ladies in turn.

"Do you think the three of you will remain at the Wall for awhile?" the big Crane inquired. "For my part, I expect I'll remain posted here with the Fourth Kaisha throughout the winter at the very least; maybe longer. I hear the Wall can be gloomy in the winter; it would be nice to have a few friendly faces around."