Mail Call (Open, Early Afternoon)

[Usagi Kaigen]

With the battle won and the war eternal, it meant that in many ways it was back to business as usual for the Second Kaisha.

Kaigen had just finished bolting down his rice ball and was enjoying thoughts of chucking a certain Kuni from the top of the Wall when mail call arrived.

A letter, huh?

...

Three letters.

He Skillfully Acquired some clean paper and some ink, then set down to handle his correspondence.

The first was the usual "how are you doing?" from his mother, which didn't even mention the marriage negotiations. But that wasn't all that weird, she'd told him the less he knew about the details, the better.

Mom-

Still alive. It was a bit touch and go, and I'm pretty sure the Crab are going to do their best to get me transferred despite what I managed to pull off, but that would suit me fine. This place is a miserable billet and that's before we talk about the Shadowlands and the horrible stuff living in it.

I'd tell you not to worry, but we both know it'd do no good.

See you when I get back for the wedding, most likely. I'll write if I get to head home sooner.

Kaigen

The second was the formal notice from the nakodo, stating that he and Yukiko were to wed later in the the year, that she'd be joining the Hare, all of that.

Message received.

[personal chop of Usagi Kaigen]

Wasn't much more he had to say on that front. He wasn't marrying the nakodo, after all. He supposed he should be feeling more about it, but... well. It wasn't exactly a surprise, and anyway, they'd had something like a year to get used to the idea.

The third... was from Yukiko. Being physically closer to the nakodo, she'd gotten the word first. He sat reading it for a while, going back to the top and reading to the end three times, his expression never changing.

Yukiko-

First, yes, I still have all of my body parts attached. I had a bit of a slog getting here, and the Crab don't trust me farther than I could throw a horse, so I can't say it's been a particularly good time, but thanks again for the jade. It may well have helped. Still and all, doubt I'll be posted here long- I'm an okay scout, but what they need here at the wall are heavy hitters, not some fool who doesn't know how to negotiate the hellscape on the other side of the border.

I'll tell you more about the battle when I can see you face to face, but yes, even though we won, it was a Fortunes-forsaken awful experience. I apologize in advance for any nightmares I have that wake you up. In some ways, better than fighting bandits, worse in others. Call it a wash, as far as personal trauma goes.

I don't really care what we name the kids, just so none of them is named after me. They don't need any sort of expectation hanging over their heads, and anyway, one Kaigen in a family is plenty. You've always had better taste than I do. Pick names you like.

Likewise, I'll leave my side of the guest list to Mom and Dad. I know there's this idea that I should invite some 'army buddies,' but I don't really have any. It doesn't do to get too attached- even if everybody survives, you might well end up transferred to the other end of the Empire and never see the bastards again- and it's inevitable that not everybody survives. There's one big Daidoji in another kaisha I sort of hit it off with, but I think he's gonna be some sort of hero now. Might be too busy. Still, if you like, I could give him an invitation out of formality's sake. If he shows up, we'd better have plenty of sake on hand. You should invite anyone you can think of that would make it easier for you- you're leaving home, after all, I'm not. Anyone objects to any of your choices, send them my way, I'll sort them out.

That's about all there is to say right now, I suppose. See you at the wedding!

Kaigen

[Kitsuki Edogawa]

Edogawa was surprised to receive a letter, until he saw the contents. There was no greeting. Nor was there a chop. There wasn't a traditional message at all.

All the letter contained were shogi moves, one side then the other. It was a full game. It was the game they had played at Kyuden Tombo the last time they had seen one another. There was more to it of course. The description of each move varied. Some were simple. Others were overly complex. Some included alternate terms and descriptive metaphors.

It all made the Kitsuki smile. The code would be impossible to read, if one had not actually played that specific game. At best, a stranger might infer some innuendo, but nothing too scandalous.

Putting the letter away, the Dragon began to draft a reply to Shosuro Junko..