(D3 EA, Open) Would You Look At That!

[Usagi Kaigen]

"What I hear, this one, meeting Emm-O might not be the worst on offer."

[Miya Ugemi]

"Oh?" Ugemi says. "What all have you heard, Usagi-san?"

[Usagi Kaigen]

"That meeting Emma-O means you've avoided the darkest fates the South can provide."

[Agasha Daikumo]

"That sounds suitably ominous for where we're going. Which makes enjoying the opportunity to take in sights of beauty all the more poignant on the trip there. Remind ourselves of what we're fighting to defend, no?" Daikumo replies looking to the castle.

[Miya Ugemi]

"One hesitates to say 'That's the spirit,' especially to a priest," Ugemi says, but there is a slight grin on his lips. "And yet."

[Usagi Kaigen]

Kaigen shrugged.

"Truth be told, I look at that... and I think of thin meals, long eyes, carefully-raised fans..."

He spat meditatively on the ground.

"It's pretty, I suppose. But it's also a bit of a reminder for people without the wherewithal for pretty of what they lack."

[Miya Ugemi]

Ugemi looks at the Usagi closely.

"I'll admit I'd not considered it from that angle," he says after a moment. He tilts his head. "Thank you for the perspective, Usagi-san."

[Agasha Daikumo]

"I can understand the sentiment Usagi-san. But we are going to stand between all of the empire and an insatiable dark enemy, not fighting a war of words in the court. Perhaps you'll find more inspiration when we pass through smaller towns and villages, seeing those blessed by Ebisu rather than Benten. I know I'll find inspiration there as well. But as a craftsman myself, I simply cannot help but appreciate the creations of those that came before me," Daikumo replies.

[Usagi Kaigen]

"Either of you hear about what we stumbled across this morning?"

Kaigen looked toward the castle.

"Found a farm. Peasants. Killed by bandits. Killed slow. One kid left alive, a boy named Pei. He survived because he hid in the fields listening to his parents, his older brother, and his older sister scream, then crept back into the house where his dead family were. He had nowhere else to go. First human face he sees since his family's murder is me with a sword in my hand, because I'm not sure what's under the shaking blanket I've spotted. Asked if he has aunts or uncles. Didn't seem like he did."

He squinted. Really looking. Like he was trying to find something.

[Miya Ugemi]

"I saw some of the reports on that," Ugemi says. "The Rikugunshokan was quite interested in them. The Shireikan, as well.

"I'd expect that patrols and night watch will be increased."