Townhouse - Kiryu, Vosswald, Allessia

The door was slammed open, and through it entered a short but regal looking woman. Her nose was tilted to the ceiling and her hands were on her hips. Her glowing blue eyes looked down at everyone. "Whats this I hear about a village in need?" She asked to everyone, and no one in particular.

At this, some of the elders within began to laugh. Her eye twitched slightly.

"Are you lost young lady?" One woman asked. "You should be tending to the children in the nursery if you're looking for work. Come, help me out with them," She started to urge the noble kunoichi away. Gritting her teeth, the dark haired, pale girl got into the elder womans face, hissing to her.

"If you were not so old and defenseless I'd crack your ribs and rupture your stomach you old HAG."

The Old woman winced, and fell back, shocked to hear such speech from a young lady. Satisfied, the young woman turned from her and went to the group of what appeared to be warriors. Folding her arms delicately, she ran her blue eyes over them.

"Tell me," She demanded, "If you are here for the prize of a wish granted as well."

Kiryu turned to face these new entries, two women and a man, also carrying swords. The town must have really been in need of proper warriors. There were probably more bandits than normal prowling around.

One with dark hair and oddly glowing eyes asked why they were here, to which Kiryu raised his hand and replied, "I just thought I could earn some food. I don't need a wish, just some rice. Maybe some change, if I'm lucky."

Kiryu turned to face these new entries, two women and a man, also carrying swords. The town must have really been in need of proper warriors. There were probably more bandits than normal prowling around.

One with dark hair and oddly glowing eyes asked why they were here, to which Kiryu raised his hand and replied, "I just thought I could earn some food. I don't need a wish, just some rice. Maybe some change, if I'm lucky."

Vosswald - Village/Town House - Kiryu, Alessia, Yuki

One by one more people began pouring in, one weirder than the other. But then again Vosswald was aware that he was most likely the weirdest of the bunch right now. For now he decided to just stand and observe what happens around him. The newcomers were talking to what appeared to be the town elders. The tone of the conversations differed from person to person. Some of them were argumenting harshly. Others have shown what can only be described as utmost humility.

The nature of these conversations remained a mystery to him but one thing was for certain; The elders were inspecting the newcomers. Maybe they were relatives? Was some kind of reunion festival being held? Were they unsatisfied with how their younger relatives presented themselves? He was not sure but he found it rather unlikely. From what he observed the village seemed to be in rather poor condition. No men were in sight and all that remained were women, children and elders. Could it be that the men have been conscripted for a war?

All of a suddenly Vosswald didn't feel that comfortable anymore. It was then that he became aware of a small group of elders approaching him. Vosswald straightened his back and clicked his heels together.

"And who is this?" "He doesn't look from around here." "What's that sword?" "I think he could use a bath.."

Vosswald held his breath. He didn't want to appear rude as long as he wasn't talked to directly.

"Welcome, stranger. Did you come here to protect us?"

He remained quiet.

"Eh... Or are you just passing through? I'm sure you could rest here for a while, eat a little, maybe you'd like a bath?... Why not stay here for a while? We can find you a nice place to stay, maybe even a girl... Men have been scarce around here since the war started... What do you say? Eh... you listening, young man?"

Vosswald slowly shook his head.

"Es tut mir Leid. Ich verstehe Sie nicht.

"Ahh,... yes... I should have known. Well, are you at least good with your sword? You know, your sword?"
The old man pointed a finger at the longsword hanging from Vosswald's belt and made a swinging motion.

"Ah! Mein Langschwert!
Vosswald freed the sword from its sheath. It shined brightly in the sun as he held it in front of him. Although his clothes have been dirtied during his travels he tried extra hard to keep his sword in its pristine condition.

The elders began murmuring between themselves.
"I have never seen such a sword before. It's not even curved!" "I think he knows what he's doing. Look how he is holding it with only one hand. I think we could use this boy." "Yup, it's not like we can afford to be picky these times..."

Nodding in agreement, the old men began to usher him towards one of the buildings. Vosswald was more or less forced to follow them. He was still not sure what exactly was happening now but he was not about to refuse their hospitality.

"Just this way, young man. We'll get you a warm meal, bath and a nice new set of clothes. It's not like my son needs them anymore..."

Vosswald looked back to his companions.

"They your friends? They can come too. The more the merrier, right? Hahaha..."

"Yes, please." KIryu suddenly looked intense at the offer of food. "I'll repay you however you wish." he told the elder.

Kiryu was ready to follow this man to the ends of the earth in exchange for a real meal. He was so close, he felt his mind clear as he was ready to escape the grasp of starvation, his thoughts unhindered.

"Yes, please." KIryu suddenly looked intense at the offer of food. "I'll repay you however you wish." he told the elder.

Kiryu was ready to follow this man to the ends of the earth in exchange for a real meal. He was so close, he felt his mind clear as he was ready to escape the grasp of starvation, his thoughts unhindered.

The bath was delightful enough that Umiko decided to stay. And so she stayed... for a rather long time. It would have appeared that, being a fish, Umiko found simply existing to be more pleasant while submerged under water. She also soon found out she still needed to breath air like the normal surface dwellers, though could momentarily use her magic to give herself gills again, which made her feel more comfortable. Of course, they were inconvenient every time she resurfaced- not like she needed to. After a long while, Umiko finally got hungry and decided to leave the bath, wondering whether or not Ayame had finished cooking.

The girl rose from the water, her body dripping. A part of her felt dry, as if she weren't even in the water in the first place. Then, Umiko deduced the reason why. She looked down at her hands and feet to see that her skin was incredibly wrinkled. True to a land based creature, she got wrinkly after a long time spent in the water- a process which had escaped her mind. Quickly, she used her magic to restore the water in her body, returning it to its normal state, before getting out of the tub, once again drying herself using her magic.

.

Yasei and his band of four other men had now been away from Chēn no Toshi for three days. It was night and a full moon. The group was sitting around a fire eating a wolf that had been unfortunate enough to cross their path earlier. Two of Yasei's men were discussing potential battlefield tactics. Yasei stayed out of it and simply focused on his meal. A sound was heard by the group in the bushes around them. Immediately they all stood and released the blades from their gauntlets. Each took a fighting position. A few moments passed. All of them being experienced in combat they remained calm. One of the men stepped toward the bush that the noise was heard from. He around and saw a fox crawling in the bushes. He turned around and began to speak "False alar..." Before he finished speaking his head was split in two by a massive naginata. Above him stood a ten foot tall minotaur. Two more of the monsters emerged from the tree line. Another of the soldiers, a friend of just killed man charged the monsters. Another called to him "Damn it no!" but his call was too late. The cut down by the massive reach of the naginata that had killed his friend. Realizing that they stood no chance at a distance the three remaining men split up and ran towards the center demon. Yasei and one of his men managed to get close enough to the beast to cut deep into it's legs bringing it down. The man who had cut the beast's stopped for a moment to breath in relief that the it had fallen. He was immediately stabbed through the back. The other two minotaurs were closing in on Yasei and his companion. Yasei's remaining ally motioned as to say they should split up to fight the monsters individually. Both Yasei and his companion charged at a minotaur. Yasei moved as fast he could and jumped into the minotaurs chest using his gauntlets to stab into it's heart. He turned around to see his fellow soldier had succeeded in disarming the monster but cutting it's hand but had been mauled by the beasts claw. He laid on the ground unable to fight. In rage at seeing his companion harmed Yasei charged into battle. The beast tried to maul Yasei with it's massive arm but the attack was narrowly dodged. Yasei dug his blade into the monster's extended arm. He then jumped onto the arm and ran up it to cut off the minotaurs head. Now that the danger was over Yasei to a breath to calm himself. He then to check on his friend who had been wounded. He was alive but losing blood fast. Yasei cut the cloths off one of his fallen allies and used the clot to try and cover the wound. He had managed to mostly stop the bleeding but a real doctor was needed. Yasei picked up his friend and carried him on his shoulder. He then proceeded to begin heading towards the nearest village. He walked through the entire night. The next day he finally reached the village. He headed toward the entrance. He yelled "Help we need a doctor!"

Alessia followed along with the others without a single word, preferring to simply observe the others in how they acted and how they chose to carry themselves. She'd chosen not to speak with the elders in front of the others too. Maybe it was a lack of confidence, or perhaps maybe just another preference of hers. Only Alessia would truly know. As the group thickened in number she took her hood and pulled it over her head once more, deciding to conceal herself away for the time being until she became relevant in whatever aid was needed here. The promise of a warm bed and hot food was a very nice offer and it would beat having to spend on the town Inn, assuming it had one. Alessia chose her seat a couple seats away from the mysterious female warrior with the white hair, sitting down neatly with her legs crossed and her hands held close to her stomach.

orion/kaji and everyone. Presence if elders

Kaji stood quietly. Merely observing rather than speaking. It seemed he was the only stranger among them not interested in being hired. Well perhaps that was untrue, a few had yet to comment. At the boisterous arrival of yet another individual it was looking to be more than the small village would be able to bear. Kaji assumed that each of the warriors held themselves in some manner of high regard and at least half of them were skilled.

Again he glanced around the room, first focusing on the structure of the building then the face of the residents. The young women of the village seemed the most concerned. The children curious. But the elders were cautious. They clearly didn't have much to give so kaji wouldn't be surprised if they were highly critical of who they hired. But of course it could always go the other way and everyone works for rice and baths a certain tall woman he had came to know.

Regardless he would have to pass this town up. Or perhaps as these warriors defended it he could find who threatens it. Who or what ever it was, probably wasn't with the army since the town was still standing. Kaji he should at least hang around infill answers were passed out. Maybe he could get clues then. He remembered one of the rules of the shadows. Always have a back up plan

The appearance of all these warriors, adventurers, mercenaries and sellswords was relatively well received. Some elders were questioning the trustworthiness of the more shady figures while others were awed by the grace and humility of others. In the end all of them were relieved that these people decided to show up. It could have been much worse after all.

From the crowd a small man emerged, easily distinguished by his round bald head and thick white beard and bushy eyebrows. He supported himself on a small cane made from dark oak, which he loudly tapped on the ground. Within seconds the murmurring died down as he cleared his throat, preparing to deliver speak.

"Brothers and sisters. You all remember how we've suffered since our sons have been taken from us. Bandits, wild beasts and demons threatened our lives! But now we don't have to live in fear no longer! These fine men and women have come to help us in our time of need. I, as the representative of village, am deeply thankful to all of you." The old man bowed down in a show of deepest gratitude. The other elders followed suit.
"We don't have much but we will give you anything that we can offer. For you have answered our call for help."

As the group of adventurers was now officially welcomed by the town leader, more people started to gather around. Children and young women started coming out of their homes to greet and offer their saviours food and a place to stay. Soon villagers started talking to the newcomers and each other and asking all sorts of questions.

"Pretty melodramatic, hasn't he?" "Hi there. You must be hungry. Here! Have something!" "Mommy? That black haired man scares me..." "Hello there, young man! Need a place to stay? It's gotten a little lonely since my... boyfriend left." "Where did you get that sword?" "Ah.. Hello young lady. Hm... You don't look like a warrior, maybe you work in another profession, hmm? Why don't you stay at my place..." "Hey, what happened to your shirt, mister?"

Meanwhile, Ayame finished cooking her meal and went to check up on Umiko.

"Ah! Finished already? I hope you had a good soak. Here, I've brought you some clothes. I used to wear them when I was little. I hope they are not too big for you."

Suddenly a shout was heard coming from the direction of the front entrance

"Help we need a doctor!"

Ayame was still an apprentive but she knew that she wouldn't just let someone die. She told Umiko to stay right here before bolting towards the entrance, leaving the door to her home wide open.

Again, she had to deal with this mysterious substance land dwellers wore; this enigma known as "cloths". Why anyone would wear such things escaped Umiko's mind. In disgust, she reached toward the old clothing, which to her surprise, were much cleaner than Kiryu's. They also smelled slightly better. Slightly. It was a children's sized pink kimono, a floral pattern woven through it. Looking slightly simpler than the shirt, Umiko put on one sleeve, then the next. The kimono was in fact a bit loose on her. Unable to tie the sash, she allowed the remainder of the dress dragging on the ground, Umiko's midsection exposed.

Kiryu - Village - Yuki, every player except I think Umiko

Kiryu shrugged off the questions the growing crowd directed at him, with answers like "I gave it to a child", or "Save it for marriage".

Eventually, he was able to worm his way to another fighter, one with dark hair and glowing blue eyes. He decided that, whatever he was roped into, he might as well know his compatriots for the moment. "Yo." he greeted the yuki-onna, sword still perched over his shoulder. "....What's with, uh... the glow?"

Chiasa wanders the road

Chiasa walked on sore feet along a road she did not know the destination of, only that it took her father away from the place she'd recently had to flee. For the thousandth time she asked herself why men couldn't control their base natures. They were always either killing each other or giving into their lusts.

Wiping that from her mind Chiasa decided to collect herbs for cooking an medicines so she hid her pack and wandered into the forest. She spent several hours searching the ground and even the trees till she knew she must find a place to feed herself then look for safe shelter for the night.

She eventually returned to a very large Katsura with thick spreading branches and climbed about midway up and made a bed close to the trunk then tied herself to the branch.

Alone and unprotected this far from any village she was often forced to seek shelter in the branches of a large tree. That night she slept as she always did in fits of exhaustion punctuated by nervous periods of alertness. It was when morning came that she truly slept an didn't wake till an hour before noon some days.

The next day she woke early as she heard a noise that sounded like several men walking nearby. Frozen silent in the tree she prayed they not look up. When the source of her fears drew in sight Chiasa laughed at herself, they were monkeys.

Once the monkeys had passed Chiasa climbed down and headed for the road of the previous day. She set off again and stopped about three hours later when she heard a stream near and went to fill her water gourd. She was quite pleasantly surprised to find the steam had deep pools of still water and seclusion. She stripped and began washing herself in the cold water thankful to be clean once more.

Shinra - Village - Ayame, Yasei

He noticed that the village had suddenly come to life somewhat. Not to the scale of festivity, but for what it was worth a great interest seemed to have spread among the villagers (or what's left of them, at least). One by one, he started to see people walk past the kitchen window, headed for something in the village's center perhaps. At first only silent, single individuals, then whole groups rife in conversation began to pass by not before long, eyes twinkling with curiosity for the best that he could make out under the light of mid-day. Still the young man busied himself with the baking meat and flour in front of him, hoping it to be a fantastic treat for the family of the woman that took him in temporarily. Just as he thought of them, he heard their excited voices coming from outside. The exasperated commands that threatened to break out with anticipation turned into a name that made him look out the window for any signs of sprightly children.

"Shin! Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin! Shin! Shin!" shouted a young boy, whom dashed by and almost stumbled at the corner when he'd anchored a hand at the kitchen door.
"What's up? Did you need a new shin?" joked Shinra, otherwise known as Shin, wiping his hands on his apron as the younger fellow caught his breath. Moments later, an older girl came up to the tired boy, carrying an even younger boy in her arms. She gave him a solid whack on the head, which did little to wipe the calming smile off Shin's face (though a drop of sweat did trickle down the side of his face).
"Ensui, what were you thinking?! Running headfirst into the people like that... I didn't think anyone would be as excited as Shin-san would, especially not you... But being too excitable is dangerous, you know!" scolded the older sister, hair neatly tied into a bun with a single spike of hair protruding upwards from said bun.
"Eh? Excited...? What happened, anyway? Seems there's a commotion--" said Shin, his mouth turning into an open smile full of inquiry, even when he was cut off.
"WHO CARES ABOUT THAT?!" boomed the younger boy suddenly, perhaps still reeling a bit from the pain of his sister's working arm. "Can't you smell that, sis?! Shin is cooking something from the city! It smells won-der-ful...!" said the boy, fists balled and raised up in front of him in a common gesture for excited people. Easily, he spotted the wok being used by the golden-haired lad, whom was frying something. "Ah... the pops and cracks sound like music..." said Ensui.
"Eh? But... it's just prawn... Besides, I'm not even from a--"
"Hmm...?" the sister began to take in the scent of cooking food herself. "You're right, that does smell nice." remarked the girl, but then she remembered why she was there in the first place. "Ah! Shin-san, weren't you anxious about when the hired warriors would get here?" she turned to Shin, hand stroking her second younger brother's head gently, whom was as calm and quiet as ever himself.

"Oh, that...?" Shinra's expression changed into a solemn stare, and he turned back to the fry before he spoke further. "I wouldn't call it anxious, but fascination, really. Sure, I've been waiting for days for them to come, but I think, Fuu-chan, that watching after the house and you guys while Kiriko is working is much more important." he said, choosing not to bring up the fact that demons have been coming closer and closer to the village in the past few days. After all, it's been only a slight while since it seemed to have vanished from Ensui's and Tohru's minds, though Fuu still had it lingering inside her thoughts; the fear of it all. But she was most likely the most level-headed thirteen-year old he'd ever met. Even now, when the matter of safety came up, her expression didn't seem to change in the slightest. Ensui, on the other hand, watched the flour-coated prawns inside the wok like a ravenous wolf. Tohru, the youngest, was struggling to stay awake in his sister's arms. When the prawns turned to a golden hue, Shin lifted them from the wok and left them under a food cover to cool. "So I shouldn't be--"

"But they're here. Now." said Fuu. For a while, only the sound of the cooling oil and the voices outside can be heard. Tohru yawned once.

"Ehh?!" Shinra looked at her with the face of a man left without secrets. "Oh. Well, that's great. I guess you kids can go check them out... then." he said, and began to mumble, flustered. He excused himself, torn between many different wants and fears. But before he could leave, a pair of small hands caught him at the back of his shirt. Shin looked over his shoulder. It was Ensui.
"Hey. When can we eat?" he asked.
"When the rice's done, I... suppose. That shouldn't be too long--"
"Then let's hurry, so that we can come home in time and have lunch." Ensui grabbed him by a wrist, and started pulling.
"Huh...?"
"You really sounded like an old man back then, Shin-san." said Fuu, smiling. "You even forgot that you need to be there with us. You're our guardian, remember? So quit being a bore, and let's go." she continued, walking outside.
"Yeah, let's!" Ensui pulled on, and, eventually, Shin gave out and followed the children outside. And as they walked, the siblings began to joke and laugh. Shin thought it was impossible, given the circumstances of their lives. What was this, he wondered. Without him realizing it, it only made his resolve to battle the demons stronger. And yet, along with resolve, fear grew. He wanted to do so much more for everyone. But just how much was he capable of? For the moment, Shin decided to push it off his mind.

Only for it to force itself back in when he heard a shout from the village's front entrance.

Someone called for a doctor, causing a great deal of the crowd to turn around to set eyes upon this new brewing commotion. Among them, Shinra saw one bolt towards the voice. A young woman in a white kimono. Letting go of Ensui's hand with a heavy heart, he asked a neighbor to watch after them for a short while.
"I'll be over just as quickly." Shin told the children and him. With that, his feet began to move out one after another, he himself careful not to draw an accident between him and one of the villagers, towards the source of the voice calling for aid.

Yasei stood at the entrance. He was covered in demon blood and carrying his half dead comrade on his shoulder. He had walked through the entire night and was exhausted. When he saw people coming Yasei placed his friend on the ground gently as not undo the poorly wrapped covering on his wound. Then Yasei collapsed to the ground. He stared up and saw nothing but blurs. Then he passed out.

Chiasa's Bath

Chiasa thought of how lovely a hot bath would be as she sank her nude body beneath the cold water of the river. The water was wonderfully clean and now so was she as she pushed off from the rock and swam like a fish. Light from the sun filtered through the crystalline liquid in shafts which illuminated small reflective fragments drifting on the current making it seem like she now flew among fire flies. All her troubles were caught in the river's current and carried away making Chiasa wish she could be a river kami and exist in the quiet world beneath the waves.

She surfaced quietly near the center of the river and looked all around herself before returning to where she'd hidden her drying clothes. Cautiously she pulled herself up on the rock and all the while like any wild animal which was prey to other beings of the forest keep her senses alert to the slight's hint of danger.
"At least if I were in a village I wouldn't have to be so worried about being caught naked" she thought as she pulled her cotton blanket from her pack and wrapped her shivering form in it's soft folds. It was lonely out here in the wilderness between towns and cities but at least here she needn't worry so much about being made someone's plaything.

When she finally stopped shivering Chiasa bound down her chest with several wraps of cloth eliminating it almost entirely. She then put on her simple peasant's clothes of faded dark blue an gray and baggy so as to disguise her curves.. Around her long black hair she tied a scarf that hid her features somewhat then applied a dye of brown to her face arms and legs. She finished her disguise by tucking little wads of cotton between her cheeks an upper molars, the effect of all her work made her appear like a fat farm girl tanned by the sun and without attribute to appeal to most men outside of the fact she was female.

She'd learned long ago her vanity could cause her great and frightening trouble. She looked at her reflection in the still surface of a pool and sighed. She had only two courses open to her before she might feel safe, the first that age would finally take from her that which men desired or second, that she marry and settle down to become a wife. The latter she would love but the times in the past when she thought she'd found a man she could love she'd discover each wanted her to be dumb or at least act dumb, that or she displayed the skills of her youth and their love had proven false. To men she was little more than a vessel in which to vent their lusts and insure their future by turning out sons.

Picking up her pack Chiasa found the road once more and began putting distance between herself and all the pain she'd left behind her.

"Let me through!"

It wasn't long before Ayame found the source of the shouting. Two heavily injured men lay on the dirt path.

"Oh no!"

Ayame quickly ran towards the two lying bodies and dropped on her knees to examine them, not caring that she would ruin her clothes. To her lives mattered more than one's possessions. It did not take her long to come to a conclusion. The dried blood, the crudely tied bandages... This man had lost a lot of blood. She quickly inspected the other man. He was a total mess. Mud-crusted feet, soaked in sweat... obviously he must have ran for hours, maybe even days to save his friend. Ayame was not certain if they would make it but she was determined to try everything within her power to keep these poor men alive.

"This is what happens. I hate fighting..." She quietly muttered before she stood up and started giving orders.

"YOU! And YOU! Help me carry them into my house! Careful! Shin, find grandfather and tell him to come home immediately! Tell him he's needed! And you over there, lend us a hand here will you?"

Ayame learned that in order to get people to act you'd need to speak to them directly. She was not usually known for being the leading type, however that doesn't mean that she wouldn't take charge when she was needed.

Chiasa walks along the road her banner sticking up from her pack which reads 医師 (Doctor) because she'd begun to see traces of a village nearby. She was so happy that she almost wanted to sing but resisted because it would make it difficult to her horses coming towards her. She feared meeting all men alone on the road but Samurai an Ronin most of all because many had no real honor. It was so difficult to be alone even when she made herself appear unappealing because even then it was not a guarantee. Some men didn't care that a woman was chubby, flat chested and dark skinned.

As she walked she began hearing the sounds of animals one only heard near farms. Soon she'd be able to take residence with someone or in an abandoned house and begin her medical practice. Chiasa loved helping people and it was part of the reason she was so poor because she'd heal the sick and need not be payed.

She was surprised to see on the side of the road a beautiful blue flower growing among the weeds. She walked over to the beauty and examined it for a bit before picturing it in her hair. She loved bright colors and even disguised as she was couldn't help herself. She picked the blossom and carefully bent the stem into a figure eight then wove her hair through it.

She wished she was near a stream s she could admire the aromatic blossom but had to content herself with it's scent alone. Her discovery made her happier so her steps were light and carefree as she headed towards town. Through the trees she began to spot the tops of houses and actually quickened her steps.

She was suddenly aware of an approaching sound and turned to see what was making it an beheld the most frightening thing she'd seen in days. Chiasa screamed and began running but the horrid creature was in hot pursuit. Her heavy pack swung to and fro as her banner thrashed back an forth.

Her screams of terror made anyone near turn and look in her direction as she runs past the gates. Hovering in an erratic flight behind Chiasa was a huge green Praying Mantis about 18 inches long.

Chiasa was in a blind panic as she ran and didn't see a rake laying near a house and tripped over it with a noisy crash.