Dark Edge Village

There had been whispers about how the crater was cursed. Amaya gazed over the water and wondered what that meant, exactly. Chi-Pu's untimely death had certain given the shoreline a sombre feel, but the water seemed clear and the occasion gusts of wind rippled the surface and blurred the reflections.

But she was not here for musing. She unfolded her half-tatami, to sit upon so the grass would not stain the silk of her kimono, settling herself down and placing the now-familiar box of scraps and off-cuts. She released Satsujin to run about a little, watching happily as the little creature dashed and pounced amongst the grass, rolling and sneaking and darting.

Now seemed like a good enough time to start working on his mastery of the uchikiru command...


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Animal Handling vs TN10 >> 20 Success!

It seemed that the weasel could not possibly tire of performing the same thing over and over, so long as his adopted mistress' praise - or treat supplies - didn't run out. But Amaya wasn't quite so patient. The hour of the Goat was half gone, her mind had started to wander from the task at hand.

It was easy enough to segue into the orosu command. The method she was using was similar to that for uchikiru, letting the little creature play for a few minutes, before offering the word and reward. They played in the slowly setting gaze of Lady Amaterasu. From time to time her sweet, musical laughter was carried on the abrupt gusts of wind that rattled through the grass and trees.


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Animal Handling vs TN10 >> 23 Success!

A horseless Marta walked across the fields, approaching the small body of water. Spotting Amaya, he waved to her.

"Good afternoon, Ide-sama!"

Looking up, she waved in return, "well met, Shinjo-sama. A fine day, no?"

"Very nice, yes." he smiled. "The breeze is refreshing."

He noticed the weasel, then, and reflexively took a step back. It was clear, however, that it was there intentionally. He gave Amaya a questioning glance.

She smiles and tickles the weasel's belly, the creature rolling and play-attacking her fingers, "don't mind Satsujin, he is quite single-minded; so long as I am here, he'll pay you no mind."

"That is a relief." he smiled again. "His kin took a few bites out of me a few days ago. He seems pleasant enough, though."

"That's why I'm out here. I'm perfectly happy for him to be with me, but I thought if I could teach him to obey some simple commands, it might put others more at ease. After the difficulties with the egg hunt, I can understand why many would be wary."

"That is a good idea." he agreed. "I don't blame them for wanting the eggs, but some of the guests were severly injured."

"The weasels cannot take sole blame for that, I'm sure. I saw them when I was hunting eggs, but not one approached me, far less assailed me. At least until late that night, when this one came stealing into my yurt, desperate for shelter. Though it does pain me to know how badly some people were hurt." As she says this, she is remembering balming Hideo's wounds and knowing that he suffered relatively lightly, compared to some.

"They were just hungry." he sighed. "The area has been devoid of prey since the miai began. The eggs were just too tempting."

Sourly, "with those that were killed by samurai seeking to defend themselves, I imagine there are quite less of the weasels to go hungry now."

"Hai." he nodded. "That and this pool. Most animals seem to avoid it."

She looks out across the water, "I see rain and stone, but I am no Iuchi. Perhaps this place is cursed, and I simply cannot tell."

"It was investigated the day it appeared. I even swam in it." he explained. "I don't think there's any danger here. The heimin are superstitious. The animals may still smell the creature that fell here. They would certainly see it as a threat to avoid."