Under Lord Moon's Gaze (D2, LE, Expecting)

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Having sent a message to the Iuchi a few hours before, the lone Shiotome waits for them while galloping around the field with Gekko, taking benefit from the bright light cast by the moon.

[Iuchi Saksaha]

Having decided earlier today that the field is safe for Gio's mostly-recovered hind foot, Saksaha too takes the excuse to give the buckskin mare a bit of exercise under the bright waxing moon. Full soon, she reminds herself, measuring it with a judicious eye.

Besides, riding is as good an excuse as any for being out here, since it sounded from her note as if Kitakuhime wants to keep this quiet and casual. Otherwise, why not simply meet up in her tent?

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Another half lap around the field to get closer and Gekko slows down to a trot. "Iuchi-san," greets the Shiotome in her low-toned voice, "Good evening and thanks for joining me. I hope your day was pleasant."

She offers an arm shake from the saddle.

[Iuchi Saksaha]

Saksaha nudges Gio up to match Gekko's speed and returns the Battle Maiden's hand-clasp with a firm grip.

"Of course. And my day was peaceful enough, Otaku-sama. Except for a disturbance this morning, which I am told you saw personally." She looks the younger girl over more carefully now that they're riding closer together, glad to see no signs of injury. There's obviously nothing wrong with the speedy Gekko, either.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

She nods to the Iuchi positively, "It makes me happy."

As she puts both horses to coordinate their pace –– so one follows the other –– Kitakuhime focus on the conversation after taking another glance to the ominous moon. "I spoke with Dong-Ha-san earlier. He advised me to reach you to out and Batul-san. It is something of great importance, and discretion is required since the subject of the the event is taboo. Ide Dabo-sama is aware."

A smile opens up, and she asks, "Should I continue?"

[Iuchi Saksaha]

Gio can match Gekko's pace... as long as he sets a relatively gentle one. But it's not as if a hard gallop would be suitable for talking, anyway.

"You mean that... oni, or whatever it was?" If only they could speak Mekhem, this would be a much more discreet conversation. But the open space and their constant movement should make effective eavesdropping a challenge, at least.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

The trot might be noisy enough indeed, and Gekko is a gentleman of a horse, despite his accelerated metabolism.

She nods again to confirm her question, adding, "Your help would be very welcomed. We must find out 3 things: what caused its appearance; how we can we produce effective weapons; how can we predict its next visit."

[Iuchi Batul]

Batul wondered out to the fields. She felt good taking her shoes off and letting them seep into the sand. When she arrived she saw two fellow Unicorn dames and wondered to them.

"Otaku-sama, Saksaha-san." She greeted to one and the other with a bow. "Lovely evening it is, have you had your rice today?"

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Kitakuhime opens a open smile and –– striding by –– offers her arm to newcomer, signaling with her head that Batil could use it as leverage to mount up behind her, over Gekko's saddle.

[Iuchi Batul]

Batul grabs the hand of the Shinjo, and climbs up to the back of the steed, mostly thanks to the help of the Shinjo and not to her limited dexterity. "Thank you Kitakuhime-sama." She added as she stabilized herself on the horse. "What brings you to the fields?" She questioned, although it was clear that they had been talking about something of importance.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

"I am the one giving thanks here, Batul-san," She smiles to her, "I was briefing Saksaha-san with details from recent events. Unpleasant ones. Dong-Ha-sam recommended me to seek the ais of both of you. It is a matter that must be kept contained, else we risk dishonor this miai, and Ide Dabo-sama. May we count with you?"

[Iuchi Batul]

Batul looked with seriousness to the Otaku. Her clan needed her. But the whispers... was it that much of a serious thing? They were out in the open and nobody could possibly hear them. Nonetheless, the Iuchi replied in whispers as well. "If the clan needs my helb, then all that is needed to boint me in the way that is required to go. Shinjo Kitakuhime-sama has my total service and dedication. "

[Iuchi Saksaha]

As they ride, Saksaha will tell Kitakuhime the gist of the discoveries made when cleaning up after the oni that morning, assuming Kitakuhime doesn't already know these things--the terribly burned dead body found in Iuchi Tareef's tent, the likely conclusion that 'blood magic' had been used to summon the creature, and the knowledge of the protective power of jade.

"Ide Dabo-sama should know all these things also, if he does not already. And we must find a way to get some of this jade stone for our warriors if we can."

((moving things along a bit as this is already a past-day thread now!))

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

The Oratu explains she's taking directly with Ide Dabo to both shugenja and asks if they could be able to user their magic to benefit the Clan during the miai: enchanting items that would make the Shiotome capable of attacking the Shadowlands creatures.

--
Moving along...

[Iuchi Saksaha]

"I know no such magic, myself," Saksaha says regretfully. "If the other Clans' priests know this foe better, they might have something, but then we could not keep the secret so close."

She'll give Batul a chance to answer the question as well, then asks Kitakuhime, "Does Ide-sama know anything more about this jade or how to get it? Usagi Tomoe-san said it burns the flesh of those corrupted by Hell. There might be some way to turn that to our use if we had some, but I hardly know even where to begin asking."