Wings of Darkness (D2, Early Night)

[Togashi Udo]

"The ninth Kami...? Otaku-sama, it may not be wise to meet. The ninth Kami rules over Jigoku." Udo's eyes narrowed to try to see the birds better.

"I am your servant in this, but be aware of who you speak to."

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OOC: I think this is something Udo would know?

[Moto Khulun]

Khulun looks to the Otaku as the birds seem to be addressing her.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Otaku-shiryo sacrificed herself to protect Isawa and banish the Ninth. How does the Dark Kami still have servants?

"Shinjo-no-kami showed us Compassion. She reached out to aid her brother, but he would not listen. Instead, he attacked her. Until there's sign of redemption for such offense, the treatment our most beloved Kami received will be retributed in greater measure."

Gekko rears loudly, his front hooves challenge the beasts to approach and then he slams them back to the ground in a thunderous stomp. "Begone!"

[Moto Khulun]

The Moto princess turns her gaze back to the Herald and waits for the reply as her hand falls to her hilt. Maybe they could have at least listened to this Onyx Champion but the Otaku had spoken.

She adds, “Maybe this Kiyoshi seeks to make amends for such an offense.”

[Mindshred]

A few of the crows launch themselves into the air as the Otaku steed slams its hooves to the ground.

"...if that is the choice of the Otaku..."

The birds turn their rotting heads toward Khulun.

"...what say the Moto...?"

[Moto Khulun]

She lowers her head in thought; on the one hand this creature served the dark brother one who was defeated at great cost so why come to them, but on the other there could be something worth learning to make the Moto strong. There must be a reason and she was no coward and this was started with her and it should end with her.

“You have not harmed any of our people, you have acted with peace but you are a servant of the Dark Brother, Onyx Champion,” she says aloud as she considers the words.

“The Otaku have spoken and so shall the Moto, you have a message and I will hear it. Then I will decide, but know this Onyx Champion, we will not turn against Unicorn. Four days and we meet, no tricks,” Khulun says confidently.

[Mindshred]

There's a soft rattling from the crows that might have been laughter.

"...an ally who turns against her own people... is not an ally worth having..."

A few of the undead birds glance toward Udo and Kitakuhime, but most keep their attention upon Khulun.

"...bring one from the Ide, Shinjo, and Iuchi... but no others..."

As one, the birds launch themselves into the air, their wings beating against the night as they spiral upwards into a widening gyre. A few black feathers drift downward as the birds depart, leaving the samurai along in the moonlit field.

[Moto Khulun]

Khulun waits for the last of the dead to be gone from sight before she says, “Thank you for coming Dragon, this mystery gets darker but soon we will know the truth of things.”

“Otaku-hime, at least we now have a name.”

[Togashi Udo]

Udo watches the birds leave in silence.

"Of course. I am unneeded for the next, but my thoughts and company are available to both of you... And all confidences will be kept."

[Moto Khulun]

“Thoughts, Dragon… I am sure you have words,” Khulun says.

[Togashi Udo]

"My words are prayers for the safety of my friend. You are brave, and I fear not for your honor." He pauses.

"We have not known each other long..." an invisible blush in the dark, "but you may call me Udo. We share this thing now, and I share it gladly."

[Moto Khulun]

“My name has not changed Dragon… Sayyed Udo, call me as you wish. I welcome your words as the date trees welcome the rains. We walk a dark path and I know not of this Onyx Champion, do you know of this? I should try and learn all I can before my next meeting,” she says thoughtfully.

“Ah and this is Oguro,” she gestures to her horse who ignores the Dragon and chews on the grass.

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

The Moto princess turns her gaze back to the Herald and waits for the reply as her hand falls to her hilt. Maybe they could have at least listened to this Onyx Champion but the Otaku had spoken.

She adds, “Maybe this Kiyoshi seeks to make amends for such an offense.”

It takes some time for Kitakuhime to process what just happened. Her eyes couldn't leave Khulun, while her mind raced through a myriad of unpleasant thoughts.

Snapping out, she replies, a tad sorrowful first, "Khulun-san..." then, somehow harsher later, "Seeking alliance against a common enemy doesn't sound like an amendment. There should be no offering from our part to earn a sincere apology. It must come freely."

[Moto Khulun]

“We lose nothing to listen; I will not leave a thing half done. This Onyx Champion wants something, I will listen to find out what,” she says to the Otaku.

“We have four days to prepare, I will speak to he others and see.”

[Otaku Kitakuhime]

Gekko wiggles its head and neighs again. The Shiotome pats his neck to calm the horse down and replies to Khulun, "We have been attacked recently. That creature, now these birds. There's nothing peaceful with their actions. How come you say we lose nothing?"