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wayfarers_lodgeOOC I have probably dicked up some of the linguistics in here >.< If you can see anything, please let me know!
Six years ago
Kasumi liked to sit and watch as people went by, while she worked on her embroidery between her chores. She had realised that, thanks to her quiet nature and her age, she was all but invisible to the bustle of the Second City, and that was the way that she liked it. It was even easier with her brothers around- while they were also quite serious children, they were louder and more apparent than she was, so much so that people sometimes forgot that Shin's little girl even existed. She preferred it that way, too.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to face Turo, her all-but uncle, who had been traveling with her father for longer than she could remember. He was quiet as well, but sometimes asked her what she had seen, and, of course, she told him. He knew what it was like to slip into that world, where you could see everyone, and they didn't even bother to notice that you were there.
"Kasumi, I have something... something for you," he said softly, and gestured for her to walk with him. She followed obediently, tucking her needlework away.
They walked a while in silence, watching the world rush past, until Turo spoke.
"What have you noticed today, Kasumi?"
"Today I have seen that the plum blossoms are in bloom, Toru-sama."
He nodded. "Yes, they are. What does that mean?"
"It means that soon those boughs will be gathered, to ward the people and their homes against evil, and the taint of the Shadowlands."
Turo nodded again, smiling a little. "Good. It also means that the court will be preparing for Spring. It is a good time to enter the game- the politics of the Winter Court will have settled, and there will be little immediate turmoil." He paused for a moment. "I have arranged a position for you at court. Just as a cleaner, but it is a good place to start."
She bowed to him, exactly as tradition demanded- she had no other way to show how happy and honoured she felt.
"Thank you, Turo-sama. I will make you proud."
"I know you will. Now, you will watch. Do not speak to anyone, unless they speak to you first. Do not draw attention to yourself. Observe the requirements of protocol to the very letter, and the very spirit. Be silent, be industrious, be invisible. When we get the chance, you will tell me what you have seen. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Turo-sama, very clear. Thank you for your instruction."
"You are welcome, little one. I look forward to hearing from you."
===
Kasumi's time at the court both matched and defied her expectations. The physical activity was more sedate, but the social side flowed and splashed like rapids over rocks. She watched as the savvy players of the court, usually the Crane, walked as wolves among foxes. They would circle around the weak, the isolated, the socially lame, and cut them off entirely from the rest of the court, before tearing them down. They moved as one to walk beside those that would give them favour, and then, in turn, offered their support to those people. It was brutal and ruthlessly efficient... and exciting.
This is the power I want, Kasumi thought to herself as she watched the delicate dance, This is what I was made for. I will make this my home, my game, my reason and downfall. I will live and die by these rules, and it will be worth it.
Sometimes there were outside visitors and influences, which changed the game again. A particular pair of courtiers, a Dragon and a Scorpion, were her favourite to watch. Young, ambitious Crane courtiers would circle around, trying to wheel the pair apart as prey. The Dragon would raise an eyebrow, or cross her arms, dismissing their words with a single motion. The Scorpion, however, would invite the to come closer with a beckoning hand. He would whisper something to them, hiding his lips from prying eyes, and the hungry pack would scatter, confused and frightened at what they were told. This odd couple quickly became her favourite to watch, trying to work out who they were, and what their part in the game was.
One day, Kasumi looked up from her work as another fruitless wave battered itself against that social fortress, and found the Scorpion looking at her. As she met his gaze, she saw his lips curl upwards with a triumphant smile. Cursing herself, she looked away, but she knew that it was already too late.
===
He found her again, as the flow of the evening drew to a climax, when there was no one to pay attention. He paced an arc around her, the sharp angles of his lacquered mask shining in the lantern light.
"I see you here every day, before sunrise, working and watching. I wonder what you see."
She kept her eyes to her work, not daring to look up.
"Kakka-sama, I am sorry, but my master has asked me not to speak to anyone when I am working."
"Really?" He sounded amused. "And who is your master?"
"He is the most honourable Turo-sama of the Wave's Strength, if you wish to speak to him, kakka-sama."
The Scorpion sniffed derisively, and Kasumi finally looked up, straight into his keen, dark eyes. She could feel him unraveling her with his gaze, looking straight through her, and seeing all her motivations, desires, and feelings. It only took a moment for her to tear her eyes away, but again, it was already too late.
The Scorpion's smile deepened, just a little, and he nodded
"If you would rather learn from a worthy teacher, rather than this-" he sniffed again "-ronin, you may find me in my quarters tomorrow morning at nine."
A rare spark of anger flared inside Kasumi, and she struggled to keep her face calm as the Scorpion turned to leave.
"With respect, kakka-sama, please do not insult my family again."
She knew that she had spoken disrespectfully, and was willing to accept her punishment for defending her uncle, but the Scorpion gave no indication that he had heard her as he left.
===
The next morning, just before nine, Kasumi's father stopped when he found her working on her embroidering.
"Kasumi, don't you have an appointment this morning?"
"No, I don't," she replied, eyes on her needlework, "I will not receive tuition from someone who insults my family."
Somehow, Shin managed to look proud and exasperated at the same time.
"I... look, Kasumi, just come with me."
He held out his hand, and she followed him, puzzled and curious, as they wandered through the halls of their lodging-house. Before too long, her father stopped at a door, and rapped on it sharply.
"Turo! Kasumi says that you insulted her family."
The door opened, and Turo stepped to greet them, smiling widely. Looking up at him, Kasumi realised that the eyes behind the Scorpion's mask looked a lot like her uncle's.
She scolded herself inside as schooled her face into her most calm expression.
"I believe that I have nothing more to say."
Turo laughed with delight, and pushed the door all the way open, gesturing for his student to come inside for her lessons.
Six years ago
Kasumi liked to sit and watch as people went by, while she worked on her embroidery between her chores. She had realised that, thanks to her quiet nature and her age, she was all but invisible to the bustle of the Second City, and that was the way that she liked it. It was even easier with her brothers around- while they were also quite serious children, they were louder and more apparent than she was, so much so that people sometimes forgot that Shin's little girl even existed. She preferred it that way, too.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to face Turo, her all-but uncle, who had been traveling with her father for longer than she could remember. He was quiet as well, but sometimes asked her what she had seen, and, of course, she told him. He knew what it was like to slip into that world, where you could see everyone, and they didn't even bother to notice that you were there.
"Kasumi, I have something... something for you," he said softly, and gestured for her to walk with him. She followed obediently, tucking her needlework away.
They walked a while in silence, watching the world rush past, until Turo spoke.
"What have you noticed today, Kasumi?"
"Today I have seen that the plum blossoms are in bloom, Toru-sama."
He nodded. "Yes, they are. What does that mean?"
"It means that soon those boughs will be gathered, to ward the people and their homes against evil, and the taint of the Shadowlands."
Turo nodded again, smiling a little. "Good. It also means that the court will be preparing for Spring. It is a good time to enter the game- the politics of the Winter Court will have settled, and there will be little immediate turmoil." He paused for a moment. "I have arranged a position for you at court. Just as a cleaner, but it is a good place to start."
She bowed to him, exactly as tradition demanded- she had no other way to show how happy and honoured she felt.
"Thank you, Turo-sama. I will make you proud."
"I know you will. Now, you will watch. Do not speak to anyone, unless they speak to you first. Do not draw attention to yourself. Observe the requirements of protocol to the very letter, and the very spirit. Be silent, be industrious, be invisible. When we get the chance, you will tell me what you have seen. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Turo-sama, very clear. Thank you for your instruction."
"You are welcome, little one. I look forward to hearing from you."
===
Kasumi's time at the court both matched and defied her expectations. The physical activity was more sedate, but the social side flowed and splashed like rapids over rocks. She watched as the savvy players of the court, usually the Crane, walked as wolves among foxes. They would circle around the weak, the isolated, the socially lame, and cut them off entirely from the rest of the court, before tearing them down. They moved as one to walk beside those that would give them favour, and then, in turn, offered their support to those people. It was brutal and ruthlessly efficient... and exciting.
This is the power I want, Kasumi thought to herself as she watched the delicate dance, This is what I was made for. I will make this my home, my game, my reason and downfall. I will live and die by these rules, and it will be worth it.
Sometimes there were outside visitors and influences, which changed the game again. A particular pair of courtiers, a Dragon and a Scorpion, were her favourite to watch. Young, ambitious Crane courtiers would circle around, trying to wheel the pair apart as prey. The Dragon would raise an eyebrow, or cross her arms, dismissing their words with a single motion. The Scorpion, however, would invite the to come closer with a beckoning hand. He would whisper something to them, hiding his lips from prying eyes, and the hungry pack would scatter, confused and frightened at what they were told. This odd couple quickly became her favourite to watch, trying to work out who they were, and what their part in the game was.
One day, Kasumi looked up from her work as another fruitless wave battered itself against that social fortress, and found the Scorpion looking at her. As she met his gaze, she saw his lips curl upwards with a triumphant smile. Cursing herself, she looked away, but she knew that it was already too late.
===
He found her again, as the flow of the evening drew to a climax, when there was no one to pay attention. He paced an arc around her, the sharp angles of his lacquered mask shining in the lantern light.
"I see you here every day, before sunrise, working and watching. I wonder what you see."
She kept her eyes to her work, not daring to look up.
"Kakka-sama, I am sorry, but my master has asked me not to speak to anyone when I am working."
"Really?" He sounded amused. "And who is your master?"
"He is the most honourable Turo-sama of the Wave's Strength, if you wish to speak to him, kakka-sama."
The Scorpion sniffed derisively, and Kasumi finally looked up, straight into his keen, dark eyes. She could feel him unraveling her with his gaze, looking straight through her, and seeing all her motivations, desires, and feelings. It only took a moment for her to tear her eyes away, but again, it was already too late.
The Scorpion's smile deepened, just a little, and he nodded
"If you would rather learn from a worthy teacher, rather than this-" he sniffed again "-ronin, you may find me in my quarters tomorrow morning at nine."
A rare spark of anger flared inside Kasumi, and she struggled to keep her face calm as the Scorpion turned to leave.
"With respect, kakka-sama, please do not insult my family again."
She knew that she had spoken disrespectfully, and was willing to accept her punishment for defending her uncle, but the Scorpion gave no indication that he had heard her as he left.
===
The next morning, just before nine, Kasumi's father stopped when he found her working on her embroidering.
"Kasumi, don't you have an appointment this morning?"
"No, I don't," she replied, eyes on her needlework, "I will not receive tuition from someone who insults my family."
Somehow, Shin managed to look proud and exasperated at the same time.
"I... look, Kasumi, just come with me."
He held out his hand, and she followed him, puzzled and curious, as they wandered through the halls of their lodging-house. Before too long, her father stopped at a door, and rapped on it sharply.
"Turo! Kasumi says that you insulted her family."
The door opened, and Turo stepped to greet them, smiling widely. Looking up at him, Kasumi realised that the eyes behind the Scorpion's mask looked a lot like her uncle's.
She scolded herself inside as schooled her face into her most calm expression.
"I believe that I have nothing more to say."
Turo laughed with delight, and pushed the door all the way open, gesturing for his student to come inside for her lessons.
