Yesterday, you slew an oni. An oni born of Fuyu na Okaasan. Summoned at the behest of The Prophet. Disturbing thoughts such as these had played themselves out in Kuni Akira's mind for hours. Visions of the creature falling from the heavens into the Forbidden City would stay with him, but not in the way they would for the rest of those in attendance. The Crab was accustomed to the stuff of nightmares. He would file away the experience as another data point. Part of him lamented that he was unable to dissect the creature.
He thought as he walked, as he often did these days, en route from his residence to the Imperial Museum of Antiquities. He wore his typical roughspun blue-gray robes with the Crab mon on the back and his jade badge of office hanging from his waist. After the events of last night, and the Battle of the Emperor's Servants, he was grateful that he had the foresight to bring more than one set of robes with him from his family's estate in the Twilight Mountains.
The previous night had been profound. Without the troubled visions of his new associate Kitsu Okura, the Emperor may well be dead. Akira would be sure to reiterate that man's role in protecting the Son of Heaven to the Seppun. Though the Crab felt a swell of pride when he thought of his role in slaying the beast, he was quick to acknowledge the Lion's role in it all, even in his own mind. Besides, Kuni Yori would never stand for his pupil to dwell on his own ego.
Along the main roads of the Chisei District, one would be hard-pressed to know there was ever any fighting. This jewel of the Inner City was as resplendent as ever, no doubt owing its current state to the fawning of the Crane who controlled it. Doji Kurotema offered to make you a governor within Otosan Uchi. And that was before the oni. My, how far you have come. The Kuni let his mind wander for a minute or so about what he might do upon ascending to that position, but was brought out of his reverie when hailed by a guard at the entrance to the Karada. It was a formality at this point, but Akira would be the last man to hassle someone for adhering to his duty.
Today's purpose was to gain insight. From the multitude of visions he had seen, Akira knew that it would be perilous to free the Mother of Winter. So much depended on him and his friends. He wasn't overwhelmed at the prospect of Otosan Uchi being destroyed, however. The man reasoned it was no different than defending the Wall, for if the Wall fell, so too would the Empire. But freeing the most powerful spirit of Air he had ever known after months of torture was out of his depth. He needed advice.
After such a hectic night, and with Akira being eager to see this business done, he had not had time to send word of his visit. I suppose it is good that I am calling upon a fellow Crab, he mused. He hoped the other Kuni's pupil would eye him with less venom after he had spared her from execution, but he didn't hold that hope tightly.
As he approached the Museum, he took note of the scaffolding and the crew of laborers atop the roof. The Crab was grateful that his gambit had worked. Conflict between the Mondai Ketsu and Imperial Legions had been joined without the execution of an innocent woman or destruction of Imperial artifacts. Furthermore, he was blessed to have some measure of personal wealth to contribute to the repairs to help make amends for his unconventional tactic.
He walked through the main entrance and presented his chop, almost as though he were a guest to a private residence. In a lot of ways, he felt that was appropriate. Kuni Kasao likely didn't spend much time away from the museum. This place was as much his home now as was his private residence, Akira suspected.
"Please inform Kuni-sama that Kuni Akira requests to speak with him on a matter most urgent, and that I regret arriving unannounced. Circumstances in an investigation," he cupped his jade badge in his left hand, absently running his thumb along its carvings, "force me to act with great haste. I come seeking council from Kuni Kasao."
Akira made it clear that he would wait at the entrance to the Museum unless beckoned elsewhere. Considering his history with this establishment, he didn't want anyone to suspect he was up to something.