OOC: I forgot this thread existed and wrote my reply without referencing it, so my apologies that it doesn't completely jive with what Logan wrote. Oh well. Adapt and overcome.
Early morning was a reserved time in the Ekohikei. Apart from the lowborn eta carrying out their menial duties, the streets were all but empty. Spring was not yet in full swing, though it was clear that winter’s end was at hand. It was almost comical to mention the start of spring, given how peculiar the winter had been. To the lone samurai who strolled across the Inner City this morning, memories of the Endless Summer inspired little mirth.
To most all citizens of the Emerald Empire, the position and accomplishments of this man, clad in the simple robes of a priest, would command attention, deference, and respect. He had grown accustomed to how others perceived him, treated him. Most all his days, and many of his nights, seemed swollen with the kind of conflict his clan eschewed. Audiences. Gifts. Performances. Casual conversations that were anything but. His duty demanded it of him, and he accepted without complaint.
Today, though, was different. He was not displaying his emerald magistrate badge, not dressed in the stately garb of a governor of the outer city, nor did he carry himself with the deportment of the spiritual advisor of the Mondai Ketsu, or the famed shugenja who dispatched an oni which fell from the sky above the Imperial Palace itself. Only the wakizashi he carried denoted him as samurai. He was all of those things, and much more, but today – for the next few hours at least – he would simply be Akira.
His friend awaited him upon the Southern Wall, according to the letter Akira received. The two would have tea and would speak on all that had transpired in their lives over the last several weeks. It was written on elegant paper and included a delightful drawing of a particular spot on the wall and a hint of cityscape behind it to provide context. Akira would expect nothing less from the head of the Imperial Cartographer's Guild.
What hadn’t been said in the letter was of far greater importance to Akira. The Kuni had seen something in his friend in the conflict with the False Prophet under the bowels of the Imperial Palace. It was something out of place with the natural order, and something that anyone else may have not taken in stride as Akira had. But how many in the Empire, even amongst the Kuni, could hold their experiences up to Akira’s and hope to come out even, let alone on top? This man knew there was a great deal more to the world than anyone seemed to appreciate. He must understand what he had seen before he could act upon it.
And so he responded eagerly to his friend’s letter, and he travelled without escort. The Crab did not fear Kinotu, but for the time being he did not completely trust him either. Yes, Akira would attend the meeting without an escort, but he did not come alone, for kami were everywhere, and he was their ally. Failing that, having a blade blessed by the Spirit of Creation itself didn’t hurt either.
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