[x] gman
You keep your eyes from widening in alarm, but it is a near thing. Inwardly, you curse. You should have known she'd find out about that eventually. Your caravan is small, and people talk. Of course the Ashigaru spoke amongst themselves, and the servants would naturally hear them. It was just a matter of time before Shasa learned of the incident as well.
You need to be careful about this. Shasa already got upset once before when she thought you were bragging and putting her down. You need to speak well so that she doesn't misunderstand your intent.
"It is true Shasa-san, I did encounter a spirit and was moved enough to help it with a matter it considered important," you say, taking care to consider your words. "I did not wish to brag so I did not speak of it to you. We of the Crab know that Courage and Loyalty are the most important parts of Bushido, but it does no harm to live by the other tenets like humility... Which is something I need to work on in all honesty."
"Ah," Shasa says. "You were afraid the conversation might go like our first one did." She gives an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry that I have caused you such worry."
"You've nothing to apologize for, Shasa-san," you say, perhaps a touch hastily. "I am the one at fault here. Still if you wish for me to tell that tale, I shall, although it is a small thing. If you do not, we can discuss other things."
"Please," Shasa says, waving a hand. "I would love to hear what happened. Tales involving spirits are always interesting."
"Very well," you say. "It would have been about three days after we first spoke. As I slept for the night, I found myself woken by a fox spirit. Naturally I was wary, but intrigued. I had never seen a fox spirit, or any spirit really. So I asked the fox what she wanted. The fox explained that long ago she had decided to I believe the term is 'prank' a monk, but the monk was pure and evaded her tricks...and the fox fell in love with him, deeply and truly, won over by the monk's heart and spirit I think. The fox took a form of a woman and courted him, they became man and wife."
"A tale of romance?" Shasa asks, looking intrigued. "How odd. I wouldn't think a spirit would be subject to such things as we mortals are."
"I would not know," you respond. You glance at the teakettle, but it is not yet boiling. "Much about spirits is a mystery to me. But, as you and I both know, even true love is not immune to tragedy. Some years into their relationship, the monk was struck down by a group of Samurai who believed he had shown them disrespect. Yet the fox stayed faithful to his memory, her heart unable to forget him. Thus the fox treasured the one keepsake she had of him from that time, a small pendant made of gold and jade she had given him in life."
"I think I see where this is going," Shasa says as she retrieves the kettle just as it begins to boil. She puts some tealeaves inside and lets it steep in the center of the table.
"It does seem to be going in a rather blatant direction, yes," you say. "To continue, as the fox chased off some minor spirits from Gaki-do, a band of Ronin came and found the pendant. These Ronin planned to participate in a Twenty Goblin Winter that they were sure was coming. So they took the pendant hoping to sell it in order to buy supplies."
"The fox must have been quite angry at that," Shasa says. She checks the tea and, nodding, pours two cups. She hands one to you and blows on her own before taking a sip. "To have such a meaningful heirloom stolen by a band of Ronin."
"Oh, the fox was furious," you say, taking a sip from your own tea and letting the warmth sink in. "But she was bound by the rules that governed her kind, which seemed to prevent her from harming the Ronin. Thus she sought out me for help and told me her story. I agreed to help, and with the approval of Yasuki-sama went with a pair of Ashigaru to speak to the Ronin. It was a little tense but the Ronin agreed to return the keepsake in exchange for some help getting them to the next village and providing for themselves until the Twenty Goblin Winter. That achieved, I returned to our camp and gave back the pendant." You give her a wry smile. "And that is my story Shasa-san, such as it is."
"And interesting tale," she says. "And told well enough." She gives you a little grin behind her cup as she takes another sip. "Perhaps a bit dry in the delivery, if you will allow an honest critique."
"By all means," you say, managing to restrain your blush at the way Shasa's smile lights up her face. "All I've said is true, but I'll admit I've much to learn about presenting stories."
"You'll have time to learn," Shasa says. "It's what Yasuki-sama wishes of you, after all." She grimaces a little and set down her cup. "I imagine my purpose in his plans, and likely the reason Yasuki-sama selected me when I made it known I desired to be a Yojimbo to one of the delegations, is because of my looks."
[] Write in.
