"A dire situation if true. Subtlety on the part of the realm of evil is a worrying prospect." Shinsei sighed. "If you're having visions of thunder, then we may not be in the clear yet. The time may soon come when we have to choose our own champions to fight, in a war the likes of which we've never s...

Shinsei was silent for quite some time as he listened to Yatsufusa, his expression remaining carefully neutral throughout. When he was given leave to speak, he waited still for a time before offering his thoughts. "There is a legend about a battle against Jigoku that takes place every thousand years...

Shinsei reached up to stroke Crow's beak idly. "Crow here has been with me for a long time, I can't imagine life without him." He smiled. "So tell me, Saru-san, why have you sought me out? Hoping for a kernel of wisdom to live your life by perhaps?"

Reimi would be surprised to have a companion in the form of a crow sitting on Shinsei's shoulder. As the questionably older man approached, he gave a soft smile to Yatsufusa, and bowed deeply, much to the irritation of the crow. "Greetings Saru-san, I am glad you have sought me out. Have you had you...

Shinsei frowned outright, then shook his head slowly. "I am afraid that this is beyond my experience. I cannot begin to say what is happening to Doji, or even make an educated guess. I am sorry that you came for answers only to find none forthcoming. I will devote my attention to these matters where...

"Hmm, you say she's been examined, and there are no signs of what's afflicting her?" Shinsei shook his head, worry lines appearing at the corners of his mouth. Things could never be simple it seemed. "Have you spoken to the Lady Doji about this matter directly? Is she afflicted beyond reasoning, or ...

Shinsei regarded the strange characters only for the barest moment, then turned his eyes away almost immediately. There was a slow shake of his head, and something that would be as close to a muttered curse as the monk ever got to. "I do not know what this is, and I'm not certain I wish to know more...

Shinsei let out a soft sigh. "It pains me to hear that the Lady Doji is suffering so, but I do not know that these things are related to corruption. There is much we do not know about its nature, and less that we can learn now that we've closed the main path into which it emerged into our realm. I w...

Shinsei gave a soft hum sound as he nodded, though whether to Hikaru or Nozomi was anyone's guess. "I am always open to counsel those in need. I only hope that my wisdom is up to the task being asked of me." He gestured towards a nearby rock, which he promptly sat down upon. "Ask what you will, and ...

They say if you speak their Name, then they shall appear. Such seemed to be the case with Shinsei, only answering to old crow rather than his name. The irregularly aging monk made his way from within the temple to stand a short distance away from Nozomi and Mayumi, in a position conferring respect t...

"An unfortunate necessity, but a necessity nonetheless. We may not like keeping secrets, but they do have their places and times. I only hope we can discover the proper defense before we find ourselves needing it drastically." Shinsei laughed, a loud and mirthful tone. "Ah, yes, pent up frustrations...

"And if I find one I shall be sure to tell you as well. I'm certain that there is one to be found, all things have a balance to them, just as jade counters one impurity, so must something else counter the other." "Ah yes, no coincidences." Shinsei chuckled lightly. "One might assume that both of us ...

"Just be forever mindful of what's at stake and you should be capable of discerning what to know and what to not know. I trust your judgment in that regard." At the question, Shinsei merely shrugged. "I came here for my own reasons, mainly to speak with emperor Shiba, but got snowed in with everyone...

"Then perhaps conversing with her again will reveal more of her true nature. One often can't progress in life without taking risks, and this seems like one worth taking, for now at least." Shinsei smiled. "I'm a man of many things, but broken promises is not one of them. Besides, I have more than ju...

"Ah, true, and it's crowded here as well. You've never been fond of being around so many people at once, and it's not like you can just tent up at the edge of the city here." Shinsei clucked his tongue. "Perhaps talking to Shosuro will shed some light on what's going on in his lands without ever hav...

"Corruption trapped by the snow? That almost sounds like one of the guests is the source of this corruption, as we're the only ones trapped here." Shinsei smiled softly. "If one can consider this place a trap. I'm sure you have some insight to provide to that end, I know how you detest being stuck i...

Shinsei puffed out a breath and shook his head slowly. "Always with the bad visions, that one. I'm sure it wasn't at all nice to hear about. Do tell me what he saw." He scratched at his cheek as he considered the issue of Shosuro, not quite sure where to place the girl. Shinsei had never met the wom...

Crow perked up at the talk of seeds, and eagerly flew to Mayumi.

Shinsei, for his part, managed to look concerned as Nozomi spoke about Shosuro. And even more concerned when she dismissed their daughter to go somewhere else while they spoke.

"This isn't going to be pleasant, is it?"

Another familiar presence would soon assail Nozomi's senses, but this one was a far more pleasant recollection. A familiar energy, and the scent of a familiar figure, with a familiar rock. Shinsei sidled his way up to the pair with an easy smile, and thumped his sitting rock down in what he consider...