[Day 5, Early Morning] Start the Day Wrong (Invite Only)

[Nozomi]

"The difficulty with visions," Nozomi said, looking straight at Sora as she said it. "They can be interpreted in different ways. On the one hand it might be interpreted in exactly the way that I suspect that you have interpreted it. On the other, it may be something very similar. I recall well enough that he had a bird that followed him, which Crow did not take after or like much. I recall that there were creatures in that place that were duplicitous, cunning and took the forms of trusted creatures and faces. I recall also that there were things in that place which were in fact safe. Pure. Untouched. What came from that place was not always trustworthy."

"But, what I also remember is that Nanzi still wore jade when he left that place, and Shinsei spoke no ill of the bird. He may have brought something unhealthy with him, which resides beyond the river. It may be another form, another means. Not every threat in this world need be so direct as to crawl out of a great hole in the earth. Even that realm can use more subtle means." She frowned. "I am not saying that you are wrong, old friend. What I am saying is that we have no proof. And if we have no clear proof, we cannot act and must be wary and cautious. Find that proof, the truth so that it can be acted on before greater harm comes."

Because right now, she had only heard visions and vague memories of that damned bird. It was a possible explanation, but it was not the only one, and that was dangerous. While she could choose caution for a vision, just in case, to act against Hanananzi on a vision was ... risky at best.

[Jiyo Sora]

"There's more to it than that, Nozomi, and I spoke to Shinsei about it. He had misigivings about the bird, but none of us spoke out against it at the time because matters were... delicate. That may have been an error."

He tapped the cheekbone under his oracular eye.

"I could feel the bird fooling this. It was plainly nothing but a normal bird, and trying so very hard to convince me of it. It's quite a thing to experience. To experience it again, over a decade later, looking at an entirely different subject? Tenuous, but not to be ignored."

He sighed.

"But yes. Proof is required. I believe on of those indiscreet young gentlemen is working on that through a channel suggested by the Emperor. But while we wait on that, I had another question I thought I would put to the two of you- because all bullshit aside, I can trust you both not to sugarcoat your responses. My question is this... why is a marriage between a Crane heir and a trusted Crane vassal taking place in the Imperial City, so far from the Crane lands? Why here, specifically?"

[Togashi Satsuki]

"I... hmmm... don't know. I would've thought that, given my aunt's condition that it's only right that family steps in to oversee the wedding on her behalf, but..." she looked at Sora. "Then the question is why not uncle Nanzi? Or uncle Hantei given how close the Crane and Stag are? Surely he would've travelled to Crane lands or hosted the couple in his home, if the Crane had asked."

[Nozomi]

"I agree that it can't ever be ignored. I just know we're still fumbling in the dark about 'what' that bird might represent." There was a pause, and then she gave him a meaningful look. "Just because the realm of evil was in that place, it does not mean that it is the only thing that might interfere in this world, which we would consider sinister. There may be other, old powers we do not yet know. Proof and caution, old friend. I don't really trust that bird either, but I want to know why."

The question made her frown, and she settled back some. "Honestly, politics bores the hell out of me. No offense to those who engage in it. It felt like your uncle posturing, sending his daughter to the Imperial Capital to be married to her betrothed with as much fanfare as possible. Here, look at Nanzi. He is powerful, relevant. Everything is fine." She shook her head. "There could be more to it, but that is what I would see as your uncle's intentions. The man loves his pageantry."

Her eyes turned back towards Sora. "You clearly suspect something else, and I think I know the 'who' from the Doji, who really should be more careful how he speaks. His kin will notice eventually..." A pause. "You really don't trust that man, do you?" She was not referring to Nanzi as she said it.

[Jiyo Sora]

"If he even is a man. Again. When I feel the same thing I felt looking at the bird as I do looking at the man? I have my doubts."

He gave a sort of wry grin.

"As for his kin? They can go piss up a rope, Nozomi, and you know it. Especially if this particular bit of posturing had the impetus I suspect."

[Togashi Satsuki]

"And what if it's something else? What if this 'bird' has nothing to do with... whoever it is!"

She looked between the two old people. A little frustrated.

"Who?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Might be best if you don't know, Satsuki. That way anything you turn up can avoid confirming my biases."

[Togashi Satsuki]

Sora's answer didn't really alleviate the look of frustration on her.

"... Why am I even here then, if you guys aren't going to tell me anything?"

Nothing was on fire so she probably wasn't mad, but she was upset.

[Jiyo Sora]

"I thought you would be used to old people querying you for information without providing any?"

He half-smiled.

"My apologies, Satsuki, but my suspicions are highly dangerous- whether they're right or wrong. The fact that a certain young avian has evidently told them to Nozomi has me a bit nervous."

[Togashi Satsuki]

"That's not fair. I told you everything I knew."

The princess looked to Nozomi in hopes that she would be on her side.

[Nozomi]

"He had the lack of foresight not to ask my daughter to leave before he started explaining his concerns," she said in a very very wooden tone. "I had thought the concern was of minor and delicate nature, not ... that. However, Togashi-sama is not unfair in asking. We have brought her this far, and if she has reason to suspect, her mind can wander. So long as we agree that this does not leave the three of us until you have solid proof that can be acted upon, you may as well tell her."

"I don't like the man either, to be fair. But I haven't seen this sign. Then again, I suppose I haven't checked carefully." And in the back of her mind she realized she hadn't checked Nanzi's family for that other strange corruption in all the time that she'd known them, not since that first day. That might need to change. "That other bird is just lucky, very lucky that my daughter knows how and when to keep her big mouth shut."

She didn't tell him why she knew. That one, Sora knew.

[Jiyo Sora]

"As you like. Satsuki, I am trusting you as I would trust your mother, do you understand me? Do you understand the weight that carries?"

He waited for a nod or basic assent that nobody posting on a messageboard should realistically expect to wait, on, then continued.

"Hadananzi."

[Nozomi]

"We should not say his name again while we talk," Nozomi said in ascent to the decision, looking at the two of them. "We don't have proof, and without it, there is nothing to act on. I have always found him... untrustworthy in the way that a politically minded soul is untrustworthy. But, if he is as you say, he is much better than the creatures we met in that place at concealing his nature. I worry that even the obvious test would not work." She tapped her wrist through her sleeve, where both knew she had jade worn.

"And that is if. There are ... other possibilities. Several of them are potentially sinister in their own way, potentially good... even if I'd say it unlikely that the latter is the case with him. Remember that our old friend Koyama is not entirely human either, though he is a noble and good-hearted man whose powers are for his people and empire. It is good to remember that there are many things, some safe... some not that aren't as they seem. Some good, some... very much not." She didn't say Hadananzi was one way or the other, but her tone definitely didn't sound laudatory of the man.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Giving Sora the confirmation that she wanted to know, Satsuki was shocked that her cousin might have married a shapeshifting demon. One that her uncle might have brought home.

It was all conjecture, but if it was true, it was truly terrible.

"But what can we do?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Inquiries are being made through a channel suggested by the Boss. No, that is not a name I'm sharing. The thing to do- in case I'm right- is to be ready. Do you know any of the prayers cooked up after the trip South?"

[Togashi Satsuki]

"Nadare-sensei taught me the prayer that summons jade to hurt beings of the evil realm, and I always wear jade," she lifted the hand that had the jade bangle around her wrist. A gift from her most paranoid uncle.

"Fire probably burns just as good."

[Jiyo Sora]

"Keep them handy."

Said her other most paranoid uncle.

"And keep the fire ready in case it's something less... specialized. The Boss knows my suspicions, and can be assumed to be using the information as he sees fit. Now if the current talk of the court- and how pathetic, by the way, that little display of wounded pique was- and our chatty songbird can just keep from telling everyone in earshot what's going on until we have some actionable information..."

[Nozomi]

"Quite a few ifs there," Nozomi muttered, before sighing and nodding over at the Togashi. "But good. They've begun to develop prayers against it. The only one I knew with particular gifts in the old days was Haka, and ... let's just say that woman was unique. Keep that prayer handy, as Sora said. Even if this is not 'that' it is always good to be ready for that threat to resurface. We know that the prophecy is not yet fulfilled and the realm of evil intends to rise again. It may yet be in our lifetimes."

She breathed in and out. "The bird we haven't spoken of, the old one. He's aware too. We're cautious, obviously. We want to be sure. But if he is sure, I think you know he will act in the best interests of all, even if it means putting himself at risk. He's good at that." Another mutter and a shrug. "I am afraid that I don't have any way to inquire that I know of. But I can keep my eyes and ears peeled regardless. I already do anyway. Paranoia is a warm blanket I've slept under for a long time. Let's just hope some wagging tongues can still a little for now."

A pause. "I'm to meet with your other cousin today," she added, nodding to Satsuki. "Later. I will speak well of her father. Play things down. It might ease her own wagging tongue if someone reminds her that rumors are just rumors. The less eyes staring at this issue, the better."

(OOC: Also doesn't hurt that she rolled over 50 on that sincerity check. *whew*)

[Togashi Satsuki]

"Nadare-sensei knew such a prayer when travelling on the expedition, I think. Or he learned it there. Hard to tell with him sometimes because he's very sane as he would say."

Didn't really matter now though. He had taught it to her.

"But, if he is what you suspect him to be... there are various prayers and mystical powers that could possibly detect something amiss. But that would require doing it either in his presence or touching something that belongs to him. Both difficult... and it could slide off like Sora's stink-eye... but auntie Doji's problems aside; do you think that my cousins are in danger? Or all or us?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"Oh, we are most definitely in danger."

And it makes me feel so ALIVE, damn me.

"I seldom get visions that don't involve it in some way. Whatever the source, we've got trouble coming."

He paused.

"Especially with all of the birds getting close to town."