[D1, LA] Ivindi Soak

[Hisomu Ayeka]

Ayeka nods. "If you must persuade only one person, then Shiba-Heika would be the most important to persuade. All of this being said, of course, I would not advise making a point of annoying one of the other Kami, since they are brothers and sisters." She smiles. "But if you are the person you have shown yourself to be thusfar, then I think you will have no concerns."

[Viveki Doshi]

"Thank you for the compliment." Viveki looks between them. "And thank you for the advice. That is very helpful. The Emperor sounds much like our Maharaja, but with more power. This is not surprising, given that the other families are all led by his offspring."

[Kuu]

"Perhaps we could arrange for someone from my order to visit your lands. Some of the heroes we honor are from the Nezumi empire. I imagine we might find heroes or stories of heroes in your land."

[Hisomu Ayeka]

"And of course, if relations do go well, we will send diplomats to your lands I am sure. Perhaps some of the Spider will be able to visit."

[Viveki Doshi]

"My family would welcome any visitors who wished to return with me. With our support, your diplomats and monks could likely secure an audience with the Maharaja, or failing that, some of the Kshatriya houses." She nods, convincing herself of her words.

"As for heroes, there are many in the Ivory Kingdoms, the greatest of which was Arun, an avatar of Vishnu the Preserver. He led an army of shapeshifting trickster spirits against Revan, the king of the Rakshasa, ending their reign of terror and delivering the Ivory Kingdoms into human hands."

[Kuu]

"Arun sounds like a great hero. He likely did much for even the people outside of the Ivory Kingdom by removing his enemy from power. It's a story that I would like to record if you would be willing to share it more fully. I am hosting a meeting of people tomorrow for the purposes of sharing such stories and honor their heroes."

[Hisomu Ayeka]

"My family would welcome any visitors who wished to return with me. With our support, your diplomats and monks could likely secure an audience with the Maharaja, or failing that, some of the Kshatriya houses." She nods, convincing herself of her words.

"As for heroes, there are many in the Ivory Kingdoms, the greatest of which was Arun, an avatar of Vishnu the Preserver. He led an army of shapeshifting trickster spirits against Revan, the king of the Rakshasa, ending their reign of terror and delivering the Ivory Kingdoms into human hands."

"I hope that such diplomacy can indeed prevail." She nods eagerly.

[Kuu]

"I suppose there are also transportation concerns too. When you came into the empire I imagine you entered in Stag lands. Did you then go overland through Scorpion lands to arrive here? Or did you take the coast through Crane lands? If trade happens with the capital, the route would probably be through Stag and one of those two clans' lands."

[Viveki Doshi]

"I am happy to share stories, though like Ayeka had told me earlier, I am not a great storyteller." She dips briefly beneath the water to melt the ice forming in her hair, then surfaces and wipes the water from her face.

"I believe it was through Stag lands? I hired a group of Nezumi to escort me through their lands and then north." There's a soft sigh. "It is a pity that the wedding was in winter. I was forced to leave my elephant behind, out of fear that she would not handle the cold well."

[Kuu]

"I see," he replies with a nod.

Frost was beginning to form on Kuu's hair, short as it may be. But rather than rinsing it out with the hot spring water he closes his eyes for a moment and focuses on his chi, rerouting the flow. His body flushes red and begins to warm. For about a minute the water around him starts to bubble as it boils on contact with his skin. And all the frost from his hair melts and steams away.

During all of this strange mystical mumbo jumbo, he continues as if nothing were happening.

"What exactly is an elephant? Is she some sort of associate or pet?"

----

D1 LA, Kiho, Meditation/Void, TN 15: 6d10o10k3 34 The Body is an Anvil for 6 rounds

[Viveki Doshi]

Viveki's eyes widen and she rather quickly puts some distance between her and monk, maneuvering so that Ayeka is between them.

"Ah, elephant? It is... a very large animal. Great teeth that just from the sides of its mouth, skin like iron... a long nose like a, ah... boneless arm? That it wraps around things it wishes to carry."

Her back bumps against the wall. "They are ridden by those they allow. Very strong. I have seen them throw large men dozens of feet when annoyed."

[Hisomu Ayeka]

Ayeka tends to notice things, and the sudden discomfort of Viveki did not escape, for certain. "Erm. Viveki-san, are you alright?"

[Viveki Doshi]

She motions toward the monk. "Is magic, yes?"

[Hisomu Ayeka]

"It... seems so. It is not something I am familiar with, I will admit." Despite this admission, she seems quite calm.

[Viveki Doshi]

Viveki glances toward the entrance, then slowly floats over to her towel, keeping her eyes on Kuu.

"Perhaps it is time that I return to my room. It is nearly time to prepare for the reception." She nods to her teo companions. "Thank you both for your conversations. I am looking forward to speaking more in the future."

[Kuu]

"Not magic exactly. More a realignment of my body's energy. I don't speak with spirits or kami for it," he says with a smile. "The truth is with time and focused training any person can do such things. It is a gift of being human rather than a gift from unknown powers."

[Hisomu Ayeka]

Viveki glances toward the entrance, then slowly floats over to her towel, keeping her eyes on Kuu.

"Perhaps it is time that I return to my room. It is nearly time to prepare for the reception." She nods to her teo companions. "Thank you both for your conversations. I am looking forward to speaking more in the future."

Ayeka's mouth opens, then closes after a moment. She nods her head. "I look forward to learning more of your language and people, Viveki-san. If I do not see you at the reception, I hope the rest of your evening is filled with blessings."

[Viveki Doshi]

She nods at the explanation, then bows to them both. "Thank you, yourselves as well."

Taking the towel in one hand, she turns and tries to psych herself up for what would surely be a very cold run back to the castle. Then she was in motion, not even slowing as she wraps herself in the towel and bee-lines her way toward warmth.

/cold exit

[Kuu]

He nods to Viveki as she exits, before turning to Ayeka.

"Perhaps she has a fear of magic?" Kuu wondered out loud. "Curious."

[Hisomu Ayeka]

"Perhaps if I get another opportunity to speak with her, I can discover any discomforts," she offers. "It would not do to make an Imperial guest uncomfortable or unwelcome."