[center][h3]Eiseikato[/h3] [b]Friday, June 3rd 20XX Morning[/b][/center] [hr] The city of demons is an interesting, otherworldly location, existing within the pocket realm owned by Kuzunoha who rules it as a haven for all yokai to find refuge. Yokai though, are creatures of the night, and so it was natural that in this city, it would always be night, save for the lights of the market districts and houses. It's population numbered just under several hundred, and kept itself going by trading with the outside world through private networks. Sitting atop the pinnacle of this city was Kuzunoha, perched atop the inn that she runs, the Rakkaden [落花伝], in a room with a view over her domain. She takes a puff of her pipe as she looks over the city once more, before she addresses the people seated within the room. All were seated in two neat rows, some kitsune maids were filtering out of the room, having left some meals for these unique patrons. Sitting behind her was a selection of yokai, among them included the head of the Koujou family, Yukihara, and the Suzaku Hinoyama. There were a few others including what appeared to be a kamaitachi with a veritable amount of scars, some appearing in their human forms, and then one towards the back that appeared as if he had walked right out of a samurai film. [color=8dc73f]"So why have you called us here Lady Kuzunoha?"[/color], first spoke the kamaitachi. There was silence, she took yet another drag of her pipe, before turning just a bit to indicate her acknowledgement. [color=662d91]"In such a rush to get to business? Ever the diligent one aren't you Youhaku?... Very well, we all have business to attend to"[/color], she turned herself around to face the group that had gathered. Everyone here ran something within Eiseikato, the council so to speak, who answer directly to Kuzunoha. [color=662d91]"I have called you all here to address matters regarding the fragments of the Sessho-seki"[/color], there were some whispered murmurs. The Sessho-seki, the vaunted jewel said to house the power of one of the great evils of Japan, Tamamo no Mae, a yokai so powerful she had rivalled a god. [color=662d91]"It appears one of them has been been detected within Kyoto. Of course... This cannot stand"[/color], the ancient fox pulled her paper fan near her face and fanned it out, at the very same moment the scenery within the room appeared to change as she displayed her powerful illusion abilities, though not for any vanity. In the empty center of the room was a small miniature version of Kyoto. [color=662d91]"Now... Youhaku, you as the representative from the Yatagarasu will have to inform us what you can about the situation. What has been happening the last few days?"[/color], the kamaitachi bowed humbly, before he began to speak, the map in the center changing to match what he was saying. [color=8dc73f]"Thank you, Lady Kuzunoha. There are a few things I need to address, before I get to the Sessho-seki"[/color], he began. [color=8dc73f]"First, over the past month, members of the Kaganomiya Family have been targeted by assassins. Just yesterday an attempt was made on the last lively member, though it was thwarted through sheer dumb luck, it's not likely those affiliated will let that stand"[/color], the map lit up around the Kiyomizu-Dera to indicate the location of the attack. [color=8dc73f]"Next, there have been sightings of unaffiliated yokai in the outskirts of the city. Scouts report that some of them are not simply yokai attracted to the Sessho-Seki's power, as some of the movements seemed deliberate. We have reason to believe that they are associated with our assassin. Unfortunately I have been forbidden from revealing any details about the assassin"[/color], there were some disgruntled murmurs in response, showing some disdain for that matter. The map lit up in various spots around the map. [color=8dc73f]"Finally, the Sessho-Seki. I'm afraid while we have not managed to pinpoint it's location, some of our scouts reported it was detected near or around the sight of the attack from yesterday. Speculation tells us that we may find our stone if the assassin is captured, although... They had given us the slip yesterday, but it is a lead nonetheless"[/color], a pause followed as he bowed, signifying the end of his report. [color=662d91]"I see. There are also... Rather interesting players on this board, not as mentioned. Barring the Fujiwaras, and the other exorcist houses, the last lively member of the Kaganomiyas you speak of... She is the Blessed one is she not?"[/color], with reluctance, Youhaku had nodded. It appears that information was not something he was supposed to share, but it was something the Lady knew of anyways. [color=662d91]"Hmhm... Considering the deity that has blessed her, the presence of the Sessho-Seki is... Not unexpected then. My worry however is not it's presence. A gathering of demons is hardly something this city can't handle, no... Someone means to do something with the young lady too"[/color], Youhaku looked at Kuzunoha with an expression of surprise, or shock, some form of fear involved too. [color=662d91]"The assassinations leading to this month, where a conference had been held, one that required the presence of a Kaganomiya... I do believe our assassins had planned this for some time now, and they have had the Sessho-Seki for quite some time already. For what that is... Well, I can only imagine. Hopefully we will not have to imagine that. It is risky... But I suggest everyone here begin to start tapping into their Kyoto connections, my numerous fox familiars aren't able to keep track of everything, we want eyes and ears everywhere. I make myself clear?"[/color], in unison, everyone in the room bowed and gave an affirmative response. [color=662d91]"Very good, now then... Let us return to our own parlours"[/color], and with that, everyone had slowly filtered out of the room, one by one. Some of them chatting on the way out, and others already with their attendants giving them orders. The only one that remained was Youhaku. [color=662d91]"Hm, have you not business of your own, Vice Commander of the Yatagarasu?"[/color], she addressed him teasingly. [color=8dc73f]"Of course, but I have yet one question... Tamamo-no-Mae, Otakemaru, and Shuten-Douji... Do you truly believe they can return?"[/color], the question was snapped as Kuzunoha returned her fan to it's folded position, as she turned back around to face the city. [color=662d91]"Such an absurd question, though no less absurd than someone earlier. There are yokai that believe they can, to believe that they can be led to the golden age from centuries ago, and that belief is enough for something to return in this world of demons"[/color], Youhaku turned away a bit, then gave a bow. The answer was not satisfactory, but he knew he would not get a clear cut answer, before disappearing in a soft gust of wind. [h3]Koyuki[/h3] [@Amaterasu] [hider] Koyuki woke to a morning alongside others of her kind. A strangely comforting experience she had not had before, everyone seemed to have been rather nice, but strict in their running of the place. Some were even interested in how she had attained a brilliant white coat, as most foxes here had an orange one. Others kept to themselves, but did not create any trouble. She expected to have to report to Kuzunoha again, but instead she was told that all of her instruction for each working day at the inn was to be from the manager in charge at the time. [color=fdc68a]"Now then, Koyuki, today we will be going shopping"[/color], shopping? Such a simple task, but given this was an Inn... The manager had assigned a senior to her, who called herself Kohane. She was a taller kitsune, only two tails, but she's seen her work. She's really good at cleaning and doubles in the kitchen during dinner. [color=fdc68a]"We'll be meeting with suppliers today in order to make sure we'll be well-stocked for the next month. This is mainly just to let you get to know who else works with the Inn, it's pretty boring work, but since you're new to this city maybe you'll find some fun just looking around"[/color], she pointed out. [color=fdc68a]"Anyways, get ready and meet me at the front of the Inn in ten minutes, we'll be out for more than a few hours, so bring a bag. Also, don't change out of the Inn uniform, people we approach need to know where we're from"[/color], and with that she let Koyuki do her preparations. [/hider] [h3]Icarus[/h3] [@Ginnungagap] [hider] Hinoyama was a... Laid back teacher. Icarus had woken up late... Or was it early? He could not tell with there being no sun, and thus, only an endless night. Over the last 24 hours, this little house in the shrine had become quite familiar, partly because it was kind of small. It was packed to the brim with old scriptures and books, most of these were in old Japanese, but the fellow firebird was kind enough to demonstrate them. They were... Spells...? As Hinoyama had informed him, spells were much more useful for yokai who had a large source of magic to pull from. Namely themselves. Other than that, he was told to do his training first. Which was of course... To die. Without dying. It was an absurd concept, and how was he to reach it? There were various ways, according to Hinoyama, but in whatever case, it never seemed clear. To burn out and then return? To be a stubborn fire that refused death while treading the line? Or was it a mental thing? It was described by Hinoyama quickly. He actually does die, but revives faster than his body and fire can deteriorate. That was even more absurd. How does one do that? In any case... This morning, Hinoyama didn't seem to be anywhere... Perhaps he can get another peek at those scriptures? Or he can continue his training. Of course, he also had the option of just hitting town for a bit, if he felt like playing hooky. [/hider] [h3]Tsurara[/h3] [@Lord Indra] [hider] Tsurara was put into a small apartment above a store just down the street, selling some rather nice Japanese sweets. It was run by an old lady kappa who occasionally came up to give her a pack, in fact she was waking up to the knock on her door to be given more. This time it was daifuku, black bean filling. She can enjoy that now or later, up to her, but she had to get going for Yukihara's lessons, else she would come hunting her down with a naginata. Despite her rebellious streak as a Yuki-Onna, it was not enough to shake off the fear of death itself, though she knew she would not do such a thing, the glare and killing intent was the real deal. Did she hate Tsurara or something? Well in any case... She had to get going. ---- To her surprise as she arrived, so did Tsurara expecting to see her already in the parlour, but she was also accompanied by two others from her staff. [color=6ecff6]"Hm, if I had no business at the Rakkaden, I would count this as you being late, but it appears you are lucky today. Please try to arrive earlier from now on"[/color], she coldly told her as she walked in. Tsurara followed in after her. Pretty soon, everyone was settled in the room, various female yokai sat in seiza in a grid formation in front of Yukihara. It was... Sort of like homeroom. Although, this class only consisted of maybe seven people. [color=6ecff6]"Today's lesson we shall be cooking. I will provide a shopping list for everyone, and once you all return, we shall begin the cooking. Why I have not bought them myself, well, that is because shopping and picking out the best ingredients is all part of your class. You will learn that the quality of your ingredients will be reflected in your cooking, and of course... Your skill as a cook will also be reflected. Now then, make your preparations. Be ready in front of the parlour in twenty minutes, and I will then present you with your shopping lists. Dismissed"[/color], today seemed simple enough. Cooking and buying ingredients... They were vital aspects of a housewife and her ability to provide for her husband. It made sense. Well, there was nothing else but to prepare... [/hider]