[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] [center][url=https://youtu.be/9FvvbVI5rYA?t=55]🐉[/url][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@The Irish Tree][@Crowvette][/sub] [b]Terauchi Temple[/b] [hr] [quote=Ayu][color=ed1c24]"Anyway, you and Liliana have definitely earned some rest. If you'd like, we've got some nice, hot springs near here. Feel free to take a dip and relax. Anyway, I've got other stuff to handle so I'll see you around."[/color][/quote] [color=0072bc]"Thank you, I might do just that."[/color] Shizuka replied. Apparently he was too tired to think of what might ensue, given that he was leading a taskforce full of mamono. Indeed, it seemed not to have crossed his mind even once. He had grabbed some available rations while walking within the temple, mainly consisting of onigiri and some fried tofu pieces, and ate them as he walked. He past by Liliana and Io while on the way; they seemed to be engaged in causal conversation that sparked some interest to spark from them. Seeming teammates actually getting along for once brought a smile to the ronin's face. He felt it best not to disturb them for now and continued on his way. Though, he thought he might ask Io about what may have been going on with Alice. Shizuka wasn't too knowledge about cursed weaponry, and he felt strange chi coming off the mushroom on her head. It felt like it was someone else's entirely, like she had some other presence inside of her wrestling for control. He then overheard some gossip from the locals. All he could do was mentally sigh at the ignorance of the natives. [i][color=0072bc]I won't say anything.[/color][/i] He thought. [i][color=0072bc]Having been in isolation all this time, I guess it's no surprise they still think like that. But still...[/color][/i] The ronin chose to forgo engaging the natives, feeling they would just see him as an incubus in the making - having fallen for their demonic charms. They probably already see him as that anyway. His garments lying on the side, Shizuka had fully dipped into the hot spring and already felt it's rejuvenating effects. Still munching on some of his rations, he took sometime to reflect on past events and even some more personal thoughts. [color=0072bc]"And here I thought my man-slaying days were behind me. I know Kyouko-sama explained that conflict would be a possibility, but to this extent is..."[/color] Since coming to Shizuyama, the swordsman felt that he was reliving days long since past. Days he truly wanted to put behind him. He also thought of the miko and the group of island defenders they had briefly skirmished with the other day. He wondered if they were still alive and thought they'd be nice to have as allies. Unfortunately, chances were if they were to run into one another again they just either try to fight or flee again. [color=0072bc]"I tried to hold back on her account, but that wound I inflicted might've cut too deep. Hopefully it heals alright."[/color] [color=0072bc]"I wonder. In doing this, I am upholding the true values of Teikoku Arashi-ryu? I wonder if father would agree."[/color] He soon decided it'd be best not to dwell on negative thoughts for too long. After he rested up, he check on the other members in the temple and see if there was a way to keep himself busy. He might take on a quest or to with them. While Shizuka usually took on solo missions, he knew not to test his luck in this environment. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center] [center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfOVMI-pKw]🌀[/url][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@Hammerman][/sub] [b]The Headman, Onrai Woods[/b] [hr] Listening to Sorae's explanation, it seemed that there first target in the hunt for Sogen would be his brother Dosan. Having gotten the since that he wasn't very good at covering his tracks, the followed her lead as they made their way through the countryside. Like she mentioned, following this trail was quite simple and keeping out of sight among the trees required little effort as well. Upon closing in on him, Sorae suggested they simply jump him now for interrogation. [quote=Lunatea]"Do we have to ambush him right away? We can just follow him to his hideout, no?" "And please refrain yourself from killing him before we get the information we need."[/quote] [color=9e0b0f]"Perhaps we should take heed to Luna-chan's words."[/color] Atsuha chimed in, recalling what happened during the last mission. [color=9e0b0f]"If we see where's he's going, he may even lead us to Sogen himself. Worst comes to worst, we should still be able to track him. After all, once mamono have read a person's chi they're not exactly hard to find."[/color] She said as she reasoned with Sorae. Hinami drew close to Luna and poked her shoulder to get her attention. She then whispered in her ear so that only Luna would hear it. [color=7bcdc8]"Please don't be too stern with Sorae-san, she's been through alot. We worry about her quite a bit.."[/color] She muttered to Luna.