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[ Month of Chill, Haschou Village / Moriya Manor ]
It sounded like the priestess and the one with the bright hair had made up their minds. They didn't have much trust in Cirika's offer to serve her. But that left a bit of a dilemma, on a part of the group. A certain part of them were wanting to go ahead with it, and another part against.
There was also that part about Kiri suddenly appearing from her Pillow Fortress but that was besides the point.
To that, Lord Moriya visibly could be seen visibly sighing a bit at his daughter's sudden intrusion... but didn't go beyond that. The scolding, and literally sleeping with the outsiders, was something that would have to come a bit later.
The two were hard headed.
"I don't know what a Shine Maiden is exactly. Unless you being a Shrine Maiden implies you'll be compelled to ask of donations of our scarce supplies then I have no reason to concern over what you profess yourself to be. If your definition of 'freedom' is asking around the town like any traveler, then fine. No harm done. If you are implying we give you free access to the Keep, the Stores, or the Hallow then that is a definite no."
@RedArmyShogun
Brushing off his shoulder, Lord Moriya continued.
"Like any visitors, refrain from causing any sort of trouble with the townspeople or guards and we'll leave you be."
Lord Moriya's eyes fell on Kei. Who instinctual glared back at the noble.
Moriya was not perturbed though. The look he gave back to Kei was cold - like a man deciding whether or not to kick a dog for being disobedient.
"We shall especially be keeping an eye on that blue haired one. Be sure to keep your Feeble Minded one to heel. Won't be responsible if the guards deem him a threat that need be exterminated, talking about attacking the Daimyou's Family like it be the weather."
@Karyra
Finally Lord Moriya's eyes fell on...
Saburo.
He walked right up to Saburo. His stare was intensely burning right through Saburo's eyesockets.
"And you. If you are the only refugees to escape such a man then he must be move Quick, or this king is quite thurough in his exterminations. I think I'll go ask around the 'neighborhood' a little, about how they feel about it. We shall most certainly be having a talk later on, boy. And for your sake, let us hope my neighbors like your story."
Saburo didn't like the undertones of what had just been said.
Did he just formulate a lie in front of someone who he should've been trying to lie to? C!@).
@Rithas
"So then, Lady Cirika. How may you proceed? Most of them have agreed to help, so why not take in those ones under your wing?"
Thinking for a moment, Cirika seemed to be a little torn. A little disheartened too even as subtle inflections in her expression seemed to fight over how exactly to respond to these 'responses'. She looked between Rumiko and Kei for a moment.
"I'm sorry."
"I suppose it was a bit too abrupt to ask such a think of you all. After all, we've all just met."
"Please forget that I even suggested it."
Looking over to Cirika, Lord Moriya closed his eyes for a moment.
"Alright then, you lot. Suppose the order of the day is to get your clothes back then."
"And, after that, I'd like for you to kindly get out of my home."
[ Month of Chill, Haschou Village / Outside Moriya Manor ]
The group was now outside. Feeling the bracing cold. Frost had most certainly set in. And right now, some of them were dressed woefully for such weather. Looking onto the group in the snow, towards the entryway of the manor was Lord Moriya with Kiri beside. They looked on as Cirika attempted to set up the travelers for what lay ahead.
"It's rare to see Lady Cirika affected by someone's words before.." Lord Moriya said.
"But I'm sure she learned something from it. Trying to be kind to strangers is most often folly."
Kiri got a sense of what Cirika was attempting to do, offering to make them her servants. If they had taken that deal, they would've been a part of her retinue. Even as basically warriors, that would've given them access to the lodgings and food rations of the town guard. But, as it stood now, the travelers were going to have to find a way to provide food and shelter on their own.
"Kiriha. I'd presume Lady Cirika is returning back to the Keep. Mind you, would you please go along with her and deliver Daimyou Ikkikari a message for me?"
Not being audience to any protests, Lord Moriya passed Kiri the message, rolled into a paper.
It was one of father's fancy papers too. The ones whose messages were invisible at first glance.
"I'd believe it would be unsightly to have Lady Cirika sulk about the town for all the townspeople to see. So... off you go then. Do try not to cause much trouble for the townspeople. Nearly made Izolde Faint the last time she found you sleeping on hay bales in the Stockpile."
Throwing a coat over his daughter... Lord Moriya gently pushed Kiri out into the snow with the others.
For Kiri... It felt odd that her father didn't start interrogating the travelers over the supposed Pirate Fellow.
He was supposed be the Daimyou's Spymaster after all. Wasn't it his job to be interested in something like that?
The only Clue Kiri had to it was the blank paper that had been entrusted to her. But it was ultimately a grown-up thing to worry about.
She probably wasn't going to get let back into the house anytime soon. And even with the coat on sleeping outside was no good...
The only place that was worthy was all the way at the Keep...
She approached Cirika and the others catching in on Cirika seeing them off.
@Luma
"Thank you again for saving me."
"The town doesn't have much in the way of lodgings during this time of the year since most travelers have already left back for home. Additionally, food stores are reserved for the townspeople only, but some of the villagers will probably be happy to trade for it."
"The notice board in the town square has notices that the Nobles and the Keep put out. For example, the town's tailor is looking for the pelts of those Berserk Fangs, and will pay for each hide brought in."
"...Times are hard in the town. Things such as food have to be rationed to last through the winter. So... sorry. There's not much else
I can do to help you out."
At that moment, the stomachs of the party collectively grumbled.
Yes... all of that commotion was enough to make them forget that they haven't eaten for a while. Damn, did this mean that it was possible to actually die of hunger too? And also, did they just unintentionally make things harder for themselves, striking Cirika's offer down?
Lord Moriya might've been prithee to at least let them have at least one meal, if things hadn't gone south the moment they woke up.
It didn't matter anymore. Kei and the Priestess were well aware that their independence also meant needing to fend for themselves. As Cirika had said before, she didn't owe them anything at this point.
"My father is still looking for someone who can bring him the head of the Alpha of those Berserk Fangs. I'm pretty sure anyone would be rewarded handsomely for accomplishing that."
"I'm not exactly sure what you are all trying on doing, but best of luck with that."
@_Everyone
Info:
The party now has the option to travel about the town of Haschou and the surrounding farms and countryside. Perhaps they might discover something in their travels to assist with uncovering more about their predicament? Or just stumble on a Haschou Oddity. In any case...
Due to the choices that have been made, the party will also have to finance their ventures. This primarily means having a place to sleep and having food to eat. In order to do this, the party will have to look into taking up jobs - posted in the town's notice board. These jobs in this harsh winter is mostly tied to defeating the beasts that are hounding the townspeople.
Jobs will allow the party to explore different parts of the town. The areas that the party explores is directly tied to a job - the reason being that the party was hard at work trying not to starve or freeze to death to the point that they could only explore places close to where a relevant job already took them to.
But, first off:
The party has gone for several days asleep, but it's become apparent that they'll need to eat soon! The first task will be taking a job that'll reward them rations to eat, and allow them to decide their next move. The 'Notice Board' has been added to the Discord under 'Kenno_job;'. Once this first job is completed, you'll be able to choose which job to take and which location to explore next.
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