The morning sun filters in through the gaps of the windows set into the bunk rooms, crawling onto Okuri's face. He curls up, scrunching his face to the light of dawn, but after a minute he gives way to the inevitable. An eye blearily cracks open.

"Shit"

The ronin pulls himself from his bed, taking stock of the pain in his head. Fortunately, some of the preparations from yesterday worked: if there is a hangover, it's mild, the pain mainly coming from lack of sleep. Okuri pulls out his tabako-inhalator and takes a few vapory puffs to steady himself.

Some things have not changed. He still goes through his morning ablutions, dresses himself as properly as he can. When he finishes, he is as proper as he can be: a ronin, but well groomed, and with fresh (if plain) clothes. He heads through the halls, striding past a detoxing addict on a cot, and heads out to the steps. Other ronin are lounging in the yard, with muttered chatter bringing news of the day while they waited for any work. The Devout were particularly easy to find, and generally amenable to work...and the standards for their pay and the type of job they took tended to be far, far higher.

While Okuri waits to see if there are any leads, he listens to the whispers.

Someone is singing, and it sounds familiar, if only he can place it's meaning...

Shigure seemed a bit lost. It had been a while since had visited a big city and it seemed that it was going to be a hassle to navigate. The man sighed. He heard a beggar asking for coin but sadly Shigure had none.

As he continued walking about , he whistled a marry tune, a tune of old. Even in the darkness of the scene of the many obsessions an indulgence the young Shigure could see light. He sat on a step and finished his tune as he listened for any gossip that could warm an ear up.

Likely not standing out amongst the others, a monk sits along a wall in meditation, observing those milling about. Going about their days, he had no intention of disturbing anyone, but he was available to assist any that might need guidance.

Mirumoto Shigure wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 02, 2022 2:11 pm

Shigure seemed a bit lost. It had been a while since had visited a big city and it seemed that it was going to be a hassle to navigate. The man sighed. He heard a beggar asking for coin but sadly Shigure had none.

As he continued walking about , he whistled a marry tune, a tune of old. Even in the darkness of the scene of the many obsessions an indulgence the young Shigure could see light. He sat on a step and finished his tune as he listened for any gossip that could warm an ear up.

"-And the curse of the beast will remain"

The singing moves to a dead silence as the ronin are greeted by the sight of a samurai. Some scatter, and some look over the Dragon warily.

And that's my cue.

Okuri's eyes flicker to the man's mon as he approaces, and then bows.

"What brings you to this humble place Mirumoto-san?"

Shigure looked up at the man and gave a seated bow. "Some would say the path to the Temple of Passion... me on the other hand well... seems that this big city has many layers and going around them..." the young Dragon side nodded. "Information and the lack of such." Shigure stood up. "Shigure my chosen name. As you already recognized my mon." The young man bowed to the ronin.

Okuri manages to crack a smile. "Some people enjoy their riddles lingering Mirumoto-san. Others enjoy unraveling them to their fullest. I consider myself the latter." He bows again. "This one is known as Okuri, and if you wish to seek to pierce layers to gain information, then the path you chose was the correct one."

The ronin gestures to the inside of the temple. "There would be privacy there, if you wish your words to not travel." The ronin leads the way until he believes he has reached an acceptable distance.

"So, which "layer" do you wish pierced, honorable samurai?"

The Dragon followed Okuri and sighed. "Good to know that some people appreciate a riddle." Shigure nodded. "Even in the fog the trees can be seen. Alas the layer l pierced that I wish pierce comes with the wind and goes with the water."

Okuri's eyes flicker, shining a second layer with understanding.

"A layer that covers a great deal. I find it acceptable for me to delve." Okuri pulls out his inhalator and takes a puff. "That is, if you wish to engage my services."

The Ronin leans back against the wall. "I think you should know what you are getting if you do so. Obviously, I cannot promise results, but once I'm engaged, I avail myself to acquire what you seek. My discretion is also guaranteed. To violate these would be the death of my honor as well as my professional reputation. Without either, I will not last long in the World of Dreams. "

" Which brings me to..." He rubs his fingers together. "I can work with a flat rate...or on commission"

Shigure expression turn to a frown. He may be a clan samurai but he is a man of little to offer. The frown turned to a smile once again. "I may no be the one to offer the pieces that you seek but pehaps a demonstration of a skill is to be tested." The Mirumoto nodded. "We can also work together to see if the whispers are worthy of piercing the layer."

"Wheeeeeeew" Okuri lets out a low whistle, the vapor from his inhalator billowing in a stream at the Dragon. "Real talk for a moment here Mirumoto-san. I don't mind the fancy language. It takes me back. But let's make one thing clear: I do what I do for money. I like to think that I'm better at it than the average ronin. And so, if you want me to crack some of the Mantis' dirty little secrets, I am happy to, but I am getting paid for my trouble. And I damn well know that your embassy has a slush fund for just such an emergency"

The smoke runs out of the inhalator suddenly, prompting the ronin to fiddle with it. "Now, you want to know if I am legit? If I am going to take the money and run? How about this: come back tomorrow at this time. I'll have something, call it my "credentials"

Shigure waves out the puff of smoke and coughed. The Mirumoto rose a brow for a moment glaring at the ronin. "I understand. I am merely the recruiter, not the one with the pay." He smiled "I will talk to my superiors and see what they have to spare." He looked at Okuri. "We are survivors... you know...we use our talents when we can. You do it for coin, I do it for my lord..." He gave a side nod. " ...the one who needs the services of talented people like yourself."

In an instant Okuri is all sunshine and light. "That is all you needed to say Mirumoto-san. Please, enjoy the temple as much as you wish. But do return this time tomorrow. I will either set your concerns of my abilities to rest, or you will find a chastened man begging for your forgiveness, and sending you to someone I believe can aid you."

"Good." Shigure smiled. "So what do people do for fun around these parts?"

"Do you mean the monks, the addicts, or the Ronin?" Okuri asks bluntly.

"The addicts are mostly detoxing. The monks offer medicine to help, but that's pretty all consuming. Both they and the monks do a lot of chanting"

"The Ronin" he gestures with the inhalator. "Let's just say that having a group of Ronin to act as guides and protectors, and picking those who aren't likely to rob them a means they are pragmatic"

"That doesn't sound like fun...Alas to each it's own... do you know the way to the ports?" Shigure asked.