Carla and Ren meet their friends at Caroban's dock to see them off, exchanging farewells and hugs near the gangplank of the luxury ship preparing for its voyage. Despite the fact that the ship will likely have gourmet meals available, Umeko and Xander are given a package of sticky rice balls before they go, with delicately steamed fish for Umeko and tangy pickled vegetables for Xander. "We conjured the water to boil the rice ourselves," Carla had said, grinning. Soon the noblewoman and the master mage in her employ are on their way, watching the strange island of Caroban recede into the distance, and then into the clouds, lost to view. The trip itself is relaxing and uneventful. The ship is not large, but it is appointed to carry important individuals like diplomats, nobles, and other affluent people, so there's ample room to stretch out. The international nature of Caroban's visitors make for strange bedfellows, and the Jewel of Safar is escorted by a smaller but better armed vessel of Babelite make.

"You know, the School of Water came up with powdered water a little while ago," Xander tells Umeko as the island vanishes. "You wouldn't think it possible, but now Fire is talking about matching them with something like frozen fire or similar."

Umeko is her usual inscrutable self since leaving Caroban. She rarely shows emotions save for when it is in an intense battle, or amongst only those she considers friends. It's apparent enough, though, that she will miss her new friend because she tucked away a small watercolor-painting into her kimono that had a stylized depiction of the water cavern where they had gathered, talked, and did silly things without concern for title or expectation. "Mm?" she now asks, coming out of her thoughts to consider Xander's words. "That is ... silly? What would be the purpose of frozen fire? And how is it different from lamp oil?" she asks.

"Well.. uh, it would ignite when it melts I suppose," Xander says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I imagine it would make for some creative party cocktails, anyway. Besides, I'm pretty sure the Water mages had Earth mages helping them. Those schools work together the most among the Elementals."

"So .. it is more or less one school trying to 'one up' the other? I believe that is the proper term," Umeko says. She turns away from the direction of Caroban and now looks into the direction they travel. "The road which returns us home may be one of the most terrifying to walk. I think you agree with that sentiment, considering your reaction to returning home," she says, "I do not know what to expect. Will I be considered a hero ... or a pariah by my own people? I did turn against our ways."

"To your face, they will laud you as a hero who brought honor to the island," Xander supposes. "In private.. well, the jealous will bring up the breaking of tradition and stuff the most, but really they'll be the types who do that for any celebrity."

"And the very politically clever will rationalize it all as your father's idea from the start, somehow," the buck adds.

The Jewel of Safar makes good time, and nothing challenges her or the Able Archer for the trip. The first leg to Nagai is made in comfortable peace. There's plenty of time to chat with other passengers, who are friendly enough, at least towards their peers. One is a naga mage making his return to Nagai, a sidewinder master of Dream. "I've heard the unrest to the south has been getting worse," she said. "The Emperor has been reluctant to intervene, but it seems like his hand may be forced." Another is a noble who had some investments in trade in the region. "There's been strain on trade from Dragon's Sorrow, and it's been making commodities in Nagai more expensive. Most think it's the fighting making logistics problematic, but some think there's official meddling as well. I'm stopping caravans there until it settles down, myself."

"What exactly is the unrest in Dragon's Sorrow?" Umeko finally asks the travelers after hearing their tales and trials. "What have rumors said? Who is behind it?" She stands near one of the rails, looking out over the sky. Her arms are tucked in her sleeves and her expression impassive. At her side she wears her Daisho proudly.

Sitting nearby, Xander eavesdrops on everything (it's a Lapi tradition), though mostly for the practical purpose of getting a better handle on the Imperial tongue.

"It's a peasant uprising," said an Imperial diplomat, who was on assignment to Caroban and only partially in the know. "They're unhappy about a number of things, but there's only so much information getting out. There's conflicting reports, but everyone agrees it's a tangled mess." There isn't time to do much in Nagai when the Jewel takes on supplies and offloads her passengers. The passenger list is much smaller by the time the next leg to Jadai begins, with only some merchants trading in laquer, china, iron, and coal, and there's little they can impart, other than that Jadai seems to be doing as well as it always has, isolated from much of the mainland's turbulence. The ship puts down at the island's small but well-tended airfield. Apparently one of the flying crewmembers had gone ahead to announce the Jewel's arrival, because there are people waiting for the passengers, including a selona carriage driven by one of the Tsurugi estate's guards and a servant.

"Please tell me the drivers don't run over pedestrians with that thing if they're too slow, like in Nagai City," Xander whispers to Umeko, as he tries to carry their luggage.

"I wonder which side Ren may be on," Umeko remarks to Xander in regard to the uprising in the south. Still, she doesn't have time to dwell on it now, because her family's servants wait below. She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. "No, they are beheaded if they are too slow," she claims and waves for Xander to follow her as she descends the ramp. It was probably a joke, but...

The Lapi gulps, and carries the baggage over to the servant. He's wearing the kimono Umeko got him, but still feels strange wearing it. Not because it's uncomfortable, since he's used to robes, but because it brings back memories of having to wear fake breasts and hips so something could be tailored for Anisa.

The servant and guard give Xander curious looks, but they're quite cheerful with their greeting, the guard swiftly bundling his passengers into the carriage while the servant scurries to gather up luggage. The ride is bumpy but nowhere near as insane as a selona trip through Nagai, and when it arrives at the family estate, there are a number of the house staff gathered at the gate to enthusiastically shout, "Welcome home, Lady Tsuguri!"

"So many," Xander mutters. He was clearly expecting something less.. extensive.. from such a small family.

Umeko politely does not claim that Xander was brought as a snack in case she became hungry. The ride found her quiet, perhaps introspective on everything that has happened. It also appears to have been too short by the way she blinks when they reach her family estate. Her demeanor is perceptively different as she eases out of the selona to face the house staff. She bows deeply to each of them in greeting, full waist, eyes closed. "You show me more honor than I deserve," she clams in a much softer and perhaps more timid voice than Xander is used to. "But ..." she adds, "Thank you."

"I hope she doesn't revert to being a hothouse flower here," Xander thinks, as he exits behind the Kiriga... and tries not to draw any attention.

The estate does look very good. It always has, but even moreso now. The rich wood decks gleam with polish, topiaries and dwarf trees in the garden are perfectly sculpted, the flowerbeds are a riot of color, and the goldfish in the small ponds and streams are quite fat. The really noticeable difference, however, is a large piece of sandstone in the oblong crystalline shape the homecoming adventurers remember from the desert, standing upright in the garden in a small patch of cleared earth, illuminated by lanterns. One of the maidens on staff leads Umeko and Xander into the Tsuguri abode, chatting politely as she goes, which is practically effusive for her. "We are very glad to see you home, Lady Tsuguri. Your mother has been very excited. They're waiting for you in the court."

The sandstone catches Umeko's attention most of all, she cannot help but stare at it as they pass. The memories of the desert come back to her; the battles; the underground entrance through the belly of the monster, and the facing of Hakuu in the bowels of an ancient temple. She also remembers the pain she felt there and the twisting of her body. She had expected to die there ... but here she is, home. She shakes it off, hoping that her memories were not so easily read on her expression. "I am glad to be home," she tells the servant apologetically, "Though I fear it may not be for very long. Many matters compete for my attention and I can only ignore their call for so long. But, enough of concerns of the future? They await me in the court? Then I must go to them; they have waited longer than they should have. I owe her so many apologies for the pain I caused her."

Xander follows cautiously, looking around at everything, half-expecting Master Tooth to jump out from behind something and chastise him.

Bambridge says, "Of course, my lady," the servant replies, stopping at the painted silk screens to the court and sliding them open. She steps aside to let Umeko and Xander in. "Your luggage will be waiting for you in your room. Lady Tsuguri insisted it be kept exactly like your left it.""

"Thank you," Umeko tells the servant as she lightly bobs her head. She looks through the open screens now and draws in a deep breath. "Courage, child of Jadai. Be strong," she tells herself when every insecurity about being here rears its ugly head and makes her stomach flutter with fears. She nods once, then steps through the doorway and into the court.

The Lapi lingers a bit at the door, unsure of just walking in without being invited first.

The imposing red form of Lord Tsuguri sits at the end of the small but beautifully decorated court, his kimono and hakama simple but perfectly arrayed, while Lady Tsuguri sits quietly next to him, her own kimono of rich, colorful zolk gathered around her. Court musicians play soft, calm, meandering melodies, and some scrolls near Lord Tsuguri hint that he might have been working a little, or at least officiating. Autumn Harvest rests at his side. At the sight of his daughter, he draws himself up a little straighter, while Lady Tsuguri's expression doesn't change but her eyes light up. "Welcome home, my daughter," says the house lord. "And welcome, guest." A couple cushions are set before the older kiriga for Umeko and Xander.

The formal welcome eases Xander's anxiety a notch, so that he's able to come forward and sit with Umeko, following her lead on when to bow.

"I am honored to be home," Umeko says in a very formal and well-enunciated tone before bowing deeply to the Lord and Lady. After she rises, she says, "This is my friend and ally, Mage Xander Lightfoot. He has been my advisor and expert on the arcane world during my journey." She motions for Xander to approach and follow, then herself heads towards the pair. HEr steps are perfectly measured, each exactly the same spacing as the other. she does not bob as she walks, she seems to glide as she approaches. Upon reaching the pillow, she lowers herself down to her knees smoothly, then one by one draws her Daisho from her obi. Sunlight-Through-Storm is laid, still in its scabbard, before her pillow and parallel to it.. Grey Cloud soon follows, leaving the younger Kiriga now unarmed as she presents herself to her family. She now lowers herself the rest of the way down, settling her self upon her heels as she kneels. Her hands fold together and she places them in her lap. "Thank you for allowing me ho

"Thank you for allowing me home," she says gently, "Though not all my actions have been worthy of being allowed to return." Even returning a 'hero' ... the guilt of what she did still haunts her.

Xander tries to mimic Umeko's grace as best he can, and overcompensates on the amount of time he bows. He also remains quiet, not wanting to sound course with her limited mastery in actually speaking the language without sounding like a child.

"The house of Tsuguri is honored to receive you, Mage Xander Lightfoot," says the muscular red kiriga. His face is stern, as it always is, but Umeko has learned to read even her father's stoic expression over the years, and there's no steely hint of disapproval or penetrating, judgemental stare. Simply gruff and controlled, even relatively relaxed. "I am glad that you have considered the gravity of your actions, Umeko," he says, in that deep and permenantly formal voice of his. "Every action we take has consequence, and we must take responsibility for all of them. Yet, committment and courage have consequence too, and you have brought honor and prosperity to your house. I suspect you will not remain for very long, but this is your home." He regards Xander seriously, and perhaps with a hint of bemusement when the lapi wrestles with Jadai custom.

The buck can't help but fold his ears down and take up a timid posture, since he isn't familiar enough with Lord Tsuguri to know if he's being indulged or sized up for the dinner pot.

Lady Tsuguri's compusure is kept but her eyes are a little wet and her voice is heartfelt. "We are very glad to have you home, Umeko. I have missed you terribly, and worried for you. Every day, I visited the graves of your grandparents and prayed they would watch over you. Your room has been kept ready all this time. How was your trip? How long will you be staying?"

"There are many tasks yet to do, this is true. Rumors of unrest in the Southern lands of Nagai have caught my interest and I worry that there may be more to them than first appears. It is possible that one of the powers that backed Hakuu in his goals and treasons to the empire may be involved," Umeko agrees, her tone remaining formal and impassive. "But for the moment I only wish to be home and part of the family once more. Weighty concerns can wait at least week. My trip was ... eventful and in many ways educational. We stopped at Caroban to attend Mage Lightfoot's Masters ceremony and it was there I encountered yet another mystery. A Kiriga family with the surname of Minami. A family lost; only two daughters now remain. I had hoped to learn more of them while I am here."

"A week?" Xander thinks. "I should be fine so long as I stay close to Umeko."

"I have heard about the tumult on the southern coast. I'm not sure if it has affected the fishing boats much. I am confident you will represent our name and people to the Imperial court with pride." Lord Tsuguri rubs his chin thoughtfully, contemplating this while servants arrive with trays set with tea and rice wine, to suit various tastes. "Minami, you say?"

"Two daughters of the silver scale, their backs speckled with copper and lined with a mane of coal," Umeko describes, "The elder Rin, close to my age, carries two swords of steel; a Daisho of winter themes as her sister Ren, the student water mage, described them. I would have not thought too much of it, save the weapons she bears reminded me so much of my own; perhaps made by the same master smith. I believe Rin is also now somewhere in the southern coast, so it seems it is our destiny to meet. I hoped to learn more of their family and what happened to them before that." Her head dips to the servants as she selects a small cup of warm tea from the tray, then lifts it to her lips and sips.

After Umeko drinks, Xander does as well, while watching the elder Tsuguris. "Her mother isn't so scary, just.. large," he thinks.

"It was your great-uncle that forged Summer Tempest," says Lord Tsuguri, holding up a laquer dish for one of the servants to fill with wine. "I don't know of any sister set that he may have made. If he did make those blades, they might even be a predecessor, but only your great-uncle would know, and he passed on before you were born. The name Minami sounds familiar, however, as though I remember hearing of an obscure lineage as a footnote once. Perhaps you should ask your..." The kiriga lord's brows flatten out a bit. "...your old master about the name. He is generations old, he may have been alive when their name was more prominent."

Umeko's earfins perk a bit. "Master Longtooth? Is he here? I have not seen him since the celebration in Nagai City," she admits. "And I am certain that Mage Lightfoot will be happy to speak with him as well, if so. They became good friends for a time." She leaves out the part where Xander's alcohol nearly killed the old coot.

Umeko's father takes a sip from his dish. "The means by which he made it back to Jadai are... unclear to me. But yes, he made it back somehow. I believe he has occupied his old dojo, and visits on occasion to see if you have returned."

"Ah, then I shall go to him when time permits," Umeko says and bobs her head. After a sip from her cup, she adds, "I know his methods are ... unusual, but it was his teaching that helped me survive. That and the friends who would not leave my side, even when I asked them to." Her hands lower and she cradles her cup in her lap. "Have any others visited and inquired of me?" she asks.

The scarlet kiriga lets a measured but resigned sigh through his nose. "I suppose he did. I am certain he will be pleased to see you. Just... learn only fighting from him, please."

Lady Tsuguri speaks up to answer Umeko's question. "There was a young woman who came to inquire about you, some weeks ago. Her name was Asaka, and she was asking on behalf of her employer, a Mitsuko?"

"I have no interest in learning how he drinks what he does," Umeko confirms as she has to fight back an expression of amusement. She's thankful for her mother's reply, because it gives her a chance to think on something different. "Ah, yes, Mitsuko. I helped her when some uncouth ruffians sought to accost her staff some time back," she says. "I should visit them if I have a chance. Did she say much, or was it to see if I were home?"

"I think she just wanted to know how you were, and if you had been back," says Umeko's mother, folding her hands in her lap and smiling mildly. "She may have heard of your adventures, I'm not sure."

"I must admit, I am not sure how many heard of my ... adventures or not," Umeko admits. "But I suppose I should be thankful that the estate has not been besieged by the curious." She glances over towards Xander now, thinking for a moment. "Forgive me, but will you permit me an hour to get settled?" she now asks her parents. "I am sure Xander would feel more comfortable if he knew where he would be staying and I must admit I would not mind walking the grounds for a bit. I should also pay my respects to the graves of our ancestors."

After receiving permission from her parents, Umeko collects her daisho and withdraws. As she is leaving the court she taps Xander's shoulder as a gesture to follow her. The lapi quickly discovers just where they are going when they enter yet another lavishly adored room in the overly ornate estate. It's a bedroom; a woman's bedroom

Umeko's Room Like other rooms in this house, the furniture of made from the finest carved wood and materials. The walls are decorated in immaculate ink paintings, lit by carefully carved and covered floor lamps. To one side is an ornate box-bed, the inside lined with a tightly woven mat. The bed is covered in freshly cleaned and pressed zolk. Opposite the bed is an ornate wardrobe that goes all the way to the ceiling. Great battle scenes cared in relief adorn the doors and all along the edges stylized kiriga snake and twist along its posts.

"They did keep my room exactly the same," Umeko remarks as she places her swords upon her box-bed. "And I suppose you must also be wondering what sort of insanity took me to flee this place."

The buck admires the carvings and decor, a bit open-mouthed. "I didn't realize you were a princess," he finally says. "I assumed it was the arranged marriage to an evil wacko that put you over the edge, wasn't it?"

"I am not a princess," Umeko claims as she settles on the edge of her bed and folds her hands in her lap. "And yes, it was that. But ... " the kiriga says as her shoulders roll in a light shrug, "Many would look at this and wonder why anyone would leave this behind hard roads, uncomfortable bed, swamp, and muck."

"Well, I can see it getting old after a few years," Xander notes, coming over to sit next to Umeko. "I'm willing to find out, if someone will let me live in luxury for a few years as an experiment," he notes with a grin. "Where will Nawar and I be sleeping?"

"I ... hm. I am not entirely sure," Umeko admits as she considers their lodgings. "There are some smaller buildings on the estate where the servants reside. I expect I could find you lodging in one of them. You might have to share the space with one of the servants, though. Probably Xiao; she grew up with me and was one of my attendants. She's a nice girl. Quiet and polite. She's onyx in color, including her mane."

"Will she be coming with us to your new estate then?" Xander asks, figuring at least some of Umeko's handmaidens will be relocating with her.

"Probably. If my parents permit it, that is," Umeko answers. "But for all I know, perhaps she has married now. That would limit her mobility." She looks about her own bedroom, then sighs. "I did grow up in another world, did I not? There was nothing remotely like this in our journeys."

"Well... we did get to stay at a castle," Xander points out. Then he asks, "Do you miss this?"

"I ... no. It is not a feeling of miss. More of guilt," Umeko admits as her claws tap against each other. "I was thinking of Ren. She has never had anything like this and honestly ... until recently she did more in her life to deserve it than I did."

"Well, she wasn't an only child though," Xander notes. "She had what you didn't; a sister."

"No, she would not," Umeko agrees. "I look around and I see a beautiful house ... but when we were at your parents' place, it was a home. I have learned the difference of the two."

"Well, I'm sure you had someone to wrestle with growing up," Xander says. "Your handmaids are all your age, aren't they?"

"Relatively close. You have to realize, though, they will not treat me as an equal. At the end of the day, I am still considered their superior and they treat me as such," Umeko admits.

"Well, there are other nobles. I would attend formal affairs with them and their children," Umeko explains. "But in those courtly manners were always expected and maintained."

"You didn't have any real childhood at all?" the buck asks, looking stricken. "Not even tea parties, or climbing trees or digging holes or making tuber-men?"

"Well ... there was Master Longtooth. He taught me how to break a treee in half," Umeko says. "Does that count?"

"Not.. really," Xander admits. "You need to be having fun with someone closer to your own age, or at least born within the same century.."

"Then I suppose I did not have a childhood. My parents did not approve of 'romping about'. It is not ladylike. Nor did they approve that I would sneak into the guard barracks to watch the soldiers train," Umeko says as she looks towards the paper-covered ceiling.

"Well, you owe it to yourself to play around more," Xander claims. "This horribly dangerous adventure of ours is probably the first real fun you've ever had! Aside from private time with me, of course.."

"I do not expect my duties will permit me much time to play around, as you call it," Umeko admits as she rises from her old bed. "But hopefully the next week or so will prove to be an enjoyable time here. I also hope that Nawar isn't feeling too homesick. I was worried when she wanted to to the local mage guild to send a message home instead of coming with us here. She will be safe and I am sure they will escort her here soon, but."

"She should be alright," Xander says. "She may seem the quiet and shy type, but she's very observant and picks up things quickly. She'll fit in better here than I will."

"She knows the language less than you, though," Umeko points out. "And forgive me, but your accent is terrible. You sound like you have a pillow stuffed in your mouth."

"I'm trained for chanting spells and wielding the hidden powers of the universe," Xander says defensively. "And I can sing a little. I think I deserve a pass on my accent."

"You don't hold your s's long enough," Umeko points out. "Maybe if you tongue was forked..."

"Lapi do not have long tongues," Xander points out. "We are short-muzzled compared to most other races. But.. it gets the job done!"

"I had mine pierced. Twice. You should be braver. Now," Umeko says as she smooths out her kimono. "Would you like to see more of the Estate? Our gardens are quite beautiful. I also wish to visit the graves of my ancestors."

"Sure!" Xander says, then slyly asks, "Will you tell your parents about the piercings though? Or is that a whole different level of bravery?"

"I did not plan to tell them, but if they ask I will simply tell them that you demanded it of me," Umeko replies and waves her right hand dismissively.

"Wait.. would that make seem more important to them?" Xander asks as he follows.

"My father would likely kill you. Or at the least invoke a formal duel challenge," Umeko claims as she slips out of her room and into the maze of corridors and rooms that make up the Tsuguri house.

"Okay, I won't mention anything about your dancing costume then," the buck relents, and tries not to get too disoriented in the odd architecture, where he has trouble telling walls from doors.

"Ah, you learn quickly. Or perhaps it is the wisdom of these great lands that inspires you," Umeko claims as she slides open one of the walls (it was a door after all!) and steps out into the family gardens. Umeko's head cranes and she inhales the light scents of flowers in bloom and the various mosses, ferns, and grasses.

Tsuguri Family Gardens
The Tsurugi family's gardens are extensive, and the family takes great pride in how lush and well-groomed they are. Sadly, the heads of the noble family are generally too busy to partake of them except when they're hosting friends or business associates, and it's left to the groundskeepers and a willful daughter to know all the corners and shady nooks the tranquil estate has. Green brooks with neatly tended edges quietly carry golden leaves under sturdy old footbridges, and koi surface to wiggle hopefully at people who linger long enough, should they be carrying a bag of bread.

"Such a peaceful place," Xander notes, breathing in the air as well.. and wonder what some of the plants and flowers must taste like. "Is there where you trained?"

"Further on, in the more wooded parts where I could do so in private. Occasionally at Master Longtooth's own dojo when I could sneak out of the estate," Umeko admits as she strolls through the gardens leisurely. Her tail floats just above the cobblestone pathways, never once touching the ground. Here and there she pauses and cranes her neck upward a bit to stop and smell one of the flowering trees. "I shall have to visit his Dojo again, as well as the Blushed Pala."

"He has his own Dojo?" Xander asks in surprise. "As in, a place for teaching students? He had other students? You'll take me along if you go to the Blushed Pala won't you?"

"Of course he did. He would often tell me stories about how much the whined," Umeko explains. Her walk now pauses as she glances over her shoulder to ask, "You wish to visit a Tea House? Whatever for? It is just a place were foreigners go to be tended to by the exotic ladies of Jadai. And in that I do just mean with Tea. They are not prostitutes."

"I'm sure there will be lots of gossip and news overheard from their guests though," Xander says with a grin. "Maybe someone is visiting from the south, with news of the goings on there."

"Such is always possible. I am certain you will behave yourself, yes? Your hands will not wander?" Umeko asks the lapi behind her.

"Your kimono can hide quite a bit when you're sitting down.. but yes, I promise to behave," Xander swears, crossing his ears.

"Ahem. I was meaning that you would not pinch the ladies at the Blushed Pala," Umeko notes.

"Why would I pinch them?" the buck asks innocently. "They couldn't be more enticing than you, Umeko."

That comment earns Xander a rather arched brow-ridge. "You have learned the ancient art of 'sucking up'. Impressive," she comments, sounding serious. "Now, would you like to remain here while I visit the remains of my ancestors? Some find visiting the dust of the dead to be unnerving."

"I'll just be very quiet," Xander says. "I'm not afraid of dust or spirits. I'm a mage after all!"

"Good, then the guardian spirit will not devour your liver," Umeko claims. The way she turns her head makes her mane billow out behind her, then gracefully drape over her shoulders just so. Onward she walks, deeper into the estate.

"That.. that was a joke right?" Xander asks, pressing a hand to his belly in worry.

Umeko doesn't answer that. Still, it was probably a joke. Maybe. There is what appears to be an old temple ahead, just over a foot bridge and nestled in a grove of flowering trees. It looks old, at least four generations, perhaps more. It is made of a mix of stone and wood, with a peaking pagoda-style roof and two large circular doors that are currently closed. Standing on either side of the doors are statues that look kiriga-like, but far more feral. Shorter arms and legs imply that they would run on all fours, if they ran that is. They stare out from the doors with solemn expressions cast in stone, perhaps daring someone to violate the sanctity of the old temple.

"Are those cherry blossoms?" Xander asks meekly of the trees, and avoids eye-contact with the statues.

"Yes. They have been there for at least two centuries now," Umeko says as she crosses the bridge and strides up to the old doors. She places both her hands upon them. The doors do not move immediately; it seems to take considerable effort to make the hinges give way. When they do, though, they groan like the souls of the dead being woken from their rest. Well, perhaps not that badly, but given what the temple is for ... the sounds do seem to take on a deeper meaning than they should.

"Come along, my brave mage. I have a task for you," Umeko remarks. Her surprisingly flexible tail comes up and curls around the back of Xander's neck and seems to insist that he follow her into the darkened room within.

At least, the rabbit doesn't trip as he follows. "Not as a sacrifice right?" he asks. "I know Spirit Mages love to ask their guests from some blood to use.."

"Do not fret so much. You would make a lousy sacrifice," Umeko claims as her tail slips off of Xander's shoulders and neck. As his eyes adjust to the darkness he can make out Umeko motioning to two large stone lanterns in the center of the dark chamber. "Please light these. They should still have oil in them. Dealing with the flint can be ... frustrating," Umeko explains.

Xander sniffs for oil in stone lamps (which look like little houses to him) and then chants a cantrip to ignite them.

There are small pops as the lanterns come to life. They would be beautiful with the way the little 'windows' glow, except for the nagging feeling that they're more like homes for the souls of those past and the flame is nothing but the fading memories of those long gone. Now that there is light, the inside of the temple can be seen. The walls are simple, plaster over stone, with wooden beams supporting the structure. The wood looks to have once been painted a vibrant red, but it has since faded and cracked to a dull clay tone. At the far end sits rows of ornate wooden shelves, with dozens of porcelain urls. Each url bears stylized calligraphy and artwork, likely depicting the name and important moments of each of their 'residents'. Umeko approaches them with her head bowed. When she is but a few feet away, she lowers herself down to her knees on the hard wooden floor, then bows low, her chin on the floor. "Forgive me," she says in Imperial. That's a phrase Xander knows. It was one of the f

"This place needs some better maintenance," Xander thinks to himself, and keeps quiet as he kneels near the lamps.

"It has been too long since my last visit," Umeko says as she rises to the point she is just kneeling, though her head remains bowed "I have brought honor to our family in my absence. We are prosperous and respected once more. I may have even saved much of the world from a vile group. Yet ... I still feel unfulfilled, at times, still lonely. Most of my friends are not of our people; though they are as honorable and great as any Kiriga. I adore them, even if they cannot fully understand me. One sits behind me now. His name is Xander Lightfoot. He is ... sometimes silly, but has always been there to advise me and even challenge me when I needed it. I ask that you accept him as friend to our family. there are also two others, Kiriga like me, that I may one day ask be accepted as family ... but only time will tell if that will be possible. Perhaps I am just hoping for others I can be close to that share my heritage and wish too much of them."

"Rin and Ren - Umeko needs sisters," Xander thinks after he mentally translates the prayer. "She seemed to have fun on Caroban."

"Ren and Rin Minami. Two Kirigai that have fallen on hard times. I have met one, her name is Ren. She was ... it felt wonderful to bring some of our homeland to her in her far-away school. I probably overwhelmed her a bit. I have never been as reserved as I should be. I hope that her family and ours have never been at odds, but I also know that it is quite possible. I do not know what will come of it, only that I hope one day I will be asking you to accept them," Umeko says.. she grows silent for a time. With the way her tail twitches, it's also apparent she's uncomfortable. "I also ask you to accept me. I know I have violated our traditions and walked my own path. It has brought our family honor, but ... it was not our way. I ask you now to forgive the violations of our traditions and ... ask you to accept that I am and will always be a little different. Have faith in me, I promise that I will always strive to bring our family honor."

Xander wonders about the other changes Umeko has gone through; becoming something ancient and powerful (and still keeping the fangs). Knowing that their family was descended from the creatures depicted as gods by the Nagai must count for something.

It doesn't help that the only answer in this place it the occasional crackle from the oil lamps. Umeko bows once more to the urns, then rizes up and gets back to her feet. "Is there anything you wish to say to them, Xander?" she now asks without looking back at him. "Legends say that your ancestors are always listening and protecting their families. Is there anything you would say to, or ask of, mine?"

Xander blinks at this, and tries to think. "Th-thank you," he says, trying to talk without an atrocious accent, "for watching over Umeko, even when she did not feel deserving of it. You are the past, and she has been a bridge to the past, and so honors your lineage." He then adds, in Standard, "And please don't let me screw up in front of her parents."

Umeko actually huffs a small laugh at that. "See? They are charming, aren't they?" she tells the temple. "Xander, will you please extinguish the lanterns as we leave?" she asks as she walks towards the doors.

Having no idea how to do it normally, Xander has to take another minute to snuff them with an Extinguish cantrip.

"Umeko?" the buck asks as he catches up to the Kiriga, "You probably eat a lot of fish here. Does your family's cooking staff know what Lapis are and that we're herbivores?"

Umeko closes the doors. Yep, they groan when being closed too. "I am sure they know what Lapi are and eat. And no, they haven't served any as a meal. I will send word to them that we have Lapi guests. You and your sister will not be expected to eat meat," she promises.

The buck walks across the bridge, trying to maintain a dignified (or at least respectful) posture.

Xander feels four little claw-pricks on each of his shoulders. A moment later, there is hot breath upon his ear and a raspy reptilian voice says, "I want your liver..."

Leaving Umeko walking across the bridge and trying very, very, hard not to laugh. "Wait up, Xander," she finally calls after him. "We're going to find Master Longtooth next! He'll be happy to see you!"

Panting, Xander stops near one of the koi ponds. "That old pickled dragon would still be alive, just so he could steal my lunch again," he mutters between deep breaths.

Unlike many of the other dwellings in Jadai, the building that Xander and Umeko arrive at is made of plain wood, lacking the familiar ricepaper screens. Apart from looking a bit more solid, the dilapidated structure has nothing of the elegance and appeal of the other places the pair have visited so far, and it squats in one of the more squalid parts of town, though at least it only looks run-down here, and not dangerous. A wood fence separates a weedy dirt lot from the lots around it. The only thing to indicate that it might be anything other than an abandoned shack is a scroll hanging from a sheltered place under the eves. Black Imperial script is slashed all over it, with none of the grace of the traditional calligraphy Umeko has studied. It reads "School of Arthritic Open Paw of Severe Drubbing". It swings a little when something heavy hits the wall behind it with a grunt, making dust curl off the weathered wood. A gravelly Imperial voice from inside says, "Again."

"This.. is the dojo of your exalted master?" Xander asks Umeko, just to be certain.

Umeko's lips curl up in a mimic of as bemused mammal. "Ah, it appears that Master Longtooth is home. And in practice ... this should prove quite interesting," she remarks as they approach dilapidated building. "And of course it is, a true master needs not finery; they need a very sturdy building ... and one that costs less than a new robe should it be demolished during practice." She heads straight for its old door, intent to slip in and observe the training-in-progress. "If anyone asks you to be the Ukemi, say no," she offers as advice.

"The person upon whom all techniques are demonstrated," Umeko explains as she slips through the door.

"Ah, I shall only volunteer for that in the Blushed Pala then," Xander confirms.

Inside, dust swirls through the air, picking out shafts of light that filter down from holes in the roof. There isn't a lot of furnishing in here. Along one wall stands what look like a pair of short pylons with a a few foot-or-so long pegs sticking out of them irregularly, worn smooth. A little further away from them stands two barrels, one full of sand and the other with small, loose gravel. Near the entrance and upside down is a muscular young kiriga, sky blue and dressed simply in baggy clothes with the legs and sleeves wrapped so as to keep them from flapping around when he moves. He's picking himself up with a grimace and goes 'sptoo' when a thin necklace of wooden beads bumps against his mouth. Further away is a younger kirigai boy, a deep green color with brown hair and dressed similarly, hanging by his feet from a rope. He keeps folding himself in half to touch his nose to his knees, but every so often he just dangles so he can watch, and his eyes flick curiously over to the newcomers.

Standing near the center of the dirt floor is a familiar orangy kiriga, stooped almost double and slapping a large bony hand at his trousers to dust them off, his kinked tail zigzagging on the dirt behind him.

"Two new students, Master Longtooth?" Umeko asks politely as she dips her head in turn to the two in question, "I hope they are showing promise. From what families do they hail?" Xander's own question earns him a light swat from her tail. "No, they are exercising. That builds abdominal strength."

The blue kiriga gets to his feet and stretches his back out with a crack, then smooths black hair out of his face. He seems to take the new arrivals as an excuse not to immediately return to practice, though he glances hesitantly in the old master's direction to be sure. There isn't any sort of mat on the ground like most Jadian floors have, but he seems little the worse for wear. Long Tooth cranes his neck up, squinting under bushy white brows. "Ah? Is that you, Umeko? Yes, I have nothing better to do with my time than waste it training these two useless slugs. Alright, Narduwal. Done for now. You also, Li. Come down. This is my previous student, Tsurugi Umeko."

"Previous? I am still your student, though we do not train often. I have just arrived this day after a long and difficult journey," Umeko claims as she bows to the ancient kiriga. To the other kiriga she says, "You would do well to listen to him and learn all you can. It will serve you well. Except for the part about drink, that I advise you to avoid." With practice now over she also walks further into the training hall and slips her hands into the robes of her kimono.

Xander examines the two students, trying to gauge their standing. He mostly does this by counting the number of fingers they have.

"Pfah! Pain toughens you outside, drink toughens you inside. Back when I was a young man, we didn't have this smooth stuff, no..." The leathery old kiriga begins rambling, mostly to himself and in a low, incomprehensible grumble. But at some point he introduces the two students and seems to give them leave to speak. Narduwal bows deeply at the waist. "It's an honor, Umeko-sama! We've heard much about you, one of master's finest students." Not that Long Tooth had ever said that. The younger kiriga looks at the older one, then follows his lead and bows as well. The older one continues, "I travelled with Master Tooth some years ago, when I was coming of age. I've only recently started training again, though."

Narduwal might have added something else, but he gets a rough shove from the squat orange kiriga and has to take a few steps to keep his balance. "Years worth of bad habits I have to break you of," Tooth grouses.

"An honor to meet both of you. I expect each of you to maintain the honor of this dojo," Umeko tells them. "I came to speak of the past with Master Longtooth, but ... now I am also curious. How are your skills now that you have returned to training? And ... would you, perhaps, be interested in sparring with me at some point?"

The Lapi looks shocked. Sure, Umeko probably never got to spar with anyone other than Tooth.. but even now he's sure her parents wouldn't approve of her fighting with strangers.

Narduwal rubs his side, but he seems to be used to stuff like that. Where his hand is splayed out, Xander can see that he has the typical four-fingered and roughly calloused hands of a commoner. "I would be truly honored that you would deem me fit to practice with, Umeko-sama," the blue kiriga says, looking genuinely surprised but pleased.

"Well, I have to ensure that his students are giving their all to him," Umeko says politely, "And it is not common I get a chance to spar with my own kind. If you do not mind, I wish to ask the Master a few questions." She now looks to Master Longtooth and asks, "Does the name Minami hold any meaning for you?"

The old kiriga ambles creakily around Umeko to prod at Xander with a long, gnarled finger. "Still have this one, do you?" He lifts a long, tattered ear at Umeko's question. "Minami... huh. Yes. I do remember that name. I didn't expect to hear it again. Why?"

"I keep Xander around, he amuses me," Umeko claims. "Can you tell me of its history? I met a kiriga named Ren Minami recently and have become her friend. I wish to know more of her family and what happened to it."

The old man looks away from Xander, his long, bushy eyebrows settling lower on his wrinkled face. "Made friends with a Minami, eh? Hm." He abruptly turns back toward his students, making a brisk shooing motion at Narduwal, and slapping Li on the back, the boy staggering a few steps. "Go. Shoo. Both of you. Can spar tomorrow."

Umeko's brow arches slightly at that. "Please explain what you mean by that," she says. She also suspects this subjest is one he doesn't want to speak of in front of his students.

The two students exchange glances, then start to bow as they're excused. An empty wine gourd bounces off Narduwal's head with a hollow 'tok'! "Are you still here? Go! And bring that back full tomorrow." The young kirigai scramble for the gourd and scoot out the gate, chattering at each other as they scurry out of sight. Long Tooth produces a bone pipe and begins stuffing it. "Well, it's in the past, Umeko-chan, so it's not a big thing now. Old ghosts. Are you sure you want to hear about Minami Clan?"

"Given that I have become close to one of that name and I seek to help her sister, yes," Umeko says as she heads further into the dojo, then kneels down on the hard floor. She pats the spot beside her as she looks ot Xander, then folds her hands into her lap.

Long Tooth squints at Xander, tamping his pipe blend down into the bowl. "Picking up Imperial, are you? Here, make yourself useful." He extends the pipe toward the lapi, and looks back at Umeko. "Umeko, has your father ever talked about the lineage of your clan?"

"He has, but often in vague terms. I know the names in our temple, but not much beyond that," Umeko admits. "I know my great-uncle forged the swords I carry ... and I know the sister of Ren that I seek carries a set that sound similar to my own; it was what first caught my attention. There was a possible connection ... but just as possible there was not."

The old master nods, his whiskers wagging, and he grunts. "Mm. Jadai has a strong warrior tradition. Lots of families with that background. So you can guess that Jadai has a history of fighting. Well, every so often that would get tangled up with the Nagai. That's when it would get messy."

Xander hands the pipe back once it's lit, wondering if the old man will eventually set his whiskers on fire.

Tooth takes the pipe back without looking at it, and puts the stem in his mouth. He takes a long drag and lets it out as a stream of smoke from his mouth and nostrils while he talks. "Yes. This kind of thing came and went, like the seasons, like the tides. In them, families were upraised, and families were broken. When your great-grandfather was at the head of your family, Jadai was closed off to Nagai. No snakes in, no jingai, no trade, no Great Serpentists."

Umeko lightly nudges Xander for that. "I have heard stories of the time before; when we did not associate with the outside world," she says. "There is both good and bad to such isolation. We are too small to hide forever, so it is best to know the outside. I believe such, anyway."

The end of Tooth's pipe waves around as he talks, making rubbons of smoke curl in the air. "So did your great-grandfather, and so did many other families. Others felt that outsiders would bring Imperial influence in, take on ruin the seperate way of life we lived. The clans on your great-grandfather's side then claimed that if we did not work with the Empire, we would eventually become a conquest instead. The other side took that to mean Jadians were going to let the Empire in to occupy Jadai. Behind this, the Nagai Emperor was pushing, always pushing, never to let it settle. So it came to fighting."

Umeko's lips curl into a brief frown as she suspects she knows where this is going ... but she does not interrupt or stop the tale. Instead, she says to Xander, "Your fears that this was political appear well founded."

"You learn to be wary of politics as a mage," Xander notes. "And culture-defense is a powerful motivation for conflict. That's why we Lapi always assimilate - err.. not counting that thing with Amazonia and Olympia.."

"Pah. Is always politics," snorts the old master, a plume of smoke gusting out and wafting across Xander. The end of his left eyebrow seems to flirt with igniting each time the pipe bowl waves near it. "Anyway, it was not just Tsuguri and Minami swept up in this, it was every family in some way or another. Minami clan was on the other side, the ones that wanted no part of Nagai. In the end, both sides won, and both sides lost. The families for opening our harbours to Nagai won overall. But strangely, with the families who stubbornly dug in... they won in a way too. Because since then, Nagai even though Jadai recognized the Empire, and allied, Nagai has always agreed to keep its soldiers off our island, and we are unique in this way, of all the lands surrounding the capitol."

Umeko nods at this as she thinks. "But then I do not understand why the Minami clan has all but died out," she says, "If they won in a way, why have they all but been for gotten? And ... were they once allies with the Tsuguri? Is the weapons carried by one of the two remaining Daughters of the same origin as my own?"

The Lapi flaps his ears to clear the smoke away. Being a Fire Mage has immunized him against sneezing or choking on smoke.

The old kiriga spreads his broad hands out, then rests his elbows on his knees. "All the pieces settled where they landed, Umeko-chan. The fighting was about policy, but the results meant iron, rice, and land. Tsuguri and Minami were not the most prominent families in the fight. They might never have met each other in battle. But in the end, they both believed in something worthwhile, and Tsuguri fell on the winning side. Minami did not. They, like some other families, lost holdings, and many sons. Their name and crest fell out of the court's eyes. I thought they died out, but I guess the name and the blood still trickle here and there. Who is this Ren Minami? Who's her father?"

"She is a young water mage in training. Her sister in Rin Minami. As for her father, I do not know. He was described as a simple fisherman who died some time ago in an accident," Umeko explains. "Ren is ... young and gentle. I was only with her for a few days, but I came to care for her welfare. She is almost entirely silver with only a few mottled specks of copper along her back and a completely black mane."

Tooth takes another long pull from his pipe, the bowl glowing orange for a moment. "Mm. Well, Minami clan seemed like a good enough family. They just believed one thing was better for Jadai, and your great-grandfather believed something else. That's our history. And that's why I say it's dusty old bones. Tsuguri and Minami and every other family that lived or died in that struggle. The noble clans are what they are now. Even some on the losing side survived and are strong clans today with, mostly, no particular hatred for another, at least not over that. I suppose a few Minami men must have survived. Probably stayed low until the ashes were cool, and by then they were forgotten and lived how they could, with only their silver skins and extra fingers left to them. Not every noble kiriga gleams."

"Did you see the conflict yourself?" Xander has to ask, wondering how old the orange one really is.

A baggy, squinty eye is turned on Xander. (Presumably, it's hard to see the actual eye under there.) "Umeko's great-grandfather was a friend of mine," he says, and he leaves it at that... mostly because he goes into a fit of coughing and has to pound his chest a few times to stop, then makes some unintelligable raspy grumble noises that are probably him saying something.

"That.. that is good to know," Xander says, and swallows. He refrains from asking if they were drinking buddies.

"Tell me of my great-grandfather? I know what little my father has said of him, and he will only tell me that which espouses the traditions of the family," Umeko requests as she curls her tail about himself. "I would like to know what he was like as a person. I am much different than the stories would say of me."

"Ha.. Masato Tsurugi was a wild man," says Long Tooth, folding his legs under himself while he perches on the barrel he's chosen for a chair. "Very passionate, lived life to the fullest, whether it was fighting or drinking. Those were lawless times. We wandered together from place to place. Your family was still climbing toward prominence, so your great-grandfather was freer to find his own way when we were young. Something your father might envy, at times."

"Wild?" Xander asks. "You mean in the drinking sense, the fighting sense, or the wenching sense?" the buck asks, and then makes himself useful by working up a warmth spell.

"Ah, so did you learn to drink from him, or he from you?" Umeko inquires. "And I fear Xander may now be inwardly cringing to learn my own line once lived just as you do today."

Long Tooth coughs again, and clears his throat, then immediately takes another drag from his pipe. "Hah! All of them, lapi-man. And we taught each other, Umeko-chan. Powerful constitution, old Masato. One time we woke up in a two-story tea house... and they told us it started with three stories. We still don't know exactly what happened, but we had to pay back two silvers. Took weeks to earn."

"That is ... perhaps I can understand why my father told me to only learn fighting from you," Umeko admits. Her head shakes from side to side while she looks terribly amused.

Xander pauses in his spell to glance at Umeko. "Maybe she's got more undocumented relatives than she thinks! But even more disturbing.. Tooth may have procreated," he thinks.

"How come you never sired a family of legend, Master Longtooth?" Umeko inquires. "Your combat skills are unmatched. Surely you would have had a family that rivaled or exceeded mine."

"His defensive techniques could have been honed by dealing with angry fathers," Xander suggests after he finishes the spell, warming the room up a bit.

The old master waves a bony hand. "Peh... fighting can build a fortune, but fighting doesn't build a family. Opposite of it, really. Masato settled down eventually, and then started building his family's fortunes, and of course, the problem with Nagai came up. I dallied here and there, but the art was my focus, and my masters and students were my family. I had no more ambition then than I do now. Masato.. wiser. Mm." The orangy kiriga nods sagely, eyebrows waving.

"Well, it's never too late to settle down," Xander says with a grin. "I'm sure there's a nice leathery old crone out there for you, Master Tooth. Who owns a brewery."

"But you still live. You could start a family now? Surely better late than never?" Umeko asks, echoing Xander. Of course she also swats Xander for his disrespect. "Behave."

Master Tooth really does laugh at this, a loud and hoarse cackle that quickly trails off into a raspy cough and a clearing of the throat. "Ahahahaa! Funny, funny... both of you, even the warmblood. No, too late for old Tooth. At my age, it is time to have things ready and tied up, so that there are no regrets when you die in glorious battle. Or of poison. Whichever. I am at peace... er.. fighting peace. You know what I mean. This world belongs to your generation." The old man squints over at Xander, and lets out a smokey sigh. "And even his, I suppose."

"There are many days I feel that you will outlive me," Umeko says, "You have too much life to simply die. But it is not good to dwell upon such things. I have another question about the Minami family, if I may. Do you think they would be willing to work with me? I know the mage would, but her sister is more traditional. She seems ... impressive from what I have heard and her skills would bring honor to Jadai. But ... do you think she would be interested in such? I know you cannot easily answer that as you do not know her, but ... you have known what happened to them and perhaps have insight in to how she may feel."

The ancient kiriga puts his hands back on his knees and stretches his back out again, with a loud series of cracks and pops. "Mmm.. well, as you say, I do not know her. But if she is a proud warrior in the tradition of Jadai, she will respect your prowess and your intentions. I don't know how much she knows of her family's history. If I were to guess, I would think her father would not tell her much of it, if even he knew much of it. It was a different time, as I said, and it would have done nothing for her to know. People your age must learn from the past, but look to the future."

"My heart tells me they both have great potential for to have come as far as they have with no help," Umeko says. "So I do wish to seek her out and perhaps have her join me in Viper's Hold. I could always use another skilled warrior ... and someone close to my age and heritage to speak with." This also seems to prompt her into remembering something. "And I believe I should leave you in peace for a bit, Master. I have other friends that honor dictates I should visit today. I hope that before I go we will get a chance to spar again. I have ... learned much since we last poke."

Long Tooth nods gruffly. "Good. Go. I will be here should you visit again. I hope you can find this Minami, but if she is ranging out so far, she must have an important reason to do so, important enough to risk her life. Be careful." He taps the embers of his pipe out into his hand and then smothers them between his palms.

"She is supporting her sister, the only family she has left. That is one of the greatest reasons there is," Umeko notes as she rises, then gestures for Xander to follow suit. "Come, we must visit the Blushed Pala, Xander. They were good friends and have inquired of me, it would be dishonorable to ignore that."

"You are going to wash your hands, right?" Xander asks Tooth as he gets up to follow Umeko.