Session Four; A Mantis Among Them

“Tsuruchi-san,” Soshi Meiko said sweetly, “I suggest you stop insulting the Lion.”

Tsuruchi Airo’s jaw throbbed. His mouth was numb, the kind of numbness that comes from a sudden blow where your body hasn’t recovered enough to assess where it actually hurt. He could feel his lip swelling and wanted to touch it to see if it was bleeding but didn’t want to give Matsu Mikoto the satisfaction of knowing she had wounded him. He hadn’t even said anything offensive, not that he was the offending type, but there was no cause or provocation, it just came out of no where. The last thing out of his mouth was lavish praise on the clan Matsu’s fiancé was from, the Unicorn. Then she backhanded him. She was riled up like only a Lion could get. The intense rage in her amber eyes making them look like they were on fire, wildly dancing.

“Yes,” Airo agreed, “it seems to be the best move for my life.” He wearily eyed Matsu, now wishing he was on the other side of the table by the questionable Scorpion woman rather than where he was next to the honorable Lion.

This whole house seemed to be completely out of sorts with customs and hospitality. First he was made to wait an exorbitant amount of time without a host to greet him. Then there was that Spider who just stared at him from the other side of the courtyard. Then there was the Spider that entered the house and just stared at him as well. They might have been the same one; both were shorter than him and looked similar in build. However, it’s hard to judge a Spider when they’re covered from head to toe. Even after he greeted him or her - Airo wasn’t even sure what the sex was, it didn’t have any distinguishing features. And now Matsu and her sudden rage, she wasn’t even going to tell him what provoked her. She just went back to drinking her tea.

“Would you like some more sake?” Soshi politely offered.

“I would love to take that stroll around town.” Earlier Soshi had offered to show him around, but having waited for a number of hours already, Airo was determined to stay put and continue waiting for Asahina so he wouldn‘t miss him. Now, however, leaving the Matsu to her own devices sounded like a better plan.

“Of course,” Soshi nodded, turning to Matsu, “Mikoto-chan, if you would excuse us, Tsuruchi and I have some business to attend to.”

“I look forward to seeing you again,” Matsu was speaking to Soshi, not Airo. She then returned from whence she came, her pet lion tailing her.

As Soshi rose to escort Airo out, the door rolled open and there stood a Crane man, tall with bleached white hair, and a Phoenix woman, short and armored. Soshi bowed to the couple.

“Asahina-sama, welcome home.”

“Asahina-sama!” Airo bowed, “Finally I get to make your acquaintance. I am Tsuruchi Airo of the Mantis clan and I have been waiting to have an audience with you.”

“Asahina Kyuzo at your service.” Asahina bowed in return.

“To fill you in, Asahina-sama,” Soshi spoke up with her sultry voice, “This is going to be the head of the Mantis clan, replacing the current representative.”

“Who are you?” Asahina looked at Soshi perplexed.

“Soshi Meiko, my lord.”

“It is really nice to meet you, but why are you informing me of what is going on around here?”

It appeared to Airo that Asahina and Soshi hadn’t yet met. He had figured that Soshi was one of the representatives since she was well informed and provided herself as a host in Asahina’s absence. Matsu also hadn’t seemed the least bit surprised to see her, and even was on friendly terms with the way Soshi was speaking to her.

“You told us to scout, my lord.”

“Do you not know this woman?” Airo interjected.

“Not as of yet,” Soshi answered for Asahina.

“Do we ever really know a woman?” Asahina asked rhetorically.

“I know enough,” Airo decided it was a question worth discussing instead of leaving it unanswered. “They are beautiful creatures. The world would be not the same without them.” He gazed at Soshi, who was quite beautiful.

“Agreed. Have they been treating you well here? And I apologize for my late appearance.”

“Yes, the food has been excellent and they have patiently waited on me while I patiently waited on you. I am here to serve you in building this new town for the Spider clan.”

“I just had word with Yoritomo-san, head of the Mantis encampment. I was under the impression that he was the representative.”

“That is currently correct,” Soshi said.

“But you just said-”

“Yes, lord Asahina,” interrupted Soshi, “Tomorrow there should be a missive.”

“I was unaware I was here to replace Yoritomo-san,” Airo quickly explained, “I feel sorry for him. I don’t know what he has done to lose his position to myself.”

“Nothing, he is to be your advisor.” Soshi seemed to know everything. Airo was glad she was here, she made the answers to their questions easily available.

“Oh, that’s good. He knows the current situation. So, are there any other matters left today that you need to take care of? I’d be happy to come with you and assist.”

“Not currently,” Asahina responded. “I have sent out invitations for a gathering tonight for the representatives.”

“With that being the case, Asahina-sama,” Soshi jumped into the conversation again, “Tsuruchi-san and I were going to take a walk around the village. I will show him around and explain what is currently happening in the area.”

“Would you mind if I accompanied you as well?” Asked Asahina.

“Not at all.” Soshi smiled.

“Shiba-san, any objections?” Asahina was talking to the Phoenix woman behind him. Airo forgot she was even there with how quiet she had been.

“It is most unusual to mention your yojimbo, Asahina-sama,” Soshi pointed out.

“This is the least of the unusual happenings lately, Soshi-san. Shiba-san isn’t technically my yojimbo, she is-”

“Captain of the bodyguards, if I’m not mistaken,” She interrupted again. “Shiba Morasahi, she has an older sister.”

“Yes, so formalities aren’t as astringent as normal between the two of us and in public. It will be okay.”

“An interesting way to handle things, lord Asahina,” commented Soshi.

“Shall we walk?” Airo was getting tired of this room. He had decided to see the town several minutes ago now and they hadn’t started towards the door. At his suggestion, however, Asahina and Shiba moved out of the way, waiting in the street for Soshi and him.

“What are you plans for this place?” Airo only knew the Spider were moving into the area and the town was supposed to get bigger and become some sort of guard post. A general idea didn’t give him much to work towards. Airo liked direction.

“Frankly, we’re all rather new at this. All we’ve really done is establish duties. Tonight we will see who has what to offer because my compatriots and I can’t do it all alone. Later we will have hordes of people coming from various clans, but that will take some time. Thank goodness we have Kitsuki-san taking care of the bureaucracy of it all. I was afraid I would be overwhelmed.” Asahina was quite forthcoming about his feelings on his duties.

“So the point of this town is a place of protection for the new settlements that will be beyond?”

“I prefer to see it more as a union of all the clans in order to squelch any underlying strife. I believe it’s a means to yoke any kind of past regresses.”

“Who all is with you now aside from Matsu-san and Soshi?” Airo paused, on that thought he remembered the Spider(s) in the building. “I saw a strange Spider walking around in your home. I don’t mean to intrude.”

“No, I understand. A strange Spider, that would describe the majority of the Spiders that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

“He refused to give a name. I’m afraid they might be a mute. Is that the case?”

“Oh no, she is definitely not a mute,” Asahina quickly responded. “Perhaps a little shy. Or she might be attracted to you.”

“That would be… a happening,” Airo wasn’t sure how to respond with something so candidly spoken. At least he knew the Spider was female now, though a name wasn’t given by Asahina either. “Is anyone else staying with you? I noticed Matsu and you were sharing a house, though Matsu is betrothed to a Unicorn.”

“Yes, we have a representative from the Phoenix clan,” Asahina waved a hand towards Shiba.

“I should have guessed, the Shiba are the finest yojimbo in the land.”

“We have one from the Dragon clan,” continued Asahina, “Of course you met the Lion, and the Spider.”

“Oh, yes… The captain of the guard.” Airo licked his swollen lip making a note to keep his distance from Matsu when they next met.

“Mikoto-chan landed a stunning blow to end the conversation,” Soshi smirked.

That was enough of that conversation for Airo. “What is there to do for entertainment around here?”

Surprisingly, Shosi waved an arm towards the brothel which was right in front of them. Somehow she had led them, with all their wandering, to this location precisely at the moment Airo asked. It was like Soshi anticipated everything he could want. He really liked her being around. She explained that there were the finest women and men, whatever suited your tastes, in Rokugan who lived in the brothel. Exquisite taste was starting to become a trend in this village, and Airo liked it.

Asahina requested they be shown around more. With an internal sigh, Airo followed. He could always come back and judge the fineness of the women another time; he was going to be living here for a while. Soshi pointed out the inn, where one could sample the sake and shochu that they brewed in town. She then took them to the brewery where Soshi quoted some numbers, the amount of days they let the sake permeate or something equally unimportant to Airo. Eventually they ended their tour at the geisha house.

Asahina didn’t object this time which allowed Airo to enjoy the provided entertainment while also enjoying the local brews. Before he knew it, dinner hour was quickly approaching. He had drunk enough to feel the warmth that emanates from consuming the perfect amount of drink. Honestly, he didn’t want to leave, but he had been tasked to help Asahina with this town and the dinner party would be starting shortly, very shortly. They probably had an hour or two until guests showed up, but Asahina never said what time the dinner would start so Airo really had no idea.

“Perhaps we should head out for the dinner?” Airo suggested.

“Yes,” Asahina agreed, “I have almost enjoyed myself too much.”

They reluctantly left the geisha house and ventured back to their home. Asahina and Shiba split away from Airo nearly the second they entered the doorway, going off in different directions. Airo watched Asahina walk through the courtyard past Matsu, and that was his cue to go. He turned left and followed the hallway out of sight of Matsu. That was one woman he didn’t want to be left alone with.

“Tsuruchi-sama,” a female voice gently called from behind him. Airo spun around to see a short female servant addressing him. “We have moved your stuff from your pony to your room. If you would follow me I can direct you.”

“Oh, thank you.” Airo didn’t expect someone to take the initiative to set him up in this house without being directed. It was a pleasant surprise to not have to wait for his items and thus wait to get ready for the party.

The servant walked around Airo and down the hall. They passed the kitchen and she slid open the shoji wall next to it revealing a simple room with his spare clothes already set out on a quaint table. He was quite happy with his room’s location, lacking neighbors besides the kitchen. Airo didn’t know where Matsu slept, but he knew she wasn’t next door, which put a smile on his face. The dinner that was being prepared smelled wonderful as well. What a way to wake up in the mornings, he thought to himself, rising to the delicious aromas from breakfast being cooked on the other side of his wall.

Airo needed to change out of the clothes he’d been wearing all day, not only around town, but having just arrived they were also what he had traveled in. Airo thanked the servant and dismissed her with a nod, retrieving his fine kimono off the table. When he turned around the girl was still in his room, the door had been closed, and she was approaching him reaching for his belt.

“Excuse me,” Airo exclaimed, “I think you’re in the wrong room.”

“No, Tsuruchi-sama. I am assigned to you.”

Airo narrowed his eyes, he couldn’t rightly be angry at the girl for following whomever ordered her to him, but she had to know this was not the way things worked as well. Men had male servants and women had females. She was going to undress him, and that just wasn’t appropriate.

“Get out of my room.”

“As you wish, Tsuruchi-sama. Would you like me to send in someone else?”

“No!”

“As you wish, Tsuruchi-sama.” She left without another word, silently sliding the door open, then disappearing behind it.

Airo waited, he expected the girl to reopen the door and try to “help” him with his dress again. Nothing came but the noises of the kitchen. Resigning that she wouldn’t come back, Airo dressed for the dinner and peeked out of his room. No female attendant, no lion, and no Matsu, the coast was clear. Carefully he peered around each corner looking for Matsu before he headed to the courtyard where Shiba was trimming a bonsai tree quietly.

“Shiba-san, you’re not accompanying Asahina-sama?” Airo wasn’t sure exactly what their relationship was, but normally a man didn’t have a woman yojimbo, just like servants.

“No.”

“That’s a fine bonsai tree you have there.”

“Thank you, Tsuruchi-sama.” Shiba didn’t say much. Airo liked that.

“I find bonsai trees to be highly therapeutic. Like looking at one just somehow makes you feel better. Unless, of course they are imbalanced. Somehow you can always tell. I wonder if it’s the way they look, like you just know because your mind can see it even if your eyes can’t. Or maybe you can feel it. The lack of balance resonates through our spirit and you just know something is not right with that bonsai. It could be a mixture of both, perhaps you feel it when you see it and yet you don’t actually see it. Like the beauty in the painting of a sunrise. You don’t actually see the sunrise yourself, so you don’t see the beauty that lies in its natural form. But you see the painting, and the artist somehow makes the painting speak of the beauty, but it’s beautiful in a different way. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Instead of feeling the beauty of the moment yourself, you know, in your soul that it should be beautiful and so you just make it beautiful by looking at it.” Airo continued on in that manner, having the greatest of conversations with Shiba, until he noticed the Unicorn enter the house.

“Oh guests! The guests are arriving.” Airo quickly made his way to the door to greet the new arrivals.

One by one a representative from each of the clans trickled through the doorway. First was the Unicorn, whom had gotten Airo’s attention in the first place. She shook his hand, which was quite uncomfortable but he didn’t have to linger with her long since a Dragon came in next. A Crane followed on the Dragon’s heels so Airo didn’t get to personally greet each one, instead he raised his arms, “Welcome to our humble abode. You are our honored guests,” he said merrily.

In came a Spider, beautiful, more so than any woman Airo had ever seen before. Then a Mantis who instantly placed himself by Airo’s side.

“Oh, Yoritomo, I’m so glad to meet you,” Airo said sincerely. He wanted to at least know the person whom he was replacing. “I’m glad you could arrive.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Tsuruchi-sama. We have received word today you would be here.”

“I apologize, I did not mean to take your position. I wasn’t aware of it.” Airo felt a little bad he had somehow edged someone out of the position.

“No apology is needed, Tsuruchi-sama.”

“I think you’ll make an excellent advisor. How long have you been here?”

“I have only been here four days, Tsuruchi-sama.”

“Oh, so we’re both in this boat together.”

Airo didn’t have much time to talk to Yoritomo, however, there were more guests still coming and more people who needed to be blessed on this joyous occasion. He mingled in the crowd, treating everyone as if they were a long time friend. There were plenty to talk to, and there was plenty to talk about. At one point a debate arose about what should be built first for the town. The Phoenix, of course, wanted a temple. The Spider seconded, though requested it be for Shurido. The Unicorn wanted a stable, having twenty-three battle maidens on hand meant they needed more than what the small village could provide. Asahina tried to push for a dojo; no one was interested. Airo began a point by point on why the barracks would be the best choice. It must have been rousing, nearly everyone was nodding and Airo felt he had the support of all the leaders, and then Negisa spoke up. She provided ample arguments why a temple was the right choice. In the end, however, Airo knew his idea was solid, even if the Spider had pointed out that their clan has lived in camps for years and it didn’t hurt your soul, but a lack of a temple did.

The food was brought out and Airo noticed the Spider in residence, whose name he hadn’t yet got, sneaking out the backdoor. He shrugged and continued on with the festivities, which consisted of eating many delicacies at the moment. After dinner, with business set aside, polite conversation and entertainment ensued. Airo felt the urge to improvise a poem, however he didn’t know where to end it, so it just kind of hung in the air and felt hallow. Shiba partook in a game of Go with the other Phoenix, to which Airo just had to observe.

“Shiba-san, you’re doing so well,” Airo exclaimed, “May I watch?”

“If you keep silent, yes.”

“Then I must go.” Airo circled the table and began wandering back into the crowded courtyard until he noticed a particular Lion standing in his way, Matsu.

“Oh, Matsu-san,” Airo stopped before he was within her reach. In fact he stopped about three feet further than that. “Are you having a good evening?”

“So far,” answered Matsu. “No one has been insulting tonight.”

“That’s good. I’d hate for any of these guests to get hurt.” Airo still felt the pain she had caused with her smack.

“Only idiots insult Lions.” Daigotsu Negisa, the Spider advisor who arrived for the party remarked in the snarkiest tone he had ever heard.

“It appears I’ve already been foolish once today, lion’s can be very temperamental.”

“So can wasps, I hear.” Negisa didn’t even look up from Shiba’s Go game which she was watching.

“Sometimes the wasp’s sting is highly poisonous, especially in regards to the O-Suzumebachi,” Airo retorted. She had been opposing him all night. This time it wasn’t going to work.

“Yes, but even those can be eaten by spiders.”

Okay, it was going to work. Airo quickly walked in the other direction, knowing he was out of his league with Negisa. She was going to chew him up and suck his blood, or whatever it was that spiders did to bugs. The rest of the night Airo kept not only Matsu within his line of sight, but Negisa as well.

He still had a genuinely good time, mainly because he avoided those two as if they were tainted. At one point they were together, talking in a corner and Asahina joined them. He wanted to yell for Asahina to run, but if Asahina wasn’t afraid of Matsu then obviously he knew how to handle the Lion. Then he noticed Shiba. She was sitting by herself, drinking, looking more somber than usual. This would be the perfect time to tell her about poetry. Shiba was such a good listener.

Somewhere in the middle of explaining why Ikoma Ume was the embodiment of Bushido for her compilation of over four-thousand individual poems, Airo watched Asahina depart the party with the two beautiful, yet dangerous women, Matsu and Negisa. Maybe they were going for a stroll, he thought. It was only worth a passing consideration; Shiba was eagerly waiting for him to finish his lofty thoughts on poetry and its place in Rokugan.