Kyuden Shika

Having reminded himself of how to do what he does, Shika Nesshin reports for guard duty as is customary, armed and armored. The castle has to be protected, of course, even in such circumstances.

"I relieve you, sir," he says, bowing to the other bushi, who replies in turn, "I stand relieved," bows, and departs.

Hopefully, it'll be slow.

Nearby was Luixian. The giant of a woman was leaning against the wall; face hidden behind an intricate three-eyed oni mask that revealed nothing. Though hidden that did little to hide the fact that she was scowling underneath it; given away by the aura of annoyance that seemed to hang around her like a bad smell.

For the clan, Luixian. All this dumb shit is for the clan.

Eventually she looked over towards the new guard and gave him a nod.

Nesshin returns the nod and approaches.

"Greetings," he says. "I trust you've eaten rice today? And that you have your papers?"

"If I would have known you would start questioning me about my papers, I wouldn't have acknowledged your presence." The answer was in a low tone. "I do wonder though. What if I don't have them? What shall you do, Shika-san?"

"You'll need either to leave," Nesshin replies, "or to accompany me to where we can get your papers in order. But I would hope that is a hypothetical question."

"It could be but I'm almost tempted to say I don't have them and stir up some trouble since you brought it up." Her body shifted away from the wall and turned to face him.

"You could," Nesshin agrees, "and I've no doubt you'd show a big pot of it. But with many bowls, even the biggest is soon emptied. Let's not make it dinnertime yet, eh?"

"I'm not planning on dinnertime being called until... what is it again? Two weeks that we're all here?" She asked. "Until that's all over and I get to go home again."

"Oh? You don't find this place to your liking, then?" Nesshin asks. "You feel yourself ill-treated?"

"You can't seriously think all of us here don't feel any bad ways about being married off." There was a snort under her mask. "Or married off by minor clanners."