花 果 山 福 地

[From the lone balcony of a refined hotel amidst a sea of trees, a woman wrapped in a butterfly-patterned haori stands looking out. In the distance a dark dot approaches and soars closer towards the building's flared roofs and the flap of wings beat against her shadow overhead. A sleek black crow lands on the wooden rail before her, a slip of parchment attached to its thin leg. The woman coaxes the corvid closer until she's able to run a small hand down its slender back. She takes the note from its slot, unrolling it slowly— revealing its message to the early afternoon sun.

ARCHER SUMMONED.

NO NEWS FROM CHURCH.

STANDBY.

[Kochou Shinobu hums to herself and rolls the message inward. The breeze of Japan's waning summer season tousles her hair.]

Did you know...?

Special class. [She says the title as gently and affectionately as any True Name.]

catch-all texting
midnight texting . general texts . unsent texts . etc.

[When the calamitous Ibuki-Douji had drawn herself up once again after another ground-shaking clash with Rider Shousetsu wondered if she would be sacrificing the last of her strength and energy in this place. As the dust eventually settled a wave of resoluteness suffused her battered being, seizing her body with the tenacious will to continue moving forward.

And then, it was over.

"Congratulations, you two!"

The eruption of cheering from the crowd was secondary, background noise compared to the numb shock she felt in that moment. Everything after had moved so swiftly she could scarcely make sense of it at the time— but one thing that did remain with her, from the final moments before her wish was granted until they finally stepped out into the refreshing night once more.

What remained was that she and Rider had won.

Even with the wish partially drained of power she could feel its potency unraveling from her fingers, released into the world, guided by her hand.

That sensation remained as they returned to Choukou Hall victorious, an impromptu celebration of devoted students and disciples following around. The usual steely-faced Shousetsu could not banish the helpless smile from her lips as they welcomed her and Rider back, drinks and food aplenty for those who wished to celebrate Grandmaster Shousetsu's victory.

As always, however, Shousetsu decided not to partake in their merriment and assured them to enjoy themselves— for their happiness was hers, and it was not long until she is able to steal away into her private quarters with Rider, her body still abuzz with adrenaline and disbelief.]

...

[Quietly on tabi feet she pads to where her room opens into the private garden beyond the engawa. The moon is vibrantly bright, and while Shousetsu is not so selfish as to keep its beauty to herself... for a moment it does feel as though it is glowing brighter than usual.

For her, for Rider. A blessing for the two of them.

Shousetsu speaks out into the night air, the quiet din of her students far on the other side of the building.]

We truly won... didn't we, Rider?

[Is what she quietly utters alone, as though she were still fighting for breath after the last round. In the center of her psyche she feels Rider like a warm flame there and speaks to her from there.]

(from here)

[Something fragrant in the air had stirred Shousetsu from her unexpected and deep sleep— something coyly sweet, almost utterly unrelenting. It roused her enough to have her slowly rise from the overly soft bedding of her... futon? Since when did her modest bedding have such exquisite sheets lined with silk? And most importantly... since when did she allow herself to sleep in such a way?

From there it didn't take long for her to realize something was terribly wrong.

If you were, by poor happenstance, beside Shousetsu in the luxury queen size bed you'll find that she's made herself scarce- that is until you catch a bit of white in the corner of your eye.

Then you'll find Shousetsu herself at the bedside draped in something completely unfamiliar to her and wielding what appears to be... an ice pick that she took from one of the ice buckets. Yikes. She is not holding it in a way some would consider friendly.]

Speak quickly and only in answer. Where is this place and what has become of my swords?

[Hopefully you know how to deal with frazzled samurai. Her swords are probably around this suite somewhere.]