Speak no Evil

**Date Started:** March 1st, 2023
 **Date Completed**: TBA
**Previous Role-Play**
**Next Role-Play:** TBA
**Users Involved:** User:Blackdagger01 & User:HoloArc
**Setting:** Hino
**Characters Involved:** Hotoke, Mikuzume Osaki, Mastraza Raikou, Kagutsuchi.

There had arrived a substantial amount of people to his gathering. There had been two weeks since his arrival, and Hotoke had already amassed a following. It seems like his message was needed more than he had anticipated. This time he made a move to let the people know how to live a more fulfilling life, not through ones own circumstances or lack of them, but by accepting that no matter what, you are always in charge of yourself. Regardless of what happens, you are in charge of how you choose to react and deal with anything that comes your way. This was just one topic of many. Just some days ago he had told a story of how life will always be hard, but it is by overcoming those hardships that show who one really is.

"A man does not let the worst news destroy him. And make no mistake, this applies to more than just men. I remember a story of a man who lost everything he had over a mistake, a lapse of his own judgment. Many think of such things and imagine that one would give up, but not him. He accepted that as his mistakes and he decided to run laps around a mountain! He did not stop! He didn't stop, not until his shame could no longer keep up with him! It is hard, ladies and gentlemen! Running the laps were hard, but not as hard the loss! There is no shame in falling. There is shame in giving up!" He called out to applause. "So look to yourself, friends! Imagine what is holding you down in your life, and realize that you are greater than that! Whatever is holding you down is surmountable! It is hard, will be hard! But it is worth it! Repeat after me: It is hard! But it is worth it!" he shouted, to which the gathering repeated his words. "Remember that, friends! Work hard, work well, and remember that you can decide about yourself on everything that happens! Thank you, friends! You are great as always!" he finished to applause yet again.

Walking behind the scenes, he was offered the income for the evening. Most of it went to financing the license to keep speaking and also cost of housing and food expenses. He seldom made much of a profit of what he did, considering he never stayed too long in one place to build up enough of a following for that. But he didn't mind. What mattered to him was the message he was sharing. Nodding to the men who offered it, he then saw the fear in their eyes set in. Turning around, he saw a towering Yokai woman stand before him. Obsidian scales along her tail, muscles to spare and piercing yellow eyes. He did not seem afraid at the sight, but he did show respect and caution. Doing the appropriate Hino greeting, he looked to her from his bowing position. "You impose quite an aura, madam. What can I do for you?"

"You can come quietly with me." She spoke bluntly. "The Shogun has heard of you by now and needs to hear of your intentions."

"My intentions are the same as when I showed up: To grant courage and inspiration to those who need it." Was his reply.

"That is for the higher ups to decide. Now rise up and come along with me. No hassle and no complaints. Understood?"

"Crystal, Ma'am." he said as he walked ahead of her, letting her guide him to where he needed to go, trusting her to guide him the right path. He did not expect to be summoned by the nobility. Save for the license, he's had no interactions with any of them. Should prove interesting to see them, if not a bit nerve wracking. But he made sure to keep his composure steady and firm. Would make a sorry sight to speak the words he did and not live up them himself.

And Guided he would be, to the palace of the Shogun. However, instead of being brought before the Shogun or other nobility Hotoke would instead be led to a cell underneath of the palace. Dark save for the torches that lined the outside wall and whatever light streamed in through the barred window near the ceiling of the cell.

He would wait there for some time, difficult to tell exactly how many hours would have passed as the sky was not visible from the barred window but at the very least he would be able to tell that the sun had set by now. The clacking of footsteps against the stone floor echoed down the halls, clearly getting closer and seemingly stopping just outside of his cell. Should he look to the locked door of his cell he would see, leaning out from the side of the door at a height that would indicate a rather short person, a bow, long black hair, and a pair of black eyes staring at him.

"Oh, so he's the one everyone has been talking about... I expected him to be a Yokai." A small feminine voice spoke to seemingly no one in particular. Should Hotoke look higher on the edge of the door he would see two fox ears, long blonde hair, and blue eyes peaking out from a good bit higher from the Raven-haired one.

"I expected someone causing such a rukus to be cuter." A more mature female voice seemed to respond to the other one. "Mastraza are you sure you grabbed the right one? Surely he couldn't have gathered enough people to catch her attention, right? I mean, he looks like a regular man." The mature voice spoke out again.

"Saw it myself. It is most definitely him. Unless he is just the face of someone elses words." Mastraza responded, sounding a bit disinterested over the whole thing. "Doubt it, but could well be."

Getting off of the bed he had been sitting on, he looked to the two pair of eyes with a soft smile. "Perhaps regular, but my words are not." He said confidently to the two as he dusted off his clothes from the hay and dust gathered on them. "Name's Hotoke. Not sure if you knew that yet or not, but it is always good to be curtious." He spoke, feeling a bit more confident now that he was not alone. He was not quite good with isolated silence. "And who might these fair eyes belong to? I doubt they're from ordinary guardsmen."

The smaller one seemed to giggle at his compliment, being the first to step out. A short women not even reaching a full five feet in height, long black hair that reached all the way down her back, she wore a pink and purple kimono that completely covered her arms, sleeves that nearly drapped down to the floor. She gave a slight bow, "You would be correct. I am Akemi Sutoku, the left hand of the Shogun." She responded before making room for the other to step out. A fair skinned woman in a white Kimono with a red sash around her waist now stood alongside the other. A fan in her right hand covered the majority of her face from the nose down.

"And I am the right hand of the Shogun, Mikuzume Osaki. And we've come to see the person who has been causing such a stir as of late. After you've seen the Shogun there may not be any of you left to see for ourselves after all. We were curious to see the sort of man we were dealing with. It is quite surprising to find you as a human, a shame really."

Akemi churped like a bird before speaking, "With what I've heard of your speeches I was sure you'd be a Yokai. The Shogun is sure to be surprised as well. Perhaps she will go easy on you. But I'm sorry if she doesn't." Akemi told him, a warm smile on her face even as she seemed to be speaking about his possible death.

"Shame? Unfortunate, I would have hoped to make a better impression than that." He said with a chuckle. "It is a pleasure to meet you both, for whatever good that does either of us. For what reason did you think I would be a Yokai? Was there anything in particular that made that impression?" He asked, seeming quite cheerful despite his predicament. He didn't seem phased by the insinuation that he might very well die soon. He grabbed hold of the bars that made up his cage, looking them up and down before turning back to the two women, along with the giantess from before. He nodded to her in greeting.

"Because that's who your message seems to resonate with the most, and yokai aren't quick to take kindly to humans. Even ones with pretty words, so as far as I or Miku knew it made sense for you to be a yokai rather than a human." Akemi responded to his question, bringing her arms in over herself as she studied the man.

"If it has any effect at all it's likely to be in your favor. If it were a fellow Yokai rallying up fellow Yokai then I've little doubt the Shogun would seek to make an example of you. But as a human things become more... complicated. If she were to kill you then you might seem a martyr, quite the dangerous thing to become." Mikuzume spoke, clearly attempting to figure out all the possible outcomes of this situation. "If people see you as a Yokai sympathizer then killing you will send a bad message. Though lower class, the Yokai are currently considered 'equal' in a sense, to kill a man for simply inspiring them could lead to a much bigger issue. But if you're left alive then you may very well spark a rebellion of sorts. Another war between the humans and the yokai. How bloody that would be." The woman continued, almost seeming satisfied by the difficult position the Shogun was placed in by the presence of the man.

"You're more interesting that you let on. By means of your own or not. And you've made yourself quite important to boot. I'll pray you aren't outright killed." Miku continued before she moved away from the door. "Come now, Mastraza. Open the door, if we keep the Shogun waiting much longer it may be all our heads."

Mastraza huffed a puff of air in response to Mikuzume's command. While she was a superior in a sense, she never liked taking orders from her. Felt demeaning in a way when the Shogun is meant to be the one to order her around. Opening the gate to the cage, she motioned for Hotoke to step forward. Clasping him in chains around his wrists as a precaution. After having him in cuffs, she began to escort him to the halls of the Shogun. Entering through the gates into the chamber, he noticed a couple of more yokai along with nobility gathered in there. It was foolish to think that he would have met only the Shogun in hindsight.

Standing at the center of everything, Mastraza didn't even get the chance to force him down before Hotoke went down on his knees by his own will, doing the curtsy he was expected to. Down on all fours, he pressed his forehead against the back of his hands as he completely groveled before her. A rightful choice, considering not only her station, but also her divinity. He did not speak. He would not speak unless adressed. Mastraza thumped her chest with one hit before bowing her head. "Shogun." She whispered just loud enough to be heard. She did not move to her seat, rather standing beside Hotoke to correct him if he did anything unruly.

There was silence from the Shogun, small whispers among the nobility and on the opposite side of the room between the three Yokai, two of which being the ones he'd spoken to earlier with the third being a taller male with horns. The whispers suddenly grew quiet, not that Hotoke could see why from where he kneeled. But the sound of the Shogun's voice was likely hint enough.

"So you really are a human then? Interesting..." Kagutsuchi spoke, a voice that despite her own words sounded bored. "Hotoke, raise your head and tell me why it is that you've come to our country? A human foreigner stirring up trouble..."

Hotoke did not rise from his position, but he did hold his head high even from this groveling display. He had not been asked to rise, so he wouldn't. "I've come to learn. I've come to understand. And I've come to inspire. I believe they walk hand in hand. I learn to know what I should say, what to take away from the wisdom the land already offers its people. I work to understand what it is I hear so I do not misrepresent it later down the line, for I believe that the best way to inspire one culture is to teach them of another and how they draw upon their strengths, while also helping those who already holds those beliefs but have not found its meanings yet. And I use all the prior topics to inspire those who needs to know that they are more than what they think they are. That they are what they overcome." He explained his purpose and reasons, but not his methods or how to excuse himself. She hadn't asked for that.

The whispers seemed to start again from the human side, three women spoke with one another all of middle age no younger than thirty and no older than their mid-forties. Each of them wore different color clothing with separate emblems on each, not that Hotoke could see them from where he groveled. They were siftly silenced before the Shogun spoke again. "You've come to learn, come to understand, and to inspire?" Kagutsuchi asked as though she intended for him to answer but did not give him time to do so quiet yet. "Yet I hear rumors that you've been organizing the Yokai, they gather around you to hear what you have to say. I hear you've been giving them all manner of crazy ideas."

"What have you come to learn and understand? How close you can come to spitting in my face before I have you executed? What have you come to inspire? The Yoaki to rise up and cause another bloody war? There is always unrest among the Yokai, always schemes and plots, they're a conniving and mischevious species and the last thing they need is a message to get behind. Your ideas, your speeches, they have the potential to cause more harm than they ever could good. You understand this?"

"I have not aimed this message to any race. I have directed it towards those who feel they need a lift of heart and spirit. The Yokai have it hard from my understanding. They are treated subpar when compared to other citizens, they certainly never feel welcome. Why else would they feel the need to be uplifted by a human outsider?" Hotoke began, explaining the gathering of YOkai around him. "I have not sought to make them aligned with me. As for good? That depends on view and time. Good things is a building, and it must be built piece by piece and may take years before you see the results and the splendor. But it only takes a few seconds with a hammer to raze it. I am very cautious with how I choose my words. I am very careful to say that violence is not the path. Violence is a sign of verbal weakness." He said, shaking his head lightly. "All I want is to bring your people to higher spirits. Yokai are frustrated over their predicaments, and the humans are fearful of when a new attack might happen. I figured that there is a need for unity. Not by race or class, but of values."

Silence followed for some time before a different female voice spoke up from one of the human women. A woman with long raven hair and a purple bandana sporting her clan's emblem upon it spoke up. "The road to Naraka is pathed with good intentions, Hotoke. We tried to live equally with the Yokai in the past, the wars fought by the both of our people were bloody and lasted longer than some of us have been alive. Your words may mean well but it is as you said, all of it can be shattered by a single hammer. A mere action could set ablaze a passion that could ignite another war between our people and theirs. They are beings with powers beyond anything a normal human is capable of, if they are not reminded of their place they will grasp whatever leverage they can to rise up again. The Yokai live far longer than us humans and I assure you that they do not forget."

"Perhaps fear blinds you, Mrs. Tengu." Mikuzume spoke up, her voice alone seeming to raise the tension in the room. "Foolish or not the man preaches of unity and good will between our peoples both your kind and my own. You wish to silence him of the basis of that message somehow raising some form of rebellion. But imagine what it would bring if you killed him? Not only is he a foreigner, one well respected from my understanding, but one that preaches of love and peace between peoples. What sort of message would we send if we were to silence him? Would he not simply become a martyr for their cause?"

The widowed Miss Kuromiya spoke up next, the calm and soothing voice of an older woman. One with many years of wisdom to call her own. "I would like to avoid bloodshed if possible, to condemn him to death simply becuase his ideas attract people you would rather it not would not be wise in my opinion. If we are worried about what sort of message he might spread then perhaps exhile is the better solution. Send him back where he came from and let him be on his way."

The brunette was next to speak up, "What if he just smuggles his way back in and goes underground now that he knows that we're on to him? No matter how much we try there will always be those who know how to find their way to get things onto and off the islands without anyone knowing. It's a constant battle with smugglers and pirates alike. Someone charismatic enough to have gained a following in such a short time is sure to have connections." Miss Sakuya spoke up on her opinion.

Kagutsuhi shifted in her seat, raising a leg and sitting it over the arm of her throne while she rested her elbow against the other, sitting her hand in her palm with a small smile on her face. "Or perhaps we could make use of him. He has a following, one of Yokai. Perhaps it would be best to utilize that to simmer down the situation? Tell them to be content with their situation and lives, and to be glad they're allowed to live at all following their defeat at the hands of their human betters?" She suggested.

"Propaganda then?" Hotoke asked to no one in particular. "That I cannot do. Forgive me for speaking, but while it is true that I have garnered a following of Yokai, even if it wasn't my explicit goal to amass just them, should I start proclaiming that they ought to be content with their lot and bow their heads in defeat, something that would go explicitly against my prior message, then they wouldn't listen to me for very long. Might just tear me limb from limb for giving them hope only to rob them of it. In fact, after having been taken in after having given them a message of hope and self-discipline and then change my tune, they wouldn't need many hours to connect the dots that I had been swayed. And knowing that you swayed me in such a way, it would only incrimenate you and give them further reasons to be malcontent." He explained. "With all due respect, your holy grace, to tell them to be content with life without giving them a reason to value that life is not a palpable message. Suicidal as that would be, I would compare it to robbing you of your sweets and tell you to be happy with the hollow air. There will be consequences to such an act. Same as telling them that having a life is all they deserve. There would be consequences." Hotoke explained it in as humble words as he could to not sound arrogant or as if he knew more than any of them. That could only lead to disaster.

The small flames that flickered behind her thrown suddenly became pillars, roaring up like hands reaching to the heavens. The look on the Goddess' face made it clear that she did not approve of his speaking out, and it was clear that his action had brought the tension in the room to a boil, something seen on the faces of everyone in the room who shielded themselves from the sudden bright flames and intense heat.

"Do not concern yourself with what they might do to you, Hotoke. It is only my whims that you should concern yourself with at the moment. As it is by them and them alone that decides your fate. The Yokai had nothing stolen from them they did not attempt to take first. When the humans first came to these lands we were prey to the Yokai. In our attempts at peace every inch we made was met with a mile taken from us. We attempted to compromise and in turn they destroyed our crops, stolen our childen, took the lives of our men and women. The life they live now is what they have brought upon themselves and though many Yokai now are too young to remember those times I assure you that there are plenty that not only remember the horrors of those days but were glad to participate in them." Kagutsuchi spat, her very words carrying a heat behind them, embodying her status as the God of Fire.

Mrs Kuromiya spoke up when others did not. "Mighty Shogun, the man is an outsider, not from these shores. It is unreasonable to expect him to understand the gravity of what it is that he is saying. He knows not of these lands, its history, or customs. His words do not carry the intent that bring about the results that it has. He knows not the damage he causes, like a child who steps on an ant hill, I do not think it right to punish ignorance."

"You are bold today, Mrs Kuromiya. To speak so freely while your clan still struggles to regain the honor lost to you by your husband. Perhaps the Kuromiya clan truly learned nothing from his passing" Kagutuschi hissed, causing the older woman to bow her head in silent shame.

Surprisingly the next to speak up was Mikuzume, "I agree with the Lady of Clan Kuromiya. The man is ignorant of our ways, of the war between the humans and the yokai. Though his intentions are meaningless given the damage his words may cause perhaps it might be best not to silence or propagandize him but rather to have him see it for himself? Under supervision of course. I volunteer Miss Sutoku" The kitsune picked up the small bird-woman by her waist as though presenting her as sacrifice to their Godess, a fate the bird woman clearly struggled against, flapping the long sleeves of her kimono like wings.

"I think it would be best to simply kill him and be done with it. The Oni can put down any rebellion that comes from his death even if the other Yokai choose to see him as a martyr. The Oni clan is after all, the strongest of all Yokai." The large horned man who until now had been silent gave his opinion on what to do with him.

However, Kagutsuchi seemd to ignore the man, pondering Mikuzume's suggestion. "He is ignorant, yes, that much is clear. If he were to see the hate that yokai carry in their hearts, the evil that is their very nature, perhaps he would become enlightened to the dangerous words he spews from his sorry mouth. I would very much like to see that..." The fiery pillars behind her began to die down back to their original state.

"That said, perhaps it would be best for you to accompany him, Mikuzume. It was after all your idea and frankly I trust you more to be able to handle things should they grow out of control than the young miss Sutoku." The Goddess added, much to Miku's frustration.

"But Mighty Shogun, I am the advisor to your decisions, surely there is someone better suited to this. Mastraza maybe? Shes used to traveling and the like and-"

Miku was cut off when Kagutuschi spoke up again. "And I advise you not to question my decisions. You will be put in charge of the man, Sutoku and Doji will help you in this endevour but since it was your suggestion you will be the one ultimately responsible for him. Do I make myself clear?"

"I- Yes, My Lady." Miku spoke in a defeated tone, bowing her head to their Goddess and shooting an angry look at Hotoke as she clearly blamed him for this misfortune brought upon her.

"Now you may speak, Hotoke. Do you agree to these terms or would you prefer I go with Doji's suggestion?" Kagutsuchi gave Hotoke permission to decide his fate.

Mastraza offered the Oni a look as if she took exception to his statement. She was about to speak up when Hotoke interjected with a statement of his own. "Do you so naturally speak of slaughtering your people? Does that give you a feeling power and authority? Does it help you sleep at night?" he spat before looking towards Kagutsuchi, a hint of disgust on his face that was not directed at her as his tone immediately turned to the same humility as before toward the goddess. His face was meant for the Oni. The final words for the Shogun. "I accept your terms. Lady Mikuzume will be my guide and enlighten me to your history and culture. Perhaps ten miles in your shoes will change my view on the Yokai and Hinoan culture."

"Your words mean nothing to me, Human. The Oni were feared and hated by the other Yokai even before your kind found their way to Hino. Even in unified hatred towards humans you will find that the yokai are not so quick to call one another brother or sister based solely on that shared anger." Doji did not even look to Hotoke in answering his question, instead looking to Kagutsuchi as regardless of what either of them had to say or thought she had the final say.

Kagutsuchi waved a hand, a servant with bowed head approaching from beside her throne and it was from him that she took a small bamboo pipe. Placing one end in her mouth she took a long drag before exhaling an excess of smoke and embers to drifted toward Hotoke. Her action seemed always mocking, as though she were trying to annoy him on purpose. "Not so much change as to understand, Hotoke. You speak of such idealistic thing as though to make them come true you need only believe hard enough. But alas, the world is not so black and white. Mastraza, take the man from my sight and put him up in one of the palaces guest rooms."

Mastraza took Hotoke by the shoulder, pulling him up to his feet and began to usher him away from the scene and towards one of the palace guest rooms. Hotoke felt content with not getting outright executed, though he now thought about whether or not he would be allowed to continue his speeches. Once Mastraza stopped, so did he, getting pushed inside the room intended for him.

The room in which the man stood was of moderate size, larger than his former accommodations. A tatami mat floor, a small table barely at shin height, and a queen sized bed adorned with purple fitted sheets. Lighting the room was a small circular lamp hanging above the table. A window against the opposite side of the room was too small for someone of his size to crawl through but offered a decent view of the city below.

"This will be your accomodations for now." Mastraza stated. "Enjoy your stay. Or not. One is more comforting than the other, I'd imagine... Your dinner will be brought to you some time later. Don't attempt to leave before Mikuzume has come to inspect your lodgings. And for future reference?" She trailed off before looking warningly at the man. "Don't tempt Doji again. Oni are a threat you have not faced before, and making an enemy of him will do you no favors."

"I don't have enemies. Just adversaries." He stated simply, looking out the window. "Ms. Mastraza... Do you agree with them? That there is no kinship? That this is just your lot in life?"

"There is no use opposing it. T'is how things are and will be."

"But does it have to?" Hotoke asked in response, looking back at her with eyes she could not meet.

"Miku and later dinner will come shortly. Make no attempt of escape, understood?" She ordered, to which he simply nodded and returned to look out the window.

Time passed and then more passed, the moon was high in the sky by the time a knock came to his door, merely a warning before the thing was opened. In came a servant, wearing white robes bearing the flaming symbol of Hino upon them. Carrying in the man's hands was a tray on which laid food. Rice being the most numerous in serving but accompanied by a bowl of miso soup and serving of cripsy katsu chicken.

Without a word the man placed the tray onto the table and left the room, taking his place in the shadow of the doorway was none other than the blonde Kitsune that had been placed in charge of Hotoke during his stay. Her nose was red, clearly having been upset about something but having done her best to compose herself before making her way here. "Well, eat. If you starve to death it'll be my head after all." She ordered, leaning against the frame of the door. "That damn... I can't believe she'd do this..." Miku spoke under her breath, still sulking about the entire situation.

"I suppose it is a redundant and foolish thing to ask if you are well." Hotoke spoke as he moved over to the food that had been prepared for him. Using the correct utensils, showing some skill in the handling of such things, he took a bite out of a sample of rice. "Hm... Overcooked." He muttered softly to himself.

"Don't go complaining, the rice is fine and so am I." She spoke up before letting out a sigh. "You say too much when it would be best to say nothing at all. It wasn't wise to speak against Doji, though his measures are extreme he means well in his intentions. And if he were not effective he would not be among the Three Honored Yokai clans." She continued, her tone was one of frustration but it was clear that her anger was not directed at him. He was only an outlet for it at the moment.

"Wise? No, of course not. But I couldn't in good conscience keep quiet from such a remark. I'm sure his intentions are well and good. Doesn't make the action the same quality." He said as he bit into the rice again. "Could have done with some extra furikake to compensate..." He muttered yet again, sounding less like complaints and more like analysis. Looking up to Miku with a curious look at Miku, trying to gauge what she would say or do. "You think you are unfairly treated in watching me?"

"Of course it is unfair I'm the head of the Osaki clan, advisor to the Shogun chosen for my unrivalled cunning and intelligence. To be asked to play the babysitter is well and far beneath me. The Shogun only treats me unfairly because she fears me because of those very things and you're her excuse to torment me further." The woman spoke more like a flustered child than a high ranking member of Hino's government. "And now I'll be in charge of you for who knows how long? Or worse yet, until the Shogun has decided that you've learned your lesson by which point I'd have aged another thousand years and your bones would have long since rotted to dust." She pointed her clawed finger at him, the fur of her tails stood on end.

He let out a soft 'hm' in answer to that before setting down his bowl and speaking up. "For what it is worth, my sincerest apologies. I didn't mean to become a burden to you. Nor anyone else for that matter. I wished to brighten and inspire. You claim that I have riled up a potential rebellion. So I suppose we both have a mission now: Me to not create further problems, and you to ensure that it stays that way. I just hope I can make the mission moderately bearable for you, m'lady." He said with a bow.

She placed her palm against her forehead, letting out a sigh. "Don't go playing the gentleman now. Your chance to charm was in the audience with the Shogun. Mastraza really would have been a better pick for this. She could help explain things to you far better than I, she's lived it far more than I. The fact of the matter is that what Doji said was ture. Most if not all Yokai hold a grudge toward humans but fact of the matter is that just because they don't like you it doesn't mean they like each other either. For years before humans took the throne and renamed it Shogun the Oni, Tengu, and Kitsune warred without end. The swiftness of the Tengu cut down Oni and Kitsune alike, the cunning of the Kitsune saw the death of thousands of Oni, and the strength and ferocity of the oni saw our and the Tengu ravaged time and time again. For millions of Yokai the story is similar, the difference being that we were united under the Shogun while the others still today fight their endless fight against one another. For food, for land, for century old grudges. It isn't as black and white as Humans verse the Yokai, got it?"

"I know." He said simply. "I often do some reading on the places I visit. And several humans and Yokai alike have informed me of their personal plights and enlightened me to them. But every day is a day I intend to learn more from. And despite it all, I thank you for going out of your way to teach me more. Even if it is something you would rather not have done." He spoke as he took the rice in his hand again. "And it is not a matter of playing the gentleman. I believe respect should be paid to those who stand above you, or simply deserving of it. Not to mention that you are helping me now. Reluctant or not, undesired or not, you are doing it... And I should show appreciation for that." He spoke as he bit into the rice and the chicken. "Hm. Perfect fowl, but the rice dries too quickly." He muttered yet again.

"I'll make sure that the palace chef hears your complaints." She huffed at his disatisfaction with the rice again. "Moreover, by technicality you're a guest here. Even if a reluctant one, so with all the restrictions you'll be under there are also some privileges that come with that status." She stated, walking into the room and over to the wall. Pulling open a small panel on the wall showed off several strings of what appeared to be piano wire or something of the sort. Each of them were labeled with the names of other rooms in the palace. Including but not limited to the kitchen, the maid's quarters, the library, and security. "Pull one of the strings a few times and someone will come to see what you need. The bathroom is down the hall, in it you'll also find the baths. Security won't let you go beyond there. It might not look like it but I assure you with the utmost confidence that even if you believe otherwise, someone in this palace is watching you."

Hotoke followed her with his eyes wherever she walked, a bit cautious in the instance that she would do or say something that would require his full attention. When she showed the ropes and explained his situation didn't deflate or look defeated in any way. He seemed to brighten up a little bit. "Better circumstances than the cells or death. I'll be sure to not take advantage of your hospitality. 'Lest my head be removed all the same." He said with a soft chuckle. Eating more of the rice and fowl, he looked out the window, small as it was. "If I am to be confined, how will I learn of your history and culture? Will I be allowed to walk the streets with escort? Or will I be taught from within these walls?"

"You said you read of our history before you came here. Reiterating what you already know will do you no good, only by seeing will you really understand how things work around here. You'll learn through experience outside these walls, this will simply be your quarters in the Palace." She answered his question, not really seeing what the point of the question was. It seemed foolish to her as she expected more from the man who would unite the Yokai. Perhaps she had expected too much, perhaps it would have been better to have kept her mouth shut and not expected anything at all.

"Do you have any other questions? Comments? Concerns? Tommorrow you will walk the streets and you will learn why things are the way they are and why they will remain that way."

"A few: Why do you think things will or need to remain as they are? Certainly the nation could do well with a populace that does not feel the relentless hatred between one another?" He asked with genuine curiosity to understand their standpoint. "It will not change soon. Probably not even in any mortal lifespan. I could probably work my entire life out here and not change the looks in people's eyes. But wouldn't it be better to lay the foundation for the possibility to build upon it than to leave all those hopes in the muck to never be realized?"

Miku looked to Hotoke, the idealism in his words seemed to ooze from his mouth. As wise as he tried to seem he didn't seem to understand Hino or her people. "Because Yokai live long lives and they do not forget. There are some who live today who were there the day you humans first found themselves on our shores, when ideas like Shogun or Samurai were words we did not understand. They have witness countless slaughters, they have slaughtered countless times. Even as young as I am I am not guiltless nor is the current Shogun the first I've witnessed. You speak from the perspective of someone who will hardly live to see two hundred if that. While I have lived a thousand years and I have seen a hundred wars, I have had pets that will live longer than you."

Her words were harsh, but sincerity was abundant in them. "But perhaps it would be easier to understand if I explained it like this. I have lived here my entire life, I have seen the hate in the hearts of both sides, it will not be quenched so easily. Not when each believes the other to be a monster."

Hotoke took a few moments to soak in the information she had laid out for him. It was nothing new to him, but it was good to hear another perspective again. "You humans?" He asked in return, a quizzical look which held something else within it, hard to discern. "Do you share in that hatred perhaps? You have expressed a disappointment in my humanity from minute one. And you voice humanity with such contempt. And even so, you do not speak any better of the Yokai either... If that is anything to judge from, then the people need encouragement more than I thought they did. A kingdom turned on itself cannot stand. And noble Hino deserves better than oppression and malcontent."

Miku tilted her head, feeling her words were not heeded so much as ignored. "More idealistic words. Words are easy, they flow from the mouth with the very air you breath, formed from nothing but thoughts and ideas without any physical basis in reality. Say what you want, what you feel needs to be said. They only have the power that others give them and so know that so long as you are within my presence you are powerless." She responded to him, not answering his question about whether or not she hated humans and instead she headed toward the door, nine tails flicking to and fro in frustration.

"I'm done talking for the night. Eat and rest, save your words for people who can be swayed by them. You will find none within these walls. Goodnight, Hotoke."

Hotoke saw little of the woman as she turned around and left, only being able to look at her fluffly nine tails. How she held control of each was something he did not comprehend until he reminded himself that she is not a human with nine tails, she is a yokai in human shape. "Gratitude all the same for taking your time to talk. Goodnight, M'lady."

As the door closed behind her, he finished his meal and looked around himself. A cage is still a cage, regardless of how gilded it may be. This would be a hard journey to make. So many people to convince of his intentions and so many more to reach out to. Even so, should this task prove the most difficult, it will not be the hardest challenge he's been through. He would have to be careful. But he could not afford to hold back either. Interesting times were ahead of him.

## Among the Help

As the morning came, servants treading carefully around the palace to not prematurely wake anyone that needn't be awoken and ensure that everything was ready to be served for those who should be. When a servant came early into Hotoke's room. The servant had expected to need to wake up the foreigner and begin arranging the proper stature of the room. But when he did, he would find Hotoke dressed up from the waist down, washing off his face before getting dressed with the final piece. A Hinoan longsleeved button-up shirt in similar appearance to his common garments. "Thank you for bringing me breakfast, sir. Pardon the heat in here, I exercised a bit. But in better news, nothing needs attending."

"I am no 'Sir' sir. That aside, your bed will-" He spoke up as he set down the plate and looked to the bed only to find it in flawless shape. He was somewhat stunned for a moment. Even if Hotoke would have made his bed, it was assumed he would do it improperly to Hinoan standards. More particularly, palace standards. And yet it was. "What about your clothes then? They could-"

"Any man who carries themselves with dignity is deserving of such a humble moniker. And the clothes are folded and placed over there in the corner. If you deem them unclean then I suppose you are free to take them for washing. I don't think I get to go there after all." Hotoke replied as he picked up the bowl of food. Rice again. Can't spoil him too much. "Hopefully it is better this time." He whispered.

"That is cooked by the chefs of the palace. Better?" The servant said incredulously before moving on to the point he felt stood out to him personally. "I-I am a servant. I do my work here with silent humility. I am only-"

"You are a man. No more or less than anyone who shares the title. One can be dignified even in humble work. You are an attendant to the nobility of the Shogun. Take some pride in that. You are more valuable to them than I am. And as such, I will show respect... Sir." He teased a bit at the end. "Off you go now. I need to make my final preparations for today. Best not annoy the nobility with tardiness."

"V-very well then, sir." He said, nodding and starting to walk out.

"Keep your head low in service and humility, but your spirit high with pride and purpose." Would be Hotoke's final words to the man who stopped for a few seconds before walking out.

Appearing just behind the man as he left was none other than Miku herself, silent as a fox step even the servant had not heard her as she'd moved in behind him. She entered the door and closed it behind her, her first noise was a subtle exhale followed close behind by a yawn she covered her mouth to muffle. "Good, you're awake and more importantly, ready. Once you've finished eating we will head out onto the town, I've some errands to run and you will accompany me. Kill two birds with one bite as we say. Efficiency will lend you stable life and long rests." She explained in two sayings that may or may not have been understood by the man before her. But it was clear she did not care one way or the other as she moved onto her next topic.

"You'd only recently made it to Sogen before you were brought in, right? I don't imagine you were able to get acquainted with the city or her people were you? Sogen is the capital of Hino, the largest city in the country. Before the Humans took it was home to the Nurarihyon, the King of the Yokai. All Yokai at that, though the tribes and clans fought among each other his word was law and none dared to disobey his will. Before he was slain by the first Shogun, cementing human rule of Hino to this day." She explained, giving the man a brief history of the city.

"I see. I heard of a chief, but to learn that he bore the title of king is new to me." He said as he gulfed down the food. "Dare I assume that with him removed from the world, the Yokai populace's unity shattered, however loose it might have been, making them easier pickings for the humans?" Hotoke asked, trying to go about it in a respectful way as he finished his meal. "Whatever you have to teach, I shall learn. To understand the deeper intricacies of the nation is certain to lend into further inspiration."

"With the death of the Nurarihyon the Yokai lost the voice that unified them. They became disorganized and a struggle for power began. Who was fit to lead them now? Each tribe with their own ideas, of course ideas that would benefit them the most. Even so it mattered not, a human had taken the will of fire. The first Human God to be born on this land since its creation. Even if they had remained unified, the humans had gained an immense advantage over us. How were we to fight against a being that could burn our fields to ash with a thought? Evaporate our lakes and rivers without so much as a sweat broken? The Yokai had lived here for as long as history had been recorded, they knew nothing else. But while our crops and homes burned to nothing the humans had trade, allies on the mainland. Within three months time they could restock enough of their supplies to feed and water their armies while the Yokai were pushed further and further east until their backs met the ocean. Until then it was only a matter of time before they were forced to surrender. Some refused and went into hiding, some entire species of Yokai died out rather than surrender to the humans. But those who did saw subjection, our proud race became 'less than human'." She shook her head.

Letting out a sigh she looked to Hotoke, "And that was only the first of several wars the would break out over the history of Hino. The last of which saw the Oni, Kitsune, and Tengu side with the humans. In exchange the three great Yokai clans were born, thus why we have a place in the Palace court and why we are treated better than most Yokai and why we are hated by our own people. Blood traitors, a curse on every one of us." She further explained before clapping her hands loudly, "but enough of history and enough of sitting around. We have things to do and more importantly you have things to learn. Let's go."

Hotoke kept his composure but it was clear that the tale struck a cord with him. His eyes told enough that his heart was bleeding but he maintained a calm as he followed her in her steps. "Oni, Kitsune and Tengu submitted in the majority and thus became elevated in the human society. What about that Orochi in the Palace then? Is Mastraza just an 'ordinary' subject? I don't recall Orochi having any particular standing in Sogen." He asked with curiosity, wanting to learn more about every field he could get answers on while he had the opportunity. Even if those seemed like the dumb kind of questions to his hosts.

"Mastraza is different. The Yamata no Orochi are all but no more. Their strength and power was feared by all and so they were betrayed by the humans and hunted to extinction. Or rather, near it as you can see. But that is a story for another time. As I said, it is time for you to experience the world you claim to understand so well." She refused to continue her lecture, her tail flicking upward as if to beckon him up now.

"We've things to do."

...
The summer heat was well and alive, the country of the sun's first kissed reigned true as the swealtering heat of the mid-morning sun was well underway.Even in the heat the city was as alive as ever, the smell of stalls selling barbecued meats, the sound of construction workers hammering away, Men walked the streets fanning themselves, child suckled iced sweets and cold drinks, women carried umbrellas to keep the from their heads. It was a typical day in the City of Origin, in Sogen. Miku purchased a pair of icy treats from a small cart along the side of the road, putting one into her mouth and offering one to Hotoke. "The summers on Amaterasu are beyond brutal. But it is to be expected of the home of the Hinokami." She warned him as if he might not have noticed the sun beating down on them.