The Little Onion

Runa Mobs wrote:

A local pub that is just outside the colonial wall inside the Hikari territory. This simple pub is one room with a counter, a couple tables with chairs, and a mini stage for those wishing to perform. The outside of the building resembles the shape of an onion from which the pub got it's name.

It was cool outside the little pub. She was sitting across from it, in a small shack made for travelers to rest temporarily while they continue on towards the Hikari path. There was reason to be cold, being so close to the Yuki to Hyōnosen, or what some of the 'new flock' called the Jechx Glacial Mountains or the 'Glacier'.



She didn't care what they called it. She needed to cross it that mattered. She needed to hire a guide with the little gold oval shaped coins with varrying beads in their centers known as "Tsuba" (for those unacquainted with Hikari Currency), but most of these 'new flock' liked to call them... 'Brim'? It was an odd word and sometimes these words were far too dificult for Shizuka to understand. Thats another reason why she needed a guide, one that could speak the common language of the colonies better than she could. She had once spoken to a visitor from beyond the barrier, and they had raised eyebrows and laughed before she had decapitated them out of annoyance. She couldn't help that... besides, given how they had been packed she saved them the trouble of dying on the harsh road to her Capital City.

She frowned. Lady Tsukihime was going to be alone. Without Shizuka by her side, who was going to protect her Lady Lordship, keep her chaist from the horrors of the outside realm? She was a very curious woman, that Kiko Tsukihime, her childhood friend and her Lady whom she pledged her loyalty to. It was a pain, but if this trip is for the Priestess's sake, she would do it. Even if it ached her heart and stomach to leave. She had never ventured out these walls either... so what lay beyond them was a mystery to her as well.

She closed her eyes and sighed, standing up before heading across the dirt path that either lead up into the icy hills or down into the rocky outcrop of sickly evergreens and forests filled with many a Youkai (demon). She opens the door to the small pub and enters, ready to look for her guide.

Izo was sitting amidst the crowd huddled by a kneeling table in a section of the pub which was more suited to the culture of the Hikari people. He was between men and women enjoying themselves, speaking in the Hikari language in drunken slurs. The servant woman was kind enough to pour him a small saucer of Hikari Sake, and he promptly thanked her before sipping from the utensil.



He drank softly, sipping at his rice-wine while he looked at the people who were gathering within the building. Some of them were "Tsuihō sa reta hitobito", or 'The exiled people'. There were plenty of those around here, most of which he knew would be unfortunately killed before they ever reached one of the main Villages inside the Hikari territory, whether it be natural coincidences or otherwise.

He set down his dish as he looked over to the 'new flock' who were pale and nervous. Most of them didn't want to be here, and the Hikari people didn't like them being here. To the Hikari these wandering forced nomads were a problem solved with a sword. There was no repercussions, after all, the colonies these men and woman young and old had come from did not want them either. It was truly an unfortunate situation for them. He sympathized with the exiled travellers.

He remained seated even when the woman with the silver hair had ventured in, bringing a draft of cold air along with her. He didn't observe her too long, and had gone back to looking ahead of him as he drank his sake.

Runa Mobs wrote:

A light rumble was heard before the establishment shook with the usual evening earth shake. Further into the territory on it's edges individuals could be heard screaming as an earthquake replaced solid ground with craters underneath their feet.

The lights in the Little Onion shook ominously before staying on. During this brief moment of earth shaking everything seemed silent but was soon followed by the joyous voices of the little pub's patrons returning to enjoying their lives.

Shizuka grunted, clicking her lips. She detested the ground quakes just as much as the next person, however she hated them mostly due to the fact the areas she's from had significantly less of them. She pressed her hand against wall by the door to support herself so she wouldn't fall, and waited till the shaking stopped. Once it did she walked up to the Bar and looked at the Hikari man behind the counter. "Hey. What are you selling?" she asked, wondering what was on the supply tonight..

"A Southern Dread and a bottle of Sake then." she said, before politely and quietly thanking the man before taking a seat. She could see there was bit of a crowd here at the Little Onion. "I'm sorry," she started, looking at the barman. "Is there something special going on here today? It looks crowded." She says. She didn't think there were any festivals or special events going on around here yet, but she was new to this pub, and it's traditions.

Shizuka shuttered. "I... don't like the sound of that..." she says this under her breath and took a drink of the Southern Dread. It wasn't bad, but she had enjoyed sake better. She looks up and grabs the attention of the bar tender. "Excuse me... but, do you perhaps know anyone who can take me beyond the barrier... into the 'Bright Lands'?" she asked, frowning slightly.

Izo looked up from his seat, overhearing the conversation from the bar. He looked over to the beautiful pale woman and then simultaneously the bar keep. "A Witty Whirling, good barkeep!" he exclaimed, raising some gold tsuba.