Kunoichi

[*Kree]

Disaster! I took my paintings to the marketplace today. Once I had set my things in order and made a sign to draw the attention of the locals, some strange green sludge crept towards me. Heavens forbid it was actually sentient and might have been interested in my artwork. Knowing this place, I would not have been surprised now.

Once it had come close enough, the sludge reached out and devoured my brushes! It then consumed my sign, leaving me shaken, holding my paintings in a tight grip. Needless to say, I sold no paintings today either and the new brushes I bought are of horrible quality, diminishing the sublime beauty of my art. At least the spiritfolk woman I met before was kind enough to make me an inedible sign...

[*Kree]

Another day passes. Yesterday I brought my newest painting to the market, hoping to sell it. It was a wonderful display of the mountains beyond the hills of my home with a representation of the legendary king of the Tengu, his magnificent wings raised to the heavens. Needless to say, these foreigners failed to grasp the beauty of my work and kept walking past me for some time.

Many of the demonkin were there. I have noticed that they keep to their own for the most part and I suppose I can understand why. If I were to find another Kozakuran I would seek their company as well. In spite of this sympathetic pity I cannot help but wonder if they plan something nefarious. There is something about the swaying of their tails. The wicked pleasure of a pleased kitsune...

I sat there for a while and just as I was about to pick up my things and leave I was approached by one of the demonkin. His face was oddly familiar to me but to some degree, they all look alike. I gave him my standard question of interest for any customer but I would be lying if I were to state that his presence did not make me uncomfortable. He was soon joined by one of the spiritfolk; a small woman with ashen skin, apparantly blind to the world.

The horned man was indeed interested in my art but instead of asking to see my work, he invited me to come with him to discuss the matter elsewhere. The idea of going with such a creature filled me with unease but it has been several days since I was robbed of most of my possessions and the thought of earning a few coins to replinish my supplies and having a proper meal swayed me.

Soon enough, I had joined the demonkin in his home, joined by the blind woman. It had become clear to me that they were involved in some manner, given the way the man petted and stroked her like some pet. As it turns out, the spiritfolk woman was not blind at all. I should not have been so surprised given the trickster nature of such spirits.

The demonkin wanted me to decorate the walls of his home and finally inquired about my style. I showed him the Tengu king and it seemed to please both my hosts well enough. He was willing to pay me a little more than average for my service which pleased me but unfortunatly, I had to impose a bold suggestion of demanding additional coin to replace my lost art supplies. Surprisingly enough, he agreed and I was even treated to a proper meal and the rice drink I have missed so. It was surely the gods' blessing that I was gifted such a taste of home though being aware that this was a mere rare treat has only made my longing worse...

I dreamt of being back in the house of my kin last night. I could feel the sweet scent of Rain's cooking and the warmth of Wind's carress as if they were truly there. This morning, I could not help shedding tears.

[*Kree]

Today was interesting. After finishing my exercise and having a bath I walked to the usual gathering point, hoping to rest and enjoy some of the tea the burning oni sells. It still confounds me how everyone seems to prefer the outside and its noises and smells to the peace of the nearby inn. No matter. As I stood there, I encountered another one of the spiritfolk who was drinking something that seemed less than enjoyable.

I asked him what it was and why he drank it and he told me that it was some sorcery to make him grow. I have heard of the decadent Shou engage in such things and I wanted to understand why he would abuse his body in such ways.
He told me that he was a warrior. He was seeking to change his body to be stronger by this strange sorcery rather than exercise and determination.

We spoke at length of his abilities and he seemed certain that in being stronger, he would become a superior warrior. He would not understand the way his mind would give him strength and I tried to challenge his perceptions. Like the typical foreigner, he resisted just about any form of enlightenment and I had to repeat myself several times. He had to master both his body and his mind to be superior. To neglect either would have him fall against the first true warrior he would face.
He insisted that his past victories proved his superiority but the past is not the present.

I do not know why I cared so much about his fate. Spending all this time convincing the spiritfolk to be more than what he should be. I must admit that his pursuit to be a true master of the blade reminded me of the warriors of my home, the kensei, but he is not them and he never will be. He is a brute but he wishes to be more refined and capable. The notion of a barbarian seeking to shed his weakness has a quaint charm to it.

After some work, I have finished one of the paintings the demonkin wanted. I chose the picture of a view of the capital city at sunrise. It is a bit unorthodox and outside my usual style of traditional landscape painting but I wish to challenge myself and painting this does keep the memory of home alive. The other paintings will be finished ahead of schedual. The peaceful pictures of the hills still haunts me and I ache to finish it before the rest.

As the brush shapes the image of my memories I cannot help but to dream. I must admit that I lost myself in my mind again and I must ask the demonkin of his preferences. His request must be fulfilled, not my dreams. Letting my mind drift like this is pleasant but does me no good when I must work by another's request. I much prefer painting by my own choice but this is not what I am getting paid for.

[*Kree]

I have fallen ill.
It began in what I can only assume to be the morning that was. This strange city still refuses to yield any sort of reliable measure of time. I had gone to the market once more to display some of my works when the demonkin approached me again.
I should have been more unsettled by his presence but it has been some time since I learned of his true nature. Reacting too strongly to these things is a sign of inexperience to these creatures and invites them to prey on me...

He told me that I shouldn't worry too much about his ordered paintings, leaving the pictures themselves to my whim. This offers me more freedom but in an odd way, I feel more pressured now. It is a challenge, of course. I must work so much harder now to meet his no doubt lofty expectations. Or is it a game? Will he reject my work as inferior? I cannot know. Not yet.

We ended up going to the strange realm beyond the slums through one of the glowing doorways. A barren land of colourless sand and mists. It reminded me of the tales my master told me of the land of spirits, the land of the dead. It was then that the beetles came. Screeching vermin clad in metal that I could barely dent but the magic woven into my tonfa by the spiritfolk woman proved effective.

These mechanical creatures reminded me of the trinkets brought to Kozakura by the merchants from beyond the sea. Those that dealt with the decadent Shou. Mere toys to amuse children but these were large as tables! I fought them as best I could but their jagged limbs and spikes tore into me. I tried to release my thoughts and empty my mind, letting the pain become just another sensation urging me to fight. It was no wonder that I found myself bleeding badly when the last beetle crumbled...

The demonkin was quick to aid me and we returned to the city. I could not keep fighting in this state and had to find my rest. The demonkin lead me upstairs and tended to my wounds respectfully, making no request too bold for my liking. It was all nessecary in my mind, as he examined my cuts for infection. The Shou toys had been very filthy and I did not cherish the thought of having to deal with another otherworldly affliction. Worse yet, some Shou trickery! If these beetles were truly the work of those decietful heathens they could have poisoned me!
Soon enough, it was confirmed. My cuts were infected and I was already running a slight fever.

Suddenly the demonkin showed his true nature! It shames me that I allowed him to touch me but it is done. I cannot deny it. He moved to kiss me and I did nothing to reciprocate. I told him that I was not interested. He was already attached to the blind spiritfolk I had met before. He tried to excuse this lewdness with it being common knowledge that his kind was not known for fidelity. This is not my way and I would not listen to such things. This rightfully seemed to shame him and he left me in peace.

Unpleasant as this was, I will still finish the paintings. I promised that I would.

[*Kree]

The new painting of the hills is finished. I am far from satisfied with it. The ink and colours I bought can never do it justice. I would have to return to Kozakura to find the proper tools but the foreigners cannot tell the difference between my originals and the bastardised attempts made with local materials so it matters not. It is simply something I will have to live with.

I wish for the next painting to depict the sea. During my sickness I had no strength to occupy myself with much of anything at all and had much time to think and remember. Thinking back, I remembered the time when Rain and I went to the capital and had to leave by boat. The waves raged all around us that evening, rocking the ship back and forth. It was little more than a fisherman's vessel and I felt so afraid out there.

Surrounded by black water furiously trying to break our tiny sanctuary, all my training vanished like snow before a fire. I trembled and could barely stand, struggling to breathe. The thought of being lost in the blackness almost cost me my life then and there, were it not for Rain's quick action as she pulled me away from the edge as a wave crashed up against me. I almost died that day but now, so far from home, I feel as if I must preserve the memory in some way. I learned much about myself that evening and to draw inspiration from my life and experiences, I believe I can learn to understand it better whilst also earning my living.

I tried to ply my other trade the other day, offering to work my hands on one of the men on the street. Like so many others, he shamefully assumed me to be one of the money-dresses, inexpensive courtesans and body servants for pleasure. My indignation was not unnoticed and the man laughed, claiming his sort got what they wanted. He considered my reaction a challenge and the beastly look in his eyes betrayed his intent. I broke his spine and left him there. It was amusing how he cursed me while the street children picked him clean of his valuables...
I need to find a more respectable venue. Who might hire me for my skills?

[*Kree]

Yesterday I took to traveling again. Staying in my room, looking out at the crude buildings of the city and the multitude of demonkin stifles my spirit. I tried to paint but I found myself staring at empty paper. I chose to go to the gateway not far from the inn. It leads to a depressing, ugly mire filled with emaciated spirits.

I have gone there before with some of the spiritfolk. They rush in, kill a few and rush out. I cannot tell whether this is because of some ancient rivalry, all out war or just plain sport. It matters not. I came there alone, seeking to get my exercise and weapon practice. Even if the surroundings offered no sublime beauty to inspire me, I could still work up a pulse and get my thoughts in order.

The air hurt to breathe, making me cough so I tied a piece of cloth around my head to cover my face and nose. I remembered one of the more esoteric weapons my master told me of. Pear shaped containers of glass that he told me contained nothingness. Airless bubbles partially filled with ground up glass, fine as powder. When shattered, they would explode and spread their dust and any opponent would be blinded, choked and eventually bleed to death from breathing the dust. Cloth was supposed to protect us from this and I did not like the thought of this stinging air promising any sort of similar fate.

Just as I was done doing this, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder. Before I could react, I was pulled into one of the dark pools of green muck that littered the landscape! The cold, choking darkness was terrifying. I could see nothing and I was being dragged downward, sure to drown in that stinging, disgusting liquid that burned my skin. I panicked.

The thought of being lost in that darkness, dying at the bottom of that pool had me paralyzed. I could not move and suddenly, the tight grip on my shoulder loosened and I could feel myself drifting upward toward the light above the surface. I had to get out. I had to live! Using all of my strength, I regained my senses and hurled myself out of the pool, onto the soggy moss that surrounded it.

I choked, coughed and spit. Gasping for air, I could not see and the swamp liquids burned all over my body. My shoulder felt as if it was on fire and it dawned on me that I had been bitten! Despite the ringing in my ears, I could hear the creature of the pool rise with a frightening hiss. I do not know if it was instinct or just pure luck but with the liquids still stinging my eyes, I struck out at the source of the noise in a desperate bid to save myself. The creature's hiss was instantly turned into a howl and I opened my eyes just enough to see my kama buried in the creature's eye! It was a giant snake!

I fled back to the gateway and when I could feel the city's streets under my feet again, I collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Now, a drawing of the creature adorns my wall. Granted, I have taken some liberties with its design, keeping to my traditional skills but I am satisfied with the result. I may have lost my kama but I found my inspiration. Perhaps I will return one day, once I know myself better and claim the creature's other eye...

[*Kree]

The past few days have been dull.
There is something to be said for these times of peace and quiet but too much of it is excruciating. I have no one to talk to and sitting for too long without any company makes my mind wander in dark places.

I have found myself reminded once again that I have no means to return home. I am sure the others believe that I must have died. I was never away from them for this long. Do they miss me? Have they forgotten? I doubt Wind has let me go.

It pains me to think of it but I cannot stop picturing Wind looking for me somewhere outside the Nightingale's castle. He was never one to tolerate defeat and failing to find me would make him careless. The archers of our enemy may have killed him and I would be to blame for vanishing the way I did...

This is foolish, I know it is but it still troubles me. Perhaps I should paint to ease my concerns? Putting my thoughts on paper may release the demon from my mind. The Nightingale's castle would be quite beautiful if painted properly and I can weave Wind's presence into its symbolism. It would be a very personal work but I am sure it will be paid for all the same.

I have not met the demonkin for many days now. Or cycles, as I have heard them called. I am almost done with his requests. I should seek more patrons. Perhaps the spiritfolk woman who has aided me in the past will be interested? I hear she is quite busy these days with some academy of hers. She seems wealthy...

[*Kree]

I have finished the demonkins' requests. I am unsure of what has become of him, however. I have not seen him about town for some time now and if he will not show himself soon I may have to sell his paintings to another client in order to support my living.

A couple of days ago I managed to find another client for my massage talents. He was a fat beast of a man with large fangs. I doubt there was anything human in him but he was kind enough to pay me handsomely in advance, claiming that his back was troubling him greatly. Judging by the self indulgent mass of being mostly belly and apelike hair that he was, I was hardly surprised.

It took some time to locate the muscle hidden away inside the soft flab and while I worked, the man kept talking to me. He was a friendly sort, making all manner of pointless small talk about his family. When he mentioned his line of work I stopped what I was doing, almost in shock at what I heard.
He was a butcher! Unclean! The realisation disgusted me even more than his hairy mass but I excused it as a slight cramp in my wrist. We parted ways shortly thereafter, the fat butcher claiming I had done well. I could only nod.
It took almost an hour to wash his filth from my hands...

[*Kree]

I remember very little of what happened yesterday. I can vividly recall meeting the tall man of the spiritfolk and his challenge but most of what happened later is lost to me. He was drinking something and my curiosity got the better of me.
I asked to know what it was and in turn, I ended up trying it. It smelled like lamp oil and carried a strong, stinging taste that turned strangely sweet after a few moments. The look the man gave me was one of challenge and I poured another drink in defiance. I knew he thought of me as small and weak and I was going to shame him for his arrogance.

Eventually, I did finish the bottle and though his image was split in twain to my eyes, neither showed any shame. It had all been a game to him! In my indignation and annoyance, I left him there with no sign of my displeasure. From there on, I remember being upstairs at the inn, near my room. A strange man offered to tell me of my fate. He said that I would have to make a choice soon. One to either abandon my ways, sparing others or remaining true to myself, sacrificing them and sparing more in the long run. I do not see when and why this would be. I know no one here. I have no one in my life to preserve or destroy...

Today was simpler. I thought to explore more worlds beyond the gateways and I had heard of these places, the homes of demons and devils. It all intrigues me to explore this part of the spiritworld and I have been told that it contains much treasure. I had heard that the evils spirits were guarded by some force that would turn aside my blades so I had to find a weaponsmith to arm me with the few metals that the force wouldn't guard against.

The spiritfolk woman that helped me before was nowhere to be seen, as she has been for quite some time. Perhaps she has taken to wandering the outside worlds or perhaps her rivals have disposed of her? It would be a pity. Her generosity is a good change from the usual treatment the people of this city would give me.
Being so different, she finds much affection and so, draws much attention and more customers. If I were a true merchant, I would consider her a rival and a threat.

After a brief walk, I found a new merchant proudly displaying the usual signs of service. He looked prosperous enough and as I explained my situation to him, I learned that he could provide exactly what I needed. His expertise on the matter of the evil spirits and their weaknesses was convincing enough, though I wonder if he lied to me. Inticing me to pay for extra services and for unnessecary magic to be woven into my new weapons would be typical behaviour for any able and wily merchant. I have yet to test my weapons so this all still a theory. If he was honest, he is kind and helpful. If he was not, I may die. I should not go to the spiritworld alone...

When our business was done, I found that I had to give him most of my money. Fretting the prospect of having to sleep in the streets again I had to ask if he wished to buy one of my paintings. The demonkin that ordered my previous work is still lost and I must consider selling his paintings to support my living. Thankfully, this man expressed some interest and I found him entranced by the painting of the sun rising over Dojyu. It would have been unwise to strike a deal then and there so I showed him some of my other work and he quickly chose the painting I dedicated to Wind. Considering all the work I put into it and how it reminds me of what I have lost, it pained me some to part with it but I could not resist the merchant's generous offer. Perhaps I have found a new client? A good patron? Time will tell.

[*Kree]

I have met a new patron. I have seen her before and I never figured her to be the sort that would appreciate my art but this city never ceases to surprise me. She is one of the demonkin and like many others of her kind, she dresses very provocatively. That such a person could rise to any high standing and wealth is another surprise but I have no complaints.

After some banter, I sold her my old painting of the mountains back home. I spent much time on it but it has been difficult to sell. It showed the mountains as they are in the spring, capturing the way the mists rise from the lowlands in the mornings. Another memory of my old life lost for a few coins.

The scantily clad demonkin has requested that I make a set of paintings capturing the sea and whales. An easy task but she needs them to be very large, adorning the inside of her airship. I have never liked the open sea but I enjoy painting waves and I think I can capture the grace of the seacreatures if I put my mind to the task. My patron has also offered me employment on the airship. It all feels strange to me and I feel both excited and wary of it. I am not entirely sure what she expects of me. I will need some time to think of this, perhaps while I paint, and discuss the matter when I am ready...