Private Tales Wisps of White and Grey

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
“For the same reason you can’t enjoy the sweets from here.” Itachi said, stony and cool. “There’s no consistency in the dango texture, sometimes the adzuki paste has too much sugar or salt or both, or they burnt the kuromitsu.” He inspected the empty plates on their table, the empty plates on others, an assortment of brown syrup and used sticks.

“Too many people doing what they think or want instead of following the recipe. Every time we come here, the only thing that stays the same is the tea.” He brought a talon to his beak, seemingly picking something out that was bringing him minor discomfort. “Too many sticky fingers. Or rather too many sticky feathers.” He picked out a chunk of bean, flicked it onto the empty plate between them.

“Ten days ago, a whole boat was seized by an unknown opportunist. Someone is running around with a lot of memory matches. Only shamans can use these matches, so if the usual bandit were to take the whole case then it would be to make a profit. Asked a few nosey merchants, my even nosier underground informants, and checked out a black market or two. No sign of these matches.” Itachi sighed. “I have every reason to believe it’s a shaman who has them, and as these matches were signed off to be distributed in Sonshan by me and four other Feathers, it seems that—“

A cry of alarm interrupted Itachi as something entered the small tea shop. Travelers got up from their seats or lean to the side. The amateur biwa player struck the strings in incoherent and uncomfortable nonsense as they went to cower in the corner, using their instrument as a shield. Itachi remained still and eyed the bird flying about above them. A Izu Thrush was flapping about the room, a strange thing to behold. These thrushes native to Aetochi were known to be shy of everything bigger than them and it was a symbol of virtue and integrity if one ever did come close to a person.

Hazanko Miya
 
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Each fault the old bird sited in the teashops fair made the old mistborne's face scrunch the more. As if a mochi, squeezed between the fingers of a bored child. Again, and again.

His face felt fat. His bones ached. All the sweets. All the salt.

He croaked as his head fell in defeat.

But the old bird went on. And Hazanko cut his act short. His gaze cast down to the old wood. With the tink of bean against clay, he shook his head as details started to swirl in his mind.

Five of the Feathers, and this thief still managed to pull the heist off.

The crash of knocked tea cups, and dropped bottles clinked bright across the teashop. The strong beat of wings and rush of feathers stirred the air, but Hazanko looked passed the Thrush, and toward the entryway. Scanned the windows.

"Shit, you don't think-"

A rival string struck a chord thrummed strong over the din of the teashop. The sound thick with twang and dissonance. One, two, three notes flicked back and forth. Stirred the air as a lone voice intoned a solemn howl.

Itachi