Lunch Without Maxim

Gathering / Conference

In the winter sun, with the oven of the Black Toad Inn behind him, Greasy Ii began to sweat. He'd been completely unable to do anything about that ruffian (Maxim, was it?) throwing his weight around and trying to kidnap cute little Oyau. And now, when he'd gone as far as to throw himself upon the mercy of the Silver General, Ryūzaki Sanosuke, it seemed his plea had fallen on deaf ears.

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For his part, Sanosuke didn't want to do anything too rashly at the moment. His lunch with the fine women around him hung in the balance. Before they could so much as enter the inn to partake of Greasy Ii's fish special, however, they'd have to do something about that infernal heat still lurking inside. It showed no signs of lessening even now. What's more, their only guess to its origins was that girl Maxim was apparently "kidnapping."   Greasy Ii seemed to be doing a stubborn job of blocking the door to hold Maxim up, so Sanosuke and company had time to try some things. His first action was, as normal, to call in an expert. Shigeaki Fujino was sent to fetch Takenaka Hanbei. The psychic's aunt, Shigeaki Tōno vanished too without warning. Soon, both were back. Fujino had succeeded in her mission and Tōno had apparently chosen to fetch some sort of well-dressed monkey man. At least he looked very polite.   It was Hanbei's lot to cast an analysis spell on that Oyau Kamui, and if she happened to stick around for a pleasant lunch afterward, so be it. Meanwhile, their new Saru companion, Saruyoshi Ennosuke, proved his worth by masterfully analyzing the phenomenon within the inn. As they'd suspected, it was a psychic matrix. And a powerful one, at that. Indeed, the temperature-raising power there was so strong that nothing short of a god would be able to shatter it. That made a certain amount of sense, as Oyau Kamui seemed to be something of a god herself.   If destroying the effect itself was off the table, they had some other methods to try. Sanosuke began by placing his hand to the side of the wall and willing the heat to leave the building. This it did, laws of nature bending to obey the orders of a minor divinity such as the Silver General. And yet no sooner did warmth depart the building than it was renewed. That psychic matrix would keep the interior at a constant heat as long as it could, it seemed.   They could, then, combat psyience with magic. A mage learned in the ways of water magic could cast a spell to drop the temperature for a time. It wouldn't be a permanent solution, but nothing shy of killing Oyau Kamui seemed to promise that effect. The problem was that, try as he may, Sanosuke could think of only a few wizards in the Hashinara Clan who could boast that flavor of magic. There was Mary Lyn, of course, but she'd been working without rest for days on end to finish the Mugen Gauntlet. It would rend Sanosuke's heart to ask more of her now.   Of course, there was always that someone who had made his presence known here not long ago. Sanosuke would never willingly ask that person for help. Aotsuki Tsukamoto, however, held no such compunctions. He called up Fubuki on the mental network, but the Black Blade was far away on the slopes of Mount Ōe. She* was not inclined to travel to Osaka now that the main danger had passed.   Grudgingly, Sanosuke hailed Mary Lyn. The Court Magician sounded a bit tired, but ready to tender her services as always. Perhaps a nourishing lunch of broiled fish would be restorative for her as well. Fujino left to fetch her.   Regrettably, Mary Lyn had little new advice to offer on the problem. A mage of her power could, indeed, cast a spell to forcibly lower the temperature within the Black Toad Inn. Such a measure would be a stopgap, however. Mary could keep it active indefinitely, but if anything caused her to drop her concentration, blistering heat would rise up again and perhaps even cook whoever happened to be in the inn at the time.   It seemed that they were running out of time to solve the problem peaceably, as Knight Commander Maxim had just managed to exit the inn. He'd managed this by simply picking up Greasy Ii and holding the innkeeper in one arm while the other cradled unconscious Oyau Kamui. Big as he was, Ii couldn't so much as shift Maxim's mighty arms a single inch. Soon, he hung shamed and defeated in the other man's grip.   Maxim, apparently, had failed in killing Oyau Kamui. Every blow landed in the overwhelming heat within had simply closed as soon as he could deliver another. Instead, he now proposed that he'd like to speak with the girl god. As she'd just tried to kill several of Maxim's companions, waking up Oyau Kamui seemed a questionable decision. Yet Maxim remained curt and determined as always.   He found an ally in Mary Lyn, both fellow Albionites. She prepared to cast a spell and wake the sleeping swamp-thing, but paused first. Before she would do any such thing, Mary demanded that Maxim give his oath no harm would come to the rest of those gathered here. Now it was Maxim's turn to hesitate. A knight's oath was not a thing so freely given. Eventually, however, Maxim gave his word.   That reassured Mary enough to cast a spell and rouse Oyau from her slumber. Sanosuke, who had expected the magician to encase their foe in ice or something similar, was momentarily dumbfounded. Maxim, however, just wanted a word. As she awoke, Oyau Kamui seemed to be back to her old urchinous self. She cracked a few jokes in poor-taste, apologized for her actions against Maxim's allies, and shut down the power still heating the inside of the inn. It seemed this particular Kamui was relatively new to the human form and quite enjoyed it. Having not had a good meal for several decades, however, the presence of powerful spiritual snacks caused her feral side to resurface once again.   This was, in fact, in danger of happening now. Despite Oyau's obvious and growing hunger, Maxim was reluctant to take action. Only when the girl almost broke free from his grip did he finally drop Greasy Ii from his other hand and ask Fujino to take them away; to anywhere that wasn't here. Fujino obliged. Having not been given clear instructions, she spirited the two to the first place she could think of: Yakisoba Yashiki.   It wouldn't have been Maxim's first choice, but the graveyard outside the restaurant seemed deserted enough. He worried about running into Kenas-unarpe Kamui here, but the shadowy huntress did not seem to be about. Still, why did his encounters with Kamui keep bringing Maxim back to this particular place. It was, at least, a chance to speak to Oyau Kamui alone. Or mostly alone. Fujino seemed interested in sticking around and listening in.   Meanwhile, back at the Black Toad Inn, Sanosuke and company were finally able to enter the building's dining area and have a solid meal. The intense heat within, now vanished, had been enough to cook Greasy Ii's entire stock of fish. With the Silver General willing to purchase the excess for the people of Osaka and Aotsuki Tsukamoto offering to patch up the holes in his establishment, Ii had little reason to complain, however. He furnished the group with a tasteful meal.   It seemed that Saitō Dōsan would remain outside. He was perhaps too big for this place, and his lunchtime business was with Maxim regardless. All the others, including Haures and the obsequious Saruyoshi, had come along for lunch. At first, the former lurked around the edges of the room, obviously mistrustful of Aotsuki, Sanosuke, and their folk. Eventually, however, the smell of well-cooked fish broke down even her resistance and she joined them.   Back at the Yashiki, Maxim and Oyau Kamui were getting to know each other. She didn't seem like a bad person as such, as was the knight's original estimation. That hunger, though, would be a problem. He'd have loved to have an outcast like her join The Wolfpack, but if she was going to attack and try to devour Haures and Kashirin every time they met...   To Oyau, the answer was simple. She just needed to be fed. Any soul of a certain divine level would do. It wasn't that her condition was chronic, but rather that she hadn't eaten in so long that she couldn't control herself in the presence of such nourishing morsels. Unfortunately, Maxim didn't have any souls of that caliber to offer. At least, none that he was willing to give up.   A thought occurred to him then. Pushing his palm against the Vase Vitae, Maxim called forth the soul of that Suspicious Crab his allies had fought on the coast of Shima Province. That wouldn't do the trick, however. According to Oyau, the crab's soul was nothing special and would hardly slake her hunger.   As Maxim considered his next move, the two were interrupted by a shout from the front door of Yakisoba Yashiki. It was a Kyonshi whom Maxim did not recognize, although her dress and accoutrements reminded him of Haro Uin and the strange circumstances surrounding her. This kyonshi, apparently, was Sugihara Yoshiko, and she was none too happy about some ne'er-do-wells loitering on her master's front lawn.   Back at the Black Toad Inn, the mixed group were well into a hearty meal of fish. Sanosuke thought that now would perhaps be the right time to bring up a matter with Aotsuki. Specifically, that of Matsunaga Hisahide's request that the Aotsuki Clan pardon Toyotomi.   That was a difficult thing to ask, and Aotsuki was immediately wary. Hideyoshi was a scoundrel; an incorrigible bastard who showed no remorse at all for his actions. They'd already agreed to ship him out of the country and let some other culture deal with his antics, but now Sanosuke wanted a pardon? In truth, it was Hisahide who wanted it. Or whomever had hired Hisahide. Still, the Matsunaga Daimyō had offered some important information in exchange for the service; information that Sanosuke would pass on to his ally in more privacy later. If they could come to some kind of agreement, they should.   Unknown to those two, someone else was asking about Hideyoshi at that very moment. It was Sugihara Yoshiko, back at the Yakisoba Yashiki. Having recognized Maxim as affiliated with the Hashinara Clan, she'd agreed to let him and his little friend loiter if he'd just fill her in on Hideyoshi's condition. Maxim wasn't sure what their connection was. Something about tattoos and a near-death experience? Anyway, he didn't know much about Hideyoshi except that he was in the care of the Aotsuki Clan. So, he told her as much. Yoshiko's mutterings seemed to indicate that she had taken some sort of action regarding Hideyoshi and was waiting for it to pan out.   Without the knowledge of either party, a shimmering thread of fate had just been drawn between Maxim and the problem Sanosuke and Aotsuki were facing.   But that was little of Maxim's concern. He had a divine soul to find or something. For the moment, he determined to have Oyau Kamui stay at the Yashiki. It was safe enough, at least until evening when tournamentgoers would start to show up. Before then, hopefully, he'd be back with a meal for her or at least some kind of solution. Oyau had no complaints. Indeed, her dark eyes practically glittered at the idea of finally being fed.  

Part 2

  For the moment, Maxim cocked his head. Had he heard this Kyonshi girl correctly? She wanted him to deliver a message to Toyotomi Hideyoshi about how the recipient was a big, dumb idiot? A rising dread gripped Maxim as realization set in. Yoshiko was at least interested in Hideyoshi, if not showing outright affection for the dastard. How had yet another damsel been brought in by his despicable charms?   A bit of back-and-forth later and Maxim held a sealed piece of parchment bearing Sugihara Yoshiko's message. This had progressed further than he'd imagined to be sure. Still, the good Knight agreed to deliver the missive on his next opportunity. In exchange, he'd like permission for him and his companions to loiter around Yakisoba Yashiki a bit longer. Yoshiko agreed to those terms. Indeed, it would be difficult for her to refuse after that awkward exchange. Maxim and friends were granted access to the greenhouse in the manor's courtyard.   The tree was still there. Maxim noted it immediately upon turning the corner. It didn't seem to have a face, or the creepy intent it had displayed last time he'd been here. Still, its presence made him a bit wary. Doubly so, after he recalled what it had done to poor Aotsuki Tsukamoto. Now that they were here, Maxim got Oyau Kamui's attention once again. This was no small feat, by her hunger. The girl's eyes kept darting around as though she'd sensed some small hint of prey in the surroundings, only to be drawn back to Maxim's own.   Thus was the Knight Commander's proposal: If Oyau would pledge herself to Maxim and his cause, he would in turn see that she and Greasy Ii were taken care of. That included her cravings, of course. The serpent considered, and was on the verge of agreeing. Back to her urchin-like street cant, she rambled that it was a fine idea, but she really couldn't control herself when there was someone tasty-looking about. It wouldn't be long until another incident happened, at least if she wasn't fed first.   It seemed, then, that they were nearly back at step one. This time, at least, Maxim had a more tangible reward awaiting him. Oyau Kamui was very nearly a goddess in her own right, and seemingly unkillable even by his considerable powers. With her by his side, the strength of The Wolfpack would see a significant increase. For now, he'd have her stay with Greasy Ii. The man, filthy as he was, seemed to have some experience dealing with Oyau's eccentricities. First, of course, he'd have to wait for Aotsuki and Ryūzaki Sanosuke to finish their business lunch. Surely it could not be much longer. The tournament would be starting again soon.   Indeed, the lunch at the Black Toad Inn was winding down. Not long ago, however, Aotsuki had been pressed with a staggering proposal. Ryūzaki Sanosuke, the Silver General, was suggesting that he grant Toytomi Hideyoshi a full pardon. Hideyoshi was one of the few men, alongside perhaps Ikkyū that Aotsuki might truly hate. Still, apparently Sanosuke had gotten some very useful information in exchange for the promised pardon; information which would have to wait until they had more privacy to be exchanged.   It really wasn't such a big deal as all that, Sanosuke proposed. After all, it would behoove them for the pardon to be official, but whatever happened to Hideyoshi after that could be anything but. A variety of reactions spread across the table at this. Takenaka Hanbei seemed to approve, while Mary Lyn frowned. It was Saruyoshi Ennosuke, however, who raised the most vocal complaint.   Certainly, a pardon followed by some "consequence" would fulfill the wording of Matsunaga Hisahide's request. It would, however, be deliberately ignoring the spirit of the pardon. A man who chose that path could come to regret it, both in reprisal from the other party and in damage to his own reputation. Sanosuke glared. Who had even invited this monkey? And why was it any of his business?   The Silver General's counterpoint had merit of its own, however. This was Matsunaga Hisahide they were dealing with. Such a shrewd businessman would certainly be well aware of the wording of his own request. In Sanosuke's place, it seemed unlikely that he would do any different either. Hisahide was, if nothing else, efficient.   Throughout all this, Aotsuki swayed back and forth as he listened to each argument. Certainly so boldly ignoring the spirit of a request did not sit well with him, but he also could not suffer Hideyoshi's presence in his lands any longer than necessary. He would go with Sanosuke's proposal on one condition: Hideyoshi must not die. Aotsuki would not have the dastard's blood on his hands, not even indirectly. That did not seem to faze the Silver General. Sanosuke offered that everything would be in place within a few hours. Then, Aotsuki could release Hideyoshi with a full pardon and the man would simple cease to be a problem.   As for what might actually happen to the erstwhile Daimyō, Sanosuke had some ideas about that. It had originally been Aotsuki's plan to deport Hideyoshi. In another country, far across the seas, he would become someone else's problem. That idea seemed interesting, but Sanosuke took it a step further. Why simply give the man away when they could receive something in return? He called upon the clan's master of trading, such as he was, and prepared for the coming verbal storm.   Indeed, Tsukijō Hanahane did not disappoint. Never a man to say in a few words what he could paint in a tapestry of hundreds, Hanahane wove his sentences like a clothier sewing the finest garments. Behind all the fluff and color, he was a businessman at heart, however. Sanosuke's proposal, yet vague, interested him. Indeed, if the trade good was to be a person, Hanahane might have a perfect place in mind.   Mavrovlachia, a part of the Alexandrian Dominance, was a prison of sorts. Many of the world's greatest evildoers were held there under the watchful eye of the Count. If Sanosuke so dearly wanted to get rid of someone, a better partner could hardly be found. The Mavrovlachians might even offer compensation for taking someone heinous enough into their walls.   The problem, of course, was that Mavrovlachia was a very long way away. For this, Hanahane could call upon his alter ego. Dreamers came from all over the world, and it may be much quicker for Jericho Petalwing to establish contacts in Mavrovlachia than Tsukijō Hanahane. The trader promised to take a quick nap and get back to Sanosuke later with any prospects he'd found. That would do well, as Sanosuke had preparations of his own to make.   With that, the matter seemed to be settled. Despite one side's reservations, both Sanosuke and Aotsuki would be getting what they wanted. Speaking of which, it seemed Maxim wanted the Black Toad Inn. It was just as well, as the tournament would be starting again soon. Sanosuke, Aotsuki, and their companions called upon Shigeaki Fujino to take them back to Shimonoseki for the festivities. Not long after their departure, Maxim and Oyau Kamui arrived where they'd left.   The Knight Commander would be on his way to the tournament soon as well, but there still felt like something was missing from his interactions with Oyau. A moment later, he realized what it was. They'd never been properly introduced. Maxim gave his own name and asked for the other's. That was a bit of a tricky point, however. Oyau Kamui was more of a title, or a general term. She didn't have a real name of her own, though she wasn't opposed to the idea. Still, considering the best she'd managed to come up with on the spot had been "Eru Darusu," maybe Maxim should provide the next one.   His heart fell. Maxim was skilled at many things, but naming was not one of them. Especially not when it was a Japanese name for an Ainu goddess. He resolved to reach out to Harukor later and ask for his opinion. Then, with a final farewell, he was off to face the wrath of his neglected companions at the tournament as well.