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[IamanElfCollaborator]

"Yeah, and scam artists speak well to hide the fact that they're try'na rob us blind. I would know. Madoka and I have had to club in the heads of more than a few wannabes who think they can take us on for all we're worth."
Todoroki snorts.
"Still, I like the cut of yer jib. Why are you here?"

Madoka and Kei, meanwhile, can hear Rin and Lan arguing near the wagons. Kei picks up her name, followed by Lan telling Rin something about not giving Kei headpats.

[LyfeldLesk]

An honest smile creeped through Roland's obscured face.

"There are many who intend to use the gifts of the gods for their own selfish pleasures, indeed... His voice trailed off, as he turned to look back towards Todoroki. "I was bestowed a parcel to deliver to one of the practitioners of the Mizuno Pharmacy from one of the villages below. Yet still..."

As he spoke, his blue cloak gently swayed on the wind - the knocking of wood against metal beneath his cape creating a short, shapeless melody from within. "If a man of the gods must cross the land, may it be so with purpose."

"Even so... Something calls me here - to the convoy the rest of them employ. What is this call?"

[IamanElfCollaborator]

"Wasn't for a...Yin Lan or a Mizuno Rin, was it? That would be a massive coincidence."

[LyfeldLesk]

"Those must be the names of the two that greeted me beforehand." The man slowly shook his head. "No. It is a token of gratitude to one of the practitioners residing there - a village's for the favors he has granted, and mine for aiding me when in need, for he cannot wander as much as he wished once to."

He seemed to stop himself for a moment - as if lost in thought. The blue robe felt heavy under his shoulders, the knowledge of having posed as a healer for the villagers in order to pay a favor weighing on him. The words 'scam artist' didn't sound wrong to Roland.

Yet those words were used for good.

"The Ten Divines favor it so."

[Eclogia]

A short-haired woman strolled into the carriages' area, seemingly unbothered by her tardiness. She was equally unbothered by the traditional robes that signified her status as a Mizuno apothecary, rather wearing a no-sleeves shirt that was entirely inappropriate for the fresh spring morning. She noticed Todoroki and approached the pair mid-conversation.
Oh? Seems like I'm not the most underdressed one in this expedition. Heh, I sure didn't expect that one.
The woman had red Oni horns ostensibly protruding from her forehead, which was adorned with cheap jewelry. She took a closer look at the the bare-chested man. Despite her heritage giving her a bigger build than average, she had no doubt that he could send her flying.
Nice to meet you! I suppose you're one of the bodyguards for the trip. My name is Nirei Kazuko. I'm a Mizuno apothecary, usually roaming the lands.
She turned her attention to the hooded figure. Her smile was welcoming enough, yet her eyes did not hold the same warmth.
And who might you be? Should I help you to the front desk of the Pharmacy?

[GodofGamingRWBY]

Kei's ears perk up slightly as she hears her name, taking another mouthful of her rice ball before looking up at Todoroki,

"Checking something out boss"

With that, the child immediately walks over to where she heard her name, footsteps utterly silent as she practically appeared from thin air behind Lan, not saying a word as she waited for one of the two to notice her in the midst of their conversation.

[LyfeldLesk]

The hooded figure turned towards the short-haired oni, taking account on her invitation - an offer to be escorted out of the area. Something in him still wanted him to approach the caravan - a sensation that never seemed to vanish, no matter how hard he put his mind away from it.

"I would happen to be a humble fortune teller paying back a favor. I have disturbed The Mountain more than what is appropriate, so I will accept your offer."

He then turned towards the hulking mercenary and gave a formal bow to him.

"It has been my pleasure. May the Ten Divines favor your journey."

Standing upright anew, the hooded man looked towards the gates.

[Eclogia]

Kazuko's eyes glinted with interest at the hooded figure's words. She was no stranger to scammers and seers, being one of the latter herself.
If this guy is serious, maybe I could learn from him how to harness my powers better.
A fortune-teller, you say? I happen to be interested in this domain. The sad reality is that most of the people who call themselves so are happy with telling their clients what they'd like to hear. Surely you wouldn't happen to fall in this category, hm? Would you be up for a little test? If you're the real deal, I'd be eager to learn more about you.
She glanced at the bodyguard. She wasn't the one to call the shots here, far from it.
Though I guess I do have that mission right now, so I'd need approval to get you onboard for at least the beginning of this journey.

[IamanElfCollaborator]

As Kei approaches the pair, she can hear their conversation in better detail.

"Rin. You cannot give the mercenary pats on the head."
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind just one, right? She looks so cute!"
"She is a literal sellsword."
"I know, I know...."

Lan pauses. She groans.

"She's right behind me, isn't she."
"Mhm. Hi there!"
"You two realise I can hear you, right? I'm only missin' an eye, not my ears."
As they are, in fact, standing in the gates of the Pharmacy campus itself, they haven't really walked all that far away from Todoroki.
"Tell you what, if you're not some kinda scammer, I'll test you myself. You look pretty strong, so would ya be up for a spar?"

[LyfeldLesk]

"A battle with The Mountain? A test? Is this what the Ten Divines desire?"

"I see."

The wanderer gave a bow to the mercenary and the horned apothecary.

"It would be unforgivable if I were to refuse such an honoring offer. If I am worth either of your approvals, I will be glad to accompany you for a while." Roland stood upright, his eyes directed to Todoroki's.

"Seems that this is what fortune the Ten Divines had reserved for me, then."

[Eclogia]

Mercenaries were ever eager to fight. Kazuko thought for an instant about how to proceed. It seemed the guard was alright with getting this stranger onboard, at least.
I suppose I would better give you my test before you get exhausted from sparring...
Here's my question. I have met up with a friend who graduated from Mizuno along with me a few years back. The name's Yao. Turns out that she got a guy and is now pregnant. When will she have her firstborn?

A scene she got in the morning came back to mind: Her dear friend, inconsolable after a miscarriage. While Kazuko's visions had gained in accuracy over the past years, she hoped for the future of those she held dear to eventually be brighter. The half-oni studied attentively the hooded figure. Would he need more information to reply? Would he up make something on the spot?

[LyfeldLesk]

"Is that so..." The hooded wanderer glanced at the horned oni, taking a slow nod. "I shall then try my utmost to foresee her fortune."

His hand pushed itself inside the cloak, the rustling of wood against metal softly emanating from inside as he reaches for a small water-skin, as he looked at the red-horned healer.

"Apothecary, in which manner would you describe the voice of your colleague?" The dried voice slowly recovered in tone as the wanderer downed the water, before returning it to the jingly depths of the cloak, while maintaining a search for a different object. "With a name and a voice, will the whispers isolate her fortune? With only that knowledge, the Moon could turn once on each one of the Ten Divines' homes to just to come in time to see this firstborn, or it could already be on their abode."

[GodofGamingRWBY]

"I heard you say Kei's name. So I came over"

Kei continued to munch on her rice ball, the food item now getting dangerously low in terms of quantity.

[Eclogia]

Kazuko smiled at the thought of her friend. She had not been drawn to her for nothing.
Her voice is light and cheery, fitting her personality. She likes to sing, and can go somewhat high. I'd say her talking voice is slightly higher than mine.

[LyfeldLesk]

Roland held the tip of his pretend-staff with both hands, attempting to push its end against the ground. The moment it seemed that it had become more stable, he let it go, the pole pointing towards the sky.

"Light... cheerful... loud. A roar between the whispers."

Roland then opened his cape, letting its cloak fly against the wind, the multiple wooden tools tied against the cloth clicking against each other, held together only by the hood tied around his neck. The cacophony of wood slowly transitioned into harmonic excerpts - the invasive noise sometimes becoming a melody intertwined by the occasional knocks of wood against the metal of the gray-colored armor chest-piece he wore underneath the cloak, now exposed.

"Matters of birth and life are something that I cannot reach into as easily as other subjects. The Ten Divines cannot will it so - for it is knowledge pertaining to the Fallen One. Yet still... I must guide my ears to the Divine Asha, may her cold heart love with all its worth."

The whispers wade in and out, as if waves crashing against the rocks, as if flames doused by rain. As if roots piercing the earth.

"... We cannot... any further..."
    "... ship... to sail ..."

Too far. Whispers rearrange, the voice cannot still be heard. Focus fades in and out as the harmony builds, crashes down, and rebuilds anew. An eternal cycle.

"Her voice is light... cheery. ...say... name. Say... her... ...name."

The whispers were not clear enough yet, but they were slowly taking form.

"Yao."

And with the word, the wind stopped fluttering his cape about.