open Cultures Unite (1x1 with GeneralDirection)

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Sure enough, Samurai is there, preparing his own breakfast. "Good morning, Silver-san. How did you sleep? I was expecting you to sleep in longer considering how late we stayed up yesterday." Samurai says before taking his seat at the table.

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

Silver looks up from his plate, apparently, he had been completely unaware that Samurai had been there the whole time.

“Oh, hello there, my friend. To be honest, I didn’t sleep the greatest. I had a very strange dream last night and at the end of it I woke up and it was morning.” He says as he absentmindedly pushes food around on his plate.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

"Ah, sumimasen, desu ne." Samurai pats Silver's shoulder. "But the day is long, and there always something worth discovering. Would sharing the dream make you feel better?" Samurai asks while trying to cheer up his friends.

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

Silver nods his head silently and proceeds to tell Samurai about the dream he had. He tells him about the four creatures, the ghost, the fish, the bird, and the elk. He tells him about the gifts some left behind, the look the ghost gave him, and the weird world the elk led him too. He tells him about the crying yak and the beast he encountered in the cave, all up until he woke up several minutes ago.

“So, that was that. Very strange, as most dreams are. Still, I can’t help but wonder if there was some sort of symbolic meaning to any or all parts of it…” Silver’s mind drifts off a bit as he finally starts eating some of his breakfast.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai listens patiently, nodding his head and occasionally scratching his chin. "Well, that is some dream you had. Unfortunately, I am not a dream psychologist. I could easily find one for you, if you want. Or, since it involves animals, we could always visit Gotaro in the Chubu region. His connection with nature and animals is unrivaled." Samurai explains.

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

“Hmm… another trip means another adventure in which we can meet new friends. I think that’s probably the best thing we could do all things considered. Let’s go visit Gotaro, then.” He smiles before finishing the rest of his food.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai smiles seeing his friend perk up. "Well you're in luck, my friend! As you may recall, it's not proper for a samurai from one district to just show up in another samurai's district unannounced. A formal request must be made first, or a formal invitation must be issued. Only in times of emergency is that procedure broken. However, Gotaro is a very easy-going samurai. He is definitely a strong, dedicated defender; but he doesn't get too worked over formalities. Samurai and high-ranking citizens are free to come and go through his region as they please." Samurai explains.

He takes a moment to finish eating his own breakfast. "Perhaps Gotaro would be willing to help me get in some training. I've been getting a little negligent..."

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

“Ah, well that’s good to hear.” Silver smiles. “I keep forgetting about all these rules and regulations you samurai are bound to. I’m glad that it won’t be an issue this time, though. What’s this about you getting a bit negligent, my friend?” He asks half teasing, half being serious. “I realize I haven’t known you for all that long but for the time that you have been here, you seem to be very studious to me.”

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai gets up from the table and places his dishes in the kitchen. "It's simple. I'm a solider, a scholar, and a master of fire magic. However, I cannot stay these things unless I practice what I know. So on top of going on patrol, I have to study, exercise my magic, and do combat training; all to keep my skills sharp. The studying I don't really need to do that often, unless I find a subject that interests me. It's the training and magic practice I haven't done in a while." Samurai explains.

As he leaves the dining area, he takes a moment to stand upright and magically pull some clothes out from his closet, Soon, he is wearing a straw hat with a wide brim, a Hawaiian shirt, and aviator-style sunglasses. "I'm ready to go when you are. Don't mind the attire. It's just for practical uses."

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

“Fair enough, then.” Silver replies, getting up from the table. “Perhaps this trip can be beneficial for the both of us. I’m ready to go whenever you are, Samurai.” He says, a bit unsure how the clothes his friend had chosen to wear could ever be seen as ‘practical’, but still being new here, he decided to simply wait and see what would happen.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

"Just like every other region you've seen so far, Chubu is big with its own set of prefectures. But I think I know where we need to go first, so let's get there as quick as possible."
With that, Samurai choses their mode of transport: Bullet train. It takes a few minutes to get into Chubu, but soon the bullet train is speeding through its wilderness prefecture. This is not like any Japonies countryside Silver has seen before. This one has steep valleys, trees and greenery that cover most of the roads and land markings, thin ravines randomly scattered across the land, and some small yet looming white mountains that make you feel like you're trapped in this unpopulated jungle. And that's just what you can see from a slightly aerial view, because the bullet train travels mostly on an elevated railway.

However, when the train stops at the station and our duo can get off, Silver soon realizes something. It's hot in Chubu. Not sweltering hot, but it almost feels like summer.

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

Silver follows his friend once again to the train, and heads towards a new region to discover. This region looks much different than the others, more like a jungle. Once he gets out of the train, he also feels like he’s in a jungle.

“I’ve been somewhere like this before.” He says as they leave the train station. “I recognize the climate. Hot, humid, dense foliage. Prime adventuring territory. Great place to get jumped if you’re not playing attention, and also a great place to get lost. Ask me how I know.”

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

"Feel free tot tell me, but... Am I to assume you've been though a wild plain like this? I wouldn't doubt it. You told me that you're a traveler. And you're half right, you could get jumped here, but not by ponies or sentient creatures." Samurai explains as he leads the way down a dirt path. "Tell me, how fast can you run?"

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

Silver replies with a nod and a smile. “Yep, I have indeed encountered terrain like this before. In fact, this is much like the land I live in back at home. Or it’s at least like the land that surrounds my home.” He looks to his friend as he asks about his running speed. “Umm… well I like to think I’m pretty fast. My main way of dealing with conflict is by avoiding it, I’m not much of a fighter, as you know. Kirin are part deer, so we are pretty light on our hooves. Why do you ask?”

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

As they travel deeper and deeper into the wilderness, getting further and further away from the train station, something begins to change.
There is gradually more ruffles in the bushes and trees; with no wind to explain it.
There is a growing number of eyes watching them, hidden in the greenery. Clearly, they are some kind of small animals, but they don't seem interested in minding their own business.
And Samurai sees and makes a mental note of this the whole time. "If this land is indeed similar to your home, then hopefully navigating it won't be too rough." Samurai begins.

Then the question comes. "I haven't forgotten. And you don't need to fight, my friend. ... You just need to be smarter and faster than them. Starting now." Samurai points out the growing number of animals a split second before running off as he can. Why? Because a stampede is rushing towards them! It's mostly little monkeys coming in by the hundreds, swinging in from the trees and running on the ground. However, there are other animals too. A few wolf cubs. A few lemurs. A warthog or two. And who knows what else is on the way! This could just be the beginning.

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

As they head further away from the station and further into the jungle, Silver can’t help but feel like he’s being watched. He hears rustling of leaves and branches all around him, further driving that point home. He looks to his friend, as he suddenly takes off as fast as he can, forcing Silver to do the same. He is able to keep up with Samurai, and occasionally takes a quick glance behind him to take note of slowly growing number of animals that were pursuing them.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai is never too far behind. He may have taken off running, but he won't leave a friend behind no matter what.

When monkeys try to jump him, Samurai is more than capable of dodging, swinging off a tree branch, or leaping off large rocks.
When the warthogs try to lead him to the ravines, he always manages to turn away, determined not to fall into that.
When the lemurs try to block a path in groups, it only takes a scary face and a loud noise to make them fall over, as if they have fainted.

But then the stampeed goes crazy when LARGE animals start to appear! They chase the duo, but Samurai smirks and gets the timing right. With a skillful leap, Samurai is able to hop on top of a rhinoceros and begin riding it like a stead! "Silver-san, you gotta try this!" What animal will Silver choose? There's a gazelle, a gorilla, a lion, panther, a wolf, and a few other animals just as big. They don't seem vicious. They just seem like they want to play; even if their playtime is extremely rowdy.

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

The two continue running for some time, leaping over rocks and dodging branches as larger animals also started giving chase. But then suddenly, with a well-timed jump, Samurai jumps on top of a rhinoceros and begins riding it. Silver is a bit surprised at first, but soon understands what’s going on and selects the panther.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

"YOSHA!!" Once again, the animals confirm, not dangerous. The panther Silver selected doesn't get angry nor try to throw him off. Instead, it roars happily and keeps running. It's almost like these animals know where they want to go.

They weave and run through the wild for a while, but after a few minutes, the animals begin to shuffle away from some location. Up ahead is the most elegant spot in the wild. It's a temple with shrines, a wide circle pad on a plateau, and pathways that are lined with sand and white stone sidewalks. Perhaps the nicest thing about this location is that it blends in well with the wilderness; as if nothing was cut down to make room for it.

The panther and rhino also stop just short of this location and let the duo dismount. Samurai pets the rhino. "Thank you for the ride. Try to be a little less rowdy next time!" Samurai says to the happy rhino before he and the panther leave. "This is it. This Gotaro's sanctuary. He frequents this place the most when he's not on duty."

Edited March 3, 2023 by Samurai Equine

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

Just like the rhino did with Samurai, the panther behaves with Silver on his back and they continue running through the jungle together. After some time, a number of the animals following them head off in other directions, as they approach a grand temple nestled away in the wilderness. The panther stops and lets Silver get off before it too disappears back from where they came.

“Ah, ok.” Silver responds as they walk towards the temple. “It’s a very nice place he has here. The remoteness reminds me of home a bit. Most kirin villages are hidden away in dense jungle and build on natural clearings.”

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai walks around the temple, but he looks mostly at the circle pad. On it, there is a large pillow, prayer beads, a ceremonial vest, and other spiritual and magical accessories. "Usually, he is meditating. However, he doesn't seem to be here." About that time, a monk and his band of apprentices round the corner and greet them. "Oh, Samurai Equine-sama. It's a pleasure to meet you." The monk says with a bow. "Sorry for the intrusion. Have you seen Gotaro? We seek his guidance." Samurai says. The monk shakes his head. "Ah, dreadfully sorry, but you just missed him. The master has gone off to take care of other business. He has a very busy schedule today, but you might be able to find him in the Village prefecture. I understand he has relocated some important resources there." The monk tell them. "I see. Well, at the very least, it's good to see he still is very active in all parts of his region. What do you say, Silver-san; another bullet train ride? This one will be even shorter since we're all ready in the right region."

Edited March 4, 2023 by Samurai Equine

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

“Sure, let’s go.” Silver nods in reply. “Hopefully he isn’t too busy today and we can both get some help from him. Shame he isn’t here though, this place looks very nice and peaceful.” He comments.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

"Why thank you very much, young traveler. This is a very sacred place, and we do our best to keep it that way, as per master Gotaro's orders." The monk says. Samurai bows, and they leave.

As they do, the animals no longer stampede. They do play safely among themselves, but they don't bother Silver or Samurai anymore. "In case you are wondering, all of these animals belong to Gotaro. He has tamed them into companions, and they rather like visitors. Sometimes a bit too much, but they mean well."

The bullet train ride is indeed a short one. They barely had a chance to sit down and relax before they arrive at the Village prefecture. There is some green wilderness, but it's not a jungle nor is it as mountainous. The land is leveled out smoothly, and it is filled with many wood cabins and houses that look more western than eastern. "This place is a novelty tourist spot. Any tourists from the western half of Equestria often feel quite at home here. But there are actual citizens that live peaceful lives here."

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

@Samurai Equine

Silver also bows to the monk before he leaves, and follows Samurai back through the jungle and to the train station. He nods as his friend explains about the animals, further reinforcing what he said earlier about Gotaro being an expert on nature. After a short bullet train ride, Silver looks around and finds the location looks completely different.

“Reminds me a bit of my village back home. We don’t build in this style, of course, but seeing the jungle and mountains off in the distance adds a familiar element.” He explains as they walk towards the village.

[Samurai Equine 51,506]

@GeneralDirection

Samurai nods. "It's a rather big place. We may need to explore a while if we're going to find Gotaro." Samurai explains. Also, it seems Samurai's summery clothing is acting as a disguise. Not as many civilians instantly recognize him, thus blending in is a lot easier.

It seems the citizens are very proud of their western recreations. There are some ponies offering lumberjack services. There is a restaurant offering free samples of daffodil sandwiches and hunks of cheese, but they are very small servings. There are street performers singing songs for money. Samurai is asking random citizens if they have seen Gotaro, but so far, no leads.