Of ships and moons

The gentle crash of waves against the docks and the faint cry of seagulls stirred Takeshiyama from his slumber. The faint scent of salt in the air wafted through the open window of the small room he had rented at the inn, mingling with the warmth of the morning sun spilling across the tatami mats. Beside him, Wiggly-Woo shifted lazily, uncoiling from its resting position near his arm.  "You’re finally awake," Wiggly-Woo remarked, its telepathic voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I wassss beginning to think you’d sssssleep through breakfast."

Takeshiyama yawned and stretched, his broad frame filling the small room. "I wasn’t sleeping, I was meditating," he replied dryly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Is that what you call ssssssnoring now?" the snake quipped, slithering closer as Takeshiyama stood and began gathering his belongings.

The large sumotori shook his head, suppressing a chuckle. Despite its sharp tongue, Wiggly-Woo was reliable company, and its presence always brought a sense of balance to his solitary journeys.  It was hard to imagine a time before he had found the creature, and they had become inseparable.  After securing his belongings and ensuring his kanobo was properly strapped to on his back, Takeshiyama slid the door open and stepped into the quiet hallway. The inn was modest but clean, its wooden beams worn smooth by years of ocean air. The faint murmurs of other travelers drifted from the dining area, but Takeshiyama had no interest in staying indoors any longer.  "Let’s find the market," he said as he made his way down the stairs and out into the bustling harbor town.

The streets were alive with activity. Merchants called out to potential customers, fishermen unloaded their morning catch, and children darted between stalls, laughing as they played. The scent of grilled fish, fresh bread, and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the salty tang of the ocean. Takeshiyama’s eyes scanned the market as he walked, his steps slow and deliberate, taking in the sights and sounds.  "Breakfasssst firsssst," Wiggly-Woo reminded him, its head peeking out from his sleeve. "Then we can watch the ssshipsss. I’d rather not do it on an empty sssstomach."

Takeshiyama nodded, his attention drawn to a stall where a vendor was grilling skewers of fish over an open flame. The vendor, a stout man with a friendly smile, greeted Takeshiyama warmly, though his eyes lingered briefly on the warrior’s imposing frame and battle-worn appearance.  Takeshiyama nodded. "Two," he said simply, handing over a few coins.  The vendor quickly prepared the skewers, handing them over with a bow. Takeshiyama took one for himself and handed the other to Wiggly-Woo, who accepted it with a satisfied hum. They found a quiet spot near the edge of the docks to sit, the rhythmic sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop as they ate.

The harbor stretched before them, its waters glimmering under the morning sun. Ships of various sizes came and went, their sails billowing in the breeze. Some were simple fishing boats, while others were grand trading vessels laden with goods from distant lands. Takeshiyama watched as dockworkers shouted orders, their movements efficient as they loaded and unloaded crates.  "It’ssss peaceful here," Wiggly-Woo remarked, its gaze fixed on a particularly large ship with intricate carvings along its hull. "Not the kind of place you’d expect to find trouble."

Takeshiyama chewed thoughtfully on his skewer. "Peace doesn’t last forever. But for now, it’s enough."

As they finished their meal, a commotion near one of the larger ships caught their attention. A group of sailors appeared to be arguing with a merchant, their voices carrying over the hum of the market. Takeshiyama watched for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly, but decided against intervening.  "Let them ssssort it out," Wiggly-Woo said, sensing his thoughts. "We’ve got our own journey to focussss on."

Takeshiyama nodded, standing and brushing stray crumbs from his hands. "The others will be here soon," he said. "We’ll restock supplies and prepare to leave. The Land of Moon has been good to us, but it's also taken from us....let's see what the world has to offer"

Wiggly-Woo coiled itself securely around his arm, its presence a comforting weight as they began to make their way back through the market. Takeshiyama’s thoughts lingered on the journey ahead, but for now, the quiet rhythm of the harbor town offered a brief respite—a moment of calm before the tides of destiny called him once more.  The rest of the company would arrive soon, and then they could be on their way.

TWC - 760