Night settled over Auster in a calm blanket. Summer had faded into cool autumn where clouds shifted overhead, teasing thunderstorms that never came. Grass fading from yellow to green brushed against her legs as she led the way to a nearby area. Not far from the maze, a circle of shaped stones formed from the ground. With the origin unknown to most, it had made the mountain woman curious. By the light of the moon, as she crested the small slope, she could see the haze of blue ebbing from the runestones. Odd symbols called out to her as if she had indeed come to the right place. Weary of the magic that may be embedded within the stones, Tenshi glanced over to Hanzo to assess his reaction. She had been restless, unable to sleep, and needed space away from the maze. While she was used to the confines of deep caves with little light, the bamboo had been too noisy tonight. Out here, it was quiet with only the whisper of the wind tickling at her ears. It had been by chance that the Kaicho too had been awake and agreed to a walk with her. While most of their time was spent in silence, she found it more comforting than unsettling. Bringing her paws to rest, she glanced over the haze of blue light once more. "Is there a history to these runes?" Tenshi found it unlikely that he would know much of what had carved the markings, but it was a good start.

The night was a long one but calm, quiet in a way Hattori liked best. He didn't feel restless or unable to sleep, simply just wasn't tired yet and so he saw no reason to deny Tenshi her request. He preferred to keep to himself, but spending one on one time like this was fine, he supposed. Tenshi had earned her keep thus far, hadn't given him any reason to not trust her, they weren't friends yet or anything as close but acquaintances who were comfortable and calm. At ease with one another as they made their way west.

Coming to stand amongst the ancient Runestones, Hattori observed them, feeling a sense of déjà vu. The lines on the rocks shone like the stars above, an impressive interpretation of the constellations and galaxies Hattori could not put a name to. He didn't think of the night sky so much, it was so far away, so far removed from his life that it felt as though he was reaching out for something he shouldn't. Risking disappointment for little gain.

"Certainly. I do not know it, however." He looked at Tenshi then, noting how her coat was like ancient granite. Like she'd been carved from a mountain herself, lichen still clinging in places here and there. "I thought you might know. Your people were knowledgeable about rock. " At least that's what he'd been told.

Examining the runestones from a respectful distance, she glanced over to Hanzo. So he really didn't know everything about these lands. Why that surprised her was beyond her. Flicking her gaze back to the looming rocks, she felt a sort of unease nestle into her. Stepping closer, she inspected the fading runes that emitted a soft glow. Covered in dirt and moss from being forgotten, she reached a paw out to uncover some of it. The glow lit from the moon above emanated brighter as she felt her ears fall back. Hanzo's comment was heard as she stole one more glance at him from the corner of her eye. He wasn't wrong. "In the far past, when furless predators on two legs roamed the earth, they would move rocks into these formations and etch these markings to ward off evil spirits. Similar to Nihon but in a different language," she let her paw continue to uncover more of the moss to reveal the deeply etched markings. "These are not the same as the ones back home. Not what we used in the mountains, but it was for a similar effect." Secretly, Tenshi wished she knew how to read them, but it was lost to her. Stepping back so that she was once more shoulder to shoulder with Hanzo, she admired the circle of smooth stones.

Hattori knew of the two legs, vaguely, as much as anyone could these days. They were long since dead, left ruins and towers of metal in their wake, cities where feral dogs and bastards roamed. But they'd left behind things he liked too, he supposed, ancient temples and estates to call home, appropriated for a better use and yet fitting all the same. He looked at the rocks once more, watched as Tenshi pushed the moss aside to get a clearer look, to try and piece together the mysteries of the past. He did not expect her to be able to read what was written but she had a rough idea of what they were for, to ward off evil, if they were similar to those she was familiar with.

"Do you think it works?"He asked dryly, with the barest hint of humour in his voice. Which was to say he did not. "If something was truly so evil would these runes be enough? This place was effected by the long night as well." He then noted, barely recalling seeing them glow in the distant, a source of light amongst the forever dark.

His dry humor was not lost on her. A hint of a smile tickled at the corners of her lips as she shook her head. "Do you believe in magic, Hanzo?" Her own humor tints her words as she shifts her gaze over to him. It was a redundant question, she knew someone as serious as Hanzo couldn't possibly believe in magic. The idea that a mysterious power inside of you could place runes strong enough to ward off evil... It was impossible. Even in her own raising as a pup in the mountains with the witch doctors and elders, no matter how often they spouted their words of spirit guides and protective barriers, they hadn't worked. She saw proof of that as she watched her own village burn to the ground. The fur along her spine bristled at the thought and would have further grown agitated if it were not for his comment. Long Night. It was a phrase she had heard often enough and had seen with her own eyes. Thankfully, Askell was doing better now, but his ailment had been terrifying on its own. "These runes are merely a placeholder. Something to help keep one's mind at ease, but it would be foolish to believe they're strong enough to keep something evil away." Tenshi wanted badly to ask him about the Long Night. Why had it been so gruesome? Why had it tortured so many? What even had it been? No one had been able to give her straight answers yet.

Hattori didn't even need a moment to consider her question, he merely angled a look her way, lids slightly tensed in a knowing squint. He couldn't be any more pragmatic if he tried, things like this made for nice scenery in his mind but little else. And even then this place was too wide and open for his liking, too much empty space with nothing to fill it. Thoughts of pack expansion had appeared in his mind once or twice, but this place wasn't even on the table, not even an option in his mind.

"I suppose the same can be said for torii gates."He mused, noting he saw them very much in the same way. A symbol that made others feel at peace, like they were transitioning from the profane to the sacred.

He missed them in a way, the sleek red paint and earthy smell of ancient wood. Somehow still standing strong and tall. Perhaps it would be worth considering building one at Tojo's main entryway.

She would notice his squinting look. A hum of a chuckle vibrated in her throat as she gave her head a soft shake. Only the righteous and the ignorant could truly believe in magic. Nothing happened simply because one spoke a few words with a carved stone, but Tenshi would not deny that it did help the simple-minded to feel safer. Her eyes would not stray from the runes as she took a few steps back to be more shoulder to shoulder with him. His comment made her nod. "Yes, many see those as spiritual," Tenshi adds before glancing around. The field they stood in was barren minus the wavering grass and sparse shrubbery. Why someone would place these stones here was beyond her, but she did enjoy the openness from time to time. "Do you think you will build something similar to the torii gates at the maze?" Her question is for side conversation, hoping that he was feeling up to chatting before they headed back.

He thought about her question, not wanting to admit it had been something he'd considered enough. She seemed to be able to read him better than most, peer around his aloof exterior to get a peek at his interests and perspectives beyond. He returned his gaze to the stones once more, if he'd been a less honest man and a better actor he would have made a show of thinking about it. Might have furrowed his brows in contemplation, instead he merely blinked, slow and steady.

"Perhaps. It would be a lot of work for something so...cosmetic though." But worth it? He couldn't decide, didn't want to admit that the thought of having gates within the maze might make him sentimental. Show that he was indeed reaching out for what was long-lost to him, established foundations of a legacy that he could no longer claim to be a part of.