Year of the Boar, Fourteenth Month, Day 11.

 I have not written anything for several days because I have had nothing of note to report. Life at Silent Thunder has continued without incident and I have not discovered anything new. I managed to complete the form this morning which earned me a curt comment from Suzuki about shaping up to be half decent. He is also pleased with Haru. Kaede has finally abandoned her pretence and moves through the form with the same fluidity as her cousins. I am no closer to learning the truth of this strangeness and to add to it, more of the women of the House have joined the session this past morning or two. I did allow myself to smirk when I noticed how many of them now wear short hair. It is almost as if Kaede clings to her waist length tresses out of spite!

The main thing to record is that the Solstice celebrations were absolutely wonderful. It was the antithesis of the same festival at Pale Twilight.

When night fell, gongs rang about the House and everyone gathered in the main courtyard where tables stood laden to overflowing with platters of fruits and sweets. There were punch bowls and casks of ales and meads. On the other side of the courtyard, merchants had set out their wares on smaller tables and there was a huge space at the front of the courtyard where musicians sat on a raised stage. They plucked out bright, spirited tunes while a group of flamboyant acrobats performed death defying tricks to the amazement of everyone present. 

The entire House milled about excitedly in anticipation of the New Year, and the moon, a celestial treat in its fullness, spread its silver light over the festivities. It was joyous. The mood in the courtyard was exuberant and infectious. I felt light, unburdened and hopeful for the first time in as long as I can remember.

 It is quite unlike me but I had not realised that this year, the Solstice would be marked with a full moon. A rare lunar alignment occurring only once in several decades - its benevolent brightness was the most perfect backdrop to the ethereal glow of the skylanterns we sent up once the vibrant display of fireflowers had finished. 

Eventually, the kitchen staff brought out huge, steaming vats of the traditional winter soup I had so wanted to try. The fragrant steam treated all of us to its savoury goodness before it even reached the tables. It was every bit as delicious as I had anticipated. A contented murmuring fell over the courtyard as we all tucked in and the vats were scraped dry very quickly as people ate second and even third portions.

Four sticks or so into the New Year, everyone began to drift to various shrines about the House and some to the temple to offer their thanks and wishes to the gods. Just after dawn most had taken to their bedrooms, sated and in need of some sleep. 

I remained for a while after the last of Kaede's guests had gone. The warmth of the soup and the fur wrap I wore protected me from the chill in the air and I enjoyed the peaceful sensation I got from being alone with the moon. Eventually, I too, tired enough to want my bed and now, I feel somehow different.

 As if I have been able to leave the stress and discomfort of the past year behind me. I have decided there is no need to pursue any sort of truth regarding Sasanuma and Kaede and that I will leave them to whatever it is they are up to. As soon as I have received a reply from Aoki, I will leave Silent Thunder and resume my journey to discover Father's secrets at Purple Lightning.