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Post by Shoju on Jan 18, 2012 11:15:55 GMT -5
[OOC]
This RP, is Semi Closed. This is a continuation of Shoju's descent into madness, with his new unwilling sidekick Utaku Mai.
This thread will begin south of Unicorn Lands, in an Inn on the road towards Scorpion Lands, and Ryoko Owari, and will carry through into Ryoko Owari at least.
list of participants
Shoju Utaku Mai Kakita Sojiro Yasuki Chad Saiko Shosuro Honzo
If you are not on the list, PLEASE PM me if you are interested in joining. This thread will be resolving the current hostage situation, and will probably include some Player VS. Player Combat.
[/OOC]
It was morning, and the room in the inn was showing signs of life. Shoju thought back to the the night before. It had been a long and arduous journey for. He had traveled as far as he dared underground, and then in the woods took the unconscious battle maiden and carried her a distance. The wound on his side burned still, and her wound would need treated soon.
Shoju did his best to make the pair look inconspicuous, and had found an inn along the road. He entered, carrying her, and hastily explained to the inn keeper that they were a scouting party that had been jumped by bandits. They were both wounded, and he needed a room to properly tend to their wounds.
The innkeeper was hesitant, but Shoju was 'persuasive'. Soon, They were nestled in a room. Shoju had tended to her wound first, dressing it, and using simple incantations to aid in the healing.
He removed as much of her armor as possible, and placed her in the bed, and then set about working to repair the damage to his side first, and then his shoulder.
He watched her through the late evening, and into the night. As night gave way to Morning, she had become restless, and spoke the name Sojiro often. He watched as she slept. She was so similar to Tenshi in so many ways... It pained him at times, and at other times, when the voice in his head was quiet, he could almost imagine that this is what Tenshi would have looked like under similar circumstances..
He had shaken himself back to the present and realized that she was waking. He moved to the side of the bed, and sat next to her. Good Morning Utaku Mai. I trust that you slept well?
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 18, 2012 13:49:11 GMT -5
Her mind flit back and forth, between the nightmare of the silent room, the cold press of earth around her, and her mind's last escape into her subconscious...a dream that had come to her more than once...
The wind in her face, the familiar sensation of freedom on a sunlit plain. She was flying, riding among the clouds as easily as she ever had on horseback. At first she was alone, selfishly drinking in the whole sky in solitude, but she began to sense another.
Sojiro...? She couldn't tell, he was too far away. She flew toward him, hoping to share the joy of flight with him...
Then the nightmare would return. The confinement, the darkness...unable to run or fly, she could only be swallowed until there was nothing left...
Her eyes opened to the morning sun, to a dull throb in her head and body...
to him...
Mai jolted awake as he spoke, her mind and body barely able to focus on what was happening to her. Her heart pounded, and her hands rose to attack him, clawing at his eyes, his face, whatever she could reach.
Her motions were clumsy and desperate, but her eyes were quickly becoming focused with rage despite the weakness of her body.
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Post by Shoju on Jan 18, 2012 14:01:14 GMT -5
Shoju deflected her efforts to hurt him easily, and spoke in a hushed tone. SSSSSssshhhhhhhh.... Calm down. If you continue to fight like that, all the work I spent on mending your arm will have been a waste. Shoju tried to pin her hands against the bed as he stared into her eyes.
Pleased, that at least for the moment, she was subdued. My my my, you are quite the feisty one. He spoke with a slight grin on his face. I'm sorry that we have had to meet under such duress. But if I could get you to just listen to me for one moment, I'm sure we can find an arrangement that will allow you and your beloved Sojiro to live, love, and be happy. But, you need to understand, If you make things difficult for me, I will make you wish you were in the pits of jigoku itself.
Shoju looked at her, regarding her with a calm look on his face... It was eerily similar to the look on his face when she had come so close to cutting him down from horseback before.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 18, 2012 15:10:05 GMT -5
Flashes of pain met her as Mai struggled against his grip, feeling for the first time the burning sensation of her wound being irritated from its tight wrappings. She could feel her focus returning to her, feel the absence of her armor, the unfamiliar surroundings...his threatening words... the veiled threat against Sojiro...
No.
She fought a wave of revulsion at his touch, but in a moment she had her next move planned. While Mai was only familiar with the most basic hand-to-hand combat forms, there was one wrestling move that always succeeded against a man with ill intent toward a woman. With a furious shout, and a movement that finally matched the fire in her eyes, her leg kicked upward, hard between her assailant's legs.
The result was perfect. Ken'o slumped over in his pain, and Mai was out of his grip. She crawled over her futon and lunged toward the doorway, triumphant in the feeling of hard-won freedom.
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Post by Shoju on Jan 18, 2012 15:56:09 GMT -5
The kick caught Shoju unexpectedly. As Mai made her way for the door, Shoju stood, walked to the wash basin, and picked up one of the cloths he had used to cleanse her wound. He closed his eyes, and some of her blood fell to the floor. As it did, Mai's forearm began to ache, burn, throb, and bleed. Heavily.
Satisfied that if nothing else she would faint from loss of blood, Shoju began to give chase. He caught up with her in a hallway, and closed his eyes, rubbing a spot on the cloth that still held some of her blood. She began to slow, and soon, she began to feel like a prisoner in her own body. She couldn't run, She couldn't swing her arms, She couldn't scream. She could think. She could blink her eyes, She could breathe.
Function of her body past that, seemed to be beyond her control. Shoju moved down the hall towards her, and sighed. It didn't need to be like this Utaku Mai. But I'm afraid now, a demonstration is in order.
Shoju picked her up, the way a groom would pick up his bride to carry her over the threshold, and took her back to the room. You've hurt my feelings Utaku Mai. All I wanted to do was have a discussion, and you have to turn it into a physical altercation. You made me reinjure you... Shoju sighed, and set her down on a chair in the room.
He removed the now soiled bandages of her arm, and looked at the wound. Sighing again, he began to work to wrap it. I didn't want to hurt you. Well, ok, maybe after yesterday I did... But then you slept, and mentioned your Sojiro, and I look at you... Shoju trailed off as he continued working on the wound.
Soon, the wound was mended, and Shoju stood tall, looking down at her. I do want to have a conversation with you, but I hope that you understand, there are rules. You broke one. And now you will suffer the consequences... A light rapping at the door interrupted them.
Samurai-sama. I know that you were both injured, so I took the liberty of bringing you breakfast. It was a young boy, Shoju had noticed him when they walked in the night before.
Right on time. Shoju smiled as she sat, unable to move, and went to the door.
Shoju opened the door, and the boy bowed low as he pushed in a cart with food on it. Shoju smiled at the boy, and turned him away from Mai. Thank you... What is your name? As he spoke, Shoju made a short movement with his hand, barely noticed by the boy. Mai stood, against her will, and began walking towards the table where her armor and Daisho lay.
Rozu, Samurai-sama. The boy looked up into Shoju's eyes, and Shoju made another motion. Against her will, she picked up the Wakizashi she had wounded Shoju with.
Another move from Shoju's hand, and she began walking back towards them. The boy, looking up at Shoju with earnest paid no attention to her movements. Excellent Rozu. You have been a wonderful help. Tell me, What would you like to be when you grow up?
Shoju's hand moved one last time, and Mai brought the Wakizashi back, as if ready to strike forward through the back of the boy.I wish to be a merchant who travels to the burning sands! the boy said excitedly.
Shoju laughed hard and pushed the boy behind him, and out the door, Rozu closed it on the way. The last flick of his hand brought the wakizashi forward, with a thrust, clearly it would have ran the boy through the heart had he still been standing there. He looked Mai in the eyes, and with no emotion in his voice spoke clearly. The next time you disobey me, I wont have the heart to push a kid out of the way.
Shoju wrapped the bloody cloth around the blade, and took it from her hands, and released her from his control. Shoju placed the wakizashi away, turned and looked at her. Do you understand me?
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 18, 2012 23:05:54 GMT -5
The experience was hellish. At first she was distracted by the unnatural pain, by the way it seemed to make her sluggish. She had tried to ignore it, to think only of her goal of escape, of finding help, of taking those precious few steps forward. Her inability to do so was at first confusing, and then frightening. Her movements toward her weapon, toward the boy...they were as natural as any step she'd ever taken before, they simply weren't her steps. She could only watch from inside herself as her body moved without her. She tried to exert control, to find the point where her mind and spirit connected with her muscle and sinews, but no matter how hard she pushed, her body was something other than her own. She could not will herself to stop, or give warning, or even plunge the wakizashi into her own belly in a last-ditch attempt to stop the inevitable.
What is a cell but a room?
Never before had Mai felt so confined, so trapped. This was worse than the corridors of Toshi Ranbo. Worse than the walls of Kyuden Doji. Worse even then the dank pit in the earth where the bloodspeaker had put her. Now her very skin was a jail cell, and she could not even raise her arms beat against the bars.
The knife slipped from her grasp, and slowly, the connection between her mind and body returned, though now she no longer trusted it. She sank to her knees, letting tears flow freely down her face.
For the first time, she was afraid. Afraid of this man, of his power over her, of what he could make her do.
Visibly shaking, she could manage little more than a sullen whisper into the tatami mats of the floor. The fire in her eyes that seemed to fuel her whole being was diminished to nearly nothing, quenched in those terrible moments.
"What is it you want from me?"
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Post by Shoju on Jan 19, 2012 9:42:17 GMT -5
Shoju smiled as he looked down at her on the floor. I believe, we finally have come to an understanding. Shoju walked over and plopped down on a cushion, the grin fading. What I would really have liked from you Mai, you can't give me. Shoju's tone had a mocking sadness to it. I would like, for you not to have come to Kibukito and interrupted my plans... but that's in the past now. Come. Sit. Shoju gestured at the cushion opposite his.
You see, by interrupting what I had started, I now have to start all over[/b] with finding people who believe what I believe... Who... Desire to deliver the vengeance this empire deserves[/color] Shoju watched her. You see, I was once just like you. A proud samurai, willingly giving my all to my champion, my clan, the empire, and the emperor. Shoju's tone grew bitter. But then, the very man I gave my all to, the very man I tried to hold loyalty for after my honor had been taken away from me, the very man whose wife I aided in finding closure, took something very important away from me.
Shoju's voice was angry, but his face betrayed his raw grief. The very man I served took her away from me. He murdered her. And today, I'm the villain, and he's the hero. His clan embraces him. The Empire will laud praise upon him. The Emperors themselves would commend him. His voice trembled slightly. The Empire embraces the murderer of a pregnant woman, and scorns a man who would sacrifice his honor, his soul, his.... very place in the afterlife to defend it.
Shoju shifted on his cushion, pushing the pain from his expression. I don't know what you will ultimately do for me, Utaku Mai. You have dealt a terrible blow to my vengeance. Shoju looked contemplatively at her, and he eyed the door, and then back at her. But for now, I want you to tell me a story. Shoju sat straight on the cushion and spoke flatly. Tell me about your beloved Sojiro
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 19, 2012 14:09:38 GMT -5
Ignoring the cushion at his side, Mai brought her legs in front of her to settle into a cross-legged position on the tatami at his command to sit, bracing her injured arm over her chest, her body angled to present a nearly profile view to the man speaking to her. Everything about her posture and tone indicated a seething disdain, a desire to put whatever emotional and mental boundaries she could muster between them. You only claim my obedience, her actions said silently, You will never claim me.
It was in this position when he heard his grandiose plans for vengeance. She managed to conceal her rolled eyes, but only just barely.
"You may lie to yourself as you wish, but don't pretend to me that that was your desire for Kibukito when I could see the truth with my own eyes. You went to where you thought you could find weakness to exploit, and you pressed your vengeance upon them even while they made their own desires plain. How did it feel when despite your temptations of power, they rose up against you?"
"So go ahead, Ken'o...or whoever you are...try again somewhere else. See what happens. Kibukito had champions come to their defense, but they also had their own sense of honor and courage, even when they may have had more reason then most to succumb to your will."
She managed a small smile at the thought, recognizing the danger in her words, trying to gauge how likely it would be to infuriate him, though she kept her own voice even. "Even the lowliest of Rokugan can see the truth behind your lies."
Bringing him back to his vengeance, as risky as it was for her, could give her a few extra seconds, before he would once again demand information about her Sojiro. "Maybe at one time you convinced yourself that serving the empire was worth your soul. But that certainly hasn't stood the test of time. Are you sure it had nothing to do with your own ambition, your own glory?"
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Post by Shoju on Jan 19, 2012 15:42:32 GMT -5
Shoju smirked at her. You, may simply call me Shoju. There is no need to conceal who I am from you now. He adjusted his kimono, absently trying to brush some of the filth from it. How did it feel when they rose up in opposition of me? It made me envious of their love for something important to them. Shoju looked down at his hand Though, I didn't offer power. I offered the chance to strike back at an Empire who had abandoned them, and that's not a lie. Shoju smirked at her. Go ahead, rationalize their existence shoved away in the mountains, and out of sight. But you and I both know the truth.
You think I had ulterior motives at Kibukito because you have never experienced TRUE loss Utaku Mai. You have never cared about something so much that the very loss of it removed your will to exist. Shoju sat there, his eyes glassy looking from tears welling up.
Do you honestly think I would lie to myself? For. what. gain[/i]?[/color] Shoju looked at her, examined her from head to toe and smirked. What could I possibly gain from lying to myself?
Shoju stood and held out his hand, as if holding an apple Honor? Shoju shook his head, and in his hand a small flame began to burn. No, I was denied a chance at an honorable existence.
The fire burned a little brighter Glory? Shoju shook his head no, the fire growing a little larger, still easily controlled by the Shugenja. No one will ever sing the praises of my actions. Not even the Lost in the Shadowlands.
Shapes began to take form from the fire. Lacking detail, but two human shapes, as if walking. My ambition? Shoju exhaled heavily No, any ambition I had was destroyed with her. One of the fire figures fell flat on his hand, the other kneeling over it.
The fire in his hand extinguished. If you think that they were the object of my vengeance, Look at the truth. Shoju refocused, looking her in the eyes. I didn't kill the innkeeper or his children, or anyone else who didn't attack me. He paused for a moment. ... Well, There was the tailor girl as well, but thats a bit more complicated. Refugees. Why... If they were the object of my vengeance... didn't I continue to kill villagers, raise them as undead, and send them on a killing spree all the way to Bikami? And the final truth. You... are still alive. According to you... You saved Kibukito from me.. If that's true, you denied me my vengeance by saving whatever is left of that miserable town. Shoju stared at her, letting her think about that for a moment. Why haven't I taken my vengeance on you?
Shoju held his hand out, and the small fire reappeared. I don't deal in lies Utaku Mai. Why deal in lies, when the truth is far uglier, far more brutal, and devastatingly vicious?
The fire began to burn brighter, and then it formed a pair of fire figures again. Love is a flame that burns within the souls of two people. Tell me about your Sojiro Mai. Tell me, does the flame burn within your souls? Shoju closed his hand, and the fire went away.
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Saiko
Spider Clan
Here we stand, at the end of all things...
Posts: 355
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Post by Saiko on Jan 19, 2012 18:44:32 GMT -5
Once again, he soared high above the plains of Rokugan, the moon high above illuminating the snow-covered fields and forests he flew over, glistening as though covered in gems. He could not enjoy the beauty this night, however, as his thoughts were dark and aggravated. As he passed over a castle under siege, he slowed his pace, his thoughts returning to his previous nights of failed searching...
*****
His walk through Otosan Uchi had been mostly unsuccessful at first, many of his spies knowing nothing worth his time. As he began to feel that his search here was in vain, however, he heard something VERY interesting. He heard that the man he was searching for had been betrayed on the Dragon Heart Plains, and he smiled darkly as he soared away, his next destination firmly in mind.
The next night he stood amongst the burnt ruins of the expedition's camp, his mood foul as he observed a scene completely devoid of any clues as to the whereabouts of the man he hunted. Upon his return, though, word came to him of a powerful maho tsukai in northern Unicorn lands, and it was all he had to go on.
The scorched earth in and surrounding Kibukito were all he found upon his arrival there, and though the evidence was strong that it could be what he was looking for, nothing was conclusive, and he left the town angrier than ever at a trail that simply got colder and colder...
*****
And so he flew to every corner of the Empire he could, for several nights, searching in vain for his quarry. This night had driven him to the point of rage, and he was prepared to simply begin walking, for all the good his powers were doing him. As he flew out over norther Scorpion lands, preparing to return to his body when he felt the presence of a powerful shugenja of some sorts near him.
It was all he had to go on, and an idea took him. He slowed his travel almost to a halt, and focused his energy to project a message towards the source of the concentration of power. Shoju...?
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 20, 2012 1:15:31 GMT -5
“Shoju, then.” she said, as if the name itself were a piece of refuse, “You know so little about me. You think because I’m not ranting and raving against the whole country that it’s impossible that I have ever suffered pain or loss.”
Mai exhaled painfully and looked about the room, her eyes falling on the damaged armor in the corner. Her mother’s armor, the plates fresh with new life, pristine silk cords in white and purple. Not a day went by that Mai did not think of that acute absence in her life, though it seemed the grief was finally beginning to dissipate somewhat from the knife-like pain she had known when the loss was fresh.
“Your lack of understanding of virtue becomes you so little. The innocence of a child stays your hand, but the adults are all complicit in your suffering, is that it? And I am alive because I remind you of another, perhaps the battle maiden you spoke of...I weep for my sister, for having to spend even a moment in your company.”
She was becoming more aware of the instability of this man the more he opened his mouth to speak. Her hand traveled to the pendant around her neck, the fingers resting on the crane in flight above her heart, all while the flicker of the tsukai’s summoned flame reflected in the empty pools of her dark eyes. The jade was warm in her hand, but to her great relief, did not burn or irritate.
“So what do you want to know of Sojiro? That he is a man of honor and loyalty? That he is full of understanding and compassion toward those who he could easily dismiss as his enemies? That he can fulfill his duty to his clan and family even when it is difficult for him? That he can face loss and betrayal with dignity and grace?”
Mai turned to Shoju, the recollection of her last meeting with Sojiro filling her memory. The knowledge that he was safe from this hell, far away at Winter Court, brought back some of the fire in her spirit that had so recently seemed tamped out.
“In other words,” she finally said, with strength returning to her voice, “He is a man totally and completely unlike you.”
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Post by Shoju on Jan 20, 2012 11:25:04 GMT -5
Shoju leveled his gaze on her, and sighed. No Mai. I think that you haven't experienced true loss, because you still carry the mon of a clan, and you have Sojiro. Shoju's voice stayed flat, and monotone, his face unflinching. In every child, I see the child that was stolen from me by a murderer. In every Samurai, I see the cold resolve of bushido. The lie sold to keep you a good, and dutiful warrior.
Shoju looked over at the armor, and back at her.You remind me of her, yes. But... that memory almost allowed you to wound me yesterday. His face looked irritated at the thought. You are as fierce as her. You are as determined as her, though.... You are shorter than her. Shoju's face held a wicked grin at that. Your likeness to her is what allowed you to live through yesterday. but since your... episode I have found that maybe, just maybe, there is more to you than a simple Battle Maiden.
Shoju listened carefully to her description of Sojiro. Honor, Loyalty, Understanding, Compassion, Duty, dignity, and Grace? Oh Mai... You've fallen for a Crane. Shoju chuckled. You are absolutely right Utaku Mai. Even in my first life? Sojiro and I would have been... completely different
Shoju's face lost the humor it held. Tell me, Doji? Daidoji? Surely, not an Asahina... Maybe a Kakita? Shoju leaned forward with earnest. Why does he capture your heart? Why do you pine for him? Shoju looked deep into her eyes. What would you sacrifice to save him? Do you think he would sacrifice the same for you?
Shoju sat watching her, he was beginning to enjoy himself.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 20, 2012 16:24:53 GMT -5
The surprise in Mai's face at his guess was as good as a confession. She cursed herself for being so transparent, and determined not to give him any more hold over her than he had already gained. She closed her eyes in another effort to block Shoju out, and her vision filled with memories of him...their first meeting at that inn...that cold night in the war camp... their final bittersweet ride through Kyuden Doji...
"What does it matter to a bloodspeaker? what is love to you, but an object for you to study, dissect, to poke and prod until there's nothing left? Just another tool in your arsenal? Why should I prove anything to the likes of you? Even if I could bring myself to answer such banal questions with mere words..." She seemed to drift off at the thought of such a task. Nothing she could say could adequately express how she felt. "...What would you do with my answers? Kill him, to prove your power over me? Watch me try to live with the loss? To see if I end up like you, a bitter ronin with nothing to live for?"
She looked at him, an odd expression on her face. Tears came unbidden from her eyes at the thought she had just vocalized. She imagined that to be exactly what he wanted.
If my heart is fated to be tested, she prayed silently, to Yun-Li, to Haru, to whatever fortunes would listen, then let the test come in its due course, but please, not at Shoju's hands, not because I betrayed my Sojiro, please...
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Post by Shoju on Jan 20, 2012 16:52:49 GMT -5
Shoju bristled.
I.... He stood, his face contorted am NOT[/size][/color] He exhaled, clearly beyond agitated, his hands balled into fists. a........ He closed his eyes... his hands began to smolder. His breath hung in his throat... as if he was appalled by the very word he tried to utter. BLOODSPEAKER![/I][/color][/size] The word came out almost as a roar. His hands burst into a sickly red flame, and his eyes bore a hatred, looking down at the Battle Maiden on the ground.
Shoju panted as he stared at her, his fury obvious, the flames on his fists didn't burn him, but the heat was obvious. HOW DARE YOU even THINK that I am anything like those power hungry.... IDIOTS. His expression looking more like a wild animal ready to maul its prey than a man. Do not mistake my lust for vengeance for the Master of Secrets for the lust for power! If I held quarter with those monsters I would have filleted you after I took you from Kibukito, and you would have been MY SLAVE
Shoju closed his eyes, obviously trying to find some peace. I knew the embrace of love. I knew the embrace of honor. You may not be able to see it, but I loved your fallen sister enough to sacrifice a piece of my very soul[/i] to bring the breath of life back to her. [/color] The flame on his hands began to recede. I ask you these questions, because I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with you. To see if there is a point in letting you live.
He opened his eyes, I would never wish my suffering or loss on anyone save one man. And my vengeance will be had. He will suffer as he has made me. Shoju shook his head, and held his hands up in front of him, the smoke and flame almost completely gone. His fate was sealed the moment he killed her. Your fate, is still to be decided, and insulting me doesn't increase the chances of you, the others in this inn, or your precious bikami living to rise against me again.
Shoju looked at her. And it wont be by my hand that they fall. Shoju stared into her eyes, his voice calming. Now, you can either humor me, and try to put something about this man whom you pine for in your darkest hour into words, Or you can insult me, and we can see where that leads us. Shoju smoothed his kimono, and sat back down. But if you ever associate me with those worthless, power hungry, servants of an imprisoned madman again, I can start showing you a fate worse than death.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Jan 21, 2012 10:40:40 GMT -5
His explosion of anger knocked Mai back both mentally and physically. She cowered beneath him, waiting to be burned alive in his anger. Any advantage she managed to hold over him at this point, any small victory she had gained through her protestations, were gone now. The feelings of entrapment, of helplessness, the lack of control...the walls of the room seemed to heave inwards, ready to crush her, all while Shoju raged.
She once again began to see herself as if as an outside observer -- she wondered if Shoju had once again used her blood to take over, but no, it all seemed to only come from her own mind. The memory of the takeover filled her consciousness, but instead of the boy, it was Taro, and other villagers of Bikami at the end of her blade. She could only watch as the light left their eyes, their shock at her betrayal, her weakness...
"Please..." she said for the first time, her facade of bravery finally broken. "Please, don't...I'll give you what you want...just please don't hurt them..."
Forgive me, Mother, for not being strong enough to withstand him.
Forgive me, Sojiro...
"We met some weeks after the battle of Toshi Ranbo..."
She told him everything he wanted to hear...she told him about their first meeting at the inn, and her initial suspicions. She told him about horsemilk tea, and his surprising reaction to her outburst leading to the even more surprising invitation to winter court...she told him about the ride through Kyuden Doji, of their private kiss, their shared declaration of love...how they just seemed to fit together, how their connection had little need of words or proclamations. She told of her promise, so hasty now, that they would meet again.
When Mai finished, she was utterly spent. The memories that had given her so much hope, so much happiness, turned to ash as she shared them. Shoju had exactly what he wanted, and she could only cower in her corner and pray that his machinations would not twist them beyond recognition.
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