Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Aug 1, 2011 16:45:42 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai nodded respectfully to the former Monkey Clan Champion, well aware that Toku Hirotomo's abrupt departure from the traveling group had been ordered so that the man currently before him could surrender his title to his 16 year old son. It was a responsibility that Shodai had mixed feelings about: the burden would likely squeeze out the moments of recklessness out of Hirotomo's personality, but the young man would also be dependent on advisors until he gained the experience to be a Champion.
Though Hirotomo's siding with Kaneka - the Void Master would never call the former shogun anything but the last name he'd rightfully earned - Shodai still considered the new Monkey Clan Champion a personal friend. There is a bond forged between two warriors when they fight side-by-side; doubly so when one saves the other's life, as Shodai had saved Hirotomo's when the fallen Isawa Isshin had nearly killed the young Toku samurai.
Shodai felt his jaw tighten as the disguised khadi that wasn't leaking so much as a wisp of Taint - a trick that completely baffled the Void Master - inquired about the murder of Kenpachi's wife and younger son. Mitsouko had told him that Hirotomo's mother and brother had been murdered by maho-tsukei around the time the new Still Water Temple in Kyuden Tonbo was being dedicated.
The Void Master saw the storm signs in Toku Kenpachi, but the older samurai maintained his composure far better than he had previously, but Shodai wasn't about to let the man be forced to relive that disasterous event thanks to the Spider's snide cruelty - disguised as it was beneath a veneer of civility. However, Chuda Shoju made some cryptic references to art and layers, seeming to end the conversation.
For some reason, Shodai felt a warm glow in the cockles of his heart at finally finding an opponent that could challenge him intellectually and magically, despite his overwhelming disgust for the nature of the conniving, undead Snake before him. It would almost be shame that should it come to a battle between them, Shodai would have to obliterate him...
ALMOST.
"Well, that was rather roundabout of him, wasn't it, Kenpachi? Would you care to join me for a drink to celebrate Hirotomo's upcoming wedding? We have quite a bit to talk about, wouldn't you say?"[/b]
|
|
Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
|
Post by Toku Hirotomo on Aug 1, 2011 17:04:20 GMT -5
OOC: The Monkey has not made it's choice public. Hirotomo is currently increasing the boarder strength, but until we can have a Monkey vote, we can't choose. Like Jay said, the Minor Clans won't weigh in until sides are drawn clearly. I want everyone to know I heart Toturi as much as everyone wants to vilify me for it, but I can't at the moment.
"Yes, I think I need something to calm my nerves after that." Kenpachi said absentmindedly. He walked beside the Void Master. It was a sad day when he prefered the company of the Phoenix, but after his meeting with the Spider he needed something to remove the feeling of uncertainty. He would meet with the Spider. He had no choice, but at least he could enjoy company before the end of the tournament.
Kenpachi looked over his cup of tea, he wanted sake, but it was too early. Kenpachi looked over at the Void Master, appraising him. His son had spent far more time than him, even saving his life in a battle with the creature that anchored the oni that removed Sanjuro's memory and caused his loyalties to shift to the Mantis.
|
|
|
Post by Shoju on Aug 1, 2011 17:48:37 GMT -5
Shoju retired to a nondescript tent that he had set up. Once inside, he withdrew a small elixir from his obi. The elixir swirled in the vial. Black and swirls of what would almost be thought of as fire swirled in the mixture. Shoju removed the stopper and drank off the entire vial. It burned at his senses. His mind was on fire, as much as his senses were. He fell to his knees on the floor, and braced himself on his hands to keep from falling on his face.
After a few moments, he was stable again, and able to stand. The draught had done everything the cruel woman had said it would. It made the taint on his soul nothing but a shadow.
After ensuring that the taint was handled, Shoju removed a crystal from around his neck, and placed it on the low table. He weaved the air kami around it, and soon his words were reaching the old Tsukai in the Iron Citadel.
"Greetings Ilumo. I hope that Saisei is well? Shoju smiled lightly as the table began to take on a glassy appearance and the old tsukai came into focus.
The Tsukai knelt and bowed until his forehead touched the floor. "Yes Chuda-sama. Saisei is secure and safe. The City of the Lost has sent a small battalion to maintain a defense should something happen." The tsukai looked up. "What do I owe the privelege of speaking with you to chuda-sama?"
Shoju began explaining all he knew about the murders of the former Monkey Clan Champion's family. When he was done he nodded, and simply said He has abused the power. He must be culled."
The Tsukai nodded. "As soon as I have information for you, I will be sure to share it with you Chuda-sama." He bowed low again, and began walking away. The scrying crystal was central to the tower. Shoju knew he was headed to the library to find out what he could.
Shoju stood and began thinking about the man he saw in the camp earlier today, and how it had unsettled him to see him. what was it about him? Why did he look out of place? what was he doing here? Shoju decided he needed to find out. He readied himself, replaced his mempo, and began walking the grounds.
|
|
|
Post by sprinkles on Aug 1, 2011 23:23:46 GMT -5
Sprinkles wondered to the area so many had spotted glimpse of the Ki-rin. He saw nothing. If I could only catch you, he thought. "Alas, the beasts of Gods were not meant for mortal hands." He whispered quietly.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Aug 2, 2011 11:18:49 GMT -5
((OOC: Shodai's thinking about Hirotomo's siding with Kaneka being more from the standpoint of the young man's personal opinions which the two of us would discuss during the period we're riding through Scorpion territory before the party in Ryoko Owari Toshi when he and Chiyuki departed. Hirotomo is more focused on combat and the glory thereof so would naturally side with the glory hounding Shogun over the cool logic of the Emperor. This is why he thought of it as "Hirotomo's siding" with the Shogun - making a natural assumption of how Hirotomo would have reacted - versus "the Monkey Clan siding" since the Void Master obviously would have no knowledge of the discussions in the Monkey Clan.))
Void Master Agasha Shodai sat with Toku Kenpachi as the servant of the teahouse finished pouring their cups of tea. The two men sat in silent evaulation of each other as they let their tea steep.
Finally, Shodai decided to address the gorilla in the room, but he chose to do it in a roundabout fashion. He raised his glass. "So, Kenpachi-san, I'd like to offer a salute of my personal respect to you for the fine job you did in raising Hirotomo as a warrior... When we were facing the host of the monster we had to deal with at the Three Sides River he managed to land a rather grievous wound on him without the hesitancy that a samurai facing his first unhuman opponent typically has. Did he get a chance to tell you about that battle? I know that he's been busier than a one-armed paper hanger in a wind storm since becoming Champion."[/b]
|
|
|
Post by Shoju on Aug 2, 2011 12:42:20 GMT -5
Shoju milled around the tournament grounds, looking for signs of the ronin shugenja he had seen earlier. Shoju was fairly certain why he had struck him as odd, but he wanted to be sure of it before he did anything that might be viewed as dishonorable by the rest of those at the tournament. He called upon the wind to aid him, but it seemed even the wind was unable to find him. Strange...
As he walked, the No-Dachi began whispering in his ear. And soon enough, he had come across the Soshi again. He was sure that there was some tie between Senshi and this shugenja. The Daisho was nearly screaming it in his head. "Greetings Soshi-san. Tell me, are you prepared for the tournament?"
|
|
Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
|
Post by Toku Hirotomo on Aug 2, 2011 14:36:06 GMT -5
Kenpachi raised his cup. "Yes he has been quite busy, but he wears the mantle of Champion as though he was made for it. He did tell me about that battle, and I speak for my clan and as a father when I offer my thanks for returning him to us, safe. I'm told your spell saved his life and soul. For that, I am grateful. The Monkey has been busy ferreting out bloodspeakers who are using the chaos of the moment to dig deeper into the Empire. His advisers are men I trust with my life, I know they will give him sound council. He knows what to do though, and his betrothed is an excellent moral compass. Kenpachi deliberately skated around the Monkey's choice of support. He knew where his son would fall, even more so now that his son would remain champion. Sanjuro's loss was heartbreaking, but Toku's scions still led his clan.
|
|
|
Post by Soshi Kiso on Aug 2, 2011 16:49:49 GMT -5
The hair on the back of his neck froze.... He had not planned on speaking to the tainted scum who presumed to put himself on equal standing by calling him....-san.
Chuda, I am prepared. Without the aid of your dark magics. He turned to face the menace. I do not know why the Phoenix are allowing you entrance to this sacred event, but I'll be damned to see any of your kind win.
He could break the seal on Giri no Toriwake, and surely skewer the man before him in the blink of an eye, every ounce of his body urged him to do it. How much suffering could be ended this day? Alas, his hand traveled nowhere near his katana. His honor forbid it, and it would weaken Senshi's upcoming negotiations. This is why they labeled him, Junshin.
Tell me Shoju, is your presence here trying to legitimize the claim the so called Spider have of being a clan?
|
|
|
Post by Shoju on Aug 2, 2011 18:47:06 GMT -5
Shoju's face spread out in a wide grin. "Your emotions betray your position Soshi-san. Your bristling hatred of my very existence in such stark contradiction to your outward manner. I'm sure that it is enough to fool those without the proper... training, but... Well, we both know about that I'm sure." Shoju looked at his hand as if examining his nails. "You think without the use of my magics that I'm somehow.... less?"
Shoju chuckled. "Truth be told Soshi-san, I am most excited to see you here. You have some connection to the Master of Secrets, I can sense it. When you leave, I hope that you will inform him that you met me, and that you spoke with me, and that I am very much alive." Shoju smiled under the mask. "Come, would you like to feel my beating heart? I promise I don't bite."
Shoju walked sideways from the Scorpion Shugenja, gauging his reaction to being so close to the 'villain' in the mind of so many Scorpion. "Everything I do is for a purpose Soshi-san. To honor my Lord. To honor my Family. To honor the Empire. Even now your mind races with the desire to forget honor and strike me down. I don't blame you. I'm sure that your champion has filled your head with murderous ideals about me. I do hope that when the time comes, that you are ready to understand, you give me just a moment to show you another perspective."
|
|
|
Post by Soshi Kiso on Aug 2, 2011 21:51:15 GMT -5
I understand more then you can imagine. You cast aside your honor a long time ago, if you feel you have some now, it is but a deformed reflection of what it once was.
I pity you, Chuda. The mask you wear today is but a simple representation of the mask you hide behind from your very soul. You cling to ways forbidden by the land. Not because they are of no use, but that they weaken and distort those who wield it, and in the end, all of Rokugan suffers for it.
I know it was you who opened the Black Scrolls for power and knowledge beyond your means. Did you never stop to think the reason that they were not to be opened? Great power may lie within them, but power should never be obtained so easily. Without the hard work and dedication towards its path, knowledge of the weight it carries and your responsibility to it... you have not an idea what to do with it for the greater good, and you fall to its soothing lullaby to obtain more.
You do not wield great power, a great power wields you.
|
|
|
Post by Utaku Kasumi on Aug 3, 2011 2:14:33 GMT -5
(OCC: And this is where Kasumi KOs Shoju with herself... if you want you can check the other thread )
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Aug 3, 2011 14:52:38 GMT -5
"I will accept your thanks, though I would have done the same for anyone that needed it... You must understand that I, personally, believe that if there is something that should be done to save a fellow servant of the Empire - regardless of clan or rank - that one is capable of doing, you have an obligation to do it. The Celestial Order may dictate what role we are to play in our lives, but it does not mean we have the right to mistreat those whose station is below our own. Life is precious and by respecting all life it makes us all better people."[/b]
Shodai said as he took a sip of his tea. "Perhaps it surprises you to hear that from one of the leaders of a Great Clan; so many of them are so obsessed with the trappings of their high offices or the political intrigues that they forget that they have an obligation not just to their Clan, but to the greater good of the Empire and the people."[/b]
A wry grin creased the Void Master's lips. "Not that a lot of people outside my clan or the Brotherhood of Shinsei are willing to listen to my thoughts on the subject. Hirotomo-san waivered between interested and bored out of his mind when we talked philosophy, magic and whatever other subject came up during the ride from the Three Sides River to Ryoko Owari Toshi. Apparently, Emma-O himself spoke to your son for those few minutes he was on the boarder between life and death and it sparked his interest in theology and topics other than combat skills."[/b]
|
|
Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
|
Post by Toku Hirotomo on Aug 3, 2011 16:25:39 GMT -5
"He's taken to scrolls like a fish in water. Smiled Kenpachi. The words were odd coming from a Great Clan leader. Perhaps if more concerned themselves with the good of the Empire and others, then this war would have never even been thought of. "I find myself agreeing with you, Agasha-sama. There are those that just see samurai as warriors, and often forget duties that are less tangible. We are the guardians and caretakers of those of lower station. They grow the rice that sustains us and keeps our bodies strong for service to our lord. The Monkey has always held similar views to what you have just spoken of. It is heartening to hear them from someone other my clansmen. Kenpachi was genuinely surprised, though he showed no sign of it. Peace should be foremost in all minds. It was a shame that so few listened. This is what made Toku's Dream so difficult to realize. Then again, he would not be Toku if he let the implausibility of an outcome deter him from seeking it.
|
|
|
Post by Shoju on Aug 4, 2011 12:10:28 GMT -5
After the escapades caused by the Unicorn, Shoju returned to his tent and penned a letter. He then paid a young page in the Minor Clan Camps handsomely to deliver the letter to the Soshi Daimyo's camp.
The letter read:
Kiso-san,
I wish that we would have been able to finish our discussion. I hope that this letter finds you well, and that you take the time to read it.
You think that I cast my honor aside in a bid for power. This is a fallacy. I cast my honor aside in an effort to understand the secrets contained within the scrolls. As a Scorpion, my duty was to know the secrets of the Empire to save the Empire from them. How could I guard the Empire from something if I didn't know and understand the secrets which I was charged to guard it from?
You think I cling to a way forbidden by the land, but I don't cling to anything. I embrace a practice older than the Kami's clans, An art practiced by the venerable Isawa. I seek knowledge and understanding of the art in ways that most overlook. I'm not some power hungry fool bent on some fool hardy task. I seek inclusion for my people, not conquest. I seek to understand Isawa's pure form of of the art. I seek to understand the dangers of the scrolls. While my desire for knowledge includes these areas which you do not find acceptable, as you will find out in the tournament, it is not the whole of my knowledge.
You are right, I opened the scrolls. But it wasn't for power, unless you believe that knowledge is power. Don't ever think that my desires lie in power, If you are to be an ally in the future, that ideology would make the alliance shallow. If you are to be my enemy in the future, that ideology will make our rivalry short lived, and your life forfeit. If power was my goal, I would not have sided with the Hantei. If power was my goal, I would have assaulted the towers of the Yogo long ago and taken the scrolls. If power was my goal I would take the time to crush the Great Clans under foot while they stand divided. No. Power is not my goal.
You say that I do not wield Great Power. You are correct, I am not a wielder of great power, but I'm not the slave to it that you think either. I am merely a scholar, looking to master all I can about the art. If there is one of us whom has become the wielded weapon, it is you Kiso-san. You have been wielded as a weapon by a man who has been bent and manipulated by vengeance.
Ask your Master of Secrets how many I traveled with that fateful night in Scorpion Lands. Ask him of the duel he interrupted. Did he ever see his wife's life in visible peril? He saw that I had bested her. He knew not of my actions after that. Ask the Master of Secrets if I made an effort to destroy him, after he interfered. Ask him if my men attacked openly, or if merely in defense of themselves.
And once he has answered that I was not the agressor, ask him why I came. Ask him if I raised my blade against him. Ask him if I was armed when he struck me down. Ask him if I ever made an attempt on him during that duel. Ask him if he remembers what I said. That day was the beginning of his downfall.
Reading these words you have probably reached a level of anger with me. It is understandable. But it makes my words no less true. You know they are true because you are Scorpion, just as I once was. You know I would have no reason to lie to you. My lies would be spoiled by one such as you. Such an honorable scorpion.
Shoju.
|
|
|
Post by Shoju on Aug 5, 2011 8:41:00 GMT -5
After penning the letter, Shoju went for some air. As he moved through the camp at night, a strange scent caught his nose. His brow furrowed and he called the air kami to speed him to the scent. He went through the camp at a great speed, passing the confines of the Gaijin Chuda. Inwardly Shoju was relieved that it was not the gaijin who had broken the mandate.
He called upon the Wind to send his words to Shodai "Maho is being used in the camp, and not by us. He was sure that Shodai would find him easily. Shoju reached the edge of the shrine, and there he was. The man that had plagued Shoju's mind earlier in the day.
Shoju watched from the shadows for a moment and the ritual became clear. He was here for the Monkey. Shoju sighed and called upon the wind again, this time to summon the Monkey. Your time for revenge is nigh little monkey. The bloodspeakers. They have arrived and look to take your life.
As Shoju watched 2 more men joined the ronin shugenja. One, a Lion, and the other... It was the old Tsukai that Shoju had saved and given the knowledge. He had betrayed Shoju. The hatred and rage boiled inside him. All that he worked for, only to find he was being subverted from within.
Shoju removed the massive No-Dachi from his back and held it in his right hand. The Peace Bonding began to smolder and fall away. The time of judgement was upon them.
|
|