Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 1, 2011 9:33:57 GMT -5
It had been a little while since Kaneka had made the challenge to Hantei for his place as Emperor. The camps that lingered from the battle of Mountain Watch Keep had grown with the churning support for the Shogun's desire to ascend.
Many eager eyed and hearted men came to this place, but one of the most prominent women of the battle seemed to carry a sense of hesitancy and disdain for the gathering. Bayushi Haruka lingered gently on the edges of the camp, looking down on it from the seat atop her black Utaku stallion, Riku. Both were draped in red, and dressed for war.
Some of the finest lion samurai acted as guards to Toturi's new court, a rather incredible Moto shelter erected as a place for him to gather and speak with his followers. While Haruka hardly traveled alone, she kept the presence of her own protectors nonexistent. In fact she seemed more preoccupied with another matter entirely amidst the rising motion of the Shogun's claim and that was to the activity of the Lost and of the Spider clan during this time. She had given the order to seek out and document any such individuals who came into the camp, and should a maho tsukai or lost be found, she wished to be alerted to deal with it immediately.
But as the day grew later and no reports reached her ears, Haruka took the evening as she once had before the battle. She seemed content to settle in her old tent with a small fire to keep her company, along with Riku who would be released to graze nearby. Her gaze was distant as she prepared one of her old favorites out of sight of the other samurai, not that such a delicacy was wrong but most of Rokugan held quite the disdain for red meat.
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Post by Shoju2 on Jul 1, 2011 10:00:17 GMT -5
It was evening in the camp, and finally no one questioned his every move. The Ronin had arrived in camp several days ago, and because he was a ronin, many had questioned his right to be here, and some continued to do so.... more discreetly.
It was a shame that the Brash Lion had been so quick to judge him as a spy, or assassin. The Ronin simply wanted someone to follow, someone to believe in. His father had been a member of Toturi's Army, and spoke highly of the Former Emperor. When his father had retired, after the Clan Wars, he was given a home in the outskirts of Otosan Uchi. His son was trained with the Kakita, His gempukku was the day before the disappearance of Toturi I. His father had been one of the first to begin searching for him, and was also the one of the first to die. With his father dead, his mother fell into despair, and committed seppuku. Now, the Ronin was all alone, with no family left to support his claims, and the Emperor was gone.
With the Lion boldly shouting at him, the Ronin did what he needed to do. He challenged the Lion who impuned his honor, and cut him down in an honorable duel.
The Ronin was strolling through the evening air when the smell of cooked red meat caught his nose from a nearby tent. It was one of the few delicacies his father had indulged the boy with. The Ronin hoped someone who ate red meat would have a similar disposition to his father, and could give him the answers he so desperately longed for in this chaos. He made his way to the front of the tent, and acknowledged the hidden guard with a smile. "Good Evening Shadow, May I have a word with the occupant of this tent?"
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 1, 2011 10:10:03 GMT -5
The guard's eyes sharpened a bit as Haruka seemed to raise her gaze from the cooking, not to look over at the one approaching her, but simply to break her absent minded expression. She paused a moment as the guard seemed to understand her silence, with a quick glance he would not even bow to the ronin but merely grunted and vanished into the shadow of the night.
Haruka had her head wrap on, but silently she'd smile. The thought of company was a nice thought, and her guard had deemed him not enough of a threat to merit challenging his presence outright, but she knew the guard would not stray far.
"Please, come and sit. It would be my pleasure to have someone to talk to in these ominous times."
Haruka had been wearing her armor again, but her feminine features were not lost with its design, as she held the elongated sleeves back while her arms went to tend to the meat. The Scorpion mon was emblazoned onto her breastplate.
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Post by Shoju2 on Jul 1, 2011 12:53:50 GMT -5
The Ronin entered the tent, bowed, and smiled. "Greetings Lady of the Scorpion, and forgive the intrusion. I smelled the food through the tent as I strolled by, and it brought back memories of my youth. Imagine my surprise to find it was a Scorpion and not a Unicorn." He grinned and stood just inside the tent.
He was a short man, a little heavier than average, and his Armor and daisho looked old, and bore a mon few still wore. He was greying at the temples, and there were streaks of grey in his temples. He had a beard, but it seemed more from days traveling than a purposeful beard. His eyes were dark, but held a mischeif to them, and his grin looked oddly sarcastic.
"And who might I have the pleasure of interupting tonight?"
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 1, 2011 13:56:24 GMT -5
"Well you were nearly right to consider me a Unicorn, for I once held the name of Utaku..."
She continued stewing over the meat one last time before turning to face him, she gave him a swift glance over and found no family mark graced his form.
"Under more formal circumstances I would expect you to know who I was, but unfortunately it seems that I'm still a nameless heroine of the Yobanjin conflict. Perhaps in the coming fighting I can lend my new name to my achievements."
She gave a slight sigh at herself. She wondered if it was worth it to bother expecting anyone to know her status as a champion's wife. Frankly until now she'd not really cared to be known because of her husband and had hoped that she would become renowned for her own deeds.
"I would ask your name first, but in a show of consideration I will give you mine. I am Bayushi Haruka." She gave a slight bow from her seated position to this man. "And who may I ask joins me on the eve of battles to come?"
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Post by Shoju2 on Jul 1, 2011 14:14:33 GMT -5
The Ronin was stunned. "Forgive me, Haruka-sama. I know plenty of your deeds, but had never had a face to put with the name." The Ronin bowed deep. "I also would have expected far more security surrounding the Mistress of Secrets." The ronin smirked, "though I'm sure one of your prowess with a shadow for a guard is more capable of defense that one would think."
"Who I am, is both a simple and complicated point at the same time. I am just a simple ronin. I once had aspirations to swear fealty to the Kakita whom I trained with, but that seems like a liftetime ago to be sure." He looked as though he momentarily trailed off on a memory. "In that lifetime, I had a name. I had a family. But when the Lying Darkness stole the Emperor, it stole my family as well. I'm sure at some point, I took a name at my gempukku, but alas, it has been lost to the sands of time. I arrived here hoping to find in the Shogun, what my father saw in the Shogun's father." The Ronin's eyes looked old for a moment.
"Now, I mainly guard people as they travel Rokugan. A samurai who can display silence of the tongue and communicate with a blade never seems be without someone who wishes to be guarded." The ronin exhaled deeply.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 1, 2011 14:30:48 GMT -5
She nodded a bit as the man confirmed what Haruka had come to expect.
"Please be at ease, sir. What you do is simple, but admirable work. There is no finer duty than to defend those that cannot defend themselves." She tactfully avoided mentioning serving a lord though. "If you seek to serve the Shogun then we are to be comrades in battle soon enough."
She started to put some of the meat with some rice in a bowl as she handed him one and took a rather uneasy seat in her tent, a cushion there for her to rest on. As she finally reclined, the slight bump on her form was rather obvious as this woman had come to a potential battleground rather significantly pregnant.
"I have already spoken and attended the new court of Toturi, but for now the country draws lines in the ground and readies for war." She looked up, pained at the thought, "The fighting should begin in the coming weeks."
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Post by Shoju2 on Jul 1, 2011 14:43:49 GMT -5
The Ronin bowed deeply and accepted the meal. "You are too kind Haruka-sama. Tell me though, are you up for battle in your current... condition?" He search for a better way to phrase it, but... was there? "My work is simple for sure. I think it really is just a distraction for me. It keeps me distracted from remembering. Now though, I feel I have found my purpose The Shogun's methods are more brash than his father's but I'm hopeful that I find in him a man worthy to serve."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 1, 2011 15:00:08 GMT -5
"My husband would say I am not... I am certain he will be along in due time and have some choice words for me. But for now I can enjoy the quiet."
She allowed some peace for them to dine, although she was a bit curious of the non-Unicorn who found the red meat to his taste. It was certainly highly uncommon but at least a pleasantry they could share.
"But I suspect you will find the Shogun to be far more honorable. I have been at his side in battle when the barbarian forces swarmed the land like a dark cloud. We rode together and with the great tactical leadership of Daidoji Fitzu-san, we were able to drive them back."
Her eyes beamed with pride as she remembered back to those days, the wind in her hair and the blood of the yobanjin on her lance.
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jul 2, 2011 16:31:23 GMT -5
A commotion was starting nearby
The words sometimes cut off due to the other noises from the camp but it sounded like the situation was escalating. "... and we wish to meet whoever issued such an order..." "...unless they are..." "...no - you will either inform them Kitsuki Yuushahime-sama is here this instant or we will be forced to speak to Toturi-sama and then have this person brought before the court..." "...yes, that is correct. All matters related to blood magic practicioners and lost are to be reported to... "
Yuushahime flicked her fan in annoyance. It was one thing that one of her agents had come across information that a senior samurai at the camp, apart from herself, was trying to monitor any reports of maho tsukai or lost approaching the camp and another entirely for them to be trying to deal with it personally. This was a matter of jurisdiction and as a senior magistrate and close advisor to the Shogun, the jurisdiction was clearly hers. It was further aggravating that after she had tracked the source of the order to be from someone in this vicinity, now the mostly Scorpion retainers here were trying to make her group depart.
The half dozen Mirumoto trained bodyguards she had with her were still not on edge yet but the two courtiers that were assisting her as well as her shugenja advisor and their shared servants were all becoming quite agitated at the delay tactics. The score of ji samurai who formed an unwelcome column behind the retinue, in case of a surprise attack, were also unsure of what to make of the situation - though they were at least not pointing their weapons yet as they could see the bushi were still calm.
Yuushahime waved her hands in the air to get the attention of Seiki, her chief courtier and his apprentice, Hisako. She cut the air to get them to stop before addressing the others "Enough. From your numbers in this area I gather the order came from a Scorpion. We are allies and I have no hostilities towards any of you - I enjoy the hospitality of your courts and admire your gift for uncovering secrets. I only wish to meet the individual, who would put themselves in charge of matters relating to any blood magic practicioners or lost that may approach the camp, and ask them a few questions. Let us not escalate this... ne?". She smiled, tilting her head ever so slightly to appear pleasant.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 2, 2011 16:59:19 GMT -5
The Scorpion had enough tension on their hands with matters that were left unspoken, though they still hesitated to budge on an obvious answer. Flicking glances and fans they seemed to say nothing, though behind the minor distracting motions they were seemingly coming to some sort of agreement between them.
It was then that one of the Shadow appeared to Haruka, standing with his silhouette faintly hanging on the tent. His words sank so that the ronin could not fully make out his message. "The dragon seem aware of your actions, mistress of secrets. A Kitsuki will be seeking you."
Haruka sighed as she finished her bowl of food for the time being, as she was far from fulfilled, but it seemed that other matters were at hand. She didn't expect her quiet investigation to disturb anyone this much, but she wasn't so impolite that she wouldn't see that this matter could not be resolved peaceably.
She nodded and with that the Shadow would fade into the darkness of the evening once again. Uneasily she would stand and ready herself. "My apologies, my friend, I must take a moment to address a small matter. I will only be just a moment..."
Back in front of the Kitsuki, one of the handsome Bayushi courtier man came forward, bowing politely to Yuushahime. "She will see you sama, you will see she does not hide or show restraint." He pointed his closed fan up towards the slight rise where a single black Utaku steed was grazing and a single tent standing apart from the rest. "I would be most honored to escort you, Kitsuki-sama, if you so wish."
There was a playful smile revealed in his face, as his mask more hid the area around his eyes rather than his lips.
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jul 2, 2011 17:36:44 GMT -5
Yuushahime looked up to the tent again and the large steed. Too small for a Rokugani horse she said mentally once again. So it was the new Bayushi. She recalled the woman's actions in the capital weeks before. It seemed she was unheathily interested in those that meddled with the taint.
"She being Bayushi Haruka-sama I take it? I cannot make out the mon in this darkness. Hmmm". She gave the Scorpion courtier an appraising look then shook her head a little. She returned the smile before stating simply "No. I will be safe enough walking up a small hill to a tent in the middle of the Emperor's camp. No doubt there are many guads en route anyway", deciding the matter. She turned to her own escort and her retainers. Seiki and Hisako looked like they wanted to accompany her. She waved them down, instead gesturing to one of the larger bushi and the slightly older looking shugenja to join her. With a hand gesture she told the others to head back to their section of the camp.
She walked up the hill, waving herself to aid her thoughts. The Mirumoto stalked behind her while the shugenja seemed lost in thought, staring up at the heavens as if this wasn't any of his concern. "Wait here" Yuushahime instructed before stepping into the tent.
Her eyes adjusted to the light inside while she bowed to the Scorpion Champion's wife. The smell of cooked meat was even stronger inside. It was a smell she wasn't used to and she was uncertain if she approved of it. It wasn't disagreeable but true Rokugani custom said it was soul corrupting. Still, it would be discourteous to raise that here. Anyway, the more interesting item of note was the ronin that was with the young woman. She ignored him for the time being. Yuushahime was not acquainted with the man nor could she concern herself with every single ronin in the Empire.
"Lady Bayushi Haruka-sama. Good evening. I apologise for interrupting your meal. How are you?". She offered a small smile, staying near the entrance while she gauged the woman's mood
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 2, 2011 20:49:09 GMT -5
Haruka flinched, as the Shadow neglected that this was no simple Kitsuki, but the Kitsuki. Regardless after her split moment reaction she seemed to melt any sort of defenses and potential frustrations and descended into a most friendly and lush tone, extending her arms as if to an old friend.
"Yuushahime-sama! Oh my, how wonderful it is to see you again in such troubling times." Haruka stepping forward to place herself between the ronin and Yuushahime. She was still partly in armor, which implied she would be ready for battle at a moment's notice. It wasn't as though others weren't dressed similarly, but everyone still gave her a second look with her pregnancy starting to become obvious.
She did not sully herself as she contently bowed to her. "Is there something the matter that's brought you to my humble tent this night? Surely I cannot expect that you had a secret adoration for the taste of red meat." She had only removed the lower part of her mask to eat, as Yuushahime could see the genuine smile on her face. Truly glad to see her, but wondering what she might be thinking.
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Jul 3, 2011 6:17:02 GMT -5
Yuushahime dipped her head again respectfully, glad to see that Haruka was in a good mood. She allowed herself inside a little further, her dark green kimono a deep contrast to all the red around the tent.
"I am happy to see you are doing well. These are troubling times but that state of affairs is becoming the norm as of late. I hope that under a rightful Emperor, Rokugan can return to some semblance of peace and security" she stated, flicking her fan closed and then putting it away. "Unfortunately I am not here to dine. Please enjoy your delicacy though..." she paused, noting the armour on the woman. Was she expecting an attack? "May I ask why you don't make yourself more comfortable this evening? There are no reports of enemy forces nearby. We would have time to prepare before moving out"
She took a seat across from the ronin, giving him a very brief smile before focussing on Haruka again. Her tone was friendly but her words had a slight edge of seriousness to them as she spoke "I had hoped to talk about the situation in regards to those with dire taint entering the camp ... but perhaps we should discuss things later, in private though" she concluded, ignoring the ronin while plainly speaking about his presence
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jul 3, 2011 11:44:16 GMT -5
"Oh no.." She seemed to be trying to lower the seriousness of the conversation by lowering the tone. "I can understand that you of all samurai have your concerns. Come, we can speak outside." Haruka would gently brush up alongside Yuushahime with a hand outstretched to not touch, but guide the dragon woman out elegantly. Her insistent posture and gate were enough to sweep any unsuspecting soul off their feet a bit. With her other hand she would replace the front of her head wrap to cover her face once again.
Once they emerged, Riku gave them a brief glance before resuming his grazing. Haruka would remove her shepherding hand and walk forward a few paces out of earshot of the tent, expecting to be followed.
"Now then," she turned to face the Kitsuki woman, "I understand you're somewhat.. concerned over my interest with the tainted in the area."
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