Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 2, 2011 10:36:01 GMT -5
In the camp, a member of the Spider contingent strolled through the camp, accompanied by a small group of the ronin that had flocked to the Spider banner.
He was armored, but had left his helm in this tent, letting his black hair hang loose. A daisho, apparently of Dragon design, hung at his side. The badge of Toturi was worn proudly from his belt.
As he saw the gathered samurai of Toturi's Army, clustered in their clan groupings, Kagehiro felt regret. Had I been less stubborn, perhaps I would know the feeling of being surrounded by comrades, and not this rabble.
One of the ronin at his side spoke up "We should be in the meeting as well!"
Kagehiro simply turned, and looked at him. Not with malice, not with anger, just searching his soul. "Oh, I suppose we are important enough to attend a meeting of daimyo and an Emperor?"
The ronin colored with embarassment, and was silent.
Kagehiro sighed wearily. Perhaps I am doomed. Here I am, surrounded by glorified bandits, and again, isolated from the rest of my clan. Bah! We are not even a clan yet, we have no recognition from either Emperor.
Kagehiro appraised his companions once more: Failures all, and these were the best he could manage to surround him. This says more about me than them, I'm afraid.
Kagehiro stopped outside a camp of Lion bushi, going through drills. I am being too pessimistic. Either Togusa-sama will receive some sign of acceptance, or we will all die. Still, perhaps I should have settled for being a disgraced ronin; my bid to redeem my honor by serving a new master may have been ill-conceived.
OOC: I'm not important enough to be in the tent, but would love to RP a little. Other minnows may join me outside. If so, please continue this in the thread "On Outskirts of Toturi's Camp"
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Aug 2, 2011 18:32:32 GMT -5
Something disrupted his thoughts. Don’t really know what it was, but as he looked around he saw samurai-ko sitting on a branch of one of the nearest trees. She was relaxing drinking something, probably sake, straight from bottle. She wears dark-sand, quite used kimono and nearly black trousers similar to Unicorn style. She yawned and looked down on Lion squads. They’re doing it every day. Always the same. That’s nothing special she added after a moment. What are you looking for in Lion camp, Dragon? she said still eyeing the training.
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Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 2, 2011 20:09:46 GMT -5
After a brief look assessing this samurai-ko, Kagehiro smiled. "Oh, Akodo-san, I have seen Lion bushi before."
He bowed politely to the seated samurai-ko. "I am Kagehiro. I was of the Dragon clan, but I am now a wave-man. I hope my observing your clansmen has not offended you, no harm was meant."
Kagehiro turned to his companions, "Leave. Return to camp." Finally, someone he could actually have a conversation with.
Turning back to Akodo Homura, "If I am not being too presumptuous, may I join you for a drink?"
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Aug 3, 2011 2:14:12 GMT -5
She sat straight dropping her legs from the branch. Sure, feel free to join me. Her eyes lit and she smiled slightly when looking down on the ronin. Though it might be difficult climbing trees while in full armor. She touched the branch she was resting at I’ll be back. Don’t let others take this place. She jumped down landing firmly on the ground. Thanks she muttered simply while bowing to the tree spirit.
Then she turned to Kagehiro. Her gaze for a moment was sharp, but then came back to normal. I believe you’ve seen Lion before. Many of my kin travel across the Empire. They’re quite easy to notice. Though I don’t know how you know my family name, Kagehiro-san she said affixing bottle to her belt. I don’t mind if you’re observing troops training. I’d take you into the camp, so you can observe it from closer range, but all this exercises are really boring. There should be better place to drink peacefully she started to look around, thinking deeply. She didn’t spent much time in the camp so still hasn’t found any *special* place.
Looks like we still gotta go into she said with a slight sigh. ‘Better replenish supplies now then later disrupting the mood’ she said probably mostly to herself, still looking at the camp. Then she turned to Kagehiro and bowed Forgive me for not introducing myself properly. My name is Akodo Homura.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Aug 3, 2011 3:12:53 GMT -5
An average samurai, in an average kimono, bread and mustache trimmed to wreath his face like a Lion's mane walks by. Completely unaccompanied and ignored by most of the other samurai, at the camp, he stops in his tracks as he passes by and looks in the direction of the conversation. He smiles and reverses direction, approaching the two samurai, before speaking.
Excuse me samurai-sans, would you mind if I joined you in a drink. It has been so long since I've partaken in normal company.
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Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 3, 2011 7:09:54 GMT -5
With a slight smile, Kagehiro bowed lightly. "My apologies, Akodo Homura-san, for being too quick to assume your family name. Your are clearly Lion. As to your family, Kitsu seemed unlikely, due to the armor. Ikoma, I dismissed due to the lack of prominent mons. Matsu? Well, you would have likely castrated me for the impertinence of talking to you. So that was a gamble, yes."
"And, as you seem to agree, if you can't climb a tree while wearing armor, you have no business wearing it."
Gesturing to the squad of practicing bushi, "You are correct, Akodo Homura-san, I have seen Lion bushi before. Still, it is always worth observing the finest warriors in the Empire."
Hmm, the day is looking up. Perhaps I shall at least enjoy a friendly moment or two.
Upon hearing the newly arrived Lion samurai, he turns to greet him. Deciding in an instant that the newly arrived Lion was both clearly of standing, yet desirous of not being treated with the usual fawning respect (no retainers, minimal heraldry), Kagehiro settled on greeting him with some degree of formality; the game of humble samurai would be up the moment the Lion identified himself. Kagehiro bowed, as one would to a general.
"Lion-sama, I am Kagehiro, and would not at all mind. I will not be so rash as to speak on behalf of my new acquaintance, Akodo Homura-san."
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Aug 3, 2011 11:46:11 GMT -5
while going into the camp She thought for a moment over Kagehiro words, than laugh. Especially true in that Matsu part. Your line of thinking is interesting. No wonder you were Dragon.
after Kagehiro greeted Lion samurai Not at all. They say the more the merrier she said bowing lightly to the coming samurai. We are looking for an appropriate place to taste sake and talk a bit. If you know about such place we would gladly follow she said with deeper than last time (but still rather shallow) bow.
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Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 3, 2011 11:55:50 GMT -5
"If I recall correctly, there is a small garden near that tower. I would imagine it is unoccupied at the moment. Would that be acceptable?"
Kagehiro bowed slightly to the two Lion, in deference to their wildly superior statuses.
"At the risk of talking politics, is there any sign of a decision in sight? I certainly hope discussions drag on, as I will likely be accompanying my delegate once they are concluded. I would hate to have such pleasant company cut short..."
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Aug 3, 2011 17:49:52 GMT -5
Certainly Sans, a garden would be a pleasant place for a drink. Oh and of course, how rude of me, my name is Akodo he mumbles something fast under his breath. I am of minor importance to our clan, I help plan strategy for the up coming war and such, nothing truly great.
He stopped and gestured towards the path to the tower. So what were you two having such an interesting conversation about? I couldn't help but feel the kami tugging on my armor, guiding me to interject my self into your conversation for some reason. So please indulge me and bring me up to speed on your topic, were you discussing the current state of the Empire? He asked with a smile, as if he already knew what they were discussing and just wanted to be sure.
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Aug 4, 2011 2:50:44 GMT -5
Kagehiro-san just finished describing differences between Lion families she looked around probably after somebody while saying that. And was praising troops drill she touched lightly bottle hanging from her belt and started going to the garden. We didn’t have time to talk about politics yet. And place also wasn’t best. Kagehiro-san I don’t know when there will decision in your delegates case, but if you want we will be noticed right after it’s done.
She went into the garden. It wasn’t anything special, but it was well maintain. There were some weird plants blooming nicely not occurring in other parts of the empire. The part of garden where they went in was maintain in typical Rokugani way, rocks buried in the ground and little pebbles formed the paths, one running straightly from gate to small arbor. Samurai-ko stopped after going in waiting for the rest and watching the garden.
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Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 4, 2011 8:28:17 GMT -5
Upon entering the garden, Kagehiro seated himself, and set his daisho on his right hand side [OOC: Kagehiro is right handed; this likely indicates he considers those around him friendly], and continued
"Oh, I am not qualified to discuss politics; best to leave that to those who make the decisions. I was merely wondering how long I would be allowed to remain here, enjoy some pleasant company, before my duties required a long return trip. Or depending, on Togusa-sama's reception, a hasty and violent retreat."
"Thank you, Akodo Homura-san, but if I am required immediately, I imagine I shall know of it quite quickly."
"I am simply a ronin, sworn to a band known as the Spider. Frankly, I think I just missed being a part of something bigger, and having kindred spirits. Alas, many of these ronin are little better than the bandits they fight. I am sure the leaders of the Spider are of a much higher quality, but at my rank, I merely lead an assortment of thugs. You mention Tangen's Lies, and they assume one of the new recruits named Tangen is deceitful. What they think Akodo's Leadership is, I haven't the heart to ask."
Kagehiro sighed, then drew a sealed sake bottle from his belt. He filled his own cup, then offered to pour for the Lion.
Smiling, he said "Well, if we are to have a loose and informal conversation, perhaps we should invite sake-san, eh?"
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Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Aug 4, 2011 12:17:49 GMT -5
I will gladly accept you offer as soon as my cup will arrive. I hardly ever carry one with me while being in camp. She sat between two samurai the same way she was earlier walking between them. You will know about the result in 5, maybe 10 minutes after the meeting is over. The only way to now quicker would be to wait outside Emperor’s tent. Or use air spirits or other shugenja thing. While she was talking a boy came into the garden and run towards sitting samurai. He was trying to step only on big stones but once or twice his feet slipped and touched pebbles. When coming nearer he bowed deeply and trying not to disturb, put 2 cups before both Lions and hide third one. He also bring new sake bottle. Leave the bottle. Now go near Toturi-dono tent and when decision about Spiders will be made or when it will be close come as quick as you can to let us know. Toshi-san should be somewhere there, you can ask her if you’re not sure. And take Shinya horse. It will be quicker. Be careful and don’t fall down, breaking bones won’t do you good. He nodded when she finished trying to hide the joy. He left the bottle moved away bowed to all samurai and run back out of garden. This time not caring where placing feet. That should give you some time Kagehiro-san she said smiling to the ronin. So you were talking about Spiders?
[occ: I probably won't have net during next few days and later might have little problems with it, so when the situation with Spiders resolves, you can assume the boy will come back and tell about it.]
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Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 4, 2011 13:43:42 GMT -5
Kagehiro drained his cup, then answered Homura:
"Well, they seem honorable enough, as ronin go. I had heard of them, and their call to honorable ronin, so I answered. Thus far, we have mainly worked to protect isolated peasants from bandits. My complaints are simply the lack of refinement among them. I attempted to exchange verses, and I daresay I've heard better poems from gaijin stablehands."
"Tactically, they are sound, but crossing blades with bandits is poor sport. The goal seems benevolent; spoils are minimal when one hunts impoverished scum preying off isolated villages. We have made the occasional find of quality weapons and armor, but unless antiquated and too obscure to identify, we make a point of returning anything with obvious heraldry."
"Being both well-educated, and trustworthy, I was placed in command of several bands; numbers fluctuate, but I command perhaps a hundred men. Nothing compared to a Lion army, of course."
"I believe the goal that our negotiator, Togusa-sama, is trying to attain from His Imperial Majesty is recognition of the Spider as a Minor Clan."
"Regrettable what this Hantei has done, eh? Such a lack of respect for his brother. Assassins, intrigue. It's insulting! Clearly the Yobanjin invasion is a sign that Heaven's Mandate belongs to Kaneka as the true and honorable leader."
Glancing at his empty sake cup, and smiling, "Ah, I fear I have let the sake kami trick me into conquering the covnersation. Surely the lovely Akodo Homura-san, and the esteemed Akodo Mumble-sama have opinions on our state as well? Or, we could discuss matters less controversial, like poetry and philosophy?"
Kagehiro bowed to his companions, and refilled his sake cup, offering again to pour for the others
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Kagehiro
Ronin
Ronin * Samurai * Monk
Posts: 47
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Post by Kagehiro on Aug 4, 2011 13:52:33 GMT -5
[OOC: Akodo Homura-san, I will keep the thread open until you can return; Akodo Mumble-Sama, we can totally continue.
And did you just: "Klaatu! Verata! Ni-cough-cough!" me? Did I just get Bruce Campbelled?]
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Aug 4, 2011 15:22:28 GMT -5
Tomatsu took his seat, and his cup from the boy and took a sip of the sake before placing it down before him.
I agree Samurai-san, the Spider are not a group worthy of being true samurai. They certainly aren't entitled to become a minor clan. Just because you collect a large group of ronin together doesn't mean you can become a clan. At that rate we'd have to allow groups like the Forrest Killers to become clans and that would certainly be distasteful to the Celestial Order.
That being said times are tough and I understand why honorable souls are forced into such distasteful positions such as yourself, Samurai-san. This is truly cruel and bloody times we live in and we always require men for grim tasks we refuse to do ourselves. Not to mention many clans aren't looking to increase their ranks yet. However after the war there will be a great scrambling to increase their ranks. Thats why we Lion are looking for quality souls now, beat the rush if you will. However quality souls are hard to find, especially amongst the ronin of our world. So we focus on filling our ranks the natural way.
He smiled and took another sip of his sake.
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