Falling Stars at Pale Oak Castle [RP Open]

[Asahina Yukihime]

After a quite long but fortunately clam travel Yukihime could see Pale Oak Castle on the horizon. She was where her Daimyou wanted her to be.

As improbable as it could be she was traveling alone. The Daidoji had long stayed behind, she wouldn't deprive her clan of warriors in these troubled times.

While the sun sets Asahina lights up a blue paper lantern, as she was used to do, everyday. A white horse, with grayish silvered mane was following her, carrying most of her belongings.

With the dusk colors taking over the sky she was able to see the falling stars.

Yukihime climbed the stairs into the entrance of the Castle, an unusually modest arrival for a Crane, where she bowed to the gate keeper.


-I'm Asahina Yukihime, the Crane clan sent me to help deciphering star's mysterious omens, and also to represent them as Embassador. Would Phoenix-san please direct me to whom I should introduce myself to?

(OOC: all right, clan sent me but... if I'm aware of rules I can't create NPCs out of my own clan, or something like that >.o so... well... here we are)

[Bayushi Haruka]

((OOC: You are completely and fully allowed to create as many same clan npc's as you so desire. Even other clan npc's if you do so tastefully. The only npc's you are not allowed to play/create are imperial family characters.
Have fun :3))

[Asahina Yukihime]

((OOC: Thanks for the hint Haruka-sama ^^ I'm going to work on it later))

[Isawa Goro]

The gatekeeper, a Shiba Samurai, made some excuse and sent a messenger to reach a senior Clan member. After a few minutes, a man who Yukihime recognised arrived. It was the Samurai she had met at the White Orchid Festival only a few weeks ago. Her memory might remember the name Isawa Goro.

"Well, Yukihime-sama. How good to see you again. So you are the ambassador we have been expecting. That is wonderful news! In these sad times the alliance between our Clans is tested, so it needs to be stronger than ever. Have you brought any servants or yojimbo with you?"

[Asahina Yukihime]

Greetings Isawa-san. How fortuitous to find a familiar face by the time of my arrival. Yukihime bowed to the Isawa in a respectful courtesy

Yes, I was sent as Ambassador and, hopefully,as someone able to shed some light on the omens from the meteor shower.
I bring no yojimbo or servant, I just came from Toshi Ranbo and I couldn't deprive my cla of any resource right now. Sasayaku is the only one on my service right now *she was clearly referring to the horse that was already ruminating some grass a few steps behind her. After a brief pause she continued*. It's so nice to see Phoenix lands are in peace, it's my highest wish that it remains like this.

Phoenix leaders, probably followed by Dragon ones, are usually the most wise sages in the Empire. With such guidance we can not be wrong, and if we are right, the heavens are with us. Those who fight for what is righteous will be granted strenght in every breath.

[Isawa Goro]

Goro nods gravely at the mention of the war, his mildly friendly features overtaken by a dark cast. "Ah of course. The war, please come in" He leads her into the Castle's inner chambers. "This war brings great sadness to my heart but I have heard tgales of the bravery of Crane Samurai and I know that they bring your Clan great honour" He leads her into a small room where a series of scrolls describing in detail the fail of the meteors appear. "If you would let us know your thoughts, please feel free to share them" He steps aside respectfully. "Although there is some debate within our Clan it is my personal opinion that this omen is our ancestors telling us that the correct course for the Phoenix is to assist the Crane in defending Toshi Ranbo"

[Asahina Yukihime]

Yukihime have the horse to come beside her with a gentle moviment, and she picks up some of the stuff the animal was carrying. Maps, probably years of celestial observation turned into almost infinite numerical tables, well designed in the smallest , yet perfect, caligraphy. A pair of compasses, a protractor and a pendulum well stored in a box joined the set. Those weren't gaijin gears, but old tools made by Asahina Heitaro-sama.

With silent steps the Asahina shugenja follows Isawa Goro-san through the castle until a small but very organized room.

Isawa-san, I much appreciate Phoenix hospitality.

She bowed briefly before moving ahead, into the room...her eyes already looking towards the scrolls, which seem to arouse great interest in her. Once inside, she turned to the Isawa once more, keeping her eyes low.

I shall analize these records and I hope to have some contribution in the morning.

Despite the travel something was able to keep her moving, Yukihime didn't seemed tired yet and was hoping to dedicate some attention to the stars for this night.

[Isawa Goro]

As you wish, Yukihime-san, as you wish" Goro nodded sagely. "We will of course be more than welcome to discuss your findings. There is quite a community of sages gathered here. You will probably encounter them in the gardens and libraries and I am sure they will be very eager to know exactly what our esteemed Crane ambassador wishes to say"

"I am presuming you also wish to present your credentials as official business to the Elemental Masters and the Champion? Both will likely be visiting Pale Oak Castle soon although I confess I do not know their exact schedule... such information is kept quite restricted, for security reasons also"

"So if I might ask you a question on behalf of my Clan. I recently had the privilege of traveling to Shiro Tamori where I witnessed a most interesting debate between our Dragon cousins. They are discussing how they can best support the Emperor in his war against supporters of the Toturi. What is your position? How do you think the Dragon can best participate? Should they assist Crane forces in defending Toshi Ranbo or should they join the Emerald Champion in his attack on Lion lands?"

[Asahina Yukihime]

Asahina kept her attention towards Isawa-san, even if she was not looking at him directly.

It's going to be necessary to formally introduce myself to the honored Council of Five and even to the Champion-sama. I had the honor to meet some before, but the circumstances now requires a more detailed procedure. Despite it, I understand we are all going through troublesome times in many ways. Lots of issues are deserving more attention from Phoenix clan leaders than I do right now. But Isawa-san is right, I would like to fulfil the protocol and present the documentation when appropriated to the phoenix clan.

I'm more than interested in gathering with everyone else and discuss about the phenomena.

About the Dragon * the shugenja searched her thoughts for a while*
Considering the actual situation I believe the Dragon could reinforce Toshi Ranbo. If the emperror Hantei-sama is lost, all is lost. There is no real gain in destroying Lion lands, it may weaken the Lion right now but in time it is only going to be more to be reconstructed when this madness is surpassed.
That is also my pre-assumption about the Phoenix, like Isawa-san mentioned when we meet, Toshi Ranbo, unfortunately, already become a battle ground, it is the place to go for anyone willing to join this battle. Going anywhere else *she made a pause looking for a mild way to express her thoughts but it was no where to be found* hum... going anywhere else is probably just a greed wish of looting lands emptied of samurai.

Of course, joining the Emerald Army is also noble as Yasuki Hachi-sama is supposed to act under the will and approbation of the righteous Emperor-sama. And, I believe it's totaly justifiable if any clan decides to just protect it's lands, after all, the first Hantei-kami distributed those lands among the clans, it's our duty to care for the our own territories.

But I'm not a bushi and my understandings of battle and strategy may be fragile. Does Isawa-san have some thoughts to share on this matter? I would like to hear.

[Isawa Goro]

Goro nods gravely. "I agree. I once was a Lion, and though my loyalty is now to the Phoenix, I know how the Lion families think. They would quite happily sacrifice Permission City in order to take Toshi Ranbo, because they believe that, if Toturi is the true Emperor, it is their duty to sacrifice everything for him. They would give up their own lands permanently, gladly. And they probably suspect they can recover Permission City if Toturi takes the throne, anyway"

"I had always hoped for a peaceful solution. Obviously that is not possible now but I hope that if the attack on Toshi Ranbo is repelled negotiations will begin and we will be able to reach a peaceful settlement to this horrible war. Some of my fellow Isawa believe that if the Scorpion declare for the Hantei the war will end. I doubt it. Even with the Scorpion on our side, we on the pro-Hantei side are sadly lacking in military prowess."

"But it seems extremely unlikely that the Scorpion will decide. The Master of Secrets makes a great show of receiving emisarries to hear one side or the other. He claims he is weighing up what is best for the Clan. I believe he has lost control of his Clan. The Scorpion are not carefully weighing, they have already chosen, and the Clan is split nearly down the middle. I was in Kyuden Bayushi to assist our ambassador and it certainly did not escape my notice that the would-be assassin of our emissary was a Scorpion... but so was the magistrate who saved her! Clearly Senshi is unable to stop his Clansmen doing what they think is best, and any command from him that those among the Scorpion who support Toturi throw their weight behind Hantei, or vice versa, would be ignored"

Goro draws in a breath. "I'm sorry. That was quite a rant! Let us see about arranging for your official presentation..."

[Asahina Yukihime]

Hum... we don't need to wait to hear from the Scorpion to know they are, as always, on their own side before everything else. And, whatever they declare out loud is not necessarily what they are really doing... they make their machinations through tortuous ways. I hope they are busy with something of greater importance right now. For I don't think neighter, Kaneka-sama or Hantei Naseru-sama, will look at them with mercy eyes while they did nothing.
Those who had the bravery to join the battle, even after death, had proven their worth, had shown how far they were willing to go for something they believe. Well, I quite don't get the message the Scorpion is trying to pass with it's reluctant neutrality. I just hope the Scorpion is going somewhere in favor of the Empire.

Yukihime refers to the Scorpion with the suspicious tone they usually deserve. Of course they have their useful tricks. She had some understanding of how the Scorpion, and every clan, have a role in the Empire.

By the first time I heard about the attack against Asako-sama I thought the Scorpion had protected her, as they should as hosts. But Isawa-san words are bringing significant news...
Scorpion's mind seems to work in twists and swirls beyond my comprehension and probably beyond my interest too

The clan is divided then? In this case they have even less strength then I first thought...

The Asahina lowered her eyes to the lantern she still had in hands, hiding some deception.

May be the internal organization issues will just keep them entirely out of play. Besides a few individual moving into their own lonely paths, as times goes by it is more and more unlikely that black and crimson standards would be able to change the balance or the course of the war we have.

I hope the confrontations at Toshi Ranbo are able to reopen negotiations *it was a hope that was fading out in her voice* But, considering what I saw when I left... it's unlikely... Is the Phoenix willing to march to Toshi Ranbo?

[Asahina Yukihime]

Well, if I may be excused, Isawa-san. Now that Isawa-san mentioned what happened in Kyden Bayushi a few things came to my mind. I'm better check on them, I hope to meet everyone else in a few minutes.

The Asahina bowed respectfully to Isawa Goro, then followed through the corridors in her small but swift steeps to probably pick up something else from her luggage.

(OOC: Thanks for welcoming me, Isawa-san ^^ I much appreciate our brief talk. But I'm probably going to be busy, and thus unable to replay, for a while. Just taking the character out of scene for now. Thanks again.)