Bayushi Hisa
Scorpion Clan
Samurai * Courtier * Dark Paragon of Will * Loyal
Posts: 479
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Post by Bayushi Hisa on Sept 2, 2011 12:15:50 GMT -5
"Legions? That is quite the offer," Hisa said, "I was not aware you had legions at your disposal Thrakhath-san."
Hisa rose and bowed to Thrakhath. "If there is nothing else tonight I will go prepare the message to Senshi-sama. Please, Thrakhath-san, keep that bottle of sake as a token of Scorpion hospitality. Nori-san, if you would join me in my apartments later, unless you have anything else to add here?"
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Sept 2, 2011 14:26:30 GMT -5
Thrakhath shifted uncomfortably in his seat, and returned Hisa's nod to cover it. He'd essentially just given away his identity to a potential enemy, and the idea did not sit well with him. "Perhaps the Spider are more formidable than you thought," he said coldly. "Thank you for the sake," he added as an afterthought, reaching for the bottle. At the mention of Nori he turned to regard her, curious to see if she would have anything to say.
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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 Sept 2, 2011 14:35:59 GMT -5
Nori simply nodded and bowed slowly and carefully to Thrakhath, showing restraint in her motion and sincerity in the act. "I had nothing more to ask. I simply did not wish to seem mute or otherwise dissinterested by this conversation. I hope I did not cause too much upheaval by being so involved.
This has been very enlightening and I will certainly verify the message sent to our lord on your behalf." She seemed to show little emotion, but her relaxed state meant that she certainly wouldn't be trouble at least. She only then looked to Hisa expectantly.
"Yes, let us go and prepare our report for Bayushi Senshi-sama, Hisa-san."
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Bayushi Hisa
Scorpion Clan
Samurai * Courtier * Dark Paragon of Will * Loyal
Posts: 479
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Post by Bayushi Hisa on Sept 6, 2011 9:31:10 GMT -5
Hisa was in his apartments in the palace. The necklace of Jade his wife, Kaoin, had given him weeks ago had been burning through the entire meeting, so he took it off and noted it would soon be time to find a new finger of Jade. He began composing his letter to Senshi:
Master,
The one name Thrakhath you sent us to meet with is a Spider samurai with legions of bushi under his command. I would assume many of them are Lost or undead. The matter he wished to speak with you about was an alliance between the Scorpion and the Spider; an alliance dedicated to the eradication of Chuda Shoju, now Tamehei Shoju.
If you agree to enter into this alliance Thrakhath has pledged those legions to your cause and your use (as well as implying he had some of the elusive Goju at his command), and you will finally be rid of Shoju. Further, I believe doing so would put not only Thrakhath in your debt, but Daigotsu as well, for Thrakhath believes Shoju's defection is a threat to his lord.
On the other hand, if the Scorpion clan does nothing, and if Thrakhath's fears are true, allowing Shoju to march against Daigotsu could rid you and Rokugan of both of them. Though there is a risk of one of them becoming an even more dangerous enemy to you, should one survive the conflict.
The Spider did ask if you were to enter this alliance, what you would be willing to provide in terms of assistance. He awaits your response. Nori and I await your orders.
~Hisa
As he was finishing writing Nori entered his apartments. "Nori-chan, welcome. I just finished the letter to Senshi-sama, please read it and tell me if I missed anything. When you are finished, I will seal it and ask you to take it to the Master and tell him everything you learned here tonight.
I will keep Thrakhath entertained and well stocked with sake so he will be more pliant while he stays here. While you are at home, have the Kuroiban check you for Taint. What do you think of our undead guest?"
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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 Sept 6, 2011 11:31:20 GMT -5
The Shosuro seemed visibly a bit more relaxed when not poised and watching for trouble so much. The small drink probably helped a bit with that too. She would gently take up the letter and glance it over, before handing it back with an approving nod.
"Bayushi-sama," bowing as she spoke, "Honestly I had no idea what to expect in this meeting, but truly I am astonished that Bayushi Senshi-sama knew exactly who to send, as I myself was not aware nor alerted to any previous interaction between you or the tainted one in question."
She stood fully before him again, the mask and shawl she wore falling back into place as she kept her eyes respectfully off of his. "I am not here to question nor to complain, as my duty was to watch and guard, not to place anymore weight on the situation than there clearly already was."
Again she bowed deeply. "I apologize deeply for my words, and I hope they didn't put off our.. guest. I did not wish him to think I was some mute shadow without a voice or a soul with nothing but the desire to kill.."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Sept 9, 2011 10:26:26 GMT -5
Thrakhath finished what was left of the bottle and slammed it on the table, though not quite hard enough to cause any real damage. What was left of his sense of taste wasn't much, and it forced him to drink the stuff a lot at a time in order for him to enjoy any of it. At least it won't make me drunk, he thought, somewhat unhappily. It had been a very long time since he'd gotten properly drunk.
For what seemed like the hundredth time, he took a moment to look around the room. It was sparsely furnished, and there were few places where prying eyes could hide to spy on him, but he had no illusions that his hosts would find a way. As far as he was concerned it didn't matter. If some poor Scorpion wanted to watch him gulp down sake, they were welcome to. He crossed the room to the mat laid out against the other wall and collapsed onto it, lying on his back with his hands behind his head. It could be a long time before he heard back from Senshi, so he figured he might as well get comfortable.
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Bayushi Hisa
Scorpion Clan
Samurai * Courtier * Dark Paragon of Will * Loyal
Posts: 479
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Post by Bayushi Hisa on Sept 10, 2011 12:50:47 GMT -5
With Nori
Hisa waved his hand dismissively at Nori's apology. "What's done is done, and I am no sama. I am as low and expendable to Senshi-sama as you, possibly another reason he sent me to meet Thrakhath in his stead."
He slid the letter over to Nori and nodded at it. "With Spider agents and undead in the palace, you must take this to our Master and depart tonight. I cant risk it being intercepted or altered. Tell him anything and everything you wish about what you learned here this evening."
Hisa rose, opened a nearby door and called for a servant which he ordered to bring another bottle of sake to Thrakhath and to extend an invitation for the spider to join him at breakfast in the morning.
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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 Sept 11, 2011 13:20:05 GMT -5
"That I shall."
Nori folded her hands and bowed still deeper to Bayushi Hisa quite obediently. She took her duty quite seriously and understood her service.
Trying to maintain a fairly simple air, she bowed again to Hisa. Compared to some Shosuro, she was fairly straightforward and almost gentle, in that frightening sense that with the same hand she could caress the door frame, she could just as easily steal the life of the unwary.
However it was from the shadows that she would emerge within the secure holdings of Kyuden Bayushi. Taking a knee before the Scorpion Champion, her words would be his, as the Master of Secrets would be spared no detail as to what passed between Thrakhath and Hisa. The Spider were willing to strike a deal.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Sept 13, 2011 12:55:44 GMT -5
Thrakhath sat on the bed, strumming his shamisen idly. An unopened bottle of sake sat on the table next to him. It wa sstill dark outside, and as such he played quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone who might be asleep. Sleep was a luxury that Thrakhath was no longer capable of. The tune he played was somewhat disjointed and incoherent, as if he were choosing the notes and chords randomly, without regard for how they fit together.
It was during a particularly nonsensical progression that he caught movement in his peripheral vision, and his hand slipped to strum a particularly nasty-sounding chord. He squinted at the window in the darkness, but even with his somewhat better-than-normal night vision, he couldn't make out anything unusual. That is, until a shape began to rise from the floor by his bed. He watched, uncomprehending at first, as the shape resolved itself into a humanoid form, and then he understood. "Report, Yurishi," he said quietly.
The shape made no sign that it recognized the name. I come with news, the shape whispered.
"I'm listening," Thrakhath replied.
The one known as Shoju moves, what passed for the creature's voice said. He will attempt to escape to the isles of Candas very soon.
"Can you define very soon?" Thrakhath said, with a hint of annoyance.
The shape hissed, but made no more sound.
Thrakhath sighed. These Goju need to get a better handle on the concept of time, he thought unhappily. "You are familiar with the one known as Isoroku?" he said. The creature nodded. "Find him and tell him that a fleet of unknown size will be sailing for the isle of Candas within the week, and I want them ambushed. Undead troops only." Thrakhath looked around for a moment, then found his coat and rummaged in one of its pockets. The creature waited patiently, aware that it had not yet been dismissed. Thrakhath found what he was looking for and held a small brooch out toward the Goju. "Give him this, as proof that the message came from me," he said. The shape moved, and the brooch disappeared from his hand. "Go now, and make it fast," he said.
We live to serve, the shadow whispered. It melted into the floor and slid out of his window. It was only then that Thrakhath noticed the faint hint of red on the horizon. He set his shamisen aside and climbed out of bed, donning the clothing he would wear to breakfast with his Scorpion host.
***
Less than an hour later, Thrakhath stepped through the sliding door into the common room, where Hisa was already waiting for him. "I apologize if I'm late, Hisa-san," he said, setting his shamisen against the wall by the door and kneeling before the currently empty table. "Has there been word from your lord regarding my offer?"
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Bayushi Hisa
Scorpion Clan
Samurai * Courtier * Dark Paragon of Will * Loyal
Posts: 479
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Post by Bayushi Hisa on Sept 14, 2011 20:11:23 GMT -5
"Word after only a handful of hours?" Hisa let out a genuine laugh, "We Scorpion may not have the largest lands in the Empire, but they are larger than that. Fear not, we should hear back from Senshi-sama in a day or two. Nori is all business and strikes me as one who seeks to impress those of higher rank, so she will most likely ride all night and not sleep until she returns with the Master."
Hisa signaled and a servant came with a large bowl of rice, a platter of fish, eggs, and bacon, and a bowl of fresh fruits and cheeses. The servant poured both samurai a cup of tea, and left a bottle of sake at Thrakhath's side of the table. Hisa placed some of the fruits and cheeses on his plate and ate a little before continuing the conversation.
"I sent Nori away last night because I wanted to speak with you openly and honestly, without my words being reported." Hisa thought that he saw Thrakhath's eyes narrow a bit with suspicion, though he wasn't sure if undead could become truly suspicious. "I know there are Spiders in the Palace of Crimson Shadows, I have spoken with at least one whom I instructed Yamuso to contact should he wish to get in touch with me. What I do not know is how many are here, or how helpful or dangerous they are. While I am sure Senshi-sama would like to know how many of your clan have infiltrated the Palace, assuming he doesn't already know, though I would assume he doesn't believe them a threat, I am seeing another Shourido master for my research and training.
I respect you Thrakhath-san, and was hoping the respect is mutual enough for you to the dead to confide in the living."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Sept 16, 2011 13:08:59 GMT -5
Thrakhath eyed the food as it was brought out, and actually sighed audibly at the sight of bacon despite his lack of a need to breathe. He made a note of the servants' incredible ability to hide their discomfort as he listened to Hisa speak. When the food was all laid out, he took a few bites out out of politeness, though his lack of functional tastebuds meant he did not enjoy it as much as he would have liked. "I apologize for the slight, I didn't mean to imply that your lands were inadequate," he said between mouthfuls. "We Spider can take magic use for granted, I sometimes forget that there are more mundane methods of communication."
"Respect is one thing, Hisa-san," he said, tearing at a strip of bacon with his teeth, "trust is quite another." He swallowed the meat and gave Hisa a hard look. "I barely know you, Hisa-san; surely you can't expect me to start divulging sensitive information of that nature simply based on that?"
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 17, 2011 23:12:12 GMT -5
Senshi read the note with interest. He took it for what it was worth at its base value. It was information. Valuable information. He decided to send no reply other then: You shall receive the champion's answer when you march upon the empire.
Vague yet to the point, Senshi thought. He liked this letter.
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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 Sept 18, 2011 7:33:53 GMT -5
Shosuro Nori bowed deeply to the Champion, "Your will be done Bayushi-dono." And with that she departed to enact his will.
She quickly retraced her steps and appeared just as Thrakhath finished his thought. Not wishing to disturb them or raise an alarm, Nori sank to one knee obediently. Her entry was silent, but she did not hide herself from view.
"Samas, I bring a response to the Spider from the Master of Secrets." Her gaze would remain averted, and since she knew only Hisa and Thrakheth were before her, she hoped she did not disturb them when she proceeded to utter the Champion's response.
"You shall receive the champion's answer when you march upon the empire." Nori remained in her obedient and submissive position, not rising until Hisa said otherwise or when the Spider representative departed. She did not know how he might take the message, but it was her duty to deliver it and suffer whatever may come.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Sept 19, 2011 11:12:05 GMT -5
"I see," Thrakhath said simply. "In that case, I believe we are finished here." He stood, and bowed first to his host, and then to the messenger. "It was a pleasure meeting the both of you," he said, a bit stiffly, "perhaps one day, Hisa-san, you and I will meet under less formal circumstances to discuss the philosophy that so fascinates you."
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Bayushi Hisa
Scorpion Clan
Samurai * Courtier * Dark Paragon of Will * Loyal
Posts: 479
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Post by Bayushi Hisa on Sept 19, 2011 12:41:57 GMT -5
Hisa was saddened by the news Nori brought, knowing his chance has slipped through his fingers. He rose and bowed to Thrakhath, "You have my sincere apologies that we could not come to an agreement, Thrakhath-san. We shall see what the future holds for both of our clans, but I am sure we will meet again."
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