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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 6:40:53 GMT -5
((OOC: I put [Kasumi] in brackets because I intend for this topic to be an RP thread for Kasumi and I. It'll be fast paced and battle-oriented because of the location. If you have a REALLY good reason and REALLY want to RP with us, I'm sure we can fit you in. )) Shouts and screams filled the air as the battle at Mountain Watch Keep raged on. Yobanjin flooded forward against the walls of the keep while Rokugani samurai fought back against them in every way. They came from all over to defend the Empire from the Yobanjin threat. Hida Setsuro was no exception to this. Setsuro lead his infantry into the thick of things, almost immediately becoming heavily engaged in combat with the raiders. He swung his ono back and forth as if it were simply a stick, the weight of it not bothering him at all. Yobanjin raiders were tossed in pieces to and fro, the large crab cutting swaths through them like a farmer might to do his field. They stood no chance. The big man wiped sweat from his forehead and stretched out his body, the heavy armor being not in the slightest bit restrictive because of his training. Another surge of Yobanjin came swarming at he and his troops. They were definitely outnumbered..
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Jan 17, 2011 7:29:20 GMT -5
Kasumi had a break. For sure. She was sitting on her black horse, Kelero and chewing on something suspiciously green. Around her horse there were many bodies on the ground, not moving even an inch. Hmm... I am bored... - Kasumi said to herself. Kelero turned her head back and looked at her "lady". If a horse could roll his eyes... she would do that for sure now. Kelero's eyes were saying "stupid" for sure. But I am bored. Can't you see it? - she brushed Kelero's mane with a hand - I am done with eating, so let's go to find something that could kill my boredom for some time... Pushed her horse and moved to a different location - none of them bothered with a sound of crushing sculls by Kelero's hoofs. Uhh umm... there! Wooo... huge! Let's have some fun, girl! - she laughed happily.
Dum, dum, dum, one head flying! - started to sing (let's be honest, even a horse could sing a better battle song than she... even if she has a really nice voice) while sending one Yobanjin's head away. - Aaaaand... a second one flying to touch the sky!
Kelero also started her own battle - biting, kicking and piercing enemies in front with her metal horn. She has already used to her "lady" singing, but it seems that Yobanjins... not. They let her ride as she wanted - not that she bothered with asking them to let her pass anyway.
You know what, Kelero? I thought that Yobanjin could do a better work... but this is not funny. Oh well, at least it's good for training - If a horse could hit his forehead with a leg... that it was this moment for sure.
And for some time she was going further, slicing here and there, singing her silly song. After some time she stopped her horse in front of a huge man. Covered with blood she showed all her teeth. Can I join you? It looks fun! - blue eyes watching a man were smiling.
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 8:04:21 GMT -5
(OOC: I colored his speech blue so it would be easier to work out.)
Setsuro studied the female carefully for a moment. She had red hair and blue eyes, very much likes his own eyes in fact, and she wore the purple heavy armor of the Unicorn. Her weapons screamed of it and while he could not see her mon at first glance, there was quite a bit of blood on her from where she had been hacking apart Yobanjin.
The moment he went to answer her, a Yobanjin raider charged right at him. A simple swipe with the ono in his right hand cleaved through the man's light armor and cut him in half from the chest up. Setsuro returned his gaze to the Unicorn woman and nodded, "Be my guest." Setsuro turned and glanced at a Yobanjin that came charging at him and then cleaved him in half as well. While others seemed to be shouting and crying in battle, Setsuro was completely silent. The look in his eyes was enough that when he locked eyes with on raider, he turned tail and fled. His piercing gaze when used properly was absolutely terrifying.
Still, the fight went on and he kept close to him the fact that there was another Unicorn Battle Maiden fighting along side him. He had sent his men back to rest and treat their injured during the battle. They would come back refreshed and renewed to destroy the Yobanjin. Setsuro had stayed behind to do battle because he believed it was the best course of action. He could fight for days and not be phased by it's rigors.
While his mind was devoted to the fury of battle, there was one interesting note. His thoughts had now turned to the tactical advantage of having an Utaku Battle Maiden at his side. Setsuro's eyes followed to the left where he found her and a Yobanjin striker sneaking up behind her. He grumbled and shouted, "Battle Maiden! Behind you!"
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Jan 17, 2011 8:53:00 GMT -5
A bit tired after a few hours of battling with only a short break for a snack, Kasumi was standing next to her horse, checking if everything is fine with Kelero's armor. Hearing Crab's shouting she ducked automatically. Yobanjin's blade flashed above her and hit the top of her helmet, knocks it down. Her hair felt down just like a red waterfall, touching her hips. And almost at the same time she turned around and jumped at Yobanjin, pushes him on the ground. After he felt on his back, she sat on him and grabbed his throat in her hands. You could hurt my horse - she said to him while squeezing his neck.
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 9:16:11 GMT -5
With the Battle Maiden nearly being struck by the raider's blade, Setsuro kept his eyes on her for the moment. She could handle herself he believed, but she was also down and not paying any attention to her back or the horse. Setsuro retrieved the tetsubo from his back and began to clear a path to the Unicorn woman, having many raiders between them since they noticed each other. After a few long strides and some arcing cleaves by both his ono and tetsubo, Setsuro was next to the Battle Maiden who was now practically strangling the life out of the poor bastard. If he were another samurai, Setsuro would have felt sorry for him, but for this Yobanjin? There was no remorse.
Clubbing a Yobanjin Guard straight on the head, Setsuro turned his head back to the Battle Maiden, noticing just how long her hair actually was. For a very brief moment, his mind broke away from the battle and he had a funny thought: How long does it take to tuck all of that hair up into one's helmet? After the split second, he resumed his clear focus on battle and swatted another Yobanjin raider away like one might swat at a fly.
"Back on your feet, honorable Unicorn. There are plenty of them left to kill. If it would make you feel better, I'll be sure to stomp on his head." Setsuro smirked just a bit, believing that this woman would not be bothered at all by the ferocity of such a remark. He, in fact, believed that she would probably laugh at the Yobanjin beneath the Crab's boot. In the heat of battle, he could not have even recognized much about this girl except that she was fighting the Yobanjin just as bravely as he was. That took courage.
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Jan 17, 2011 9:45:45 GMT -5
Raised her head and blinked. She found out that there is a Crab man standing in fron of her and that he's talking to her. Blinked again and then lowered her sight at the Yobanjin. Ah... yes.
She left half dead Yobanjin and got her helmet back. Put her helmet under her arm and went to greet Crab. By accident she stepped on Yobanjin's crotch, with all her might - after got his breath taken by Kasumi squeezing his neck, now being stepped on his family jewels.... he just wailed with a really painful expression. But not that she bothered with it, instead she stomped on his head - and his skull replied to that with a cracking sound. Yobanjin's body shaked for a few seconds and that's it.
Kasumi stopped right in front of a Crab and smiled. Welcome. I am in debt to your help... - bowed her head just a little - Hida-san - she checked his mon.
Removed some hair that were covering her eyes and pushed it to the back. I am Utaku Kasumi... - it seems she's thinkng about something, but shrugged - but you may call me Kasumi. It doesn't bother me that way. Anyway, who are you? She looks really curious now, just like a little kid finding a new toy.
Kelero looks at her "lady" - her expression says "idiot", but she follows Kasumi and eyes Crab.
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 10:05:22 GMT -5
Setsuro smirked just a bit and looked down to cover it, but he was amused by the woman and the fact that she had forgotten what was going on so she could pound on the poor bastard that could have hurt her horse. At least she took pride in herself and cared for her horse, although from everything he knew that was typical of an Utaku Battle Maiden. Once the woman had cleared her way from the Yobanjin, Setsuro took a step forward with all of his might and stomped down on the raider's head. If anyone was close enough to listen, like Kasumi and Setsuro were, they would have heard a sickening crunch of the man's skull caving in. There was no mercy for the Yobanjin filth and they were not fit for the death of a samurai.
Turning to the Unicorn woman, she was now standing right in front of him and he returned the bow to her, "Kasumi-san. You are an intriguing and powerful woman." He paused and clubbed a Yobanjin to the left of Kasumi so hard that the earth gave way underneath him and he pounded the poor schmuck into the ground a few times so that he stuck out like a fence pole. "I am Hida Setsuro." He glanced around and noticed that he really was the one of his soldiers actually out and fighting at the moment, "I believe that you've certainly made me smile enough that you have earned the right to call me Setsuro." His eyes darted towards the Yobanjin he had just clubbed into the earth and he made one final swat, cracking the ground and the man's bones. It was over for him.
"These Yobanjin fall beneath your weapon.. I'm quite impressed." Setsuro put his ono away on his back where it could be attached and slung the Tetsubo over his shoulder. Once more he smiled, but this time because despite the fact that there was a battle waging around them, they were calm enough that they could stop and chat.
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Jan 17, 2011 22:01:05 GMT -5
Looked at a dead Yobanjin and then at Hida. I am pleased to meet you, Setsuro-san. - she replied to him with a sonorous voice. I am impressed as well by your actions - raised her arm and cleared her face of a blood smeared on it. Forgive me for my appearance, but I bet you understand - smiled minutely.
She glanced at him closer, she checked his posture, armor, the way he stand. Then moved her eyes higher, to his face. Stopped for a second on his eyes, as blue as hers and nodded to herself, it seems.
Once again, let me thank you for your help before. As I've said, I am in debt to you
Kelero probably felt abandoned by her, because she has poked Kasumi's arm with her head. She nickered and glared at Setsuro. Oh, Kelero also says thank you - she hugged horse's head and rubbed her neck softly. We hope that you would join us for a tea, Setsuro-san. Of course after we are done here. - she has smiled to him, like a child that has just recived something really important.
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 22:24:33 GMT -5
Setsuro took a look at the woman and smiled slightly, "Of course Kasumi-san. I would not hold it against you in the face of these Yobanjin raiders. I imagine I don't look much better." His smile was still there, even with the blood coating his armor and the tetsubo he was wielding practically dripping with it.
"I suppose you'll have to allow me the honor of a tour of Kyuden Hida should you ever be in the south to repay what you owe me." Setsuro grinned slightly and then looked at the horse, pausing for a moment as he sized up Kelero. A Battle Maiden's horse was very important.
After he nodded once, Setsuro spoke. "And you are most welcome, noble partner of Utaku Kasumi. I shall remember your name, Kelero." His words were just as solid as he was. In his mind, he remembered just how aggressive the Utaku steeds could be. In this case, it would be best to honor the steed as much as he could. He might look silly bowing to a horse, but to offer it honor was certainly acceptable. Setsuro simply hoped that it was enough.
"Tea?" The large Crab glanced to the left at the Yobanjin he had just smashed before he grinned at Kasumi and laughed, "Yes, that would be great. I would enjoy having some tea after all this. I suddenly find myself being quite parched." With one more sudden movement, Setsuro slammed the Tetsubo sideways into an approaching raider. The Yobanjin would never give up their assault if they could help it.
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Jan 17, 2011 22:40:56 GMT -5
After Setsuro bowed, Kelero did the same thing. Lowered her head twice, almost like showing him she can understand of what he's saying. Oh, she's happy to hear it. But please, don't spoil her too much - she smiled and poked her horse gently - Otherwise she would want you to tell her those sweet thing at least once per day.
Kasumi looked around and spotted her sisters riding this way. It seems we can take a break now. My sisters came to play with Yobanjin, so we should go and clean ourselves a bit. And drink a tea, if you don't mind taking a break, Setsuro-san. I'd be happy if you accept my invitation though. She stand in front of him and wait for his reply.
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 17, 2011 23:18:38 GMT -5
Setsuro laughed a bit and shook his head as she spoke of her horse and spoiling her. It did, of course, make him wonder if the horse was already spoiled or not. The Utaku tended to do such things with their horses. They were, after all, partners to them. It was not uncommon to even see them treat their horses like family.
With the mention of Kasumi's Battle Maiden sisters, Setsuro turned his head and glanced their way. There was a full unit of Battle Maidens head in their direction, which meant relief and samurai willing to charge straight into the Yobanjin. They would carry on the battle while others were allowed to rest. Setsuro decided that in the end, it was probably a good idea to have a sort of rest. The bonus of it was that he was going to be having tea with an Utaku Battle Maiden he had met on the field.
She was even expressing herself about the invitation. That was something that Setsuro rarely saw, at least genuinely, from people. It was one thing to do it as part of tradition or what was expected, but Kasumi was not obliged in any way to make any such offer, but she still did. As he said before, she was an intriguing woman.
"I would be pleased to accept your invitation, Kasumi-San." Setsuro finally answered her, his eyes shifting towards the clear path that lead out of the battle. He was not ready to leave just yet, but there might not be another opportunity to do so for a while. This decision was the best one he could make, giving all of the options, and it presented him with even more for later.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 18, 2011 3:44:57 GMT -5
The battle raged on as more and more Yobanjin kept coming, waves of them from the north intent on taking the keep. The part of the battlefield Utaku Kasumi and Hida Setsuro were in was largely clear of the enemy, thanks largely to the unit of Battle Maidens that had made it their duty to clear the enemy from this entrance to the keep.
As Setsuro glanced towards the rear lines of the Imperial armies and a calmer spot to have tea, a loud rumble came from the other side of the Battle Maiden unit. It was hard to tell the cause at first due to all the horses and samurai in the way, but the cause became clear as a boulder the size of an Ogre rose into the air. Hovering there a second, the stone was hurled at the Yobanjin making their way to reinforce this side of the battlefield. It crushed three men as it landed, rolling over at least four or five more.
The view cleared and the two samurai could see a man in simple red and black robes, his head covered by a straw hat; the Yobajin that were coming toward him and the Utaku hesitated as the Shugenja gestured, making a swirling pillar of flame appear and rush towards their lines like an out of control tornado. The Utaku saw the fear in the gaijins' eyes and charged them in the flank, the cavalry force plunging into the enemy's right flank as the pillar of fire burned its way across the enemy lines and into their left flank.
The sounds of screaming could be heard mixed with the sound of horses as the Yobanjin fled from the Utaku and the horrible magic, no where to escape but back towards their own lines. As the Utaku gave chase and the sounds slowly receeded the shugenja walked towards the two samurai on foot; he bore a mon of the Isawa family and wore a dark laquered looking mempo. Bowing to the two deeply he leaned back up and rubbed his shoulder as if it was sore. "Greetings Hida-sama, Utaku-sama. I see you also have seen much blood today from the looks of your armor and clothing. Most distateful, being soiled by gaijin blood, is it not? Though at least it is better their blood than ours."
He leans to the side, looking as if he was going to fall over, but a pillar of rock comes out of the ground to support his elbow. Rubbing his shoulder some more he inclines his head once more. "I am known as Isawa Tadaka, a simple shugenja and wanderer in service of the Phoenix and the Empire. I am honored to meet you two, a sea of calm in a stormy ocean at the moment"
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Jan 18, 2011 5:43:53 GMT -5
The moment she wanted to answer to Setsuro Isawa showed up. When he started to lose his balance, she wanted to help him and moved in his direction but stopped when a pillar of a rock popped up. Welcome, Isawa-san. - she bowed her head to him - I hope you had a good day and your breakfast was lavish. Smiled to him like a little sun in the sky that shows its face behind the clouds. You look tired, Isawa-san. Would you like to join us? We are going to have a little break to clean ourselves and drink a cup of tea to gain a peace of our minds before the next skirmish.
Then she realised something... Oh my... I forgot. Teeh... - rubbed covered in blood nose while smiling with an embarrassment. - I am Utaku Kasumi, and this is Kelero - poked her horse that also bowed to Isawa Tadaka... but big, brown eyes were glaring at him with consternation.
[forgive me for a short message, but I am at work... and it took me an hour to finish this one...]
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Jan 18, 2011 11:02:48 GMT -5
The sudden reveal of Isawa Tadaka and his communication with the Kami was almost a shock to him, but through his most recent battles, he had gotten used to the ways of the Shugenja. They were always a welcome site on the battlefield, especially against such numbered hordes as the Yobanjin. The poor fools never knew what hit them. The Shugenja approached them, and although the space between them and open combat was there, it was not enough for him to feel that the priest was safe.
"Isawa-san, as much as I would love to explain to you that a bushi must be prepared for the rigors of combat, including the blood of his enemies, but perhaps we should retire elsewhere, further away from the arrows of our enemies." Setsuro replied to priest and bowed his head lightly before his eyes shifted back to the battlefield. He preferred to remain aware of everything going on, especially when his back was turned to an advancing army.
When Setsuro had safely lead both Kasumi and Tadaka away from the lines of battle, he turned and bowed to Tadaka, "My apologies. I am Hida Setsuro." He was introducing himself to the priest now that they were out of the line of fire, behind well-constructed barricades which were meant to defend healers, tacticians and other non-combatants. They could rest here safely.
"Tadaka-san, what are the Phoenix doing here in such entrenched combat? While I respect and bow to your wisdom and power, I was of the belief that the Phoenix were strong pacifists." His eyes shifted in the direction that the boulder had been hurled out into the Yobanjin forces. As far as he was aware, it was very unlike the Isawa Shugenja to be in combat. His knowledge of their family told him that they were taught from a very young age that every life was precious.
"But what the lady Unicorn says is true. We intend to cleanse ourselves, body and mind, before the next large wave of raiders hits." Setsuro offered Tadaka and Kasumi a brief smile before the three of them were ushered into an area where the wounded could be examined and then pushed back out of the lines where they would be allowed to have tea, though Setsuro would not have known the area past this very well as he most always returned to combat right after.
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Post by tadakasan on Jan 18, 2011 12:01:47 GMT -5
Tadaka bowed as he met the two, first being introduced to Kasumi then to Kelero; he found nothing strange in bowing to the horse, for the Utaku steeds were more intelligent than even most gave them credit for. Being lead into the tents of the rear Rokugani lines, with advisors running back and forth and the groans of injured samurai waiting to be tended to by priests, he stopped with the two as Setsuro introduced himself. Tadaka layed his hat off his head onto his back, strap looped around his neck securely; he was close shaven like a monk and his mempo looped around his ears to hold it securely in place.
Listening to Setsuro's words he nodded a little but smiled, the motion apparent in the shugenja's eyes. "Yes, you are correct that we are pacifists of a sort. Every life in the Celestial Order has its place and its purpose, and I share that belief with many amongst my Clan." He turned his head towards the large tent that held the wounded and shook his head. "That courtesy does not extend to those who would defile the Celestial Order though or those outside it. The Yobajin are gaijin, and many of them are ancestors of gaijin who purposefully refused the rightful rule of the Kami in this land. For such barbarians who seek to take the lives of people and peasants alike, there can be no true mercy."
Tadaka followed as he talked with the three of them being led through the camp by a servant of one of the officials here. Passing through the area where the wounded and strategists were, they arrived in the very back of the lines where a crude sort of city had emerged; there were merchants, temporary stables, tents where tea and sake were served, make-shift shrines to pray and meditate at, and many other things besides. Bowing once more as they walked into the area Tadaka nodded. "Cleansing sounds like a good idea right now; I have spent much of myself today in the journey here from Crane lands as well as the fighting. So Kasumi-sama is most right in her assertation of me looking tired. A bit of tea and a chance to meditate would do me and these old stiff joints a world of good."
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