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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Jan 26, 2011 23:32:00 GMT -5
"Should I smile..." Katsutoshi thought amusingly as he looked on at the approaching Crane guest "then hit him with my biwa?"
Katsutoshi smiled a mischievous smile as both he and the crane came face to face and made the traditional bow.
"Maybe i should hit him with the biwa first then smile" he thought gingerly as he observed courtesy.
He wanted to know what the Crane samurai was doing in Shiro Kitsuki, and was about to use his skill at interrogation, when all of a suddenly, the Kitsuki Maiden he had come to visit appeared in between them as if knowing there would be a heated discussion over something.
Directing his attention to Kitsuki Yushashime, Mirumoto Katsutoshi then bowed, and with deft movement, presented the flowers to her;
"Roses handpicked from the forests of Isawa Mori..." Mirumoto Katsutoshi smiled mischievously.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Jan 27, 2011 4:07:25 GMT -5
(ooc: thanks for your patience, I was totally held at work these 2 days)
While checking for one last time his attire and assuring his Wakizashi is held as his old sensei had always indicated Hikori notices a man wearing a black gold trimmed Kimono approaching.
Hikori bows to the man...Mirumoto from what he could make out of his mon. There is something that doesn't quite fit in the strangers stance, his face is smiling but his body...what can be seen under his Kimono at least just doesn't seem to match his faces expression.
Slowly regaining his erect position he observes the Mirumoto so as not to be caught staring.
The kimono in and of itself held a couple of hints as to the mans business. It is a fine Kimono but even though in order it seems as if it has been worn for quite some time...and if one looked for subtler clues the fact that it was shifted a little higher on the Mirumoto's body could mean that he was on horseback only moments ago...His hands showed that he had been out in the cold...and held a more important clue, roses!
This man either had urgent business or was enthusiastic about presenting his gift. Only a crab wouldn't mind appearing at a formal meeting like this.
But what Hikori had to do with it he wasn't sure.
Finally locking eyes with him he confirmed once more from the Mirumoto's gaze that there was something amiss. He was about to introduce himself when he heard the melodic voice of Yushahime.
Hikori bowed slightly more than what required to Yushahime but before he had the chance to speak the Mirumoto was already offering Yushahime the flowers.
It was then that Hikori noticed Yushahime's neutral stance. Even it was hard to say under all those layers of clothing covering Yushahime's elegant frame, Hikori could see the difference between their initial meeting and this one.
Seeing the man's mischievous smile once more he understood what was going on. This Mirumoto was either one of Yushahime's surely numerous suitors or one of her political antagonists.
He surely had a keen mind judging by his timing. Gifting the roses to the maiden only moments prior to such an important event made it difficult for her not to keep them on her person and so it would seem that she favored him while this didn't seem to be the case.
Still he let Yushahime respond without interjecting but made no move to leave the two alone. Instead he hinted a slight smile and waited to see how things would turn expecting Yushahime's answer. It would be interesting to see how Yushahime would respond to this.
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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 Jan 27, 2011 6:43:42 GMT -5
Yushahime paused, speedily trying to figure out what to say next. She was pleased she'd distracted the Mirumoto and the air was less tense. She felt she might make the tension increase though as she started to take in Katsutoshi-san's demeanour and appearance. Particuarly what else he was carrying. Possibly...? No, it was inconceivable and the evidence was circumstantial. Perhaps even all a ruse to throw her off. She mentally growled and shouted at herself for vanity. It must be something else and he was being mischevious on purpose to try and make her look foolish infront of a guest. No doubt if she moved to take them he'd hold them back and look shocked at her action and would claim she misunderstood. She wouldn't be tricked.
"How delightful... they are pretty. Hand picked you say? Did you need me to pass these on to someone? Perhaps they for Reso-sama's passing?" She knew different flowers had different meanings but wasn't too in the know on the area. Dragon lands weren't known for their flower gardens afterall. She paused again, frowning as she turned towards Hikori-san. That was a thought she realised, looking at him standing there with his own slight and curious smile. She hastily asked a question.
"Eto eto... have you both been introduced yet?". She offered simple introductions so that there would be questions that may lead into another topic "Mirumoto Katsutoshi-san, one of our foremost duelists and a capable military commander" She said, gesturing to the bearded man. "Daidoji Hikori-san, trained in the Kitsuki school and here to offer his respects to the recent passing of our shared sensei Kitsuki Reso-sama" she added next, this time gesturing towards the Crane.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Jan 27, 2011 7:09:30 GMT -5
"It is an honor to meet such an esteemed Mirumoto"
He prefers not using the honorific as he is unsure of what to say. As an esteemed commander and a ranked duelist he could be warranted a sama but Yushahime had called him -san.
" Yushahime san your sight warms the heart as the morning rays warm the mountains."
Excellent response, our sensei would be proud, Hikori thought to himself.
Dragon politics..or unrequited love? He would have to wait and see.
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Jan 27, 2011 22:14:02 GMT -5
Katsutoshi slightly nodded at the man who Yushashime introduced as Daidoji Hikori trained in the Kitsuki school by the late esteemed teacher Kitsuki Reso.
Kitsuki Reso. Katsutoshi could not help smile as the name crossed his mind.
Bringing back his attention back to Yushashime;
"Those flowers are not for anyone but you little one" Katsutoshi "Consider them as gift from a senior whose admiration you have captured by your most elegant use of vocabulary in the court room."
"This roses found in the mori are said to have thorns as big as tantos when it is not their time to be picked, and even though their scent are fragrant to the nose, again, picking them out of season is subtly dangerous to one's health due to the pioson they carry." Katsutoshi smiled wider "But like some people would say-- the harder it seems to pick one, the rewarding it is when picked."
His head then turned to the Daidoji, winking as if sharing a private joke; "And like I said! It's handpicked. Which means the man who plucked this flowers. He might be good."
The last statement made Katsutoshi laugh out loud, not caring if both Daidoji and Kitsuki could relate or not.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Jan 29, 2011 8:43:37 GMT -5
Ooc: Just found yhour character description Katsutoshi, I am going to edit my post where I speak of the colors you wear.
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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 Jan 29, 2011 15:58:17 GMT -5
Yushahime was surprised for a moment as she thought how to respond. She looked meekly over to Hikori-san before replying "A lovely thought Katsutoshi-san. I hope they are in season for our sakes. I'm flattered, truly. But I cannot accept such a kind gesture when I knew so little about the gift"
She smiles, offering the first customary refusal. If what Katsutoshi-san said was true, then maybe he was good at picking dangerous things. Still, she wasn't sure if he was good in other ways and this made her wary.
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Jan 29, 2011 20:20:37 GMT -5
Katsutoshi nodded at Yushashime's refusal...
"Please accept it" The mirumoto said as sheepish as he could "Few people deserves these kind of gifts that wholly describes their personality as best as it could."
"Blast these customary refusals" Katsutoshi thought to himself as his brows furrowed and waited for the second refusal.
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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 Jan 29, 2011 20:39:15 GMT -5
"They are pretty but I must refuse because... surely there are others on who your attention would be better spent?" Yushahime bows her head. She knew the man's reputation was solid enough and he was seen as competent if cut throat at times. However, she'd heard some rumours about Katsutoshi from various quarters, mostly disparaging ones. Still... he seemed sincere. That equally amused and unnerved her.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Jan 31, 2011 4:21:52 GMT -5
Hikori notices Yushahime's nervousness. The way she speaks the way she holds her fan tightly.
There is no reason why he should interfere at least for now.
Waiting for the gift to exchange hands Hikori knows what his next words will be...perhaps he can get some more insight into this...
He raises an eyebrow as he waits
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Jan 31, 2011 7:25:17 GMT -5
"You may speak the truth Yushashim-Chan" stressing the chan suffix as he looked directly to her "There maybe more pressing matters my attention must be spent..."
Katsutoshi then pressed the roses to his nose and sniffed the fragrance it emitted "But sometimes, we do get caught in something that steers us away from what we consider as important."
Not waiting for the Kitsuki to reply "and then we find ourselves asking if what we found is equally, if not of more greater importance than what we really give them credit for."
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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 Jan 31, 2011 8:17:00 GMT -5
Yushahime pondered his comments with wary interest. Perhaps it was simpler than she was worrying... maybe he just wanted to get on her good side? A magistrate friend and a courtier at that was a useful ally. She had even been asked to advise the Clan Champion on a handful of occassions, something that still swelled her heart to recall. Was this a bribery attempt of some kind? This she could handle. Even if it meant putting up with being called Yushahime-chan like some hand maiden to an imperial born Lady. For the first time in the day she relaxed and her shoulders eased their tension.
"I'm happy to be placed so high on your agenda Katsutoshi...san" She smiled, stiffling a chuckle as she almost called him Katsutoshi-kun in return. "I graciously accept your gift and hope I can meet the important expectations you seem to have of me." She bows after taking the roses from the bearded man, giving them as customary sniff herself "they are very pleasant. I will see that they are arranged for display immediately". She claps over a servant and passes them to her, with a whispered word to put them on display in her room for the time being.
Giving her attention to Katsutoshi-san again she begins "I hope you realise I only continue to associate with those whose actions are as... gracious and well intentioned as their gifts. Perhaps we can speak later on how I may offer a suitable gift in exchange". She smiles politely before regarding Hikori-san. "How has your morning been thus far? Is there anything I can arrange for you?"
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Jan 31, 2011 8:59:14 GMT -5
"Very clever" Hikori thinks to himself.
Showing a genuine smile to both Yushahime and Katsutoshi Hikori observes for a moment Katsutoshi's reaction to Yushahime's words before speaking "I had a pleasant day Yushahime san. I managed to visit a couple of places I hadn't been in a long time. It is nice to see that many things have stayed as I remembered."
After a small pause he adds
"Perhaps sometime I could show you the places that still claim a welcome place in my memory, but for now I was hoping to meet you before tonight's dinner and would be honored if you could help me present my gift to Kitsuki Minato sama"
He turns to Katsutoshi and adds,
"Worry not Mirumoto san, it would be awful to deprive you of Yushahime san's presence after your perilous endeavor" he says widening his smile "of course you are attending as well I presume"
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Jan 31, 2011 9:56:37 GMT -5
"Warm Dinner within these walls would be the perfect respite to a cold day in these mountains" Katsutoshi shrugged at the Daidoji "But-- I have other obligations to attend to."
Nodding to both Yushashime and Hikori "I must apologize but I must be off to somewhere. A mining problem in Tetsu Kama Mura needs my attention."
He turns to Yushashime "I thank you for gracing me with your presence my lady Yushashime...One of these days, I hope to catch on with your endeavors."
then to Hikori, he passes a glance, with a look of dangerous predator;
"It was nice meeting your acquaintance Daidoji-- Hikori was is it? You should enjoy Yushashime's company... sometimes fate and duty can be so finicky."
Katsuotshi bows in farewell and turns the other way towards the palace gates.
(OOC: Okay i've established a quick brief meeting between us people. So this chapter would be the first before "The Steel Dragon" thread.)
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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 Jan 31, 2011 19:21:36 GMT -5
Yushahime bows in return, seeing the man off. She had caught in the corner of her downcast vision the look he had given to Hikori-san but could not quite gauge the reasoning... yet. When Katsutoshi-san had departed she began speaking with Hikori-san again, this time asking him more questions than the day before. She was curious about how he had come the the Kitsuki school and how it had benefitted him. Her pride in the school's teachings was clearly evident.
Eventually the subject shifted "We still have some time before the evening meal formally begins. I would say just over 2 hours. You are welcome to spend this how you wish of course. I myself intend to practice kata in the halls but my intentions are not yet set...". She smiles and awaits Hikori-san's response
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