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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 12, 2011 14:48:06 GMT -5
ooc: won't be on line till tommorow...Yuusha sorry for the inconvenience
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 14, 2011 6:28:28 GMT -5
Hikori thanked Minato again for the hospitality he had been showed. As for Minato's invitation for other Daidoji to join the Kitsuki school, Hikori says he will be sure to pass the invitation to his superiors and that they would surely support such an act of generosity on behalf of the noble and enlightened clan of the Dragon. He measures his words as he knows that Minato's invitation has a much deeper political meaning and implications than those immediately apparent. He also jokes that with more Kitsuki trained Daidoji he wouldn't be special anymore...
The rest of dinner goes on calmly as Hikori politely discusses with various attending diplomats. Akamatsu only locks eyes with Hikori once passing a message only the two of them understand before excusing himself. As for Yuushahime, Hikori thanks her for her help in arranging his stay and offers to exchange the favor should she find herself in crane lands. He then excuses himself saying that he would first like to offer a prayer to his sensei and then he would retire to his room, tomorrow he would depart again.
After being allowed in Reso's room he offers his prayer silently...analyzing his surroundings as he does so. He then returns to his room where he awaits for Yuushahime's arrival.
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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 Feb 14, 2011 7:24:20 GMT -5
Yuushahime responded favourably to Hikori's offer and played down how helpful she had been. She also chuckled at his joke.
After the meal and Hikori's exit, Yuushahime politely excused herself too, leaving a few remaining Dragons to chat at the dinner table. She bowed to Minato as she left, thanking him for the evening.
From there she immediately headed back towards her room. She almost wanted to go back to her estate as she did not feel quite right in the training hall anymore, not with her newly found knowledge. She didn't care if the servants noticed her haste. They would probably misunderstand the reasons behind it anyway.
A breath of relief escaped her lips as she finished closing the sliding door behind her. She then proceeded to write a message that she would have delivered to Hikori, who would no doubt be waiting. Hastily she wrote a message that would not give away too much if it were intercepted.
"Dear Hikori-sama,
I hope you are well and enjoyed the evening meal. I have another question concerning Crane fabrics for you. The situation with my friend's kimono is worse than I realised. It would be most helpful if we could discuss this as soon as possible. Perhaps you would be so kind as to meet me in the practice room overlooking the garden? I do not wish to embarass my friend my speaking aloud on the matter - please could I beg your discretion? The room is spacious with an adjoining equipment room and we should have some peace there so we may chat. It should also be comfortable and I will bring tea.
I hope this reaches you safely and you do not have any similar problems. Our shared sensei imparted more wisdom in this field to yourself and I am most gracious that you would share this with me. I would not ask his son, I would be too afraid of appearing ignorant to him and I have come to realise recently that he is very busy with very many matters indeed.
I hope to see you shortly, yours sincerely,
- Kitsuki Yuushahime"
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 14, 2011 7:46:47 GMT -5
Hikori was in his room...he had finally been able to read the invisible writings on the dragon figurine when he heard a scratch at the door panel. The servant after bowing and reporting the identity of the sender left the message and stayed in case Hikori had to reply. Hikori read the note a small grin breaking his otherwise severe expression.
Hikori pens a short note of confirmation and hands it to the servant to deliver it to Yuushahime. He changes kimono always keeping the dragon statuette and Reso's note on himself. He also retrieves a small jar containing a thick dark liquid from his bag and puts it in one of his sleeves.
The night breeze swaying his now unbraided white hair he moves through the garden to reach the practice room. He pays attention to the people in the garden and memorizes their faces just in case.
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Kitsuki Kai
Dragon Clan
Dragon Clan ? Ambassador to the Lion ? Magistrate ? Samurai ? Courtier ? Tatooed ?
Posts: 22
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Post by Kitsuki Kai on Feb 14, 2011 15:43:02 GMT -5
Kai waited. Ryoko would be coming soon to fetch him and he was content to miss dinner for the quiet tranquility the empty practice yards provided. Kai's sense of time diminished.
The barest whisper of a footfall graced the emptiness of Kai consciousness. He was yet unwilling to bring himself back, the dancing of the Void Dragon just visible on the edge of his vision, swirling in and out of existence. Then all at once an image appeared of the Dragon, usually an incomprehensible being, this close to the Void he became alarmingly coherent.
"KAI, LOOK WITHIN THE DRAGON!" The sheer force of the Dragons thoughts shuddered Kai's very existence. It was like a thousand voices echoing in a mighty cavern that was crushed into the emptiness that had been Kai's tranquility. The barest whisper of a footfall....
Kai forced himself to the ground with such speed that the snow which had been resting upon his shoulders hung in the air for a beat and exploded in every direction when the shiriken hit the space Kai had occupied.
Kai shifted onto one knee in a fighting stance that had been designed for warriors caught by surprise while seated. He drew Winter Nightfall without thought and struck the next two shiriken from the air, the second becoming lodged in his tsuba. Desperately his eyes searched for his opponent while his left hand drew his tanto and launched it at the shadow closest to the direction he guessed the shiriken came from.
Rolling to his left Kai came up on his feet at a full run. The dull thunk of metal on wood told him that his tanto had missed any appreciable target. He drew his wakazashi and dropped into Niten's center stance while assessing his situation. On the second floor over the courtyard a small slit in the oiled paper caught his eye.
Moving forward as fast as he could Kai become aware of the added weight of his wet clothing. He used a side wall to vault to the second floor and jammed his wakazashi into the wooden balcony to give him enough lift to roll onto the promenade. He came up again at full speed leaving his short blade behind and burst the to rice paper wall ready to dispatch his would be assassin.
Kai was answered by darkness and silence. As he skidded to a halt in the room and grasped for clues to assist him. He entered a defensive stance and waited. The smell of jasmine tea and wildflower honey caressed his nose. Kai snorted irritably. "Damn you Akamastu."
The door into the next room opened and Kitsuki Akamastu lit a candle while cackling. "Go and retrieve my shiriken and your wakazashi and we shall have tea. I also brought you some supper, since you missed it."
Anger would have been the appropriate response, but that would have only amused Akamatsu. Kai recovered the weapons and apologized to his wakazashi and tanto for their ill treatment. and returned to the small room for supper.
"Your absence was noticed, Kai. Allow me to tell you of what you missed." Akamatsu wickedly grinned.
"Must you?" Kai was in no mood for his games, but was nonetheless please to meet in private, as Akamatsu wasted no time on formalities when alone.
Akamatsu explained all that had happened and told Kai about Yuushahime and her two recent suitors, spending much more time on Hikori. He mention the death of Reso-sensei and about his Minato's invitation for more Daidoji to study at the school. He triumphantly told Kai of his toast to the Daidoji near the end of supper. Kai actually chuckled at that.
Akamatsu, while he tolerated Hikori, disliked the Daidoji. Well, he disliked everyone but he more than disliked the Daidoji. He considered them almost as bad as the Scorpion, whom he felt deserved his most retched level of loathing. A trait he acquired from the teachings of an old Kitsuki Daimyo named Yasu. Akamatsu held a grudge against any who tried to deceive him and the Daidoji Harrier school fell under that preview. Akamatsu, of course, preferred grudges to allies. They were somehow more tangible to him.
Kai, for his part, told Akamatsu of his vision of the Void Dragon and of what he had witnessed earlier in the day below the training grounds.
"We've encountered the Void Dragon before, but never without the presence of Asako Washi." Akamastu mused. Kai glared at him for speaking of the distant past, something Kai had long ago ordered Akamatsu never to do. "Relax, I have made every precaution to ensure our privacy, Kai-sama." His use of the honorific was meant to acknowledge the careful social situation that the two had arranged so long ago.
They continued to chat and agreed that more must be discovered about Hikori's presence and Yuushime's part in it.
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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 Feb 14, 2011 16:22:02 GMT -5
(ooc: For story sake, let's say the practice area Kai and Akamatsu are in is one facing the walls of the training grounds and it is the largest practice room. Yuushahime will be occupying the one facing the garden. Nice post though Kai. Haha your sensei is interesting!)
Yuushahime waited quietly in the second largest practice room, the one next to the armoury. A pair of old lanterns were lit either side of the room and cast a gentle orange glow. Yuushahime's shadows occupied the glowing floors as she stood in the centre of the room, eyes closed, slowly going over the information she had so far. It was almost fully dark now and the wind was picking up. It echoed around the garden, making it difficult to hear. The door was slightly ajar though, letting in some of the outside cold air along with the lightly howling winds. She opened her eyes again and observed the first few snow flakes falling. It had been snowing earlier and it was to snow again. She was glad for her winter kimono.
She had received Hikori's reply as it had been redirected here from her room. This also let her know that at least the servants knew where she was. This could not be helped. At the least, the glowing lamps would tell her if anyone was at any of the walls ease-dropping. The armoury would not be in use at this time of the late evening but would be guarded - if anyone were not welcome she could call for assistance easily. This was a reasonable meeting location.
She raised her head as Hikori entered, pulling the sliding door slightly ajar and letting himself in.
"Was anyone following you or acting suspicious?" She immediately asks
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 15, 2011 3:12:42 GMT -5
" No Yuushahime san, none where following me and of course no dragon ever acts suspicious. Do not worry your friends identity will be kept a secret. I have procured some paper, perhaps you could help me by drawing the patterns on your friends Kimono." He wasn't taking any chances. The servants of the Kitsuki shared some traits with their masters...Curiosity was one such and most possessed a keen mind as well.
He slided the door behind him as he observed the room better. This could be a trap after all.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 15, 2011 3:14:16 GMT -5
(ooc: cool post Kai!!!! This thread has had many interesting interloopers! I am glad I posted this in the first place!)
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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 Feb 15, 2011 7:46:50 GMT -5
(ooc: This thread has been fun. Now for the run up to a dramatic climax!)
Bowing to Hikori, Yuushahime looked anxiously around the room one more time, her hearing now easier with the door slid closed. She was satisfied there was nobody else nearby.
"I shall do so" she replied simply, sitting down and relaxing slightly.
She waited a minute, adjusting to the silence of the room and Hikori's presence within it "I think we can now talk safely. I've looked into the message left for you. Possibly for us. We have a difficult choice ahead of us. I believe Reso-sama was poisoned and I have a suspect in mind. Reso-sama was forced to keep quiet about the matter for a few key reasons, one being the poisoner had a hostage that Reso-sama wished to safeguard. Before I reveal my findings or ask about your own I must ask you something..."
She took a deep breath and looked at Hikori seriously, burrowing into him "If you had a friend you highly respected, but then found out they had commited some indiscretion that would dishonour them, would you reveal it so that you could accuse another of a greater crime? Would you do this if they were greater in station than yourself? What if your friend also cared about them?".
She did not cast aside her eyes and concluded her issue "what is more important to you Hikori-sama, truth and justice or the honour and reputation of those you care about and your social superiors?"
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 15, 2011 8:42:33 GMT -5
"Yuushahime san" Hikori's voice was stern, slow and clear "You want to know what is more important to me...Gi, Meyo, Makoto or Chugo. What about Rei, Jin and Yu? Better men than me have striven all of their lives to find an answer to the enigma of Bushido...I on my part am a Daidoji. I will not let my personal failings stop me from fulfilling my...our sensei's will. I will do what I must and when the time comes I will let the wisdom of Bushido guide me. Surely neither Reso sama nor my ancestors would ask anything more or anything less from me" Hikori concludes never taking his eyes of Yuushahime
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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 Feb 15, 2011 11:24:23 GMT -5
Yuushahime looks away and nods, frowning as she thought about how best to phrase her response. "I also believe it was his will that we seek the truth even if it would not paint him in the best light. I say that as... well, my preliminary investigation, and I stress these findings are only at that stage - suggest that Reso-sama had two children, not one. One you know."
She took a deep breath and continued "the other you don't. I need to verify the claim but believe it holds some weight. If true then, there is no easy way to say this - she would be the daughter of a samurai and a peasant. Her mother is now dead. She was killed earlier this Winter. The girl is missing, presumably taken. The doshin who investigated concluded she would probably be sold by the kidnapper. I think there was more to it than that... far more"
Yuushahime once more looked around the room, looking even more cautious than before. She then whispered "The child's name was Sanoko. This should be enough. Please, tell me what you have found out?"
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 15, 2011 22:18:43 GMT -5
Hikori carefully observed Yuushahime. She had averted her gaze...was she trying to hide something or had he been too direct? He focused on her body trying to see which muscles strained and which relaxed.
When she looked outside he looked that way as well...was she waiting for someone...no...her muscles indicated genuine apprehension.
When she finished talking Hikori was immersed in his thoughts. More than that, he was still unsure whether to trust Yuushahime or not.
"Yuushahime san," he said in the end, his voice little more than a whisper "if what you say is true we have to be very cautious. We also have to act fast. I have recovered some hidden information as well. The name Sanoko, the name Ishigasu (Yuushahime recognized Ishigasu as the name of the doshin who had investigated the kidnapping.) and the name Natsuko" He purposefully avoided to reveal the source of his findings as well as the fact that there where hints that the Kolat were involved.
Giving her some time to assimilate the information he finally asks
"What course of action do you propose Yuushahime san"
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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 Feb 17, 2011 17:41:22 GMT -5
Yuushahime took in the new information, cupping one hand over her face as she focussed to best process it. She started speaking slowly "Ishigasu was the doshin who made the investigation. It is no surprise you heard his name... I do not think he is involved though. He is just a competent officer of the law. The small rips on the message were all inwards. Not a piece of the rice paper was missing. That suggested the traitor was right at the centre of things"
Her upper muscles were tense. She was not the type to relax when she poured over details and analysed situations. She saved her meditation for what amounted to relaxation for herself. Right now she was apprehensive and determined to catch the one responsibile for her sensei's death. A slight amount of stress and pressure had always enabled Yuushahime to perform at her best in the past. She enjoyed the feeling of relief when she had a clear answer but most enjoyed solving an investigation. At the moment she did not have quite enough information to be completely sure. Still, her instincts were leading her in one direction of thought. Also, she was coming to trust Hikori-san, as she noticed he too was wary of their environment and herself somewhat. A suspicious mind is a healthy mind she thought. If Hikori had been too relaxed right now then she be concerned...
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Kitsuki Kai
Dragon Clan
Dragon Clan ? Ambassador to the Lion ? Magistrate ? Samurai ? Courtier ? Tatooed ?
Posts: 22
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Post by Kitsuki Kai on Feb 18, 2011 9:56:11 GMT -5
(OOC: Yuushahime, I'll write my post as not to directly interfere and we can assume your post happens first, since you'll be modifying it anyway. I'll make any needed adjustments later.)
After finishing his meal and leaving Akamatsu Kai went in search of Ryoko. He mused on the long period of time he had known Akamatsu and that fact that they had never liked each other, but had come to mutually respect one another.
Kai walked past the entrance to the servants quarters glancing in as he went by, no sign of Ryoko. Kai's thougts wander to Asako Washi and he wondered if he should pen a letter to the venerable shugenja requesting advice on the appearance of the Void Dragon in his meditations. Best not to mention that Akamatsu was still alive. The two had an intense hatred for one another ever since that incident in the Mantis Clan's court...poor Sanjuro.
Ryoko was not in the bath house. Kai turned on his heel and headed towards the balcony above the training square. Perhaps Kiso's boy could help...no love lost between him and Akamatsu either. "Look within the dragon". But, which dragon? The Void Dragon himself, The Dragon Clan? Kai recalled the stories from the Day of Thunder. The Kami Togashi had one of the black scrolls hidden within his heart.
Ryoko was not in the training grounds. Kai reentered the building in the Kitsuki Quarters. Realizing that he was close to Yuushahime's room he decided it was time to make introductions. As he approached he heard low voices within. Daidoji Hikori perhaps? These two are flaunting propriety quite a bit if they are meeting in private in her rooms. Kai loudend his footsteps to announce his presence. He at least would not be accused of eavesdropping. Upon reaching Yuushahime's door he knelt down in front of it and cleared his throat, thus announcing himself.
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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 Feb 19, 2011 19:35:59 GMT -5
(ooc: Kai - we're not in Yuushahime's room. We went to another location. So i'm going with something different instead...)
Yuushahime continued to keep her right hand to her face as she concentrated. She stayed that wait for half a minute more, her ears listening to the silence around them and their shared breathing as she pondered - what would be the next course of action?
"We need solid irrefutable proof" she said finally. "And at present we cannot launch a proper investigation to find any without accusing the murderer. We either have to stealthily work in the shadows - something I usually detest as dishonourable. Or we analyse what we already have, see if it is useful enough as basic evidence of guilt that we can start an official investigation with it and then accuse them so that we may publicly gather more information. I do not have enough knowledge of what has happened so far to propose which is the best option for us. At least we have ruled out leaving this matter. This is a grave matter and we must treat it seriously. I must already apologise to you for dragging you here; I will make sure no rumours spread"
She let her hand drop and closed her eyes, biting her bottom lip "this is an aggravating position we have found ourselves in". She opens her eyes to regard Hikori again "Come, you have nothing to fear from me. Analyse the situation and you will see that. This is too elaborate for a court joke is it not? I have nothing to gain from misleading you and only Reso-sama knew of your secret space. If anything, it would be far more likely for you to be the one deceiving me - perhaps you wish to show up the Kitsuki family by making us accuse our own? Would you not share your hidden intelligence with me? I have shared my information with you already". She paused and let her words sink in, making no sudden moves as she kept her focus on Hikori
Elsewhere, Kai heard the muffled voices stop. As he listened very closely while waiting for the door to be opened or for a voice to respond he instead heard a screen opening and then sliding closed. He did not quite hear any footsteps though. Clearly he would not be invited into the room...
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