The Lion and the Unicorn [closed RP]

[Utaku Mai]

[for Mai and Tomatsu. I'm not opposed to other people jumping in if they have a good reason, but ask one of us first]

The morning broke cool and clear as the last remnants of the night's storm was chased away by the coming daylight. It was as if the earth was trying to cleanse itself from the actions of the previous days. The stench of blood and death was, for the moment, replaced by the scent of fresh mud and grass. The field was quiet but for eta at their grisly work of removing the fallen before the two sides would engage one another again. On this morning a lone shiotome rode in the high ground surrounding the lands now claimed by the Lion.

Mai dismounted facing the eastern sunrise and removed from her pack a copper bowl and a small leather pouch of sweet herbs. As the incense burned, the smoke plumed upwards before settling in the lower marshes, eventually to find those whose spirits now resided in Meido. She prayed to the lords of death on their behalf. Surely their courage on this field would atone for much, and they would be judged worthy to progress in the celestial order. She prayed for Lion and Crane, for samurai and peasant. With the last wisp of smoke, she prayed for her mother, whose death now seemed so distant compared to the battles now being waged. It is for you that I do this, Mai thought, It is for you that I tear wounds into the land of Rokugan, that the infections that threaten our people may be removed, and the country healed.

Please judge me accordingly.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Tomatsu plodded along by himself, lost in thought. He just wanted to wander the battlefield and see things for himself. He carried with him only a small folding chair and a grooming knife. He looked for the proper spot to carry out his ritual. He still wore his armor and daisho, this was a battlefield after all.

The smell of the incense woke him from his revery, of women and time long ago. He was intrigued by the smell, something he never had smelled before, not something that was part of a battlefield, not gore or death or fire.

He stumbled his way through the brush and upon a familiar Utaku woman he came. He approached slowly and with great deliberation so as not to startle her or her horse.

Hello Utaku-san. What are you doing out here during this hour; and if you don't mind me asking, what are those smells? They do not smell of warfare.

[Utaku Mai]

Mai felt a sudden moment of self-consciousness as the Lion champion approached, but something about the air, the sunlight and the gentle grunts of the utaku mare settled her soul. She made a small gesture toward the copper bowl, where the last of the ashes were catching on the wind. "Sage leaves, and dried sap from a particular tree in the far western gaijin lands. It has become a common mix for funeral pyres among many of the Unicorn. I brought some to administer to my forces should any of them die in battle, but..." she looked at the remainder in the pouch helplessly, then back on the battlefield, "I think I did not bring nearly enough. I just...couldn't deny any of them some token of remembrance, even if only for a moment."

Ren nuzzled at her side expectantly, as if sharing Mai's own thoughts, and wanting some form of comfort. Mai scratched behind the mare's ears, allowing herself to drink in the silence of the morning. She became acutely aware of the presence of the Shining Lion, and the circumstances of last night's departure. She finally spoke, after gathering the strength to do so from the surrounding sunlight.

"Please forgive me, Champion-sama, for my behavior last night. It was very...unbecoming of me, and I represented my family and clan poorly. Please know that I had no intention to cause you dishonor. I was so focused on reporting what I had learned that I did not consider the...social ramifications...of a young battle maiden of little rank calling on the Lion champion alone in his tent." She breathed deeply, adding the one thing she hardly ever said to anyone. "I am truly sorry."

[Akodo Tomatsu]

He let out a laugh, soft and light at first that boiled over into a rolling chuckle. He regained his composure after a minute, placing his chair and knife down.

Utaku-san, do not worry, you are young and a warrior. I was such once, if you can believe it. I remember once I was invited to tea with the Daidoji daimyo. I spend hours studying up on my rules of court, and when I finally met her, all she wanted to know about was battle. Now I'm not the best student of warfare but you can imagine how unprepared and horrible I felt. You are forgiven without even needing to ask.

I guess what I'm trying to say Utaku-san is that I'm sorry for putting you in a position that you did not want. Forgive me. He bowed deeply to her, far more so than what would be deserving of his position relative to her.

He paused for a minute. I must say Utaku-san, I have seen my fair share of beautiful horses, but yours if by far the best specimen of a Utaku steed that I have ever seen. I would ask if you would be will to let me pet your steed, but I know that no non-Utaku woman can touch one of these magnificent without great offense. Perhaps some point in the future, you might honor me with teaching me a thing or two about how to care for my own horse. I am rather lacking in the secrets of our shared family when it comes to horses. He smiled and took his seat in his chair, pulling the knife from its sheath and a whetstone from his furoshiki, beginning to sharpen the knife on the stone.

[Utaku Mai]

"As to your first request -- I can't say it's completely up to me, is it, Champion-sama?." At this, Ren perked her head up pridefully and stared with large eyes, sizing up the Lion for approval. Mai agreed, as biased as she was, that Ren was spectacular even for an Utaku steed. With a lean build and light, silver coloring, Ren looked almost ethereal, like what an artist would depict of the original Ki-Rin. With a small click and an encouraging motion, Mai brought the mare a few steps toward the sitting Lion, almost close enough to touch.

"Do not make the first move, but let her get to know you to judge your worth."

[Presuming Tomatsu goes along with this, will delete if taking too many liberties]
Upon finding a new subject, Ren began with her nose making a careful study of his shoulders, armor, and face, finding no interest whatsoever in the knife or daisho but apparently intrigued by the protruding insignias and mane of the armor [if this exists]. When finished she snorted at the ground, stomped, and looked straight into Tomatsu's eyes, opening her mouth in an odd sort of horse grin.

To his view, the animal would look equally likely to accept a small stroke of the snout, or bite his hand off.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

He placed the knife and the whetstone down on the ground slowly, and removed his kabuto as well, with the same steady slowness. He rose to his feet and extended a hand towards Ren. He held his hand there, and locked eyes with the horse. He never waived in his gaze, showing the horse that he was unafraid, besides, this was his off hand anyways if worse came to worse. He just stood there, hand out stretched, waiting to see who would make the first move.

Bite me, he thought prove your worth as a steed of battle. Let us see who is the better warrior.

[Utaku Mai]

Ren stared him down as forcefully as any duelist, until she made her move. In an instant, she reared her head up, opened her mouth...

...and sneezed directly on Tomatsu's outstretched hand.

Mai couldn't help it. She laughed out loud, a bright peal that rang through the morning, bringing tears to her eyes. Ren, satisfied with her new acquaintance, trotted away to a bit of grass and put her head down to graze.

After managing to calm down, Mai took a water skin from her belt and offered to pour so that Tomatsu could wash himself. "I suppose the first lesson is learned, Champion-sama. No matter how well trained or well-behaved, a horse has her own mind, spirit, and will, and will never be predictable. Very few outsiders ever truly seem to understand that simple concept, which is why the Unicorn will always be the better horsemasters. We train our riders as much as we train our steeds."

After another moment, her curiosity got the better of her. He seemed at least somewhat teachable. "What connections do you have to the Unicorn, Lion-sama?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

He thankfully took the water and ran it through his hands. Thank you for the water. I guess I should be honored that your steed would want to share such intimate things such as mucus with me. He grimaced a little then tried to put on a good face about it, removed his glove and armor from his hands that were now wet and placing them next to his chair.

As for your advice, I agree, I find horses tend to be more person like than many of the bushi I have met in my life. My own horse has a way about her, a defiant streak that comes with complete understanding of my moods. I dare say she might be my closest companion whom I can't actually share my words with. Speaking of her, I am looking for a proper mate for her, as I want to ensure that my children have her children to ride, you wouldn't know of any proper horses whose masters might be willing to make an arrangement, would you Utaku-san?

[Utaku Mai]

[you're such a sport, Tomatsu ]

Mai smiled at the wisdom of Tomatsu's words. "Your understanding is very Unicorn. You know well the difference between a simple beast of burden and a trusted animal companion."

"As for a mate, I'd want to see the mare before making any hasty judgements, but I know of several lines among the Moto that have bred well with non-Unicorn horses. The best Utaku lines are reserved only for the shiotome or the emperor, but Haruka-sama was given enough to start her own herd in the Scorpion lands. Since you are friends, maybe you can beg her the favor of breeding your mare with one of her stallions?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Perhaps that is true, and I am close to her, I shall have to inquire into her herd.

He retook his seat, taking the knife up once again and plying it to the whetstone.

As for my linage, I am a direct decedent of Otaku her self. However it is a bit shameful that I only really know little about my ancestor or her clan. My mother was a Shiotome but she left her clan to marry my father and never spoke much of it to me. However she still finds herself busy today entertain young Matsu girls at the Akodo War College with her stories of battle.

He let down his top-knot and began to feel it, trying to figure out how much of it he wanted to cut off. He took great care to secure the purple ribbon that held his hair up. Tell me of your linage Utaku-san, what famous line do you belong to?

[Utaku Mai]

"According to the records, I am descended from Otaku herself through my mother and grandmother; we may very well be cousins. It is unfortunate that your mother never told you much, but perhaps she didn't want to split your loyalties away from her adopted family."

Mai knew well the weight of generations she carried on her back, and of their lessons. "From my first years I remember learning the songs of all of the Otaku heroines, taking comfort in their courage and learning from their examples. Rumaru, who first tamed the Otaku steeds, Segigako, Tetsuko...they were many great-aunts along with the grandmothers, but between my sisters and I in the dojo, we could claim almost all them as family."

The chill of the morning had now almost completely disappeared, and various sounds of the morning could be heard from the encampment. The battlefield looked almost clean but for fresh pyres billowing tarry smoke into the heavens. She remembered her responsibilities back at camp, of the civil war and of its great costs. In this clear morning, and in her conversation with this samurai, she had nearly allowed herself to forget. She had even managed to laugh for the first time in months. She was in such a state of ease, she likely could have sat on this hillside, with this samurai, without even noticing the time.

"I seem to have lost track of the hour, Champion-sama. I'm sure you have a great many more important things to do than discuss horsemanship and family trees with one such as myself." Ren was starting to become impatient for more exercise, but Mai took her time, not quite wanting to break the revery too soon.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Oh no Utaku-san, the plans have already been approved for the days actions any my generals are some of the best in the Empire, they can survive for a while without me. Besides, I have been enjoying your company, I may die in the upcoming days, would you begrudge me one last treat? However I do understand if you must go, I have already caused you enough problems, I do not wish to cause you more.

He finally figured out where he wanted to make his cut, and jerked the knife through his hair. He threw the cut length of his hair in a violent fashion off in a random direction and closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, wishing the knife had been sharper. He kept breathing without moving or opening his eyes for a few long minutes, trying to stop the tears that wanted to flow.

After a few minutes more he spoke. Excuse me Utaku-san, it was something that had to be done. I had intended to do it on my own, but I would not pass up a conversation with a beautiful young samurai-ko such as yourself. He put his best apologetic face on, his sincerity of apology showing.

[Utaku Mai]

Curiosity burned within her at the open ended request. Was it wise to offer to oblige him? Mai already felt on shaky ground after the embarrassment of the previous night. Ultimately, her curiosity, and her genuine desire to help the man, won out. "Champion-sama, I am happy to help insofar as I am able. What would you ask of me?"

She sensed something very personal about his ritual hair cutting, though she was not sure of its exact importance. She looked slightly away, to give him some sense of privacy, as well as to hide the reddening of her face at the favorable compliment. When she faced him again, she was respectful though quizzical. "You have no need for apologies, Akodo-sama, though I must ask, what is the significance of your hair cutting? Is it an offering of some kind?"

[Akodo Tomatsu]

He took a few more deep breaths and composed himself. He cocked an eyebrow at the young Unicorn, not sure what to make of her. Utaku-san, you never cut your hair? Mine had grown long and I no longer wished to suffer the annoyance of it. He said in that, "I'm not sure your being serious but I'll answer it as it if you are" tone.

He put the knife away and reassembled his top knot, securing it with the purple ribbon. He dipped into his furoshiki and produced a bottle from it. He took the cork off and sniffed its contents. I am glad you chose to stay Utaku-san, I do believe we never got a real chance to speak last time, and hopefully we will have some time to be alone here. Tell me, how is the war going? I mean from the average samurai's prospective, the only reports I receive are high level strategy reports, but I find that men and women who are inspired fight harder that those that expect defeat. He pulled out a sake cup from his bag and pour himself a cup, and before drinking offered it to her. Utaku-san, care for a cup of water?

[Utaku Mai]

Mai found a seat on an outcropping in the hillside, sipping the offered water and collecting her thoughts. "I thought it would be easier to keep focus. I saw the price my people paid to keep our western borders safe, while Naseru did nothing. Many of my forces grew up in the Unicorn lands; for all of us, it is a personal decision to follow Toturi."

The wind picked up slightly, picking up her long hair and waving it back and forth. "But we are not fighting honorless Yobanjin, or the dark creatures of the shadowlands. We are raising arms against fellow samurai. Even if we are victorious in placing Toturi-dono on the throne, the cost in honorable lives will be very great."

Mai bit her lip, not wanting to put words to her even greater fear -- what would happen should Toturi's cause fail?

[OOC: real life, blegh]