Post by Tamori Manji on Oct 9, 2011 16:00:53 GMT -5
OOC: This thread is a small tribute to Tamori Koichi and simply seeks to shed some light on his disappearance.
Also, the cute little girl next to Manji, in my signature, is Ayame. New NPC, yay!
Somewhere on the Hub Villages of Toshi Ranbo - Rooftops
It had been a week since Manji had met Tamori Koichi and two days since his newfound friend disappeared amidst the confusion that followed the fall of Toshi Ranbo. The fox hasn't slept since then, seeking the Void for solace and guidance. He sat atop the roof of an inn called "The Prancing Lion", while meditating and searching the Void for any signs of the presence of the Tamori Daimyo.
Nothing... he thought again, pensively. During the first day he was sure he felt Koichi's presence and knew he was alive, but no news had come and no messages arrived. The last accounts Manji heard spoke of the Tamori Daimyo staying behind with many other brave samurai to delay the Lion and assure the Emperor's escape. No one alive had news of him after that. Manji knew he hasn't been captured and wasn't dead, he was too powerful for that. But what exactly had become of his Daimyo he couldn't say for he wasn't strong enough to find him.
It was in moments like these that Manji realized his own powerlessness and lack of training. Although a notable shugenja by anyone's standards and very confident of his abilities, the fox couldn't help but be awed by Koichi's control of the kami and affinity with the Void. His domain over the elements was beyond anything Manji could do alone and it would take a long time of arduous training for him to reach that level of power. He knew that if the Tamori Daimyo didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be. But that made him sad nonetheless. When, even amidst the war, the young fox finally thought he had found a place where he would belong, his hopes came crashing down. During the first hours after Koichi's disappearance, when despair overtook his thoughts, he realized that now, through a laughable twist of fate, he was the highest ranking representative of his Clan and had being appointed as hatamoto by Koichi. That made him conclude, bitterly, if I harbor no hopes, I will have no fear. And now my people need me strong and fearless. But what will that make of me? I must become like the Void.
During the second day he had organized a search that bore no fruits, all the while sending the official letters left to him by Koichi. Manji couldn't help but think, did he plan this? Did he leave me in command on purpose? What would Koichi do? but the fox knew there were no answers to any of those questions.
He was half immersed in the Void and half lost in these memories when he noticed a presence and smelled the delicate perfume of cherry blossoms. When he opened his eyes to greet his visitor, a small red fox came up to him and nuzzled his right hand affectionately. Manji spoke with a tired voice that was, nonetheless, full of fondness, Ayame, it's nice to meet you again. But how many times have I told you that it is dangerous to walk around in our furs, especially in a big city, you seem incapable of heeding my counsel... he pouted, more amused than annoyed, she had that effect on him, do you at least have any news about Tamori Koichi-sama?
The red fox circled behind Manji, to escape his gaze. He could feel her changing shape and educatedly kept his eyes away. She padded gracefully to his front, knelt and said in a respectful voice, Manji-sama, there are no signs of Tamori Koichi-sama. He definitely isn't dead and we know he wasn't captured by the Lion, but no one knows where he is or why he hasn't come back. She was wearing black tabi, black pants, black kimono and black makeup. The sole piece of ornament that wasn't black was the light blue beads that encircled her delicate ankles, much like those Manji had bound around his right fist. That and the bushy red tail she chose not to conceal. She was a stubborn fox, proud of her heritage and she loved to annoy him.
Manji sighed deeply, thinking about his seemingly lost friend then heard Ayame's concerned voice, what happens now? If Koichi-sama disappeared, then there's no one else, you are the new Tamori..., he rose up and swiftly moved forward, silencing her lips with a gentle finger then speaking in a pensive tone, hatamoto. Now is not the time for dissension among the Dragon, the Fortunes know the Clan already had enough of that. I'll follow Koichi's last orders and will act as his representative, as he wished, at least for now. If a time comes when I must assume responsibility over the Tamori, then I will do so. Until then, our Daimyo is still Koichi-sama and I'll work towards finding him.
I have good news for us though, he said with a smile without backing away from her, you and others of our brethren were accepted by the Izaku. Now you may officially work with me and bear Dragon colors. Ayame smiled, embraced Manji, kissed him in the cheeks and said in a playful tone, foxes among the dragons heh?
He embraced her back, kissed her gently in the forehead, then said don't be too happy and, next time, don't forget to conceal your tail for we have hard times ahead of us. Now pay close attention, your first task will be...
EDIT: This post ties in with Ayame's presence in "First/Last Flight (Open RP)" on Kyuden Suzume.
Also, the cute little girl next to Manji, in my signature, is Ayame. New NPC, yay!
Somewhere on the Hub Villages of Toshi Ranbo - Rooftops
It had been a week since Manji had met Tamori Koichi and two days since his newfound friend disappeared amidst the confusion that followed the fall of Toshi Ranbo. The fox hasn't slept since then, seeking the Void for solace and guidance. He sat atop the roof of an inn called "The Prancing Lion", while meditating and searching the Void for any signs of the presence of the Tamori Daimyo.
Nothing... he thought again, pensively. During the first day he was sure he felt Koichi's presence and knew he was alive, but no news had come and no messages arrived. The last accounts Manji heard spoke of the Tamori Daimyo staying behind with many other brave samurai to delay the Lion and assure the Emperor's escape. No one alive had news of him after that. Manji knew he hasn't been captured and wasn't dead, he was too powerful for that. But what exactly had become of his Daimyo he couldn't say for he wasn't strong enough to find him.
It was in moments like these that Manji realized his own powerlessness and lack of training. Although a notable shugenja by anyone's standards and very confident of his abilities, the fox couldn't help but be awed by Koichi's control of the kami and affinity with the Void. His domain over the elements was beyond anything Manji could do alone and it would take a long time of arduous training for him to reach that level of power. He knew that if the Tamori Daimyo didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be. But that made him sad nonetheless. When, even amidst the war, the young fox finally thought he had found a place where he would belong, his hopes came crashing down. During the first hours after Koichi's disappearance, when despair overtook his thoughts, he realized that now, through a laughable twist of fate, he was the highest ranking representative of his Clan and had being appointed as hatamoto by Koichi. That made him conclude, bitterly, if I harbor no hopes, I will have no fear. And now my people need me strong and fearless. But what will that make of me? I must become like the Void.
During the second day he had organized a search that bore no fruits, all the while sending the official letters left to him by Koichi. Manji couldn't help but think, did he plan this? Did he leave me in command on purpose? What would Koichi do? but the fox knew there were no answers to any of those questions.
He was half immersed in the Void and half lost in these memories when he noticed a presence and smelled the delicate perfume of cherry blossoms. When he opened his eyes to greet his visitor, a small red fox came up to him and nuzzled his right hand affectionately. Manji spoke with a tired voice that was, nonetheless, full of fondness, Ayame, it's nice to meet you again. But how many times have I told you that it is dangerous to walk around in our furs, especially in a big city, you seem incapable of heeding my counsel... he pouted, more amused than annoyed, she had that effect on him, do you at least have any news about Tamori Koichi-sama?
The red fox circled behind Manji, to escape his gaze. He could feel her changing shape and educatedly kept his eyes away. She padded gracefully to his front, knelt and said in a respectful voice, Manji-sama, there are no signs of Tamori Koichi-sama. He definitely isn't dead and we know he wasn't captured by the Lion, but no one knows where he is or why he hasn't come back. She was wearing black tabi, black pants, black kimono and black makeup. The sole piece of ornament that wasn't black was the light blue beads that encircled her delicate ankles, much like those Manji had bound around his right fist. That and the bushy red tail she chose not to conceal. She was a stubborn fox, proud of her heritage and she loved to annoy him.
Manji sighed deeply, thinking about his seemingly lost friend then heard Ayame's concerned voice, what happens now? If Koichi-sama disappeared, then there's no one else, you are the new Tamori..., he rose up and swiftly moved forward, silencing her lips with a gentle finger then speaking in a pensive tone, hatamoto. Now is not the time for dissension among the Dragon, the Fortunes know the Clan already had enough of that. I'll follow Koichi's last orders and will act as his representative, as he wished, at least for now. If a time comes when I must assume responsibility over the Tamori, then I will do so. Until then, our Daimyo is still Koichi-sama and I'll work towards finding him.
I have good news for us though, he said with a smile without backing away from her, you and others of our brethren were accepted by the Izaku. Now you may officially work with me and bear Dragon colors. Ayame smiled, embraced Manji, kissed him in the cheeks and said in a playful tone, foxes among the dragons heh?
He embraced her back, kissed her gently in the forehead, then said don't be too happy and, next time, don't forget to conceal your tail for we have hard times ahead of us. Now pay close attention, your first task will be...
EDIT: This post ties in with Ayame's presence in "First/Last Flight (Open RP)" on Kyuden Suzume.
