quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 7, 2011 2:31:21 GMT -5
"And why would you follow a mad man such as that? Listen to me closely. He has killed as many of his own men as his enemies. He is crazed. He seeks to serve the Empire as he once did but that empire has rejected him. And when it rejects him again, and it will, you will see him for all that he is: a rabid dog that needs to be put down. I would ask that you come serve me. Together we could accomplish great things. We both have contacts within the Scorpion. We would control the secrets of the Empire. And when the time is right we will break it open and shatter these lesser clans."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 7, 2011 2:41:40 GMT -5
"I have not seen this side of Shoju-sama. And until I do, I have no reason to believe he is anything besides what I judge myself. You'll have to forgive me, Sprinkles-san, but asking me to defect from my lord without proof of the reasons you say, and asking me to join you in the same sentence seems like a ploy."
Yun's face hardened and he was no longer smiling. He didn't seem angry, but rather, resolute.
"And defecting from one's lord is not something that I do lightly. If I am anything, I am loyal."
Yun would attribute this to his gaijin nature, they simply did not understand loyalty and honor the way that Rokugani peoples did.
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 7, 2011 2:54:50 GMT -5
"By no means it this a ploy. I do not expect you to leave your master based on my word. It is as I said he will turn against you. When that happens, if you survive, please consider my offer. Not that you will receive many others. The Spider are always welcoming. As I'm sure you know." Sprinkles attitude never changed. He seemed quite pleased. "As to your 'loyalty' we'll have to shed you from that I suppose. Loyalty is earned every minute of every day. It should never be viewed in the eyes of bushido. The samurai are all dogs being lead around by the concept of bushido and loyalty. It is best if you rid yourself of these things now. Or are you nothing more than a dog?"
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 7, 2011 3:01:57 GMT -5
Yun stood abruptly. He looked down on the Gaijin and his eyes were fierce.
"I am no dog and you'll gain no purchase on me if you insult something that I clearly value. You gaijin just don't understand, you're ignorant of our ways and it is so easy for you to say: break them, get rid of them when you don't know anything about them."
The dream did not move as it had when Sprinkles had been upset. Clearly Yun was not going to lash out. But the conversation had taken a bad route with Yun. The shadowy figure that had been standing behind Yun moved to his side and pulled at the sleeve of Yun's kimono as if to drag him away.
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 7, 2011 3:16:28 GMT -5
Sprinkles remained seated but his voice turned cold and serious. "I have lead armies. I have watched men die on my command. Those men died so victory could be accomplished. They trusted me and gave me their loyalty. And it was rewarded with victory for all those that survived. But you samurai give your loyalty away freely. And you get nothing but fear in return. There is no understanding that madness. You will see when the Great Clans turn on you. You will see when your own master turns on you. If ever there was a place for bushido it is not for the tainted. You are a monster! Embrace it! Spread fear and death, because that is all there is for you now. You will never know honor or love or compassion from anyone who is not themselves a monster."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 7, 2011 3:31:37 GMT -5
"That...that is not true."
And again, Yun's mind flashed to Haruka and what she had said: Compassion to all is something so overlooked and forgotten.
"It's easy to generalize when you haven't seen the things I've seen, but there are those that would seek to help those who are tainted. Compassion is also one of the tenets of bushido and there are samurai who seek to embrace it; even for monsters..."
Yun's gaze moved sideways away from the Gaijin and Bob.
"If this day you speak of ever comes when all the spider and snake turn on me, then I will believe you. But as long as there is even one person for me to have as an example of compassion, then I will never lose faith."
Haruka...
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 7, 2011 3:40:02 GMT -5
"And where would you find this one example of compassion? Are the Phoenix not the most compassionate of all? Why are you still not within their ranks? Because they cannot have a monster in their clan. You claim the name of Snake. The most compassionate clan murdered the whole Snake clan down to each child. That is all the compassion they could muster for the tainted. And they will attempt it again when you reclaim those lands. You are alone, in the company of monsters, it's time to start acting like one."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 7, 2011 3:49:05 GMT -5
"I... I dare not speak the name of my paragon of compassion. For now, our meetings are deep in secret and...really I don't know why I'm trying so hard to prove this to you. I ran, like a coward from the Phoenix, rather than face whatever they would have given me for what I did. But speaking of that, I have no illusions that I am not a monster. I have done, terrible things in my past. But there is this chance that I might change and redeem myself. I have a chance at....compassion...at...love. And I will take it."
There was a determination in Yun's eyes. Something stalwart and resolute that he would not let go of. Haruka had buried her claws deep into him for having only one meeting. The infatuation that he had felt was only becoming more pronounced the more that he thought about her. Everything that Haruka had said had a clear place in Yun's heart and everything that the Gaijin was saying were in direct conflict with these truths that Haruka had told him. Somehow, Haruka had prepared every defense he would need against the gaijin.
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 7, 2011 4:00:58 GMT -5
"Love? That is what this is all about? You want someone to love you? I can understand that. I seem to be much the same situation myself. But unless you can offer them something in return they will never give up their idea of honor. And that honor requires you to die. So Yun do you have anything to offer your mystery woman?"
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 7, 2011 4:07:46 GMT -5
"But that's just my point, Sprinkles-san. I did not have to offer her anything. She has accepted me, flaws and all, even offered to seek a way to remove the taint upon me without any hesitation or request for returned favors."
Not entirely true, as she had requested that he trust her rather pointedly, and she did make mention of needing protection; but these are not returned favors, these are not requests, these are the obvious things that you would give to your lover.
"I will admit, she is not the norm of our samurai culture, but she does exist, and that means that all hope is not lost for those who have been tainted. We do not have to remain monsters."
It was hard for Yun to keep everything straight with Sprinkles pressuring him and his mind only able to concentrate on Haruka.
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 7, 2011 4:24:01 GMT -5
Sprinkles seemed to pause and think a moment. "She is either going to get herself killed. Or she is playing you for a fool. I doubt she is so suicidal. You would be wise to guard your actions. Although I would be wise to listen to my own advice. I am rather open with Haru- My Lady when I am with her." Sprinkles cursed himself. This was the second time a slip of the tongue could give Shoju more power over him. If Yun realized he was speaking of Haruka then this could be most disastrous.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 7, 2011 5:03:35 GMT -5
Yun's mouth would have dropped open if he had not had just enough practice in a courtly setting to know that facial expressions will absolutely betray you.
"Haru...ka? Bayushi Haruka!? The Scorpion Champion's wife!? That's who you say you were trying to visit!?"
Yun's mind raced. This would have been a good moment to slam his head against a wall just to clear the air. So this WAS the gaijin spirit that Haruka had spoken of! And Sprinkles was fulfilling their desires when he saw her!? Was Haruka using him, using both of them!? Was it all just a game to her!? Was she in the process of doing exactly what Yun had asked her to promise not to do!?
Just to keep the air that he had the upper hand and wasn't currently dragging his heart across a razor bed of dangerous questions he chided Sprinkles with: "And you say I am living dangerous and trusting people I shouldn't be."
Maybe Haruka was using Sprinkles and was genuine with Yun... it had happened really fast between them... That doesn't make sense, he thought. She seemed so genuine. And she pointedly asked for his trust... Yun was no stranger to betrayal and yet, Haruka did not seem like a scorpion in that regard... OH KAMI WHY!? Why did I have to meet this man who would put doubts in my mind about my Haruka?
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 8, 2011 0:10:45 GMT -5
Sprinkles took a deep breath. He knew. Now he would have to watch his back for Scorpion spies.
"Yes Bayushi Haruka is the woman I speak of. I plan to win her over from her husband and grant her eternal life by my side. It maybe dangerous but all good things life are. Besides I have nothing to fear. It's not as if the Scorpion can kill me.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 8, 2011 0:23:37 GMT -5
"Yeah, because the Scorpion haven't made a rather successful business out of killing things that you didn't think could be killed."
Yun's mind was still panicked, he was reaching for anything.
"And you mark my words that if you think that Bayushi Senshi wants my lord dead that if he hears two words about you stealing Haruka he'll forget Shoju-sama even exists, and make damn sure your life is as hard as it can be."
Yes, because that was not at all what Yun was himself attempting to do. The fun and games in dreams were one thing, they would never cease to amuse Yun or provide him with a powerful tool, but it was completely different from having a real woman at his side. Or so he supposed... Yun's life had left little room for a lover up to this point. Physical gratification aside, Yun was still fairly inexperienced in the opposite sex. But maybe...he could play off of Senshi...
"You'd be wise to let that one go, Sprinkles-san. There are plenty of women out there and this one is not worth the trouble."
Yes...yes...please fall for that...
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quarim
Dragon Clan
Merchant*Qolat*Gaijin
Posts: 334
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Post by quarim on Nov 8, 2011 1:03:27 GMT -5
"But she is. She walks both a path of light and darkness. She sees the world as it could be not as it is. She has more potential than anyone I've ever met. Only she is worthy of my gift. If you ever met her you would understand."
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