Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 8, 2011 9:47:36 GMT -5
The lead scout was the first to see the village in the distance, and after an hour's run ahead, he brought word back of a rustic but decently-sized farming town, home to at least a few inns and sake houses, and surrounded on all sides by orchards. When Mai made the decision that they would sleep there tonight, there were more than a few cheers. The marshlands did not make for good campgrounds, and the few towns they found were tiny subsistence villages, unable to provide much to support so many. This town was picturesque, untouched by conflict, and was famous for its particular breed of pear. They had just finished their annual harvest, which had been particularly bountiful, and the mood was cheerful. Mai made a show of accepting their hospitality, and arranged for several bushels to be packed away as a gift to her family daimyo in the unicorn lands.
So it was that the sake houses and inns were full and bustling with activity, as unicorn ashigaru and samurai settled down for a rare evening of enjoyment. Confident that they would not do anything regretful, Mai and two of her trusted gunso found a quiet inn, the Pear Blossom, to enjoy a quiet meal and tea, and discuss their upcoming plans.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 8, 2011 22:51:50 GMT -5
Looking up from his table along the side, Ozora bows to the Chui as she enters with her trusted men. Having had the same idea, Ozora had retreated from the rowdy bushi to find some peace and quiet. He had likely found this quite place before she had made sure all her men were taken care of.
A pot a fresh tea was on his table, with an opened scroll set down on it as well. Dressed for travel, Ozora was looking a little tired from the long trip.
A quiet smile crosses his face though, recognizing that there is to be no more rowdy bushi interrupting him coming in behind her.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 9, 2011 11:45:47 GMT -5
Mai returned the bow to the fellow unicorn, taking a moment to notice the scroll ringed in purple emblazoned on his kimono. The Iuchi family. A smile crossed her lips. It had been quite some time since she had seen her unicorn clansmen other than her own men and the occasional messenger. After their long sojourn at war, home finally seemed within reach.
He seemed contented enough reading in his corner, and Mai knew better than to try and disturb a shugenja at their study, but a whispered word from one of the gunso spurred her to approach his table. Mai delivers a respectful bow and addresses him:
"Forgive me, Iuchi-san, for interrupting your studies, but my gunso wanted me to ask on his behalf if you had any news from the Iuchi lands. He has many relatives among the Kenshin bushi, and news of them has been scarce since we rode to Toshi Ranbo."
"He also wonders why a shugenja is travelling alone through the empire during such conflicting times. You look to me to be a capable traveler, but I would hate for you to face undue difficulties when the means to prevent them are readily available. Would you be interested in joining our entourage? We intend to rendezvous with the khol at Dark Edge Village in our support of Toturi Kaneka, and you would be most welcome to travel under our protection as far as your duties take you."
She bows, once again, her hand touching the Utaku mon near her heart. "I am Utaku Mai, and you will surely see no finer men or women than those that travel under my command."
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 9, 2011 22:26:05 GMT -5
Ozora takes a moment to look blankly, a slight smile breaking out at what is only a joke he knows before turning serious once again.
"Please forgive me Utaku-sama, I fear I have traveled from Shiro Moto and have not seen my home in some time now. I arrived just ahead of your force and I must say, I am glad to heae you lead such a force. I believe I will have to turn down your offer to join you as I have already been tasked with such a task."
Ozora hands her a scroll from the Khan, his personal seal visible on top. "My duties have actually brought me to you sooner than I thought. It appears I am to be attached with your unit," a sour look crosses his face for a moment before flattening out again, "as combat support. I was going to report to you upon the dawn tomorrow as I feared you were going to be too busy tonight, but I can see that was not the case."
Ozora bows more deeply this time. "Please take care of me. I will do my best for the unit and the Clan." Ozora holds the bow for a little longer than usual.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 11, 2011 1:34:33 GMT -5
Mai read over the scroll carefully. "Ozora-san, is it? I'm honored to provide whatever you shall need in the coming times. I assume you have your own horse? We have some fresh steeds to spare if it is needed." Mai bit her lip slightly with the thought. Steeds had been trotting alongside the cavalry troops with no riders, their owners having fallen at Toshi Ranbo. Though time had passed since their deaths, Mai still carried the weight of her command over their lives. Within a moment, though, she seemed to shake it off in favor of her usual confident demeanor. "Your specific responsibilities to our unit can be discussed tomorrow while we travel, but in the meantime, you are welcome to join us in our off-duty time." She gestured over to the table, where one of the gunso had procured a bottle of the house sake blend and was pouring samples.
Should Ozora take Mai up on the offer, he would notice that while the sake is deliciously fruity and crisp, Mai takes only the occasional sip, not even refilling her cup once. Clearly, she still considers herself to be on duty, and stays focused throughout the evening's conversation, as if expecting something. The gunso seem to recognize this and, as if part of some strange dance, never put her in a position to impolitely decline the next round. These are men with a great understanding for their chui -- understanding, respect, and even love, as if their shared experiences over the last several months have made them like family.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 11, 2011 2:47:54 GMT -5
Ozora looks at Mai closely, but without being insulting. A measuring look as one would use to study a book binding to see if the cover matches the content. Solemnly, Ozora closes his eyes after that quick study and nods.
"If it is not intrusive, it would be nice to spend a quiet night with my Clanmates. I have spent too much time away at times, I have learned to embrace every opportunity to enjoy time with others." Ozora starts rolling his scroll back up carefully to place it back in its case. A smile comes to his face as he moves tables to join the others.
Ozora, as such as he is, drinks sparingly, not for the same reasons as Mai must be, but for his own. Ozora is impressed in the dedication that the two soldiers have for their commander and realizes that if he is required to provide such service, at least it appears to be at least a unit of high honor.
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 11, 2011 20:03:41 GMT -5
Sojiro approached the village on foot with a sour look on his face, leading Shadowshine by the reins behind him. The trip had started out well. He had rode to Toshi Ranbo, using the opportunity presented by the peace talks between Lion and Crane to enter the city and retrieve a few of his personal belongings that he had been forced to leave behind during the battle, after his unit had been escorted from the fight by the Lion when they had charged the ram. Among those belongings was a particular kimono he recognized, but knew he had never purchased or seen in real life before, outside of his own mind... he was happy. He still didn't understand what was going on in the strange, ongoing "dream" in his mind, but it intrigued him.
He had then traveled the straightest route to where his reports had told him that Kaneka's forces were gathering. Unfortunately, his travels were not without incident. A small group of bandits had made the mistake of thinking that he was easy prey, and while he had left three of their number dead on the road, during his escape from their ambush Shadowshine had picked up a stone in the shoe of her back left leg. Typical to her nature, she hadn't even slowed down until they were well away, and by then the stone had caused some damage to her hoof. Sojiro had dismounted and worked the stone loose, but did not want to risk riding her on an injured leg, so he had walked, looking for a place to stop for the night and give her a chance to recover. After a few hours, he had found a small village with a stable and several inns. He had stabled Shadowshine, tipping the stable hand a generous amount to take special care of her leg and giving his trusted house a few of the pears this village seemed to be known for before heading in to one of the saki houses for a meal, possible drink, and a bed for the evening. He walked in wearing his light armor and traveling garb, the Crane mon on the right side of his clothing and an unfamiliar mon depicting three cranes, two white and one black with a katana underneath them, on his back. His daisho was, as always, on his side, and the white streak through his jet black hair was braided and hung from the right side of his face, a jade bead at the end of it. The rest of his long hair hung down his back, touseled from riding and fighting but not dirty or untidy, considering the circumstances.
He took a seat at a corner table and ordered some saki and a meal, his mismatched blue and green eyes taking in the scenes in the saki house. He noted a group of unicorn in particular, and kept a cautious eye on them. He hadn't come here looking for a fight, but there was no way for them to know that.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 13, 2011 0:43:53 GMT -5
Mai sees the new visitor enter, and quietly sets down her half full drink for what will be the last time that evening. The soldiers appear to tense, but Mai diffuses them by keeping the tone light. After a moment or two of conversation her voice takes a quieter tone, heard only by the unicorn around the table. "Ozora-san," she said, "I know very little of the blessings the kami see fit to bestow upon the mortals of this world, but I have heard on occasion that supplicants can receive visions of clarity, knowing the motives of those who may be considered enemies. Is such a thing possible, in your experience?" She casts a wary eye in the direction of the Crane, hoping that Ozora would catch her implied request.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 13, 2011 10:39:58 GMT -5
Ozora looks into his own full cup as he ponders. Turning towards Mai, he looks a bit miffed at himself. Keeping his own voice down, without looking at the Crane. "While it is possible, in my personal experience, I have found that some kami are fickle and particularly difficult to commune with in such matters. Usually, training focus more on more physical matters. It is rare indeed to find one able to commune as such with the appropriate kami, especially able to do it subtlety.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 13, 2011 12:09:45 GMT -5
Mai nods, keeping the conversation light. "I see that my understanding is woefully incomplete. If I am to call upon your skills on the battlefield, I think I may need some lessons in understanding the ways of the kami; I know much of war but was a poor pupil of philosophy. But what you say about physical matters still seems very valuable. Please, tell me more. A single scout or harrier is trained to cause a great deal of disruption to entire armies. Even if one cannot guess his motivation, is it possible to sense the physical danger that he may be capable of?"
Mai did not have the luxury of speaking of hypothetical situations, and a furrowed brow of worry escaped her cool facade. They were very close to the main army of Toturi, and while the remainder of her forces were only a yell's distance away, she did not want to cause any unnecessary loss of life from the lack of information.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 13, 2011 13:11:26 GMT -5
"One needs not always speak with the Kami to sense danger from a samurai. My travels have allowed me to witness much of what the Empire holds and the dangers inherent within. For one to travel possibly alone, and minamaly armored in the current times, indicates either a lack of intelligence, or a skill that comes with such arrogance." Ozora takes a sip and grimaces just like every other time he takes sake.
"As it is a Crane, I would lean towards the latter than the former. I'm sure you have experience as well with such individuals. I would seem to think, if he was able to come to this town, and not attract the attention of your men and then come in here and do nothing but sit to order a simple meal and drink would seem to think if he is here to cause discord, it is a unique course of action to take."
Ozora knows he is blunt more than not and speaks that which logic would dictate. Subtlety is not a forte or is it well caught by his trusting mind.
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 13, 2011 16:25:21 GMT -5
Sojiro wolfs down his food as soon as it is brought out, looking less like a Crane and more like a hungry animal in that moment. After cleaning his plate, he sits back and actually enjoys the taste of the saki, again noticing the Unicorn group in the corner. He seems to debate something for a minute, and then calls the innkeeper back over. There is the clinking of coin, and then the man disappears.
A few minutes later he reappears, coming over to the Unicorn's table with a few bottles of expensive saki. "Compliments of our Crane guest in the corner, samas. He sends a message with these bottles - if you and your companions find him so intriguing, perhaps you would like to join him for a drink?"
The innkeeper bows to Mai and goes back to taking care of his inn. Sojiro sits in his corner, smiles, and raises a cup of saki to his lips.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 13, 2011 21:24:25 GMT -5
Mai nodded in agreement with Ozora's words. The shugenja had an almost military curtness that Mai understood, and even found refreshing. He could be a valuable asset on the battlefield, though the real test would be whether he could keep a cool head in the face of certain danger. Then the bottles came, and Mai wondered if such a test was now upon them both. She smiled, as if something exciting were finally about to happen, and made to get up from their table.
"I think you're right, Ozura-san, on all counts. Come, let us face our strange crane harrier, and perhaps find the answers I seek in the traditional manner."
From Sojiro's view, the unicorn seem to follow the lead of a young samurai-ko, shorter than average but with a lean muscular build borne of years in the saddle, and long black hair tied in a low ponytail. She wears a full daisho, and bears the twin insignias of the Unicorn clan and Utaku family on a well-made quilted hitatare, worn over a simple kosode and hakama fitted into knee-high tabi. It is an outfit suited to travel as well as action. She makes a respectful bow to the crane.
"Thank you for assuaging our curiosities, Kikita-san. In these troubling times I would think most of the Crane would be far to the east in Kyuden Otomo." Mai kept her tone even, remembering how her failure had contributed to Naseru's escape from Toshi Ranbo. "What brings you so close to the border of our homeland?"
"As for your gift...I could not think to accept such a boon. It is much too fine for the likes of a simple soldier such as myself."
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 13, 2011 21:44:54 GMT -5
Sojiro stood and bowed to the Samurai-ko addressing him. "Please, I insist. Few things in life are as pure or enjoyable as good saki, and I don't believe that one should deny themselves such pleasures based on the fact that they are a "simple soldier". It is something that all should enjoy."
"I am Kakita Sojiro. As for my business here, I intend to speak to Kaneka-sama regarding this war, and his reasons for waging it. There are many rumors about his intentions and motivations from the Hantei supporters, but very little fact is known. What I do know, is that whatever his reasons may be, Kaneka-sama was once regarded as one of the most honorable men in the empire, and I have a difficult time embracing the idea that such a man would turn on his Emperor without an honorable reason. Many of my clan feel the same as I do, but we have no way to know what Kaneka-sama thinks. I intend to fix that problem, and hopefully that knowledge will help to bring a stop to this war."
He sighed.
"Unfortunately, on my way here I was ambushed by bandits on the road. I am unharmed, but in the resulting fight and pursuit my horse picked up a stone in her shoe, and given her stubborn nature, she showed no sign of this until I was well out of danger, and the stone had done damage to her hoof. I worked the stone loose, but I will not ride her until she is healed, so I walked to this village to find a place to stay for the night."
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Nov 14, 2011 3:08:41 GMT -5
"Such a gift is best served amongst friends, Sojiro-san, and we are not even fully introduced. Indeed, only a few weeks ago, we may very well have considered each other enemies."
"I am Utaku Mai. My troops and I have made the long journey from the capital, and are stopping here to resupply before we join with the kohl." Mai looks at the crane closely to gauge his reaction. She does not remember facing him directly, as it was the Yasuki and not the Kikita who devastated her cavalry units after the gate was breached. A cold feeling came over her at the memory, only to grow hot after learning of Sojiro's audacious request.
"And what makes you think Toturi-dono will grant a samurai of the crane such an audience? The 'hantei' Naseru never seemed to be able to make time when his subjects were suffering under the threat of the Yobanjin, and it was only Kaneka's actions that seemed to cause his gaze to shift to the west." Mai looked like she wanted to say more, but even that outburst seemed a horrendous breach of etiquette. She took a breath, and tried to continue in a way that would not provoke a fight, though it was obvious that the conflict between the two brothers was something that touched her very deeply.
"If you were able to get your audience, what would happen then? You may have to subject yourself to the hospitality of the unicorn army until they are ready to decamp, to prevent any pertinent information from reaching certain ears among the crane. Are you prepared to offer yourself to this treatment, for your quest for the truth?"
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