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Post by Horiuchi Yuiren on Nov 17, 2011 6:35:30 GMT -5
The girl waited a moment, hoping she'd get the name of the other of samurais. When he didn't give any answer, she thought: No worries. They drunk sake. The etiquette is not important here. Than she sat in the place offered by the Crane. She was tired and longed for a warm meal and a place to sit.
"Ah, Kakita-san. It's a pleasure to meet you too." "I was simply looking for a place to spend night, but this whole place is full of military. They say it isn't the most appropriate of company for a young maiden such as myself... And, I am looking a place to sleep, not to sing battle songs all night long", she smiled.
"I am on my way to the Phoenix lands... at least I should be, since I think I got lost. It's my first time travelling such a long distance all by myself."
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 17, 2011 14:52:16 GMT -5
Having finished his thought within his mind, Ozora takes the pause to finally bow slightly from his seated position. "It is so nice to see one of my cousins from the Horiuchi. I am Iuchi Ozora, currently attached to combat support for Chu-I Utaku Mai-sama's force encamped here. I am sure that you would have no worries with any of her men here tonight or any night. I am sure there is plenty of room here and as you are here, it would be nice to have another here tonight."
"As far as the Pheonix lands, yes, you are quite off course." Ozora smiles genteelly.
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Post by Utaku Sachiko on Nov 18, 2011 7:31:39 GMT -5
Iuchi, Horiuchi and Kakita were still sitting and talking when another person came in. She slowly has taken her mempo and kabuto off, long black hair like a flood came down to her back. Big, grey eyes glanced at everyone and after recognizing mons of her own clan, she has gently nodded to them as a greeting. "I need rooms, hot bath and a meal." said to the person she thought was an owner. Her voice was as sweet as her face, reminding of the wind whispering at night. "And I need my armor to be clean in the morning." And that was a fact that her armor was covered with a few pounds of dirt, mud, dust, leaves... and blood. Another person came in, also wearing a dirty armor just like a female in front of him. "Oh, Utaku Kael-san. Did you finish saddle our horses off?" "Indeed, Utaku Sachiko-san. But I still insist on traveling even at night. Utaku-dono shouldn't wait for us and our message...""We will talk about it later, Utaku-san. I am not gona face our Daimyo and the Champion looking like that. It's... impure. I hope you can agree with that?"Utaku Sachiko raised her head really high to look at redhaired man, as she was less than 5 feet, when he was over 6 feet tall. "I understand, Utaku-san that you would prefer to report as soon as possible, but if not us, then our horses needs some rest and we already faced some... troubles traveling at night."Utaku Kael nodded to her words and cautious eyes could see his arms slope down a little as he gave up with convincing her. "As you wish, Utaku-san. If you excuse me, I will take my armor off and take a bath so we can enjoy our meal after that." he has bowed to her and then left, following a person who was there to show him his room for the night. "Men... " long and soft sigh came from her cherry lips as she also left to get rid of her armor. [OCC: Used Utaku Kael with a permission of Kasumi, as this is her NPC. And hope you do not mind me here ]
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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 20, 2011 11:21:20 GMT -5
<OOC: is anyone opposed to me continuing on with this? It's been a few days since any new posts>
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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 20, 2011 18:25:31 GMT -5
(go ahead, Mai.)
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 20, 2011 20:47:49 GMT -5
[Yeah, was waiting on one of the females to say something/return. Please restart us up ]
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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 21, 2011 0:21:47 GMT -5
<K, I'll have a big one tomorrow with anyone who's traveling with the army to Dark Edge/Kaneka's warcamp -- that's me, Sojiro and Ozora that I know of for sure. Sachiko...maybe? Yuiren I'm not sure about, but I'll make it doable with anyone.>
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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 21, 2011 16:09:53 GMT -5
The sun rose slowly over the plains, the darkness disappearing too slowly to observe until the sun began to peek over the horizon. The unseasonably early frost had encased each blade of grass, causing the light from the weak rays to make them shine like cut crystal. The town was quiet but for the light snores of animals and men alike.
Mai had awoken quite early indeed, handing off a small parcel to a readied scout, on the company's freshest steed, in advance of the army. He cut a path into the sun and disappeared. Mai rode out herself to greet Lady Sun, letting the cold wind bite her nose and face and whip through her long hair.
When she circled back to the town it seemed to come to life: peasant men and women going out to perform the day's labor; soldiers groaning in regret from the previous night's festivities; animals begged from their stables for exercise.
Sojiro's pony healed magnificently through the graces of the company's quartermaster, a man who would never suffer an animal's continuing injury, even if it benefited a stranger. A few soldiers would give the Crane pause as he made his way around town, wondering to themselves why their enemy was now travelling with them, but always treated him with respect fitting his station. Preparations were made: food packed away, saddles repaired, provisions purchased, and hardly more than a day had passed everything was prepared for the last leg of their sojourn. Joined by several new faces, Mai and Ren led a company of refreshed, even cheerful, men and steeds, into calm weather and safe passageways.
*0*0*0*0*
It was two days outside of the orchard town, in the morning when the embers of the night's campfires were being rekindled for the morning meal, that a tired and irritable scout, his mount foamed and panting, came into camp and unceremoniously rode straight to his commander. He bore a package bearing a seal not of the khan, but of the utaku daimyo. Mai started to read it by the light of the early morning, but stopped and immediately ran to find better light, obviously looking perturbed. After a long moment she called Ozora <and Sachiko and Yuiren why not, if they're around> and, after a small internal debate, Sojiro as well, to walk with her, while the rest of the troops were gathering their bedrolls.
"I ordered the scout to avoid spreading any rumors among the soldiers, but they will be unavoidable before too long, and I feel like you deserve to know the truth.
The khan Moto Yoee has left the unicorn in dishonor, and clan is now being led by Utaku Kasumi-sama. Reports seem to conflict with one another, but they all seem to indicate that...that the khan had succumbed to the influence of the Taint, and disappeared after a confrontation with a group of jade magistrates." An odd combination of sadness and fear crosses Mai's face at the mention of the blasphemous shadowlands power, and her brow furrows with a great weight of responsibility. "This will be very bad for morale, so I would ask that you keep this to yourselves until we reach the warcamp. I am not normally one to keep secrets, but in this case I feel it is necessary. Seeing a unified clan leadership should hopefully assuage any fears about the recent unpleasantness."
"Sojiro-san, due to circumstances, you are to present yourself to Kasumi-sama regarding your petition to attend Toturi's court. You have been given permission to enter the warcamp, but you must have an escort at all times. Ozora, if you would not mind carrying the burden, I think you would be my choice choice to fulfill this duty. As for the petition itself, or what the champion intends to do with you after your case is heard, I cannot say, but you can ask her yourself soon enough. We should reach the camp late tomorrow afternoon."
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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 21, 2011 20:03:36 GMT -5
Sojiro stopped for a second, seeming as if he was weighing something in his mind. At length he sighed and then spoke.
"Mai-san, Ozora-san.... I would appreciate if this goes no further, but given the trust you have shown in me so far, I believe you deserve to know. Particularly given this recent development."
"The unicorn clan is not the only clan that is having... issues... with high ranking members and taint. I know the Crane has strong suspicions of our Shirekan being involved in such things, and I have heard rumors of similar situations from the Dragon, Phoenix, and Scorpion clans. I have no proof of those rumors from other clans, but it is concerning regardless."
This is part of the real reason I wish to speak with Toturi-dono. I have been working with several samurai, on both sides of the brother's war, because we have seen signs that this war is being manipulated by someone or something from behind the scenes. The spider attack, the Scorpions late enterance into the Hanei forces, only to be followed by their march to the wall, the assassination attempt on Toturi-dono that the Hantei forces have no record of, the assassination attempt on Hantei-dono's envoy in Scorpion lands that has also gone unsolved... and most recently, we have confirmed reports that the Officers under the Emerald Champion received bribes from 'a dark, hooded figure' to stall his advance to relieve the siege at Toshi Ranbo any way they could, as well as similar rumors that the Dragon clan's decision to attack Swift Sword was influenced in similar ways. And now, we have High ranking members of different clans showing signs of corruption. Again, on both sides of the conflict. There was also the massive, unseasonable storm off the shores of my Clan's territory. We haven't seen a storm like that in my lifetime, sans, and there were reports of strange ships that bear no resemblance to Rokugani ships in the waters underneath that storm. All of these things need to be brought to Toturi-dono's attention. He has the right - and the responsibility - to know, to see the whole picture. Or at least as much of the whole picture as I can present to him."
He sighed again, and then bowed deeply to them.
"I hope you can forgive me for my deception Mai-san. However, I find myself not knowing who I can trust, even within my own family. My contact in the Lion clan has recently been killed, and I have become paranoid in the wake of that person's death. However, your trust in me has shown me that I, in turn, have no reason to distrust you. I apologize for my misgivings."
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 21, 2011 23:36:53 GMT -5
Walking behind and to the left of Mai, Ozora nods his head. "Of course, Utaku-sama. It is no burden that is not worthy of being carried."
Behind his eyes though, Ozora is in turmoil. The Khan....tainted....but....
The pain was evident if one was but to look, luckily most didn't. A few moments, most during Sojiro's response, a look of determination and of righteous anger started to burn.
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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 22, 2011 2:58:50 GMT -5
Noticing the look in Ozora's eyes, Sojiro stopped.
"Ozora-san, have I offended you somehow?"
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 22, 2011 8:28:26 GMT -5
Caught offguard in his own thoughts, Ozora stumbles a little. A slight smile replaces all emotion as he recovers. "Of course not, Kakita-san. The news was....disturbing and troubling, that is all." Ozora purses his lips as he continues to think about it. "The Khan, while not a friend, was an aqaintince."
Ozora looks over the others present. "If there is something that can be done to ensure that the Empire does not continue to suffer such, I will do my best to help make sure that it is done."
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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 22, 2011 9:30:41 GMT -5
Mai gasped at Sojiro's troubling words. "By the kami...I had no idea so many in the empire share in our clan's great shame." Her thoughts took her back to Toturi's court, so many lifetimes ago, when the strange ronin sued for recognition of the so-called Spider clan. The strange request to legitimize such tainted souls had seemed to end with the emissary's seppuku, but now Mai wondered if it was only the beginning.
"Sojiro, please know that your trust is not misplaced. So long as you fight against the dark influences of the shadowlands, you will never be my enemy." After a long pause, Mai seemed to gain a look of fierce determination. "If you desire an ally when you present yourself to Toturi, please do not hesitate to think of me. I admit, times have seemed strange for some time, but never in a way I could put my finger on. What you say only fills me with more questions; it is time to find answers to them."
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Post by Utaku Kasumi on Nov 22, 2011 14:25:51 GMT -5
[OCC as Sachiko is out of the town and her mobile internet is dying, so she can not use her laptop to post... I've been asked to use my NPC, Kael, to describe what she is doing - I mean Sachiko, as I have her permission to NPC her a little.]
A long and deep sigh came from Kael's side. Sachiko glanced at him and shrugged. "It means we are too late, Utaku Sachiko-san. Rumors are faster than us it seems." Kael got a little nervious, but Sachiko waved her hand at him. "We can't help it, Utaku Kael-san. We have lost two days, remember." "Indeed, It was a really unfortunate delay. Ah..." It looks like he recalled something. "Utaku Mai-san. We have been asked to look for you, if we can, on our way back. I must insist to hurry up, as Utaku Kasumi-dono is waiting for you..." "And we all know that it is better not to rub our lovely Daimyo the wrong way." Sachiko added with a soft smile. Kael rolled his eyes but bowed to Sachiko. "There is a wisdom in your words, Utaku-san. Good I have a gift for her that she would really like..."
Sojiro, as an outsider, could see that both Sachiko and Kael were making fun of Kasumi, their Daimyo and a new Champion. But there was something deeper in their words and their eyes when they've talked about her.
"Utaku Mai-san, if you and your companions are ready, I suggest we ride as soon as we can... which would be now." Sachiko nodded her head gently to Mai and smiled.
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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 22, 2011 15:06:00 GMT -5
Mai shook her head. "We have made good time coming from Toshi Ranbo, Sachiko-san, and preparations along the way have been the most efficient I've ever seen. The cavalry want to join with the emperor Toturi's forces as soon as possible. I could probably leave all of you behind, pack Ren with only myself, and make it by midnight, but that still leaves the troops without a chui, and in these dark times, I think you can understand my reluctance to do so. Every man and woman matters, and many of them have followed me faithfully from my mother, Utaku Yun-Li's lands. I cannot ignore protocol and abandon them now just for the sake of a few hours." Mai was loathe to drop her mother's name for a political point, but the context here was important. Yun-Li fell against the Yobanjin to protect these people; soldiers now, but previously rice farmers and silk workers. Many had accepted their conscription willingly, trusting in the daughter of their beloved samurai protector. Mai would not let her mother's sacrifice amount to nothing now.
A gunso approached, keeping his distance, knowing that his commander was having a private conversation. She motioned him over, and he explained that the troops were ready to move. "Let us go, then. Bring me my steed, and tell them we will ride until the sun sets."
She looks back at her companions expectantly. "As you said, Sachiko-san, time is of the essence. We should not tarry."
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