Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
|
Post by Kitsune Poxo on Dec 26, 2011 16:20:08 GMT -5
Takeyabu-sama gave no sign as to where the offering fell on his scale save for that he accepted it. "I do enjoy the sight of blossoms," was all that he said. Then in a blink of an eye everything was gone, replaced with openness of the wilds. Shodai still found himself standing on top of the cliff that over looked the see but the castle was gone. The air was different and there was no signs of human interference. A wild beauty filled the night view however down where the battle took place it was twisted. The land was blackened and the trees were claws reaching for the skies. No animal noises came from the area.
|
|
Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
|
Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Dec 26, 2011 16:20:50 GMT -5
Raiden let his weight hold on the staff in his hands, the staff was made from driftwood from the Ivory Kingdoms. The wind blew against him and the nights sky was beginning to clear up. It suddenly struck Raiden like a rock that Raiden was very tired of the Crane lands, and the Crane themselves. He walked into the area set up for the meeting. Everything was meticulous to impress whomever was sent. In a way though Raiden was impressed, the Crane used their art of diplomacy to expert precision, It was intimidating in a way.
Raiden however was a Shugenja with very little training from the Yoritomo Courtier School. His specialty was dealings with economics. Hopefully he could prove useful to both of his masters. Duty was all for Raiden and he would accomplish both of his goals today. The Mantis and Kolat would benefit from this.
Raiden prepared himself for the worst but hoped for the best.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 26, 2011 17:09:21 GMT -5
Thank you Daichi-san. I am just ignorant in what is needed to fulfill it completely. I am worried though. The gaijin, Quarin, we don't know his whereabouts... And I am preoccupied not only with him. While we are here, trying to defeat this oni, something is corroding our empire. Too much unnecessary warring, maho, plague... Mitsouko sighed. And well, maybe right now someone is going to our leaders, both of them, and offering them an easy way to crush the other side: the same way it was offered for the one that summoned this beast in my name. Or to people around them. And what? How can we know? Can we tell, really, that both will refuse, or their closest? They are all men and women afterall. After a minute of silent she returned to her thought: Soon, the winter will thicken, we will gather in our courts waiting and socializing and... maybe one of them, one of the true enemies of the Empire, can be among us, seeding the evil like they did here. And you know what? if it starts either in your court or my court, the other side will not be prepared, because we aren't brother and sisters anymore. We are being made fools, being tricked, and someone out there is laughing at us, honored samurai, for our ineptitude: we prefer to communicate through our blades than our words.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Dec 26, 2011 17:51:01 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai took a deep breath, savoring the freshness of the air until he caught a whiff of the charring that came from both the fighting between the Crane and the Mantis and then from the appearance of the Oni. Chikushudo overlaid Ningen-do and, depending on the severity of the conflict, warfare could damage the natural spirits that existed in those areas, invisible to those without the eyes to see.
The scene was illumnated solely by starlight and by the natural luminescence of certain plants and animals and it was several minutes before Shodai trusted his eyes to be able to pick out the landscape. The Void Master was uncertain as to WHICH of the taboos he'd suggested to Takeyabu the panda spirit would be enforcing, but it would probably be safe to assume that both were in effect, which meant Shodai was going to have to rely only on his physical prowess to find Mitsouko.
Shodai drew Nushi Gashinshoutan and raised the blade. "Show me the way to her, Saimei, Shokujin..."[/b] He asked the two spirits that dwelled forever within the blade. A thin tendril of mottled green light - a Miya Green from the left side of the blade and Seppun Green from the right which then twisted together - emerged from the kanj on either side of the blade and stretched silently into the darkness, forming a luminous trail before him.
Curious about this manifestation of energy, Shodai touched the light and saw an image of what was on the other end of the line. The tendril flew through the jungle of Chikushudo until it came upon a scene of Kakita Mitsouko kneeling before a cave near a man with fox-red hair pulled up in a braid, dressed in monk garb in the colors of the Kitsune Family with tan Ashigaru armor to give him a bit of protection. Mitsouko was talking to the Kitsune man about her concerns with the recent events that had been plaguing the Empire.
The energy beam connected to Mitsouko's hand and Shodai could feel her sense of unease, both about what she'd been discussing but this manifestation of magic that had appeared from nowhere. He knew that the magic of the nemuranai would convey his image and words to her as easily as they had conveyed hers to him.
"But that is why we must remain true to ourselves, Mitsouko-sa... So that we can figure out what they are after; and then deny them it."[/b] He smiled to her, raising Nushi Gashinshoutan in his hands. "Hello, beloved; I believe you dropped this... I'll be there soon and then we will banish this Oni just as we did the last one!"[/b]
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 26, 2011 19:11:49 GMT -5
Wait... Somehow Mitsouko heard a familiar voice, a voice she didn't heard for a long time. It tightened her heart, with a feeling of surprise and some comfort. Once again, she felt her sword near, very near and it wasn't entirely possible...or it was? Only if... Daichi-san... I think... I feel... the Phoenix Void Master is somewhere in this realm, not far. He can help in this ritual, right?
|
|
Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
|
Post by Kitsune Poxo on Dec 26, 2011 21:17:04 GMT -5
"Persistent is he? I am sure your betrothed knows the ritual." Daichi looked back outside. Thoughts crossed his mind at the new arrival. While he not met the man himself, he had his predisposed opinions of him. He had a few comments about the topic before the mention of the elemental master, but he chose to leave them hang for now. "I was just suggesting the standard ritual. Albeit a few added points."
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Dec 27, 2011 0:52:07 GMT -5
It took Shodai several minutes to reach the final leg of the trail that Nushi Gashinshoutan provided. He was fatigued from relying solely on the muscles of his physical body, but in this the lessons of Ojiisan Agasha, Shodai's paternal grandfather and the only bushi in his bloodline for the five previous generations, had taught him as a young man came rushing to the forefront.
~*~
'85% of the Empire is filled with people that work day in, day out with only the muscles they were born with and grown through repetitive effort. The other 15% are samurai like us, my boy... And of that 15% four-fifths are bushi, courtiers, couriers and Imperials. You, Sho, are in that remaining 3% of the Empire because the Kami blessed you with a small taste of their power... Why do you think that is?'[/b][/i] The memory of his grandfather asked him.
'So that we can teach others about the glory and honor of the Gods, I guess, Ojiisan.'[/b][/i] The youthful Agasha Sho responded immediately. Bushido, glory and honor were usually safe answers where the old bushi was concerned.
The old Gunso chortled at the boy's response. 'Bah! Yer just buttering up an old man, boy! Telling stories about the Kami, well, that's what storytellers and monks are for, right? You don't see them talking to trees and water and stuff, do you? At least not if they're sane or sober, at least... Come on, you can do better.'[/b][/i]
The young man, just barely out of his gempukku, frowned as he thought longer on the question. 'To protect people, then. To do what they can't and look after their spiritual well-being...'[/b][/i]
'Now you're just regurgitating that namby-pamby swill the Isawa are crammin' down yer throat, boy!'[/b][/i] The older man growled in irritation. 'They may be good at teaching magic, but they don't know a hill o' beans about dealing with the other 97% of the Empire. Come on, boy; think OUTSIDE the box! Improvisation, thinking from the gut, has saved thousands of lives in battle that the best plans from the best schools would have wasted because that's they way they've always done things.'[/b][/i]
Sho looked down at the tile floor of the courtyard as he thought about it, when an idea came to mind. He nearly squashed it out of hand because it was presumptuous, but he decided to try it. 'Because they know the measure of our souls and they are trusting that we won't misuse it? Because they know that the world would be far more chaotic if EVERYONE could bend the kami to their will, so its our job to set an example?'[/b][/i]
His grandfather was actually rendered speechless for a few moments before he finally gave his grandson the highest gesture of respect that he'd given to date...
He politely applauded.
~*~
The Void Master's reminscing ended as he stumbled into the clearing. The lacquer on his armor was scratched from some unseen thorn bushes, mud, dust and detritus covered his armor from where he'd had to climb down a sheer cliff face - he was taking his taboos very seriously; Mitsouko was counting on him, his hora coat was 'bloody' from the ectoplasmic goo that a flock of Nue that decided that Shodai would do as a nice snack until he finally wounded them enough to make them seek a meal elsewhere and he was sweating profusely from the weight he'd been carrying.
'I've been relying too heavily on my magic as of late...' Shodai thought grimly to himself. 'Ojiisama would rap my knuckles with his cane if he could see me now and scold me for forgetting his lessons. I'll have to work on that when I get back to Ningen-do...'
Then he looked across to see Mitsouko with his own eyes... And all his fatigue and exhaustion seemed to evaporate. Their culturally-mandated one month seperation prior to their wedding had been stretched to almost half a year, thanks to the actions of the traitor Kaneka.
Far too long, but his duty to his Clan had left him unable to find a way to see her or talk to her... Aside from the letters and occasional telepathic talk, that is. But having to listen to the reports of the fighting at Toshi Ranbo, knowing that Mitsouko was on the front lines while he was ensconced in Kyuden Isawa had been a torture greater than anything Emma-O could have decreed as a punishment for bad kharma.
A genuine smile crossed Shodai's face, but it quickly faded into a more serious expression as he pulled Mitsouko's saya from his obi and sheathed Nushi Gashinshoutan. He bowed to her, lower than was required of him as a show of his respect for her, and he held out her beloved katana in his hands. "I apologize for the lateness of my arrival, Mitsouko-dono... I hope you can find it in your heart to grant me some small measure of forgiveness."[/b] His voice filled with remorseful seriousness as opposed to his normally light-hearted banter.
|
|
Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
|
Post by Doji Naetaru on Dec 27, 2011 7:47:42 GMT -5
Raiden and Izanagi proceeded over to the meeting point. It was a cozy place, somehow spartan enough due to the meeting's nature. In the air lingered a small trace of cardamom mixed with the casual sea brine smell. At the meeting presided a handful of representatives from the Daidoji Trading Council as well as merchant princes along with Doji Hikaru, the representative of the Doji daimyo. The discussion was to be held among all of those and everything would be transported over to the Crane lords.
As Raiden and Izanagi entered the room the guard gallantly hit his staff on the ground and procaimed
"My lords here enters Yoritomo Raiden, daimyo of the Yoritomo, commander of the Mantis fleet."
The people present offered a courteous bow as Daidoji Sogetsu stepped in front offering his welcome. "Welcome esteemed Yoritomo Raiden-sama, we're honored that you accepted to me with us, to find a fine consolation for both of our Clans." he gave the man time to respond and then he carried on.
Daidoji Sogetsu was a middle-aged man with long white hair tied in a revered samurai topknot, however leaving the sideburns adorn his small cheeks rather stylishly. He was wearing a uniquely stylish kimono which didn't match with his gruff and direct demeanor. His voice loud and heavy, a possible characteristic handed down by his Crab relatives.
"We have all been troubled by the conflict that ensued between our Clans, sadly inflicting grief among our families as well. However, everything is understandable between families of warriors as well as the duty to one's lord. The Council assures you Yoritomo-sama, that bears the greatest of understanding regarding the present situation and the grand-scale war that ravages our magnificent Empire." he seemed serious enough.
"And thus, after the recent turn of events regarding both the Mantis front and the sudden appearance of an otherworldly demon, we trust that we must reconcile and come to a fine agreement." he motioned over to the Doji magistrate.
"The Council of the Daidoji wishes to maintain its trade routes, future and current with the Clan of the Mantis. The Mantis will be given the right to maintain their monopolies inside their territories while they must cede that right inside the Crane lands. The trade rates are to remain the same while a fine tax allowance is to be granted to the families involved in the ravaging war of the Seawatch Castle." nodding over to the magistrate.
Doji Hikaru once more inhaled stressful enough and said:
"The Doji daimyo wishes to offer his condolences, in the hope that both of our Clans come to an amiable agreement. Thus he wishes to offer the Clan of the Mantis an invitation for 2 of their prodigious members accompanied by their first line relatives as emissaries in the court of Kyuden Doji. What's more, he wishes that mutual respect be held among the transportation of the Kakita daimyo back to the Crane in order to be restored to her duties. Her assigned shireikan Kakita Hitoshi (duh!) is to honor her return as a token of modesty to the Clan of the Mantis. In turn, the Doji daimyo will be willing and honored to lobby for the honorable Yoritomo Kajiko in the favor of the Rightful Emperor Hantei Naseru-dono."
Back to the council Kakita Hirao, the widow stateswoman, was watching the whole happening. Wondering what will become next..
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 27, 2011 16:33:10 GMT -5
Mitsouko bowed in equal measure, because not only he was the Voice of the Phoenix Council but her betrothed had made his way through unimaginable oddities to be there. Her contralto voice was low and serious: I am glad you are here, Shodai-sama. Then she turned to Kitsune Daichi. This is the Kitsune daimyo, Daichi-sama, another noble soul I found in the opposite side of this war. Our rivalries are tiny when what is really important must be made; so I can see Phoenix and Mantis will not have problem with working together... I truly rely in the wisdom of both But her habitual humor showed up for the first time: And then, look, Shodai-sama... our common activities always involves onis, right?
|
|
Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
|
Post by Kitsune Poxo on Dec 27, 2011 17:32:58 GMT -5
"Nice meeting you, Agasha-sama" Daichi started giving a bow. "Wish it could have been better circumstances, but it seems everyone I am meeting these days are under not so ideal times. Have you come to tear her away so soon? You seem to have caught up at such a bad time as I was about to aid her with a purification ritual. I'll leave my other questions for another time."
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Dec 27, 2011 22:12:12 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai finally permitted his own humor to return as Mitsouko's words made it obvious that she wasn't going to say anything about his delays in front of the Kitsune Daimyo. "That does seem to be becoming a trend, isn't it? We'll have to expand that list... When time permits, of course."[/b] He said with a smile as he reverently handed over her katana to her.
The Void Master turned to Daichi, returning the bow. "A pleasure, Kitsune-sama, and I agree I would enjoy it more in a better situation. But to answer your question, no; I'm not here to take her out of the hands of the Mantis... Not unless the negotations between the Crane and the commander of your war fleet collapse beyond any hope of repair, that is. Your Clan captured her fair and square and - despite my recommendations - the commander of the Crane shugenja successfully argued to let the negotiations proceed that I was forced to conceed the point. That does not mean, however, that I willing to sit idly by while my future wife is faced by the worst trial of the soul that she has ever endured."
"As to why I'm here - in addition being here for Mitsouko and returning Nushi Gashinshoutan to it's proper owner - when I got the Kakita Daimyo's letter at Seawatch Castle..."[/b] He glanced to Mitsouko, a joyful gleam in his eyes. "And she mentioned Chikushudo, I greatly suspected that you intended to attempt to remove the curse the traitor Alesha placed on her. Chikushudo and Yume-do, being the two spirit worlds furthest from Jigoku - metaphysically speaking, are the best places to interfere with the Oni's connection to the potential host."[/b]
He smiled. "And it was successful, I am pleased to report. Disoriented by Mitsouko's departure from Ningen-do, the Asahina successfully destroyed the oni's initial body, but as long as the curse mark remains on the Kakita Daimyo, it will be able to resurrect itself if it's spirit can find it's way to Mitsouko again. As I have never heard of any stories involving you facing an Oni, Kitsune-sama, I felt it important to seek the aid of a panda spirit I have worked with in the past to come here to ensure Mitsouko's recovery."
"I have accepted some very stringent taboos in order to do so, however, that limit my magic. In the event the oni is able to reconstitute it's body here before we can sever the connection, I fear you will be the only one that can use offensive magic. I accepted the onus of being limited to defending and dispelling the oni; as much out of reverence to this realm as a concern that my magics would wreak more devastation than the monster could. I know that thanks to the war, Chikushudo is already suffering and I would prefer not to exaserbate the situation."[/b]
Agasha Shodai turned back to Kakita Mitsouko. "Mitsouko, do you remember how when we faced Isshin in that cave, he had that big black mark on his chest that I removed?"[/b] He touched his thumbs and index fingers together to form a circle above his sternum in the middle of his chest that was roughly the same size, shape and location as the one she would have seen on Isshin. "That is what is known as an Oni Mark. It creates a connection to Jigoku that the essence of the conjured Oni can travel to enter the world of life."
"Have you seen any such marks on yourself; maybe something you thought was a bruise or a bit of mud you couldn't wash away? It will be much smaller since it you have been fighting the monster's dominion; probably no bigger than a koku."[/b] He made a circle with the thumb and index of a single hand. "The Mark is an Oni's greatest weakness, which is why they will hide the one whose name they are attempting to steal until they are successful. If we can dispel it, this nightmare will be over."[/b]
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 28, 2011 9:29:08 GMT -5
Mitsouko seemed thoughtful for a moment, then spoke. Uhn, well, when the Mantis provided me a bath I found something, yes. There's something itchy and discoloured circle forming... near my left breast, over my heart. Is where it is.
|
|
Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
|
Post by Kitsune Poxo on Dec 28, 2011 11:17:36 GMT -5
"It does not surprise me you have not heard stories of me. I was a different man then and I do not boast my tales of my pilgrimages. Now one must admit that killing the body of an oni and removing taint from a host is two different things. I was moving that a purification ritual was in order, as well as some jade petal tea. From my studies it seems taint tends to be rather permanent even if the host can recover their name."
Turning to Mitsouko, Daichi continued. "It appears the mark is there. It's your move."
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 28, 2011 11:28:24 GMT -5
I am ready to whatever is needed, Daichi-san. What am I supposed to do? Clearing it by digging up with the tip of my sword? Please guide me. Was Mitsouko's answer. She wasn't kidding, of course. But she had impression it can be treated in a more metaphysical way. If not, she would use the sword and finish this matter right now.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Dec 28, 2011 14:23:50 GMT -5
"You are correct that the Taint of Jigoku can never permanently be removed once it finds a foothold in a mortal soul - not during a living incarnation. However, in Mitsouko's case, since she did not willingly accept the curse mark and has been fighting its influence, there should be no lasting taint on her soul... As long as we remove the mark before the oni grows too powerful, at least. The purification and jade petal tea would slow it's corruption, but not eliminate the connection."[/b] Agasha Shodai explained to Daichi before turning back to Mitsouko.
"The Mark is a type of curse magic, Mitsouko; no physical injury - short of a funeral pyre - can sever it. Either the original caster must reverse the spell - unlikely - or someone with greater power than the caster must dispel it; just as I did for Isshin. If not for the fact that he'd been tainted beyond saving and had gone completely insane from the ordeal, he COULD have made a full recovery."[/b]
There was one small caveat that would probably distress Mitsouko, but it was the only way this would work... "But just as I had to touch the mark to be able to remove it from Isshin, I'd have to do the same for you, Mitsouko."[/b] Shodai's cheeks colored slightly at the suggestion, even though once they were married such intimate contact was acceptable.
|
|