Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 22, 2011 13:38:05 GMT -5
Jak was reaching around into a little pouch that he had hidden on his obi trying to find something.
"Jak know, Jak have plan."
Jak finally found what he was looking for. He pulled out a little metal pot that was stoppered shut. Jak pulled the top off and held out his hand to the ronin.
"Bring-bring your sword up. This is ink, black like monster blood. Tell them body faded away. Jak spread ink on sword and floor. Look real enough. Learn-learned from a scorpion, good trick. And samurai believe other samurai, like Jak's tribe believe Jak. They not question too much. And two others saw what they thought was oni, so you have back up."
He was waiting expectantly for the ronin to display his sword, ink pot in one hand.
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Post by Shoju2 on Nov 22, 2011 15:42:02 GMT -5
The Ronin thought the plan had merit. At least... It seemed like it did. The world was still foggy around the edges, a byproduct of being so far in the bottle of Sake. The Ronin was curious if anyone from the camp of Toturi had made it this far in tracking him. Did they even care that he was gone? Right now, he didn't care. He just needed to make this situation go away. He needed to get away from here. No good had ever happened to The Ronin when attention had been turned towards him.
So help me, if this ruins my Katana... The Ronin trailed off as he brought the katana up for the Nezumi to work.
Through the window, he could hear that the Shugenja were preparing to enter the Jasmine Dragon and Banish the Oni. He hoped this plan would work.
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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 22, 2011 17:19:50 GMT -5
Jak enhaled sharply, just once, while standing in front of the ronin and then he went to work, quickly dabbing a bit of ink here and there and wiping it so that the splatter might look a little realistic. He moved carefully enough to not nick his hand on the blade though, as it looked pretty sharp. Then he emptied the rest of the pot's contents on the floor in a few wide strokes.
"Thank you, samurai. And woman also, Jak find you later, be friend, do-do something for you if you need it."
Jak replaced the stopper and put the pot away. He pulled the quiver back off and also the bow and made ready at the window to escape after the ronin had distracted the crowd. Hopefully, no one would be looking at that window when he made his way out and into the night.
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Post by Shoju2 on Nov 25, 2011 13:45:54 GMT -5
The Ronin nodded at the Nezumi, and began to walk (stumble) out of the room. He turned back to see the nezumi looking for a way out. Wait until you hear my voice outside. Once you hear me outside, they will be busy dealing with me, and you should be able to escape easily.
The Ronin turned, and began walking back out. The Jasmine Dragon was very eerie when it was empty. The Ronin sobered a little with each step he took. The sake in his veins was a dull ache now, and kept moving. Ranita caught up to him, and slid herself under his left arm, and held herself against his form. She still wasn't sure if the beast in her room was friend or foe, but it hadn't killed her, and it had saved the man she pined for. As they reached the front door, the Ronin took a deep breath, and threw it open, almost falling into the street as he did. The ichor on the blade looked gruesome in the evening light. maybe this will work[/color] he thought to himself.
I have VANQUISHED THE ONI MENACE! the Ronin shouted into the crowd. As he did, he felt dizzy, and not even Ranita could hold him up. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.
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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 25, 2011 15:34:05 GMT -5
As the ronin spoke, Jak nodded excitably, though it was questionable to him if the ronin was aware of it. He waited until he heard the front door to the place slam open as the ronin boisterously or drunkenly made his way out. At that point he slid his bow and quiver through the window; and as he shouted about having vanquished the oni, Jak himself slipped through the holes in the window. He couldn't see the ronin from his vantage point, but he didn't see a crowd rushing in either, so he assumed all was well.
He rehung his quiver and moved stealthily along the roof. He saw that there was a line holding unlit lamps that was attached to this building and the next and decided to try and use it to cross. He could have easily jumped the gap, but stealth was the code here. As he was coming to half way across he heard a human voice yell: "STOP!!"
Jak froze in place but gingerly craned his neck around to see what was going on. At the beginning of the alleyway there was someone dressed as a guard, running his direction.
damn damn damn....
Jak remained frozen as the guard drew nearer and nearer and then passed right underneath him to go and grab someone else who Jak could not see.
Jak breathed a sigh of relief and continued to shimmy across the line and as he reached the next rooftop he pulled himself up and looked back to see what was happening in front of the building he had just been in. He saw several people going inside the building and he also saw the ronin with some people standing around him talking at him. The ronin, being face down on the pavement did not seem to bode well to Jak. He would continue to watch as the scene unfolded.
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Post by Shoju2 on Dec 2, 2011 16:16:36 GMT -5
Everything sounded like it was in a fog to the Ronin. He wasn't sure if it was the Sake, The commotion, or maybe that overgrown rat did something to him. he wasn't sure. As he started coming to, he realized that he had hit the ground, and that someone, judging by the looks, a Shugenja, had rolled him onto his back and was praying over him.
He couldn't make out the prayer, but he could see Ranita crying and screaming as the owner of the Jasmine Dragon held her back. There was no anger in his face, just fear. He searched as best he could from the ground for the oaf who was going to hurt him. he was no where in sight.
The crowd had grown around them, and the Ronin's Katana lay at his side. Another man was leaning down to pick it up, and the Ronin tried to tell him to leave it lay, but his words came out like mush. The Shugenja placed his hand above the Ronin's face, and the power of his prayer hit home.
The Ronin began to convulse, and scream. Images flashed before his eyes. He was reliving the night that his camp had been attacked by the maho tsukai, the day his father was killed, The day the Spider was unmasked in the camp of Kaneka, and tonight all at once. His body felt like it was on fire, his mind raced. He screamed himself back into unconsciousness.
The Shugenja ordered two heimin to pick him up. When they tried to carry the ronin, his body twitched, and a third was ordered to steady his midsection. They began walking down the road with him, in the direction an area that looked to be the homes of Samurai and Shugenja in the area.
As they were out of ear shot of the crowd, The shugenja placed his hand on the head of the Ronin, and and began speaking. Inside The ronin's tortured mind, he heard the words Be at peace Samurai. You are safe. The Ronin's body ceased to fight his mind, and he was still.
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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 Dec 4, 2011 3:59:33 GMT -5
Jak continued his silent creep across the rooftops of the city; following the ronin as he was half-walked/half-drug towards the section of the city reserved for samurai persons. No one else surprised him like that guard had done, so his nerves had been put to ease.
Hah, silly humans, they never look around them... Nezumi know, Nezumi look up often
He came to another edge and with a running jump, cleared the small gap between the buildings. His footing on the tile was so sure that one would think that he had grown up around it; and truth be told, he has had some experience with getting across the roofs of samurai cities.
I wonder where they are taking him...
Silently, he continued to follow.
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Post by Shoju2 on Dec 5, 2011 13:03:01 GMT -5
The ronin was grumbling, and moaning as he was carried into the house. It was easy to assume that the house belonged to the shugenja, as he just opened the door, and walked right in.
The house was two stories tall, Small for such a dwelling, but beautifully decorated. It appeared that there were multiple windows on the second floor, though they were closed, presumably due to the chill in the air this time of year so close to the mountains.
The Heimin carried him in, and placed him on the futon. The Shugenja ordered the servants around. One of the exited the home, and began moving back towards the Geisha House.
The second Heimin left the home and stood right outside the door, almost like a guard. The third, exited and began running, seemingly to catch up with the first.
Inside the home, the Shugenja began praying over the body of the Ronin again. Inside the Ronin's mind, his memories became disjointed. His mother and father in the crowd outside the geisha house, Ranita being spirited away instead of his Unicorn lover that night they were attacked. The face of the Nezumi replacing the face of the Maho Tsukai.
Then a new image entered his head. The Unicorn giving birth. The woman he had loved and spirited away, giving birth in Kyuden Miya to a baby boy. It wasn't a memory of his, but it seemed. SO. REAL.
The Ronin screamed himself awake again, and sat straight up on the Futon. The Scream would have been loud enough for the Nezumi to hear.
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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 Dec 6, 2011 14:12:10 GMT -5
It wasn't hard to follow the retinue as they marched through the city. Jak was more than capable of moving silently, one of the first things a Nezumi learns, and the roofs were close enough together that the leap was also of no consequence. As they entered a building, Jak moved around the roofs surrounding it so that he could scout the entirety of the building and look for any obviously unguarded openings. He decided that a window was probably his best option for approach and he made his way to one of the ones on the second story.
Shut, but not locked, it was easy for Jak to push open, however, it was a sight to behold what was inside. A woman, presumably the Shugenja's wife, just having take off her over kimono. The white fabric underneath was less...concealing. The sudden push open of the window had made her look up. And the grey, clawed hand that was reaching through the window made her scream.
Luckily it happened in time with the Ronin's scream. And as Jak withdrew from that particular window, the guards withdrew into the door to check on the happenings inside. Jak dropped down to the first floor and entered through the front door. Trying to remain silent and unseen.
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Post by Shoju2 on Dec 6, 2011 15:57:37 GMT -5
The ronin attempted to jump from the bed. He was truly disoriented now. He vaguely remembered the Geisha House, and Ranita, and something in the room... it was all foggy. The sake was gone from his system, or at least the effects were.
The fog in his memories was not that of the sake, it was different. It clouded these memories, and allowed him to remember other memories, and then, like large clouds on a windy day, they shifted, and obscured other memories.
He spun around the room looking for his Katana. It wasn't here. Neither was his armor. Where was here!? He turned and fixed his gaze on the Shugenja. Who are you!? The Ronin wasn't scared. He hadn't been scared since.... oh, a night... the fog... it was covering the memory now... WHERE AM I!? The woman... he sent the woman off on horseback... Or did he leave her? The fog in his memories was getting worse it seemed.
The Ronin put his palms to his eyes and rubbed. Trying to shake free the memories, or jog his mind about where he was or why... The Shugenja stared back at him calmly. Greetings Samurai-san. I am Tonbo Fuzo, and this is my home. You were involved in a commotion at the Jasmine Dragon, a Geisha House here. Do you remember what happened?
The Ronin stared back at him blankly. I don't remember... and then, he could smell it.... nezumi It triggered a thought in his mind and he remembered everything. HELP ME FIND HIM! Jak-Jak! I know you're here! What did you do to me!?
The Ronin began frantically searching the first floor of the Shugenja's home.
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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 Dec 6, 2011 16:25:31 GMT -5
This human is turning out to be a lot of trouble for poor Jak.
Jak spoke from the entranceway, still occluded by shadows that were cast as the sconses in the house were faced inward rather than towards the doorway.
"Jak is here. Jak has helped you only. Jak did nothing to you."
The hooded figure stood, waiting, but he dropped down lower into a meek looking, yet defensive pose. He was not unfamiliar with unarmed combat. The ratling form of martial arts, Mochat'chikkan.
"Jak was only trying to help the one here. Jak never meant any harm."
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Post by Shoju2 on Dec 7, 2011 12:14:57 GMT -5
The Ronin spun around and faced the Nezumi. Someone did! My memory has always been plagued, but now... The ronin rubbed at his left eye again. Now my memories are turning on themselves, and bleeding through. I don't know what is real anymore.
The Ronin's mind was flashing images of parts of his past back to him. Nothing made sense, and he felt like has was falling backwards.
The Shugenja caught him, and helped him settle into a seat. Let's settle down, and get answers then, shall we? First, The commotion in the room, I assume that was you? The Shugenja said looking at the Nezumi. I inspected the sword, and that isn't the blood of any creature from Jigoku. It will fool the untrained eye for sure, but a Shugenja will know. I have sent someone to retrieve the blade, and your posessions from the Jasmine Dragon. This time, looking down at the Ronin. You are in my care, and I am sure that the room will be left alone until I return to cleanse it. That leaves, taking care of the young lady that you scared, and finding out what evil plagues your mind.
The shugenja stood and walked towards the door, and drew it closed.
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Post by Shoju2 on Dec 9, 2011 13:49:37 GMT -5
Now that they were 'alone', Fuzo turned back around and looked at the Nezumi, and then back at the ronin. He had never been this close to a Nezumi before. It made him nervous. The only thing that kept him from striking the creature down were letters from his brother who had encountered the creatures while apprenticing with the Witch Hunters.
So, Jak you say? The shugenja walked over and poured himself a glass of Sake. What brings you to Kyuden Tonbo, and to the Jasmine Dragon? The Shugenja drank down the sake, And after you were discovered, what made you stay? The expression on Fuzo's face was one of a perplexed nature. This Ronin, I'm sorry I didn't catch your name, Fuzo looked at the ronin, for an answer.
I have no name the ronin muttered.
Right... This man obviously saw you, why stay? Why be here?
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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 Dec 9, 2011 14:05:33 GMT -5
Jak remained in his crouched position and endeavored to not make any sudden movements. He drew one hand up and placed it upon his chest, indicating he was talking about himself.
"Only came to scout. When humans war-war, Nezumi must be wary. Jak was looking at supplies and people. To understand purpose."
He had learned long ago that humans did not value possessions in the way Nezumi did and he would not say that he had come to steal the supplies if the humans could not hold them. Then, he pointed at the ronin.
"He fell down in the...Jasmine *he spoke that word slowly, trying to wrap his tongue around it* Dragon. Caused a big noise. Jak look in window. Girl scream and fall too. Jak has many good times with samurai in the yesterday. Fought many battles together. Jak wanted to help. Big man with club was going to crush-crush his head. Jak stop them."
He dropped his arm back down as he spoke, though raised it again to point at the ronin one more time as he talked about saving him from the tetsubo strike. His face was, unreadable, as Nezumi do not have facial expressions for most things. His tail was moving back and forth high above his crouched position. He had what other Nezumi called a clever tail.
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Post by Shoju2 on Dec 9, 2011 15:39:01 GMT -5
The ronin seemed to be gaining his senses a little more, his memory clearing momentarily. That sounds right, all except for the good times with me in the yesterday. You aren't the Nezumi I scouted with. Ranita-chan was singing my favorite song, and I was drinking. It's been tough the last few weeks. Fighting a war for a man I hoped to believe in... The Ronin trailed off for a moment, staring off, as if his mind had left him again. When I came to, the Nezumi was in the room, and the commotion on the streets was incredible. The ronin thought for a minute. I think at some point I threw what sake was left in my stomach up. Oh they are never letting me back in there... The ronin thought for a moment while the Shugenja looked them over.
But Jak, why would you be wary of this war? I know of no barrens that have been spotted in the Lands where this war is taking place. What do the nezumi fear from the Brother's War? The Shugenja seemed oddly curious.
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