Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Nov 21, 2011 5:46:15 GMT -5
Doji Naetaru sighed, looking over to the folding master of his family Doji Rengai he smiled at her.
"Rengai-san, I admit that the origami folding technique can always prove tiring, even to those that admit their mastery over it."
Doji Rengai smiled, for she was accustomed to hearing of such words. People won't push to their limits and they won't keep on trying, finding inside their minds the perfect command to be given to the hands, to fold the paper in the proper way. And the daimyo was no exception, for even to the most trained of courtiers, the origami artisan was a master. Rengai was a youthful lady, daughter to one of the most prestigious artisans of Shizuka Toshi. She had onyx black hair, worn in a short haircut, a dandelion ornament hanging elegantly over her left side of the forehead. Her blue kimono, simple but fine. Naetaru was happy to have employed her services, as he had decided to be her patron among some other artisans. Doji Naetaru needed to reward and sponsor those talented individuals and on certain times employ them for a couple of ...missives.
"Rengai-san, I cannot thank you enough for your great service you had provided me. It was an honor to me and my family to have proceeded to such extents."
She smiled and nodded saying: "Is Doji-sama satisfied enough? For I wish more than anything for a chance to speak with lady Kakita again.."
He nodded. "You won't need to risk your honor again fine Rengai-san." smiling, "I merely wish that you offer me the fine service of your perfect technique".
He took a small teal parchment, with the fragrance of the orange blossoms and showed it to her.
"Could you please offer this to the skies?"
Rengai gasped "For her sama?"
"Hai Rengai-san" he replied.
She understood and took the letter reverently. If she was willing to risk her honor for her daimyo, she could do something more than that.
Later that night Doji Rengai had visited the gardens. She couldn't get some more sleep and she wished to be alone, with her thoughts and her duty. She took the parchment out and she read it. Dutiful or not, her curiosity would be sated.
"He's in love with her." she said and she managed a grin. Right then she put the paper over the cobblestone, she cleaned the area and began unfolding her talent...
Side over side, turning the fragrant paper folded in one side, the word "sentiment" bending over the word "duty", and a line devoted to "beauty" getting turned inside only to protrude from the wings that she was forming. The teal paper proving more than ideal for this masterwork. Moments later it was ready, Rengai looked at it and smiled. It was a small paper crane eager to fly...fly off to its recipient carrying the following message:
"Over the passing days I barely hear whispers... of your news, and my heart burns inside as of to where you are. May the rivers run dry, but the concern for you never wanes, for it is my duty, to carry over the sentiment...in my soul...may lady...the perfect beauty."
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Nov 21, 2011 17:12:59 GMT -5
With a heart filled with hope Rengai sighed and was preparing to return to her chambers, when a chill crossed her spine. The feeling of romantic sympathy was swept when she looked at the moon, and the sudden cold breeze blew with expressive force, whistling and rolling leaves in the garden. Her hand rushed to her beaded bracelet, with prayers from Seido Jurojin. The sense of supernatural paralyzed the Doji Artisan for a moment, then her eyes caught a glimpse of a displaced thing rolling with the wind and leaves… the teal origami. How…? She whispered to herself, as the paper bird touched her geta and stuck in the heeled sandal, as a pebble brought by the ocean. The cold and weird breeze stopped as suddenly as it started, and the Doji woman kneeled to take the folded paper brought back with the winter blackened leaves. As Rengai examined it her heart raced, the blood in her face ran away: The beautiful letter her daimyo had written with such care and love, was stained with blood! Oh Benten don’t make it happen! A realization of a tragedy was clear enough for her. No matter what others thought; she knew the perfection of her art and that the paper bird had reached Lady Kakita wherever she was. Lord Naetaru must know of it! She mumbled, hurrying towards her Lord’s presence. Even in the late of the night, and impropriety of the situation, Rengai must tell him.
….
…by the side of Tangu River he stands…
Tomoko was dedicating herself to read to an insomniac Doji Naetaru the early tanka of Lady Kakita, when the then young officer dedicated her time to poetry and duties under the orders of Daidoji Ryo. It was well known that Mitsouko had lost most of her interest for poetry after her ascension to her current position, the same way she declared to not see any beauty in war anymore.
By her side Kakita Jojue, a venerable old lady and a skilled samisen player. Noticing a different and distracted expression in his face, Tomoko stopped reading, worried. Her beautiful face frowned for an instant, thinking in what else do to make him happy. She liked her lady's poetries, but maybe they are too rough and impetuous for the taste of a Doji.
Tired, milord?
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Nov 21, 2011 17:50:29 GMT -5
Naetaru motioned almost in exhaustion. "No no, please my lady, do carry on. It must be the night's heavy caress. Please, don't let me tally you." He lied. H was thinking of the events that unfolded before his eyes for those last weeks. It is as if his wife's death had triggered a series of unlucky events, a thing that the Doji lord wished to avert especially right at the moment before Winter Court. However would his serene moments be dispelled and would uncertainty rear its ugly head once again...
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Nov 22, 2011 3:32:19 GMT -5
She nodded, resuming the reading:
“Everlasting w...â€
A servant knelt by the opaque sliding door outer side and scratched it, catching attention; exchanging glances Tomoko certified to have the daimyo's permission to check it. Jojue raised and went to the door, after few minutes returned, whispering in the ear of the youngest Kakita. Tomoko widened her expressive blue eyes, with a deep breath of true concern.
Then she left the book aside, raising and gracefully approaching to Doji Naetaru:
Doji-tono,there is a person, Doji Rengai, that insists in seeing you, interrupting your rest. Both your yojimbo and Jojue said her to return by the morning, but the woman says it can’t wait… She swears it’s of utmost important regarding… Lady Kakita… and she will only tell it to you, milord.
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Nov 22, 2011 3:53:16 GMT -5
Naetaru quickly got alarmed, however he didn't wish to display any distress. Komoko mentioned two names, "Rengai" and "Lady Kakita". Any further reactions could be associated with those two names and thus new rumours would spread. Naetaru decided against it.
"Please let her in. I wish to see her. My gratitude for your help Komoko-san."
A moments later, Naetaru was ready to meet with Rengai. The artisan was bound to have a reply to his affectionate letter...
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Nov 22, 2011 4:11:31 GMT -5
Minutes later Doji Rengai was inside the chamber, trembling like a bamboo. After humbly kneeling and touching her forehead in the floor mats, by interrupting Naetaru’s rest, she finally spoke: Doji-dono, forgive me… I wouldn’t bother you tonight if it wasn’t important. It… returned from Lady Kakita. I fear for her destiny, milord... She showed her daimyo the once teal origami, now stained by blood, in her cupped hands…
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Nov 22, 2011 4:33:24 GMT -5
Naetaru remembered that Tomoko was inside the room, they weren't alone. However he couldn't suppress the shock that had overcome him. To him Mitsouko was a fine warrior, a woman who could manage herself around a combat. She was a hero of war, she was a fine duelist. She was never defeated openly in combat and now all that he managed to witness is blood on the origami addressed to her...
He looked down on the tatami floor and composed himself. Then he turned his gaze up and said.
"Rengai-san, you have my gratitude. Please forgive me for scarring your fine soul, but no one was ever up to such crude a surprise. You are to be transferred to the master artisan quarters, as a token of respect to the services to your daimyo."
His offer had a double-deal in this. Rengai would be secluded until Mitsouko was to be rescued. Naetaru had noticed that the fine artisan was a noble, elegant soul and thus he wished to protect both her and his "secret".
Turning over to Komoko.
"Komoko-san, I am afraid that there is trouble ahead. I need you to carry over a message to the following individuals in Kyuden Doji. Tonight. I will send forth a servant in order to wake them up in advance, a thing I regret but completely necessary..."
He kept a serious, grim visage merely wishing to be in time to save his friend.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Nov 22, 2011 4:52:44 GMT -5
Rengai bowed in true gratitude, she was a discreet and loyal woman and the secret would be a secret until her daimyo’s wishes otherwise. Hai Doji-dono. I am very glad with your generosity, beyond my words currently.
She left while Tomoko expressed her concern with the destiny of her own daimyo. Hai, Naetaru-tono, certainly I’ll do it. But please,if you think I am worthy of knowing…Is my Lady… alive?
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Nov 22, 2011 4:56:06 GMT -5
Naetaru was sincere.
"I hope so Komoko-san, please make haste. The fate of your lady lies in your hands."
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Nov 22, 2011 7:06:32 GMT -5
Moments later, Naetaru was in the room of incense. He strolled patiently waiting for the arrival of the people summoned. He looked over to Hinto nervously, sharing a couple of jokes before resuming back to his idle stroll. He looked in the spacious chamber, it was one adorned with wood with the scent of incense strong and apparent. It was rather warm, the pillows and desks were removed. Only a number of tea tables that were taken to the side. The sense of urgency was apparent...
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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 7:18:41 GMT -5
The village was burning.
All around him the tiny hamlet was engulfed in flames. The few surviving peasants ran screaming for their lives while their kin lay in bloody heaps on the ground, each corpse having a hole in it's chest where it's heart once was. The maho tensai and his followers had far more power than the Phoenix magistrate had told them, and the small group of shugenja and yojimbo that had been dispatched to deal with this "annoyance" were hard pressed to fight off the living corpses and maho acolytes under the tensai's sway.
Sojiro stood beside Agasha Reina, a young prodigy of the Phoenix clan. She was using all four elements to fight back the tide of undead, and Sojiro was her assigned Yojimbo for this mission - an oath he had taken to her on the day they were betrothed. The lovers worked together as one unit, Reina using her magic to break up large knots of foes and drive them out into the open, and Sojiro using his swords to cut down anything that got too close with brutal efficiency. They were actually starting to make headway with the other shugenja/yojimbo groups - the maho tsukai was running out of corpses to reanimate.
Suddenly, a hellish roar erupted from one of the burning huts and it exploded outward, revealing the master bloodspeaker and his greatest weapon; an oni black as night itself, with smoldering pockets in it's skin and sparking embers for eyes. It immediately hurled itself at the group, while the bloodspeaker cackled maniacally and unleashed yet another gout of flame. Reina was undaunted - she called forth a half sphere of water to shield herself and Sojiro, and while he rushed forward to attack she retaliated with a blast of her own golden flame. The bloodspeaker caught the fire in his hand and hurled it back at her, but Sojiro managed to slip in undetected and open his belly up to the outside world. He screamed in a shrill, piercing voice and toppled to the ground.
And the oni answered his scream with laughter.
Scattering the assembled yojimbo like grains of rice, it began to systematically grab and rip apart the shugenja, one by one, starting with their legs, then their arms, and finally crushing their screaming heads like fleshy grapes in it's char-blackened hands. They all hurled spells, including Reina, but all they succeeded in doing was causing dribbles and rivulets of liquid flame to run down it's body.
Sojiro didn't know what to do. Soon there were only three shugenja, then two... and then only Reina and he remained. Desperation dredged up a memory from the recesses of his mind, and he began scanning the ground frantically for the weapon he had been told would pierce oni flesh. As Reina's voice changed from a battle spell to a scream of agony, he found it - a katana made of pure, flawless crystal hat one of the yojimbo kept on him at all times. He scooped it up, turned, and charged the monster. He managed to be fast enough to merely be grazed by it's strike at his head - something that had made it drop Reina - before Sojiro plunged the glittering shard of crystal through it's chest.
The oni roared in rage and pain. Reina, bleeding from the mouth after the oni had tried to crush her ribs, shouted something to him and then fell to the ground. Sojiro didn't know what it was she said because he couldn't hear her over the oni's roar, but a second later, as he saw the oni's skin change from black to red to white, he got the idea. He ripped the katana free and ran - or at least that was his intention. Instead, he stumbled backwards over a dismembered torso that used to be a Phoenix shugenja as the oni exploded.
He remembered looking up at the stars, then realizing where he was and getting up to find Reina. Pain wracked his chest, and he looked down at himself to see that his Haori had been burnt away, along with a portion of the skin on his chest. Reina staggered over to him with tears in her eyes.
And then, impossibly, the Bloodspeaker crawled forward, still wrapped in his own entrails, and uttered a curse. As the last word left his mouth the life in his eyes left with it, and a dark orb of energy hurtled towards Reina and struck her in the throat. She gurgled horribly as the energy ate its way through her throat and voice box like some kind of acid, fell to her knees, and looked up Sojiro with pleading, teary eyes. Then she collapsed, her hands clutching desperately at the blackened hole in her throat, and died in Sojiro's arms - along with his whole world.
Sojiro awoke with a start, instinctively grabbing the tanto he kept under his pillow when he slept and turning to kill the intruding... sound...of knocking... at his chamber door... in Kyuden Doji.
Slowly, the nightmare faded away and memories of the night replaced them. Hazy memories. Memories of himself and Saiko drinking entirely too much saki while swapping stories amongst themselves of their childhoods, their families, and their battles.
I have to stop drinking so much saki before I sleep, he thought, or maybe I need to drink MORE saki before I sleep.
He sheathed the tanto as the knocking at his chamber became more insistent. Rubbing bleary eyes - he couldn't tell if he was hung over, still drunk, or both - he told the person on the other side to enter. A small servant woman entered and delivered Naetaru's message, disappearing as quickly as she had come.
Naetaru-sama wishes to see me? What is this all about?
He groaned, rolled to his feet, waited for the world to stop spinning, and grabbed his kimono and obi. He got dressed, ran his fingers through his hair to straighten it. Scowling as the white streak came into view and brought the memories of the dream rushing back full force, he reached into an inside pocket of his discarded haori and pulled out a small bamboo pipe filled with a brownish-white substance and a small tinder box. inserting a finger into the pipe to make sure the opium was packed correctly, he lit it and took a puff.
He was needing the opium more and more lately to keep the nightmares at bay. Never in large quantities, but frequently enough to worry him. He tied his daisho on, found his waraji, and took one last hit of the opium to drive away a particularly disturbing image from the dream before putting the pipe out and heading off to meet Naetaru.
The last thing he remembered seeing before waking up was a face laughing at him mockingly. It was Alesha's face, attached to the body of the dead maho-tsukai - and while the nightmares had haunted him for a long time, Seeing that was certainly not normal.
Has to be the saki Saiko gave me. When will I learn not to drink alcohol he hands me while smiling?
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Saiko
Spider Clan
Here we stand, at the end of all things...
Posts: 355
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Post by Saiko on Nov 22, 2011 9:57:59 GMT -5
A great mountainscape sprawled out before him; the fresh air filled him with energy and focus. Atop his perch, the entire lands of the Dragon were visible to him, and beyond the distant peaks of their borders the Dragon Heart Plains stretched out, ominously silent. This brought a slight frown to his face; no matter. It would have to wait. He turned his gaze towards the war, saw Dragon dying on the walls of Swift Sword; farther south to see celebrations in the capital; and as his gaze fell upon the lands of the Crane, there was a crash of thunder, and an inky blackness flooded his vision...
"Mirumoto-sama?"
Saiko opened his eyes from his meditation; he sat barechested on the floor, legs crossed, scarred and tattooed torso covered in a sheen of sweat, and he realized the voice was the Crane herald assigned to his wellbeing.
"What is it, Kakita-san?", he said with a bit more edge than perhaps he intended. The sake had only granted him a few hours of sleep, as always, and he had awoken hours before, so he meditated as he always did.
"My apologies if I awoke you, Mirumoto-sama, but Doji Naetaru-dono has requested your presence in the incense room. He says it is an urgent matter." The courtier looked abashed, but delivered the message without hesitation. "I am to lead you there as soon as you are able to get dressed."
Saiko sighed to himself, and stood up. "Of course, Kakita-san, give me a moment to dress. And no need to apologize, I was... simply reading to pass the time," he lied. No need for rumors about the young Dragon to be circulating around the courts of Kyuden Doji. He put on his comfortable black underclothes, and secured his green kimono and his daisho with his obi and left his chamber, following the courtier through the halls.
They arrived at the chamber, and as he prepared to enter, Saiko composed himself. A Daimyo, requesting my presence. How interesting... He entered the incense room, the pungeant aromas filling Saiko's senses, and he looked to the pacing Naetaru and bowed deeply. "Doji Naetaru-dono, I hope you are well. How can I be of assistance to you at this late hour?" he inquired.
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Nov 22, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5
Kakita Hitoshi had ridden hard from Seawatch Castle to Kyuden Doji. Covered in mud, sweat, and blood he came through the gates, dropping from the saddle and throwing the reins of his horse into a nearby attendant.
Wordlessly, he walked towards one of the smaller entrances of the castle ignoring the looks from the guards. Keeping as much out of sight as possible so as not to disturb the sensibilities of his fellow residents, he made his way towards his quarters.
Under the door he found a small letter from Naetaru requesting his presence. Could it be that he has already heard the news? Hitoshi wondered. He took a few minutes to wash the worst of the mess off himself and dress in a fresh kimono and then made his way to Naetaru's chamber.
Entering, he bowed low, taking note of Sojiro and Saiko in the room. Anxiety practically radiated off him but he restrained himself and waited for the Doji daimyo to speak first.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Nov 22, 2011 14:27:56 GMT -5
Daidoji Ryo, made aware by Kakita Tomoko of Doji Naetaru’s request, wondered the reason of this calling from the Doji daimyo. He has been permitted to leave duty as Taisa in the reinforced defenses of Three Sides River because the birth of his firstborn. having arrived to the Crane capital about 12 hours ago, his presence in Kyuden Doji was fortuitous and quite distant of military concerns. He normally would share the good news and excellent health of his baby boy, with his cousin, now the Kakita daimyo, but she was in the southern fronts. They used to exchange letters, some personal and others not, but now he had a quite alarming feeling about this sudden calling.
When finally he was admitted in the Incense chamber, he realized he was with two of the Kakita boys, (from intelligence reports and personal comments of Mitsouko) and a Dragon unknown for him, and of course, the Doji daimyo. Daidoji Ryo was quite known among the Crane, by the excellence of his military service. His last heroic act was fought against the Isshin no Oni in Three Sides River, beside other heroes, Mitsouko, Toku Hirotomo and Agasha Shodai, among other names.
For the ones that never had met Ryo, he was a tall and handsome man with narrow blue eyes and white long hair, resembling some familiar traces with his cousin Mitsouko; about his thirties and with the indefectible stern glance of a Daidoji.
He bowed to the present, and deeper to Naetaru:
Doji Naetaru-sama, It's an honor. How can I be of utility for you?
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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 23, 2011 0:25:12 GMT -5
Walking the corridors to the incense room did much to wake Sojiro up, and the opium had just enough of an effect to dull the rough edges his nightmares left him with while leaving his wits intact. He was no longer in danger of stabbing any random noise that startled him.
Upon entering the room, he saw that he was not the only person called to the meeting. Saiko was there, along with a man he recognized from Mitsouko's descriptions as Daidoji Ryo, by all accounts a brave man and an excellent person to have by your side in a fight. Naetaru was also there of course, and so was Hitoshi, in a state that startled Sojiro. Taking in the mud and blood covering his sworn brother, his eyes raised and a look of alarm crossed his face. He had questions, but this was Naetaru's meeting, and Hitoshi had enough sense to go to the infirmary if his injuries were bad enough. Of course he was a Kakita boy, which meant that unless he was dead or unconscious, he would be at a meeting he was requested for.
Sojiro eyes met his brothers in a look of concern, but he kept his question to himself until Naetaru had a chance to explain what was going on.
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