Madness (closed rp)

[Bayushi Senshi]

(ooc: the prelude more or less wrapped up, I thought I'd start the shenanigans. Most everyone knows who is supposed to be here, if you are unsure or would like entry, please feel free to ask those of us involved.)

Sunset near the plains. And just enough red in the sky to make this pretty. Senshi, with a detachment of actors posing as courtiers and enough guards for them to be believable, sat upon the Utaku steed Riku. The black war horse shifted impatiently, but maintained his trademark serenity.

An actor stepped up to him, but did not bow, "Dono, we are clear from their camp, but with the unknown powers of Shoju's magic we are expecting that we can be watched. A Yogo amongst us has assured that we will not be heard with a protective ward. With your blessing we will proceed as in character as we need to be."

Senshi, understanding the actor, stepped off his horse and bowed low, giving his affirmation. The Shosuro, bowed slightly, playing the role of chief courtier on this mission. "Set up like we are breaking for dinner, I have someone I need to contact."

The actor ran off and started barking out orders to prepare a meal, and to give the guards time to check the area. Senshi pulled a crystal no larger then a teacup from his saddle bags. As promised, it was unharmed. "I hope you're ready, Shodai." And then he crushed the crystal in his hand.

[Shoju]

Shoju had spent the day meditating. His mind was troubled, and he was searching answers. He had focused on the immediate and most pressing matters. meeting with the courtier coming to their aid. Meeting with the Ox to discuss the Snake Lands, Meeting with the Phoenix, and potentially the Master of the Void to ensure they wouldn't attack. Many lives depended on the ability for Tamihei Shoju to find a way to ensure these lands were given back to the clan they belonged to. The Snake Clan, and the peasants charged to them by the Tortoise depended on it. Tenshi depended on it. Bonfei, Unong, The Handmaidens, the Guards, they all depended on it.

So Shoju sat, and meditated, hoping to clear his head, and gain perspective. In the back of his mind, he took moments to check on Tenshi. Shoju had sat motionless for the majority of the day. A feat few could duplicate, a feat that mesmerized even the animals of the area. In a tree, A Squirrel sat, watching, waiting for the man to move. Further up the outcropping, a cougar paced, wondering if the human was a statue, or dinner. Birds landed, and inspected the man before flying off.

As the afternoon gave way to evening, Shoju opened his eyes, drew his No-Dachi, and began practicing a simple Kata, augmented by offensive spells, The kata was beautiful to watch.

[Zeure]

[OOC] From here: Clicky! [/OOC]

Along the road, came a man dressed in a simple tan kimono and black hakama. He was wearing a straw traveling cloak and a wide brimmed straw hat. None of the clothes were outstanding in any way and, in fact, looked quite frayed.

The shugenja, Yun was traveling towards Ryoko Owari Toshi from the Snake encampment on the outskirts of the Dragon Heart Plain. Having seen the group of scorpion, he had landed further along the road so that he could walk by them unassumingly and nonchalantly listen to tidbits of their conversation.

Seeing them break for dinner and Yun having not yet eaten himself, he thought he might try and grab a bite on his way, if they were welcoming to the idea.

A simple ronin was well within sight of the scorpion and stopped to look at their encampment.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Most of the scorpion outwardly tried to ignore the intruder on their privacy. They were clearly here for clandestine means, the meeting with the snake most likely. Two men did not ignore him however, two very heavily armed and armored guards eyed him, as if daring the lower class whelp to come closer.

One of them even mocked him openly, "Hungry, wave man?"

[Zeure]

"Yes, but I have my own food and I can tell when I'm not wanted. I was mostly curious about why a half a dozen scorpion courtiers are traveling this far out from Scorpion lands during a war. But, again, I'll just keep moving along."

Yun turned his attention back towards the road and began walking again. If unmolested, Yun would just keep walking along the road until he passed out of sight.

[Bayushi Senshi]

The chatty guard laughed as the ronin carried on, oblivious to the powers the man hid.

[Zeure]

After allowing enough distance to elapse between the scorpion party and himself, Yun would sit down for a moment on the side of the road. It was now almost completely dark and he was sure they would be engrossed in their meal or just finishing up by this time. Yun pulled out an air scroll from his pack and spoke the appropriate prayers to contact someone across the Kami's breath.

"Shoju-sama. I'm now at the edge of the plains, on my way towards Scorpion lands. I've sighted a party seemingly moving in your direction. They are a group of Scorpion courtiers. There are a few guards with them and they looked to be setting down for the night at least for dinner, if not to camp it out entirely. I will continue on my journey."

The presence would linger long enough for Shoju to respond.

Yun then resumed his flight towards Owari; staying low for a bit longer to make sure he was far enough away and then zipping back up into the clouds. He would spin horizontally in place a few times. Flight was really really relaxing to Yun, he has found very few things that can compare with this.

[OOC] Follow here: Clicky! [/OOC]

[Shoju]

Shoju stood tall, and stopped his kata. He listened to the report from Yun. Thank you Yun-san. Travel well.

Shoju lept off the outcropping where he had been meditating, and landed on the ground, moving faster than a walking pace, but not nearly a run. When he reached the camp, he nodded to Bonfei and proceeded to his tent. Bonfei followed him in.

Yun informed me of a group of Scoprion Courtiers on the edge of the plains. I would like you to personally see to greeting them. Shoju's face bore a weighty expression.

Bonfei bowed deep. It would be an honor Shoju-sama. Bonfei stood tall. He was an impressively built man. Shoju had always wondered what had brought him to the Spider in the first place. He was a handsome man, older than Shoju had been at the time of his death, but handsome still. He would have made for a fantastic courtier, or a charismatic leader.

Bonfei smiled at Shoju. Soon, Shoju-sama, we will be settling into your ancestral lands.

Shoju smiled back Our ancestral Lands Bonfei-san. You are no less of a Snake Clan Samurai than I.

Bonfei bowed low, and exited. He stopped by his tent, and grabbed a small bag, and mounted his horse, and began moving.

A short time later, Bonfei had found the camp of the Scorpion courtiers, and dismounted from the horse. He approached the guards, and bowed low. Greetings Scorpion-san. I am Tamihei Bonfei. I believe that you have been sent to the plains to aid our cause.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi noticed the new arrival, and overheard mention of the name Tamihei. He did what he could to stay out of sight, using Riku for cover while his guards conversed with the man. Senshi looked at the shattered crystal shards in his hand and on the floor, Damn you, Shodai, hurry up. I know you said you'd take your time, but I'm running out of it.

Bayushi Odamistu, a mountain of a man amongst more nimble Bayushi Bushi, looked at the newcomer. "Bonfei san, yes. I admit that we were not expecting to see you so soon." He and the other guard made no move other then a bow of their heads. The camp behind them seemed to be carrying on and enjoying a long relaxing meal.

[Shoju]

Bonfei nodded, and smiled A scout of ours saw you coming into the plains, and relayed the information to us. I am the Hatamoto of Tamihei, and Shoju-sama felt it best for me to greet you. I assume he would have come himself, but his lady's condition is more delicate than we expected. I apologize that Shoju-sama could not be here in person.

Bonfei stood patiently, eyeing the Bayushi Bushi built like a crab.

[Bayushi Senshi]

The guard, Odamitsu, stood and looked every bit uncomfortable about the situation as a whole. As if worried that the man before him were a huge threat, and he was foolishly leaving his guard down. "Thats perfectly understandable, Tamihei sama." He offered the man courtesy befitting his rank in the family. "The ronin then? We would have noticed any others eying us from the plains."

[Shoju]

Ronin? Bonfei looked slightly befuddled. I don't know if I would call him a Ronin, but I guess that's a matter of perspective as my Lord would say. No, Yun -san was called to return to the Clan at the request of Unong, Shoju-sama's Karo. Bonfei lied. He wasn't sure why Yun had left, but that seemed a reasonable enough reason. Honestly, Yun-san has a flair for the extravagant points of being blessed by the Air Kami, and I would wager that unless you were looking to the skies, you might have missed him.

Bonfei stood stall, arms crossed behind his back. We were told that a courtier would be coming to aid us in the upcoming negotiations with the Ox Clan, I trust that everything is still going according to plan?

[Bayushi Senshi]

Odammitsu clicked his heels and stood taller, as if answering to a supperior, "Hai, sama. Bayushi sama is looking forward to meeting Shoju." Odamitsu was glad to have a mask, it made hiding his smug grin far more easier. Half truths and lying by using situations you are familiar with (in this case a military setting) were excellent tools to use.

[Shoju]

Bonfei's expression never changed. I am surprised to hear that to be honest. My Lord fears his feud with the Master of Secrets has driven his former clan into a burning hatred at the very thought of his continued existence. Bonfei looked at the sky. My Lord tries every day to attone for the suffering he caused the empire in the name of his former master. I think sometimes, he wishes that his first death, the death in the shrine, would have been his only death. Bonfei looked back at the Scorpion. I for one, am saddened at his treatment, and that he was denied the chance to attone for his sins, but am eternally grateful that he lives. Without him, I might never have found an honorable path again.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Odamitsu nodded, "Ah, of course. Senshi chan has little real power anymore, you need not worry about the scorpion." A bold lie, but delivered well enough he thought. He'd have to remember to tell Chiyuki about this little adventure when it was all done. And it was fun knocking the champion down a peg, even if it was a lie.