Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
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Post by Zeure on Nov 30, 2011 12:57:38 GMT -5
[OOC] From here: Clicky! By Pseudo open, I mean that if you have a reason to be in Ryoko Owari Toshi and would like to jump in, just let me know and I'll probably be ok with it. This is Yun's arrival into the city so, that's where it's taking place.[/OOC] The sun had just starting to climb above the horizon and Ryoko Owari Toshi; the largest city in the empire lay sprawling before a simple ronin. This simple ronin, dressed in a brown kimono and black hakama with a straw cloak and a wide brimmed hat; all of it looking frayed had just passed through the main gate to the city. The gate guards didn't seem to care about a ronin entering the city, and Tamihei Yun was more than pleased to let them believe the lie that he had crafted. His straw cloak made a swishing sound while he walked as it gently shook with every step. He made several stops along the way to the governor's estate, just to keep up appearances. He bought a daifuku cake just to have something in his belly. As the only other thing he was able to eat had been rice last night. And a small rabbit, which he had used to satisfy his curse, but that was not sustenance. He ate the cake rapidly enjoying the sweetness of it. As he wandered up into the governor's estate, he took off his shoes, but kept them with him, attached to his sack so that he could leave all the quicker once his business was concluded. He approached one of the servants and asked who he should speak with about meeting with the governor. After having been told by her whom to find and getting their general location; Yun approached the court room and began looking for the city daimyo's herald.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Nov 30, 2011 13:51:11 GMT -5
The city was packed as it always was. One could never feel truly alone in Ryoko Owari Toshi. Even the lord of the territory wasn't in any sort of spectacular mansion out of the way. Instead it was bathed in the light of red lanturns from nearby buildings, but at the very least it was in a slightly quieter part of the city that acted as the housing district for the most powerful residents in the area and guarded by a wall and standing guards as appropriate.
Unfortunately to Yun's dismay he was stopped at the main door before being allowed to enter. A lightly armored guard had taken point and was acting on premeditated orders quite clearly.
He had already examined Yun before he even gotten close. Not recognizing him on sight, the guard grew less pleased at this visitor by the second. His hand held forward his eyes narrowed below his mask, showing his clear displeasure that was illustrated along with his gruff voice.
"Hold! The governor is far too busy to deal with the minor grievances of a ronin right now. "
The passing residents fluttered their fans, but paid no attention to the minor conversation going on, all seem too wrapped up in their own affairs to pay it any mind. But one individual had been watching the gate for some time now, leaning against a building opposite the street that the governor's home was on. She was wrapped in dark cloth trimmed with red silks, her cloth mask slackened and hanging around her neck, disrupted by the smoking pipe in her mouth. Her dark piercing eyes never seemed to leave the ronin as she watched the guard addressing him.
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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 30, 2011 14:40:33 GMT -5
"Ah, but you see, the governor should be expecting me. If I might just have a few words with them, then you would find your tone completely unnecessary, friend." Yun made no move to go away, nor did he reach for his weapons. His voice was calm and polite even in the face of the offense that the guard was giving. "I'm on an errand and the governor should have been given notice by my mistress, a writ was supposed to be delivered for me. My name is Zeure. You may tell that to the governor. They should know that name." He just kept smiling while talking with the guard, completely oblivious to the watcher up above.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Nov 30, 2011 18:52:08 GMT -5
He seemed to hold his ground appropriately enough. It was never the business of a mundane guardsman to know anything more than the most important individuals to allow inside. But as his name fell past his ears, his expression didn't change in the least. However his attention did.
The woman who oversaw the situation vanished from her vantage point and approached through the street with perfect grace and precision as she didn't disturb the path of anyone else.
"Seems I'm not the one you're to address here, Zeure-san." Still rumbling but stiffening up as the woman came right up to Zeure's side. He could just hear the faint tapping of the smoking pipe on her black boots as she cleared it of ash. The guard suddenly went rather rigid and gave a sizeable bow. "Shosuro Nori-sama."
The woman nodded. "That's enough Setsu." Her voice smooth as silk, but her words short lived and quick. Nori turned her head towards Zeure and nodded at him, drawing something from her garb and offering it out for him to take. Her words sank into a whisper as she angled herself no closer, the sound of it covered by the guard's shuffle back into his place.
"I will be escorting you while you are in the city, by my lady's orders. Haruka-sama will meet with you as soon as she has recovered."
The minor distraction over and the writ in front of his face now, Nori remained rather cold and determined as always. A purposeful woman as well as an elegant one.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Post by Zeure on Nov 30, 2011 20:18:42 GMT -5
Zeure turned to look at the woman as she spoke down to the guard, and as she turned to speak softly to him his smile widened a bit.
"Good, it is a pleasure to meet you, Shosuro-san. Please, direct my to my quarters. Though, I would like to get to know you better along the way."
He held out his hand as if to gesture her forward towards their destination.
As they started to walk, Zeure kept his head down so that his mouth was partially obfuscated by the hat he was wearing. It served the double purpose of making it look like he was walking with someone of higher social caste, so that onlookers would pay attention to her, and not him.
"How is the mistress of secrets? Has she finished her labor? I know that her time was drawing near for the baby to arrive. When will she be able to arrive?"
There was concern in his words. Depending on Nori's training, she might pick up on that. But he continued to look as though he was just having a pleasant conversation with his clan samurai better.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Dec 1, 2011 0:16:16 GMT -5
Nori was able to part the crowds without uttering a word, and amidst the vast droves of people who moved through the streets, nothing about them would stand out beyond their weapons. The Shosuro only gently glanced back, keeping one eye on where they were going and one eye on the shugenja.
"She's doing well. Her child should be on the way any minute now, and she will be resting after that. She insisted I let you know that the moment she has enough strength, she will come to see you personally."
Their path was a bit disjointed by all the shifting through the crowds. The buildings became tighter as they left the higher end residential district and various shops with living apartments above them lined the streets.
A few of the sake houses were bustling with business while various merchants tried flogging their wares at everyone who passed, but no one disturbed the Shosuro woman almost knowingly. Dipping down one of the alleyways the warm lights of the open streets dimmed into shadow as the sky became obscured by the walls around them. Nori lead him up the stairs above one of the geisha houses, and brought him through the hallway. The rich wooden flooring seemed a bit high quality for the area, but nonetheless Nori opened the door to one of the apartments and entered in.
The windows were covered with red silks to help obscure the view where the heavier wooden shutters weren't necessary, otherwise the abode was reasonably well off. Fresh tatami mats lined the floor, still green from being recently cut and prepared. Ornate tables were around the room, but it was largely empty, as if it was waiting for someone to move in permanently. A full sized futon bed was already laid out for him in the side room, the screen barrier between this room and the next only slightly ajar so he could see.
The only thing that really stood out of place were a few small crates that were loosely covered by spare cloth. The Shosuro stood for a moment and turned to address Zeure. Her tight fitting robes clung to her, though a draping cloth almost like a cape dripped off her shoulders, masking her folded arms as she looked at him.
"I trust you find everything to your liking? Haruka-sama was very specific about what you were to be provided with. I am also, by her request, to protect you and aid you in any way that I can."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Post by Zeure on Dec 1, 2011 0:32:33 GMT -5
It would be visible to Nori that Zeure was a little shocked by the accommodations. He had expected a small shack located on the edge of the city, but this was opulent compared to where he had been staying in any recent memory.
"Ah, yes, more than fine actually..."
He walked into the bedroom and set his sack down. He took off his hat and cloak and discarded them casually on the ground. He moved around the rooms looking at everything, touching several things to really get a feel for them. The new wooded floors felt good against his socks.
"I, uh.... I hope I don't need too much protection in the city. I've heard it's a rough place, but..."
He trailed off as he continued to look around the room still in wonderment about it all. And his eyes came to rest of the crates covered in sheets. He moved over to them and lifted up one of the sheets so he could look underneath them.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Dec 1, 2011 15:40:30 GMT -5
The Shosuro seemed a bit cold as ever, but seemed to be restraining herself. It was nigh impossible to read if she was pleased to do her duty or simply carrying it out without a single emotion attached.
"My lady suggested that the protection would not be so much for you, as for her people. She suggested to me that you would understand. But the reverse is true as well, though she did not believe you required much protection but merely someone more familiar with the area to ease the process and sort out any... complications."
The cloth lifted, showed the top of one of the boxes to have already been loosened. At a quick glance it seemed like there were great amounts of tea leaves already prepared and portioned for his use, but the smell of it stung slightly. Haruka's words pinged off his mind.
"I will supply you with as much Jade Petal tea as is required..."
The amount was significant. Enough so that this was likely an entire shipment on its own. But to have acquired it so soon and in such amount could have brought some attention on the Scorpion's part.
Anyone harboring the taint and trying to mask it by the theft of such a substance was considered to be a right criminal, though the reason for such a need was obvious. If one didn't wish to be found, they would have to smuggle it, steal it. If the Kuni Witchhunters got wind of this much of the tea missing an all out investigation could be posted. And yet there it was, and Nori didn't appear to be looking over her shoulder or worrying about anything as she remained poised as ever.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Post by Zeure on Dec 1, 2011 16:33:26 GMT -5
Zeure sighed. I bet that stuff tastes terrible...
He replaced the cloth mostly in an attempt to stifle the odor that was coming out so strongly from the crate. He walked back over to the door and looked over his shoulder at Nori as he reached down to grab his shoes.
"I find that I am mostly hungry right now, Shosuro-san. Where would be the best place to get some food that I could cook in here? If I am to have a protector, for me or others, then I would be a terrible host not to cook something for them. Which fits the double purpose of feeding myself."
He laughed, seemingly joyfully, but he was in reality trying to ascertain whether her mood was because of him or because of her duty. If she knew this room, it would be doubtful that she didn't know what was under that cloth; so it was doubtful that she didn't know that he had the taint. He waited for a response.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Dec 1, 2011 16:56:07 GMT -5
Mercifully the smell was dulled down by the heavy cloth that covered it, obviously selected to help refrain from alerting anyone else to the rather strong smelling tea. Shosuro Nori was as unmoved as ever, her expression like stone in spite of her lovely voice.
"There is enough supplies in these quarters to supply you with your basic needs. Some chicken and some fish have also been provided by my lady for your cooking pleasure, she simply asked that if you should need anything out in the open and were unable to move out in the open for any reason... I was to get it for you."
Finally, a break in her seemingly impenetrable nature. A defeated sigh escaped her as though being reduced to this sort of escort service was something of a chore when she clearly had the skill and capability of an assassin. Clearly Haruka had given no such challenge for her to satisfy her skill. But as a Shosuro she had no choice but to obey, quickly Nori steeled herself again.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Dec 1, 2011 17:24:32 GMT -5
Yun stared at her while she spoke, he was a little astonished he had missed the food in his search of the room, but, it was possible. He moved over to the kitchen area and pulled open some of the cabinetry. To his continued amazement, he had indeed missed these supplies that were now open and placed before him. He pulled out a bag of rice and a bit of dried fish and set them on a counter. He spoke while he worked.
"So, will you be....staying here? Or...? Shosuro-san, or...Nori-san? Can I call you Nori-san?" He was a little hesitant about going that far, but it was a tactical risk to begin establishing rapport with her.
He opened several more cabinets, evidently looking for something and eventually finding it in the utensils that he would need. A pot, a knife, and a ladle. He poured some water from a jug nearby into the pot and measured the rice out for two people. Then he found lit the fire under the cooking table and placed the water-filled pot atop it.
Then he looked at her across the table while he waited for the water to get hot.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Dec 1, 2011 22:20:46 GMT -5
Frankly such informalities were not a normal thing for the Shosuro. Her typical stiff demeanor failing steadily as she answered him, taking a seat since they didn't seem to be departing anytime soon. Legs crossed she simply waited.
"I suppose... my lady did not suggest that there was any requirement for me to remain or depart, only that your wishes be heard and the people of the city to be protected."
Her gaze bowed as the shuffle of the city around them droned on, a few giggles coming from the ladies downstairs that occasionally broke the air. It seemed speaking at length only served to trouble Nori, but she did not wish to leave his question hanging.
"You may call me Nori-san. It has been a long time since anyone has really asked to do so."
Her personality started to become more apparent. This woman was much in the simple mindset of duty over self, likely having deprived herself of many of her own needs in order to satisfy others. The change in tone seemed to change her nature altogether.
Absentmindedly she pulled out her smoking pipe again and lit it with a small set of flint and tinder, only needing about two strikes to light the smoking grass.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Dec 1, 2011 23:01:37 GMT -5
Yun continued to prepare the food, a new smile crossed his face though, as Nori acquiesced to his query of calling her by her first name. The water was reaching the right temperature just in the time that he had taken to cut the fish and prepare the rice. brought over all the ingredients to the cooking table and dumped them all in and covered the pot.
"Just a few minutes that this will be ready, Nori-san."
He sat back down on the opposite side of the cooking table and faced her. He continued to smile.
"So, Nori-san... How long have you been in Ryoko Owari? These supplies would have taken some time to prepare...is this just the fugitive store house? I'm especially astounded by the supplies of tea. That is an amazing amount to find here, especially on short notice."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Dec 1, 2011 23:47:10 GMT -5
Shosuro Nori lowered her mask to put the pipe to her lips, a thin scar running from her bottom lip to her chin in a diagonal pattern revealed itself. Her eyes looked over his smile, though she seemed incapable or unwilling to give one in return.
"The tea was hardly a struggle to acquire by my lady. The Scorpion Clan enjoys the ability to keep tabs on those that require it, and benefit from the vast amounts of wealth they're willing to spend to keep their little secret hidden."
She took a long drag on the pipe, the cinders of the burning grass gently glowing and reflecting in her eyes for a brief moment. Her pupils seemed fixed though, as if they were looking through Zeure.
"The rest of the supplies are hardly anything though. It's not as though we struggle even in these war times. The battle is not in our lands, we've not had to burn our resources as I've heard the Lion were forced to.
But I do not live anywhere, my lady has kept me very busy since I had been assigned to assist her in matters she could not directly attend to alone. But I do not mind, she has a brilliant mind for being a former Unicorn."
Her chin raised slightly as she took a deep breath.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
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Post by Zeure on Dec 2, 2011 0:01:56 GMT -5
The pot was boiling and wisps of steam were escaping the sides to intermingle with her smoke. He looked at her scar and involuntarily raised his hand up to his own. But then quickly dropped it to lift himself up. He went back to the kitchen and grabbed two sets of chopsticks and two plates.
"I'm sorry to hear that you're so busy, Nori-san. One would think that she might like some time to herself every now and then. Though I am all too familiar with the call of duty."
He struck, hoping that he had figured her out as he walked back to the table. He sat both plates down in front of him and picked up the ladle, lazily twirling it on his fingers waiting for the dish to be done.
"Hopefully I won't be too much trouble for you. I certainly have no intentions of razing the town and killing its people, so... We don't have to worry there."
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