Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
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 Dec 6, 2011 17:37:31 GMT -5
Ayumu let the Scorpion's veiled insults slide over him. He was about to reply when a walking mountain rolled up to the group. Laughing loudly and clapping Ayumu on the shoulder, the mountain defused the situation without the need for Ayumu to say anything. The Oriole watched the interplay between them, smiling slightly as the Scorpion made mention of people knowing their place in the empire.
"Indeed Eiji-san, it is good to know one's place in the empire. I am well acquainted with my place, although I suspect that the truth of that matter differs from your opinion of it. I am also well acquainted with the place of others in this empire, even those recently returned to it. I would suggest, Eiji-san, that if I was in such a situation as having recently returned to the empire, I would go about reclaiming my place in a manner that would make allies, instead of one that has the potential to irritate those of a more cholic nature and potentially make enemies. However, that certainly does not take into account what the Scorpion's place is - to be the Empire's villain. So, I think the best course of action for us both is to take the roles that we both know better than any other, and not to cast aspersions about as to someone else's place in the empire. Wouldn't you agree?"
He then turned to the walking mountain beside him and bowed.
"Kazushige-san, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Tsi Ayumu. As to why we are all here... I would certainly like it if we were not here for the same reason, but I suspect that is wishful thinking on my part."
He motioned to the emerald legionaire that escorted him in.
I make the suggestion that you all accompany me, as I have been escorted here by this man to speak directly to the magistrate. I believe it would save us all time, and at the least we would cease to annoy others who have come on similar business by wasting their time with our bantering." As if to make his point further, he nodded in the direction of the man wearing the powder blue haori and hakama, who had been quietly waiting for them to move until recently, and was now seeking to move past them to carry on with his business.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Dec 6, 2011 18:29:06 GMT -5
Shigeoki waits patiently upon noticing that the magistrate was otherwise occupied at the time. He takes stock of those others who have gathered, a stone-cold look on his face as he takes in everyone. His eyes are calculating and impersonal.
He does acknowledge the Tsi, nodding back but staying silent and still while they all wait.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 6, 2011 19:55:02 GMT -5
Forgive me Tsi-san. We Scorpion never meant to offend you. The same way, if I may say, to a pebble do not throw a rock, Tsi-san. You are the first Tsi I met in my life! The Scorpion woman opened a genuine smile. I am sure we can have much to learn with each other…as our families surely do. Let me introduce myself, I am Shosuro Saiki. She bowed. The Scorpion woman, probably recently came from her gempukku, by her apparent age, sweetly smiled again, trying to amend any misunderstanding. May I, humbly, invite you to partake of some tea with us, later, to undo any bad impression we could have caused to your person?
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
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 Dec 6, 2011 20:20:52 GMT -5
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Saiki-san. And while I would definitely enjoy partaking of tea with the two of you later, you have nothing to apologize for." He smiled at Saiki, but his gaze went to Eiji as he did so. "Ambition and desire to make one's place known in the empire is far from offensive. In fact, I find it admirable and even necessary at times. One must be careful during those times not to make enemies unnecessarily though, particularly when one might find an ally instead."
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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 21:03:19 GMT -5
Eiji rolled his eyes, though no one would be able to tell through his mask. He took a moment to steady his tone and spoke once more.
"As I told Tamori-san, I meant no offense. I apologize if there was any mistake of perception."
It came out measured and with feeling, surely the Tsi and the Tamori would be appeased by this. The as-of-yet silent crane, Eiji assumed, just knew how these court games were played and was letting it roll off of him with nary a care.
Typical ronin trash, thinking himself to lead us, or be our equal...
"We should wait for their meeting to finish though, we don't want to interrupt."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 6, 2011 21:06:45 GMT -5
"The pleasure is all mine, Tsi-san," Kazushige said when he'd finished speaking. "The reputation of your family precedes you." Though she hadn't been speaking to him, Kazushige bowed when the Scorpion woman introduced herself as well. He eyed the Crane curiously, but chose not to press the issue for now.
"I agree, Shosuro-san, though I hope it won't be long," he said, an impatient frown crossing his features. "I'd like to put an end to this business as soon as possible."
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Dec 7, 2011 3:03:28 GMT -5
There was a fine commotion going on outside the room of the prominent magistrate. As Akizora skimmed through the figures he caught a couple of Scorpion, a Crane, a Lion and a Crab... He was dressed in a mediocre green kimono, sparsely adorned favoring utility over quality. He was wearing the bureaucrat's hat, an accessory he favored the most, not cluttering over his head or making him sweat. He approached the gathered people looking over to the guards. The magistrate was apparently inside and all those people must have come for him. They were quite a bunch and Akizora understood that he had to wait for all of them to enter before himself. As he was about to say something he saw the incident between the Lion and the Scorpion and the interfering Crab, which made him realize that... .... only the Scorpion was the one as perceived. For the "Crab" was a Tamori shugenja and the Lion was a ..."Tsi"...an Oriole and a minor Clan such as his. After some minor discussion he understood that they would be all heading inside together. Akizora realized that he wasn't noted or seen and thus preferred to remain inconspicuous. He was here for a reason and he disliked explaining his disposition to everyone.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 7, 2011 3:48:08 GMT -5
And that was the reason she felt greatly uncomfortable. Her last years were passed in gaijin lands, and usually people there used to be very friendly to each other…at least apparently. Saiki barely held a sight of sadness and longing. After receiving the educated words of the Tsi, She bowed to the Tamori giant, then to the other two men in the room. At least one Scorpion was able to show the minimum of education required when in presence of other samurai.
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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 Dec 7, 2011 11:27:05 GMT -5
After a few moments more, the men in the room left, leaving only the Magistrate, his guards, and his personal aide, who approached the awaiting samurai. "Samas, please forgive us for the delay. Follow me if you would be so kind." He leads them into the chamber where Toshuga stood, scrutinizing each of them with eyes cold and frozen.
The Otomo magistrate wasted no time. "Welcome, samas. I thank you for coming, your assistance in this matter will not go unnoticed. I am Otomo Toshuga, and I am in charge of investigating the kidnappings that have been occurring here in the Capital over the past few months." He seemed to grow more tense, as though the weight of his duty was once again dropped on his shoulders, and continued. "The situation has gotten worse. Early this morning, Tsi Logu went missing from his forge; this took place at the same time that several assassins were caught inside the palace itself." He nodded to the Dragon shugenja with these words.
The magistrate took out a scroll case, sealed with his personal mon. " These are the papers that say you speak with my authority;they should aid you in your investigation. My own information has led to an inn outside of the city, the directions to which are included in the case. Is there anything else I can help you with before you make your final preparations?"
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Dec 7, 2011 11:58:46 GMT -5
Akizora glanced at the Otomo magistrate. He was listening to him regarding the rumours cross-matching any information he knew. Apparently more people had gone missing day by day from notaries and dignitaries to common folk. He clutched the parchment he was given and looked at the rest of the "samas".
"No Phoenix perfect!" for he wouldn't bear any non-constructive irony coming from any envoy and emissary to the "Masters" especially now that the war was on its verge. "Those people looked intriguing" thought as he wondered whether the Tsi had been summoned because of the latest victim's identity. Thus he proceeded into greeting the Otomo and the rest of the people that he would soon be dealing with.
"Otomo-sama, a question if I may." he bowed deeply as those stylish courtiers were often tending to do so... "I am Yoritomo Akizora of the Mantis Clan and I have heard rumours around that persist on the large number of abducts. Do we have any official indication as of the number of incidents or at least, the scale of those?"
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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 Dec 7, 2011 12:21:03 GMT -5
He turned to Akizora. "Of course, Yoritomo-sama. There have been three other incidents of kidnappings, including the first, and most shocking, of Seppun Kiyato, an Imperial guard of some considerable skill." Toshuga frowned after this. "You know, that is an interesting point, actually. I've just recalled that Logu-sama primarily made weapons for the Seppun family... this cannot be a coincidence."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Dec 7, 2011 13:58:38 GMT -5
"Perhaps you can assist me with a riddle, Otomo-sama," Kazushige says, stepping forward. He reaches into his sleeve and removes a sheet of parchment, on it is a carefully brushed design. "I found this symbol tattooed on the body of the man who came to assassinate me." he hands the paper to the Emerald Magistrate. "Is it something you recognize?"
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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 Dec 7, 2011 14:18:24 GMT -5
Toshuga frowned at the drawing Kazushige produced. "I'm afraid that I do not recognize such a design, though I will show it to a few experts on the subject and see if they know anything, if you wouldn't mind." He hands the parchment to his aide.
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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 7, 2011 15:04:44 GMT -5
During the intial meeting with the Otomo where he introduced himself, Bayushi Eiji bowed.
"No, no, Otomo-sama, you do us too much honor by addressing us as sama."
After the rest had taken place, Bayushi Eiji had been considering.
"It would seem then that we have two options. We can chase the information that has been given to us and go to the village where the leads had been, or we could try and watch any one else who had connections with the Seppun. As it would seem those connected with him are the ones being targeted."
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Dec 7, 2011 15:52:09 GMT -5
Other than the deep bow upon entrance to the chamber, Shigeoki stands slightly to the side as the others converse, soaking in all the details. His eyes dart over each person every time the magistrate gives additional information before coming to rest on the magistrate again each time. His stance is stiff and he keeps his hands clasped together behind him.
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