Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 19, 2012 1:50:05 GMT -5
The geisha of the house greeted Kyo cordially, bowing deeply as he entered in and tried to reach the lady of the house who acted as the guide for any patrons. But just as she lifted her head to address Kyo her eyes seemed to shift slightly to the left, looking at someone beyond his shoulder.
"Oh Nori-sama."
The familiar guardian that had nearly assaulted Kyo the other night stood in more casual clothing at his side, glancing over at him and seemingly ignoring the lady of the house.
"Shosuro-sama, my lady wished to remove herself from the overcrowded surroundings of the geisha house. I watched you come here last night and I assume you wished to speak with her again. If you so wish to then you can find her taking a moment to enjoy the New Years bazaar nearby.
She might be slightly harder to recognize, but I suspect a man of your capability would be able to find what you seek."
Shosuro Nori bowed to Kyo gracefully and only tossed the geisha a rather dismissive nod as she returned to the road, also heading towards the bazaar.
Meanwhile...
Haruka was drifting along in the crowds, most not setting her apart from any of the other merchants, samurai, and peasants just milling about and enjoying the annual festivities and goods, her wide brimmed hat that helped to obscure her appearance kept them from bumping into her or disturbing her.
She found her way around and out of the corner of her eye she saw a little pet stand with various animals in cages and a salesman with a monkey clinging to his shoulder hawking his wars. She drifted ever closer, but for the moment she dared not approach, simply observing and thinking.
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 21, 2012 10:29:24 GMT -5
Kyo nodded to the owner of the inn and left out following Nori. They walked in silence for a minute before Kyo broke off back to his sleeping quarters. Picking up a small bag of coin, he pocketed and headed of towards the bazaar.
After reaching the bazaar, began to look very around very inconspicuously for Haruka. He stop here and there and bought a few trinkets to put up the guise of an impulse buyer and walked around till he finally saw her by a little pet stand.
He almost missed her, because she had disguised her self very well. But he knew who she was after an extra moment of inspection. He very nonchalantly walked up beside her and put on a face that looked interested in what the pet owner was trying to sell.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 21, 2012 15:17:44 GMT -5
Her eyes trailed over to the one who approached her and a familiar face finally broke her internal monologue.
"Kyo-san."
She didn't jump, but she was certainly startled internally at least when she turned to see him standing beside her. Her face was still skewed by the silken cloth that drifted in front of her face with the haunted appearance as she intended.
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 22, 2012 16:08:01 GMT -5
Kyo gently nodded to her and looked interested at the pet stand. He started to watch her, or maybe examine her posture, in an attempt to guess her mood. There was a haunted look in her eyes and she seemed to be trying very hard to keep from trembling.
After a few minutes he speaks softly to her.
Good morning, Bayushi-san. You seemed to be quite troubled this morning, is there something I can help you with.
He decided that if he was going to talk with her here, he would use the san honorific to try and hide how much higher she was compared to him. He was hoping there chat would catch less wondering ears of the nearby shoppers.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 22, 2012 22:10:48 GMT -5
Haruka seemed to hardly notice, though had her mind been right she would have been impressed with the tact used. She shifted to face and address him properly to show her attention to the conversation, a small yellow finch sitting in her hand almost obediently as it enjoyed its feathers being stroked.
"I wish I could say I was Shosuro-san, but my rest has been troubled as of late and these days seem to weigh on me all the more."
Her mild and otherwise featureless banter allowed her a moment to refocus herself and realize that she needed to stop focusing so much on herself, it might be just what she needed to move on right now.
"But enough about me Shosuro-san, please I'm sure my servant didn't tell you where I was unless you had important news to share." Her memory picked up on the point of conversation about his investigation the previous evening. "Tell me, how can I assist you on the matter of the painted ladies, hmm?"
She tried to stir a bit of energy into her words, forcing herself away from her downtrodden mindset. Tilting her head slightly away gave Kyo the chance to whisper to her whatever details if he so chose. The ploy already being that any observers would suspect that he was likely having a problem with a girl rather than speaking on any dangerous details.
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 23, 2012 9:17:31 GMT -5
Kyo had been watching her carefully and saw what she was trying to do. However, that was not a matter he could press. He look carefully at the bird in her hand and stroked it just under the bill.
It was not going well and I got some news this morning that caused me to worry. He said very quietly. My investigation has come up to nothing on every inn but one.... The one you are staying at.
His voice betrayed what his emotions hid well. The signs were all there that there were painted ladies in the city. And if you eliminate all the places they can't be, you are simply left with the only one they can.
You may be in a lot of danger Bayushi-san. I can arranged to have you moved if you wished it. It was a simple gesture, but one he hoped she would consider. Kyo can delay the investigation, but that would interfere with many things going on and possibly allow them to escape. Something he would try his best not to allow.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 23, 2012 17:02:11 GMT -5
Haruka let herself smile, her haunted look still looking no more lively as she continued to caress the tiny songbird. She seemed to ramble a bit as though her mind had been partially lost.
"Always another danger in the city, never a moment to rest your guard or your head. One corner a thief the next a sultry lady..."
She chuckled slightly, very strangely only further showing her distressed mentality. Kyo could likely understand now why she hadn't returned to court to be seen like this, regardless of the reason why she was this way. Her eyes flashed a bit as she lifted her gaze to look right at Kyo now.
"It would not take much to move me from that place, I only have a few things that I kept with me for my stay there. If you do believe there is significant danger then I will trust in your judgement on the matter considering I have only just arrived back in the city."
She gently leaned forward placing the finch in the birdcage that held all the various birds for sale and straightened herself.
"I pray I do not delay your investigation too long, although I must wonder a bit..." Haruka being careful to never give direct orders, knowing her status would force others to act on her words. She preferred to remain more Dragon-like in that she wanted the rest of the clan to think on their own volition. "If you do find what you are looking for in that geisha house, what do you intend Shosuro-san?"
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 23, 2012 19:30:22 GMT -5
Kyo's answer was very simple and very direct.
I will let the Kuroiban town now and he will move to eradicate them. His face was impassive. He was unsure as to why someone who was tainted was the reason of so much scorn. However, it was not his place to question, only to perform the task given to him.
I'm sorry if you were looking for a deeper answer, you won't really find one. It was true, his opinion was not a matter of duty. His was only to protect his family, his clan and his empire. If this is what they needed him to do to perform these actions. Then he will to the best of his abilities.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 23, 2012 20:41:43 GMT -5
Haruka simply nodded back to him, it was merely a chance for him to decide, not for her to necessarily force anything and seem too zealous or otherwise.
"No need to worry, Kyo-san, this is not some sort of test. You already hold my respect and my admiration."
A strange opportunity for Haruka, if Zeure could be caught, subdued, or destroyed that was one mess she wouldn't have to deal with again. Otherwise the opportunity could prove Zeure's capabilities as a shugenja with maho-tsukai abilities, he seemed devoted enough that he could prove to be an amazing albeit incredibly dangerous ally still. Even if she had no more further immediate use for him.
She glanced over her shoulder out at the passerbys in thought. "Be certain to make a note of the resident upstairs, but I'm sure the Kuroiban will be able to sort the rest out on their own. It is their specialty after all."
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 23, 2012 23:33:32 GMT -5
Kyo's mind made a connection, one that made him very worried about what the near future had in store for him. He just turned to look at her, his eyes taking on a fierce and piercing look that shocked Haruka just a tiny bit.
Is there something you wish to tell me Bayushi-san. He took a deep calming breath. And please put the word games aside for court. I need to know if you know something.
Kyo kept his demeanor very calm and poised, but his eyes spoke about the seriousness that her statement had on him. He watched and waited for her answer, and would make sure that they didn't leave without the answer he needed.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 24, 2012 0:33:48 GMT -5
Haruka was mildly impressed but not intimidated in the least for Kyo's gusto. She simply looked at him,
"Infer what you will. That is all I have to say on the matter. Now if you'll excuse me if you don't have things finished before this evening I've got a dinner to attend to, as do you."
She brushed past him gently only walking along as she tilted her wide brimmed hat forward as she started wading into the crowd.
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 24, 2012 14:41:59 GMT -5
Kyo let her girl and sighed and let her leave. She had all but told him what he needed to know. However, although his job ran on rumors, he still had to investigated their validity. So, he figured he had to get the paper work started.
Kami damn whoever came up with paperwork... and with that Kyo set off to get started on his work.
[ooc] wasn't sure were to go after this :/ [/ooc]
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Jan 24, 2012 18:27:44 GMT -5
((I personally recommend looking at the l5r wiki and bullshitting it from there XD Sometimes you've got to simply be confidant enough and just go with it, Kuroiban NPCs should be pretty simple. If you want to give them more depth that's fine.))
Her mind in motion now, Haruka glanced over her shoulder to ensure that she had lost her follower now. She had made an interesting choice, one that would certainly never come up in history books by any stretch of the imagination. But because it involved the former Phoenix she felt like she needed to head there early.
Running over the thoughts in her mind she wondered now why she did any of it, giving her son away likely drove her husband away into anger and hatred of her now. And to be harboring a tainted man, a Maho-Tsukai among the populous and having him already start influencing those around him, she just continued to walk back to the geisha house mentally shaking her head at herself.
What am I going to tell him to run now, is that the easiest way to get rid of him? Will the Kuroiban be enough of a threat that he departs this place?
She didn't seem so sure now as she stood hesitating before the geisha house that he was living above. Haruka made a silent gesture with her hand and the women of the house understood to pack and be ready to move her things, though she didn't have a signal nor any desire to warn them of the coming investigation. Truth be told if there were tainted women Haruka wanted to see them dealt with anyway. There was something about a tainted man that seemed more controllable than the wiles of a woman with a darkness to spread.
It was far too early for dinner but Haruka headed up to the second floor anyway leaving her geta at the stairs and resting her wide brimmed hat and all its silky additions on her back while the rope gently hung around her neck. Her strength had nearly fully returned since the birth of her son now and she found walking to be easy enough now.
Perhaps a ride in the next day or two to see if I'm still as able as before. Hmm.
A soft knock sounded on Zeure's door.
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Shosuro Kyo
Scorpion Clan
*Magistrate *Loyal *Paragon of Duty *Lord of Dance
Posts: 123
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Post by Shosuro Kyo on Jan 25, 2012 23:15:00 GMT -5
[ooc] if no one posts by tomorrow morning I'll put a mini post up tomorrow morning to try and get the ball rolling. [/occ]
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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 Jan 26, 2012 1:02:39 GMT -5
Yun had been up for several hours already that day. He had went to bed right after Haruka had left so that he could focus his mind and get himself ready for the task ahead. He was not happy about being told, pretty directly, to pry all the motivations from two scorpion over dinner. For all his courtly training and all the magic in the world to aid him, he was even an air affinity shugenja; prying secrets from Scorpion was like trying to pull teeth from an oni. A freshly made oni, whose gums were still very healthy...
He would need that help though, the magical kind if he was to have any chance at success; lucky for him, he had time. Time was the worst thing you could give a shugenja that was pressed to accomplish a goal that you did not want them to. Given enough time, and the right spells, a shugenja would be able to accomplish anything. And fortunately for him, he had time AND the right spells.
First things first, he would spend the better part of an hour casting one of his spells as a "ritual" that could normally be cast as a quick spells, to better entreat the kami. He crushed up some jasmine as an offering. And then spent the better part of an hour entreating the kami to a longer lasting effect than the spell was normally allowed. The table in the center of the room was his focus, it was affixed to the ground, and would not move easily so it would be a good focus. Upon it he placed the Benevolent Protection of Shinsei. Which made the room a place of calm and serenity. One where violent actions were taboo, and cooler head WOULD prevail.
He allowed some time to pass, as the calming effects of the spell took hold on himself and the apartment area. He had prayed for long enough that in addition to having the spell last for several hours, it would also cover his entire apartment.
Upon himself, he placed two spells. He wished he had the ability to use void spells, because he knew that some of those could push a shugenja beyond their normal skills, but his air spells would have to suffice. Firstly he had the Benten's Touch; which again, he prayed for extra length of time. For his entreatment he used his calligraphy tools to draw the character for grace and then offered it to the wind by casting it out of his window and the thin scrap of paper floated away on a sudden but gentle breeze.
Secondly, he wrote again, this time the kanji was the one for wolf. A spell that Isawa Sezaru had developed that he had the pleasure of hearing about and learning. He burned the paper in the firepit in his table and prayed to the air kami that they wrap him in the appearance of honor and sincerity, even more so than he was already. Spending the time to bring on The Wolf's Proposal and entreat for extra time.
Finally, one more for the room. He used some salt to make a faint line around the edges of the main room. Making sure that they could only faintly be seen and were almost unnoticeable. Then, he poured some in his hand and cast it into the fire. He prayed for this area to be a Zone of Truth, where one would be compelled to not lie. One could choose not to talk, but if one were to begin speaking on something and begin to lie, they would feel the urge to speak only the truth. It was not a true outright manipulation because they were not forced to, it was slightly more subtle than that. But one would find it impossible to lie in this room.
He was just sitting down to meditate for the two hours that would be necessary for him to metabolize his taint when Haruka showed up. MUCH MUCH earlier than he had expected. None of his spell materials had been put away, he was still half dressed from the night before and had no time to clean. Not knowing who it was, he did not open the door. Through it, he spoke:
"Uh, hello? I was not expecting visitors this early."
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