Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jan 29, 2012 16:56:50 GMT -5
"To be perfectly honest, Kakita-san, I still tend to think of myself as a simple shugenja: this is my first Winter Court since adding those two titles to the list that I carry. The Voice of the Council mainly means that I am the one that discusses things with our Clan Champion in times of war and keep him in the loop when the Council rules our clan in times of peace. And being the Void Master mostly puts me at the head of the Ishiken-do order of shugenja and more bureacratic paperwork than I ever imagined possible..."
"I will admit it does make it easier to get the chance to talk to people that intrigue me; one of my little quirks, although in other areas it disconnects me from others more than I care for..."[/b] Servants began straightening up the unused parts of the table and bringing in fresh food - the Void Master, they had learned, tending to stay up much later than normal people when he found himself in an intriguing conversation. Some of the servants that had worked with him since before he was a Master knew he had once gone five full days without sleep because of this proclivity.
The fact that he'd only needed to sleep a mere 8 hours afterwards had left many of them wondering if their employer was actually human or not.
"So, tell me, Battou-san, what causes one of the Kakita family's master swordsmiths, a man well known both in and out of his own Clan, to 'need to know' someone like me?"[/b] Shodai himself was a fair weapon- and armorsmith - as befit an Agasha - though nowhere near the skill that the Kakita smiths were reputed to have.
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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 30, 2012 1:24:40 GMT -5
Battou had watched with dispassionate eyes as the servants wandered into and out of the chamber. He had also listened to Shodai explain himself, this was all information that Battou had not had before, so he took it in and began to arrange it into his mental network, setting up dates and things of that nature for later reference. Then Shodai brought the conversation back around to him, apparently his choice of words had been fortuitous, as that had been all that piqued his interest and was all that allowed Battou to have this opportunity.
"To tell you the truth, Agasha Shodai-sama, what makes me need to know you is Mitsouko-sama." He paused a moment for dramatic effect and to watch the look pass over the other man's face.
"She has tasked me with finding the whereabouts of Shinoburo-sama, as she is quite certain that he is alive. She has led me to believe that you had some sort of vision regarding him. As the only other lead that I had regarding this is within the Mantis and Yoritomo Raiden-san is not here. I find myself in need of another place to start. I wondered if you might tell me what you know, and further, I wondered if you might have had any more visions or information regarding this pass by you."
Battou continued to drink on the tea that was provided him. He realized that it was a rush of information that he was laying on the man, but he trusted that Shodai would be able to take it all in. In the few moments that he had spent with him, he had this sense that the man might always know more than he would let on. But Battou was checking him out for more than just these reasons, after all, so he might have been slightly more wary than he had to be.
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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 Jan 30, 2012 16:33:40 GMT -5
Hitoshi had wandered out of the main court room for a while to attend to write some letters, but now he made his way back in looking about for the daimyo of the Yasuki. He quickly found him, and when he was free for a moment made his approach.
"Chad-sama, I would speak to you for a moment if I may. It is of a somewhat personal matter." They began to slowly walk towards a more secluded side chamber, Hitoshi utilising his fan to shield his lips as they went. "I will come straight to the point. My grandfather fought in the Second Yasuki War, and fell upon a distant battlefield near your homelands. His daisho, which I should now wear, was never recovered by my clan and it is to my eternal shame that it is lost. If you could ask the Yasuki to help me find it I would be immensely grateful."
It was warm in the Imperial court, with opulant surroundings carefully tended and a press of bodies all contributing to the heat. Despite this, a shiver ran down Yasuki Chad's spine and for a moment he felt cold. Only Hitoshi saw the figure of his grandfather standing close by, staring at the two of them with loathing in his eyes. "You would treat with the enemy?! You are more of a coward than I took you for. You will pay for this, child." The figure vanished but Hitoshi felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, wondering what the spirit was planning.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jan 30, 2012 20:40:41 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai's enigmatic smile grew a bit wider at the mention of Mitsouko's name, but the first sign of surprise came in the form of his eyes opening slightly wider when Battou mentioned that the Kakita Daimyo now believed her father to be alive... The kenshinzen had reacted with complete disbelief when Shodai had told her and her Phoenix Clan mother, Isawa Tisuke, what he'd seen in his divination at Firebird Falls.
That she now believed him, after getting confirmation from this Yoritomo Raiden, was a welcome surprise.
"One of the gifts I was able to develop after attaining a lower level of Enlightenment in Reihado Shinsei is the means to read the Mandala of Heaven - the tapestry of life that shows the history that people have already lived and sometime, just sometimes, hints of the history that they MAY live. I cannot see beyond a person's lifetime going backwards, so I cannot track across prior incarnations, but I can see the moment their soul enters and leaves Ningen-do."
"In the case of Kakita Shinoburo, I can tell that his thread continues to this day, some 6 months beyond when it supposedly ended, but some kind of magic obscures the details of where he is and what he is doing... But I fear that Shinoburo has gotten himself wrapped up in something..."[/b] The Void Master paused, thinking how best to phrase this without saying what the indications suggested lest his information be discredited. "...Something that is heretical at best and treasonous in the worst case. What is worse is there are signs that he has done them of his own volition; he was not coerced into them."[/b]
Shodai looked to Battou with a sigh. "Unfortunately, I have not seen anything beyond that about Mitsouko's father specifically. However, perhaps with the addition of this new player, I can find something in the past that will give you something to follow up on..."[/b] The muscular shugenja rose from his sitting position without the aid of his hands. "Pardon me for a few moments, Kakita-san. Let me check something quickly. Feel free to make any reasonable request of the servants while I am gone..."[/b]
The Void Master made a negilgent gesture to one side, opening the doorway to his extradimensional sanctum that was visible only to those shugenja with the gift of Void magic and accessable only to those with a bond to the Void Master himself. He stepped through, seeming to vanish into thin air, entering a space where time moved faster than in the real world, and began a meditation that would take several hours... And then return to Kakita Battou mere minutes after he disappeared.
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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 30, 2012 21:14:56 GMT -5
Battou sat there and patiently listened to everything that Shodai said. He nodded sagely at a few points during his speech on these esoteric concepts. Inwardly he was totally lost, but he at least had the look of understanding down.
As Shodai began to mention the specifics of Shinoburo's situation Battou was a great deal more attentive. He carefully watched and studied each of the words the Shodai said, something in him was categorizing, memorizing each word as if it was the most important thing he had ever heard. He nodded to him after each finishing statement signifying his understanding.
Then Shodai.. vanished, for lack of a better word. Battou tilted his head but just remained in the room. There was nothing he needed at the moment. He just continued to drink his tea and look around the room. Continued to look at each place that a guest had been previously; he noticed a spot where some food had made its way into the corner of the room and he pointed it out to one of the servants. Who proceeded to clean it up.
Patiently he waited.
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Post by The Book Keeper on Jan 31, 2012 13:49:23 GMT -5
“Good...good, now who is it in the city that speaks on your behalf?” Looking at the blade that he gifted Saiko “If you are in a position that you need to hide your taint you can pour it in that blade, and it will not be detectible under any spell or method, in addition who you hit with that blade when it has taint in it will get some of the taint.” looking Saiko back in the eye “all i ask is that you help spread the taint on the battlefield, and if you need something made plz have your friend in the city come find me.”
“Now is there anything that I can do for you?”
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jan 31, 2012 14:40:06 GMT -5
Within his divination meditation, Agasha Shodai evaluated Kakita Shinoburo's thread of life, looking for connections that Mitsouko's father might have made with the secret society that was supposedly a myth, but the Void Master knew to be real, thanks to what he had discovered within Mitsouko's soul several months earlier...
Shodai had discovered that Kakita Shinoburo had turned his own daughter into a Kolat sleeper agent.
The Void Master knew of the signs because when Suzume Roshi had irrationally attempted to attack Hantei Naseru, now Emperor Hantei XL, in 1159 and was knocked unconscious, the Seppun shugenja that had attempted to heal the Suzume's wounds and make him more compliant for questioning when the normal efforts of torture had failed to yield any meaningful results discovered a mental blockage that resisted his efforts. The Seppun had asked Shodai, whom had been researching new spells in the Seppun libraries, to take a look...
Shodai had been quite unable to break through the blockage because Roshi's sleeper commands had been interrupted and he'd been beaten unconscious, the vile brainwashing had activated a self-destruct aspect that had permanently destroyed parts of the man's brain, but left a mystical residue that Shodai had never forgotten. It had not only permanently hidden the Kolat's actions, but it had destroyed most of who Suzume Roshi had been, so he was quietly disposed of...
'But back to Shinoburo...' The Void Master mentally commanded himself.
Agasha had discovered that Yoritomo Raiden's thread had interacted with Kakita Shinoburo's a number of times, all in unusual circumstances from what he was able to read from the threads. Then he spotted another unusual connection, one that did NOT involve Raiden... Mentally grabbing the thread, he examined it.
It was Yasuki Chad's.
Shinoburo had worked with Chad on Kolat-related business. It was completely inadmissible in court, but it could give Kakita Battou something to work with.
The Void Master rose to his feet and returned to the booth where he'd left the swordsmith.
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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 31, 2012 14:49:21 GMT -5
Battou was on the verge of literally twiddling his thumbs in anticipation for the void masters return. His mind wandered to his meeting with Mitsouko, how she had shoved him out when he had brought up anything that involved her and himself. He smiled outwardly, but inwardly he was conflicted. No matter how many times circumstances led him to not be able to pursue her, he could not stop thinking about her.
He sighed out loud in the booth. He could not help but think that this was a way to draw himself on to her good side. Even though he had thought of Shinoburo as another of his many teachers and indeed had spent some time learning from him at the academy, he found himself thinking very ill of the man. For a man of his caliber to have to fake his own death and run away he must surely have very strong leverage working against him. Or... he was simply a useless coward.
He shook his head.
"No, Shinoburo is no coward..."
And then Shodai reappeared. Battou was...not surprised, he expected him to show back up in the manner he had left.
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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 Feb 1, 2012 0:19:27 GMT -5
Saiko's eyes narrowed slightly at the man's words, and he grinned a little wider. "Oh I promise you, my friend, this blade will serve the purpose it was made for." He nodded his head at these words, and laughed a little, lost in his own thoughts, if only for a moment. "Seek out a man named Yoshizuto, he should be in the service of someone very powerful." He gave the man a knowing look, leaving some things unspoken, even in private. "He is not, shall we say, the most social of people, but he is loyal, and will act upon my will faithfully."
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Feb 1, 2012 16:33:20 GMT -5
Yasuki Chad listened to Hitoshi's request solemely. He could tell the question cost Hitoshi alot just to ask, indeed, when he had finished it felt like a ghost had gone right through him. Finding a Daisho lost for years would be problematic, that it had not already been returned implyied it was either kept as a trophy or scavenged by a lesser.
Still, Hitoshi's friendship would be worth the trouble. And as Daimyo of the Yasuki, Chad had an obligation to make friends where he could. He bowed deeply.
"Hitoshi-san, I will do what I can to Located your honored grandfathers Daisho. If it is in Crab Hands, I will find it. It would be the Least I could do for a Crane so effective against the one, true enemy of Rokugan," he referred again to Hitoshi's near suicidal "charge" at Oni no Mitsouko.
"I am sorry, but I must retire for the Evening. I have serveral Letters that must be drafted and sent in the morning....and several more matters to consider. Good evening, Hitoshi-san"
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Tamori Koichi
Dragon Clan
Dragon Clan * Shugenja * Earth * Void * Yamabushi * Duelist
Posts: 228
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Post by Tamori Koichi on Feb 2, 2012 11:33:06 GMT -5
Days after the arrival of Toturi at Castle of the Swift Sword but before the end of Winter Court
A servant again appears at court looking for the Doji daimyo. In her hands she holds a letter marked with the seal of the Tamori daimyo.
Upon opening the letter, Naeteru will see that it has been hastily written, the writing not as elegant as the last one. It reads:
'Honorable friend and ally,
I must congratulate you and your clan on the success of the peace treaty. Though I have had mixed emotions about it, the pertinent one is of relief. His majesty, the True Emperor, is safe. And that is the most important of all.
I have taken the time to write to you despite the unsurmountable burden that this war has already put on me. I believe that it is important for you to know some vital information about who we fight.
The rebels have recruited the Damned in this war!
Rumors have been persisting and my hunters have confirmed at least one among the enemies' ranks.
Though I have no problems with the Crab's use of tainted samurai in fighting the forces of the shadowlands, unleashing it upon fellow rokugani is inexcusable. It is below dishonorable. It risks not just our defenders but the people who have supported Kaneka as well. It speaks volumes of Kaneka and the Crab champion that they will sink so low into such dishonorable tactics.
I trust that you will make good use of this information. Keep safe my friend. We, all the clans, did not send our men to defend Shiro Hiruma from the taint and then only to have it be spread by the Crab.
-Tamori Koichi
The servant remains bowed waiting for any reply or further order from the Doji daimyo.
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Post by The Book Keeper on Feb 2, 2012 19:41:49 GMT -5
“I will see to it when I am back in the city that I speak to this Yoshizuto” The keeper was looking forward to this alliance “I hope a magic blade will not offend you two much” now that the deal has been struck the keeper was hoping they were not being looked for “Thanks you for meeting me hear as I understand it you are in the dragon clan?” the keepers mind was swirleing with a few ideys in store for a few members of his old clan “is ther anything in perticuler that this Yoshizuto likes for wepons or other things of craftes, sinse I will be asking of him I only belive it is right that he gets something out of it.”
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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 Feb 3, 2012 10:42:56 GMT -5
"Thank you Chad-sama. I wish you a good evening."
Hitoshi was relieved that the Yasuki daimyo had agreed. If he could recover the blades, then there was a small possibility that his grandfather's spirit might accept success as vindication of his methods and finally pass on.
Sighing heavily, he looked around the court. There were still a few people around, but it was growing late and he decided to retire himself. He already had a number of engagements that needed attending to the next day and he wanted to be looking at his best.
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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 Feb 4, 2012 1:32:25 GMT -5
"Ahh, thank you, but no. He prefers his own personal set of weapons, and refuses to use any others. The offer is much appreciated, though, and I may take you up on that offer at some point." He bowed his head low, a small smile on his face as he quickly looked both ways to make sure they were still alone. "I'm afraid I have another urgent appointment to attend to, but I look forward to seeing you again in the City."
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Post by The Book Keeper on Feb 4, 2012 2:31:39 GMT -5
“Any time, this was an enjoyable meeting but we must both head our Separate ways, I wish you luck in your goals.” The Keeper bowed to Saiko, turns around and walked back to the main hall to pick up a few bits of information. Muttering to himself softly “I wonder just who will I run in to next” and with that he re-enters the main hall with all of the jibber jabber.
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