Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Post by Doji Naetaru on Jan 13, 2012 5:11:20 GMT -5
Naetaru glanced at both Isawas as the discussion got carried over, graced by the pleasantries that each one offered to the other. From Naetaru's part it was of goodwill.
"Truly Isawa-san there is no need for someone to apologize for expressing his philosophical aspects of his view, even when the Tao is concerned. I assure you that if Rokugan is to be enlightened by someone that would be the families concerned with spiritual matters, and the Isawa family is not an exception to this." he said with a nod.
"Isawa Mitsuru-san, I feel content that you found our lands to your liking. And since you are young, I assure you that you shall find a visit to them much beneficial to you, in terms of serenity and relaxation."
Turning over to Kaji
"The pleasure of meeting you is mine Isawa-san."
He felt their uneasiness from their choice of words, from their stance and even from the fact that they hadn't even formally introduced themselves.
"Personally, I am more than flattered let alone pleased to meet newly arrived people at the Imperial Court, much more them hailing from our glorious allies of the Phoenix."
In response to the question regarding his plans for the Winter Court.
"I assure you Isawa-san, there are no plans from my point of view other than be graced by Hantei-tono's hospitality of course, a fact that I am certain also applies for every one of us here. Every soul in Rokugan would marvel at the prospect of participating in Winter Court contests, regarding poetry, painting, the sadane contest." he said musingly.
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Pekkle
Ronin
Oni ? Nonhuman ? Shadowlands ? Supai ? Doppleganger
Posts: 1
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Post by Pekkle on Jan 13, 2012 5:34:43 GMT -5
A child is seen moving through the outdoor areas of the winter court. She looks as though she is searching for something.
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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 Jan 13, 2012 6:05:27 GMT -5
Sojiro made a point of arriving to court immediately after Chad. He had heard the endless bickering about the man from the courtiers for far too long, and he felt that a proper show of deference from a Crane "War Hero" was in order.
He arrived wearing a kimono that depicted Tsuma city at dusk, as the sun was setting. The top of the kimono was a starry night sky, the black cloth looking like it was cut from the night itself. Gradually, black gave way to blues, purples, oranges, and reds as the sunset was captured in stunning vibrancy. Beneath the glowing sky rested Tsuma, depicted in exquisite detail and color. The sleeves were done in the same night-black color, the left one decorated with a beautiful image of a Crane soaring through the night, the right with a dragon coiling down his arm from shoulder to wrist. His daisho, ever present, was of course tied to his waist but missing the wakizashi. His black hair, normally long and tempermental, had been woven into four braids that came together into one halfway down his back, with the exception of the particularly stubborn white streak that, as always, hung down the right side of his face with a jade bead dangling from the end of it. His fan depicted a scene with three cranes, two white and one black, flying through a blue sky, the clouds artistically forming the mon for the Kakita Elite squadron - a fusion of the kanji for "elegant" and "aggression", with a katana beneath and underlining it. Slung over his shoulder was a well cared for biwa made of a dark, polished wood.
Upon entering and being announced, his mismatched blue and green eyes swept the room, making sure that a large majority of the courtiers present were paying attention to him before he made his next move. With a grin on his face, he approached the Yasuki daimyo and bowed deeply.
"Yasuki-sama, it is a great honor to be attending Winter Court with the man who is ultimately responsible for the Hantei even being able to have a Winter Court this year. I am Kakita Sojiro, Hatamoto and Karo of the Kakita family. On behalf of my family, I welcome you to Kyuden Otomo."
Sojiro rose from his bow, wearing a mischievous smirk that Chad would find to be very similar to the one Mitsouko often wore. As the mutterings from the courtiers started, that smirk became a full blown smile and his eyes glittered.
Well, that should give the vultures something to be 'scandalized' over.
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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 13, 2012 6:22:48 GMT -5
And there was Battou. From the vantage point that the small group gathered around Naetaru had, they could see him dashing out into the courtyard area. Strangely though, he seemed to be coming out of the areas of Kyuden Otomo that had been set aside for the Phoenix Retinue rather than the Crane areas, which it looked to be is where he was heading. The disheveled look of his kimono and hair, coupled with the sweet scent of perfume that followed after him, left little imagination as to what he had been up to previously.
In one hand he gripped his Daisho and in the other he held his cloak. He stopped for a moment to throw the cloak on and it looked like he was trying to tighten or straighten his obi which looked to be only barely holding up his Hakama.
He was on the opposite end from the group, and it looked like he hadn't noticed them.
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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 13, 2012 12:30:43 GMT -5
Hitoshi turned to look at the man speaking to him, and remembered some of the Daidoji under his command gossiping about a new Hatamoto named Ryumon. He bowed and drew an pale cream fan from his belt, opening it to reveal a painted scene of birds in a tree with one of Rezan's more famous haiku written alongside it.
"Ryumon-sama, it is an honour to meet you at last. I have heard your name mentioned by some of my troops - I understand that you have been conducting a stalwart defence of the Emperor here at Kyuden Otomo? Still, if rumours are true, it will not be long until that particular part of the war will be over."
The young taisa gestured over in the direction of the Go boards. "Have you taken part in any of the games? I must confess that I am not a great student myself, but I do enjoy watching."
He then heard a familiar voice rise above the crowd and watched his unofficial brother Sojiro enter and immediately start creating a scene around the Yasuki daimyo. He smiled, then returned his attention to the man in front of him.
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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 Jan 13, 2012 12:52:36 GMT -5
Chad returns the bow gravely, nearly going as deep as Sojiro. A faint shadow of confusion flits across his face in the seconds before the bow ends and he speaks.
"I did my duty, nothing less is to be expected from one sworn to service. So many seem to place all their hope in a truce saving this place from attack, but even should it happen it would merely delay it. And this marriage buisness....," He trails off, obviously disgusted with the whole marriage distraction.
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Isawa Mitsuru
Phoenix Clan
Shugenja ? Void ? Experienced
Posts: 113
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Post by Isawa Mitsuru on Jan 13, 2012 13:45:08 GMT -5
“Indeed,” I began, being quite relieved that the Doji daimyo was being so friendly, “the prospect of being at this court and receiving an invitation to attend was a great honor. As to the games being played Lord Isawa Kaji and myself had already begun discussing the intricacies of the Tao with your clan’s honorable courtiers, as you, of course, had already noticed.”
The blood began to rise back into my face at how stupid I felt I sounded, pointing out something his Lordship already knew, and then pointing out that he had even already known it. I tried to recover by turning the subject back to our previous discussion, where I felt more comfortable and where the Daimyo would surely be well educated.
“Is Doji-sama familiar with Shinsei’s Book of Water? The little Master asks that ‘If you know yourself and you know your enemy, then what is the doubt of the outcome of one hundred battles?’ Our little group was thinking about how this applied to the magical arts. I had suggested that the Shugenja of the Empire were at all times contending with the kami, who would be considered the ‘enemy’ in this passage. Does my Lord Doji have an opinion on the matter?”
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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 Jan 13, 2012 16:29:40 GMT -5
He had arrived with the retinue of the Doji daimyo, the Dragon they called Mirumoto Saiko. He had managed to remain farily innocuous, accepting the occasional congratulations on his honors from Toshi Ranbo, as well as his work at the Castle of the Swift Sword, though more than a few glared from behind their fans wondering why he was here instead of there.
He seemed to pay these people no mind, and instead continued working his way through the hall. He wore what would be an extravagance for him, an outfit of green and black silks in a flowing, natural pattern that shifted as he walked, and worked in gold thread twisting down the right side of his body was a dragon that moved with him; a gift from Naetaru before they had departed Kyuden Doji.
His movements seemed strange, though he was speaking with nobody interesting enough that someone would pay attention to him. He would enter and leave the hall at random, stopping with a Scorpion here, a Dragon there, never saying much, nor of any importance it would seem, but a few courtiers did notice that he "had a few too many friends in a few too many places". Anyone who knew him laughed at this; it was well know by anyone who knew of such things, they would say, that Saiko had undertaken a great musha shugyo in years past.
He walked past Naetaru conversing with two Phoenix, and nodded politely at both of them, as well as bowing his head to the Doji daimyo in respect, before a thirst took him. As he took a breath by a window in the great hall, drinking casually from a small cup of sake, he noticed some extravagant commotion going on in the center, and looked to see the great form of the Yasuki daimyo.
Saiko's eyes widened in mirth when he saw who was talking to him, however, and shook his head at his old sensei; the man loved to cause a commotion. He slowly edged his way towards the two men. He wanted to see this up close...
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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 Jan 13, 2012 16:52:26 GMT -5
"....The Emperor decides to be married. Fine....But it seems nearly every unattached Samurai here is obsessed with Following in his footsteps, dropping everything they had been doing. THERE'S A WAR ON!" His voice carries as his tone gradually raises. Only those very near him pick out that this is a calculated outburst, feigned frustration. Comically, to Sojiro at least, he lowers his voice to a loud whisper that carries throughout the room. "Just the Logistics of supplying Hachi's Army past the Main Lion Base at Toshi Ranbo is a nightmare. And I'm supposed to be impressed that Otomo So-and-so is marrying Shiba whos-it?"
During his rant a few courtiers had the presence to pretend to look ashamed, and nearby courtgoers suddenly found themselves remembering other appointments elsewhere.
Seeing that for the moment no one was in earshot of a true whispered comment, he looks to Sojiro.
"I could swear I've met you before, with a Iuchi Ozora and a ronin....Thrackhath....," he seems uncertain how to express what he's thinking here.
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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 13, 2012 17:08:53 GMT -5
Over Ryumon's shoulder Hitoshi saw Saiko walk in and move closer to the furore surrounding Yasuki Chad and Kakita Sojiro. He tried to catch the Dragon's eye and beckon him over to join them. He had wanted to get to know him better since meeting him briefly at Kyuden Doji and this seemed like an ideal opportunity.
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Usagi Izutsu
Ronin
Hare Clane Samurai
* Hare Clan Regent * Samurai * Jade Magistrate * Master Tracker * Heir *
Posts: 54
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Post by Usagi Izutsu on Jan 13, 2012 17:50:37 GMT -5
They arrived along the road from Toshi Ranbo, a small retinue flying the banners of the Hare Clan, resplendent in gleaming crimson and polished ivory. They passed through Lion and Crane checkpoints alike, their neutrality and the authority under which they traveled transcending the boundaries set by the civil war.
Upon arriving in Kyuden Otomo, they were led to one of the smaller stables, though it lacked nothing in quality. The various retainers were led to their rooms, and after a few hours they left for the main hall of the Court. Upon arrival, when they were asked for credentials and the reason for their arrival, one man came forward and showed his badge of office, and the guards granted them entry.
Usagi Izutsu was a sight to behold as he and his small following entered the great hall. His kimono was a canvas of pure white silks, cut in a fashionable yet practical style, and painted with a crimson seascape of rolling waves, stitched in a multitude of the finest red silks. His dark gaze swept the hall as he was introduced, and saw a few sneers directed his way, no doubt at his belonging to a minor clan.
As the introductions were finished, his group dispersed to make various introductions or pursue their own agendas, but Izutsu himself had his own business. He made his way out of the halls as best he could, saying his hellos here and there to not seem discourteous, but he soon made his way to the offices of the Jade magistrates, where before he could mingle and be sociable he had things to do...
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Kitsu Hiraku
Lion Clan
Sodan-senzo * Loyal to the Emperor
Posts: 197
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Post by Kitsu Hiraku on Jan 13, 2012 18:27:27 GMT -5
Hiraku arrived in Kyuden Otomo days ago with the Lion delegation but he didn't take part in the court games. He was always supposed to stay in the company of others and observe, occasionally responding to their group interlocutor if the conversation wasn't important or if he was spoken too.
And so he did. The courtiers often showed interest in the masked Lion in an ornate yellow kimono but they never got to speak with him for more than a few words, thanks to the skill of the Ikoma that he accompanied.
But right now the situation was different. The Akodo commander by whose side he had walked today got invited to a game of go by a Daidoji he knew. He accepted and Hiraku was left with no company. Tired of his mask, he took it off and began looking for other Lions. Unfortunately for him, most of them were either not present or far away from him, engaged in conversations. He began walking to the closest one, hoping he won't have to spend too much time on his own.
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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 Jan 13, 2012 19:55:33 GMT -5
Sojiro chuckled behind his fan at the "whisper" about logistics. "That is a nightmare I have no desire to partake in, sama. I can only imagine. But I agree, it does seem that everyone is eager to forget what is actually happening in favor of more pleasant distractions."
His voice dropped to a whisper as he addressed the issue of familiarity.
"That is something we can discuss in further detail later, although I must admit I don't have much to add to the discussion, save for the fact that your feelings of familiarity are shared, and I recently met Izuchi Ozora in person - he felt the same way." Sojiro seemed lost in some memory for a few seconds, a faraway look in his eyes that only returned to normal when he noticed Saiko making his way towards them. His smile returned as he took in the kimono the Dragon was wearing.
"Ah, Saiko-san. You look, well.... almost better than me! Tell me, when did we become skilled at being pretty?" Even with the fan covering his mouth, the humor in Sojiro's voice was evident. "Chad-sama, I would like to introduce you to Mirumoto Saiko, my cousin and the first man to follow me over the wall at Toshi Ranbo's west gate. I owe him my life several times over, and one would be hard pressed to find a more skilled samurai. Saiko-san, this is Yasuki Chad-sama, mastermind of the defense of Toshi Ranbo and also, if I am correctly informed, instrumental in the Crane's defense of Seawatch Castle recently." It seems that for a second, the mention of Seawatch Castle leaves a foul taste in Sojiro's mouth, as if he mentioned it only because the Crab did in fact deserve credit for the role he played in keeping a debacle from becoming a full out disaster.
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Post by The Blue Ronin on Jan 13, 2012 23:47:20 GMT -5
Ryumon nodded. "And it is also a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hitoshi-san" He had to struggle to remember not to say sama - it seemed quite counter-intuitive to him that this graceful, noble samurai was his equal, not his superior, but there it was.
"Ah yes, go... Fitsu-sama, as you probably know, is quite an enthusiast for the game so he has gently insisted that I too take it up. Although I have played it before since entering his service we have been engaged in a game by post. Sometimes it is weeks between turns, although since Fitsu-sama is here in Kyuden Otomo we have been able to play more rapidly lately. Which is too bad for me, he is destroying me!" Ryumon gives a slightly crude chuckle, and then follows Hitoshi's gaze towards the Crab and the other Crane. Ryumon's attendant whispers to him once more.
"Is that Chad-sama, the Crab who supports the Hantei? Perhaps you could introduce me to him, Hitoshi-san? I think I would very much like to make his acquaintance"
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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 Jan 14, 2012 1:30:10 GMT -5
Chad Turns and Bows to Saiko, perhaps a bit more deeply then would be expected.
"I am very Glad my order to shut the Gate failed to kill you. I had the fortune to Make Kakita Hitoshi's aquaintance. And Mitsouko-sama made a point as to Brag about her .... uhm.... "Kakita Boys".
"Sojiro-san perhaps overstates my aid at Seawatch. The Mantis attack was not truly prepared to take a coastal fortification. I simply speeded their realization of that fact."
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