The Winter Court of Kyuden Otomo (Open RP)

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Uhn maybe some...heavy perfumes made me feel a bit dizzy indoors but...yes, surely a bit of talking and walking in a calmer place can do me some good... I'd love to hear what you wish to tell me as well... She directed to Quarim and the Kitsu, with a smile and an apologetic look. Can I leave you for some moments, gentlemen? Let's go my friends, someone is probably wishing to be introduced to you both, why not make things better to them? I'll rejoin you in a bit, I promise.

[Usagi Izutsu]

Izutsu bowed to the Lion, and nodded his head to the gaijin, though his eyes seemed colder when he did so. "I thank you both for allowing me to steal Mitsouko-sama away for a bit, and I look forward to talking to both of you later." He walked by her side out into the gardens, talking of nothing in particular but keeping an eye on her as they walked out under the bright winter sky.

They walked in silence for a moment through the gardens, slowly getting further away from everyone, before Izutsu stopped and glanced around, his keen senses confirming that they were alone. He looked the Kakita Daimyo in the eye, his gaze suddenly very serious, though there was a hint of compassion behind his icy stare. "Now tell me, Mitsouko-sama, what is truly troubling you?'

[Agasha Shodai]

The apprentice chuckled at Yasuki Chad's comment. "Ah, you must have sen him utilizing his Flight of the Phoenix spell! Consider yourself lucky, Yasuki-sama: while Shodai-dono is the undisputed Master of Ishiken-do, the art of Void Magic - surpassed only by the Void Dragon and his avatar, the Oracle of the Void, like all Agasha he also possesses a natural affinity for Fire, but he uses it sparingly since it tends to give him more of a fiery temperment - no pun intended - than normal. When Sensei invokes that spell and takes the field of battle..."[/b] Tetsuro shuddered slightly. "Well, let's just say I'm glad I'm on Sensei's side of the conflict..."[/b]

The Isawa bowed when the others decided to accept Agasha Shodai's offer. "Excellent! If you'll follow me, Samas."[/b]

Isawa Tetsuro returned to his master with Sojiro, Hitoshi, Ryumon, Saiko, and Chad, guiding the men to the rectangular wooden box that had been painted with the Phoenix clan's mon and colors overlooking the Kyuden's spacious courtyard. On three sides the walls came up to waist level - save for the door space on the long side to allow entrance to the box - while the other long end was barely above knee level when one was sitting in either the seiza position or on a small futon cushion.

The space permitted an unobstructed view of the court's more vigorous games: an outer ring for the horsemanship competition, an inner ring for the foot race, then - on either side of the elliptical rings - were the archery ranges for the kyujutsu challenge, and, in the middle of the double rings, a set of ropes kept the wooden iaijutsu dueling platform free of all but the two samurai currently dueling - one of the few loyal Mantis against a member of the Shiba family.

The Void Master was sitting alone at one of the two tables that dominated the observation box. An assortment of delicacies, prepared in Kyuden Otomo kitchens by the Council's own servants, covered most of the table, along with elegant platters and cups provided by the Court's hosts. There was fish, rice and many other dishes normally only seen in Phoenix lands. The hot dishes steamed in the slightly chilly air, but Kyuden Otomo was far enough south that what passed for "winter" weather down here was the equivalent of a brisk spring day in Kyuden Isawa.

Two skewers of dango sat on a plate before Shodai, near a steaming tea cup that was out of place from the others at the table. The Void Master's cup had been a gift from his Agasha grandfather - along the the bushi's own wakizashi - when the shugenja had completed his gempukku at age 10 - an age when most samurai are only beginning their initial schooling - twenty years earlier. The cup had accompanied Shodai every mile of every journey he'd ever been on and the cracks and wear in the lacquer reflected that fact. The cup had broken many times in his two decades as a samurai, but a brief prayer to the Earth kami that made the cup's fired porcelin structure had repaired it time and time again.

Agasha Shodai smiled kindly and gave respectful bows as the five samurai introduced themselves, making appropriate small talk when it called for. There was no surprise in his eyes to see two additional samurai - Tetsuro had silently informed him as such through the Void - but they would add to the illusion that Shodai wanted more than just a chance to see Mitsouko again.

The Void Master accepted the cup of sake Mirumoto Saiko offered. "I don't normally imbibe, but seeing as it is Winter Court I can't see any harm. Kanpai!"[/b] Shodai said, offering the traditional toast before knocking back the drink. The rice alcohol burned slightly going down, but hardly the the worst burn he'd ever had...

No, that white dish he'd had in the Unicorn provinces would forever hold that claim; it had burned his mouth and throat so much he'd needed to invoke a healing spell to end the fiery pain.

"Mmm... This brings back memories... The Breath of Togashi blend, I think? Or is it one of Lava Ridge's products?"[/b] He asked Saiko, mentioning two of the more common brands of sake. Shodai had spent the summer after his gempukku refining some of his skills with one of the Agasha Yamabushi masters that hadn't defected with the rest of the Family shortly before Shodai was born. It had been his first encounter with the bad blood that existed by those who now called themselves Tamori.

[Saiko]

Saiko followed suit with Shodai, knocking back his all in one. He breathed a satisfied sigh after, his eyes slightly closed, before a sly grin crossed his face. "Very close, Shodai-sama, though I would be very surprised if you had guessed the correct name of this specific brew. It is called Togashi's Wrath, a slightly more potent variation of Breath of Togashi created by a close friend of mine from my training as a yamabushi. I go to great pains to make sure that I always have a small personal stock with me at any court events."

His gaze wandered out over the competition grounds, stopping every few moments to observe one of the competitions. It was clear that he was most interested in the iajutsu contests, however, for it was here that his gaze came to a rest, and he settled into a more comfortable position watching the duel, before turning his attentions back to the conversations at hand.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Lady Kakita's vain behavior vanished as soon as the pair reached a quiet and forgotten corner in the Otomo's garden. In fact, though she was fighting back with some discomfort, her glance was stern and full of resolve.
Izutsu-san, I am glad you attended to my call. I'm not ignoring your attentive scrutiny since we had met moments ago, so I think a rumor or two reached your ears. About some events in Seawatch Castle... That's why I thought your advice, and maybe help, is of great value.

[Usagi Izutsu]

His face grew dark for a moment, but then it just seemed tired. His body seemed to slump, and he stood in silence for a moment, preparing to confirm that which he feared, but had hoped was just rumors. "So you confirm that the traitor Alesha performed a maho ritual to bind an Oni to you..." He shook his head. "Dark times we live in indeed..."

"Forgive me, Mitsouko-sama, but I must insist that you tell me everything. It is my duty to make sure that you are safe to be allowed to walk freely in these halls, but I must hear the story before I can do that." He took a seat on a covered bench off the path that gave them a good view of anyone coming from either direction, and gestured for her to take a seat next to him.

[quarim]

(ooc - this will take Quarim throughout the night. As Mitsouko said it was sunset i'm going with that. i will still be able to converse with any current conversation anyone wishes me to be in.)

Quarim noticed the intense look Izutsu gave Mitsouko. He thinks she is tainted. I must give him something else to think about.

Quarim went off on his own. He conversed lightly for a few hours then broke away for a bit to rejoin his caravan. He sought out a cloth merchant who was selling "kimonos" with various clan symbols on them. (He had instructed for such clothing to be made to help increase profits.) He found a kimono tucked away out of sight. It bore the mon of the Spider. He ripped the mon off and threw the rest of the "kimono" onto a nearby fire.

He then set off to find the less reputable sort of samurai enjoying the hospitality of Winter Court. He found a group of Lion holding a impromptu sake drinking contest. He looked for the biggest among them. A brute of a man and challenged him to a drinking contest.

That sat together all night drinking and laughing. Only a few short hours away from sunrise they may their way out into the streets. Quarim promised the man a bottle of his finest liquor from the Burning Sands for besting him in the contest.

Being so late no one was in the streets. Quarim gave a quick look around to make sure no one was around. Quarim had taken a drug earilier to help keep the alcohol from taking affect on him. That having stopped drinking an hour ago his senses were sharp. The Lion however was barely able to walk.

Quarim knew he must time it perfectly. With one quick motion he drew the samurais own wakizashi and slit his throat before he could make a sound. He then picked up a rock and bashed him in the head. Any investigation would look like the rock had been used to knock the man unconscious then his throat slit.

Quarim then placed the ripped Spider mon in the corpse's hand and laid the fan Mitsouko gave him next to the body. Then Quarim disappeared into the night.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

The Kakita daimyo bit back her frustration and humiliation, and responded:
For a side I am glad these rumores reached a Jade magistrate so quickly... Mitsouko sat and tucked her hands in her sleeves, using a moment to admire the nascent stars in the sky above.
Yes... man called Alesha, formerly a kakita, formerly a loyal and famous Crane shireikan of the most successful Kakita legion... a Lion hater, a ferocious man... the epitome of a Crane warrior and duelist... this man had fallen. We failed in noticed when and how. We failed in notice this evil within our ranks. So, I still don't know how, but I am sure he is the responsible... he did some maho ritual and bonded me to this Jigoku foul creature, bringing it to Nigen-do.
I had the assistance of Crane ancestors, from the Asahina, from a ...very traditional Kitsune shugenja and also, from the Phoenix Void master, not counting the brave men that fought the beast in the physical realm... The creature tried to overcome my will, but I fought back. So we won! her tongue was heavy... But I wish to make sure, we do not have any other threats like that hidden in our ranks and... I wish to make sure that man has no power to harm my clan anymore. I need to find him... She took a deep breath, scanning the Hare regent for his reaction.

[Zeure]

Previously
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, Well then, Phoenix-san." He pointedly emphasized that the man had never introduced himself. But he passively watched as Kaji walked away. Hurriedly he went to the crane chambers to finish getting ready for his grand entrance. Some attention to the finer points of his outfit and hair were needed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Present
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lovely servant girl later, one who had far too much talent with finery, and Battou looked fantastic. His kimono was a darker blue than was normal for the crane, close to something a crab would wear, but upon it was depicted the moon amidst a field of stars. If one looked long enough, paid attention to how he moved, one would see that the Kimono actually shined. Were those flakes of some metal in there to cause the effect? The sleeves were wide and would billow in the wind, but they stopped at the edge of his wrists. He had some garment underneath the kimono, a black thing that traced all the way up to his neck, giving him a collar of blue. It seemed like one solid piece that would be slipped on and off, rather than a parted thing in the style of normal clothing. His Obi was also black, but upon it the image of waves danced. A simple black hakama ended the outfit. In totality, his outfit would be called "star-lit waters". Into this, he tucked his daisho and the third blade that he had been carrying with him non-stop since he made it. Tonight, it would find it's real home.

He came into the central chamber of the winter court, as he was announced. "Kakita Battou! Artisan and Duelist!" As he entered, to mild murmuring, he noticed Mitsouko being led out of the room by another samurai, someone who bore the hare mon. Interesting he thought. Not even waiting for the usual rounds of others to say things to him, he moved off after her, through the door.

"Mitsouko-sama!" He called after her, just as she was finishing up her speech with the hare. Battou walked up to her, looking her up and down. "My, my, my, it has been a while since I've seen you. If you've changed at all, you've only grown more beautiful." He bowed to her after he had said this. As he rose, his eyes flitted from her to the hare. Waiting on introduction, if one would be made.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Ooh c'mon what is going on right now? Her first reaction was to dismiss the unbecoming Kakita, and she turned to do so, when her eyes glimpsed a little head behind the bushes, a strange gleam of infantile though malicious eyes... peering at them.
Wait, what this...? A second glance to certify herself and the "thing' was gone. She was sure she was having delirious visions once in a while and, now a jade Magistrate was trying to get her vetted for Winter Court, it was better not to comment about the weird child anymore. It was time enough to make her fury to subside and the Kakita daimyo dedicate to the man a second glance as well, before saying anything. For her shock, she actually knew him. It was an older, enhanced, charming and provocative version of one of Sojiro's most talented apprentices: Kakita Battou.
Wasn't him now the Guardian (or Master, she wasn't sure of all those titles) of Metal?
Dear Battou, I would appreciate a more formal approaching... how are you, afterall?

[Zeure]

His eyes moved back to her, a new gleam was in them, as if he understood something that he was not letting on.

"Oh, I am fine. I'm sorry if my demeanor is too unbecoming, but I had heard all manner of things about you and am incredibly relieved to see you are safe here. I meant to see you when I had heard that Shinoburo-sama had died. But I have been either detained or missed you the few times that I have been able to make the journey to your home."

His look turned to one of apology and consolation. He felt that he might reach out and pat her shoulder, but that would have been highly improper and he did not know where she stood. He had varying tales of her adventures since they last met, which was almost two years ago, he had met with her once to be introduced to her then fiancee Hida Kimo. Whom he took an instant dislike to. Battou had been largely out of touch since then. The training for his schools had him going places, doing things, and often away from large groups of people. In fact, this was largely on purpose, to help keep the secrets that he was being passed.

"What have you been up to?"

[Isawa Mitsuru]

I glanced at the letter the daimyo was receiving and noted the very official looking seal. Presuming him to be thusly occupied with state business I bowed politely out of the conversation and stepped to an aside with Kaji.

“I understand what you mean Kaji-san. It is in fact unfortunate that our skills seem to be underrepresented in the other court activities. I believe I will take you up on your offer. Please, let us adjourn to the garden.”

The air outside was crisp to say the least. Overhead a pale moon shown through several wispy clouds so that there were copious amounts of light shining onto the beautiful Otomo gardens even before the lanterns had been lit for the evening. The two of us walked together to an open area of suitable size for our ‘duel’ and set up at opposite ends.

Most people understand that in Iaijutsu duels there are many important factors to consider such as skill, attitude, and stance. Many fewer people understand that in many ways a duel between shugenja is almost no different. While the skill set applied varies there are just as many pieces of etiquette involved.

To this end I fell readily into my ‘stance’; a position that I had practiced for years under Master Gomaru for times such as this. Among shugenja it is possible to identify a school by its stance and this is doubly difficult among the Isawa, for there is not a single style but upwards of five to represent each of the elemental sub-schools. The void stance is, of course, the least commonly used simply because there are so few of us. I stood with my feet evenly apart with my left foot forward to minimize the profile I presented to my partner. My right hand was rested against the small of my back with my left extended outward, hand down, presenting the back of my hand to Kaji. I focused my vision on his whole person while trying to expand my void sensitivities in a wider range. I tried as best I could to keep emotion out of my face to keep from telegraphing any of my spells before they happened. I’m never sure whether or not my form is flawless but I generally try my best.

So standing I addressed my ‘sparring partner’.

“Isawa Kaji, I am Isawa Mitsuru, student of Isawa Gomaru of the Isawa Ishiken. In respect for our family ties I will allow you the convenience of a shameless forfeiture before we begin.”

I, of course, expected him to refuse the option, but it was important that the niceties be observed.

And then, like Shiba of old, I waited.

[Usagi Izutsu]

He sat in silence as she talked, his face growing dark and cold, though it did not seem as though his ire was directed at her. He stood as she finished, staring out over the gardens, deep in contemplation, feeling the kami in the gardens shifting as shugenja practiced their craft beyond his view. After a minute or so of this, he turned back to her, his face inscrutable. "The fact that Shodai-sama was instrumental in the process puts my mind greatly at ease. The Master of the Void is well known to me, and if his considerable talents were put to this task, then I am much more confident in your safety."

His gaze grew darker once again, however, and he grew more intimidating, though this did not seem intentional; rather, it seemed a byproduct of the fire seemingly burning through this mans veins. "This does not mean, however, that I trust you wholly. No offense is meant by this, Mitsouko-sama, but I have been doing this for too long, and I have grown suspicious and jaded. I am simply being careful; therefore, the rest of the time here at Winter Court, you will be accompanied, in addition to your own retinue, two of my own Jade Legionnaires. This is a precaution for the safety of the Emperor, and it is not negotiable."

His gaze softened,and he looked away for a moment. He looked back with some true compassion in his eyes. I apologize, Mitsouko-sama. These are precautions that must be taken. I have lost my entire family to the foul use of maho, and as such I take no risks when dealing with it. Now, I am of course willing to give you my aid as much as I can. What do you need from me?"

[Kakita Sojiro]

Sojiro followed the man to Agasha Shodai's booth, remaining silent as Saiko filled the cups and just taking in the man, hiding his bemused smirk behind his fan.

Mitsu had mentioned that we were almost inverted copies of each other, but.... wow...

Finally, he seemed to remember where he was and bowed to the man.

"Agasha-sama, it is an honor. I have heard many things about you from Mitsouko-sama, and finally having the chance to meet you in person is a pleasant surprise."

He caught a glimpse of the sunset in the skies above the competition fields, and his smirk faded away as a sinking feeling came over him.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

The Safety of the Emperor yeah... we should all be protected of him, instead. She thought, not hiding her clearly unpleased expression after the Hare Regent exposed his terms to her. Not negotiable? I am no woman of disrespecting the terms of a helping hand which was requested by myself. Though it puts me in a very unbearable condition… I cannot be seen in the court with jade Legionnaires in tow. It means I need to reformulate my plans and agenda…. And need to leave the court to avoid shame over my clan.
Though before she could explain anything else Battou arrived with great fuss, and everything else ensued in a quick sequence.
Though, hearing the kakita duelist mentioning her father funeral just ignited a whole world of possibilities. She needed someone to find out where her father was and why he simulated his own death. And... everything else she discovered about her father's liaisons with a weird organization and why she suspected it to be linked with her own position as daimyo... And Kakita Battou... He would be able to recognize Kakita Shinoburo anywhere.
I am well, and wow... this is indeed too many time! May we have a meeting later, Battou-san? I really wish to talk with you about the old times... I miss it a lot! I think tonight I will be not in any of the dinner parties, because seems i have... a lot of unexpected work to do but... how about you join me for a private meal while I deal with it all?
She tried to sound amicable while delaying any conversation with Battou to a better timing. He was an intelligent guy she knew it, and expect him to just accept and meet her later for the said dinner. Her talking with the Hare Regent wasn't finished but...
Kakita Mitsouko just stood and left them without a word, heading to crane quarters, in a sudden and unexpected reaction to something.