Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 19, 2012 18:59:01 GMT -5
These events followed the abrupt exit the Kakita daimyo performed when talking with the Hare Regent/Jade Magistrate Usaji Izutsu and Kakita Battou, Artisan and Duelist. This is the same night when Quarim is perfoming the murder of a Lion samurai in a alleyway of Kyuden Otomo, and sucedes the strange events known by some as "burning sunset".
PM either Mitsouko or Zeure if you wish to join for some reason.
While the night advanced in Kyuden Otomo and varied interesting activities ensued the events of the day, a guest was expect in the sumptuous chambers the Otomo family conceded to the Kakita daimyo. Those wide chambers were divided in three parts, a large room able to host at least 10 people, adorned with the finest silks, furniture, art objects and wooden frames an Imperial could afford, leading to a smaller room (or better, a room with reasonable proportions) which in fact the Kakita daimyo was using as office and place to receive closer people. And of course the third door was the one for her private chamber. All three rooms had access to a balcony in the third floor of the castle. Before the entrance of the main chamber, though, two dutiful samurai were guarding the doors, while other two were watching from the balcony, and their silhouettes could be seen in the backlight. After some rest, she had the visit of Doji Mikado and her mother, got shocked she had no intention in joining the Imperial dinner. And a letter Mikado miraculously smuggled to her behind Lady Otomo’s views _Mitsouko thought Mikado’s mother just pretend to ignore the fact, though. The letter was an attempt to know if Hitoshi had Mitsouko’s permission to marry her. The Kakita daimyo was glad they hadn’t time alone; she wished to not be the one to give her the news. Now, waiting her guest, Mitsouko was spending her time reading reports and making assumptions, her mind already absorbed by plans outside the court again. Some of those papers were about Alesha and his last days in Kakita family. He was trying to look for a pattern. Though, her earlier position as magistrate were not due her outstanding talent for investigation (not she was accustomed with the basics of it) but because she was daughter of an important Kakita. So, she had few clues on how and when Alesha started his contact with a maho cell. Though, Mitsouko was making sure she knew exactly what she was about to deliver to Izutsu-san by the morning.
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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 19, 2012 19:12:39 GMT -5
Kakita Battou, the young duelist and artisan of the crane clan, found himself outside her doors at the top of the hour of Shinjo, just as he had said he would be. He took a moment to adjust his clothing, which he had the servant girl put the finer touches on only moments before. After all, Mitsouko's chamber was not that far from the chambers that were given to the rest of the crane clan, so he did not have to move very far at all to get there. The two guards eyed him warily as he approached, but he had nothing to hide and thus felt they had no reason to stop him. In accordance with etiquette, he asked one of them to tell Mitsouko that he was there and to allow him passage into her chambers for their scheduled meeting, assuming that she saw no problem with this. One of the guards, the skinnier one, took a few steps into the room while the fatter one moved to block the door entirely so that Battou could not enter until he had been given the word. Battou of course, waited patiently for the news that he knew was coming, Mitsouko would of course allow him in, she had asked him here of her own accord, he had just set the time. As he waited, he could not help but think that he had seen the guards before. As the taller, skinnier one came back out and nodded that he had the permission, they both stepped aside and allowed him to enter. On his way in he heard the guards mutter something about always getting stuck with the weird duties. He smiled to himself as he strode through the grandiose chamber that was the formal meeting area. Right on to the next chamber where he found Mitsouko sitting behind a desk shuffling papers. " Mitsouko-sama, I have come as you asked." He looked poised and confident, his typical demeanor, but there was something else there that could not quite be placed.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 20, 2012 2:29:36 GMT -5
Just come in and have a seat, Battou-san. I’m glad in having company for a meal tonight…. Just hope I’m not spoiling your plans for any courtly dinner… She smiled softly, waving her hand showing him a pillow in front of the table. Mitsouko was wearing a flowing white kimono with large sleeves and a teal obi, her hair was loose meaning she had no intention in leave her quarters for now. She pushed aside the scrolls, snapped her fingers and two servants appeared: one collected the scrolls and guarded them in a box, while other started to prepare a side table for the food. How are you? The Kakita daimyo looked him in the eyes, finding interesting the subtle changes in his features, due the full adulthood, but intrigued she was able to sense something not exactly fitting in his authentic duelist style.
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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 20, 2012 3:01:55 GMT -5
He smiled, knowing that the look she bore now was one of curiosity. Indeed he was acutely aware of how much he had changed in the intervening years between their last meeting. He sat down on the cushion she indicated to him. " Oh, I am fine, Mitsouko-sama. I'm in my prime. And you're not spoiling any plans I had. The were only two things I looked to accomplish at Winter Court. One of them I have already finished, the other was you. I've often thought about you, truth be told. I'm glad we have this time together." His eyes were warm, though narrowed, as if he was trying very hard to pay attention to something. His demeanor was not how Mitsouko remembered it being. There was something there that was not there in any of their previous meetings.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 20, 2012 3:34:01 GMT -5
You are changed. but seems it's due an welcome maturity, right? I can say it fits you well. Also, I've heard you have a cohort of lovely ladies sighing for you...She might chuckle to finish perfectly this remark, but she didn't. Instead, Mitsouko in a distracted way tested the sake’s temperature, from the ceramic bottle the servant delivered her, and served two cups. You are the Guardian of Metal, it was told me… how is it, Battou-san? Mitsouko would prefer first 'test the waters' about Battou, to say so, so she was trying to manage her natural impatience for a better result.
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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 20, 2012 3:48:22 GMT -5
He took the cup from her, their hands touched for the briefest of moments, he made sure of that.
"Oh, it's one of those things. A title I took when I became one of the six smiths in the whole of the empire that know how to forge our clan secret blades. Though I have only been given leave to forge three so far. Well... three full blades, anyways."
He lifted the cup up and towards her, indicating what he was toasting was about her.
"To your continued health. Kampai."
He tilted the glass towards him and in one drink took it all down. As his face came back down from the tilt of the glass he still had that same look to his eyes. He placed the cup back down within Mitsouko's reach, but clearly on his side of the table.
"Incidentally, since we are drinking, I've gotten a great deal better at holding my drink than I was back then. I doubt our little dinner will go that far, but the thought crossed my mind. I doubt you get the time any more to have simple parties with your friends like you used to. Being Daimyo of the family and all, you must be very busy."
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 20, 2012 4:05:35 GMT -5
Ahh yes… by now, I think few people can understand me as you and Sojiro… and how weird I feel sometimes when I think I am here, holding this position. I miss those days… She obviously noticed the touch of their fingers, but he was a well known womanizer, she didn’t expect less. Kampai! To yours! The food was at their reach by now, and the servants left. It's only the beggining... I remember my father saying you used to have a good eye for a blade's quality… He liked you. She picked some food and started to eat, so he could do it too.
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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 20, 2012 4:29:16 GMT -5
As the food arrived, Battou looked across at it and took it all in, he sniffed the air to gather the combined scents of what they were about to partake and that is when it hit Mitsouko. The look in his eyes was similar, though slightly different than how he was looking at the food. In a way, it is something she should have recognized earlier, as it was something she had encountered before. He was hungry, for her.
Vaguely she could recall the first party they had attended together, Battou was incessantly flirting with her while they were on that adventure and by the end of it he may have been about to try for something more, had Shinoburo not shown up when he did.
The thought crossed her mind; had he been pursuing her this whole time? Had he never given up on the thought of he and her together? Even though she has been engaged twice since he met her? Hmmm...
"Mitsouko-sama, did you hear what I said?"
She snapped back to reality suddenly and those crystalline blue eyes were upon her with that same look. He repeated himself since it looked apparent to him that she had not heard him.
"I said, how have you been? There have been many varying tales of your exploits since the last time I heard from you."
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 20, 2012 10:44:58 GMT -5
"I'm sure the tales are even better than the real thing..." Mitsouko smirked, intrigued by this new hypothesis. It was a weird thought indeed, but his eyes didn't lie. "You know, I heard tales about you, too. If I'd decide to believe in all of them... I should punish you for your lack of respect for the family of other samurai... or would ask you how you can be at several places at once..." Mitsouko showed Battou the tip of her tongue, winking at him.
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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 20, 2012 11:36:02 GMT -5
His eyes closed momentarily as he smiled even wider than he had been at her "slanderous" remarks. But then they opened up again just in time to see the tongue and wink gesture. Then his eyes were back upon her.
"You should be careful where you show your tongue. There are much better uses that one could put it to. I can think of several right off the top of my head. As for where I've been and done, that is neither here nor there unless you do wish to punish me. And I don't think you do. Though I can safely say that I have never been in two places at once unless you count on the inside and on the outside with different parts of my body. *he pauses for a moment* Going in and out of doors, of course you're inside and outside at the same time."
He returned her wink with his own as he scooped up some of the food and ate it hungrily while continuing to stare at her, watching her reactions.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 20, 2012 12:57:03 GMT -5
Mitsouko laughed genuinely: You dissolute teaser! You are right, I don't want to waste my time punishing you, one must only punish if there's hope of amendment. You are beyond this. Of course Mitsouko could be very lenient to Battou's extravagant behavior while it doesn't interfere in politics; her own father and him had much in common in this field. Battou-san I didn't invite you to know what you can do with your tongue. Spare me of this by now. Though... she served both again with another shot of sake, and drank hers before continuing. I think you are the right person for a very important task... In fact, a personal favor for your daimyo...
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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 20, 2012 18:48:47 GMT -5
"And thus do we cut through the foreplay and begin to get to the real meat of the issue. You know I would do anything for you, you have but to ask."
The way that he said that, 'I would do anything for you' was Mitsouko mistaken or did she hear a double meaning there. She might have heard that he would do anything that she asked of him, the obvious meaning; but it was equally possible she heard that he would do anything to get her. Probably just her imagination.
He drank his sake down and put the cup back in the same location he had before.
"Damn good stuff."
He scooped a few more things off the serving dishes onto his plate and began eating in earnest.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 20, 2012 19:38:07 GMT -5
Sooo wanton... she smirked, showing her dimples. Don't waste my ears with such cheap talking, you will not make me either more demure or interested, oh you Great nimaime. She returned to her meal as well, and after both were done, she filled again their cups, and spoke in a discreet tone: Battou-san, I think my father is alive. I know it sounds crazy but… by now I have some evidences that my suspects are not madness. Also, I know he did it voluntarily. The questions are: where is he and why did he make it? She frowned for an instant. I cannot use an obvious choice. I don’t wish to turn it a state matter, for it isn’t…by now. Though you are capable of digging it for me. I am sure in some part of your life you crossed with his acquaintances, geishas, and entertainers. I spent one year and a half far from home, from ‘Shinoburo-sensei’ travels, parties and meetings, then… I lost something important.
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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 20, 2012 20:27:50 GMT -5
His expression changed for a moment and he got serious his tone changed too.
"I do not talk cheaply. You are not some floozy for me to impress. You are different."
He bridged his hands together in front of his face and thought for a moment. Putting information together while looking at her.
"Now, what makes you think Shinoburo is alive? Faking ones death is a pretty serious matter, and he was a very important individual. It would be hard for him to continue to live when everyone thought him otherwise."
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 21, 2012 5:09:25 GMT -5
Facts:
Mitsouko got another bottle of warm sake and put it at Battou’s reach, though turned her own cup down, signaling that was enough for her.
My father, as you now, died by the time of negotiations with Mantis about a trade route. He was representing our clan’s interests along the Crane delegation, as my uncle, the previous Kakita daimyo, had left for a musha shugyo and our family’s business had been taken care of by his karo. Every Kakita knew not much after the Kakita daimyo started his musha shugyo (which he "opted to" after his hard words against the Shogun Kaneka) he died during his journey, though the real events that culminated in his death were vague so far. Though, our efforts were in vain and Scorpion and Crab were more able than us to offer an interesting route for Mantis merchants. The Crane delegation was at sea, returning to the continent when a taifun sunk some ships, the one my father was among them. Her fingers tapped the beautiful carved tabletop while she recollected the information. Few survived. My father’s corpse, She shrugged in disgust by the thought. Or better, what they thought was my father’s corpse, was found only five or six days after in a Mantis shore. With rags of his clothes and…Tsukinai, our family ancestral sword. As an expert in swords probably Tsukinai got a place in Battou’s memory. She turned her eyes to her daisho rack, for a moment. Though Kakita Battou could notice wasn’t Tsukinai in Mitsouko’s daisho set, but another sword. A nemuranai. So, I returned home to the funeral. Mitsouko skipped the detail she was poisoned in about to die on that occasion, as it was of little interest in this case. Not long after the funeral, his concubine, Mei, started to nag she was sure my father had been in fact murdered. Poor little thing. Mei was even sure it had been my mother, but I didn’t listen to her in this matter. I thought she was shaken and trying to blame someone… she loved him, it seems. Then, my father's death put me here... she waved mentioning her own position as Kakita daimyo. His friends lobbies put me here. I am glad, of course... She smiled slightly, letting the Kakita duelist interpret her words as he deemed fit. I spent some months travelling when the warmongering started, after the victory over the Yobanjin. When I returned home, Mei asked me to grant her permission to travel to Mantis islands. She was sure she had a track of whom his assassins could be. Though I was under the belief it was a creation of her mind, and also, we both knew that travelling for Mantis provinces should be something very risky by now, Mei insisted so much that I saw no reason in prevent her to do it. Her resolve was unstoppable and I was dealing with war council and such... So I allowed her. She was never seen again, though. The Kakita daimyo sighed, standing out and, unable to vent her frustration about this subject, walking around the room in order to calm down a bit. After a second squeezing her own hands one in another, she turned to Battou again. The second fact, Battou-san, is that Agasha Shodai, the Phoenix Void Master, saw by divinatory methods my father is alive. Though, again, even a powerful shugenja like him cannot see where he is. And finally, when I was hostage of Mantis, the flaky and loathsome Yoritomo daimyo laughed at me saying my father was alive and, if I wished to know more about him, I should ask Raiden. He somehow mentioned a group of people... it was like..."us", though it in fact seemed to mean my father was in fact part of it... I don't know. Mitsouko wasn't now much sure if she was shuffling the sources and how she knew it. She frowned, then looked at him again. That's all I know so far. What do you think, Battou-san?
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