Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Apr 26, 2012 23:49:51 GMT -5
"Mmm hmm. I don't know if you know this, but the strands of fate and destiny are woven in dreams first before they become reality. Not all of them do, of course, but... So, yes, I'm well aware of what you are going to do, and what will come of it. Or... at least... I'm fairly sure of what will come to pass due to my involvement or lack thereof."
His eyes slicked over again and started to move rapidly from side to side, as if reading a book at an intense pace. Suddenly he snapped to and re-focused on Shoju.
"As I said, I don't want to dissuade you. This is the proper course of action for you and for me."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 27, 2012 8:30:13 GMT -5
Shoju thought for a moment. "Tell me Yun, You said you are fairly sure of what will come to pass. Enlighten me[/i]. Tell me, where does this end from your view?[/color]"
Shoju's face lost any expression it was holding, and he looked at Yun. "Forgive me if I'm not as believing as you. Even now, with nothing to cloud my judgement, to think that this " Shoju waved an arm at his body " was in the strands of fate and dream when I was but a magistrate in the service of the man I now seek to destroy, seems a little bit of a reach."
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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 Apr 27, 2012 9:09:57 GMT -5
Yun smiled very genuinely at Shoju when he said that, it was full of happiness and joy, something that Shoju had rarely seen on anyone, and never from Yun.
"Ah, you know how these things work. Of course I can't tell you. But I will say this: You will become a blight that very few things in the history of rokugan could claim to be an equal to. You will bring disharmony and terror to almost every corner of the empire, you will destroy so many things in the times directly ahead of you. It's... oddly exciting. Oh the dreams that will be had... the nightmares..."
Yun was almost vibrating with excitement at the prospect, his arms were clenched close to his chest and the feeling was almost literally pouring out of him; it was palpable.
"Don't get touchy, you're still going to get what you want... And, in fact, since I knew you were going to want this information, I've got the first candidate for you all ready. If you would allow me to... pour the dreams of this one in you, then you could move as you see fit, and I'll continue to look for others while you act."
The hesitation and reluctance was written all over Shoju's face, but, with a few seconds of calculation on his part, he recognized that this was the easiest path to get what he wanted, and with a small sigh of a grudging trust, he closed his eyes and nodded. To which, Yun moved closer and placed one hand on Shoju's temple. The touch was light and airy, almost like if Shoju leaned into it, he would phase right through it.
And just as that thought was done, several more thoughts that he knew were foreign to his mind entered. Visions of a man that was so obviously of the Mantis Clan filled his inner perception. Things that no mortal would be able to accomplish, it was instantly recognizable as the dreams of the one that Shoju sought. As part of the dreams, Shoju could see a burning ambition in the man, and the tender heart that betrayal had wrought. Here was a man seemingly without conscience for which the ends always justified the means that Shoju could twist to his whim. The last thought that entered Shoju was a breathy whisper of a name: Yoritomo Daisuke. The irony of the name could not escape Shoju.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 27, 2012 10:26:34 GMT -5
Shoju let the memories fill him, and when the sensation finished, he took a step back. None had come into contact with his form since his meeting with Kyoso, save the bakemono that he had from time to time snatched up and broken like a fruit.
As he gained his faculties, he looked at Yun. "I don't wish to be a blight. I wish to end Bushido. The lies. The half truths. The.... code they cling to, yet can't follow. The Code that is the very basis for their judgements. " Shoju closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Senshi and those that allowed him to fail are first. Then, the rest who cling to their broken traditions. And this... Yoritomo.... He will be the my next follower. His ambition will be his price."
Shoju turned to go, and as he began walking, he turned back towards Yun. "Your help is greatly appreciated, Yun. You will hasten my plans greatly. If you do decide that this form no longer suits you, we can arrange something."
Shoju turned and began heading back from whence he came. He had business in the minds of 2 people this night, and there were still the nonhumans to speak with.
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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 Apr 28, 2012 9:19:14 GMT -5
"If only we could have our cake and eat it too... I'll look for the others, see you later, Shoju."
Yun made no move, he simply allowed Shoju to fade from his vision and make his way out of his clearing.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 29, 2012 16:04:49 GMT -5
Shoju wandered through the dream realm for a short time, pondering Yun's words. His new existence had given him a peculiar outlook on things for sure. As he thought about the words of Yun, he arrived at a pathway to the dreams of one of the people he was looking for. As he began walking it, He knew he was in the right place. Fragments of thoughts about a kakita man, hidden nightmares of the earth closing in on them, and a new thought.
A duel. Fresh. Forshadowing. Shoju walked the path until he found his target. practicing kata with a blade that was not their own. The purple armor shined to mirror like perfection.
Good evening Mai. It is good to see that you escaped the Scorpion in one piece.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on Apr 30, 2012 8:24:46 GMT -5
Mai's borrowed blade, courtesy of a particularly generous fellow battle maiden, had been moving through the forms, creating swirls of wind around her as she went from one position to the next. It was far more graceful and dance-like than it ever had been in reality, as if the tempo were coming from some kind of mournful song.
Then she heard the voice, and within an instant the pretense of beauty and grace stopped, even becoming clumsy and unsure. She didn't need to guess who was speaking to her. Mai spun on her heel and faced the hooded form that was her hated enemy.
"How foolish I was, to think that tormenting me during my waking hours would be enough for you."
She brought the blade into a fighting stance, her burning eyes narrowed.
"I'll kill you for what you did you him."
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Post by Shoju on Apr 30, 2012 8:47:08 GMT -5
What I did to him? Shoju cackled at her words. I'm not sure if you are foolish, or just..... brash, Utaku Mai. I didn't come here to torment you. Shoju leveled his gaze at her, his eyes glowing as bright green as emeralds. I came to make sure that you were alive. that you had survived the brush with the scorpion. I know how terrible they can be to those they capture.
He folded his arms, inside the long sleeves of his robe. I could be angry with you, you know.... I could be vengeful towards you because you broke your promise. But in the end, You were saved from me, and I got what I wanted. Shoju's voice was playful with the last line. Instead of joining the fight with me, to retrieve you from the Scorpion, he assaulted me, I bested him. My blade tasted and drank the blood of Sojiro.
Shoju walked towards her. But enough about... him. Let's talk about you, and me. I gave up much in that battle, and I have given up much since then. On one hand, I could say that I owe you for my current path, for my current... state, almost as much as I owe Senshi. On the other hand, You betrayed me Mai. You betrayed Sojiro. And because of it, many people died. Scorpion they may have been, but still.... good hearted, and loyal men died because of your betrayal.
Shoju pulled his hood back, exposing the rock hard blue skin that covered him. Maybe, I will just save you for last.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on May 1, 2012 11:06:51 GMT -5
"I broke a promise that should have never been given in the first place, I know that now thanks to you. You went too far, threatening my people. The sin of dishonor would have been nothing compared to the sin of inaction, if I had the opportunity to end you and did not take it. The consequences of that choice are my own, but so are yours. You would have killed any innocent who stood between you and your vengeance, regardless of anything that I had or had not done."
Then Shoju revealed his gruesome new form, and Mai instinctively took two steps backward, casting her eyes away in shock. It took her a moment to recover, to hide the fear from her face and meet his blazing green eyes. Her tone was cocky and self-assured, even overly so.
"What abominations have you wrought now, Shoju? Another of your attempts to unnerve me?" She managed a mirthless laugh, avoiding the answer to her own question. "You always were a monster, but now your body matches your soul. It seems a little more honest now, doesn't it?"
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Post by Shoju on May 1, 2012 13:04:26 GMT -5
Shoju sighed as Mai talked. "Here we go again with the selective morality." His voice bitingly sarcastic. The biggest problem with a samurai, is that they can't even be bothered to apply their... Their code to life without trying to find a way to break it without reprisal."
He disappeared into the ground, and then Mai heard his voice from behind her as he lept from the ground. "I don't have to keep to Bushido with you, because you're a bad guy!" Shoju said mockingly. He disappeared into the ground again, coming up on the other side of her. "I don't have to abide by Bushido because you are a Ronin and therefore lesser than me!" Shoju's voice mocked disdain. His eyes grew brighter and a fog began rolling around them. I don't have to abide by my promise, with you because it should never have been given!" He nearly lost his composure in a laughing fit as he finished the last claim.
He composed himself, smoothed his robes. "You betrayed me Mai. You betrayed Sojiro. You failed at love, and you failed at Bushido. You suffer from the same failings as The Master of the Void, The Master of Secrets, and the Mistress of Secrets. You can explain it away anyway you want, but the blood of those Scorpion who died is as much on you as it is on me.
Shoju held out a clawed hand towards the side of Mai's head, almost touching her hair. "You say that my new form matches my soul. He shook his head. "You are witness to my becoming Mai. I will judge the empire for its failures. For its lie of Bushido. For its selective morality of it. And in the end, I will expose, and destroy it, taking great delight in the destruction of those who betrayed and murdered her. Their fate.... well, Shoju grinned wide Well... lets just say that they will beg for death, and it will never come " He leaned in close, his eyes burning bright green again. " You know, there is an outcome in this that doesn't involve you suffering with them, Mai."
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on May 1, 2012 14:24:16 GMT -5
As his hand came toward her, Mai winced but could not bring herself to pull away. It appeared that despite her best efforts, Shoju's words were getting to her. So many failures, she thought. The existence of the creature in front of her just seemed to be one more to add to her now-considerable list. The facade of the hardened warrior had all but melted away, leaving only the unsure young girl who had failed to save anyone since failing to save her mother.
"And what outcome would that be?" Mai whispered in response to his offer, a faint tremor audible in her voice, her eyes shining with slow realization.
"You want me to be her, don't you? You want me to look at you the way that she looked at you? You want me to stand by your side in your moment of triumph, just how she would have?"
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Post by Shoju on May 1, 2012 14:41:01 GMT -5
Shoju shook his head. There is no part of me capable of feeling that way again, and you love another. I couldn't take that from him. His voice was flat, no anger, no resentment. Stand by me? yes. But as a general. As a leader. As a warrior. Not as she did. He looked down on her.
Think what you will of me, Mai. But if you think back on the time that you were in my custody, I never lied to you. I never broke my word. I never punished without warning. I applied my moral code equally in all things. Shoju's eyes dimmed, and his voice quieted. In spite of your hatred. In spite of your loathing. In spite of my power over you. I never betrayed, or lied to you. He looked upward, pondering for a moment. You may say what you want about the path I walk, but you cannot argue that.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on May 1, 2012 15:45:24 GMT -5
"You have changed in more ways then one, then. You want me to give up on the path of my ancestors, and destroy everything that I once cared about. Rather than working on righting my personal failings, I should simply give up and assume everyone else is also a hypocrite and a liar."
With each word her voice seemed to find some new bit of strength, bringing back a self-assuredness that was different from her previous false bluster.
"I see now -- you don't want me to become Tenshi. You want me to become you."
Her eyes burned with a fire that Shoju had come to know quite well, and she even managed a wry smile.
"No. I reject your offer. Perhaps my shortcomings did help to create you, but that only means that I have a chance to restore myself by rectifying that mistake. I will bring you to justice, Shoju. Because you threaten everything I love. Because my honor demands it. And because you decided to make it personal, using my people, my compassion, and my love against me."
She brought herself back into a fighting stance, her blade reflecting the unearthly light of the dreamscape. "I will pray nightly that my blade can be the one to deliver the killing blow."
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Post by Shoju on May 1, 2012 16:47:36 GMT -5
Shoju sighed. "I knew you wouldn't. You still see Bushido, and your ancestors as a good thing. You think that Honor can somehow be rectified. Look deep at the teachings of Honor. There is but one act that cleanses Dishonor. But.. Shoju grinned I see you will forsake that teaching to restore your honor as well.
The fog grew thicker, and Shoju put his hood up, and began to back away. The next time we meet Mai, it will be under far different circumstances I'm afraid. We will be trying to kill each other. I, with my army, you with your hypocrites and liars. Until that time, you only need dream the dream, and ask for saving. Shoju stopped and held his hand up ... At least until I find a Unicorn who believes like I do.
When the time comes, and we meet on the battlefield, My armies will have a standing order to take you alive. You will perish by no one's hand but my own. Shoju was gone from sight, but his present could still be felt. Good luck in your duel tomorrow with Tsanuri. I think you might need it.
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on May 1, 2012 19:33:40 GMT -5
"I'm not afraid of you," Mai said softly, trying to convince herself of the fact as Shoju's form began to disappear. Rage began to bubble up inside her once more when she could no longer see his terrifying visage.
"Do you hear me, Shoju?!!" She bellowed, cutting swaths of wind with her katana, knowing he wouldn't be there but allowing the movement to punctuate her speech. "I...am...not..."
Her stomach lurched as she found herself dropping out of the dreamscape completely, addressing the ceiling of a unicorn-style yurt, surrounded by the sleeping forms of several battlemaiden gunso. Her hands were balled so tightly that her fingernails had left bloody crescent-shaped marks on her palms.
"...afraid."
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