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Post by Shoju on Apr 10, 2012 7:35:51 GMT -5
Yamuso noticed Mitsouko's puzzlement at his age, and smiled genuinely. "I assure you, I am approaching fifty years of age Kakita-sama. My appearance has changed oh so little since I won my freedom from the darkness." He held out a hand, showing faint lines in his skin that betrayed their ability to move but bore not even a trace of hair or age. " When thinking of perfection, one must first divorce themselves from the notion of perfection portrayed by the empire. Perfection, is a state of being. Your blade is designed and honed and forged to be the perfect implementation of honor and death in your hands. While some may see its beauty, it doesn't register the same beauty that you register. It's..... Perfection no doubt in question, but different than my own. "
Yamuso's face lit up, as if he had an epiphany. He held his hand open flat as if saying hold on, and then reached down, and removed his right Short Blade from his Obi, still sheathed. " Here compare this to your own. " He held the blade out open palmed, the saya lacquered black, with う painstakingly engraved into it. " The difference between your blade and mine, lies in its perfection. Yours, the perfect embodiment of a samurai. Mine, the perfect embodiment of one simple action. Both perfect, in wholly different ways. "
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Apr 10, 2012 9:39:11 GMT -5
Omigawa folded his arms and stood a little apart, remaining silent for now, content to see where the conversation went with these two. He visibly tensed when Yamuso reached for his blade, but relaxed when the monk removed the weapon from his person without unsheathing it.
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 10, 2012 11:01:36 GMT -5
"Well, Yamuso," Mitsouko said, receiving the sheathead blade and admiring it for a moment, before sheathing it again an handing the blade back to its owner "yes, it can be called perfection by some, but I rather call it adequation to one's perspective. Though... how did you discover you were truly rid of the darkness within yourself?"
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Post by Shoju on Apr 10, 2012 12:46:39 GMT -5
Yamuso smiled. " I wasn't truly sure that I was free of the Lying Darkness at first. My face began to return. My eyes first, then parts of my nose, ears, and mouth. But never my hair...." Yamuso paused a moment trying to remember what he looked like before the darkness, then shook his head and continued. " My mind was less muddled, but it wasn't until my Lady Hitomi and Lord Sun had named the Lying Darkness that I was truly sure I was free from its grasp." Yamuso tucked the blade into the back of his Obi, and folded his arms over his chest. " For over thirty years I have lived, marked by my brush with Nothing. In those 30 years, I have found few truths to hold under the cold light of perspective. One of those truths that has survived?" he spoke calmly, and passively as he inhaled deeply through his muted nostrils. "Few perfect things remain perfect forever. "
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 10, 2012 15:00:36 GMT -5
"So" Mitsouko considered The sohei's words for a while, trying to understand this man and his beliefs. " you thing you have found some things that are as perfect as well. It's not only part of a new inner conscience, but did you truly witnessed the same perfection in other things? And... most important, what one must do in order to experience this refining process?"
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Post by Shoju on Apr 10, 2012 15:24:41 GMT -5
Yamuso thought hard for a moment. He knew his words from this moment on would need to be delicate. He didn't know what the Kakita knew or understood of Shourido, but he knew not everyone in the empire held it in a favorable light. "Kakita-sama. I have indeed witnessed perfection. I myself achieved it, for a fleeting moment, and have yet to taste its embrace since. I have witnessed perfect days, perfect storms, perfect wars, perfect enemies, even perfect love. I have witnessed a few who have marveled in perfection's embrace for a time." He looked her up and down, looking at a hint of her intentions in her body language.
"To experience this... refining process as you call it, one must simply be open to studying and understanding a philosophy that some would see as opposite to what they understand, and hold true now." Yamuso stared into her eyes, his desire to unravel her intentions driving him forward. "Not everyone who walks this path will experience it, and not everyone needs to walk this path to experience it. "
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 10, 2012 20:04:36 GMT -5
Even though her body language could tell she was tired and maybe sick, as many Kakita, Mitsouko she was naturally focused therefore her next physical reaction was impossible to tell but for an experienced duelist or else. Yamuso also could tell she was digesting his words with the open mind of a curious soul, even if she showed some discomfort, maybe most related to his odd appearance and Omigawa’s disconcerting presence. Maybe she wasn’t so credulous about their identity but for all the effects it was the first time she found one of them, so maybe... The lack of higher purposes burns and destroys many souls, and though some paths are well defined, they seems not to lead to anywhere but to a self consuming circle of vanity disguised in virtues, is all I know. I’ll tell you, Yamuso, I am but a simple woman born with assignments bigger than my ambitions. Though, some can say it’s easy to not have ambitions when you were born with a so blessed birth. I don’t know… Though… her eyes turned to Yamuso’s feet for a moment, and a sad smile crossed her face. I recently experienced evil, maybe not so drastic like you did; and recently I discovered it wasn’t what “empire” teaches which saved me, in truth. I, also, was saved by my will. So I think I have a glimpse of what you try to tell me. What are your higher purposes right now, Yamuso? And also turned to the other sohei. And yours, Omigawa?
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Post by Shoju on Apr 11, 2012 8:48:46 GMT -5
"My higher purpose isn't that much different than yours Kakita-sama. I serve my Lord, to the best of my abilities, while upholding the teachings that we hold dear. It is my hope that in doing so, I may serve the Empire in the way that it needs." Yamuso's words were spoken carefully, but sincerely. " But, I have found over time, I have a rather unique perspective Kakita-sama, one that I fear none have shared, and remembered."
Yamuso turned and looked at Omigawa. "I've overstepped, and dominated the conversation again " Yamuso bowed. "Forgive me, It is you who should speak."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Apr 11, 2012 11:45:51 GMT -5
Omigawa held up a hand. "No apologies necessary, Yamuso-san," he said. "Your knowledge and insight are always welcome, and often more illuminating than anything I might have said." He smirked. "You can make amends, however, by finding a seat for the honored Kakita daimyo."
As Yamuso bowed and left the tent, Omigawa turned to face Mitsouko. "Yamuso has a tendency to go on, at times," he said, "but he often approaches things from a completely different direction than I would, and I find him invaluable for that." He leaned forward, and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. "Don't tell him I said so, however," he said. "It might go to his head." Yamuso returned at that moment, carrying a distinctly gaijin-looking folding chair and setting it up across from Omigawa.
Omigawa leaned back against the map table as Mitsouko chose to sit (or not, as the case may be). "I am many things, Kakita-sama," he said. "First and foremost, however, I am a seeker. Perfection is one of the things I seek, but primarily, we are seekers of battle." He paused to gauge Mitsuoko's response to this. "Combat is the ultimate expression of our philosophy in many ways." He shrugged. "Unfortunately, it can be difficult to practice our particular method of achieving enlightenment, which is why I have chosen our current path. No one misses bandits and thieves, and such men often have strange and improvised styles of fighting, allowing us to test ourselves against tactics we may not otherwise see, gaining further insight into our own practices. Every battle won increases our strength, gains us greater knowledge of the many forms of combat, and brings us closer to perfection of form. Every battle lost tests our will to continue and provides greater determination to improve. Through it all, we are able to exert a measure of control over the chaos around us, and hopefully make the Empire a safer place to live."
He smirked. "As you can see, our motives are not entirely selfless," he said. "But I like to think our results might make up for any selfishness in our motivations."
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Apr 11, 2012 13:36:43 GMT -5
Like Omigawa, Hitoshi had tensed as the other monk had reached for a weapon, and he also noted the former's change in physicality. However, he relaxed somewhat as the conversation continued and as blades and perfection were discussed a momentary look of pain flashed across his face.
It was when Mitsouko was speaking that his attention became fully focussed, though, and he stared at his daimyo's back as though trying to burrow into her brain through the sheer force of his gaze. As she turned and sat, he flicked his eyes away and attempted to return to his state of relaxed awareness. He did not succeed.
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 11, 2012 17:47:39 GMT -5
what's wrong with Hitoshi? Mitsouko refrained to frowning at his weird behavior since their arrival from Shadowlands, just hoping he wasn't that affected by anything from there. Taint included.
Forgive me, This is Kakita Hitoshi, shireikan of the Kakita First legion (nothing of good to tell them he was replacing the traitor Alesha).She sat when Yamuso brought the chair, nodding to Omigawa's words.
Indeed, you have a singular way to seek perfection, but I can't condemn the method. Though, I have another question: I see you both can understand duty in a similar manner I do. But, is there space for honor in this seek of perfection? I mean, honor like most rokugani see it?
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Post by Shoju on Apr 11, 2012 18:39:44 GMT -5
Yamuso huffed at the question, a little louder than he had intended. "Forgive me Kakita-sama. I meant no disrepect in my sigh, I will let Omigawa speak for himself, but as far as I can see, Honor? Is a lie." Yamuso looked around the room, and then added "From my perspective, of course. It had a place in my life, And the Nothing destroyed that place. For nearly twenty years, I walked the empire, with no place. No honor. Nothing. Because I willed myself to live, because I won my freedom of my own volition. I had no honor. "
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 12, 2012 18:07:44 GMT -5
She laughed at his words, quite sincere or maybe teasing at its own way. But of course, nothing like a “civilized” rokugani would expect to hear. Very well, so I am glad you let me know that, Yamuso. Most of times I deal with people who fake an honor they don’t have, so it’s an improve, an honorless man… with a hint of sincerity. But I like our civilized conversation. She let the silence befall upon them, while her mind was racing with the load of information she had. Why, Yamuso, you fought by Hantei’s side in Toshi Ranbo? She in fact, remembered of Yamuso, from Ryoko Owari. Also, he was probably the very faceless man seen in the Western gate in Toshi Ranbo; the one made prisoner by the Lion shortly after the fall, as said by the reports.
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Post by Shoju on Apr 12, 2012 19:19:56 GMT -5
He grinned at the comments about honor, and his apparent lack thereof. It bemused him when people felt that he held no honor because he felt it a lie.
He nodded in affirmation at the mention of Toshi Ranbo. "Indeed. I fought for the Hantei at Toshi Ranbo. I was asked to keep tabs on the "Loyal Crab", so they called him. I went so far as to allow myself capture at the hands of the Lion to see him live." Yamuso thought for a moment, and chuckled. "It's funny, the man who asked me to keep an eye on him was reportedly lost to the war not too long ago. A true shame that they were never able to speak...."
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 12, 2012 20:23:01 GMT -5
Mitsouko pondered for a moment, recollecting the facts and some reports in her mind. Do you mean, Komori Warai, the Bat daimyo, right? Or at least it's the name of one I've heard to have suffered an intriguing incident in Toshi Ranbo just before the Siege... What can I say? Many mysterious things were told at that time, but Iïve heard he made his way to his clanïs island where he died without having the time to tell who attempted on his life. But... If I am remembering well, people blamed the... so called "Spider Clan". Seems very easy to blame them after what happened in Scorpion court to the Hantei Emissary. Like... what happened to a Lion in the Winter Court, or what almost happened to the Empress-to-be two nights ago... You know...somehow, I cannot simply believe they can be behind ïeverythingï. As a former investigator, you shall know not always the usual suspects are the real culprits, all the time. She said simply, of course she was interested in their opinion about those subjects.
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