Saiko
Spider Clan
Here we stand, at the end of all things...
Posts: 355
|
Post by Saiko on Apr 26, 2012 22:30:40 GMT -5
A slight, harsh laugh escaped Saiko's lips at Mai's words, and he nodded acknowledgement to the wave man who chimed in as well. "You know, I tend to agree. Though I've spent enough time amongst the Courts of the Empire, especially the Crane, to learn that just by speaking in riddles I can confuse enough of the politicians that they leave me alone. Though there have been a few who thought me foolish, and sought to make an example of me with steel, but they... learned." He offers a playful grin and takes another drink, seeming at ease for the first time.
"I do not blame you for him being there; in fact, quite the opposite. I may never have survived my encounter with Shoju had my cousin not arrived." A somber grin crossed his face as he half-bowed in his seat, taking another drink as he did so, exhaling more of the strange-smelling smoke as he did so. "I will say, however, that you must not worry about him too much; in fact, racing across the Empire to find him right now would not be the best idea. Regardless of the danger the Shosuro present, Sojiro is a swordsman of exemplary skill, and his status as Hatamoto of the Kakita would make even the sketchiest Scorpion think twice before attempting to harm him."
He stretches a little, taking another swig before offering the bottle to the ronin standing near the trio; he looked as though he could use a drink. Saiko surveys the man for a moment, taking in everything he can, the expression on his face imperceptible as he scans the wave man before him, something tugging at the back of his mind as he did so, but the thought eluded him. His attention returned to the Unicorn with another drink, Saiko shakes the strange memory shard from his mind, and he glances over to where he sees the Lion samurai-ko in question speaking to to others.
"I understand, of course, your wish to fight this duel on your own, for a myriad of reasons; my offer was one born of a debt to you, nothing else. As you say, however, you have no katana with which to uphold your honor. I understand completely the wish for your own blade, but if you are still in need of a sword, I have one that I would be more than happy to provide, for the time being." He smiled as he pulled the ebony-sheathed blade from his obi, and held it before him to Mai, though there was something else beyond his gaze. "Before you make your decision, I must tell you; the blade is not... a typical one. It is obsidian."
|
|
|
Post by Shoju2 on Apr 27, 2012 8:47:52 GMT -5
The ronin nodded in thanks at the bottle, and took a long drink from it, and handed it back. "A dragon, with the blade of the Lost? You are a riddle Dragon-san, but your riddle will figure itself out." The man turned his back towards the group, and lifted his head towards the sky. " Take care of your debts. No debt goes uncollected." The man staggered a moment and the steadied himself. "Samurai-sa, I studied with the Kakita. If your Kakita is half the swordsman I am, no silly Shosuro stands a chance against him." The sake in his veins was making staring at the night sky a difficult task.
|
|
|
Post by Hida Joji on Apr 27, 2012 9:12:10 GMT -5
( OOC: ADragon using a "Lost sword" and a "Lost" Crab using a Dragon sword. Odd world.)
“Interfere? You mistake me for someone who doesn’t know his duty.” – Joji hand crushes the sake bottle bottle he is holding cutting his hand –“You know a lot is riding on your duel. You know you are not just Akodo Tsanuri “having words” with Utake what-is-her-name.” – Joji tries to pour the sake only now noticing he is holding shards of clay instead of a bottle and bleeding on his rice cakes - "It’s fight-on against admitting Hantei is the rightful emperor. It’s Lion setback against Lion defeats. Hold nothing back.” – Joji picks the shards from his hand –“Take it from one who uses all weapons available to him, hold nothing back.” – Joji turns his hand to Tsanuri, it’s clean and unbroken.
“Am I the first non-Spider you have seen using Jigoku in the service of his Lord?” – Joji looks Tsanuri up-and-down – “Perhaps you haven’t seen a Spider yet. You are very young.”
|
|
|
Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Apr 27, 2012 10:50:26 GMT -5
Tsanuri’s eyes widened when Joji presented his hand that was bleeding moment ago now healed and without any mark of damage. She nodded slowly.
"Does… that, happen to every wound you receive?" When Crab confirmed, she took her eyes off his hand. "That’s useful". She didn’t move away from Joji, she tried to continue the talk in the same manner it was, but couldn’t. The flow changed. Her behavior was more cautious than before.
"I haven’t seen Spider, not consciously at least. I take it they don’t inform everybody around what they are." This smile felt nearly real. 'You behave like Crane.' She pushed away unwanted memory.
"But you are wrong. Don’t assign the duel more meaning than it really has. It is between me and Utaku-san. It has nothing to do with Emperor’s decision." "And, it’s Mai. Her name is Mai-san." She explained seeing confusion on Joji’s face.
|
|
Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
|
Post by Utaku Mai on Apr 27, 2012 14:11:46 GMT -5
Mai began to calm somewhat at Saiko's assurances. She found her seat once again on the cool grass, narrowing her eyes somewhat at the drunk ronin's term of endearment. "The sake has clearly addled your mind, wave man, otherwise you would not be so informal in addressing one of the shiotome."
"I hope you're wrong about our cause, Ozora, if only for the sake of the Empire. It feels like Kyuden Doji all over again, when the Yobanjin were invading."
At Saiko's description of his weapon, Mai looked at the dragon swordsman sharply.
"An obsidian katana? Where did you even come to own such a thing, and why in the name of the fortunes would you keep it? I've heard tell of such weapons corrupting those they wound. I couldn't risk it to cause such harm to Tsanuri-san. She may be a rival, but she is still a samurai."
|
|
|
Post by Shoju2 on Apr 27, 2012 14:19:29 GMT -5
The man smiled at The Battle Maiden's words, and turned and faced her. " A thousand apologies Utaku." He used his hands and flattened out his hair, and then brushed at his stuble, trying to make himself look more presentable. "Sake, is the only thing an old addled wave man like myself has. What I thought I would find in that whelp who dares to use his father's name is lost to the sands of time. I have nothing else." The man withdrew a small bundle of tobacco from his pocket, rolled it, and clamped down on it with his teeth.
He produced a striking box from his obi, and lit the roll, taking a long drag off of it, and exhaling high into the air. "I'd give you my sword, but I doubt you'd have much luck with it." He took another drag from the tobacco roll, looking around the camp. " How I wished this would have been fullfilling."
|
|
|
Post by Hida Joji on Apr 27, 2012 14:31:46 GMT -5
(OOC: Available for any interaction until the duel. )
"I don't think I am, this duel will set the tone. I have given you enough to think about." - Joji knods - "I'll see you tomorrow after you win the duel. Have a good day Akodo Tsanuri."
Joji wanders towards the main tent.
|
|
Hitsuzu
Dragon Clan
Ronin, Ise Zumi, Bloodspeaker's bane, Friendly Traveller (with Sak
Posts: 52
|
Post by Hitsuzu on Apr 27, 2012 15:02:40 GMT -5
The monk look up to the two samurai standing next to him, frowning...
It is always sad, really, to see two mighty warriors of the same side fighting each other... I do not doubt of your skill, Tsanuri-san, and I've heard about Utaku Mai-san. It'll be a honorable duel, I do not doubt.
But I won't be here to see it. As we are used to the use of supernatural, here, no need to be shy about, it, neh, Hida-san?
His face suddenly shift, seemingly younger and healthier by the second. He rose, ajusting his disguting vest, rigid with blood and dirt, letting the other samurai see his arms covered by the powerful Lion's tatoo, indicaating more are hidden by the clothing.
Well, I'm fresh as new, for now, so I will now go and see Akodo Keisuke-sama to ask if he has any letters I could bring to the rest of the Lion's armies or strongholds. It won't take me more than 1 or 2 days, depending on how quick the response will be writen... Spying is not my strong point, you see, but speed I have.
Do you have any news or words you wish me to pass to your friends and family, my lady? I'm surely the safest messenger available, for the time being!
He look to the young samourai-ko, and wait with an interrogating eye, and a kind smile, for an answer to his offer.
|
|
|
Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Apr 27, 2012 16:59:18 GMT -5
Tsanuri nodded to leaving Crab. She listened to Hitsuzu’s words. She heard what wonders tattooed monks are capable of doing but it was first time she witnessed one changing his body.
She bowed to the Dragon. "Thank you for your kind offer Hitsuzu-san, but it won’t be necessary." Her face was partially covered with falling hair. She got up quickly. "Have the safe journey. May the Fortunes guide you. I hope we will meet again." She bowed once more and left the Dragon. She walked in the direction of the river to calm herself before tomorrow’s duel and rethink all she heard and saw last days.
|
|
Saiko
Spider Clan
Here we stand, at the end of all things...
Posts: 355
|
Post by Saiko on Apr 27, 2012 18:03:18 GMT -5
Saiko shook his head, a somber look upon his face. "Of course, Utaku-sama, I meant no disrespect. Only, this blade was made for Shoju's head, and it would serve you well. I understand your apprehension, and I think I may have another way to aid you. Excuse me, I shall only be a few moments."
He stood and bowed low to both Ozora and Mai, and nodded his head to the ronin as he walked away from the group, trailing after the large tainted Crab who was also wandering in no general direction. As he approached, he took a drink from the bottle he carried, and surveyed the man for a brief moment, before calling out. "Hida-sama, would you care for a drink?"
|
|
|
Post by Hida Joji on Apr 27, 2012 18:27:01 GMT -5
Joji stops, turns slowly, looks at the man offering him a drink and says "Let me tell you..." - Joji rolls his shoulders - "This is serious..." - Joji straightens his belt theatrically - "My Yasuki cousin once told me that Ronin always have good Sake. I would take it as a bad omen if, in the middle, of Kaneka's camp I wasn't offered good Sake by a Ronin."
Joji approaches the stranger, stops and performs something between a long knod and a very shallow bow - "My name is Hida Joji. Shall we taste your Sake and see what the future holds?"
|
|
|
Post by Shoju2 on Apr 30, 2012 12:16:27 GMT -5
The ronin stopped staring at the sky, and decided he needed more to drink. He stumbled off, away from the command tent, and found himself stumbling, and then he fell. Sprawled in the dirt, he laid, thinking about just how frustrating his life had been since the Civil War. At least.. What he could remember.
What was it that these two kids couldn't come to terms on? As he laid in the dirt, he saw a Lion Samurai-ko walk towards the river. She looked like the Lion he had seen earlier talking with the Crab. The Lion that he thought he heard the Battle Maiden say she would have to duel at daybreak.
Why did the lion follow this son of toturi so blindly, and in direct defiance of the son of heaven? It was about time he found out. Slowly, he picked himself up out of the dirt, brushed himself off, and followed the battle maiden towards the river. As she walked, he followed behind her a few paces. When they seemed to be out of the earshot of the command tent, he cleared his throat.
"Excuse me Lion-san, I was hoping I could have a word with you?"
|
|
Akodo Keisuke
Lion Clan Mod
Lion Clan Regent ?Samurai ?Daimyo ?First Among Generals ?Tactician ?Commander ?Loyal
Posts: 704
|
Post by Akodo Keisuke on Apr 30, 2012 16:43:20 GMT -5
Keisuke had left the command tent some time ago, and now he moving among those troops who had gathered. He found himself remembering one of Akodo Jin's lessons on the commanding of troops.
The general should take into account the abilities and limitations of his men, circulating among them and asking nothing unreasonable He should know their morale and spirit, and encourage them when necessary. This is the same as the principle of strategy.
There were many faces he recognized but there were to many faces that were missing.
|
|
|
Post by Akodo Tsanuri on Apr 30, 2012 18:17:01 GMT -5
Tsanuri stopped when the ronin began to talk but she turned to him only when he finished. She was trying to eradicate frustration, she hated having people behind her back or following her, but when she looked at him, her anger faded. As if there was something she known in him. Even though she was nearly sure she saw him for the first time.
She nodded wondering what does he want to talk about.
|
|
|
Post by Shoju2 on Apr 30, 2012 19:38:20 GMT -5
The Ronin walked a little quicker to catch up to her, and then held his hand out and nodded his head, giving her the lead. "Thank you Lion-san, for humoring an old man." The ronin smiled lightly as they began walking. His armor was obviously old, and under the dirt and grime, the Wolf mon shown. The man was older than most in the camp, the grey in his hair and stubble visible even in the moon light. "I came here to the Shogun, searching in him for what my parents found in his father.... As this war trudges on, I fear that I cannot see the splendor of a great man in either of his children. The ronin's voice was sad, and his speech slurred from the Sake. " Tell me Lion-san, what brings you to the banner of the Shogun? What stirs your soul to take up arms against an advocate of peace? I don't mean The Lion. I mean you.[/i] In times like this, you find yourself fighting brethren as well as Dragon, Phoenix, and Scorpion.[/color]" The Ronin looked at her, his eyes showing a sadness. "I have searched the empire for a long time searching for answers to so many things. In this war, I fear I may have gained answers to much, but not to that simple question. What stirs us to side with one brother against another?"
|
|