Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Feb 13, 2011 22:32:40 GMT -5
He nodded. So what shall we commission? Perhaps us at the coronation of our friend, Setsuro-san here? A lovely work of us on the dais, presiding over the party would look nice. We can even wait til you heal fully, Senshi-san, so as not to look so haggard. He took another sip of tea and set the empty cup in front of him without looking at it, using his other hand to stroke his trimmed beard absently, lost in thought as to what to wear for the painting.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 13, 2011 22:45:05 GMT -5
"If they are worthy of the commission, surely they can artfully paint the arm in the way that you wish Senshi-sama."
Haruka gently unfurled a hand fan as she wafted a bit of air towards herself and kept her mouth hidden.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Feb 13, 2011 22:51:26 GMT -5
He stares at Tomatsu a second, then gestured for a servant to bring him more sake. Deciding he'd be better off just not thinking about his drinks. "Yes, such a work would be the best solution, I agree. And I see no need to wait to have the piece done. I take great pride in this wound I took for you, oh master of the hidden-tea-cup-technique."
As his cup was filled, he raised it, signaling that he had his fill. Then promptly took another sip.
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Post by Hida Setsuro on Feb 14, 2011 14:03:10 GMT -5
"A commission sounds appropriate." Setsuro nodded in agreement with the other two champions and then once at Haruka, "That's a brilliant idea. We'll have to find a proper artist, one that can capture all of us to the best of their ability." He smiled widely, now feeling much better about the idea than actually the three of them drawing something.
Setsuro grabbed his cup from earlier and downed all of the sake in one big drink before he got some more. He practically had an iron liver and a stomach that could probably handle just as much. "The sumai contest is tomorrow. I assume you won't be participating, Senshi-san?" He grinned a bit and took another drink, though this one was much less intimidating to everyone else. "What about you, Tomatsu-san? Will you be taking part in the competition?" He eyed the Lion curiously. It would be amusing to him if Tomatsu did participate and actually lost. What a rumor mill that would be.
Setsuro himself would not participate; most of the Crab would not go against their Champion and so the competitive nature of the sport was lost for him.
Only moments later did several servants come in carrying small cakes into the room. They were meant for snacking, deserts and the like. Some of them were sweet, while others a bit more salty, even a few different types of crackers here and there amongst the cakes. With many bows, the servants then left to allow the Champions and Haruka their privacy.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Feb 14, 2011 15:07:59 GMT -5
Oh no I must decline, Setsuro-san. Not for any physical reason, but I have already agreed to a game of Sadane with the Yaksuki as well as to tell some stories to the children. Curious beings children are. They know I am a champion, but they have the awe-inspiring ability to talk to you as a human being. No fawning or "I'm not worthy your lord ship". Just good honest future samurai and samurai-ko.
He took a snack cake and munched on it in a dignified manner, for of course, there was a lady present.
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 14, 2011 15:33:23 GMT -5
Elsewhere in the halls a well travelled guest was arriving decidely late. His name was Kitsuki Tanemune. The curious lookinh samurai past by the outer guards with a stern stare and a gesture to the identification he wore proudly at all times. His yoriki was not so lucky and was held up. Turning around the man managed to save his servant the embarassment of a shugenja casting a taint detecting spell on him. It had been some time since his last visit to Crab lands the man thought, chuckling away rather loudly as he found prood that the Crab had still not changed in their sensible paranoia.
Still, no lower ranked buke would challenge an emerald magistrate - even if he wasn't here on official business.
He handed his katana to one of the guards, holding it for a few moments as the guard placed his left hand on the sword. He looked the guard in the eyes, causing him to drop his view. Tanemune then smiled and released his grip on the sword. He noted the fact in his mind - usually the Crab were the only Clan to forgo removing your katana. They must be slightly more concerned about security with the new champion in attendance. "How was Setsuro-sama now?" he wondered.
His head was shaved and the ends of some great tattoo were visible on the back of his neck above his kimono line. He was quite a thin man, very wiry - not that it was unusual for a man of his age. He was clearly somewhere in his late 40s. His eyes were as bright as any young samurai though, he used them to scan around him as his head stayed confidently centered while he walked into the outermost halls, gesturing for his yoriki to wait for him. He only intended to stay for a few hours. There was an ongoing investigation further north that he needed to return to. He could never forget his work. It took precedence over even his family.
Still, he had to at least visit on this special occassion as he was in the area. He regretted not being able to announce his appearance in advance but he had too many enemies to clearly outline his travel plans. After a few more guard checks he finally ended up outside the first guest room. He quietly turned away to tuck his symbol of office outside of view before entering the room.
(ooc: He isn't near the clan champions. Do continue ^^ . Just wanted to enter with someone!)
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on Feb 14, 2011 15:54:25 GMT -5
Haruka seemed quietly bemused at Tomatsu's gracefulness. She hadn't met many lion who were standing still to be fair, but it did seem a little ironic. But she appreciated the tenderness of lion's movements.
Bemused she simply said, "Indeed, although you'd best be careful Tomatsu-sama, if you tell them war stories the boys tend to get a bit... excited. Before you know it you might have your own little wrestling contest with the lot of them."
She chuckled quietly to herself at the thought of the children mobbing Tomatsu in a playful manner. Seemed strange to have such images in such tentative times.
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Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
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Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Feb 14, 2011 15:57:52 GMT -5
He stared her dead in the eye. I'm sure you well know that its not always the male children who become difficult after hearing war stories. The Utaku girls must be like the Matsu girls, always spoiling to hit some boy or steal their candy, not that the boys don't get into enough trouble themselves. He chuckled a bit, as he took another bite of his snack cake.
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Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Feb 14, 2011 16:07:17 GMT -5
Shizuyo was quite content sitting where she was alone with her sushi and sake. Quite unlike most around her, she was drinking the sake liberally and sparingly nibbling at her sushi. There were other men and women drinking quite a but, a fact not too surprising at a party, let alone one in Crab lands. However, most of those drinking a lot had an appetite to match. Shizuyo came from a land where sake was plenty but sushi was a rare delicacy. No matter how much she told herself this was a party, and a coastal castle resplendent with fish, Shizuyo couldn't bring herself to treat her sushi as anything but a rare delicacy. She was helped that it was some of the finest sushi in the land.
Shizuyo casually looked around the room, brushing some hair back over her ear. It was mostly dry by now, though she felt every wet strand still there from her dive into the water. She'd debated before whether or not to cut her long black hair shorter so it wouldn't whip around as she rode, and so no one could grab it for an advantage, or itch so much in her helmet. She's always decided to leave it long, but she'd never wondered that in such a social situation before.
As she mulled over those thoughts, they were suddenly interrupted as she saw a tall thin Dragon enter. She stared a moment curiously before her eyes widened. Dragon with bald heads and tattoo weren't so uncommon, but there was no mistaking Kitsuki Tanemune when he entered a room. While she had never really left Ox lands, her father had in his role as an Emerald Magistrate. He wasn't alive anymore, he'd died fighting the yobanjin in a smaller raid, but back when he was alive he'd sometimes return in the middle of an investigation to talk to her and check up on her and her mother. More than once, Kitsuki Tanemune had been with him.
Tanemune had always seemed to be a man in Shizuyo's mind that wore his heart on his sleeve, or at least as much as any Samurai she knew. It was never something that drew much interest in Ox lands, especially up in the Kijuro villages, so it never seemed a big deal to Shizuyo until she'd started traveling to other lands. She didn't know a lot about Tanemune personally since he had always been busy talking to her father, and a lot of the time, she'd been busy with Tanemune's daughter having fun.
None the less, she knew enough to feel him an acquaintance, and she stood up and made her way over to intercept him. As soon as she caught the corner of his eye she bowed, hiding her soft warm smile as she did so. "Konnichi-wa, Tanemune-sama. It is good to see you again after these past years."
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 14, 2011 16:38:44 GMT -5
The man's plain and understated kimono wipped around slightly as he turned, recognising the voice.
"Shizuyo-chan!" He exclaimed, eyes widening in shock at how much the young girl he remembered had grown "this is a surprise!" He laughed heartily and strode closer to her, giving her a hearty pat on her right shoulder "you are even more beautiful than before. It has been some years. Yes, yes, quite some years indeed. You're a bit taller and I see you've grown in other ways. Your hair is longer. It suits you" He nodded and leaned in a little closer before leaning back with a smile "I also see you've started on the sake without me! You've become inconsiderate in your older age!" he joked, winking at the girl and ignoring the stares from some of the other guests around him.
"Well, well, what is keeping you?" He said to the slightly shocked samurai-ko "show me where they're hiding the strong stuff!". He turned towards the other guests and announced in a loud voice "Let us all celebrate this magnificent occassion and cheer to the glory of the Crab!". This caused a boisterous cheer in response and a few cups of sake were downed faster than they perhaps ought to have been. Tanemune grinned, content as the attention he was receiving left him. He glanced back towards the young woman as he made a beeline to the shochu and filled up a cup rather enthusiastically "How is your family?"
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Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Feb 14, 2011 16:58:56 GMT -5
Shizuyo was quite a bit less flustered than perhaps she should have been in such a situation. She gave a slight blush at the compliment on her hair, somewhere in the back of her mind brushing aside the thoughts from before about its length.
As the two made their way over to the table and sat, Shizuyo pouted a second cup for Tanemune even as he poured his own cup. She wasn't much of one for protocol, but she also knew he'd be more than happy to accept more sake. She smiled softly and poured her own sake as she spoke. "Father's ashes rest well in their urn thanks to your prayers on the anniversary of his death, and I thank you for the flowers you always send. Mother has grown old enough that she can retire, and she spends her days now teaching armor maintenance and repair to a few bushi within the Morito."
She paused to take a large drink of sake before continuing. A little red was in her cheeks from the drink, but like most in her clan, she carried her sake well. "Do you remember young Sakura? Well she had her gempukku, and took the name Tanako. I don't get to see her a lot though, even more so with my travels now. She's a guard at Shiro Morito, quite an honor." She smiled as she refilled Tanemune's cup. "Enough about me though Tanemune-sama. How have your own travels been? It's rare for you to be so far south... are you on a mission in Crab lands? And have you seen Yuushahime-san lately? Any luck finding her a husband?"
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 14, 2011 17:46:53 GMT -5
He waved a hand at Shizuyo's comments regarding her father. He did not wished to be thanked and made a gesture to say that she should think nothing of it. He somewhat wanted to tell her of her father but it was not a good time. He decided to lighten the mood somewhat.
Tanemune grinned, quipping "then your clan's armour will be well taken care of - and your bushi who do not listen will just be taken care of!". Downing the first cup he called a servant to bring him some snacks before taking hold of the second cup with a polite nod to Shizuyo, listening to her words. He wanted to catch up on the drinks that others had had without him.
"Tanako... Tanako. A fine name. She chose it herself? That's excellent for her. Both for her successful gempukku and her current duty. Splended news. I can empathise with not being able to see her. I cannot see my own children often, as you know. Still, I had some miniature portraits made of them by a visiting Crane painter. I have them on me in fact!"
He reached into his kimono, digging around for only a few seconds. He pulled out some three modest folded pieces of artistic paper and unfolded them. He eagerly showed them to the young woman. The elder samurai-ko with the hairpin Shizuyo recognised as Yuushahime. The younger two were a short haired girl who grinned in the painting and a slightly older boy reading a scroll.
"The Crane could not get him to pose" Tanemune explained "too busy with his studies he said. He has a way with the kami that one. It is a shame he lacks his eldest sister's social graces..."
"As for my travels - they have been well. You always ask about my missions and why I am where I am" He laughed before continuing "you remember my last reply to those questions yes? It is a secret, as is all our work". He sipped at his second cup of shochu before stretching as he thought about how to answer Shizuyo's last question in a positive way. He munched on a snack to give himself time to think... and perhaps reminisce
"Unfortunately I have not seen any of them in many months now. I have not seen Yuushahime in over a year. When I was in Dragon lands she was not. That is sometimes how it goes. I do correspond with her as much as I am able and I keep other tabs on her..." he explained, taping his ear twice for emphasis. "I do not believe she has a husband yet, or any interest in one. I think that is the same situation as yourself, ne Shizuyo-chan?" He grinned ear to ear, adding in a mock sad voice "Such a catastrophe. Two lovely potential brides that are keeping two fine suitors lonely and unguided due to their inaction and indifference to marriage". He tried to prevent laughing and almost managed it, taking another sip of shochu before bursting out laughing "ahahaha. My apologies. In truth I married quite late. Live a free life while you can. Come, let's drink more" he said, raising his cup "you look like you could use some cheering up"
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Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Feb 14, 2011 18:12:29 GMT -5
Shizuyo gave a light laugh in reply before downing her own sake cup once again. She kept pouring for the elder man, knowing from experience watching him with her father he could drink quite a bit, and being more than happy to supply him with it. She blushed a little at his words at times, at others smiled brightly, and still others looked almost ready to frown, though that she never did.
Shizuyo spent a good bit of time staring at the small paintings Tanemune held before her. She'd never met the boy, didn't even remember hearing of him. The younger girl... what was her name again? Yuushahime had mentioned having a little sister born and playing with her, but Shizuyo didn't remember much more beyond that. She spent a little extra time staring at Yuushahime's picture. It had been at least 2-3 years since she had last seen the young Kitsuki woman, though neither she nor Yuushahime were all that young anymore. The girl she remembered looked much the same in the painting, but there was an air of poise and maturity there she knew she had never seen before. In the back of her head Shizuyo wondered if she had changed in that way too.
She decided not to press the issue of Tanemune's duty, and in turn didn't bring up her own. Besides, she was successfully distracted by his marriage comment. Her eyes went wide for a moment and a blush not from drink touched her cheeks as she looked down into her lap. "That's... most kind of you to say Tanemune-sama, though you always said I looked like I needed cheering up. In truth, today has been a most wonderful day. I am happy for Setsuro-sama's becoming Champion officially, as well as for the chance to relax, drink and compete to show what I can do."
She paused to pour Tanemune another drink, wondering if she was getting close to her own limit as she poured herself anther as well. "As for marriage... Okaa-sama has been looking for a good marriage representative for me lately. She can not leave her duties for the clan, and none have visited Ox lands recently, but she wishes one from her old clan, a Doji if she can. I... am not sure how I feel about it all, but I will do my duty with honor of course. As I know Yuushahime-san would." She smiled at this and downed her sake again. Perhaps she should slow down before she lost herself to the delicious drink.
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 14, 2011 18:54:21 GMT -5
Pushing a plate of sushi towards Shizuyo, Tanemura finished his second cup and started to feel himself getting lighter. He also felt a fire at the back of his throat that he relished.
"Have something else to eat, ne? It's fine to treat yourself on such an occassion. It'll only go to waste if it isn't eaten" He remarked, taking a few choice sushi himself and munching on them with little etiquette
He wiped his hand and then neatly folded up the small paintings, tracing along the lines so as not to damage them, and he then tucked them back inside his kimono. He took out a few pieces of paper instead of various different bright and dark colours. He chose a dark blue and a yellowy-gold before withdrawing the rest. He took another sip of his newly filled cup before placing it back down and starting to fold the paper, his eyes keenly focusing on Shizuyo, in the way he had done many, many times before.
"Yuushahime would do her duty, yes. I would have no doubt. I would only offer some wisdom" he said, halfway through his folds, now beginning to combine the two pieces of paper "The Doji family are excellent courtiers and make up some of Rokugan's best artistis. They are graceful, knowledgeable and above all honourable. Yet they battle predominantly in court..."
He had almost finished folding the pages and he cupped his hand to hide the finished object as he made a few final adjustments while Shizuyo could not see
"The thing with these traits is that anyone, if they apply themselves, can learn them. Grace, knowledge and honourable conduct can all be taught as can the arts. However, we are best suited to do that which comes to us naturally and which we have talent for. To deny your inherent potential is to deny your Lord a valuable asset. The Doji excel in court. You my dear, excel outside of court - ne?" He asked, revealing the origami Ox in his hands, it's torso mostly dark blue but it's outline a vibrant but gentle gold. He lifted it just above the table level and walked it over with his left hand to stand infront of Shizuyo before withdrawing his hand.
"Do you wish a life in the courts? Would that be best for you? If not, perhaps consider a suitor who would combine well with you in your field of choice. A bushi and a courtier may make up for each others' weaknesses but they often do not increase each others' strengths. Two bushi, fighting side by side, is a glorious thing to see. I see you have the heart of a warrior". He gaze Shizuyo a serious look for a moment, making sure to catch her eye.
Before long he politely turned away "please excuse me, I speak presumptuously - perhaps my age gets the better of me. You are also no longer a child" he finished, turning back to his drink
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Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Feb 14, 2011 19:10:25 GMT -5
Shizuyo looked uncertain a moment before a soft smile blossomed onto her lips and she gave a soft, almost unable to be heard laugh. She took up the small origami Ox and had it lean forward onto it's front legs in a mock little bow. "Tanemura-sama, arigato for all your advice. Truly though, there are two things to consider on your words. The first is that I have the soul of one given to the plains deepest. I have always trained to fight, but I have so rarely had to that it is in tracking, the hunt, the ride that I am most at my core. My next layer may be that of a warrior, but I have another above that, one that has been in a few courts, worked with others much as you have to assist problems they have had. I may not be a courtier, certainly, but I believe that I can survive in the courts well enough. I am, after all, my mother's daughter, ne?"
She paused, setting the origami ox down and downing her cup once again, this time pushing it away and giving a playful grin at the older man. "The second thing to consider is that I said that Okaa-sama was merely looking for a matchmaker from the Doji to assist in finding a suitable match for me, not that she was going to marry me off to a Doji. Though now that you've said all that, perhaps I SHOULD try to ask to marry one, just to hear you groan and see you roll your eyes at me as you used to." She ate a piece of sushi, as she'd been directed to, both to relieve the sake in her stomach as well as show she was still listening to him in the end.
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