Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Feb 14, 2011 2:57:53 GMT -5
The docks were quiet, the sun having already descended too much to provide the light needed for it's usual bustle. Though the lamps were lit only the ships' lookouts were left on the docks and the ships there.
Kitsune Keshi's soft tap of feet on the docks drew only the first of stares. The shugenja's presence was not uncommon, especially at this late hour. The lamps hid her strange brown and black hetero-chromatic eyes as she raised one hand in greeting to the lookouts before continuing on.
Reaching the end of the docks, she walked to the end of the only empty mooring. Settling silently onto her haunches so that only the hem of her yukata brushed the rough wood of the dock. Staring down at the softly moving ocean water, Keshi was silent. It was here she was most at home in this city, and though she knew the dark was dangerous. She could not find fear in herself for it.
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Yoritomo Sueno
Banned
Naval * Merchant * Tactician * Experienced * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 41
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Post by Yoritomo Sueno on Feb 14, 2011 3:37:42 GMT -5
*Bare feet pad softly on the wet boards, stopping for a moment. A man wearing a rough kimono under a serge green jacket, a large axe slung over his back, steps forward to look at Keshi, head tilted to one side with an appraising look* "It's dangerous down here, Samurai-ko. Maybe you should... ah" *His chain of thought changes as he sees her mon* "A Fox, neh? I suppose you can take care of yourself well enough"
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Post by tadakasan on Feb 14, 2011 12:23:27 GMT -5
On a nearby ship, Isawa Tadaka lay against the low wall of the deck of the vessel, looking out at the stars; he had been travelling south from Phoenix lands to get to the Iris Festival and his ship had stopped at this port for the night. He probably should have been below decks asleep, but truth told he wasn't the best with seea travel... and his stomach wouldn't let him sleep below deck. There was something so much more relaxing about being on deck with the night sky above.
The ship's lookout quietly passed him on the deck going towards the prow of the vessel. They had been... humored by Tadaka's problems at sea at first, but it seemed the Mantis had either grown bored with the amusement, or decided that bothering a powerful Ishiken wasn't the best idea. Or who knows, maybe they'd somehow connected his name with who he was, no matter how low key he usually tried to be.
A little bit after the lookout had passed by Tadaka heard a voice softly, coming from a nearby peir to the side of the ship he was resting on. Turing around and peering over the low wall he was resting against, he could make out two people at the dock looking out at the sea. He couldn't make out much in the low light, but they did seem to be wearing Mantis colors, hardly surprising considering they weere in a Mantis holding.
Sitting up and stretching he decided to go down and see if he couldn't join in the conversation, if there was one; if nothing else get his mind off his stomach's churning. He stood and motioned to the lookout that he was leaving the ship for a bit, the Yoritomo man only grunting and nodding. Silently casting a spell of air, Tadaka lifted off the deck and slowly levitated to the dock below, his feet lightly landing on the planks a distance back from the two Mantis samurai with a creak.
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Feb 14, 2011 12:38:23 GMT -5
Keshi raises herself to her feet, turning to face the taller person. "I can take care of myself when needed. There is, though, little to fear of the dark." The shugenja appraises the male for a moment. "I am Kitsune Keshi, Shugenja of the Mantis clan. If I'm not mistaken you also hail from our clan." Though she was not afraid of the fellow clan member, she'd had little to do with most of them since moving here. The city was nothing like the forests of Kyuden Kitsune, and here she found herself among people that seemed two-faced more often than not.
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Yoritomo Sueno
Banned
Naval * Merchant * Tactician * Experienced * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 41
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Post by Yoritomo Sueno on Feb 15, 2011 2:32:23 GMT -5
"Yes I am. And I'd be bloody worried if anybody not of our Clan was sneaking around the docks at night. Yoritomo Sueno at your service" He gives a piratical grin and bows low. "Are you seeking some solitude? Or are you new in Kyuden Gotei, and exploring? Because if it's the last one, my ship's docked nearby and my crew have just been bringing some ebbe on board. Would you like to help me sample the merchandise to make sure it's fresh?"
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Feb 15, 2011 2:53:15 GMT -5
"Well, to be honest, until my journey here, I was no better with the water than the most common landsman. I could not even swim." Keshi shrugs slightly self depreciatively, "Kitsune Lands have little water near them."
Keshi turns her gaze beyond her fellow clansman to the Phoenix Clan Ishiken. Pausing before calling softly, but audibly, " Greetings. I can't help But notice. You look rather ill." She had been brought up polite, and this was still a strange place where she had few friends.
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Post by tadakasan on Feb 15, 2011 2:55:59 GMT -5
The older man's voice comes from where Keshi is looking, merry sounding with Tadaka happy to be on firm ground, "I thank you for your concern Kitsune-san, but I won't let a little sea trouble get me down; there's too much in the world to see to not appreciate a sea ride, even with it's side effects on me."
Tadaka leaned on the top of one of the pier pylons, most of his possesions still on the ship, the priest just wearing simple robes with a small bag on his belt. Standing up straight he bowed to the two Mantis, "I apologize for any intrusion; my name is Isawa Tadaka, simple priest of the Phoenix on his way to the Iris Festival. If I may be so bold, if you're offer of checking the freshness of your supplies still stands Yoritomo-san, I would be more than happy to help with that; All the more so if we could sit here on the dock and enjoy the sound of the waves... again, nothing against the noble kobune's of the Mantis."
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Yoritomo Sueno
Banned
Naval * Merchant * Tactician * Experienced * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 41
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Post by Yoritomo Sueno on Feb 15, 2011 3:02:23 GMT -5
Sueno whirls, surprised - he hadn't noticed Tadaka. For a moment his hand twitches towards his weapons, particularly when he sees the Phoenix mon. But the man doesn't look threatening, so he relaxes.
"A Phoenix, eh? You're quite a long way from home, Isawa-san. Many friends in port?" ANd then he turns back to Kenshi.
"Oh yes, I've been to the Fox lands. Very pretty but not much in the way of sailing, it's true. Although I hear your forests are just as exciting. But you've tasted ebbe, right?"
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Feb 15, 2011 3:15:52 GMT -5
Keshi inclines her head, "I have indeed had Ebbe. Though it was dried and not fresh." She smooths hands over her yukata silently. Her people skills still seemed to be lacking, she wasn't sure how to take her clansman's hostility. Though she too was aware of the problems with their two clans.
This was one of those moments where she felt like she was intruding on the affairs of humans. Though she too was one, she wasn't sure how to react and she wasn't sure how to respond. She had spent too much time out of the presence of humans and in the presence of the forest instead.
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Yoritomo Sueno
Banned
Naval * Merchant * Tactician * Experienced * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 41
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Post by Yoritomo Sueno on Feb 15, 2011 3:19:36 GMT -5
Sueno observes Tadaka for a moment, his lips set in a still frown. He swings his palm back and forward over the hilt of his daisho as if swatting an invisible fly. Then suddenly he smiles.
"Well then, why don't we all retire to my cabin and you can tell us of your travels, Tadaka-san? And you can tell me if I need to tan the hide of that retched swindler in Yasuki Yashiki who sold me the stuff"
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Post by tadakasan on Feb 15, 2011 3:24:48 GMT -5
Tadaka stays where is, leaning against the pylon again. He wait's until Keshi is done speaking before answering Sueno's question, not having any inclination to interrupt the conversation at all. He can plainly sense Keshi is uncomfortable something, so he does his best to be warm and friendly still, "Few friends, but no enemies Yoritomo-san. I would gladly trust the Mantis with my security as I travel through their lands. And seas."
He smiles and turns to Keshi, inclining his head, "I too have never had ebbe fresh. I suspect it would be quite the experience." He turns to Sueno, "If you do not wish me along I will take no offense at that Yoritomo-san. I am merely a traveller looking for something to do besides sit on the ship-deck until morning; And what better than a chance to stretch your legs and at the least have a pleasant conversation?"
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Yoritomo Sueno
Banned
Naval * Merchant * Tactician * Experienced * Courtier * Unique
Posts: 41
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Post by Yoritomo Sueno on Feb 15, 2011 3:31:08 GMT -5
Sueno smiles and, with a skip in his step, strides along the dock, gesturing for them to follow.
The Lucky Dragon is a neat little kobune with a well tended sail and flanks battered by sea and battle. The deck is not too busy. Most of the crew are currently at leave in port. A couple are playing fortunes and winds and jump to their feet as Sueno boards, but he gestures for them to go at ease as he leads the others down to his cabin. It's a simple affair but surprisingly tastefully decorated. It wouldn't be out of place in one of the more minor provincial courts with well tended tatami. A small bamboo cage holds a cricket that chirps softly. Sueno bustles about serving mild sake and small strips of ebbe on nori and rice cakes. The ebbe is very fresh, so it seems he has nothing to worry about.
"Well, I'm no expert but I think that I won't be regretting this business decision. So, Tadaka-san. On your way top the Iris Festival? At Benten Seido, right? Isn't Kyuden Gotei a little out of the way? Not exactly a direct trip. I'd have thought that coming from the Phoenix lands you'd be better off hugging the coast and putting in at one of the souhern Crane ports"
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Feb 15, 2011 3:35:13 GMT -5
Raising her hand to her lips, she felt herself feeling for her fan. Though she knew it would not shield her from scrutiny. Shyness was something that came more often than it had at home.
Keshi is careful as she takes a seat with two men. Silent as she listens to the conversation between them. Glad that there was peace, and at least to her untrained eye, honesty between the three of them.
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Post by tadakasan on Feb 15, 2011 3:52:34 GMT -5
Tadaka nods a little, sitting with the two and appreciating the fresh meal, barely feeling the motion of the ship with the diversion from the trip. "Well, I wasn't coming from Phoenix lands actually; Before I the Festival was announced I Kyuden Kasuga doing some... well some research of sorts, though I didn't get very far. Anyways, my choices of vessels out of the port was quite limited; virtually no Crane vessels and none that would ferry passengers. I could have taken a shortcut to be sure, but I find often foot and sail to be more satisfying ways of getting to where I'm going, even if it is out of the way like this."[/red]
He takes a rice cake to cleanse his pallete before another bite, swallowing it politely and looking back up, "And of course I could hardly pass up a free ride here and a promised free ride to Seawatch Castle by a Kasuga captain, so I don't regret any sort of diversion here. Besides, it's winter up north, and even in Crane lands it is cold; it is nice to have an escape from it."
Tadaka grins softly and bows slightly in thanks for the small meal before taking another piece with his chopsticks.
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Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Feb 15, 2011 4:02:59 GMT -5
Keshi politely says thanks before taking a small bite, "It sounds as if you had more of an adventure finding a way back here than you had out traveling." She runs a finger over her left eyebrow nervously. Keshi felt as if she'd been sheltered, among humans she was awkward and sometimes tactless.
Her gaze switching between her fellow clansman and the phoenix Shugenja, she felt as if the peacefulness was awkward. Though both were polite in some ways it seemed forced.
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