Phoenix Clan Champion Ceremony

[Bayushi Senshi]

(ooc: yeah sure, Senshi is not sticking around though so timing matters little to me.)

Senshi did not hesitate, he heard her speaking outside his room and quickly stepped aside. "Utaku-san, it is most agreeable to see you again." He made no effort to go back toward his room, and instead stood between his two Bayushi guards, eager to be doing something other then waiting for the ceremony he awaited her reply impatiently. "Was there something you require?"

[Bayushi Haruka]

A sly bit of a smile came from Haruka as she saw Senshi so eager. It struck her as strange that he should be so willing to jump at the notion of any sort of interaction.

"Senshi-sama, I did not mean to startle or disturb you." She bowed to him, "I only wished to speak briefly. I also hoped to write a poem in honor of the Phoenix and have you see if it might be appropriate."

Obviously she wasn't a bother but, she entered in and sat for the moment while she began to write out some phrases, allowing him to obviously read.

"I did not wish to impose but I knew you would attend, as is only polite Senshi-sama. However I noticed you did bring a bit of equipment with you as well. I wondered if you might be heading to the front of the Yobanjin conflict?

The final days of the battle are upon us. Even I shall be only here to gift my best regards and my meager gift to the new Phoenix Champion. My blade is needed more than my kimono."

Oddly straight to the point, but Haruka never wished to mince words when it came to Senshi it seemed, Scorpion or not she was not untested.

((Do not let our conversation deter you guys! This is just a brief setup to more rp-ness! :3 ))

[Mirumoto Machu]

A humble Dragon bushi of little station arrives not on a mission from his clan but to honor his bond with the Phoenix clan.

[Agasha Shodai]

The air distorts as a hole in the Void parts before Tensai Agasha Shodai. He looks slightly haggard from his effort to teleport from Shiro Hiruma all the way back to Kyuden Isawa in a single casting of the spell. He dusts his robes to both look presentable as well as make certain he made the journey intact. This done, he glances around, wondering silently if his fellow Tensai, Isawa Tadaka, will be making an appearance or not. He has heard some disturbing rumors as of late and is hoping to have them dispelled once and for all.

[Shiba Kazuma]

(OCC: Since it looks like everyone is here that is going to be here I am going to be posting the final part of this thread sometime tomorrow afternoon.)

[Kitsune Keshi]

Kitsune Keshi was silent as she was escorted, Her personal courtier being her voice and masking the awkwardness the shugenja felt in this social show. Not even being led to her quarters dispelled the awkwardness she felt. I feel like a chicken brought amongst peacocks. She thought to herself.

"My lady, I don't think we should have come at all." Jinu said as soon as they were sequestered in the quarters assigned to them.
Her courtier and a true mantis despite the face he owed the Clan no loyalty. As a kitsune fox spirit, he was loyal only to whom he wanted when it suited him.

"Shush Jinu, the walls have ears. It's polite. And it would do the Mantis well to know who champions the Phoenix. Keshi knew the argument would silence her companion. And she was grateful for the brief privacy before they would be back among people.

[Tamori Koichi]

The Tamori daimyo arrived at Kyuden Isawa with only a couple of his most trusted retainers. He had been personally overseeing trade negotiations with the Phoenix in the nearby City of Remembrance, when news of the ceremony reached him. Thinking of the opportunities that this event would open made Koichi go. There was little to lose anyway.

Upon arrival he takes time to look at the gallery of the Phoenix's history. He stops in front of one painting depicting the Agasha joining the Phoenix. His eyebrow twitches slightly but his smile remains intact. He moves on then to look at the assembling crowd. He spots Machu, and then Yuushahime. "Good", Koichi whispers to himself. The Kitsuki daimyo was more of a courtier than Koichi was, so he could take a back seat at the gathering. He gives the two Dragons a polite nod but doesn't approach them, choosing instead to keep to himself for the meantime.

[Takezo]

Mirumoto Takezo arrives at speed accompanied by his honor guard, hooves churning the road in their passage; though dressed in finery and ceremonial armor, his face bears the grim-set visage of hard fighting, as he has been lately heavily engaged with the Yobanjin.

Later, his attendant courtiers arrive from Shiro Kitsuki, bearing gifts (and documents for Takezo to sign!), and they set about preparing the Dragon reception.

Takezo greets any other Dragon who are there, and invites them to tea and a brief audience, and as the Dragon settle in, Takezo's thoughts of battle are replaced by an realization of the import of this ceremony.

"Today, we renew our sense of kinship with our ancient Brothers, the Phoenix, and honor their Champion."

[Kuni Kaymar]

Mar 21, 2011 19:12:12 GMT -5 Hiruma Koji said:

Mar 21, 2011 17:41:25 GMT -5 Kuni Kaymar said:

Kuni Kaymar smiled as he received notification of who would be attending representing the Crab. Being the Crab ambassador to the Phoenix perhaps might have some benefits. Perhaps.

The message:

Kuni Kaymar-sama,

(the message was in here)

~Hiruma Koji

Kaymar read over the brief note and nodded. He then looked at the sake and smiled. Putting ink to parchment himself, he wrote:

Hiruma Koji-sama,

Thank you for informing me of your arrival and availability. Thank you especially for the sake. I would make a show of trying to refuse it by letter, but that seems a great waste of drinking time.

A room shall be made available for you at the embassy should you require it. Along perhaps with a drink or two from this fine bottle. You will also find my door open to you should wish another Crabs perspective.

Enjoy the event. The Phoenix have proven themselves to be gracious hosts.

Kuni Kaymar

-

Kaymar tucked away the writing kit and called for a servant to deliver the message.

[Kitsu Natsuki]

Kitsu Natsuki stood before the great gates of Kyuden Isawa, and looked on with wonder. This was her first vist to Phoenix lands, and from what she had seen so far they were indeed fair to behold. Even the kami seemed more active here, what with so many shugenja who could speak with them. She had been delayed earlier, and the main Lion delegation with the Champion had entered already.

Her first order of business was to locate the inn where the rest of the Lion were staying, and reunite with her clanmates. The following days promised to be busy ones, and Natsuki winced at the thought of long formal court sessions. She could handle herself in a court, but was no master of them. Besides, they took up so much time, time better spent communing with the ancestors and the kami.

Nonetheless, she consoled herself that she was in Phoenix lands, and no other clan prized knowledge as much as they did. She could already think of several treatises located in the libraries of the Isawa which she itched to read. Conversing with the shugenja of the Phoenix would also be an opportunity not to be missed.

With her good humour restored, Natsuki ventured into the streets of Kyuden Isawa, soon locating the lodgings of the Lion delegation with the help of some patrolling Shiba and entering them, ready to wash off the grime of the road and prepare for the festivities to come.

[Agasha Taeshik]

Mar 21, 2011 21:24:56 GMT -5 Agasha Shodai said:

The air distorts as a hole in the Void parts before Tensai Agasha Shodai. He looks slightly haggard from his effort to teleport from Shiro Hiruma all the way back to Kyuden Isawa in a single casting of the spell. He dusts his robes to both look presentable as well as make certain he made the journey intact. This done, he glances around, wondering silently if his fellow Tensai, Isawa Tadaka, will be making an appearance or not. He has heard some disturbing rumors as of late and is hoping to have them dispelled once and for all.

Taeshik looks up from his position on the floor, as a powerful Air Kami manifests nearby. Someone had really gone all-out to arrive in time it seems. Taeshik had himself flown the majority of the trip upon Wings of the Kami, along with his Yojimbo who waited patiently outside the chamber. The rest of his Acolytes were most likely still days away on horseback; unlikely to arrive in time for the ceremony from the war front.

Taeshik waited for whomever this powerful Shugenja was, to come into view so as to offer him a seat to discuss some of the more spiritual things whilst he waited for the Council to arrive.

[Shosuro Ichiro]

Shosuro Ichiro enters the gathering a little late but with his usually large entourage of courtiers. He sees many familiar faces and His Champion as well. This would indeed be a good showing. As he turned his eyes he saw the Crab Clan in full spirits. He sub consciously kept away from them, even though his late mother was a Kuni. After he had a retainer check their gear he found a place to stand and observe, leaving room enough for Ichiro to see everything and for others to approach him.

[Shiba Kazuma]

The word goes to all those gathered that the event is about to take place. The crowd begins to move towards the base of the Isawa castle. All those of stature who are in attendance are lead to the head of the crowd where there is a place designated just for them.

In the gateway of the Isawa castle there is a platform with a velvet pillow holding a beautiful and ornate sword. Though at this angle you are not able to see the full beauty of the sword you can hear from the crowd that it is Ofushikai, the sword of Shiba himself.

A Line of Shiba was formed going back into the castle. As each Shiba stepped forward they tried to pick up the blade and hold it, but for each one the result was the same. The blade would shift in their hands and then fall back onto the pillow.

Shiba Kazuma stood to the side of the podium. As Acting Daimyo he was asked to watch over the proceedings. He also was given the honor of being the last person to pick up the sword should no other Shiba be found worthy.

The line moved along each person trying to hold onto the sword and all having the same problem of the sword coming to life and moving out of their hands. Finally the final Shiba tried to lay his hands on the sword and it moved from his grasp. Then Kazuma moved into place to pick up the sword.

He reached forward and picked up the blade. It did not move and try and get out of his grip as it had done to all of the other Shiba's before him instead it shown with a brilliant light. Kazuma stood there holding the sword for a few seconds as energy from the sword began to swirl around him. Suddenly the energy retreated back into the sword and a smile began to form on his face and he bowed to those assembled.

He presented the sword to the crowd to show all those assembled that he held Ofushikai. It was truly a beautiful weapon to behold. The hilt and scabbard of the weapon were encrusted with pearls. The hilt of the weapon was designed to look like a Phoenix and it shown with its own majestic light. The blade looked as if water was constantly flowing down its length.

He then took the sheath of the sword from the pillow, placed the weapon inside and strapped it to his hip. He bowed once again to the crowd and then made his way down to the assembled guests.

It is truely an honor to see so many honored guests from so many clans gathered here today. I am glad that you all decided to come and I hope you will stay for the festivities that we have planed

[Hida Setsuro]

Though it had gone mostly unnoticed, Setsuro had slipped inside without much of an announcement. He had only recently arrived and instead of interrupting the ceremony in place, it was decided that a silent entry would be much more proper. The fact of the matter was that he had not even known if he was going to be able to make it, let alone make it in time, but it was in just enough time to see Shiba Kazuma pick up the sword.

Being the last Shiba in line, it almost seemed like it was either purposely left to him or in the very least knowingly. The Phoenix were wise beyond most and he could easily justify the idea that they might know things before others. As the sword was placed back into it's sheathe, Setsuro could not help but smile. This was a momentous occasion. When Kazuma turned to bow to everyone, the large Crab Champion offered him a respectful bow.

When the crowd had cleared, or at least started to focus their attentions on other things, he would personally congratulate the new champion. It would, however, be less of a congratulation and more of a show of respect. Setsuro had always held the other champions in great esteem, even if he had differences with their clan. It meant a lot to be a clan champion, even more to be chosen by the Soul of Shiba.

[Kitsune Keshi]

Keshi had been silent for the ceremony, honestly wondering if Shiba-sama had known no one else would be found worthy. It had been beautiful though, she was glad she had come to see it. Even though at times she felt hostile stares from the Phoenix clansman, she knew that was only for her being a Mantis.

Sighing softly, she decided to wait until the crowd cleared before venturing back to her quarters. She wasn't sure how much more of her presence would be tolerated.