Kitsune Keshi
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan * Shugenja * Daimyo * Experienced * Unique * Loyal
Posts: 126
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Post by Kitsune Keshi on Apr 7, 2011 12:11:27 GMT -5
The Phoenix Clan Libraries held a vast collection of works. From the most basic workings of spells to scrolls that told of the breedings of animals. The place was quiet and smelled of fresh parchment and old magic. Various Phoenix clansmen tended to the scrolls, keeping them in order and repairing or recopying the works when their scrolls started to fall into disrepair. Only the most valuable of scrolls had charms upon them to keep them safe from dirt, water and age.
It was this quiet and peaceful place that had drawn the company of Kitsune Keshi. After presenting the Mantis clan's gift to Shiba Kazuma, the shugenja had fled as fast as courtesy would allow her back to the libraries.
Many of the Phoenix clansmen favored her with odd looks, apparently finding a studious Mantis very strange. Or maybe it was her formal clothing that drew eyes. She was still wearing the red brown and silver kimono she had worn to the feast, her hair still done up with sea green pins and fans that depicted the Mantis mon.
She ignored the looks, first going through the Phoenix collection of books on other lands. They seemed to be very lacking in her experience. The Mantis clan library held many more books about the lands across the oceans, though fewer about the lands more inland. She wondered if it would seem impudent of her to copy some of the Mantis books and send them to Kyuden Isawa. Dismissing the matter briefly as something she would ask later.
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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 Apr 15, 2011 4:40:53 GMT -5
It is but barely an hour later when the leaf finds it's way to Kitsune Keshi as she reads over one of the Phoenix Library's great tomes of air magic. She casts a furtive look around, making sure no one was near enough to hear before casting the Commune spell to hear the message.
A few moments later she covers her eyes, stricken by what Tadaka had to tell her. On one hand she felt honored to be trusted and on the other.... Ashamed that she hadn't be vigilant enough to notice the difference. Softly closing the tome she had been reading, frowning a bit as she did so. Knowing that her friend was safe was strangely comforting, knowing he was Ronin was heart breaking.
"Tadaka-san, why?" Keshi whispers softly, expecting no answer and receiving none.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 15, 2011 5:33:24 GMT -5
Kazuma needed time to clear his head after all that had occurred during the day. He figured that the library would offer him an escape. A place where he could go that would remind him of better times. He carried with him several of the gifts that had been presented to him that he knew should go into the library. His thoughts went back to the scroll that Tadaka had presented to him. He had left that scroll back in his room, he needed to get the taint removed from it and even then he was not sure if it would be safe to just store in the library without some protection on it.
He walked up to one of the Phoenix that was tasked with tending to the library. The young man was so engrossed in his work he did not notice the light footsteps of the champion approach. As Kazuma started to speak the man visibly jumped.
I have some items that need to be placed into care.
The man turned to see who was addressing him and when he saw it was Kazuma he bowed deeply.
Yes Champion-dono how can I assist you?
Kazuma gave a slight bow in return and then presented the items to him. The man raised himself from the bow and looked over the items. He then nodded.
I will put these in their proper places Champion-dono.
The man bowed once more before moving off.
Kazuma then looked around the library. He decided that the best way to clear his thoughts would be to walk around. He began to walk around the library, noting that either because of the festivities of the day or the lateness of the hour the library was more or less deserted. After a while of exploring he turned a corner to find Keshi. He does not approach as she seems to be engrossed in something, but he does stay in the aisle. Picking up one of the scrolls, Kazuma realizes that this area contains tomes of air magic. He lets out a soft chuckle and a warm smile crosses his face as he reads through the scroll he just picked up.
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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 Apr 15, 2011 16:22:47 GMT -5
Keshi removes her hands from her eyes and regards the leaf that Tadaka had sent his message with. Wondering if she had sensed his taint she could have changed his mind. She shakes her head, dismissing it as a foolish notion. As she knew as well as any there was no way to Ever fully rid someone of the taint. She picks the leaf up and turns it over in her hand.
"Maybe I'm more a fool than I originally thought. Only a fool would want to speak to someone tainted in person." Keshi says aloud, speaking a small chant that summons a controlled fire to her hand. Burning the leaf before her eyes. "Would it have been better never to come here?"
She stares at the flame in her hand watching as deprived of a usable fuel the flame flickers out. She climbs to her feet picking up the tome she had been Studying, turning back to the shelf she had taken it from she spots Shiba Kazuma.
"Shiba-sama, my apologies. I didn't notice you there." She bows, wondering how much of her talking to herself the champion had heard.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 15, 2011 22:43:44 GMT -5
Kazuma looked over the mantis. He remembered Tadaka talking about a woman he met. He smiled though his meeting with Tadaka had left him heart broken and with a bad taste in his mouth he knew now that Tadaka still contained some of himself. Kazuma gave a slight bow back.
Kitsune-sama forgive me, but I could not help but overhear you.
He rolled up the scroll he was looking at and replaced it. Before turning back to her, a warm smile crossing his face.
Might I say that you are no fool. For if you are a fool then I am a fool and I certainly hope the Soul of Shiba did not choose a fool to become champion of his beloved clan.
Kazuma let out a small laugh.
I am sorry, it has been a very interesting day for me. I do not mean to speak in riddles. I am glad that I found you still here, I think that we may have several things to discuss.
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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 Apr 16, 2011 14:06:39 GMT -5
Keshi is taken aback, not only by the fact that the Phoenix clan Champion had heard her talking to herself. Making her give an inward wince at the horrible habit that her betters had tried a great many times to break her of. But that he seemed to know her in some sense.
"I do hope you'll explain some of your riddles. As I find myself at a great loss, that the Phoenix Champion compares himself to such a fool as I." Keshi laughs, but the sound is forced and nervous.
"I wager your day has probably been a great deal more interesting than mine. Becoming champion would certainly have that effect. Whereas I.... I have been hiding here since I presented you the Mantis gift for becoming champion. Though maybe Hiding is not the word." She allows her words to drift off to silence. Aware that in her nervousness she was babbling.
She wasn't hiding, as her courtier knew where she was. But Jinu would not be allowed into the libraries, not unless he revealed what he truly was.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 18, 2011 19:02:42 GMT -5
Kazuma continued to smile warmly as he talked.
What I meant by my fool comment was simply that you and I have a similar matter to talk about. If I remember correctly from my talk with him, Tadaka spoke of a woman that he met in Mantis lands.
He looked up slightly seeming to try and recall something from his memory. Suddenly his face seem to light up slightly as he looked back down at her.
And he sent a message to her while I was talking with him. A message placed on a leaf.
Kazuma then looks puzzled.
Wait, you said Hiding. Who or what are you hiding from? Surly not anyone in the Phoenix clan seeing as how this could be one of the worst places to hide from a member of the Phoenix clan.
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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 Apr 19, 2011 0:10:04 GMT -5
Keshi looks distinctly uncomfortable as Tadaka was mentioned, going silent for a moment. Then deciding it would useless to deny her connection to the Ishiken.
"I was hiding more from the crowd for your ceremony. Though some of that is indeed Phoenix, there are other clans. I am.... Well aware of what Political insults were inflicted by my solitary presence here. I did not wish to be interrogated on the subject." She looks at the ash in her hand.
"Tadaka-san did send me a message." She clenches her fist. "Knowledge can sometimes be a terrible burden. A burden that can never be set aside. I wish he would have told me in person, though it may not have been wise on anyone's part."
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 19, 2011 8:46:52 GMT -5
There are no insults inflicted by your presence here. Though our clans have had their differences in the past. In this day and age petty differences must be set aside. As for the other part, I am not here to interrogate you. So i will leave that subject alone.
Kazuma looked at her clenched fist.
Knowledge can be a burden, but it does not have to be carried by just one person. As for telling you in person, if he could I am sure he would have. Though I can no speculate as to his true thoughts. I think he may have wanted to ensure no one knew you and he had ever met. At least no one that would hold that knowledge over your head.
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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 Apr 19, 2011 11:47:34 GMT -5
Keshi looks up at Kazuma, "This is going to sound foolish, but I still consider him my friend. Even knowing what he's done."
She shrugs, "Tadaka was my first true friend away from home. I will continue to think of him as my friend. Perhaps I am a fool. Maybe he is the fool."
Keshi chuckles softly, "Maybe the world is inhabited by fools and we just don't know it. If one is a fool how could one tell if all others were also fools. There would be no one unfoolish to compare against." Her musings have her smiling slightly.
It was notions like this one that made her strange in the eyes of her fellow clansmen. For the most part Mantis were steadfast and hard working. Few had the time or the will to think outside of the bounds of where they put their effort. Fewer still would speak the notions if they had them.
"My apologies Shiba-sama. It seems my mouth is running farther than I have the leash to rein it in with this evening. It is.... It has been a strange day for many of us." She raises her hand to her face with a sigh, not even noticing as she left a trail of ash along her cheek.
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 19, 2011 12:23:27 GMT -5
Kazuma smiles.
No apologies necessary. I must admit it has been some time since I had a conversation where people spoke their thoughts. As for Tadaka being a friend, he never will lose that in my heart either.
He let out a small laugh.
As for your musings. He paused for a second. Lets just say I did not expect them from a member of the Mantis clan.
He saw the ash that she had left on her cheek and reached into his Kimono and pulled out a piece of cloth. He then gestured to her cheek while offering the cloth.
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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 Apr 19, 2011 23:08:31 GMT -5
Keshi chuckles a bit as she takes the proffered cloth with a nod of thanks. Even with her being careful the cloth takes off some of the makeup she was wearing as well as the ash.
"I am a strange individual in the eyes of many people. That is, when I speak my mind. Which I don't do often, admittedly." She looks at the cloth instead of up at Kazuma.
"I don't claim to be bold, because I am not. I try my best to keep peace where I can."
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 20, 2011 11:30:35 GMT -5
Kazuma nods.
Trying your best to keep the peace?
He looked around at the library.
Perhaps you are in the right place.
Kazuma took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. Before opening them again.
As for being bold, you need not worry about that. The boldness of a person does not determine their own honor. If you stand true to what you believe in and defend the empire with all of your might. Then you can have more inner strength then those who seem to show it outwardly.
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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 Apr 20, 2011 12:30:50 GMT -5
"I dislike conflict, where possible I try to keep peace. I try to be neutral if I can." Keshi looks about the library. This place had been her sanctuary for the last few hours, the quiet had made it possible for her to study the tomes the Phoenix kept of magic. A grace she had rarely.
"The Mantis libraries don't contain as much about magic, but they also have this peace. Maybe it is a magic about being among so much knowledge, but no one wants to disturb the peace." The Kitsune shugenja looks up at Kazuma regarding him for a moment. Running her fingers along the creases in her formal kimono as she returns her gaze to the floor.
"Shiba-sama, it is probably rude of me to say this. But I believe you are wrong in that aspect. I am not a strong person. I cast an illusion of it because I uphold the responsibilities given to me, no matter the cost."
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Shiba Kazuma
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan Champion?Samurai?Shiba's Soul?Unique?Enlightened
Posts: 369
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Post by Shiba Kazuma on Apr 20, 2011 13:06:33 GMT -5
Kazuma looked at her.
I think you are selling yourself short on how strong you are.
Kazuma looked around the library and listened to how tranquil it really was. He realized that was the reason he had come here in the first place. He looked back at Keshi.
May I ask what you have been able to learn while you have been here?
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