Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 3, 2011 12:47:57 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai nodded as the younger woman slipped demurely from his hands. "Very well, then. Take a seat by the dojo's entrance, but do not take the seiza position." He said, referring to the traditional posture of sitting on one's knees, as he stepped out of the dojo to fetch some water from the fountain.
The Phoenix shugenja unwrapped his obi, allowing his gi top to slip open a bit to reveal a sliver of his muscular chest from navel to neck, as he used his bamboo drinking cup to soak the red and gold silk. He stopped when the chill of the cold water seeping into the cloth began biting at his fingers and squeezed the excess water out on the ground. Agasha then re-filled the cup with fresh, cool water and returned to Kakita Mitsouko.
Shodai put the cup in her hands. "Drink this, slowly. Despite the cold sweat you're likely feeling, your body is, in fact, overheating. Our bodies use water constantly - doubly so when recovering from a serious illness - and if you haven't been drinking more than usual, it's part of your problem now." He said as he held up the cool obi to gently caress her hot forehead. "This means when we began exercising, your heart needed to work harder and the heat it generates was unable to escape as fast as it should. This will do until Hirotomo-kun returns with what I need to speed your recovery."
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 3, 2011 13:58:49 GMT -5
Hirotomo retured. He walked almost as if unconcerned, but when he got to his cousin he sat beside her, a worried look on his face was clear. He never studied medicine, but she did not look very good. The sensei stood and sat across from Mitsouko, staring into her eyes.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 3, 2011 14:53:00 GMT -5
Thank you, cousin. Mitsouko smiled, feeling the actual concern in the face of the young samurai. She had sat at the border of the engawa, observing Sho-san in the fountain. She was feeling better, and glad about the friends she had found now; her cousin Hirotomo and Sho-san, the mysterious Phoenix shugenja. She looked at her companions in the porch. Sorry Horitomo-san...Sensei-sama... I am still not recovered from the murder attempt. I am impressed with your achiviements in the kenjutsu, though, cousin. You were able to surprise your more experienced opponent, and that's good. Even if your sensei wants more of you... You are able to give. Thank you sensei, for coming, I truly appreciated it. She looked to the old man. Soon Sho-san was back and Mitsouko followed his instructions, drinking the fresh water.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 3, 2011 20:24:59 GMT -5
As soon as Toku Hirotomo returned with his medicinal bag, Agasha Shodai gave the boy a quick word of thanks as he assembled the components for both the poison cure - to finish off any lingering traces of the poison in the Kakita woman's veins - and something to help with the dehydration. It took him almost no time at all to grind the herbs up into a fine powder and he reached for the hot water...
And then realized that in his concern for Mitsouko's health he'd forgotten to ask Hirotomo to grab any.
Shodai sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose out of irritation. Even if he went after hot water, it was unlikely that the servants would have any ready at the moment.
Fortunately; the Void Master had alternatives... He just hoped that Mitsouko's fear of magic would be limited to magic being worked on her directly as he rose to his feet.
The shugenja turned to the east and opened the barrier between Ningen-do and the pocket dimension where he stored his most valuable objects. There was a simple wooden table with twenty differently colored scrolls lined up in a row from which he grabbed one with green, white, blue, red, and black patterns in a number of combinations. He opened the scroll to a spell he'd learned from another Agasha shugenja that had set up a tea shop on the road from Kyuden Otomo to Toshi Ranbo.
Reading his notes to help him find the right memory in his mind, Agasha then rolled the scroll back up and put it back before closing the rift. The Void Master then turned to the fountain, fixing his focus in the empty space. He began a low chant with a number of hand gestures - the spell was too complex for his usual still and silent incantations - as he began to cast what his kinsman had named the Kami's Tea Service spell.
From all across the courtyard, loose pebbles and dirt began to move as both an Earth and an Air kami responded to Shodai's will. The collected earth was gathered in mid-air near the fountain, where they broke into small pieces. A thin stream of water rose from the fountain as a the spirit of Water that provided the spring began to act. The water mixed with the shattered earth to form clay, which took on the shape of a teapot, a lid, and a tea cup.
Next, the surface of the three objects began to glow a ruddy red as a Fire kami called by the spell baked the clay into a delicate ceramic faster than any kiln in Rokugan could accomplish. It kept up the baking process for several minutes during which the three non-shugenja watched in silent intrigue and surprise at the exotic spell unfolding before their eyes; much as Shodai had the first time he'd witnessed it.
As the glow faded from the cup and lid, the stream of water rose from the fountain once again to fill the teapot. Agasha Shodai stepped forward, his legs shaky from the energy he was expending in the spell after all the other exercise of the day, and poured the medicine into the cup before setting the lid on the teapot. He stepped away from the manifesting spell and watched as the pot began to glow a bright orange as the Fire kami put its all into the spell. It didn't take long for the first wisps of steam to rise from the pour spout of the teapot.
The Void Master bowed to the spectral images of the four kami. "My humble gratitude for this gift, my friends." He said graciously before claiming the simple cup and teapot from the invisible hands of the Air kami. As one, the four spirits returned the bow silently and faded from the shugenja's view, returning to their preferred domains. Unlike the Bands of Rock the Phoenix had generated before, these two items had been crafted by multiple kami working together and would last long after Shodai returned to Meido.
Shodai poured from the teapot and slowly manipulated the cup in his hands as he carried it to Kakita Mitsouko. He did this to insure the medicine mixed to a proper consistency with the hot water. "The members of the Imperial Families all proclaim that the tea brewed from teapots made by this spell is the best they have ever had. I do not know whether they say this out of awe of the magic or because the touch of the kami remains with it after the spell fades, but I hope that it will help hasten your recovery, Mitsouko-san." Agasha smiled at the woman as he handed her the tea cup. "Please, drink."
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 3, 2011 23:27:55 GMT -5
The old sensei spoke once the fuss died down. "Perhaps not the best time to discuss the matter Mitsoko, but I am here not just to instruct my idiot. The kenshinzen call. A duel will be called for and you must answer. Win and you join thier ranks. I will pray for your swift recovery. They do not enjoy waiting. A delay could cost you. Idiot." he said turning to Hirotomo. "Don't let her strain herself on this quest."
Hirotomo nodded. Chiyuki was an excellent healer. She was not a shugenja, but her Scorpion herritage made her apt at treating the effects of poison. Hopefuly, Mitsouko would feel better before they reached her.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 4, 2011 5:35:17 GMT -5
These news had the impact of a blow, in her mind. She cannot hide the wide grin nor the gleaming eyes. "Of course, sensei-sama. I'll be there. It's an honor." Better not to say anything else, she was way too excited. She turned smiling to her companions, almost asking them to say she was not dreaming. Then bowed profoundly to the sensei. "Thank you for coming and bringing such amazing news. I will be fine. My friends will help me to recover to the duel." Mitsouko looked at Agasha Sho-san, with a glance of gratitude and confidence, no word can do better. Then to Hirotomo, a trustworthy young samurai she liked since he was a child.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 4, 2011 10:48:18 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai nodded to Kakita Mitsouko. "Indeed we will. Given how quickly you're on your feet again - despite this momentary setback - it shouldn't be much of a delay..."
His brain began to buzz as he processed the words of the older samurai and Mitsouko's reaction. Agasha knew that the Kenshinzen were the elite duelists of the Kakita family. Most of them were samurai that recieved instruction from Akegarasu, Kozue, Shune, or Takayuki - the four Kenku that had sworn fealty to the Crane clan. To be invited to a duel meant that they wanted to see her skill and determine her worthiness to join their ranks.
Given how she had managed to stand her ground against a Kenku trained duelist like himself, Shodai had no doubt that she would pass the test with flying colors.
"I will talk to the staff to have them prepare meals that will help Mitsouko-san's body repair the damage caused by the poison faster. The right food should get you back to 100% by sunset tomorrow evening. If you'll pardon me." Shodai bowed to the three others as he headed back to the main house.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 4, 2011 11:51:14 GMT -5
The sensei stood and streched. Hirotomo rose to his feet. "Gather Fubuki boy. There is something I wish to teach you." The old man said this after looking at Mitsouko for a moment. Hirotomo stood in the dojo. The sensei looked at the sky. "There are those that say the kami of air govern the court, and the kami of fire, the battlefield. This is not always the case. The first strike wins more battles than any perfect strike. Remember, what I have taught you. Remember the feel of the air." Hirotomo was led through a complicated kata. Hirotomo's movements became swifter, more fluid. He was gathering speed with every strike, until his blade became a blur. An invisible force with only one intent. The sensei turned to Mitsouko, one of his eyes a brilliant gold. He winked at her.
"Stop, boy. You have done well. You have done everything I asked. You have completed the first steps of your training." Hirotomo looked confused. "Sensei, I have already completed the Daidoji basics.""No, boy. You have not. Do you not wonder why I taught you so little about Kyuujutsu? Why you surpassed your fellows in iaijutsu but they remained stronger in will and body? Think, boy. Why would you get a single teacher and the rest of your class is shared among three?" The old man shook his head. "I do not understand, sensei. If there is anything remarkeable about me, it is due to your training and not my own doing"
"Do not try to flatter me! Am I some pesant girl who'll throw off my kimono for you because you comment on my beauty? You have a fate. A powerful fate, though it shall test you beyond many. Keep close the words given in jest. Perhaps the most absurd thing is the most likely. You have begun your first step in the true school of swordsmen. Our school." The old man blured for a moment. He grew several inches and black feathers sprouted from nowhere. His nose changed into a beak. His eyes still had the same knowing look. Hirotomo felt faint for a moment. Why him? What was he worth? He never sought a kenku sensei. He just wanted to serve his family. The old man changed back. He walked over to Hirotomo who's eyes held a mix of wonder, suprise, and horror at what his fate may be. "Sensei. My fate is not. Is it..." Hirotomo took a breath. "My fate is not dark, is it?" His Sensei stared into his eyes. Hirotomo felt a comforting pat on the arm and heared a resounding laughter. "Boy, no one knows our destiny. Why should you be different?" Hirotomo was taken aback then thought about his sensei's words. After a moment, Hirotomo joined in the laughter.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 5, 2011 17:42:42 GMT -5
End of this thread
Sequel:
Kyuden Doji A Fine Thread to tread Companion Thread: In the Pale Moonlight
Coming soon
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