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 May 9, 2011 13:24:31 GMT -5
((OOC: Closed RP, PM if you have a reason to come into the thread :3))
Haruka had stayed behind, even though her horsemanship had been challenged. A race to beat her husband would be laughable at best, but for some reason as she remained in her personal quarters in Kyuden Bayushi.
Alana, Senshi's attendant had grown quite close to Haruka quietly, as they seemed nearly inseparable now. She had been spending all her time either working with her Utaku herd or remaining inside.
But this evening she had seen Alana off for the night, just like any other night, finally getting some alone time in her room. She brought out the gaijin trinket that held such mysterious power and connections that had been gifted to her, rolling it between her delicate fingers as she looked down on it.
Quietly she wondered how now that it was activated, by the means of some force, she might be able to use it. She did admire the craftsmanship of it quietly, looking on it past the fabric of her head wrap.
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Post by Shoju on May 9, 2011 13:35:32 GMT -5
The trip to Kyuden Isawa had been easy. Presenting his papers had been easy. Getting an appointment, however... Had not. Thrakhath and Shoju were shown to an inn, and told they would be called for as soon as the the champion had time to see them in the morning. His time was very precious.
Inside the inn, Shoju felt something tugging at him. A curiosity, a vague pull. The tug of it at first wasn't recognizable, but soon enough he noticed what it was.
Shoju excused himself quietly from the company of his Yojimbo and retired to his room. He cleared off the small table, and began weaving a spell over the surface of the table. After the spell was woven, he sat next to it, and began meditating, calling to the crystal. With luck, he wouldn't expose Haruka to any shame.
It would be impossible to have her as an ally if he shamed her.
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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
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 9, 2011 13:41:03 GMT -5
As the trinket seemed to clear, a surprised look came over her face really as her gently fire lit head wrap came into view.
"I suppose it does work then. Hello again, Shoju of Saisei." He wouldn't be able to see it, beyond the slight glint in her eyes, but she actually seemed pleased to contact him. The warmth of her voice reflected that as well, but she did not seem to hide her voice, so it seemed she was in the clear as far as anyone else hearing or seeing this.
"I hope you don't mind my prying, I'm afraid I'm not quite a master of magical things and I believe I've forced this means of communication open a bit sooner than perhaps... you'd hoped?"
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Post by Shoju on May 9, 2011 13:50:10 GMT -5
Shoju opened his eyes and peered into the table. Haruka was there. Shoju smiled. Without his Jingasa on, and his hair slightly astray, he looked far less sinister, and most definitely, more alive.
"Greetings Uta.... I'm sorry. Bayushi Haruka-san." Shoju pulled his hair from his face, and peered back. "Oh, I had no timetable for you contacting, but I knew you would." Shoju looked left, making sure that Thrakhath was well occupied.
"Tell me Haruka, what is it that I can do for the Mistress of Secrets?"
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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
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 9, 2011 13:57:55 GMT -5
In a strange gesture she actually lowered her head wrap. Revealing features he'd only ever seen skewed by her helmet from battle. Her hair flowed unrestrained as she looked back to him.
"Bayushi by name, my heart is still for the empire regardless. I will not try to be something I am not, I am still very much a student of the Scorpion ways." A slight tinge of pain came from that truth, but it was quickly overlooked as she seemed to focus on him again, studying his appearance as if silently searching for something.
"But regardless. You have given me these trinkets, these means of communication. You risk yourself and anyone that might travel with you by doing so. It is not as though I need hide myself, an assassin would surely know where to look. But you... your life is even more threatened by every samurai with honor in their heart. Why have you made a way for me to find you?"
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Post by Shoju on May 9, 2011 14:12:45 GMT -5
Shoju chuckled a little. "Do you remember your time in Saisei? Do you remember the time we spoke after the battle? I remember that conversation very well. I gave you a way to communicate, because I think that you believed me. I think you know that I'm not some monster like Junzo or Yori were. I have a clear head, and clear vision of things Haruka, and I believe that you see that."
"Do you think that Tinishi was just a pawn?" Shoju nodded. "Yes. I know you were there Haruka-san." Shoju smiled a little. "After all that you have seen, you know I'm not trying to bring war to the empire. I trust you, because you showed honor."
Shoju's look turned more dour "I do not fear you will turn against me. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the Master of Secrets." Shoju shook his head. "His judgement is clouded. He sees me as a menace. As a traitor. Hopefully, in your teachings of the way of the Scorpion, you at least retain that I am not. You see, I failed in my one duty as a Scorpion. I failed at Loyalty. Senshi is blinded by that failure, Even though I have attempted to correct it. He wont see clearly until he thinks he has put me in the grove."
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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 May 9, 2011 14:28:24 GMT -5
She nodded gently, as it seemed to make more sense. "I had heard in passing about your former fealty. I had not come to learn as to how it ended, but, it does seem clear now."
Perhaps out of habit, but even though they weren't in the same room, she did not stare directly at them, her gaze drifting off to the side in gentle, polite contemplation. "I'm surprised you knew of Tinishi, and in truth, I was surprised at his boldness. However it was a bit of a fool's errand to send him into the capital with such hopes.
If he comes out alive, I would be very surprised now."
She kept pausing, seemingly unwilling to rush things along, but it did seem like something held her back. As it always felt from the moment he or Kijiro had known her, that she was always holding something back.
"So then now it comes to it. If you wished for a means to communicate with me, someone you trust, what would you ask then of me? One sends letters when he wishes for something to be done in a message, but a conversation allows for much more to be done.
So besides being that you can trust me..." The words sounding more firm and resolute off her lips, "What did you wish to speak on then. I have nothing but the stars as company tonight Shoju?"
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Post by Shoju on May 9, 2011 14:45:10 GMT -5
Shoju smiled a little at her directness. Her Unicorn Heritage showing through. "I will admit, you contacting me now was a little surprising, but perhaps you can in fact help me with something."
"Upon leaving your Reception, I found myself in a precarious situation. As I'm sure you have heard rumors, from time to time, Maho Tsukai need things, and we use the uncouth of the empire to acquire what we need. We received word from one such group recently that they had captured what they described as a pure blooded Kitsu Shugenja. And were holding him at ransom.
I authorized some of my followers to make a play for the hostage. We acquired the hostage, and I assure you, the fools were taken care of. It is one thing to kidnap a few ashigaru, but.... A Kitsu? That is poor form. I also assure that he lives, and that he is not a prisoner of the Spider."
Shoju paused a moment. "I joined the group to confirm the identity of the Kitsu, and shortly after we were accosted by a group of Unicorn. They Stole from me. They attacked my camp, and accused us of deplorable acts. Regrettably, there was violence. Even after they were warned that they had erred, they pressed their dishonorable actions. They were led by Iuchi Misaki. Are you familiar with this Shugenja Haruka?
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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 May 9, 2011 14:58:01 GMT -5
"Somewhat. Her name is one I know yes, but she did not speak with me much." Haruka scratched her head somewhat, brushing a few strands of her dark hair behind her ear.
"She was a shugenja that was involved with many things, but most personally she took up the charge to uncover the mystery surrounding a murder in my family."
Her gaze lowered a moment, "Alas that mystery was never lifted in the end and in truth while we have no body, she has not returned for over a year, and no one has been able to scry her whereabouts..."
Her voice seemed to trail off as she realized what she'd been doing. She wasn't accustomed to talking with others about herself. "My apologies. I must clarify for simplicity's sake. It was the murder of my sister, Utaku Hasana. But that is such a woeful subject."
She stroked her hand as she looked thoughtfully again elsewhere at nothing, redirecting the conversation.
"Otherwise as far as Misaki-san, she was never really that gentle or graceful of a woman. She had quite the lust for battle and action for an Iuchi. I never held much re guard for her in truth. I suspect her brash nature will see her killed unfortunately."
She saw little reason for this having any real repercussions on things as they were, as she spoke rather plainly as though to say she trusted Shoju in return.
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Post by Shoju on May 9, 2011 15:06:31 GMT -5
Shoju rubbed his chin. "The Shinjo were telling the truth then.... " Shoju's shoulders slumped, and looked through the scrying to Haruka with a pained expression. "Many apologies to you as I bring you the news Haruka. Iuchi Misaki is dead, as is your sister's hawk."
Shoju straightened himself back up. "I apologize for bringing up such a woeful topic Haruka, but I feel that now I must ask a few more questions." Shoju's face remained pained, but serious. "Where was Hasana last seen? Was she travelling alone? Why do you think that Misaki would have been given charge over such an important possession? I must confess, when the Shinjo scouts I captured relayed this information to me, I thought it was a ruse. A lie, or simply just misinformation."
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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 May 9, 2011 15:10:52 GMT -5
"It was likely she would have used the vision of the Hawk to perhaps see where she'd gone since the kami seem to have turned a blind eye to where Hasana-san may now lie."
She seemed quizzical and somewhat intense with her gaze, "But why would you seek her out for me, it seems a debt I do not owe you, Shoju."
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Post by Shoju on May 9, 2011 15:17:17 GMT -5
"Haruka-san, You are learning a sad truth in the world. The Kami are not as benevolent as one would think. You now see that they abandoned your sister. One such as myself can convince the kami to aid them. There is no reason that your family should go without the answers they seek." Shoju smiled slightly "And some deeds carry their own rewards Haruka. Why... If I give you the information that Misaki could not, perhaps the events that led to her demise can be overlooked."
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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 May 9, 2011 16:42:51 GMT -5
She shifted her chin slightly upward as if to analyze his words somewhat. "I shall prepare a letter then to my mother. I suspect she has already written to me on the matter to warn me of your interaction thus far."
Her tongue rolled in her mouth slightly in amusement, he seemed to want her approval and this was very good. Some closure on her sister's death would be consoling and perhaps allow her mother to finally put to rest the constant thoughts of her suspicions. She had nearly been rude to Tomatsu for it, and frankly she was lucky the situation hadn't escalated.
"But as far as my sister, Utaku Hasana-san." Turning all too serious as she looked to him directly in the eye. "She was last heard departing from Scorpion lands through Beiden Pass, and since then nothing was heard since. She was alone, except for her horse and hawk. And her Hawk was all that made it home. No note, no sign of a struggle. It's not to say we hadn't looked ourselves, but it was almost as if she disappeared.
I myself looked through the area, and while a few had said they'd seen her well and on her way to the pass, no one had seen her at the pass or beyond it. And with none of the shugenja able to feel her presence, I know not what more can be done. This is all I know, Shoju."
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Post by Shoju on May 10, 2011 8:11:44 GMT -5
"You have given me all I need to know Haruka-san." Shoju bowed slightly. "When next we speak, I hope that I will information to share with you about your sister." Shoju shifted a little. "I want you to know that I tried to push Misaki and her men to stand down. Part of that was out of respect for you Haruka-san. Shedding blood of the great clans doesn't serve my purpose, but as you know I will not be threatened either."
Shoju's expression seemed troubled. "Tell me Haruka. Have you given the matched crystal to your husband yet?"
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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 May 10, 2011 11:38:09 GMT -5
"I have not as of yet, as I need it tested much as I needed this one tested. You have called it a twin, but why would you wish to speak to my husband. I suspect the conversation would be... tense at best."
She seemed to scratch her chin lightly, actually in concern for the reasoning behind allowing someone that wished to destroy him potential access to that kind of information.
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