When War Is All You Know [Open-RP]

[Bayushi Haruka]

[In light of the victory and the end of the Yobanjin conflict I couldn't help myself. No need to PM to enter.]

Even with all that's happened, Haruka had been known to disappear from Kyuden Bayushi even after the wedding for short departures. She would always tell her guard that it was to excersize her Utaku herd, but often her armor would return bloodied, but she was unharmed.

But this day she did not return, instead she was one of the many who raised her weapons as the mass horde of the Yobanjin turned and fled. She had begun her journey just as the fighting began, and it gave her endless joy to see it at its end. The sun rose that day as the storm clouds of Osano-wo's fury departed.

One of the many who had risen in position Haruka seemed to distance herself slightly that morning. The others began cracking open the sake and rejoicing in their Shogun who had helped in ensuring this victory. While drink and jubilant voices flowed forth from the camps, the quiet and distant figure of Bayushi Haruka stood overlooking the scene from the edge.

Her horse was fully decorated in gleaming red armor, bearing the Scorpion mon on the hind part of the armor, but bearing a distinct golden colored horn on the headpiece of the armor. She sat quietly, the stillest most of those fighting in the battle had seen her. She was still in full armor and holding her lance over her shoulder as her head wrap covered her head and face.

The other Unicorn still looked to her, muttering among themselves thinking it odd that she take the time to observe things now. She had collected so many trophies and yet she stood silent over the scene. But for now they seemed to dare not approach her.

[tadakasan]

An old man in Scorpion Colors bearing a Shosuro mon approached Haruka and kneeled, bowing deeply. He held his lower back gently as he stood up and next to her on the edges. His voice was quiet, serious, a little under the weather, "Ah, lady Haruka-sama... what an unexpected surprise to see you here, especially without any sort of guard. Not to mention I don't recall anyone saying you were coming here. Of course I am sure your husband knows you are here though; I am sure the Scorpion Champion would not wish to have to worry about his new wife sneaking off on her own, so it must be so."

The old man reached into his bag and pulled out a pipe, lighting it and putting ti to his mouth, bringing a puff of smoke. If Haruka payed close attention, she might be able to see how the man's grip on the pipe was loose and unsteady, as though the pipe weighed nothing...

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka's eyes seemed to curl a bit with a small spark as her face was hidden.
"Would it amuse you to no end to realize that I come here alone? I only came into my own when the fighting began. I saw it fitting to see it to its end."

Her horse would flick its tail somewhat irritably as it stomped the ground once in place. Her eyes gently rested in the shadow of her veil.
"I could not help myself. Bayushi by name, but still Utaku by nature. Although I feel as if I'm looking over the last battle I shall ever see.

When clans quarrel there is no clarity as to who is right and wrong and everything becomes a matter of perspective. But when the enemy is clear, it makes it all easier. Even enough to say, effortless."

[tadakasan]

The man nodded with the pipe in his mouth, "It is amusing indeed, but I am sure the amusement will have an end, perhaps soon I think. He blew some more curls of smoke, his eyes in relaxed slits. "As far as the war goes, you are right of course; things are so much easier when they are clearly defined by others for you. Or perhaps you meant clear for yourself?"

"Either way, in my long life I've always liked to think it was the things that were the least clear to me that I look back at with the greatest appreciation; Going through my life with clear goals and clear enemies had it's moments, but I much preferred having to think, shape myself to realize what I really thought was right or wrong, of the reasons I was doing what I was doing and what gave me the conviction to do so."

"You have the heart of an Utaku you say, and perhaps it is why you reason that you long for freedom and clarity of honor in a battle. But a name does not define a person Haruka-sama, and there is something inside you beyond that that brought you here, alone, on the edge of camp, brooding and talking with a foolish old man. Do you truly know what that something is? Do you know the answers you are looking for? For you are surely looking for answers; if there is any one thing certain it is that."

[Bayushi Haruka]

"I would hardly call him foolish, for he seems to see the burdened heart of one who stands alone."
She looked down to him fondly.

"I know I come to this place for many reasons. Perhaps if someone were to write it in a story I might be comparing this battlefield to those that will be ahead of me in Scorpion lands and around the empire.

But truly I must confess, I feel my path is becoming ever clouded and unclear. I feel an innocence of being raised believing in the tenants of Bushido losing their grip on my heart. There is talk of assassins and foul play afoot." Her grip quietly shifted on the reins of her mount, tensing a bit. By now the guardsmen would have already alerted Senshi to her disappearance, but much to their surprise she would have at least had the courtesy of leaving her husband a note to tell her where she'd be if it seemed she 'could not be found'.

"I feel our hands may be forced by the beliefs in our hearts, and once honorable men must now fall for it. A waste if you ask me for such selfish choices." Her tone seemed genuinely bitter.

[tadakasan]

"Then do what you think needs to be done Haruka-sama. If the way is cloudy and the future bitter... then, as in all things, change. There is always a position a person can be at that they will find themselves able to see a future that they wish, whether that be because of a change in mindset or a change in what they see they can do about the future they see."

Coughing a little, Tadaka covered his mouth; the smoke may not have been real but it certainly tasted real thanks to the smell the illusion gave. It tickled his mouth in a way. Coughing a few more times he took a deep breath and stood up straight again, "Perhaps you are right and I am not a fool; it has never been my place to say if I am or not. And I always try to err on the side of only saying what I know I am. But one thing I will say that I do know I am is not alone. Yes, I am not a part of things in the same sense as most samurai in the Empire; having only just found a place to settle down, having my love no longer with me, walking a path that few understand and that is sometimes something that must be hidden... these do isolate me in a sense. But I know there are always people out there that are willing to listen, willing to teach, willing to learn or help. Whether those people be samurai or peasant, human or not, there are always people I can turn to and trust."

Tadaka tapped out his pipe before putting it away, leaning on his staff a little and smiling up at the taller woman softly, "You know you are not alone I feel, though you still feel lonely; that is understandable. You have gone from a place of surety and freedom to one of ties of duty and ambiguity. That can make anyone feel out of place. And yet, you still seem to know what must be done, despite your mind being clouded." He reached out the horse and it shied away from his hand as usual, Tadaka sighing inwardly. "Perhaps there is a way to focus on what you need to do then figure out the reasons and clarity later? If not on your own but with those that you trust and trust you."

[Bayushi Haruka]

She seemed to look intensely down at the man beside her. "I would like to hear of this love if it does not pain you too much Soshi-san." She hesitated a moment as she thought on his words.
"But am I to count you in this quiet council? You and I do have the advantage of the more open mind and a desire to quell the unnecessary bloodshed.

Will you join me in our victory celebrations then? Perhaps a long talk as well once we find more to collaborate with." Her horse would shift as it did to face him now as she gently rested a hand on her stomach and stowed her lance in the saddle.

[tadakasan]

Tadaka chuckles, "Soshi-san hm? I suppose I was being a bit obvious. I'll keep up the illusion though so as to not cause you any dishonor my lady." He bows slightly to Haruka.

"As far as quiet council, I do offer both; quiet because I only say what is necessary and council because I speak too much. But with the open mind you speak of. So yes, I will take you up on your offer to join you for the celebrations. It has been a long time since the last time I was at a party truly, probably all the way back to the Iris Festival; seeing as I was not able to quite enjoy Kazuma or Seturo-donos' celebrations."

Looking around, he finds an empty looking tent from the small Scorpion delegation already here. "Actually Haruka-sama, I should probably drop the illusion if I am to be around much longer; Soshi Ishida will be more than fine I think. So pardon, I will be right back." Tadaka disappears into the tent, the light playing on his illusion as if the shadows are wrapping around it as he walks in.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka seemed a fair bit puzzled as she remained waiting for him, Rin tossing her mane in some frustration at having to wait. She even tilted her head as she observed the shadows somewhat. Shugenja were always such strange sorts in her mind, but it was hardly the matter.

She quietly would look ahead for anyone she recognized. She stood out and away from the various groups still for now, and mounted she could see over all of their heads.

[tadakasan]

It didn't take long for Ishida to come back, his robes a darker red and shorter cut, the intricate mask over his eyes hiding them. "That's better I think; no need to worry about people wondering who Shosuro Mazuko is and or the illusion being dispelled, or running out. Besides, you knew it was me already Haruka-sama."

He went back to where he had been near her, a little back and to the side as would be appropriate for one of higher station. His staff was the same as he had before and he leaned back on it ever so slightly, "So not to put off a question of yours my Lady, and since you showed curiosity; I have been in love with the Kitsune Daimyo for some time now, though I did not know she was such when I met her." Ishida took out a carefully pressed lily from a separate side pouch on his bag, "I was given one last message by her retainer, a Kitsune Fox spirit named Jinu, just outside of Kyuden Bayushi, before I became what I am right now. I trusted him to protect her, but swore I would as well."

"Though..." He trailed off with a light sigh, "I think perhaps we protect her too much; I am glad she is breaking out of her timid shell to go on her own, to learn from the Crab and others. But another part of me is worried she will go down a path that would sacrifice the beauty she possesses in her unspoiled view of the world. I suppose love is one thing I think I will never truly figure out no matter how much I study, how many people I talk to, or how many places I travel."

[sprinkles]

"Nor should anyone. If love were to be understood then many a poet would be made useless."

Sprinkles approached the two warriors baring a tray with sake on it.

"I apologize for interrupting but wanted to thank you personally. You see I was on the Northern Steppes when the Yobanjin surrounded it. I was trapped until you broke through."

Sprinkles bowed and raised the tray sake.

"Please, it is the finest sake I could purchase. Share a drink with me."

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka seemed to look on the new arrival curiously, but she didn't seem bothered at all as she dismounted and allowed her Utaku steed to go and settle with the other horses. She bowed gently to the man, "I would be happy to drink with you." But her eyes quietly scanned the man for a mon or perhaps the color of his robe to give him away, as she certainly did not recognize him.

She would lead the way to one of the tables set up in the camp, and while it was hardly a private place to sit and drink, at least they would have their own space to talk and enjoy the sake in relative peace. "I am certainly glad you were able to escape alive, sir. May I ask what is your name?" Producing her own sake cup and offering it to be filled.

[sprinkles]

"Many apologies for my lack of etiquette. I am Sprinkles of the Spider."

His black, grey and white robes reflected the clan colors. However a mon was nowhere in sight. He wore a mask similar to Scorpion courtiers however where his skin showed was a slightly grey parlor. A sign of the taint perhaps?

"I am honored that you will allow me to join you."

[tadakasan]

Ishida sat down as well, arching an eyebrow, "You don't find many Spider admitting their allegiance so openly, quite unusual. Almost as unusual as your name, quite bluntly gaijin sounding. You'll forgive me if I refuse the offer of sake three times; I have brought my own tea and it really would be a shame to let such expensive tea go to waste, especially when it's such an important part of my daily ritual."

Ishida pulls out his flask of tea and a cup, pouring the warm liquid into it as he produces a small pounce. Putting some green dust from the pouch into the tea, he stirs it gently with a bamboo stirrer. "I, also, am happy the end of the siege at least has managed to find you well. I am honored you have come to thank us personally as you say, but if there's anyone you would want to thank personally it would be the Shogun or taisa Fitsu-sama, who lead the war effort. I am simply a humble priest myself after all."

He finishes stirring his tea and shakes off the stick, cleaning it off with a cloth before picking the tea up and sipping it, the deep green tea burning like sake as it goes down.

[sprinkles]

"Very little offends me. And yes I am Gaijin. My family has lived in Rokugan for three generations and I'm native here as you are. I know not even where my family originated from."

Sprinkles poured three cups of sake and placed one in front of Tadaka and Haruka even though he knew full well they would not drink them.

"The Spider are a very mysterious clan. Each of us operates independently with only a single goal in mind: to help the peasants of the land. You see each clan great and minor relies on the spirit of the peasant class. Few care anything for the peasants. But we believe that helping the peasant class and strengthening their spirit will help all clans and all of Rokugan. Some of us are less honorable than others and some of us have suffered for it."

He raises his hand to show he is clearly speaking about himself.