Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 29, 2014 22:17:35 GMT
While the snowflakes were dancing outside, in the leaden sky, after a day of exciting events, the Winter Court was buzzing in extra official activities. Satomi was in her quiet chambers, though, waiting a singular visit.
Some of the treatises between Crab and Crane were signed by the end of the morning, and only Emma-O could fathom why, it included etiquette lessons for Satomi. Most of what she knew wasn't what was taught in the Daishiki's Anvil Dojo, but what she observed and learned from her father, a former Bayushi. Even that, of course, was pale in comparison of what could be, if properly taught.
Satomi was sure that all of that was a Crane maneuver, but she needed some time to figure what exactly were their interests.
Even after a day like that , the "lessons" were a duty. She was sealing some letters to be sent to the Tower of the East with her personal chop, when the servant alerted about Doji Hatosenshi's arrival.
You don't need to call Hiruma-san, Ideshi. He has a night off, I'm not going anywhere tonight.
Hai, Kaiu-sama.
The antechamber where the Crane was introduced was quite stark, barely changed from how the Lion decorated it. Polished wooden floor, with red framed shoji doors, panneled walls. But it got a nice and cosy brazier, a low table with two pillows, a sumi-e set and tea.
Soon, Satomi came, in her immaculate white robes, hair tied in a ponytail by a loose tie. The black of the eyeband and hair made an incredible contrast with the white of the garment, of course. She bowed:
Doji-san... be welcome, please... Have a Seat.
So... Our lessons.
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
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“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 29, 2014 22:26:02 GMT
Hatosenshi bowed, kneeling himself by the table. Carefully reaching out he carefully poured the tea into the two cups present.
"So, Kaiu-san. I understand I am to instruct you in the ways of proper etiquette." Hatosenshi careful gestured towards the tea, waiting for Satomi to pick it up and drink. "However, I sense that pretty things and baubles are not what interests you."
The Crane carefully sipped the blend of tea. "How do you view the courts?"
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 29, 2014 22:47:54 GMT
Satomi frowned, sipping her tea.
Truth or... sincerity?
Doji-san, I know the courtly affairs are important...But I don't wish to lose my time discussing about the poetry of IX century, or... well, sometimes I don't even know what they are talking.
It bores me. Bores me all this idleness. My mind just can't stand this lot of empty words. Vanity... Parasites... Living in this model and trying not let it die... Yet, killing it slowly, consuming it slowly. People like fleas in a sick horse sucking its blood. That's how a lot of those people sounds to me. Not all, but many.
She sneered.
Ouch, I shouldn't have say those gross things, right?
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 29, 2014 22:57:48 GMT
Hatosenshi smiled at Satomi's words. "The poetry of IX is indeed a commonly abused topic, it's dull, dry and trite."
The Crane leaned forward to fill the tea cups again. "I see your concerns with court, and as a bushi, I believe you. It is not your battlefield. But tell me, what are the three things Sun Tzu says an army needs?"
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 29, 2014 23:42:32 GMT
She observed his elegant moves:
Things are getting interesting if I'll see a Crane applying Sun Tzu concepts in its whole in the court, telling me how to do so.
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 29, 2014 23:47:48 GMT
"Does not the Tao apply to all aspects of life?"
Hatosenshi stood. "Please, Kaiu-san, follow me to the gardens."
As the two samurai walked in the gardens, Hatosenshi stopped, and gently touched the leaves of a cherry tree.
"Sun Tzu wrote: 'The method by which enlightened rulers and sagacious generals moved and conquered others ... was with advanced knowledge .... Advanced knowledge cannot be gained from ghosts and spirits, inferred by phenomena, or projected by the measures of Heaven, but must be gained from men.'
These words are true. I'd ask you, why have the Crab never conquered the Crane lands or sacked a major Crane holding? Our clans have engaged in bitter warfare many times, no? But the Crab have never held a Crane city."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 29, 2014 23:57:46 GMT
"... It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy..." She agreed, looking intently at him. Of course, Satomi had a special, if not weird, way of looking at people. She let her hand slide through the bark of the cherry tree, thoughtful.
You of course must have the Crane's answer for that, too.
She wasn't in the mood for another discussion as the one they had in front of other clans, but the subject had lots of potential for firing up one.
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 30, 2014 0:26:44 GMT
"Any fool could see the Crab hold the military advantage over the Crane, regardless of the sacrifice and heroism of the Iron Crane and Daidoji families. Your warriors are strong, fierce, effective and well-trained. Only the Unicorn or Lion could rival a Crab army on the field of battle."
Hatosenshi plucked one of the leaves. "The reason the Crane have held their lands in the face of Clans more militarily inclined is through the courts. And yet, the Crab must bow before such power. A katana against the words of a weak courtier. One would assume such a defense would crumble. But the courts are a battlefield of words. Where armies of favors collide to starve, wound, or damage the powers and manipulations of soldiers."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 30, 2014 1:00:45 GMT
You don't really think we ignore the real power of the court, do you? We know our weakness and strenghts, as you do. She waved off a hand, as if dismissing a much longer line of thought.
I know the importance of the court. I know why we are here, conformed. I know it's other sort of battlefield. And... there's lots of tactics in this one. Most of them are related to other lessons of Sun Tzu... Mislead, mistify, surprise, deceive... and some, I know, don't even master those strategies, but are like... Annoying and time spending obstacles in the terrain. Things that consumes resources and time. With poetry of IX century, batting of eyelashes... Whatever.
You said it better, elegantly... And yet... Is it what you are teaching me? Again she stared at him.
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 30, 2014 15:14:08 GMT
Hatosenshi smiled at Satomi's defensive behavior. "Kaiu-san, you should listen to what I am saying and see the action behind my words. I am using my polite words to force you into a position in which I can manipulate you. I can not train you to be a courtier, but I can train you to spot and know their tricks. Let us start with how we perceive what individuals say."
Hatosenshi stopped and turned towards Satomi. "I noticed your husband kept a lover among the Crab. She is a beautiful woman, is she not?"
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 30, 2014 15:23:22 GMT
Refraining the sudden desire of punch him in the face with a half-smile, she nodded.
I made you a direct question... yes. I asked you if you would teach me the deceptive ways. I'm sorry. That's not elegant. You twist my words and tries to stab me. Very clever.
Yet, I can't speak about him or his actions, choices, whatever. A Crab don't speak ill of their deads. But so, it seems you spotted a beautiful samurai-ko from my clan... tell me? Do you think she's beautiful?
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 30, 2014 15:38:22 GMT
Hatosenshi laughed, a honest, deep, refreshing laugh.
"Kaiu-san, I feel that if I were to answer that question, my life might be worth less then a goblins on the Wall. Your eyes betray you."
"If I were to now press you to provide the Crane with a service, how would you react?"
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 30, 2014 15:53:32 GMT
I'd made you understand you was as rude as a Crab.Or... I make you nervous? Just now, you made me embarrasing questions about my personal life, mentioned that my eyes betrayed me, and well, my eyes are not necessarily good to tell my feelings, which implies you're a poor observer and a worse flatterer. Yet, as a last resort, I'd remember you I'm just widowed, can't really think of business when I barely cremated my dear husband. I'd really could turn it in a pretext for some violence.
Just like... She raised her hand as if would slap his face, but instead, if not countered, touched it barely, kindly, for a fraction of time:
Charming Crane, don't insult a woman telling her rival is beautiful and topping it by mentioning her weak beauty spot. It's rude. Unless... you wish to be repaid in kind.
She turned her back to him;
Are you sure our so different temperaments will make us good sensei and student?
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 30, 2014 20:06:09 GMT
Hatosenshi signed and shook his head slightly. "Kaiu-san, you need to stop approaching these problems and feelings directly. Hide them. Shelter them. Guard them. Do you think less friendly courtiers will not attack these weak points? They are there, just for such things. Bite your tongue, and stop making idle threats. You can always learn."
Hatosenshi then smiled broadly. "However, you're right. I was rude, and so I will offer my sincerest apologies. I suspect that woman will no longer be a bother. I hear the Mantis are very protective of beauties sent to their island."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 30, 2014 20:13:25 GMT
Satomi looked over her shoulder.
What... are you talking about? She surely sounded puzzled.
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