Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 7, 2014 17:22:19 GMT
All the talk gave Arandaru time to over-analyze the things he was hearing. Being referred to as -san and in a rather casual tone, gave him the idea that the talkers were more disinterested rather than demeaning to the Moto hatamoto. After an expected pause in which Arandaru remained skeptical, he decided to answer:
"I will ask the assistance of the mizu-no-kami, the kami of water to aid us in this. Bear in mind however that its influence might be weak, but if our cause is just, its aid will be guaranteed." he wouldn't stretch the hypothesis as further. His type of casting was based on the reverence of kami, not forcing them to do his bidding.
He then turned over to Kousei and Moeru.
"All we need to do is to be discreet and quite fast." as he resumed his silence.
The rest were filled by Satomi. His role and his worth, he let his deeds speak for 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 Feb 7, 2014 21:36:15 GMT
Satomi frowned, wondering why the Doji would need her company, but suddenly reminded of the handkerchief incident of minutes before... Of course. We'll be back in minutes, samas...
She slid the door and and expected him to join her, a concerned look after discreetly scanning Hatosenshi for further wounds... Her hand casually in the hilt of her katana. One can never knows... What's up...?
Hatosenshi leaned against the wall, his hand pressed against his side. "There was an assassination attempt upon the new Imperial Chancellor tonight. Several Iron Crane died in the attempt. I was wounded defending her." Hatosenshi grunted as pain coursed through him. "Unfortunately I am not as young as I have been, and I no longer shrug off pain or wounds. I will still be accompanying you, but I want it made clear that if something goes poorly, I am to be left behind if I would endanger other lives."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 7, 2014 22:02:17 GMT
Kousei finished studying the map as Hatosenshi and Satomi left the room.
"Hmm... rain would make sentries likely to be less alert and miserable, although it will also hamper archery for both sides... Yes. It will probably favour us, all told."
There was a slightly uncomfortable silence in the room. The Daidoji had a slight feeling that someone was upset with someone, but he couldn't quite work out who or what. He lapsed into silence, increasing the awkwardness.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 7, 2014 22:56:30 GMT
Moeru listened to the Crane speak about being left behind, and frowned. "Hatosenshi-sama, while I appreciate your desire to not endanger lives, if you think that for one minute, I would consider leaving you behind, in the hands of those.... Tsukai, you are mistaken. I would die alongside you, before I left knowing that I had surrendered yet another soul of the Empire to them. They have taken too many of the Empires true heroes. I will die before I leave one on their doorstep." Moeru's tone was impassioned, though not angry.
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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 Feb 7, 2014 23:24:02 GMT
For a moment, Satomi thought the Doji had been in some illegal duel or something...
She looked intently and for a long moment into his grey eyes. Thoughtful, concerned... And, suddenly, said: I don't have idea of what a Crane would say in my place, Hato-sensei... I'll not dishonor you saying you can't, or you shouldn't. You know better.
Straightening her posture, she completed. But I believe we can fix it before we go, right?
Come on. I'll take you to one of your clan's shugenja... It'll take only a bit*.
Satomi returned after 30 minutes or so, with everything arranged as Hatosenshi proposed. The Doji with her, was surely with a better appearance, just a bit silent.*
Let's go? She said to the group. Her voice betraying for a little moment, a great concern.
*will be edited in the case Hatosenshi will not join us.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 8, 2014 12:16:27 GMT
"Hai" Kousei nodded. The group made their final preparations and then, climbing onto the horses that Hatosenshi had obtained for them, made their way out into the cold night.
It wasn't far to the ravine, but as they to within striking distance, Kousei began looking for somewhere they could leave their mounts. Eventually he spotted a tree with suitable looking branches, and held up a hand to signal the others.
"We are getting close now" he said in a low voice. "I think it would be better if we approached on foot. Arandaru-san, this may be a good time to think about what aid the kami are willing to give. We want to give time for the rain to settle in before we arrive."
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 8, 2014 17:45:48 GMT
Moeru dismounted the horse. He would have preferred to use the tattoo on his leg to simply get there faster, but he knew he would need all of his strenght for later in the night. He also, had never been particularly good at riding a horse. Even when he had the benefit of sight.
After he had dismounted, he removed his Bo from the side of the horse, and held it in his hand, remembering the weight and balance. He took stock of the elements around them, what few elemental kami stayed in the area were indeed terrified. "This place is cursed." Moeru felt a knot in his stomach that was similar to what he had felt in the City of the Lost.
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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 Feb 8, 2014 21:15:58 GMT
Nobody goes to a Winter Court carrying carts of jade with them, and taking in account the little time she had, Satomi had a hard time getting just enough powdered jade to a single blade. She silently handed the satchel to Doji Hatosenshi when they rode, hoping that their weapons weren't in fact needed tonight. Even thinking this way, old habits are always old habits, and the general was carrying to herself a yari and her favored no-dachi tied in her back, as some knives that proved to be essential in survival. A Crab is always practical in their approach of what serves as a weapon, and that's the reason they always go for the availability... or the size. Preferably, both.
Satomi rubbed hands when she dismounted and then breathed into her cupped hands; while scanning the dark and frozen night, looking for enemies. After the last night, she permitted to return to her old paranoic self. Not that it was exteriorized in her unreadable face:
Approaching to the Unicorn Death Priest, she spoke in quiet voice:
Arandaru-san? Can you ask the kami for rain now?
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 9, 2014 17:46:29 GMT
Arandaru nodded to Satomi as he closed his eyes and produced an old weathered scroll. He'd manage to use this spell quite many times, but the water that would fall would prove quite much for the old parchment to withstand as much humidity.
He read with a booming unnerving voice. The spell had some more archaic Rokugani inscribed on it. Written with some expressions that most of Arandaru's generation deemed "old-fashioned". It was beckoning the water kami to "draw the curtain of the cascading citadel's shadow, over to the pond of the world".... So many weird things in one sentence would make Arandaru feel a bit funny. His horse galloped idly, following the rest of the company.
As he entered the second verse everyone could sense the humidity of the place growing more intense, by every word he uttered. And then the first drop of water...and the second. And in 10 seconds, the sky opened and a heavy downpour began.
Arandaru drew the cowl of his cape, as the animal fur that was knit on its inner side, granted Arandaru warmth. He coiled the scroll and tucked in under his cape as he was making a mental note to copy the incantation once he was back at home's safety and dry atmosphere..
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 9, 2014 21:39:35 GMT
Moeru lifted his head towards the sky, and felt the cool rain on his face. The chill that hung in the air from the winter was enough to put a chill in the Monk. He took a big breath in, and exhaled through his nose, smoke rising from his nostrils, after another breath, he exhaled through his mouth and smoke exited his mouth.
He took the overcoat off, and stood in his hakama. His tattoo seemed to shift in the moonlight, and the rain hitting his skin seemed to rise off again in steam. "Much better" Moeru smiled as he said it. He took the blindfold from his eyes, and tied it loosely around his neck. "mmmm the elements are indeed disturbed."
While the rest of the group prepared, Moeru took in his surroundings, doing his best to get a layout of where he was.
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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 Feb 9, 2014 22:37:48 GMT
Cold rain, horror, hunts and taint. And people says Hida Winter Courts are not trendy… she joked, passing by Moeru, realizing the sort of entertainment this court had was so passé in Crab lands.
Right. Please, Kousei-san. Go ahead. We'll be behind you…
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 10, 2014 13:23:54 GMT
Kousei waited a few minutes for the rain to settle in, then began to jog forward amidst the scrub and rocks, keeping low and close to the ground. He was constantly scanning for signs of life around as he got closer to where the path began to wind its way down to the bottom of the ravine.
There was a bad feeling in his stomach and the hairs on the back of his neck were almost standing on end, but he squashed the sensation down and concentrated.
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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 Feb 10, 2014 18:28:57 GMT
Hatosenshi sighed, looking at the rocky slope that lead away from him. He could feel his bad leg twitching already..
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 12, 2014 11:56:32 GMT
Moments later, which made them seem as hours, the heroes were found outside of the rocky crevasse. Their presence had been covered by the heavy rain, but just standing outside right now wouldn't do that much good to their health. The heroes had to plan something, on how to enter...and quickly.
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 12, 2014 14:31:27 GMT
Moeru reached out through the elements, looking for a sentry, or guards, or something even worse. It was quiet at the top of the ravine, save the sound of the rain. He could sense a few auras further down in the ravine, grouped together, but nothing near the group at the top. "We should begin to move closer. It would appear, that for now our objective has sought shelter from the elements."
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