Moshi Yoru
Mantis Clan
Posts: 42| Likes: 18
Some smiles show mirth. Others just show teeth.
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Post by Moshi Yoru on Apr 8, 2014 4:59:16 GMT
Between the favors he was owed and his own magical skills, Yoru's disguise was nearly flawless. He had left his yojimbo Ibara outside of the palace and disguised himself as a servant, entering through one of the gates that were used to bring foodstuffs in. All he knew was that there had been an assassination attempt on the new empress, and somehow, both his sister and his other yojimbo Te were involved. He had grown careless, getting so caught up in the search for information on his father that he had neglected to see these events unfolding - a lapse that had the potential to cost those he cared about dearly.
The same night as the wedding, no less.
Yoru had committed his fair share of heinous deeds, but some things were distasteful even to him and his skewed moral compass. He his his emotions in the menial kitchen tasks he had spent hours performing. If he ever saw another onion again it would be too soon - his eyes were red and puffy, but he supposed it would help the disguise in the long run.
His persistence had paid off though. He had managed to glean enough information from the hushed conversations of the other servants to learn that everyone involved in the attack was currently restricted to their quarters pending questioning. The other servants wanted nothing to do with those individuals, so Yoru had "graciously" volunteered to bring them their evening meals. Now he found himself walking down hallways that were deserted, dressed as a servant, reeking of onions and unarmed - or at least as unarmed as a shugenja could be. An unnatural silence, one born of apprehension, shattered hopes, and disbelief permeated the air, and the few people he passed gave him plenty of room due to the aroma he carried on him. He kept his head down like a good servant would as he carried the tray of vegetables, hoping that his mannerism and the smell of sweat and onion would keep any interest in him to a minimum.
At length, he came to the door of the chamber that was occupied by "the giant", as the servants had called him. He knocked, almost dumping the tray, and spoke quietly so as not to disturb anyone occupying the other rooms, just loud enough to be heard on the other side of the door he stood at.
"Sama, I come bearing dinner, in hopes that it will lift your spirits somewhat."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on Apr 9, 2014 3:31:24 GMT
Step and strike.
Yasuki Odai stood stripped to the waist, blade held before him in a near-perfect stance, in the center of a currently empty warehouse near the docks of Black Crane Palace, his eyes closed in deep concentration against the waning afternoon light coming in through the small window slits high above him. His torso still bore several dark purple bruises from his sparring match with the Bastard, and even now weeks later it was an effort to maintain his usual degree of physical training. The young governor endured, however, especially in these troubled times.
Turn, sweeping block, counter strike.
Nearby, silently observing as always, was his personal aide, and truly closest friend, the ronin Mattori, the only man Odai shared his secrets with any more, and truly the only man he would let see him in his current, wounded state. The man had an impressive talent for discretion, and his unerring loyalty to Odai was certainly a plus; impressive what a man is willing to do for you if you save his life.
Duck, whirlwind slash, block, block, disarm.
He finished his kata, slowly going through the final cooldown steps, allowing his body and mind to return to the center point he had started from, before easing the blade back into the saya tucked into his obi, one last calming breath escaping his lips before putting his kimono back on, a heavy, imposing garment of black slashed with dark blue designs. A cold, iron resolve came over the man as he began to run through his agenda for the evening with Mattori; there was much work to be done...
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 10, 2014 0:46:17 GMT
A knocking at the temple door brought a stop to Te's meditation. This was the second time today that he had been disturbed, why won't these people just leave him alone. Or better yet, let him leave. As he neared the door he stops. The strange smells coming from the other side making him ponder. The strongest smell is that of onion, lots of onion, under that though is a much sharper if more faint aroma. Dragon peppers! None this far south should have access to Dragon peppers, and if they did it would be to expensive a seasoning to feed to a prisoner.
Opening the door quickly he growls out "You're late", grasps the servant by the shirt and lifts him into the room, slamming the door on the surprised faces of the guards. "You were to be here five days ago. I wouldn't be in this mess if you didn't try doing so many things at once".
Taking the seasoned rice from Yoru's hand he drops in the middle of the floor and begins to eat.
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Moshi Yoru
Mantis Clan
Posts: 42| Likes: 18
Some smiles show mirth. Others just show teeth.
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Post by Moshi Yoru on Apr 14, 2014 3:46:48 GMT
Yoru gazed at his giant friend calmly.
"Please. Explain to me how my multiple obligations are responsible for you being caught up in this assassination attempt. You can eat first, I'll wait. In fact, why don't you start from the beginning. The rumors I've heard are causing me a large amount of agitation, on a personal level. Some things, even I won't stoop to. I do hope that the details I've heard are just that, rumors."
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 14, 2014 23:03:24 GMT
Te quickly finishes his meal of seasoned rice. One thing that always surprised him, Yoru could cook fairly well. After taking a quick drink to wash the meal down he starts to talk. He starts with the night of the wedding and tells Yoru about how he met Kaneka during the fiasco in the town, making special note of the horseman who killed the merchant. He hoped Yoru would know what he wanted by mentioning the man. Te then went on to describe his first encounter with the Crab general and his night at the party. Te pauses to take another drink of water, he really was not used to talking this much. He then went on to explain about the message he received during the wedding and his plan to stay close to the bride. Lastly he told about the fight that ensued on the top floor of the palace, not skipping any details like he had with the magistrate. He described everything that had happened in the bedchamber.
Finishing his story he asks just one question "where is Ibara? She was to stay with you."
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Moshi Yoru
Mantis Clan
Posts: 42| Likes: 18
Some smiles show mirth. Others just show teeth.
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Post by Moshi Yoru on Apr 15, 2014 1:07:12 GMT
"Ibara is here, but seeing as servants are not generally accompanied by yojimbo, I have her searching for a way to get to my sister."
He closed his eyes for a second, running all the information through his mind one more time. He opened them again, the same unshakable calm expression on his face, but a hint of urgency in his words.
"This is incredibly convoluted, Te. There is far more at work here that I can say right now, but I am certain that this was no normal assassination attempt. I believe all the witnesses may be in danger."
He cocked an eyebrow at the large man, smiling more with his eyes than his mouth.
"And I'm assuming that you will be wanting to see to the bride and your vow, as well. I know how you are about these things. Your first time in this city, and you manage to get caught up in a wedding day assassination. I can't take you anywhere, can I?"
He sighed, thinking through all the various possible angles and entanglements. A plan began to take form in his mind.
"If what you said is true, she is in nearly as much danger from the Crab here as she is from whoever wanted to kill her. I know you will not abandon her, and I will not abandon my sister... or you. We need more information though, and I can guarantee the city exits are being watched right now, by Kaneka's men as well as the guilty party. As for your horseman....."
He narrowed his eyes in anger.
"...we'll do as you see fit. I trust your judgement. But for now, we must focus on the immediate threats."
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 15, 2014 1:24:11 GMT
"There is no way that I would be able to get her out of the city with me. I kind of stick out amongst these southerners. I'm glad you finally arrived though, I had planned to hide her in bale of rice when I left, by the way," Te pulls out a piece of paper and hands it to Yoru "Your sister owes me quite a bit of rice".
"I will purchase a small wagon to pull the rice from the city. I am a little infamous for my desire to protect Little Sister it seems, if she should come up missing I would be the first one searched. If you could take her at the same time that I leave it should open up a window for you to sneak her out. I would then meet you further north."
Te looks down at his empty bowl as his stomach gives a loud rumble, "I don't suppose you have any more do you, these Crab are such light eaters?"
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