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Post by Ikoma Noroko on May 5, 2014 14:28:53 GMT
Noroko listens intently, her quill moving rapidly over a small notebook. At a glance, it would be unreadable to any bystanders, though it's simply an efficient shorthand that she learned as part of her Historian training. Her eyes flick from person to person as they're named, regretting having missed all the excitement herself. The history would be much more comprehensive if she was not stuck relying only on the testimony in court. She looks at Chisato perhaps more than strictly necessary.
As Kuni Jiyuna accuses Reiha, she doesn't focus on the luminaries at the front of the room, but rather the crowd of other samurai, gauging reactions and looking for anyone whose responses were out of the ordinary.
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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 May 5, 2014 14:46:07 GMT
Odai steepled his fingers, taking in the unfolding scene with a quiet contemplation, and those paying attention might note that he progressively gave less and less attention to his retinue and focused more on the great drama developing before him. Broken from his thoughts by a word from his attendants, he was brought back to the game by Kanehitsu's reply, which elicited a small smirk. As he finished his response, the trial was coming to its head, with Jiyuna's outburst truly catching his attention, and his mind began racing. He knew the time to act would be soon, but how best to go about things was what was giving the man pause. One misstep and his head would roll, that much he knew, but the implosion of everything he had worked to achieve, to rebuild, was not something he could allow to continue unchecked. Quietly, he stood, making his way to the front of the crowd, alerting an attendant of his desire to speak, but making sure the man knew he would wait until those who had been detained had their chance. He would not take them with him if he did not have to... *****His response to the Kakita began in the same fine writing as the first, though near the end it was obvious the Yasuki was rushed, not surprising giving the testimonies that had begun to emerge.
Kakita-san,
I must insist, for it is rare that one with a true appreciation for the finer things in life makes an appearance in our courts, and I must admit, I take pride in sharing the fruits of my labours far more with those who would truly enjoy them as they were meant to be enjoyed.
And as you say, the possibility of Maho always complicates things, though in these lands perhaps we are more prepared than most to deal with such eventualities as they arise. The outcome, though, for me must remain the same, as if this is the case it simply adds another adversary, for my duty remains what it always has; to preserve the strength and unity of my Clan.
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on May 5, 2014 14:51:09 GMT
Kaigen's face betrayed none of his thoughts as he stood with his fellow impassive Imperial Legionnaires.
Which was probably for the best.
I really hope we don't end up having to cut down highly-placed Crab samurai to prevent an all-out brawl. That would be... awkward.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 5, 2014 15:31:22 GMT
"My Lord, the way I see it there are three options. Reiha-dono could stand in front of us an innocent woman, victim of a maho cult. She could stand before us an agent of the Kolat, seeking a way to avoid the blame for her crimes. Or she could stand before us with no memory of that evening but a deadly set of orders hidden inside her. I believe I can shed some light on whether one of those possibilities is true.
He gazed straight at the Crab champion. "Bazsuth."
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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 May 5, 2014 15:56:53 GMT
The moment that Daidoji Kousei uttered that word everything stood silent.
Except Hida Reiha
At that moment she rose from the nearby dais, fixed a lazy lock of her dark hair and headed for the exit.. All the eyes followed her arrogant move.
The Emerald Champion was fierce to answer: "Hida Reiha-sama, resume your position at once! This is a court of justice and non--"
At that point Reiha drew an aiguchi from her sleeve! Its flashing blade shone in the candle light heading for the position where Yasuki Kaneka was standing.
Her heart bade her to do otherwise...but her body moved...dominated and eager to murder Yasuki Kaneka.
A gasp was heard from the onlookers as the reflexes of the Crab champion were quite remarkable. This wasn't normal.
In an instant Kaneka rose to his feet, his feet sending tremors over the wooden floorboard panel. He grabbed an iron disc used to hold the tea cups and swung it gracefully into a wide arc.
The slitting sound that was heard proved that something was quite wrong.
Hida Reiha stopped her movement as if she was turned off, and with a small turn of her head she looked at the onlookers. Her gaze that of despair, pouting as if caught red-handed. With this turning the flesh from the base of her neck tore reflexively revealing her larynx..
Blood sprayed all over the audience as Hida Reiha's throat was slit as if by a sword
Thoughts were abandoning Reiha as she was watching life flash in front of her eyes...the trip with her family to the Hida valley, her sisters, her abduction, the face of the Kolat master that inducted her into this...all in vain...
Kaneka stepped forward and tore a small piece of cloth from his sleeve which he threw over the knelt, drained and dead Crab champion. He looked at Kuon. "If you wish to enact revenge on what I did to your wife Shogun feel free to accept this token. And when you're ready I will be waiting for you." and with these words Yasuki Kaneka left.
Hida Kuon looked at his wife as he moved closer to her body. He hugged the dead body, clutching it like a treasure, kissing its silken cheek. But he didn't cry. Who would dare to humiliate the Shogun right now?
Otomo Hoketuhime snapped her fan shut. "How did one of you come to possess the knowledge of something like that? Guards shut the gates and seize this man!" as she pointed her finger at Daidoji Kousei.
"The court demands that he answers for this! The death of the Crab champion cannot go unattested!"
In the room a great commotion was happening as the palace guards moved in order to arrest Daidoji Kousei, once more..
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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 May 5, 2014 17:22:35 GMT
The reaction of Reiha to the command wasn't unexpected to Satomi, nor was the Otomo's reaction. She rose from her place, and bellowed to Hotekuhime, giving a shit to what she thought she was to give orders in a Crab house.
Don't you dare to put in doubt the honor of this man! What's more? After all the proof exposing the evidences of the kolat involvement, do you really wish to say it's a farce? We, the ones who worked to unveil this threat to Empire's unity, have none to gain with the tragedy it became, lady Otomo. Satomi wouldn't normally raise her voice in a situation like this, as it was completely out of her normal cold self. However, Otomo Hotekuhime was never officially mentioned as part of the "judicial court". her tone came to normal in the next moment, though.
He knows, I know, the Asako daimyo knows… the same way we discovered that a kolat agent would use the wedding day to attack a person of note. We discovered it could be Hida Reiha-sama after we went further in our investigation.
If we were part of the plot to kill Yasuki Kaneka, using the Crab champion as agent, why would we bother to agree with this "drama" she waved to the room, when we could simply let Kaneka-sama to kill the Crab champion once her attack failed? If you have the authority to arrest someone in this Castle, you naturally would like to arrest me as well. A pause when she glanced at the arrogant Otomo once more. Now that I have you attention, if there's someone to command something in this Castle, my lady, "Your Honor" have to admit it is the honorable Emerald Champion and daimyo of the Yasuki, not you.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 5, 2014 17:51:23 GMT
Asako Chisato had told her that word but when Kousei said it in court, the importance didn't immediately register with Kasumi. It was only when Reiha drew a blade that she remembered, but while her hand flew to her blade, she knew she would be too late. But Kaneka himself was fast enough and when Reiha dropped, Kasumi put her blade back, by now half out of it's saya. But she wanted to have some control over the situation, so she quickly took her bow, although she didn't ready an arrow.
She took a few paces back, so she had a better view. With her bow losely in her hand, she looked at the imperial legionairs. While she wasn't sure how some of the others would react, most would probably be protecting their diplomats instead of chargin in. But both the Shogun and the Emerald champion had authority over the legions, so if one said one thing and the other something else, she wasn't sure what they would do.
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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 May 5, 2014 19:22:42 GMT
Otomo Hoketuhime's face twitched in anger as the "disrespectful" Kaiu general rebuffed her "cordially". One of her servants was quick enough to place a pillow for her to crash into and another one offered her her bellowing fan, one different for making air altogether.
Yasuki Hachi glanced at Kaiu Satomi and could also notice Otomo Hoketuhime with the corner of his eye. He closed his eyes, and said: "Guards, seize Kaiu Satomi-san as well as Daidoji Kousei-san. Both of them need to explain about this knowledge of theirs."
Satomi could feel the tug, Kousei could feel the tug....every logical being could feel the tug in the room. The tug of the Otomo house over the influence of the Emerald Champion. The old lady had a friend in every court and the Emerald champion wouldn't wish to compromise much. The tug was intense and discernible by anyone...
Not by Kuon though
And once again the hulk of a Crab warrior bellowed with his booming voice once more.
"House guards stand down!" he said as he rose from his wife's dead body. He pointed a finger over to Otomo Hoketuhime. "If this hag moves, seize her. If she speaks make sure she's brought to my room."
He turned over to the dais. "Yasuki Hachi, my friend" he adressed the Emerald Champion...no dignitary suffixes...Kuon was clearly committing an avalanche of breaches of etiquette. "You may have been born a Crane, but you bear the bloodline of the Crab as well. I implore you, let's end this."
The Hida house guard that protected Kuon moved over to the side of Otomo Hoketuhime. She was the ghost of a woman, mute as proper.
"The message had been clear. The Kolat sought to bring disarray and such they did. My wife and my son paid the price." he turned to the audience. "I paid the most grave of prices." And nobody could prove him wrong. The man had lost a brother, a wife and a son to dark machinations...and yet he stood.
"I shall not tolerate any further conflicts among the Clans. We have a war to fight, this in the name of our Empress. Have Kaneka-san be brought to my chambers whenever he wishes. I shall brood no hatred towards the brother of my Empress." he looked at the individuals involved in this.
"Yasuki Miliko-san, you're free to depart from Yasuki Yashiki, head off for the Championship and bring honor in the name of the Crab." "Daidoji Kousei-san, I wish you among the ranks of the Shogun's armies. You have a week to decide." "Asako Chisato-san, since your name was associated with this, accept the formal apologies of the Crab Clan. With this, I'll offer you and your lineage an extended hand of friendship. I entitle you and your kin free passage into the Kuni lands." "Tsuruchi Kasumi-san..." he stepped off the dais and HUGGED the unaware magistrate. "I thank our cousins for shedding some light and saving the honor of our house." As he proceeded into thanking the ones involved he had a servant be informed of both Yasuki Odai's and Shiba Kaigen's will to talk a notion that Kuon asked to be solved into a dinner.
Yasuki Hachi bowed in respect to the Shogun's wishes and rose his chin "Therefore, I proclaim that this court is put to its end. The verdict is guilty as charged to the associates of the Kolat. Let Hida Reiha-sama, Champion of the Crab be exonerated of any dark accusations.
As the court was brought to an end, Kuni Jiyuna rushed and whispered something to Kuon's ear. Kuon nodded and boomed for one last time.
"Since, the Crab clan has been left "orphan", in honor of Hida Reiha-sama, my only and beloved wife, I will proclaim the next Crab champion to bear the mantle of duty." he smirked and shouted.
"Honor the next champion of the Crab, Hida Satomi!" and at that time, the entire house guard was clanging their armors in respect!
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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 May 5, 2014 19:40:35 GMT
What? Satomi blinked. Me?How it came to that so quickly was a thing Satomi couldn't fathom in the moment, however, when the surprise settled down, she rather decided for a cautious approach to the apparently hasty decision of the Shogun and true heir of the position as the head of the clan. Although she felt relief with the decisions the Shogun took, the one concerning to her didn't sound right. She decided to defend her position before than anyone else interprets her silen ce as acquiescence and conceit. So, she came to him ando spoke clearly and very Crab-like, after a respectful bow to the Shogun: Nonono. I can't, Hida Kuon-dono. I rather wish to serve as I've been serving. I'm not even a Hida and by several other reasons not deserving of such position. I'm a simple Kaiu woman with the only desire of be useful defending the Empire. However, I'm sorry for your loss, Kuon-dono. I truly know how you loved your wife and I assure you... I'd rather be wrong about her involuntary involvement.
But first things first. I'm sure our clan wish to pay respect to the brave woman Reiha-sama was. The position of champion of the Crab and who will be this person can wait for this short while.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 5, 2014 20:50:55 GMT
Kasumi was amazed. She had been in courts before and although they had not been the primary courts of the Empire, they were often a lot more chaotic and cut-throat. But never had she seen things go from almost open warfare to 'we're all friends now' in quite so little time.
But the real surprise of the evening came when Hida Kuon walked up to her. She almost went for her sword again when he hugged her. This was something she had never seen before and she almost dropped her bow, which would have been unforgivable. It was the bow her grandfather had used to gain his place amongst Tsuruchi's followers and she wouldn't let it fall and break. She didn't hear the rest of Kuon's speech as her mind was racing over what had happened. She would have something to write home about. Maybe she could work it into some poems.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 5, 2014 22:53:30 GMT
Kousei had watched the drama unfold in front of him in silence. Reiha's death had not been his intention, although a small practical voice in the back of his head did note that it was probably the best way to deal with a brainwashed killer. As the guards seized him he simply felt resigned, which swiftly turned to astonishment in the face of Kuon's intervention.
He fell to his knees in a full bow, overwhelmed by the honour that had been bestowed upon him. He had been given a week to decide but to refuse such a position would be unthinkable. As his friend was announced as the next Crab champion, Kousei climbed back to his feet and let his voice join in the cheers. He was not surprised by her modesty in refusing, but suspected that the shogun would be a hard man to turn down.
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 6, 2014 2:36:23 GMT
Chisato sat there and blinked, just as paralyzed by events unfolding as he had been from the moment the jade magistrate had spoken out in what he could only imagine as his defense. Odd enough on its own. He couldn't believe what then followed. Most significantly the carnage, and then the exceedingly odd reaction from Kuon afterwords.
He never heard of anything this severe getting solved with war or duels to the death. But then he found something he couldn't ignore, "um... excuse me, crab minna san? I thank you all for finding a peaceful solution to, uh, all of this mayhem. But there is really compelling evidence for why Satomi san should not be considered as the next champion of the crab clan. Beyond the uh, the obvious fact that she was not born nor married into the kuge of the Hida or the Kaiu lines."
He gulped visibly and looked at Satomi apologetically, "Should I tell them, or should you, Satomi san?" It might be only now that she would notice he had never called her Kaiu, because doing so would have been a lie...
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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 May 6, 2014 5:05:42 GMT
Odai had prepared himself to be called a traitor. He had prepared himself to go forth and use the command he had learned from the Kolat agent to expose Reiha's weakness. He had prepared to have to duel for his words, perhaps even face his own execution.
But he had not prepared for that crazy Daidoji to do his work for him, nor the ensuing madness that followed.
He could only stand by on the sidelines, not daring to move forward to intervene at this point, and coincidentally receiving a large portion of the Shogun's wife's blood across his torso, though he forgot to portray any "shock" at this. Such a slip-up was so minor it was lost against the convoluted events of the Court unfolding before them.
Once he broke himself from his shock, he got to work, rapidly whispering many orders into many ears of his attendants, who quickly spidered out through the Yashiki, sending messages and beginning as much damage control on the situation as possible. Odai himself remained in the courtroom, still not quite sure he wasn't dreaming, though he did his best to not break on through the chaos that followed.
Making his way to the front, he was told that Kuon had agreed to meet him for dinner, and quickly ran through his options. Making his way over to where the Imperial legionnaires who even now were still seeming to be unsure of their next move, he approached Shiba Kaigen. "Shiba-san, you will forgive me if I dispense with the normal formalities. I have requested that you join me to meet for dinner with Lord Kuon-dono, and if I have my way Kaneka-sama and Hachi-dono. Are you willing to do so?"
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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 May 6, 2014 7:24:39 GMT
POSTED AS HIDA KUON, THE SHOGUN
Satomi's refusal came as expected to Hida Kuon, a proper thing for a dutiful Crab to do. But what Chisato shared came rather unexpected. Kuon waited to see what would follow..
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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 May 6, 2014 9:42:44 GMT
Satomi looked puzzled, that's not the moment for him to propose marriage, I guess...
Asako-san, you intrigue me.
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