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 Jul 26, 2014 17:37:26 GMT
Do you disagree from both your sensei's and general's opinions about your role in the clan? If not, just comply. If yes, you should be in their place instead.
She shrugged.
And… not long ago, you said you weren't sure to believe in me or not. But now you do. What changed?
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 26, 2014 18:29:01 GMT
"It is not our place to question the wisdom of our elders. We are young yet. I do know what assignment I will be given, but as you said i was born with more intelligence then the average crab. As a Clan we do not waste resources."
He thought hard about her answer.. what to tell her and what not to tell her. He reflected how often the tenants of Bushido come in conflict with one another.
"I got angry and spoke without thinking. You were faced with a difficult position with your parents and... in your own way I believe you sought to protect me from it."
It was his turn kneel before her, head touching the floor.
"Please forgive me Satomi, for everything." both to the spoken and unspoken he thought to himself.
It was an odd situation for him to be him as he could not recall a time where had had asked forgiveness from anyone before, even in his time with the dojo he did not ask forgiveness of his Sensei he simply tried harder and accepted his failures with grace.
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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 Jul 26, 2014 19:29:47 GMT
Seeing Izo kneeling and saying what he said… it was shocking and something she knew she'd never forget. Maybe the source of this warm feeling in her chest…
You don't have to ask for forgiveness.
Izo, stop it.
I… Ew… You are embarrassing ME… Yes, I tried to spare you from that, and of course telling you about the true origins of this stupid scar was another reason… Nothing compared with the battle where you got yours…
You better be up from where you are right now or I'm going to tell your mother you hugged me TWICE, are you listening?
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 26, 2014 20:26:01 GMT
"It was not my intention to embarrass you, but threatening my mother on me will not cause me to rise any faster." he rose all the same as he figured it was the closest he would get to acceptance from her.
"It was not hard to guess the origins after dealing with your mother. Only someone of her power or the like could have kept any inquiries being carried through and there was none.. while as Crab we must wear our scars on the outside sometimes we have to fight battles internally as well." that was a statement he could relate to well recently.
"Does the first one actually count? It did involve some cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder." he smirked briefly "Though I bet my mother would find a way to blame you and not me anyway."
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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 Jul 26, 2014 20:53:25 GMT
Satomi just nodded, when he mentioned his mother's deep prejudice against her.
In fact, the first doesn't count, you're right.
Now, about your new appointment… Is it official already?
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 26, 2014 21:33:28 GMT
"I could always make it two again if your disappointed." he smirked again as he could in private settings otherwise it was all humorless grins and savagery
"Mother is putting pressure and securing deals on certain people.. seems the Emerald Magistrates were a tad.." he couldn't think of the appropriate word "Surprised? That the local magistrates handled the whole affair before they had even started going in the right direction at least that is the angle she is playing at. Last I heard she was arranging marriages to help me make he 'next logical step'. You know how my mother is."
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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 Jul 26, 2014 22:13:10 GMT
She almost huffed in displeasure when he brought back his future marriage to a girl of nice family. Satomi would live better if she wasn't so possessive about what she considered HERS. And she knew it. And her things, it seemed, included Izo, of course.
However, when she was about to say something, a servant scratched the door and announced the arrival of a representative of the Kaiu daimyo, bringing her a letter.
She exchanged a surprised glance to her friend before asking him to wait for her. Official matters couldn't wait.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 26, 2014 22:37:18 GMT
Did he catch a bit of disappointment cross her features? Hmm he wasn't entirely sure he hated reading friends well his friend. When the servant appeared all trace of humor left his face and shared her surprise indeed one did not make a Daimyo wait.
'If only..'
He gave her a nod, content to sip her tea for the moment and look around again. Some part of him sad knowing he probably would never see the place again.
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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 Jul 26, 2014 22:58:19 GMT
She returned with good news, the Kaiu daimyo wished to see her, but she was assured to not fear this meeting. The next days confirmed the prognostic of good news, as she recounted to Izo with a happy tone in their subsequent meeting. Aside the details of her meeting with the Kaiu daimyo, which praised her for her loyalty to the Crab, she was appointed as gunso, and she knew that, in a matter of time, she'd been assigned to a position in the Watchtower of the East, where she could once again learn with the most respected veterans of Crab. She was exulting, of course.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 27, 2014 0:00:38 GMT
Was happy for his friends success, even as he discovered he would continue working as a magistrate. This time however he found himself far more dedicated then his first few months. Slowly gaining a reputation for his no nonsense approach with his dealings with the law and finding he was rather savvy with its interpretation and manipulation to expedite things. It was to his annoyance that his next meeting with Satomi would be at his own wedding to Hiruma Aki a plain but polite woman with serious political connections earned by his mother he was starting to loathe with fervor.
___
The party for his marriage was in full swing and thankfully no marriage celebration went without copious amounts of sake. His younger brothers were in attendance despite their age and Izo's face was drawn hard as he glanced over at Aki. He couldn't be mad at the woman, it wasn't her idea either though most of the people in attendance were her family and friends. Izo's party consisting of a few brothers from the wall and Satomi. He watched Kazo try to arm wrestle a man twice his size with the help of his younger brother and let out a soft hmph of amusement.
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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 Jul 27, 2014 1:03:21 GMT
Your brothers are growing fast, Izo-san! Hopefully, in 10, 15 years you're going to have sons like them… Satomi commented. She wouldn't add that she wished them to heir his gens and not his spouse's. It surely wouldn't sound polite.
Wasn't her plans to monopolize the groom however she brought them a wedding gift, and after wishing them congratulations and all the traditional wishes a Crab does in such events, she couldn't help but think Aki seemed very happy in marrying Izo. Which Crab girl wouldn't? In spite of his scars ruining part of his handsome features (well, in fact the scars were helping him avoid the "Crane face" nickname), he was the epitome of a Crab hero: smart, strong, practical, ...and dour.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 27, 2014 1:18:46 GMT
"Ahh Satomi-san they grow indeed. Should the fortunes favor me I look forward to having enough to keep me grounded." giving her a bow from his seat and there was just a moment where he wished he was somewhere else.. the festering Pit of Fu Leng, but he was practical indeed and he would strive to make the best of the situation. For both his and his wife's sake. He continued to drink Sake until the end of the night and couldn't even remember what the hell happened until he awoke the next morning next to a woman. 'Who?' nah he wasn't that lucky.. just Aki.
He could not help but think the next few months passed rather boringly.. his mother harassing him for a grandson him reassuring her it was not from a lack of trying.. he did seem to find it easier to roam the province for work and often took assignments that moved him all over. It worked to his benefit as he caught the attention and support of more of the Crab families. His mother ever quick to leverage the support to something greater.
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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 Jul 27, 2014 1:54:47 GMT
Not much after Reiko's trial, Satomi's grandfather died, and with him many important connections within the clan. However, the Kaiu daimyo didn't forget his promises, and ignoring the opportunity to deliver Satomi back to Scorpion, managed to get her a good marriage into the Kaiu. Soon she was engaged to Kaiu Shigekazu, a promising engineer who happened to be the daimyo's nephew as well. An arrangement that would give her incredible leverage, if she knew how to play this game in her own advantage.
She knew few about him, but that Kaiu Shigekazu was in Otosan Uchi accompanying his sensei, working on a project for the Emperor. Her only desire regarding her fiancé was his safe return in the due time for their marriage. She wasn't aware of his forbidden love affair until the day a Hida maiden crossed her way, first trying to drag her to a fight, then, when it was proved almost impossible, begging her to not marry her true love.
An awkward moment, indeed, but she was told about their romance, their plans turned void with Shigekazu's daimyo's preference for Satomi.
You'll forget him, she said, and him to you. I'll make sure it'll happen. Satomi wasn't giving up her chance, and in a silly moment, she thought she could. But she didn't count on the stubbornness of a Crab. Or two.
The groom wasn't happy to return and marry the wrong lady, however the party was beautiful. Izo and his family of course were invited, and Satomi imagined herself in the same position as Aki months ago… Irony!
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Jul 27, 2014 2:33:01 GMT
Wasn't sure how he felt about his oldest and probably only friend getting married. Sure he had people he worked with, but his reputation was already growing as a man not to be trifled with and that none were above his scrutiny nor below. Still the invitation was well received and he spent time preparing for the event with Aki's blessing.
Izo could not remember the last time he had actually bought a nice Kimono. That is to say he dressed at his absolute best, bathed shortly as could be afforded before arriving and finished his preparations for the evening to come. When he had the opportunity at the party he presented himself to the couple.
"Shigekazu-san" he acknowledged and bowed to each in turn starting with him "Satomi-san, I heard about your grandfather. He would have been most honored by the beautiful party and to see the man Satomi-san would finally marry." he gave a deep bow. "I wish to humbly present my gift if you will allow. With such a noble marriage I could not think of a greater gift to give then a one in a lifetime performance Courtesy of the Hida family." it was quite clear he had spent much time in the making and preparation of such a gift. Displaying quite the bit of craftiness he usually reserved for his enemies.. perhaps that was how he viewed Shigekazu..
With the assent of the couple he would bow and make bid the attention of all those gathered, as if out of nowhere a stage was prepared (more preplanning on his behalf) seemingly all by happenstance. "Honored guests, by the good graces of our host I bring you this presentation."
It was quite the show, he had spent more then a fair amount of koku on the actors and invested quite a bit of time to make himself a passable actor for the play. It was all quite entertaining full of action and drama. The overall story was not lost however. It was about two crab friends in which one was captured by the 'enemy' only to have his friend come save him slaughtering all the foes. The message was quite clear.. the friends of Hida were always protected and cared for..
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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 Jul 27, 2014 3:20:44 GMT
Truly amazed by Izo's ingenious play and the message fully absorbed by her, that moment was indeed the most commented event of the party… For her, the most memorable for sure.
Her honeymoon would pass uneventfully but for her husband writing daily poetry to his true love, probably as a mean to force his mind from Satomi's most scandalous attempts to get him in her bed. This would happen in fact one year later, when she finally "won" this battle… but not the war.
However, she decided to use her energy for more important purposes, dedicating herself to strategy, study, exercise and command. She aimed to higher ranks, and protected by her recently (yet fragile) acquired status as married woman, she worked hard for it.
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