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 Aug 14, 2014 11:30:32 GMT
OOC: The initial conversation happens a bit before the heroes' arrival at the Green Koi, in the thread Ghost of Dawn Tower rokuganee2.proboards.com/post/3053
rokuganee2.proboards.com/post/3054
rokuganee2.proboards.com/post/3055
rokuganee2.proboards.com/post/3057
Previously: For weeks Te had been trying to catch up with Bayushi Satomi. Just when he thought he was getting close she would rush off to somewhere else. Most recently he had heard of her being in the capitol, however when he had gotten there he found that she had left just that morning for some small village. Getting directions from an elderly rice ball cook, he ordered two of the balls then proceeded to leave the capitol without further delay.
He reached the village soon enough. Asking around he heard a few rumors of a Scorpion spending her day at the local tea house. Staring at the sign outside the tea house made him hungry. He hadn't had fish in a long time, and since it was the only meat he was allowed to eat it was something of a treat for him. He hoped the Green Koi was more than just a name, and that they served food here as well.
When the monk Kurimuzon Te was announced as looking for her, Satomi raised an eyebrow. Not knowing what to expect from his unexpected, but welcome, presence, she hoped being able to convince the giant man to join her as well. Spiritual guidance and some knowledge about metaphysics can always help, and if was not the case, his ability with staves and wrists could.
However, as Te's arrived and now she got company, she ordered the food to come. When the monk entered the room, Satomi was sipping some sake, and trying to follow the deep aphorisms of Little Truths, the obscure Scorpion book with plain untitled cover. She put it aside and glanced upwards to Te.
"Kurimuzon-san, is nice to see you again… Please join me in my meal. "
She'd never met a monk who refused to share a hot, or cold, for all what matters, meal. Something that was absolutely wise from their part, by the way.
"Then, what are the news, dear monk? Have you had success in your "endeavors" at the Pink Chrisantemum? "
"Tea, or sake?" she asked, waving a hand at the bottle on the table.
"Would you happen to have water available? I apologize, it is all that I am allowed to drink." Te settles himself into what appears to be the sturdiest chair. Happy to hear about the food that was soon to be coming he visibly relaxed.
"It is nice to see you as well Satomi-sama. My endeavors have proven quite fruitful. While your former subordinate will not be able to work in his old aspects I hope he will be able to at least be a warning to others that are, how should I say, overzealous."
"I heard a rumor that you were expecting company, I would not want to intrude. Shall I return later when you would not be so busy, I have a few things I would like to discuss with you."
"If it's urgent and you don't mind, we can talk about it now. However, if it's something private, we risk it being interruped by someone's else arrival... " Satomi served him water. (...)
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 17, 2014 14:24:26 GMT
"It's nothing that important. I've been trying to find my bosu. I talked with him for a time right before the trial. He was supposed to help me with an issue that had come up."
Te smiles as the food is brought into the room. The fish looks delicious. "He has disappeared once again. I've been thinking about what had happened with little sister and don't think I will be able to remain in his employ for much longer. I will not be able to protect him as he needs without further training."
Taking a bite of the fish he realizes that his first assessment was not quite accurate. The fish is more than delicious, he wonders for a moment if they would share the recipe with him.
"The reason I bring this up to you Satomi-san is I would need to get this message to Yoru and I have no idea where he disappeared to. Have you heard from your brother lately?"
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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 Aug 17, 2014 15:16:51 GMT
Yoru… Satomi recollected her brief reunion with "her brother", though everything about their family was a blurry line to her right now. As last resort, Moshi Yoru was the true son of the man who couldn't raise him because he was too busy with the task of raising Satomi… And it was a still greater link between them.
She smirked, noticing how the monk was hungry… or at least, enjoying the meal more than she did Well, I don't know where he is, but if he might be in danger I'd like to know… I believe I can manage to get some information about him in a few days…
But, Te-san, why do you need to protect him?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 17, 2014 17:40:22 GMT
"Yoru gave me some help when my home temple was attacked. The same group of bandits that were attacking some of his merchant caravans had murdered my brothers and looted the temple while I was away." Finishing his fish he takes a drink of the water.
"His one guard was an experienced tracker, I took them to my temple and he was able to follow the bandits. Yoru, Ibara and I then attacked the bandits. I don't remember much of the fight though, just the aftermath." Looking down at his red stained hands he continues. "It was then that your brother named me Kurimuzon Te, or Crimson Hand. The stains of their blood never came off. Since that day I have been his yojimbo."
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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 Aug 17, 2014 20:14:47 GMT
That was the first time Satomi paid real attention to Te's hands, since his body had other interesting features to look at first (his tattoos, for instance). It was quite the story, and she put thought on it for a minute or so:
Yes, I can understand that. If you parted ways and Yoru didn't return to Mantis, and you have no idea of where he could have gone to, we have a problem... But maybe if you tell me about his usual routes I can find some information. Even if the Scorpion's intelligence and their net of spies couldn't help, she'd make sure to get help from other ways.
Now, you say you need further training. Are you returning to Dragon lands, Te-san?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 20, 2014 0:47:04 GMT
Te chuckles, "I take it you do not know your brother as well as I thought you did. Yoru did not have 'usual routes'. He had a few legitimate trading routes but he rarely traveled those routes himself. He stuck more with the smuggled goods because those were the more lucrative deals. I have sent a messenger to the one place that he does frequent often and they have not seen him for months."
After taking another sip of water Te looks Satomi in the eye. "I am. I have failed in a promise. I must atone for that failure and become stronger so I do not fail 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 Aug 20, 2014 6:08:06 GMT
Satomi rubbed her chin for a moment, thinking there's something very wrong with the Empire when a monk talks in a so prosaic way about criminal activities, as it was exactly what smuggling was. Now, although she somehow knew it already, Yoru hadn't directly spoken about his contraventions, as so hadn't Odai.
I'll try and communicate with "Tensho". That's how their father Keitaro was known amongst the ronin. He must know about Yoru. I'll try to find him through other ways, as well. She said finally.
Now, about your travel to Dragon… I must do this travel myself, as long as I get leave from some obligations in Kyuden Seppun. It's at the same time an official matter as requested to me by an important person to talk to Satsu-sama or his representative, and must be discreet in a point I shall not be announcing my arrival with "grandeur".
Maybe, if you don't mind… you can show me the way through the mountains… I think we can be good company to each other during this travel… Satomi allowed him to be able to refuse, in the case you are not in a huge hurry to get there, which I'll understand perfectly.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 26, 2014 1:09:22 GMT
"The mountains will wait for us, no matter when we arrive." Te finishes the water in his cup. "I will be happy to take you to the mountains, where are you going to?"
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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 Aug 26, 2014 11:26:39 GMT
Well, I must see Togashi Moeru, a monk living in the Togashi Provinces... I guess my final destination is the High House of Light, though if you help me reach the Province, it's good enough, Te-san. She said sincerely.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 27, 2014 0:38:53 GMT
"And I regret that is all I may do though I wish I could do more." He stared into his empty cup. "There is only one way to get to Kyuden Togashi, and that is on your own. I will take you to the Old Road, but from there you must find the palace on your own, I may not assist you. I will give you a warning though. I grew up a Dragon and new what to expect, it still took me a full week to get to the palace and I crawled the last mile only to collapse inside the gate. It is not an easy journey." Te chuckles, "I was but a child then".
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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 Aug 27, 2014 10:56:54 GMT
Well, that's enough, and I'm glad for your company through the journey to the Old Road. So is the legend true? That one must find the Togashi Castle by their own? It must had been quite the experience, Te-san. Though it's not my final destination, I believe I must pay my homage to Satsu-sama as well...
In fact, she wasn't content that Kuon had decided to get his son from the care of Dragon monks, but if it was needed in order to make Takai the next Crab Champion, so be it. He promised to get her a Crab yojimbo but it wasn't really needed... and could be quite inconvenient, in fact.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 27, 2014 21:47:29 GMT
"The legends are indeed true, though they don't cover half of what may come before you. No matter how prepared you may be there will always be a surprise. I have seen men with the supplies for a month trek in the harshest climes perish without ever seeing the palace, I have also seen a child with only scraps for both clothing and food arrive within days. The mountains are an... odd place, the land itself seems to see into your soul."
Te shudders at the remembrance of his ordeal that week.
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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 Aug 27, 2014 22:13:41 GMT
Observing the monk's reactions, Satomi said:
My soul lacks the magnificence to impress the mountains, but the contrary probably is true. I look forward to be in our way to Dragon Lands, for less hospitable they are, I'm sure I'll find what I look for… But don’t befuddle me, dear monk! You surely make a good job in planting uneasiness in one's soul! She smiled, and asked: During the dispute against Phoenix, were you in the mountains with your clan, or being a yojimbo for my brother?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Aug 28, 2014 0:22:07 GMT
Te starts to laugh, a low rumbling sound. "My dear Satomi, nobody can impress the mountains for they are but stone. You however are true to your soul and that is what makes it magnificent." He reaches for her hand for a moment "I like you, not many have made me laugh in a while."
He sobers with his next statement. "I do not wish to make you uneasy, I just want you to be aware of what you are getting yourself into. Have no fear, I will greet you when you come through the gates of Kyuden Togashi."
"I had just started abating the debt I owe to Yoru when the war started. I was not able to return to my clan for any of the battles but I at least convinced him to not trade with the Phoenix during that time. The steel from my village was more lucrative at the time."
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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 Aug 28, 2014 0:44:47 GMT
Ohoh, She laughed with him, That's your fault, Te-san, you keep describing your homeland as something mysterious, everchanging, sentient, but benevolent in an exact reverse image of Shadowlands. If it's but stone, I'll make my way through it… And yes, you are right, "father" said I'm able to make people laugh and cry in equal measures…
She listened about his subtle influence in some aspect of war, and nodded.
Do you know "Tenshu"? That was Keitaro's ronin name, and she knew Yoru had been in constant contact with their father (if Sunetra was to be believed, her uncle) when he went for Mantis lands, fleeing from the Crab Pincers of Law. The little she knew about Yoru, in fact, what was she learned from the man who raised her as daughter, in their subsequent and discreet encounters in the last years.
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