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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 3, 2014 2:04:07 GMT
Finally making it back to Kyden Seppun Te made his way to the Old Hare inn that Satomi had told him about. True to her word there was a room reserved for the two of them. Grateful that he would finally get to rest after their expedition to the Dawn Tower he rolled his mat out. Kneeling, he started to think of his next step. He had no way to get in touch with his bosu. The last few places that he checked, normal places for the smuggler, had not seen him in a while.
At least he found his bosu's sister. She claimed to know somebody that might have some information.
ooc: Open thread
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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 Sept 3, 2014 13:07:08 GMT
Satomi walked in the next day, smiled and asked about his general welfare, before saying:
Dear Kurimuzon Te, what a joyous day! I just received that perplex look from the Imperial Chancellor, when I opened the sac and showed that Crown!
She delivered him the Imperial Writ allowing him to access the Imperial Libraries. Also… I thought you'd like to know the Kasuga sends you a token of their gratitude for freeing the poor Kasuga Girai from his tormented life.
She waved and a servant brought forward a sac which, upon close inspection, showed a good amount of exotic goods coming from gaijin lands.
I've been mainly busy finishing some business so we can travel as soon as possible, Te-san. I am using my contacts to try and locate Yoru… Well, I sent Teishu a message asking him to come to Kyuden Seppun and talk to you. We haven't seen each other in a while, so I don't know whether or not he's going to attend this meeting but, in any case, you shall go to the Seppun Gardens tomorrow, and wait for him.
In fact, Satomi had been forbidden by her Champion to contact Teishu or Yojiro, until second orders. She couldn't disobey, but it didn't mean she couldn't arrange meetings to other persons, right?
As you said you not had met him already, it's easy task. Just look for Yoru. They're quite the same.
She apologized for not being able to be around much, but said he could find her either in the Scorpion Embassy or in the Seppun Castle, tending Scorpion business. Leaving as quickly as she left, she promised to return as soon as possible.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 4, 2014 0:31:09 GMT
A little dazed at the rush of activity that Satomi brought into the room with her Te could do little more than watch and listen. Look for Yoru? Was Satomi telling him that her brother would be there under a different name, or was this man a relative? A brother or cousin perhaps that looks like his bosu.
There were times that Te wished he had stayed in the mountains of his temple. Ah well, as they say, wishes won't move mountains only actions will.
Rummaging through the sack that Satomi had left for him he was surprised at the variety of things. Many of the items he did not think he would be able to use himself but as he was quickly learning others might have a use for them. A use that might cause them to see their way to helping him. He wasn't sure he liked this sort of "trading" himself, it looked to much like bribery to him sometimes. What did please him to see was the three blocks of wood. Unsure of their exact type Te spent hours studying each one, as he was taught to do, to get the greatest potential from each piece. These would bring him many hours of enjoyment to carve.
After meeting with this Teishu tomorrow he would have to thank Satomi for bringing him these.
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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 Sept 4, 2014 1:24:08 GMT
Carefully unfolding the message Satomi sent to their common contact and using the old book of poetry that was their code, soon the Scorpion disguised as ronin decrypted its content.Teishu scratched his head, not content at all that Satomi was now interested in Yoru's affairs. Now this monk, Kurimuzon... Yoru talked about the man once. The intriguing role of this man in his son's life sounded to him more like either a joke or a tragedy, or something in between. Time to discover what to do with the man Satomi so quickly trusted in. One day after, Teishu found his way into the Seppun Gardens, which here more like a public garden than a secluded part of the castle. However, Teishu, being a ronin an wanted criminal in the southern portion of Rokugan, found a discreet place to watch the passers, waiting for a large Ise Zumi with hands stained in red to come by.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 5, 2014 0:51:55 GMT
Completely healed after two full days of rest and plenty of delicious food Te woke with the first light of day. He finished his morning inori and rose, his heart glad for a change. Satomi had not told him what time to meet this Teishu so he wanted to get to the garden as quickly as possible. Looking over at the three blocks of wood he picked up the one that he had decided to work on first. If Teishu was not there he would have more time to study the gaijin block. Who knows, he may figure out what to do with it within the week if he is lucky.
Directions to the Seppun Gardens were easy enough to get and he made decent time getting there. He walked the many pathways seeing many courtiers but nobody that reminded him of his bosu. He eventually decided to wait at the fountain in the center of the gardens. Lowering himself to the ground he pulled the block of wood out and started to turn it about in his hands.
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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 Sept 5, 2014 1:45:51 GMT
From his position on the top of a Hill, Teishu was able to see a Dragon monk wandering across the gardens as if looking for someone. After a while, the Ise Zumi decided to find a place to wait and got himself distracted with some wood carving.
But well, the monk choose to wait in the most exposed place of all paths, hills and corners that damn place could have for a meeting. Cursing under his breath, Teishu almost decided to leave and forget his idea. Though, seeing a blind chanteuse roaming through the alleyways and offering her services, he spent some bu to pay her next meal and guarantee that the monk Kurimuzon was able to find him in a discreet place.
The last thing he wished was to be captured in Kyuden Seppun.
The goze approached Te next to the fountain, and blindly pointed out a hill at her right, saying a samurai was waiting for him under the willow trees.
If Te followed her general directions, soon he was embraced by the shadowed alleyway and its full blossoming willow trees. At some point, obviously waiting for him, a figure resembling somehow his bosu in an older age, sporting ronin outfit and a silk red cloth covering his mouth.
Ohayou, Dragon-san. Nice day for some craftwork, uhn?
Teishu casualy said.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 5, 2014 2:13:43 GMT
Bowing to the older man Te responds "Even the worst days are nice days if you have something to keep you occupied."
After he straightens he scrutinizes the smaller man. The similarities between Yoru and the older man in front of him were uncanny. Even the size of the two were almost identical. Te realized that his earlier assumptions were incorrect, this was no cousin or brother. It could only be Yoru's father.
"I apologize if I stare Teishu-sama, I had never thought to meet you." Te lowered his voice at this last. He had learned enough from Yoru to know that his father preferred to keep a low profile.
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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 Sept 5, 2014 2:55:13 GMT
I received word you are looking for Moshi Yoru, "your friend".
Teishu also took his time to analyze the monk's features, exposed tattoos and his hands. During my lifetime I've heard some tales about the Ise Zumi, "Kurimuzon Te". Pretty much I've learn that when a tattooed monk leaves the mountains, one can wait for weird events.
He frowned and rubbed his forehead.
Which strange incident brought you and Yoru together, and more importantly, why do you search for him?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 6, 2014 0:37:41 GMT
"Yoru did me a great favor a few years ago. It is quite a long story and I would be happy to tell it to you." Looking around at the open spaces and knowing something of the man before from what Yoru told him he continued "or perhaps you would prefer somewhere a little more private?"
"As to why I would search for him, I am 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 Sept 6, 2014 2:26:46 GMT
I look forward to hear this story, Te-san.
I happen to know a place where we can talk undisturbed, Teishu said. The ronin then led the monk through the muddy and crowded streets of the new capitol to a "sake house" called The Broken Horn (or so said the blurred placard above the door), in the red light district.
He said to the Dragon monk, It's discreet, but I wouldn't do neither the women nor the booze here, Dragon-san...
Crossing the saloon, the kitchen and then a maze of cubicles where the ladies worked (the only privacy being greasy curtains), they reached a stair and then the upper floor, which was an entirely different thing.
Two doormen of large proportions bowed to both (though apparently they were more interested in the Dragon monk) and allowed entrance to a comfortable and spacious chamber, lavishly decorated. Maybe, decorated wasn't exactly the word. In fact, the place was furnitured with the most extravagant and rich objects one could think outside the Imperial Castle, and maybe there were more than one of the same function, which could look redundant. Some statues, rich chests of varied types, delicated painted byobu, pictures, benches and vases, teaware and tables; one could think, after some time inside it, the objects seemed to be disposed as in a high end shop... if this very concept existed in Rokugan.
I see you never have been here, Te-san.
Teishu looked around, before choosing a table over a rug of gaijin origins, made of wool and having intrincate arabesques as decoration. He sat casually, inviting te to do the same with a gesture:
This place belongs to Yoru. He told me... After the war many families, including members of the Otomo and Seppun, had to sell what was left of their wealth, to not bankrupt totally, He said that, since some didn't had anything at all, they started to bring things belonging to the Imperial Family... Meaning, what once belonged to the Hantei Dinasty, and should belong to the Toturi Dinasty... Quite The Pawn Shop, neh?
I must admit it's a dangerous trade... I told him it may look a smart thing, but surely it's not wise.
He laughed, you know how he is.
Now, to the moment when a Dragon monk meets a Moshi "trader" and decides to be his yojimbo... His eyes narrowed, studying the Ise Zumi once more.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 6, 2014 3:57:17 GMT
'I think I do. Sometimes."
Te looks at the offered chair skeptically. Such a small chair, still it looked sturdy. He lowered slowly so he would be able to catch himself if need be.
"A number of years ago my master sent me to purchase a load of exotic woods from a Phoenix village." Te holds up the block of wood "he was teaching me to carve." He pauses at this, as if to remember a better time.
"When I returned to the temple I found that it had been attacked by bandits in the night and my brothers murdered in their sleep." He pauses again this time unconsciously squeezing the block until it bit into his large hand. "I was on my way to Seppun Togashi for assistance when I met with Yoru's caravan. It seemed that he had lost much merchandise to those same bandits. I led him and two others to my temple and from there tracked the bandits to their camp." Finally realizing what he was doing he put the block back into his pouch.
"We attacked the bandits and avenged my brothers that day. For the assistance that Yoru provided me I agreed to work for him, whenever he needed me."
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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 Sept 6, 2014 17:14:52 GMT
And... Did you manage to discover why the bandits slaughtered your entire monastery, Te-san?
That's an intriguing point, Teishu thought. OOC; Now when I think of it, I just can think of Diablo I
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 6, 2014 18:29:52 GMT
"Yes. The bandits took everything they could carry when they left it. While we were a small monastery, only a dozen or so, we did have a few items that others would value. And with the exception of myself the other members were older retired bushi, an easy mark for the bandits."
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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 Sept 6, 2014 19:06:39 GMT
Nodding as Te told this last part, Teishu questioned, trying to understand the monk's motivations a bit further: And then, how did you get involved with the risky "business" your bosu's sister Satomi-san created to herself back in the Crab? He asked you to?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Sept 7, 2014 0:46:27 GMT
"No, he did not. I was to meet him there for the wedding of Little Sister." Te seemed to shrink in on himself at the mention of her name. It would be a long time before he could forgive himself for his failure.
"After the night of the wedding I did speak to him for a short time while I was... under house arrest for my part in the fiasco. He was supposed to help me with something but was preoccupied with finding you."
Looking the older man directly in the eye Te continues "I need to speak with him. I need to return to my homeland to further my training, I cannot allow myself to fail again."
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