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 Oct 21, 2014 15:54:45 GMT
First Part: Arrival
After so many detours in her way to a new home into the Scorpion, Satomi finally arrived to her new place in her clan: the Southern Watch Keep.
Assigned to officially take residence and defend the southern borders of the Scorpion against enemies coming north, such as Shadowlands or even Crab (not necessarily in this order, probably), it was an obvious use of her expertise.
The keep was situated atop of the highest hill of the region, providing an excellent perspective of any group coming from south, west, or whatever.
Down the valley, a small village with no particular glamour but a modest geisha house provided some support to the keep's garrison. Many of the supplies came from other parts of the Scorpion... It wasn't a place for fanciness or court.
She inspected the garrison on her arrival, acknowledged her immediate subordinates and secretaries, and was alerted about the presence of Kaiu Nao, her "mother-in-law", waiting for her for two weeks. It wasn't said without some hinit of irony and maybe, embarrassment (though she doubted a Scorpion could really be embarrassed at all). Satomi smirked. The little old woman was indeed persistent!
She then retired to her quarters, a secluded building within the gates of the keep.
She asked the servants for the old woman, and was taken to a little garden where her shutome was tending some bonsai. She bowed to the elder.
Okasan? What are you doing here?
I thought I could make your quarters here a bit more pleasant so you don't have to worry with these minor things as house management... That's what an old woman like me is useful for, neh?
Direct but smooth, as many Kaiu.
I thought you'd be doing so in our estates back in Kyuden Bayushi...
I'm doing that too... the old Kaiu lady turned to Satomi. Their relationship had many turns during the years she's got married with the lady's son. From competition to cumplicity, to disgust and hate, and finally, true friendship. It was the closest Satomi had of a mother, after all.
Don't you expect me to be happy in that fancy estate of yours next the Bayushi Castle, do you? That Masako-san was visiting our house all the time and I got tired of her meddling in my business. She complained.
Satomi hold face and did not burst a laugh, so her Bayushi very old grandmother was making Nao's life a hell?
Dear Nao-san, I'm glad you are here. Although it's not a comfortable place for a venerable lady as you.
I'm Kaiu. she said proudly. Yet it would mean she was a practical woman used to simplicity, Satomi knew it wasn't totally true.
And she steals on Mah Jong. Nao added. I don't bear that woman, Fortunes forgive me but that grandmother of yours is a serious competitor for the Daughter of Fu Leng title.
Satomi can't help but openly laugh at it.
And I'm just fixing things for you. I'm going to return to our main house before the Winter...
Very well, okasan. We'll make sure you finish arranging things here so you'll have enough time to do your trip back home in the most comfortable time. Though I appreciate your care and skill, I'm also concerned with what long trips in bad weather can make to you.
She knew Nao was trying to affirm her place in Satomi's life. Her only living daughter chose to marry a Tsi against her family's approval, and Nao always lived with Shigekazu and Satomi. The change of allegiances would have put the old woman in an uncomfortable position but Satomi never faltered to her.
The old Lady nodded in agreement, and called the servant to prepare a bath and meal to Satomi.
....
When the night fell, and Satomi joined Nao for dinner, the lady delivered her a letter.
This letter is from the Crab Champion. That's the real reason of her presence. Satomi could see in her expressions the hope of a good new; perhaps something that could make Satomi to come back to Crab.
The Bayushi woman just smiled back to the old Kaiu woman, noticing that, indeed, it didn't possess the chop of the Shogun, but the one of the Crab Champion.
After reading its content, she revealed it to Nao, who was expectantly waiting.
He wants me to go and see him in the Shogun's Barracks.
The fire of hope didn't extinguish on Nao's eyes.
Now, if not about Takai, what else? Satomi thought.
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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 Oct 21, 2014 16:03:07 GMT
Second Part: The Loss of a Son
She was just three days from the Legions barracks, and decided to attend his request as soon as possible.Maybe it woud take a bit more of insistence from his part to convince Sunetra SHE NEEDED to go to Dragon and retrieve Takai.
The Shogun and Champion mulled over the letters he had received from abroad that demanded his attention in regard to both respects his eyes crossed the name of Satomi and opened the letter and gave instructed his aide to prepare a room for the honored guest before returning to his long work, eying the letter from Hida Izo that was bundled with several others. As he finished giving them all a read he shook his head 'Man's mother is a viper of a Hida..'
After he had finished with reading the letters and informing his secretaries the types of reponses he would like to his secretaries who were far more apt then himself for the less delicate issues before returning his room. Once there he performed his kata and retired for the evening laying awake for some minutes as he pondered the news he had to deliver before drifting off to sleep.
....
Finally news of Satomi's arrival was brought to him and he ordered every courtesy to be extended to her, the allowance of a bath and a meal if she was so inclined before meeting with the Champion who wished to prepare himself as well, both mentally and otherwise.
When she had readied herself and sent word he met her in a room meant for private meetings between himself and advisers or important persons.
"Good evening Satomi, how was your journey?" try as he might he could not fully hide the gravity of his tone in the light introduction as he bowed to her then moved to take a seat.
Not the worst travel I made so far, Kuon-sama. She bowed as expected, and mimicked his actions, taking a seat for herself. She probably wouldn't do it if they weren't alone. But she and Kuon shared some things in the past: first a bed, then plans for the future of Crab Clan… And in the middle of it, they had a son: wasn't it indeed an amalgam of the two first?
She knew him a bit to understand he wasn't at ease. I bet he'll stroke his mustache now.
How can I be of help?
Kuon stroked his mustache a moment as he pondered what question to ask first of the many he had available to him. He decided on something less grave then news of his son's death. A moment of avoiding the issue for as long as possible.
"Your friend Hida Izo has an unusual request for me. Just what exactly is going on with the Scorpion these days?"
He poured them both a glass of sake, hers first, then sipped at it as he watched her reaction.
Last time I saw him, he invested all his courtier skills to dig an invitation to Kyuden Bayushi. That's all she could say on the matter. He almost got himself killed in the process, and he has a dubious method of masking his ambition, she didn't add.
Want me to keep an eye on him? She smirked.
If Izo had any courtier skills he certainly didn't exercise them with him. He felt the man had eyed his position for so long it all came as a bit of a shock perhaps…
"No, he had a tendency to disappear from view anyway and soon enough he will be your Lady Sunetra's problem and not mine." he gave a bit of a shrug the man's own family was putting pressure on him.. Casually he sipped his sake then pulled a letter from his obi. He got up and moved near to Satomi and laid the letter infront of her.
"This is from the Dragon Champion. It details the loss of Takai and his guardian. Our son is no more Satomi.."
Whatever Satomi was about to think about Izo, Scorpion, and his implied schemes got obliterated by Kuon's last words. Takai is no more?!!!!
It was like getting an unexpected punch in the plexus. Her heart got ripped from her chest; or at least it was the sensation.
Then, to hold face… Keep composure at all means. That's what a samurai does.
Yes, like was taught by the Kaiu: It's just a mosquito bite, a bee sting. Hurts nothing. Your face doesn't twitch. You don't flinch. You are unmovable as a mountain.
It's really unimportant in the global perspective: the loss of a son. A little boy. Takai. Their only son.
That's how a samurai thinks. It's unimportant. Commonplace.
Crab do lose their sons and daughters every day. All clans lose their sons and daughter every day. Why would you think you'd make any different? Why did you think you would send your son as far as you could from the Wall and see him survive? And see him become the next Crab Champion?
What happened? Her voice surprisingly didn't tremble, but was somewhat grave.
Kuon frowned slightly at Satomi, knowing how she felt. The all encompassing pain of losing his only son and heir to the clan. He took a seat near to her and sipped his sake some more.
"The Tsuno attacked the group while traveling in a pass." he wasn't even sure the pass had a proper name. Long he had dwelt on the news and it never seemed to get any easier. Duty to Rokugan; duty to his clan. Now was he to keep his promise of not marrying out of personal pride? Or did he do his duty and produce another heir.
Difficult questions rarely gave easy answers.
Situations such as these were awkward for him, moreso given their distance on a personal and political level. So he simply remained silent waiting for her to speak again and giving her some semblance of privacy by looking into his sake glass and drinking.
And Satsu-sama affirmed in his letter that Moeru and Takai are both dead. It wasn't a question; she was just trying to make the idea to settle in her mind by speaking it loud.
Togashi Moeru was a good man. She commented. And it was true. He was a friend, a good warrior, and liked Takai.
"Yes he was." at her last he gave a nod. She stood up, ready to go. I think I'm going to pray a bit.
Kuon gave a stern nod. He didn't like the circumstances any better then she, but what could he do? Yell at the heavens for the injustice of it all? No he was not such a man.
Well I… Are you still going to put his name in your lineage? "Unless you would have me do otherwise?"
Do whatever you think is right. Was her bitter reply. For a bit of time Takai was hers only, and once there was no gain for her son to be just a name in a paper or wall, she didn't care any longer that Kuon gave him a posthumous Hida status.
She prayed. All night she prayed and meditated on her loss, and performed the rites all alone, and while they said it would be enough to ease her soul, it didn't have the desired effect. Her ambition drove her to the choices that led her son's death, even if indirectly. She could have said to Shigekasu that Takai was his son; she could have kept Takai's paternity for herself; she could have kept her son with her, and not sending him to Dragon. So many "ifs" and a loss of purpose that couldn't be filled easily.
By the morning she wrote a letter to her Champion, communicating the event and also asking permission to give the sad news to Keitaro in person. All Satomi could do was fill her heart with resolve and not to think about it anymore, at least after telling Keitaro Takai would be considered definitely dead in her mind. Better said than done, but it was the way she chose to path.
Satomi returned to Southern Watch Keep and her clan duties. When she arrived the Keep was overcrowded with troops and she was expected to spend the summer promoting military exercises to keep them prepared. Her strategies must adapt to Scorpion Way, and vice versa.
It was hard work and she went for it with doubled enthusiasm. Whatever that have softened in her when she saw Takai in the last winter, the thing that made her know what fear was, hardened again after knowing he was dead.
However, during the increasingly hot nights in the Sourthern border of the Scorpion lands, she often woke up with a strange sensation… The call of a child through the mists of her dreams.
THIRD PART: coming soon…
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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 Oct 30, 2014 1:02:19 GMT
Third Part: Jewelled
Sotaro's arrival to Southern Watch Keep coincided with the hottest days of the summer. Satomi was doing some kata near the lake, when Sotaro came over, joining her.
I wonder how you can be so disciplined when leading an army, and so messy when doing other things… He said, joining her in the exercise. After a prolonged ride, it was good to flex his muscles a bit.
You mean… living? She gave him a side glance.
Maybe.
Well, you always wish me to marry into Scorpion… It's not what happened, but I'm Scorpion all the same.
Sorry for not telling you.
There's a lot you can't tell me, I guess. I must live with that, that's all. She said. She had thought a lot about it. So now your name is Sotaro?
Yes.
She stopped doing her kata and stared at him, before saying.
Takai is dead, father.
Then Satomi told him what she listened from Kuon, what the Dragon Champion said to the Shogun. Sotaro just shook his head, in disbelief. He was attached to the little boy. He needed some time to deal with the idea and she left him in the lake, returning to her quarters for some refreshment.
When she entered, sweeping away the sweat from her face with one arm, she immediately spotted a handsome Shosuro (judging by his fancy kimono's mon) inspecting the quality of her teaware and the disposition of the furniture with ill disguised contempt.
You! Who are you?
General Satomi, it's an honor. The masked man bowed appropriately. I am Shosuro Isuke, son of Otomo Orihime and Shosuro Ichigo, the far-famed Nō playwright and actor.
Oh Emma-O, take me now. She muttered under her breath. Another Shosuro artist?
The Shosuro crossed his fingers and beatifically smiled.
And…?
Bayushi-sama, I'm here to help you to perfect your courtier skills, enhance your natural grace and hone your grasp of high rokugani etiquette.
Oh you don't. She shook her head emphatically an somewhat menacing. She had enough of Paneki and that bunch of attendants that weren't more than spies and gossipers.
YES, I do. The Shosuro actor insisted, a frozen smile in his lips. He knew he was stepping in dangerous terrain, but he had orders to follow.
Sunetra-dono personally picked me to help you prepare…
Prepare for what? The conversation was quickly getting off the rails, in Satomi's opinion.
For the Amethyst Tournament, General Satomi!
Amethyst what?
OH… So Sotaro-sensei didn't tell you… I'm so sorry, Bayushi-sama, I got excited and…
Now speak, you squeaky chicken. I don't mind who is your mother and I don't like Nō any better.
She huffed: You better finish telling, Isuke-san. Do I look as someone who is seeking glory in Jewelled Tournaments?
The Shosuro was probably intimidated by Satomi's stance and cold tone, but resisted bravely.
It's of vital importance for our clan that the Amethyst Champion be a Scorpion. I believe that Sotaro-sensei will deliver you the Imperial Edict summoning the finders of the Amethyst Crown to be the preferred contenders for the position of Amethyst Champion… And the Scorpion is very proud that you were the leader of the expedition…
Satomi sighed, feeling slightly defeated. A sensation she was becoming to experience often in the last months.
…
The next summer months followed with intensive training for Satomi, in the midst of her military duties as commander. Sotaro, a duelist himself, was focusing his training in making her overcome her deficient sight and lose her fear of dueling. His method wasn't orthodox because they really hadn't time to it; he however knew her strong and weak points as no one else, and his lessons focused more in focus and self awareness than sparring.
And the meanwhile, the Shosuro tortured her with lessons after lessons of Scorpion etiquette, courtier and style.
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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 Nov 3, 2014 17:03:56 GMT
Fourth Part: Visit
About the end of summer thing were becoming routine and Satomi was totally absorbed by her new everyday to-do.
An official Scorpion herald came over to announce a new hatamoto for the Scorpion clan. Bayushi Izo, formerly Hida Izo, consort to the Champion of the clan.
I told you. Said Sotaro, with a sardonic look in his face.
Yes, he had told her. It wasn't to be a secret, after all. But Sotaro also told her about the implied reason for this. And Satomi came to interesting conclusions about the matter.
Fortunately, she discovered that her Scorpion family was very supportive in several aspects, now she was in a close contact with them. Her grandmother Masako was a senior retired courtier with so many strings in her hands that she was most like a master puppeteer on her own fashion. And Sotaro's father, Satomi's grandfather, was sort of an "Exile's Hero" with a broad network of contacts… And they're glad to have an offspring (the only, in fact) in their lineage to care about. That was how she came to know about the ways and means of the Scorpion Court and beyond.
Everytime she tried to ask about Yoru, Sotaro gone dismissive and vague. Until he couldn't manage to hide his frustration, knowing that his only son allied himself with the darkness. Satomi wondered if it was the reason Moshi Yoru just disappeared after their only encounter. Now she wasn't even sure the real intentions behind that strange meeting.
She tried to offer some solace but her "uncle-father" sounded more upset than sad. He was angry at Takai's death. He was angry at failing as father over and over. She shushed him and said there was none he could do for Takai that he hadn't made. Now, for Yoru, he could go out there and find him, and give him what a father could: redemption, even if through death.
Surely she felt a bit like an imposter when saying those things, because she was just a scrap of a mother after all, and a child's voice haunted her dreams to remember her of her own failure.
Sotaro however probably just needed this bit to be pushed away from the literality of his promises to Yoru's mother: he wasn't going to do harm or just kill his son. He was offering him redemption through death.
He packed his things and handed her a letter in the case he didn't return.
Then, he gave her a hug... just like when she was a child.
She knew it was the journey of an old - yet talented- man against a young shugenja corrupted by maho use.
But she wouldn't dare to interpose between both their destinies.
---
The next day after Sotaro's departure, she was warned that a group of monks were about to arrive.
Funny thing, she thought, let them be. She ordered. And forgot about the issue.
But then one monk requested to be received by her.
She invited him to her house, where Kaiu Nao prepared tea as she always did every afternoon. Sometimes Satomi wondered if all her "craziness" after her "acquisition" by the Scorpion was the pure and simple lack of the good and old Kaiu tea prepared by experienced hands. She felt a lot better here, with Nao and several relaxing teacups of Kaiu blend every day.
She's got the surprise when she recognized the monk with long hair tied in a ponytail as her biological father, Bayushi Yojiro.
Yojiro-sojo! She snapped, pulling from her seiza-position to a bow. Being replicated in certain extent by the elder lady. He could not be the Clan Champion anymore, but he was legendary. No matter how dubiously she felt about him in personal matters. he was a hero on his own. She added his title by the priesthood symbols he bore.
Yojiro dismissed their exaggerated bow and retributed briefly.
I am honored to be received in your house, General Satomi.
Please, make yourself comfortable, -sojo. This is Lady Kaiu Nao, my shutome.
I am pleased of making acquaintance of such venerable Lady. He said, charmingly.
Of course Satomi was puzzled. However the tea uneventfully went with conversations about...tea! and not surprisingly, how the monk admired the excellence the Kaiu family had in several fields and crafts.
Nao however wasn't conceited nor stupid and after what was considered polite she excused herself and left, leaving the former champion and his daughter alone.
(continues)...
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