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 Jan 22, 2014 0:38:00 GMT
NIGHT
An elegant and cinnamon scented envelope found its way to Shosuro Mai's hands, when she returned to her chambers. The content could be of some surprise. Informally written, the excitement of someone who had written it in an impulsive moment popped up to the eyes. The seal yes, showed its legitimacy.
Dear Shosuro Mai-san
I promise Mai-san, you'll be plenty of ideas for your stories after this break from the court's affairs. You know you need it!
I know you have a good imagination, but next time you wish to describe a forest, maybe you'd like to have been into one. Come with me and let's breath the pure air of a Lion's forest! It's a simple retribution for soothing my soul in a sad moment. I rather wish to repay your kindness taking you out for a exciting hunt tomorrow morning. But don't be afraid. I promise: you will get the all the thrill without getting the harm.
Sincerely
Kaiu Satomi
Something to make the Scorpion Lady to ponder, at least.
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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 Jan 22, 2014 1:29:40 GMT
Two days before
The Crab servant didn't dare to look at Satomi's face, but reaffirmed the previous words;
Yes, she promised she would get the bear for him, Kaiu-sama… She set the hunt for tomorrow… a certain tone of malice came through her next words, an accomplice one: She is boasting about it already, Kaiu-sama…
Very well, Taki. Take it. You are very smart. You deserve better thing than having to serve her. Satomi rolled a bu to the young Crab servant, then, thinking further, rolled another. Then, dismissed her with a wave of hand.
Thank you Kaiu-sama. After the servile bow, the woman made herself scarce as by magic. She wouldn't like to be seen there, as well.
Idiot. Hunting bears... Very well.
That's when Satomi decided to hunt bears as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 7:24:51 GMT
A letter would quickly find its way back, a mix of flowery scents coming from it and sealed with Mais personal seal. The writing is elegant, as likely expected.
Honourable Kaiu Satomi-sama,
The walls of the court can often feel like a prison sometimes, so the chance to leave them and visit the lands outside sounds delightful.
I have faith in the abilities of Satomi-sama to keep my person safe as well as give an interesting experience.
You had my Curiosity, now you have my attention.
May the Fortunes watch over you,
<chop of Shosuro Mai>
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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 Jan 22, 2014 10:45:29 GMT
When both women met by the morning, Satomi sported a hunt outfit and a big grin.
Ohayou, Shoshuro-san! I hope Inari has blessed you this morning!
The Crab woman was alone, and offered to the Shosuro courtier a pretty pack.
Please, I wish you to be totally comfortable and safe in our adventure today. It's just an outfit that will permit you t move easily and not risk your pretty robes in the forest… I also brought a spare yari, it will make you feel a bit more independent and will serve to test the terrain as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 12:26:10 GMT
While Mai had worn her least favourite kimono under her overcoat, it was still good quality.
The artisan bowed.
"Ohayo Kaiu-sama. Hai, I have partaken in Inaris blessing, I hope you have also?"
She paused at the offering of the pack, before nodding.
"Thank you, I will return it after the forest visit" she accepted the pack and went to change quickly before returning.
"Shall we go?"
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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 Jan 22, 2014 13:07:35 GMT
They rode to the forest but not by its main and well known road to. The Crab woman commented casually it was still crowded from the heavy traffic of the wood cutters and their carts, and possibly too muddy to make a good ride.
Satomi chose to let the horses along the house of a peasant, and they walked to the forest for a few minutes.
The sharp and refreshing scent of cypresses was carried by the cold air of the morning. The snow was almost inexistent in some parts of the forest's mossy-rich floor, while in others, snow formed puddles in the depressions of the terrain. A soft light entered through the trees' canopy. In fact, a most sensitive person could feel the magic and power... and maybe, some imbalance as well.
Satomi seemed very confident, as if she actually knew the forest, and guided the Shosuro woman through what could be perceived as a recent made path.
Just be sure to hold tight the yari, Mai-san, and try the terrain often. Also, be with me all the time...
But tell me, how you got inspired to write about a Kitsuke?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 13:39:40 GMT
Mai had good control of the horse,.showing at least some knowledge of horseriding even if not a frequent rider. She watched around carefully, listening out for unusual noises in the forest. It seemed quiet for now.... But she wasn't the most perceptive person when it came to forests.
She turned to look at the Kaiu with a smile.
"Some believe it to be a true story. Perhaps I knew a Kitsune?"
She let that hang for a few moments before chuckling.
"Iie, I wanted a unique story and Kitsune are well enough known without the story angle I took being overdone. Plus I find the spirit realms an insteresting subject."
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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 Jan 22, 2014 14:55:17 GMT
She chuckled as well. Well, Not sure if we are in the best place to find a true kitsune, but finding a golden bear is not as easy as people like to make it sound in their boastings... Hold still, Mai-chan. The woman put a hand in the Scorpion woman's way, preventing her to continue. She indeed had used an endearment tone. You can't see it yet, but I set a trap here. To be true, I set traps everywhere.
Looking carefully, it was possible to notice something underneath the velvety and humid floor. You would like to learn such techniques, I'm sure. I mean, smart ways to grab "a thing that is bigger than you"... The very concept can be applied to a lot of things in life, of course. Satomi smiled. This one... Well, it can crush bear legs in tiny parts... Can you imagine what it can make to an human's one?
I don't wish it to happen to you, Mai-chan.
Detouring from the trap, they went deeper in the forest. Which became eerier and eerier.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 15:11:20 GMT
Try as she might...Mai didn't notice where the traps were.
"They are...well hidden" she remarked quietly, as if not wanting to disturb the peace. Following the Kaiu and watching her step, she chuckled at the trapping comment.
"I suspect a different kind of trap is needed in court Kaiu-sama, but thank you. You seem to have things well planned in advanced."
The eerie nature of the forest seemed to not effect Mai at all...either that or she was a good actress. She remained close to Satomi and listened carefully to everything around her- attuning herself to the elements
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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 Jan 22, 2014 15:41:55 GMT
Do you think so? Sometimes, there's violent traps underneath an innocent surface... Sometimes the traps can be a bit more subtle... Guiding "the beast" to mazes or pitfalls... Where they are forced spend their time trying to find a way to get off, but then... I know there are even more subtle traps in the court but well, those... I am not an expert at...
Anyway... I'd like to show you a beatiful place, Mai-chan...
Bypassing a big rock, the view opened and showed a steeped cliff with a magnificent landscape. A frozen waterfall descending to a thin frozen stream interlaced with rocks, this treasure of the forest hidden and surrounded by pines and cypresses. Both women could have a good view of a good portion of the forest from the top of the cliff, and even of the silhouette of the Palace in the distance as well. In fact, part of it seemed strangely desolated, an it was obvious that the needs of Kyuden Meyo regarding wood supplies altered the south part of the forest already.
After spending some time looking at it, Satomi said.
I know, Mai-chan, where the bear are supposed to have its hiding. She produced an strange long tubular object from her cape, and looked through it. Then, she handed to Mai.
Here. Use it. Look to north. You will see the most inacessible part of the forest. "He" must be there.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 17:27:46 GMT
Mai smiled at the suffix, studying the landscape.
That such a beautiful sight has not already been captured surprises me. One could create a beautiful painting here."
She turned to look at the odd shape, not accepting it right away.
"I had not realised we were so close, Satomi-chan" her voice was quiet , almost seductive in its tone as shev reached for the shape and taking it with a brush of fingers.
With Satomi likely distracted, she turned to the area Satomi mentioned, and wordlessly chanted to the object to improve its-and her- vision, before bringing it up and looking through it.
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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 Jan 22, 2014 17:45:07 GMT
Satomi looked down at the Scorpion woman, then turned her gaze to the landscape again smiling, apparently at Mai's reaction: You are "a young adorable lady", as my father used to say. It's irresistible not to call you as such.
Her gaze got lost in the magnific landscape for a moment. Anyway, I brought you here to give you a gift, one that I think you may like truly. I thought you would like to be the one who will gift Agasha-sama with a rare alchemical ingredient. It may cause a good impression in the shugenja around you...
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Post by Horiuchi Jini on Jan 22, 2014 20:35:27 GMT
Off in the distance, she could see a lone rider upon his horse, veiled in shadow by the trees and the odd light. The rider's head was covered by a straw hat and a cloak fluttered in the wind created by his passage among the trees. Almost as if by providence, the rider's head turned towards Satomi as she looked upon him, and he changed the direction of his horse. Even at this distance, the coloring of his clothes was apparent; the all too familiar purple of the Unicorn clan. And having seen his traveling gear enough times by now to make a guess at it; she couldn't miss that it was her old friend Horiuchi Jini. He continued to trot nearer and nearer to where she had stopped to look about.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 20:44:46 GMT
Mai chuckled at that.
"You are quite pretty yourself Satomi-chan, even if some people might not see it. His loss" it was obvious who she meant. She did turn at the mention of a gift though.
"A gift of a gift? A curious turn of events, I thought we were looking for a bear Satomi-chan. There is a pack of them in the direction you told me to look by the way."
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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 Jan 22, 2014 21:28:12 GMT
Thanks Mai-chan. You are kind. She waited Mai to scan the area, while lazily shifted her weight on the yari she was carrying (in addition to the odachi in her back).
While she was absentmindedly looking around, the purple colors of the traveller entering the forest caught her attention.
Is that man... Jini?!
Even if wasn't, she had set mortal traps in the forest.. and it wasn't meant to kill men or horses. At the same time Satomi decided to interfere, the Shosuro artisan mentioned the pack of bears. Oh, it is going to be... bloody.
The Crab woman asked: Are you sure, Mai-chan? How many? All adults?
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