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Post by Togashi Moeru on Jan 30, 2014 23:00:31 GMT
(An open thread of sorts.)
Moeru had spent the day attending the funeral of the Shigekazu, and attending to a meeting with Satomi. It had left him a little weary of the courts, and he had decided that this evening would be a time to forget the troubles of the opening days of Winter Court, and take time to enjoy what a mentor had taught him: Sometimes, enlightenment is found in the times we set our burdens aside, and simply exist.
He had always enjoyed speaking with the elder Tamashii. The venerable Togashi Mitsu had a way to impart wisdom that could never be forgotten.
Which is what brought Moeru to the establishment. He sat at a table, sipped sake, and listened. He knew others would join him, but for now, he just listened.
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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 31, 2014 11:45:53 GMT
Satomi was reading letters, when a messenger delivered her a message from her yojimbo, Hiruma Kaide. He'd seen something unusual in a Sake House down the city, "maybe related with *those things*", a term that could mean, coming from Kaide, most likely, an assorted range of Shadowlands related topics. Thus, despite having plans of being tucked into bed for the night, Satomi got herself dressed in a minute, taking an extra coat for further protection against cold, her daisho, and headed to the city, expecting to find out what could be so weird in the Smiling Fish Sake House*.
*Kaigen, this franchise is famous, right?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2014 12:49:56 GMT
The best sake houses in the city often had its high profile visitors. In the Lion lands, that often meant Ikoma storytellers.
This establishment was no exception, and Ikoma Tono did enjoy a drink. Sitting at a table close to the centre of the room, watching each person who enters, the Lion courtier sips on the finest sake and waits to see who he have join him.
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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 31, 2014 15:17:36 GMT
Smiling Fish, eh?That was a strange name for a sake house in Lion Lands. Satomi observed the extravagant facade, topped by a scaly chubby koi painted in red and golden, the sturdy columns and joists, as the superior varandah's balustrade seemed to be finely crafted. A plaque not entirely fitting the building design and style complemented the Sake House name with: "The Original".
Someone invested a good amount of money in this sake house, and considering how new it was, this person was expecting to have an excellent profit from it. Of course, it reminded Satomi her old times as a magistrate and how it leaded her to incriminate her own parents as involved in a corrupt scheme... she sighed.
The style of the house anyway, fitted best the southerners ones.
Despite of the bad weather, some people remained on the street: vendors, servants, and all the species of street scum, coming and going as rats from the shadows between the adjacent buildings.
Where are you, Kaide?
Kaide's day out and he, of course, would spend his koku in northern sake and northern geisha's... songs.
The Kaiu woman had a glance of someone in the shadow, waving at her. Of course, the night, snow falling and her *slight myopia* made it harder to recognize. Anyway, casually resting her hand on the hilt of her sword, Satomi crossed the street to the dark alleyway bordering the Smiling Fish sake house.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jan 31, 2014 18:59:05 GMT
After the politicking at the funeral, Hanashimi had been left exhausted. Trusting to the security of his hosts and the attendant Seppun, he had given Kousei the night off, and the Daidoji decided to mix business with pleasure. He was fond of sake and hoped that he might overhear conversations about had happened at the Court so far.
To this end he strolled out into the city and picked an establishment with a name that pleased him. Walking in out of the cold he headed for a table near the fire, pleased to see that there was a space free. Gesturing at one of the serving girls to bring him the house blend, he settled in to watch and wait.
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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 Feb 1, 2014 0:58:16 GMT
In the moment she stepped into the alley, Satomi knew it was a trap. The faint scent of vegetables, sake and smoke mingled with something putrid and urine, coming from the kitchen and the alley, couldn't conceal the familiar and ozonic "scent" of black magic. She cautiously advanced, unsheathing the sword discreetly. Nothing much to see, but she knew... Kaide was right about something weird in the sake house.
A giggle coming from a dark corner made her hold her breath. She was on guard, tense and alert.
Ha hah ahahah ha hahahahaha
Who's there?
A thump, then something rolled across the filthy and snow soaked street, stopping not afar from Satomi's feet. What was that? That was… Kaide's head? Even the experienced Crab couldn't refrain the horror.
Ops… Where's my puppet's head?
Satomi wasn't sure from where, exactly, the voice was coming. It sounded as the voice of a very young woman, in fact, almost childish in its whimsical tone. The Crab woman looked around, but she knew it was part of an illusion. The owner of the voice could be anywhere.
I was said you like puppets, general Kaiu. You like to tell funny stories… With funny puppets…
Me too.
Satomi saw the mangled body of her former yojimbo Kaide awkwardly hanging and moving as if controlled by a puppet master.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 1, 2014 11:23:44 GMT
It was one of those nights that Arandaru felt the urge... Since he completed his gempukku, his friends would often wander down the village for some whoring. Strangely enough every Moto silently approved of this. Some times they would even speak for that among circles of friends. Even Moto Chagatai would often merrily boast for the mares he'd manage to mount and tame.
And Arandaru wasn't different. He however wouldn't wander around whoring himself to death. He'd manage to approach his young targets with discretion. One assistant here, replaced by another one there. The wardrobe stylist, the scribe, even the shugenja prodigy. Arandaru wouldn't mind.
And now his predatorial insticts grew more and more intense. His fire burning deep in his stomach, even for a shugenja of water such as he the feeling was unbearable.
Thus Arandaru stepped into the night, clad with plain clothing, covered with a sheep's hide for a cloak. He would do so incognito tonight.
The process was easy. He exited the compound, invoked sleepiness over an honor guard, creating a distraction as he sidestepped out of sight. He wasn't as much proficient as he'd desire, but he hoped that his friend Katsuro wouldn't frown either at his "subtlety".
And thus he was outside of the castle.
Hours have passed and Arandaru's fire would soon subside. He was a predator, but wasn't a vagabond either.
The night carried on with him in the sake house. Sitting there he thought of the recent events that transpired. The matters were worse than expected. The kyuden's safety had been compromised but no one would take a notice. Every malevolent thing was done behind the shadows. He needed to inform the Khan of all these things, especially the brooding hatred of the mistress of Shadowlands. He wondered what trick could she pull next apart from a big coven of bloospeakers under the Empress' very nose.
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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 Feb 1, 2014 12:18:36 GMT
What the f...?!
Satomi once again looked around, trying to figure where to focus her attention. Her mind worked frantically, in seek of answers.
I was flattered in being depicted as a young and beautiful Lion maiden, "general-sama"… But not pleased with the poor unimaginative development of the story… it's like…
Satomi gritted her teeth. In other environment, all this self indulgent bullshit wouldn't take place. If the creature had teeth, she would make it lose some, already.
I'm not interested in your version, damned. Show yourself!
Suddenly, Satomi distinguished new noises from the merry music background, coming from the building behind her. She looked up, to the roofs nearby, and saw black silhouettes against the starless sky. A bunch of them. They were… Lions in armors?
Hahahahah Hahah ha
But I like my version… That's what matters… You killed my brother, Crab skunk. You pointed the way to my lair, in the forest… You killed my "family" twice. But… You just fed me for my vengeance… I have a new family now.
Then, the voice stopped echoing. The "young woman" was just a few meters from her… Pale, petite, beautiful... And absolutely vulnerable. Satomi felt a strong smell of vinegar coming from her.
Sh…!
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 1, 2014 13:04:32 GMT
He stood there for a time, until a decaying odor reached his nostrils. This wasn't a normal scent that one could easily discern. This reeked of ...Shadowlands.
It wasn't hard for Arandaru to track the creature, it was even easier than sneaking out of duty.
As he saw what was going on, he discarded his cloak as it hindered his movement and he produced a couple of scrolls he always had with him.
He looked at the creature from the shadows, then back at Satomi and prayed vibrantly.
The humming voice could be easily heard as he summoned the strength of the water kami. His palms getting stronger and stronger, as large quantities of water gathered at Arandaru's fists. However, not a single droplet hit the ground, as it remained stable in order to form a fine bo of water.
Arandaru would never cease to marvel at the perfection of this weapon. It was sturdy, seemingly solid, yet flexible. What's more it granted fluidity in motion. He'd never received a proper training, but when he summoned it he would feel the wisdom of its ancestors guiding his hand. Or so he fooled himself. The Bo of Water boosted his confidence, that sometimes he would feel as powerful as a kami himself.
With one swift motion he jumped beside his friend in a totally different attire than the normal. After throwing the cloak he revealed his bare chest. He was thin but his body showed that he exercised for quite some time. It was the Moto creed not to remain weak and wither away into being "pansy". His braid ever intact as well as his thin waxed mustache.
"One would wonder of your intellect beast. Alas the Shadowlands will never amaze me. So much typical and gruesome."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 1, 2014 19:32:59 GMT
Kousei was two sakes down when he decided to take a breath of fresh air to help pace himself. He was standing outside the inn when a laugh just on the edge of his hearing made the hackles on the back of his neck rise. He moved away from the noise within - there it was again. It was coming from a dark alley alongside the Smiling Fish, and as he moved towards the entrance he heard the chanting of a shugenja. He was surprised to see Satomi alongside a Unicorn facing a young woman. The smell... the smell, however, brought back memories of dark nights and lost companions.
He drew his katana, cold sobriety replacing the warm buzz of the sake. The noise of the metal prompted the experienced Crab warrior in front of him to flick her eyes round, checking for a new threat, and Kousei nodded as they made contact. He broke the glance to check the field of battle, noticing the shadows on the roofs. It looked like they were outnumbered. The yojimbo moved up to join the two samurai, wishing that he was a little better dressed for combat. As he did so, he noticed the head on the floor.
"One day, Satomi-sama, we're going to have to meet in happier circumstances."
One thing he had definitely picked up from the Crab was a dark sense of humour.
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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 Feb 1, 2014 23:48:27 GMT
Outnumbered, Satomi was doomed. If this tainted creature was the former lover of the Lion and sister of the leader of the cultists Satomi and her friends killed back in the Shadowlands, then... her desire for revenge lead her to the aberrant decision of being turned into one of the most malevolent undead type Rokugan had knowledge about. The welcome arrival of Moto Arandaru and Daidoji Kousei couldn't be in better timing. The pennaggolan probably have contaminated part of the Lion group who was sent to destroy the sect's lair. Now, they were part of the problem, new and fresh pennaggolans themselves, in a worst case scenario. From whatever else they could be turned into, of course, it was the worst. Let's have a drink, next time!
Three humans only, were easy prey, though; and the undeads were a mortal asset for the Dark Forces, to be allowed to remain at loose in the same city the Empress was. She didn't mind, though, of dying if she could take them with her. Having survived Shadowlands so many times, though, was rather an ungrateful epitaph to die in the Winter Court. All those thoughts ran in a fraction of time in her head. Almost at the same time the former beautiful girl, in a swift motion, jumped backwards to the rooftop, in an unnatural move, as if pulled by strings. her head, though, came forward, detaching from the body, and dragging her guts behind it, as the most grotesque appendix ever. Its body was left behind as hollow as a shell, while the head hovered in their direction, the entrails pulsing and moving like tentacles. The pure vision of that was paralyzing for the most inexperienced; the demonic grin of the girl was pure of maniacal hunger and hatred.The shadows on the roof hissed in pure lust, as a signal of their iminent attack as well. Satomi waited for the right moment to act. At her arrival at the alley, Satomi noticed the plataform made of tied bamboo and ropes, used probably to lift heavy goods to the upper floor of the sake house. Using her inherited Kaiu creativity, Satomi didn't think twice. With a swift cut, she freed the plain surface from part of its ropes. Just in time to make it an improvised shield for the first and furious attack of the long, slimy and tainted entrails of the pennaggolan. Using all her strenght, she pushed it forward, trying to bring down the hovering head and have some advantage in the fight for her own survival.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 2, 2014 16:11:09 GMT
The Moto shugenja had only heard of legends regarding the famous penanggalan up to the extent of discarding its existence as a simple "folk-talke". But right now he'd cursed his luck for "stumbling" onto one. It was a gruesome creature, a beautiful maiden's head floating on air with its intestines dangling like a red coiled rope. As the entrails darted like a whip targeting Satomi, she'd manage to improvise and block it's attack in an instant. However the shugenja wouldn't wish to lose time as he charged at the head, with the bo humming at hand.
He sprung with ferocity as his braid danced in the air. He'd never understand how he'd find the courage or even the will to do as such. He rose the bo in the air and with a wild sweeping vertical arc he hit the woman's head with potency.
The head felt as if it was made of granite as the bo made a mysterious thud and darted back into the air, a few paces behind.
Arandaru looked at the woman. She reeked of vinegar so much that he'd swear he could testify that all the intestines were soaked in it. And wouldn't they? Legend has it that the penanggalan soaks its intestines in vinegar so that they would shrink and fit perfectly back into the body.
"Quite a fool you're mortal." she screeched! "A fool of a Unicorn! Thinking that you lots could best at all the very sister of Shinjuku!" proudly referring to her idolized brother. Her bare fangs shining like daggers across her face, as her eyes were fully white and demonically malformed. This woman had long ago forsaken her mortality even on moral grounds.
"I will chew your face in Satomi! Your pretty face as I cave-into your brawny skull! Let my teeth savor the sweetness of your marrow as I let that Moto idiot watch helplessly. Oh wait! I will have his eyes gouged! Wrapped with his intestines as I hung him from the threshold of my porch! And that other man! I can see your aura!" she said as she spoke to Kousei.
"Tell me ...samurai" as she spat the word ironically.
"Could you bear this image, or would you prefer that I have you skewered with your yari? As I let you rot like fishmeat watching the other husks dancing around you in torment!"
With these words she beckoned to the horrors that encircled the three samurai!
"Come minions of darkness! Bring me their heads!" as she screamed over to the sky, the head floating majestically like a lunar festival lantern!
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Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 2, 2014 22:19:29 GMT
Moeru enjoyed his time in the Sake House. He enjoyed the conversations he overheard, and the company of Shinko in a more casual setting was refreshing. He was quite fond of her company. Truth be told, he was becoming quite fond of her in general.
Moeru did his best to make sure that Shinko was comfortable. A Sake house like this would be an intimidating situation for her, given her lack of station. He had tried unsuccessfully to get her to have a drink with him for a while, but he had a new plan.
"I tell you what Shinko-san, One drink. Have one drink with me, and I promise that tomorrow, you can do whatever you want. No looking after a blind monk. No looking being my eyes. Nothing. A full day, of whatever it is that Shinko wants to do." Moeru's voice was playful, his proud feeling about his offer beaming through each word.
Shinko blushed, not that Moeru could see it. "But Moeru-sama, what if I want to spend the day by your side?" Her voice was sheepish.
Now it was Moeru's turn to blush. "Well..." Moeru was perplexed. "Then, you drink with me tonight, and I shall be at your side all day tomorrow, accompanying you on what you want to do." His confidence was back.
Shinko sighed. She was beginning to realize that there would be no way to get Moeru to drop it. "All right Moeru-sama. I'll have ONE drink."
Moeru grinned, and waived down a servant. "We need more sake!" His voice was jovial. The servant bowed, and left. When they returned, they brought out a wonderfully ornate carafe of Sake.
"Moeru-sama... I... I said one drink!" Her protest was meek, and sounded as if she had been defeated already.
Moeru smiled large, and patted her arm. "Shinko-san, you never specified the size of the drink." He chuckled. "With enough effort, one could take a single drink and drain the Kawa Mitsu Kishi" At the thought of drinking the Three Sides River dry, he laughed heartily. Louder than he probably should have. He felt the table to find the cups, and filled them both, sliding one in her direction.
Shinko sighed, and lifted the drink and took a sip. The Sake was strong, and good, unlike anything a servant had ever drank before. The first taste was warm, followed by a warm sensation in her throat. The second sip took the burn away, and left the warmth. The third sip was more of a chug, and the fourth drink emptied the glass. As she clinked the empty glass on the table, Moeru was finished his second sip, and he let out a laugh, and a little smoke came through his nostrils. "Shinko-san! I do believe that you are enjoying this!"
She giggled a little, refilled her glass. "Indeed Moeru-sama, I do believe that I am."
The pair drank a little, and Shinko's head began to swim, her inhibitions were being stripped away by the sake. "Tell me Moeru-sama, what happened to your eyes?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. As the air seemed to be drawing out of her lungs, she spoke quickly. "I'm so sorry Moeru-sama. I... I didn't..."
Moeru interrupted her. "Do not apologize Shinko-san. Had I spent so much time with someone like myself over the past days, I'd want to know about such a big piece of them as well." He finished off the cup of Sake, and began pouring another. "I tell you what Shinko-san, That is a story that I... Well... I can tell you, but it may take some time."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 2, 2014 22:26:02 GMT
Of all the horrors that the Shadowlands gave rise to, a pennaggolan was not one that Kousei wanted to be facing without preparation. Still, needs must, he thought. The words it spat at him and the images it gave rise to in his head he ignored, and concentrated on the threat in front of him.
They dropped down from the roofs, six things that used to be Lion samurai, but were now ruined husks with blank white masks where their faces used to be. They were horrific, but at least they were easier to destroy than their mistress. Satomi reacted first, her blade a blur as she cleaved one from shoulder to hip, whilst Arandu hopped towards another, jabbing it repeatedly with the end of his summoned weapon to knock it off balance before swinging it round in a crunching blow to its knee.
Kousei himself waited for two of the creatures to get close before swaying to one side, drawing his blade through the stomach of one and then spinning back for its head with a loud shout. It dropped at his feet, but the others closed in. Kousei was grappled by one and hit the ground, losing track of his comrades and wriggling frantically to avoid the nightmare's grasping 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 Feb 3, 2014 0:14:43 GMT
It was impossible that such activity at the very side of one of the most popular sake houses of Kyuden Meyo remained unnoticed any longer. Soon, a scream was heard, and them another, windows in the upper part of the sake house being shut down in a hurry, women and men running in sheer terror after seeing the monsters in the roof.
Panicked, heimin people cried out for help, while they were trying to run away from the sake house.
Of course, it was completely ignored by the trio in the alley. They have no choice, anyway, but fight.
No much time to think, but a tale of her childhood flashed into her mind. Once detached, one must destroy the body to effectively destroy the creature. The head alone was indestructible... Or so the old stories told.
After pulling back her sword from a masked undead's armor intersection who was attacking the Daidoji, she twisted her body to avoid another attack from the pennaggolan. It wasn't enough, as the entrails of the creature grabbed her by the neck... only to howl and withdraw in enraged pain, as its disgusting intestins touched Satomi's jade beads string.
The Kaiu general recurred to an improvised method to gain time, once again, and freed herself from the long overcoat, throwing the heavy fabric over the pennaggolan's hovering head. The pennaggolan tried to react, but Satomi's trick indeed had the expected effect, and the undead fell on the floor, tangled in the coat. Maybe, not for long.
Moto! Keep it down! Keep it down!
Her next step was to use all her athletic skills to climb the roof and reach the undead empty body.
She really wished that the tales were true...
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