|
Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 7:29:55 GMT
"By the Kami what is going on out there?"
The annoyed Ikoma, just wishing for a quiet (by his standards) drink, got up and after telling the serving girl to "watch his sake" he grabbed his katana and headed out into the cold...
And came across the scene.
"What in...GUARDS!" the Loud Ikoma shouted even louder, getting the attention of all the guards in the immediate area (if not the whole province) who came rushing over.
"Destroy those creatures!"
He drew his katana as did the guards. The tables turned in Satomis favour with the reinforcements
|
|
|
Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 3, 2014 13:20:30 GMT
As the creature went flying from on top of him, Kousei rolled to his feet and adopted a defensive stance.
"Hmph. Out of practice."
As the Ikoma lead the guards into the fray he fought side by side with them, pushing the undead Lion samurai back.
|
|
Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
|
Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 3, 2014 13:48:29 GMT
The Moto watched as the Lion guards encircled their enemies. He was thankful for them saving the day for he wasn't quite certain that the three of them wouldn't manage to get overwhelmed as soon as possible. He watched as the head was entangled under Satomi's overcoat and he gave it a hit once more The beast kept laughing malevolently even though it was spitting swears and threats.
As a nearby Lion corpse swooped over Arandaru, he managed to turn and strike it on time, cracking both its mask and skull. The he and Kousei managed to teamwork efficiently, the latter fending the horrors off while the first was keeping the head entangled and pinned down.
He'd curse his luck, he hadn't brought his scrolls with him...
The only thing that needed to be done was for Satomi to succeed...
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 3, 2014 13:49:23 GMT
Focused solely in reach the pennaggolan's body and destroy it, Satomi finally reached the eaves and used it as support to swing her body and propel herself to the top of the building; the kawara tiles sliding from the sloping roof as she leapt on. Looking for balance, she crouched, and that was what may have saved her life from an unexpected strike from a hidden enemy's spear, aiming her back.
Satomi had little time to dodge the attack, as she didn't expect to find another of the pennaggolan's minions guarding the body, but when its yari pierced her arm, she reacted in pain, and spinning over her axis, push swept the former Lion in the knee, one of her favored jiujitsu technique. It was enough to make the undead to loose balance and fall from the roof along with a bunch of slates, in the heat of the combat meters below. She expected the reinforcement of Lions could do, along the Crane and the Unicorn.
Oh sh... Satomi glanced at the bloody wound in her left arm, it wasn't as superficial as she'd like, but couldn't prevent her to do her job.
The Pennaggolan's body, at her side, was just as a intriguing human-shaped casket, keeping it's beauty which was more terrifying if one could stop to think about. She sat for a moment at the side of the static hollowed body, panting.
Well.. Let's... make you prettier... "little sister". Satomi unrolled her long jade necklace from around her throat with a single hand, and involved her blade with the string of jade beads.
It's a pity you don't have... a neck, hun?
She raised her sword, and shove it in the pennaggolan hollow chest without a single moment of hesitation.
|
|
Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
|
Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 3, 2014 14:43:04 GMT
(Note: Added an improper language to some portions of this post just to express the raw absurdity of facing an intellectual shadowlands being. If anyone at all is offended please let me know and I will edit it on the spot.)
As the blade sank in the hollow carcass of a body, Satomi could hear the sizzling sound of the sanctified jade cauterizing the demonic flesh of the vampire. The sizzling grew more intense as it was melting the chest area, corroding the internal shell of the woman. Even when melting the bodily fluids made the shell shrink as a vegetable does when thrown in the fire.
However, the real demise was for the ones that were near the vampire's head...
Arandaru and Kousei could both hear the sizzling sound coming from the head of the penanggolan. However they couldn't believe at their ears. Underneath the coat they would both hear the whimpering of a young lady...
"Please samas, it hurts" the voice filled with tears as it broke down by pain... "The demons is gone, I am fine now...I feel at ease....please make the pain stop..." as she was pleading for help, Arandaru's heart pumped harder. Both of them would understand that a demon of Jigoku would be able to resort into such a trickery.
"I am pleading for your understanding. May your families prosper and your children grow fine into adults...please let me live....pleeeeaaasseee..." as she began to whimper.
Arandaru was shocked, he felt as if he had the need to draw the coat. But he kept steady.
"The only thing that you might plead demon is to find your mangled brother back in Jigoku where you'll be heading." he said in a devilish smile.
"Heading...ha! Sounds quite as fitting" he spat in a sardonic way.
"You! Rot in hell bastard along with all the cocksucker samurais! I will mangle your head from earlobe to earlobe, cut your throat and feed it to the hungry dogs! And once I am dead I will haunt your very soul Moto! As I will devour everything you hold dear! Once in Jigoku I will eat the heart of your prostitute mother and leave her voice just to plead for help as I was doing now! Die! Die! Die!...." as she kept on with the tirade of hatred.
Arandaru felt his anger rising as his instincts overcame his reason... The only thing he saw was a red carpet in his eyes.
And then Kousei stroke... The fine man drove his weapon with precision into the heads skull as it cracked open. The yammering had stopped and the familiar odour of vinegar along with rotten brains emanated. Daidoji Kousei proved to be as cool and composed into the heat of the battle. And Arandaru was thankful for that...
The trio rose and looked around as the Lion guards were trying to contain the ensuing panic. And it was only just night...
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 3, 2014 16:07:33 GMT
Thank you, Moto, Daidoji... You really arrived in time.
I probably...Owe my life to you both. Satomi looked around, checking the scenary of horror left behind after their combat, within the heart of the city. Now, nobody could ignore the threat anymore.
The Lion were already barking orders and one of them offered to find a shugenja to look over her wounded arm. It was aching and bleeding, and a test was needed so the Kaiu accepted.
So... She looked at Kaiden's head on a corner, and that built another pile of hatred in her soul. She wasnt able to express whatever was running into her mind, and she silenced for a moment.
Let's have a shelter in the sake house... while they take care of everything here... Her tone, of course, spilled some irony. Lion stiff mentality till the moment, was proven unable to react to those attacks into their very land, and she knew of even more things they should be concerned about right now. But she also felt absurdly weary and, after all he events of the day, really indisposed of think about politics. And... Without her coat, and after what they've faced, she felt herself freezing.
It's cold... Her last sentence sounding very different from the previous ones.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 16:29:59 GMT
"Perhaps if Kaiu-san does not feel safe we can arrange for her to be escorted home" the Ikoma said as he observed the tone in Satomis voice.
After a few moments he smiled though, and added "please, I recommend this sake house if one is feeling cold" motioning to the door before turning to the men and shouting at them to get healers and the Ikoma magistrates
|
|
|
Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 3, 2014 18:29:10 GMT
"Taking shelter at the sake house until the magistrates arrive sounds like an excellent idea, Ikoma-san. If nothing else, I think the three of us have earned another drink!"
Adrenline was still pumping through Kousei's body, but he looked concernedly at Satomi. This, on the day of your husband's funeral? No wonder she looked like she was about to collapse.
He moved over near where she was standing next to the headless corpse. Although most of the jade beads had turned to black mush, one had fallen of its thread and lay a little way away, gleaming in the lamplight. He reached down, picking it up, and flicked it towards Satomi. Relflexively she caught it, and for a second both held their breath.
Nothing.
It wasn't conclusive, but it was a good start. Cheered, the Daidoji turned towards the shugenja he had just been fighting beside.
"Unicorn-san, I don't think we've met. I am Daidoji Kousei, yojimbo to Doji Hashimi. I am glad to have drawn steel at your side."
Kousei headed through the door to the sake house, ushered by the attendant Lion. There were not many left inside, but the owner arrived nervously and showed them all to a seat.
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 3, 2014 18:43:01 GMT
She kept the lonely bead of jade with her, for further exam later. But admitedly, she felt instantly better to not show blatant signs of contamination.
I'd... appreciate, Ikoma-san.
Once inside the Smiling Fish, and after tended by a healer (who guaranteed her she was not tainted), and cleaned herself in the upper part of the sake house, Satomi returned to the main hall, and asked a cup of tea, reuniting with the others.
|
|
|
Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 3, 2014 19:07:04 GMT
Shinko and Moeru were in the corner booth, drinking, laughing, and having a good time by the time the skirmish was over, and the group had entered the Sake House. As Satomi came back downstairs, Shinko spied her, and leaned in close. "Moeru-sama, I believe your Crab General Friend.... uh Suh tooooo miiii" (she was obviously drunk) " has just entered" Shinko said, giggling a little as she tried to say the name of the crab general.
Moeru scanned the room, and sure enouhg, he could make out Satomi's aura. "Mmmm Good to see the that Satomi-san is enjoying an evening away from the courts." Moeru took another drink of Sake, and stood up. "GENERAL SATOMI-SAN!" he bellowed, before falling back down into his chair. "oops" he said as he tumbled into the chair.
Shinko giggled as Moeru laughed. "this is good sake" Moeru said.
|
|
Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
|
Post by Moto Arandaru on Feb 3, 2014 20:32:43 GMT
Arandaru was panting from the exercise. The blood from his heads vessels pumped arrogantly as he needed to vent his anger. It was good that Kousei was there to save both his life and his face. He turned over to both his comrades as he lifted his woolen cape, adorning it to shelter himself from the cold. "I am honored to have fought such a battle alongside you samas. Kaiu-san, Daidoji-san" he said while he was bowing. For the very first time during this court Arandaru was seen to bow in gratitude.
"I guess we could use a bit of sake..." he said stoically.
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 3, 2014 21:09:36 GMT
To be true to herself, Satomi felt that disoriented few times in her life, and most of them, excepting by the day in the Tower of Fear, were long gone.
But, when she realized Togashi Moeru and his servant were in the Sake House all the time, she just shook her head: Incredible... He's drunk... and the Dragon girl is drunk too... It would have made Kaide to laugh a lot...
C'mon Moeru-san! Join us! Kaide always talks about the travel he made with you to your homeland... Satomi expressed as if the Hiruma was alive, as she was his Voice. How is the land you were born into, Togashi-san, and which made him dreamy for a long time? or... most importantly, how is Togashi Mieko, the woman you introduced to him, back in that time...? And why... you don't like to be called war hero?
Would be good to listen something of what Kaide had fond memories... And just sit and stay warm, quiet... with living people.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 22:00:40 GMT
Tono spent a little longer organising the guards to find Eta to clear up the mess outside, before entering.
"A round of drinks for these three samurai!" Tono called out to the serving girls, clapping his hands together for their attention before leading the others to the upper parts of the sake house.
|
|
|
Post by Togashi Moeru on Feb 3, 2014 22:56:26 GMT
OOC - wow. this got long. Sorry!
Moeru looked at Shinko, "I was told when a general asks you to join them, it's rude to tell them no....." Moeru's voice trailed, as he realized just how into the sake Shinko and he had gotten.
"But Moeru-sama... I... I'm too drunk!" Shinko's protest was a little animated.
"I'll lead. You just.... Hold on." Moeru smiled, and stood. Shinko grabbed his arm, and they slowly navigated their way to where Satomi was seated. Shinko helped him sit, and then she sat down, doing her best to make sure she didn't disgrace anyone by falling.
Moeru caught the attention of an attendee in the Sake House, and said. "Tea please. Hot, and strong, and keep it coming." The servant bowed, and left.
Moeru smoothed his kimono. throughout his stay at winter court, he still wasn't used to such a garment, and he began. "I haven't seen the steeps of the mountain in a few weeks, Satomi-san. I was last there to speak with Togashi Satsu-dono, who gave me a purpose in this post war life." Moeru paused for a moment, leaned in close to the table, and uttered one more word. "Enlightenment."
Leaning back in his chair, Moeru continued. "You see, the war was a success to most. The Lost have dammed up again behind the great wall, Broken and scattered. A victory in the death of their leader for Rokugan, and the Empress for sure. Peace has come to the land of our ancestors, however tenuous and strained it might be."
The servant set the tea, on the table in front of Moeru, who poured two glasses, slid one to Shinko, and took a sip before he continued. "But for me, the War was a failure of duty. I returned to the Dragon Lands broken. Not because I am blind. No, the elements allow me some measure of knowledge of my surroundings. I returned broken, because I returned alone." Moeru's tone became a little somber, and he took another sip of tea.
"Tamori Kiri-san, perished in the Shadowlands, but I did not. She perished, because I did not act quickly enough to give my life for hers. As her Yojimbo, that was my duty. And those filthy Tsukai destroyed her."
Moeru pawed a little at the blindfold, pulling it down a little, revealing the scarring over his eyes. "This," her pointed "This is what happened as a result. The torrent of flames that I unleashed from my body in the wake of her death, was to ensure that neither of us would rise as denizens of the unlife, in the Shadowlands, and to destroy anything around me."
Moeru sighed heavily. "I'm a hero, because what was to be my final act in this life, wiped out the Tsukai that had been wreaking havoc on the advancement into the City of the Lost. I unleashed everything. My fury over their desecration of one so noble as her. My rage that they took my love from me. My hatred of their defiance of the elements. My honor that they had taken from me, in killing her before I could save her."
Moeru slid the fabric back up to cover the scars. "My name is revered, because I turned the tide of that battle. Many remember why I am a hero, but none mention that it was my failure to protect my charge that led to that point." Moeru refilled his cup. "No one remembers Tamori Kiri. A blessed acolyte of water. A woman that should have turned the tide of the battle." Moeru would have cried had he been able to.
"When I returned to the Mountains, even my own clan hailed me as a hero. My actions surely did turn the tide of the battle, and I'm sure, some could say that it was 'heroic' : Moeru almost spit the last word out. "But I failed."
Shinko sipped at her tea, her face showing that she was enthralled, in the story Moeru was telling. It was obvious that she had no idea of Moeru's past before this very moment. "Kaide-san's... lady friend. Mieko..." Moeru smiled. "She is well. She was the first to see the sadness in me upon returning. She said that even the greatest tree in the empire could not withstand an axe forever. But I am no great tree. I am but a peasant." Moeru paused for a moment, nodding his head. "I was but the youngest son of a merchant when Togashi Hoshi-dono found me. He saw greatness in me. He spoke with my father, Iroh, and it was agreed that I would leave my family, and join the order of his father."
Moeru could sense that even samurai from other tables were craning to hear what the monk was saying. The servant who had brought more tea even seemed to be interested. "Meiko told me that even the great Toku-sama had come from such a history, that even he had become a great tree for all to marvel at in the empire. I told her that I felt more like a stump, laid bare by the might of evil."
"And she was agreed." Moeru took the tea from the servant, who immediately apologized, and moved away. "But, in her wisdom, she sought council with the Lord of the Dragon. She knew there was no reasoning with me. The next morning, while standing on the cliffs, contemplating throwing myself from it, Satsu-dono, and Mitsu-sama stood behind me. We talked, and Mitsu-sama told me that even he had found failure in his life. He relayed the story of his birth, of being a Tamashii, and how after the Kami Togashi perished on the day of thunder, he felt he had failed." Moeru's voice was gaining steadiness, coming out of the somber tones.
"Mitsu-sama explained to me, that in his life, he had realized it was time for him to find what purpose the world had for him, and that I could either throw myself from the cliff, or I too could find a purpose for the world. That is wasn't up for anyone to find a purpose for me." Moeru had a grin now. "And that's when Satsu-dono told me, I needed to find enlightenment." Moeru leaned in again.
"And so I have." Moeru chuckled.
"Kaide-san was a great traveling companion, and it was because of him, that I made one last stop before I left the keep. I went to see Mieko, and promised her that when I returned, I'd have that burly crab in tow, and I would consider it repayment for her seeing what was in me." Moeru smiled wide. "Kaide-san, is fascinated by the Dragon Lands. A life spent in the south could certainly make those mountains seem auspicious to one such as he."
Moeru laughed a little. "I swear that Crab has a plan to woo Mieko right out of the order." Moeru laughed more. "And I bet she'd go, for him."
Moeru leaned back in his chair, and took a long drink of Tea, it was growing cold, and he exhaled through his nose, the smoke from his nose warming the tea, and took a drink. "Kaide-san, almost died at the very spot I had intended to take myself from this world. He stood there watching the sunrise, that crazy smile on his face, and stared at Lord Sun rising high in the sky, and taking the blanket of darkness from the empire. He stared so long, it made him dizzy!" Moeru was laughing hard "I swear had I not been there, he would have fallen very far."
Moeru's tone changed a little again. "Kaide-san always pestered me about pursuing Kiri-san. He was insistent that I try to woo her." Moeru's voice grew a little frail. "The only way I could get him to stop bugging me, was to promise him, after the war. After the fighting, after Rokugan was at peace? Then, I would try to make her my wife."
Moeru held his tea cup in front of him, as if giving a toast. "Alas, that was a long time ago." He finished off his tea, and could feel the effects of the Sake wearing thin on him.
Shinko sat a little straighter in her chair, she had no idea that Moeru had loved someone, and her face was pained. She was growing quite fond of the monk, and while she knew the difference in station would keep them apart, it still pained her to hear that at one point, Moeru had loved someone, and they had been taken from him.
Moeru sat somber for a moment. "Kaide-san traveled with the Kuni who attended to my arrival at Shiro Mirumoto. He knew how deep the pain in my being was at failing to protect her. Before he left, he gave me a gift. It seems, that my fury spared two things that night in the City of the Lost. My life, and Kiri-san's Scroll case. He left in sit on my lap, and he was gone. I haven't seen him since. But the Scroll case still hangs in my chamber. And I imagine, it will hang there until the Ise Zumi after me decides to take it down."
Moeru realized he had been rambling for ages. "Now you know why I am no hero. I understand if your opinion of me changes, in light of the whole story." Moeru bowed in Satomi's direction. "I apologize for rambling Satomi-san. Too much Sake, can lead to a looooooooooong night. Just ask Kaide-san"
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Feb 3, 2014 23:35:10 GMT
Moeru's story was fascinating, the nuances in his tone picturing scenes and feelings as he spoke. He was drunk, and opening his heart, exposing not only his physical scars...
Satomi tried to keep her On while listening to Moeru's ramblings, tried not to cry, but Hiruma Kaide was her friend and her eye turned moist as the story developed. Kaide was by her side almost all the time in the last year, as yojimbo, but they knew each other since the early days in the Daishiki's Anvil Dojo. And surely, his death was far devastating than Shigekazu's, for her.
When Moeru finished, Satomi firmed her voice before speaking:
I'll ask him, Moeru-san. Tomorrow.
|
|