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 24, 2014 22:04:40 GMT
OOC: Semi open thread (you can group-PM Satomi, Chisato and Kousei to details on how you can join this thread).
Greetings, general Kaiu sama
This message may sound rude, but I'm all but a man of words and courts. The topic I wish to discuss is of the utmost importance and involves misappropriated reports of an old investigation you made part of some years ago. I believe the subject is still of importance and relevance. I'm sorry for not to be able to explain further in this message, but I hope to do it in person, may you attend a meeting in the Blue Koi Inn tonight. You will recognize me by my red pipe. I count on your discretion, and I'll be available to this talk tonight only.
Humbly a servant of yours
Kanjiro
Satomi read and reread the paper in her hands, while expecting Asako Chisato to arrive. She was in a private dinner chamber of the well famous and crowded Inn located in Clear Water Village port; a well known commute point for travellers coming from Crane and Mantis by Sea. After receiving this message, Satomi thought it could be of importance. The only great investigation she was involved when she was a magistrate, was about secret organizations who plagued the Empire... and the Yasuki lands most than any other place... She also thought it could be a trap. Her second suspicion, though, was prove wrong, but unfortunately, it made her "informant", the mysterious man who signed the message as "Kanjiro", to leave without a word, when she arrived at the inn with a small guard. Satomi barely saw the man leaving and mingling with the crowd still celebrating the New Year in the Streets. All she got of his appearance was his ronin robes and weapons, and somewhat Crane features. Nevertheless, he left over the table a document. And that was the reason the Kaiu general asked a messenger to bring Asako Chisato to the inn as soon as possible. She glanced at her new yojimbo, uncomfortably shifting in the cushion. He was a good man, but he was a Hida.The papers the ronin left... If they're true... If the informations were true... They could change everything. "Kanjiro" looked around, checking twice his way out of the Blue Koi Inn. The Kaiu general came with a little guard and this he couldn't afford. His "duty" was accomplished, and his conscience, if one like him could have any, was filled with a strange euphoria of finally, after so many years, get this document delivered. Anyway, he wouldn't risk his existence being interrogated by a group of Crab. No. A pity that the Mantis ship that would take him from Crab lands would depart only by the dawn... He knew they're looking for him, but the festival and the crowd would suffice for an ex harrier to get his way out Clear Water Village discreetly. For now.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 24, 2014 23:40:03 GMT
Kousei was walking through the cold evening air with a couple of the taisa under his command, heading for one of the quieter red light districts in Clear Water Village. They had recently arrived as part of an official delegation to be present for Kaneka's wedding, and after the festivities were finished they would take their troops to Kaiu Kabe to take up their new duties.
To Kousei, it felt like coming home. It was with high spirits, therefore, that he had decided to show some of the officers some of the sights that Clear Water Village had to offer. After all, the further south they went the less hospitable things were likely to be, so they resolved to enjoy themselves while they could. The streets felt familiar under his feet, and his gaze roved around, enjoying seeing places where he had spent time celebrating the fact he was still alive.
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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 25, 2014 0:24:56 GMT
A group of merry Daidoji passed by, and Kanjiro turned on his heels, suddenly interested. Long ago he distanced himself of a group like this one and... He shook his head, dismissing any feeling of regret. That man, though... Was the older brother of the lovely Sakura... He wondered how she was today.
Crab guards passed, looking someone. Him.
He slid into the shadows. Most Crabs were blind to those techniques.
He listened.
Crab guards halted the group of Daidoji, heading to Kousei, clearly the highest ranked amongst them. As usual, they would be impolite (or as they used to say, casual) to Crane, no matter if they're there to help, but they identified a Shireikan. They're clearly examining the Crane faces.
Konbanwa, Daidoji-sama. We have orders to detain a tall man in ronin clothes...He called himself Kanjiro and... If you group see someone suspect, you may want to inform us. We were told he may... The official looked for a better expression mingle well into Crane groups.
Kanjiro observed the shireikan's reaction. he was so close he could see the scars in Kousei's face and the color of his eyes. Yet, the Crab guards were absolutely unaware of him. Not the Daidoji. Some of them had spotted the ronin already, but kept their impassible faces and curious expressions.
They couldn't catch me even if I danced in front of them... he smiled.
When Kousei looked at him, though, he winked.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 25, 2014 11:55:16 GMT
Kousei smiled at the Crab. "Of course we will keep an eye out for any strangers trying to infiltrate our group." Sporting the mixture of satisfaction and suspicion common to guards everywhere, the Crab moved on, and the shiireikan nodded at his companions. "Go ahead, I'll catch up with you at the House of the Golden Blossom. I've just spotted an old friend."
As they took their leave, he moved off the main street and slipped over to where the 'ronin' was lurking.
"Kanjiro, old friend - it has been a long time..."
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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 25, 2014 12:11:22 GMT
Kousei-sama... Indeed a long time... I didn't want to keep you from a night of good entertainment. he bowed, his eyes never leaving Kousei's face. I see you got an excellent promotion... Congratulations. He flashed a dubious smile.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 25, 2014 23:08:32 GMT
Kousei smiled wryly. "It certainly beats my previous position, and with the possibility of war coming... Well, who knows what opportunities may arise?"
He grew thoughtful. "But Kanjiro-san, you are a long way from home and dressed in most... unflattering... attire. I presume you are not assigned to my command, but if you are operating in this region I would know your orders." There was something ever so slightly shifty about his childhood friend. Whilst Kanjiro had always been a little secretive since attending the dojo at Shiro Giji, Housei had never seen him quite so on guard when talking to his brother Daidoji.
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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 25, 2014 23:31:12 GMT
Ahh, I see. A soldier must do what he needs to do... I'm just a discreet messenger between Rekai-sama and...people. Not an easy task, but I don't complain.
Kanjiro seemed to relax a bit. He wouldn't like to kill Kousei. And perhaps... it wasn't needed anyway. Depending in how the negotiations went... Can I pay you a bottle of sake? For the old times?
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 26, 2014 0:20:57 GMT
"People?" Kousei raised an eyebrow, then shook his head slightly and sighed. "Yes. A sake for old times sake. I was planning on an evening of entertainment, so why not start here?"
Kanjiro led the way to a nearby inn, and they sat down at a table in one of the corners. They gestured at one of the serving girls, calling her over and ordering a bottle of sake.
"So, Kanjiro-san, the last time I saw you was when we all met back at Falling Leaves about a year after Sakura-chan had begun her training. I believe there was sake involved then too. In fact I have vague memories of the three of us thinking we could walk on the river. Do you remember?" Kousei smiled at the recollection.
They remenisced about childhood adventures for about five minutes, and during a lull in the conversation Kousei asked quietly "Why are the Crab looking for you?"
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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 26, 2014 0:47:37 GMT
Ahh... Kanjiro observed what a direct approach of enemies made to Kousei's face, so differently from himself. The problem was: Kanjiro was content. He made it. But, part of him was not entirely satisfied because... nobody knew what he passed to do it. Nobody knew his history. Kousei-sama, once I tell you why, you'll be involved and there'll be no return... Now you are an important shireikan...
Tell me, What if I told you there's an important lady in the Crab that is linked to a secret organization? And I know who she is? It seems enough reason to be hunted down by the Crab?
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 26, 2014 22:53:14 GMT
An important lady in the Crab? Kousei felt his heart drop through the pit of his stomach - did Kanjiro mean his friend Satomi? There were any number of secret organisations in the Empire, and to Kousei they all shared one common factor: none of them were good.
He tried to maintain face. "I have never shied away from getting involved in a conflict in my life, Kanjiro-san. Have a care lest I take it you are accusing me of cowardice. But yes, if you carry such information then I can understand why the Crab are hunting you. I also believe that while you are highly skilled, if you are captured or die then that knowledge dies with you. Share your burden - let me be a back up for you."
At this point the girl arrived with their sake, and conversation returned to more innocuous matters. When she moved out of earshot, Kousei looked at the man opposite him hard. "Well?"
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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 27, 2014 0:12:54 GMT
You, a coward? Never! Knowing, however... It makes you take parties, Kousei-sama. It can change your life... it changed mine. He leaned forward, his blue eyes were strangely fiery.
If you have the interest, I have some time... I'm not a good storyteller, though. So listen, open your mind and don't judge me... until you have listened everything.
Years ago, before the war, I was assigned to intercept Crab information crossing the borders. I accomplished my duty and I stumbled over a correspondence... A strange correspondence that changed my life forever. It was a message between agents of a secret organization... At first, I just felt glad we managed to grab it, and delivered it to my superior but then, shortly after... someone tried to kill me. Not once, or twice. Several times. I told my superior it should be because what I've learned and he pretended to make his best to help me, until I showed up a bit earlier than expected and overheard a conversation when he was being told he I was disposable by now. He was being told to deliver the secret messages to someone else... not a Crane, not a Crab. A Mantis.
I had no other choice left, Kousei... I killed him. I assumed his identity in the meeting. A man said me a word, that my superior was expected to say to a Crab who would say it by his turn to a sleeper agent... What is a sleeper agent? Is a frigging someone they kidnap and torture until this person's mind turns into jelly... Whatever command triggered by an especific word or sentence is obeyed without a second thought. The person just can't resist this command nor she remembers they did this to her...
Nice method, no?
Kanjiro took a breath, before continuing. However, this man told me the word. I should deliver the word to another agent... I did that. It was a Crab. He should say that and the O-Ushi heirs would be dead by the hands of one of her commanders... a woman. For a moment I wasn't sure... Commander Reiha of the House Kakegushi or... Shireikan Kaiu Satomi? War changed everything, They halted their plans, I guess.
Trust me. Knowing who they were, what they were up to,... it obsessed me.
I just needed to know what they were doing. How many of the persons I trusted all my life were involved... And I discovered, Kousei. Several of them. Powerful ones, discreet ones, humble ones... an organization that wasn't as powerful as one day it was, but nevertheless, was still powerful and influent enough, with links through all the empire. But then... at the time my own credibility into Crane was destroyed, they destroyed me.. If not by allies I found outside the clan, I couldn't make them pay for what they did to my father, my sister... After they discovered what I was able to do under their noses...
They hunted me down and I had little hopes, and when everything else was lost...
He dismissed this line of thought with a sneer and a wave of hand.
I always thought the kolat agent was the strange Kaiu general... She was investigating the kolat case and traveled a lot with the Unicorn... then I noticed she has very special friends outside her clan... but not kolat. Then, I started to observe better... and I tell you my friend, the kolat started to gather again, in the empty space left by the end of the Yasuki war... and the arrival of kaneka as the new genral stationed in this provinces... Be aware... And watch what will happen.
He shrugged;. Tonight, I tried to fix history. Unfortunately, Crab are... Crab.
He knocked up his sake, with a grimace.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Feb 27, 2014 23:18:04 GMT
They sat in silence as Kousei digested Kanjiro's story.
"I can understand why something like that might become an obsession. I have only just heard it and I find myself wanting to know the extent of this conspiracy; I thought the Kolat were destroyed during the reign of Toturi I. As for what they have done to you... I am sorry, my friend.
"You say that you started to observe better, ruling out Satomi-sama. So you mean Reiha-dono is a sleeper agent for them? If your information is accurate, this is incredible... and problematic. The only way we could get anything done is for another Clan Champion to testify against her, or maybe the Emerald Champion.
"Wait - you said you tried to fix history. What do you mean? And earlier you said you were a messanger from Rekai, but you just mentioned that your standing within the Crane had been destroyed. Who are these allies you found? What is going on this evening? There's something that you're not telling me."
Kousei's mind raced. The implications of Kanjiro's tale were staggering and he suddenly felt like a fly becoming aware of a spider's web.
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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 27, 2014 23:51:49 GMT
I never said I was a messenger from her, but fear not, Kousei-sama... Rekai-sama is a wise woman. Yes, it requires people of influence and courage. General Satomi seems to have both*. She dares to do things few do. It can mean crazy, of course. So I thought she should have a report back, but unfortunately she seemed to understand my approach wrongly...
And here I am! He sneered. Last night, when everyone was marvelling themselves with the fireworks, an agent delivered a message here in the port. Something big will happen in the wedding celebration, Kousei-sama. Something related to "the word"...
Kanjiro leaned forward once again. "Bazsuth". Now you know what I took seven years to discover, my friend. But I need to go... I have a message to deliver.
Saying so, Kanjiro stood up, putting some bu on the table, and departed, knowing that Kousei was more than prepared to take a side... but not his side. Not yet. *the awkward moment when you need make a NPC to comment about your own PC.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 2, 2014 21:29:22 GMT
The next day, a somewhat hungover Kousei extracted himself from the House of the Golden Blossom and resolved to track down Satomi and find out what she knew. It was a relatively simple matter to find out that she had recently gone to the Watchtower of the East, and Kousei reckoned he could get there before he was required to attend the wedding festivities.
That evening he finally encountered her, along with Asako Chisato.
"Satomi-sama, I am glad I have finally managed to find you." He glanced at the Asako daimyo and hesitated.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 22:17:18 GMT
Chisato looked to the crane a tad confused for a minute, then remembered who he was. He bowed to the fellow, "Daidoji Kousei san, from winter court, yes? How are you? Do you need some privacy with Kaiu san?"
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