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 Mar 2, 2014 0:29:52 GMT
CLOSED THREAD Third Day of the Hare
The Asako family karo received a delicate gift from general Kaiu Satomi, who through a very subtle letter asked to the Phoenix woman to grant Satomi the favor of arrange a space in the busy schedule of her daimyo for a meeting with Hida Tsueko and her family, in Kyuden Hida. This name was known throught the empire as one of the most important nakodo of Crab clan. Satomi's letter insinuated the desire of Hida Tsueko to talk with the author of one of the most important books released in the last century, for her profession a true sourcebook.
What Satomi didn't tell was that she, in fact, wished a good excuse to ask Tsueko about Reiha's life.Satomi really spent all her courtesy and the imagination of her secretary to compose such courteous missive. Satomi knew the Asako karo was very vigilant of the "honor" of her daimyo Chisato and the proximity with the Crab widow was becoming a bit scandalous, for Phoenix standards. However, Satomi knew that Chisato could find a needle in the straw regarding dates and events in the life of a person. And he could make it sound perfect natural, while she, for her turn, could feign a natural curiosity. Now, it was a matter to tell him what they we're really up to.
OOC - this thread almost was called "CrabHearts.com"
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 5:51:20 GMT
Chisato was dressed, fed, and forced out the door then faster he had ever been before. He watched his Karo with a mix of fear and confusion.
"We're late for a very important meeting, Asako sama. One of the most skilled nakodo of the empire wanted to see your work! Word has it this nakodo may have even seleceted the bride for Kaneka sama, you know."
Chisato sighed, he was intrigued enough by the prospect of meeting this person that he was able to forgive his Karo's eagerness. But then he sneezed, "Asako san, you left my book back at the watchtower you were in such a hurry! Go back and fetch it at once!"
She blanched as she realized she neglected to bring the one most significant item for the fib she used to drag her daimyo around. Or perhaps it was her machination that she would deliver him there, then be forced to return and grant him some privacy, who can tell?
Regardless, off she went as Chisato sneezed again, and louder. He then arrived accompanied only by one guard at his destination. He bowed as the yojimbo made the introduction.
"Presenting my lord, Asako Chisato san, first of his name, daimyo of the Asako family."
This same dutiful yojimbo also handed Chisato a smaller text, "My lord, I know this pales in comparison to your own text, but this is one of the recent copies of your work. You should use this while your karo fetches the original."
Chisato thanked the yojimbo, then dismissed him to a corner of the room.
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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 Mar 2, 2014 12:51:40 GMT
The Asako daimyo was receptioned in a tea hall, by a group of Crab courtiers, led by what seemed to have been in the past a human female. The weight of age reduced the old woman to a curved and small wrinkled lady, half the size of an average person. it was not possible to really "see" her eyes underneath the folds in her face. Nevertheless, she was famed tor being excellent in her metier, and the latter generation of her descendants followed her tradition.
Servants brought tea and put a new cushion for the Asako daimyo, while the lady, respectfully, bowed seated as deeply as her back could allow. As did her family.
A younger woman was by the side of Hida Tsueko, clearly an aide of some sort.
Soon Asako Chisato could understand her function: Hida Tsueko spoke so low and hoarsely that was nearly impossible to understand her. So, the aide worked as a translator. After the appropriate salutes, the aide translated:
Hida Tsueko-sama wishes to congratulate the Asako daimyo for his recent book release. It is truly a magnificent work, and when you're done with the... The translator looked twice for the old lady, but said it nevertheless, corrections it'll be the most important, and perhaps, legendary book of genealogy in the history of Rokugan. Lady Tsueko asks if she can be of help in this work, or if you wish to ask advice about a suitable Crab lady for one of your samurai.
The lady talked more, sounding much more as a swarm of bees than anything, and the younger woman used the fan to cover her mouth in surprise, before recomposing under what should be the severe gaze of her senior.
Tsueko-sama also says that you must guard yourself from the company of general Kaiu Satomi. She doesn't serve as match for people of high station. Lady Tsueko says so in a prove of her own honor as nakado, and in good will for your excellent work, as well as a display of how she could help you to correct your work.
Probably, had Satomi being able to arrive in time to Kyuden Hida, this shocking conversation wasn't taking place.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 16:07:39 GMT
Chisato blushed and stammered like a child being chastised for stealing a sweet, "Well, I , yes- uhm, of course." He clears his throat, sniffs, and then sneezes into his sleeve.
Collecting himself he says, "My uh, text, the most complete one that is. Or rather I should say, the one that is already accurate is on its way here as we speak, my karo neglected to pack the book for our travel. I do have one of our copies here though."
He couldn't hold himself back anymore, something she said kept bothering him, "What do you mean my book is incorrect?!"
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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 Mar 2, 2014 16:58:37 GMT
New moment of bee sounds between a sip of tea and other, and the translator said:
Bear in mind, Asako-dono, that Lady Tsueko has a great pride of her 65 years of services as nakado to Crab clan. She knows many things and keeps accurate documenta regarding important personas of the Clan. She also uses an exclusive service of investigation to provide only the best matches, with the best results in mind. Few times people used her services and had not the expected results. She is not infallible, of course, and sometimes facts are concealed even from her experienced eyes.
So, when she says Satomi-sama is not what she seems to be, she has proofs. The same way, she remembers of your last visit to this house, when she gave you important documents regarding the interests of the now Emerald Champion and "Yasuki Kaneka"-sama. The woman failed in refrain a strong blushing, for being forced to express the dangerous words of Hida Tsueko. The elder was, of course, in her right to be brash and honorable beyond considerations of a punishment. She was old enough for not have such concerns.
Lady Tsueko asks ... Why did you take the documents with you if you didn't intend to use it in your book, as promised? The woman questioned.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 17:28:54 GMT
Chisato raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" He asks taking a seat, suddenly very interested. "I do not recall ever meeting you before, Hida san."
He opens up the copy to his crab clan chapter, and gets ready to take notes.
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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 Mar 2, 2014 17:51:40 GMT
It was as if the air of the room became suddenly colder. A wall of hostility surrounded him, the clan of nakodo glancing at his perceived offense. The translator kind of trembled from the insult. Just HidaTtsueko continued with her blank expression (maybe she was really dead and the hum was an actual swarm of bees in her chest).
New hum from her almost paralized mouth, and an agitation in the background, then someone returned with a paper on a tray. After a look to the content of the tray by Hida Tsueko, and a nod, the letter was delivered to Chisato. His very and humble letter requesting the opportunity of interviewing the nakado.
We don't lie, Asako-sama. The Hida woman said, after acknowledging he had seen the letter.
The tension filled the room, nevertheless.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 18:07:24 GMT
He looked at the letter, and his mind rang with something Satomi had once said to him, he began to worry that his sanity might be compromised. "I-... I never recall coming here though. Tell me everything, please." He implores them both. If he was going to act on any of this, he was going to need answers. How deep did these memory lapses of his go, could he be a liability to his clan, family, or worse still the empire? Too many questions. And they needed answers.
"What, exactly, were the errors I wrote? And how did I receive them?"
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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 Mar 2, 2014 18:45:45 GMT
Exchanges of looks, stern faces, then the translator spoke:
Lord Asako, you came here three days after this missive, to dinner. Lady Tsueko responded all your doubts , she... opened her heart about some hidden truths.
A pause to be fed with more information by the old lady, and she continued:
One of the examples is the case of the now widow of Kayu Shigekazu, Satomi-sama. When she married, 9 years ago, her true identity wasn't known by Lady Tsueko. But Kaiu Shigekazu-san filled for divorce, alleging he discovered his spouse wasn't daughter of Kaiu Reiko, but from Bayushi Keitaro's sister, Aishun, Bayushi Yojiro's bride in 1132. Aishun died a year later, and not long ago, Keitaro and Reiko came to Kaiu family with lots of honor and favors... And a little daughter from the same age as Sai, Aishun's daughter, should have. Of course soon their true faces showed up. The man was decided to put an end in his marriage due this fact, but his daimyo prohibited of course. Satomi had performed an important task for Crab clan and was perceived as worth of being integrated to the house Kaiu. Of course, she had already received training into the Kaiu schools...
The woman stopped to listen more from Hida Tsueko. To not mention, Asako-sama, the documents Lady Tsueko delivered to you in good faith, about the real origin of the geisha Hatsuko, mother of Kaneka the Bastard...
Satomi's arrival was announced making everyone to recompose themselves.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 19:16:18 GMT
Chisato furiously scribbled down these notes writing as quickly as possible. "I had been aware of some scorpion lineage to Satomi san... but, why wasn't it in my copies?" He scratches his chin and just then Satomi entered.
He looked back to the old woman, he couldn't help himself, "What about Kaneka sama's mother?"
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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 Mar 2, 2014 20:03:01 GMT
You should double check the documents you have, my child, said Hida Tsueko more clearly than she had been till the moment, with a great effort. Of course Satomi's arrival could be the reason she changed her tactics of total sincerity. Maybe because she knew Satomi as a Scorpion?
Satomi bowed to the nakado and her family, greeting them and excusing herself for the delay. Of course she overheard the last part of the conversation. What? Why in the hell they're talking about Kaneka-sama?
So, Tsueko-sama, we have so few opportunities to see each other, ne? I'm glad you're totally recovered from that cold... How are your granddaughter Harumi? And you, Rina-san? I've heard your eldest was admitted in the Unbreakable Blade Dojo! Well done, congratulations!
After a moment of social conversation, Satomi introduced a topic: the pregnancy of the Hida daimyo, Hida Reiha...
And to think the Kakeguchi always have a children living along the heirs of the champion... Can't really remember of a time when Reiha-sama was away from one of the Twins, do you?
You should, says Tsueko-sama. spoke the translator. Reiha-dono spent a long time with her sensei Toritaka Tatsune-sama...
Satomi glanced at Chisato. Do you like falcons, Chisato-san?
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 2, 2014 21:25:44 GMT
Chisato was for the most part completely engrossed in his own thoughts, thumbing through his paperwork. He looked up when he was suddenly asked a question. "Oh? uh, I owned a hawk once, a gift from a friend long ago, but I never got too involved in the art." He narrows his eyes dubiously,"Why?"
He found it very difficult to take his mind off of the subtle differences between the copies and his original, he thought that he had checked these...is it possible that someone came across the copies later and edited them? He would have to talk to a few scribes to find out what happened.
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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 Mar 2, 2014 23:34:15 GMT
Under the hawk eyes of that Hida family, Satomi felt that, whatever Chisato had made prior her arrival, it wasn't likely they would get some information from the nakado. They seemed defensive as a brick wall. Of course, Chisato probably made questions about Kaneka… Though, for a moment, she noticed the veiled hostility was directed towards her.
So… What are you here for, Satomi-sama? Do you seek advice for a new marriage, perhaps? Isn't it too soon… Even for you? That's the question Tsueko ordered the translator to ask.
Why? She pondered over Chisato's question, ignoring the provocation.
That bunch of gossipers were probably thinking she was a whore… hanging around with the Asako daimyo just after having become widowed. Whatever.
Just because the name of the honorable Toritaka daimyo reminded me he's in good mood nowadays. Kuon-dono is the Shogun and it fills our clan with pride… though I'm no worth of this honor, I'm personally proud of being chosen as his advisor, representing Crab. Satomi remembered them worked hard for it, in the court. They knew it. If not for her, the Empire would have seen the most useless Shogun ever… a Crane.
Her last words received a huff of indignation. Satomi was completely unaware of the fact they believe she was a Scorpion, then, before she was forced to demand retractation from a nonagenarian, she decided to leave.
She would call some favors for maybe a lesson of falconry...
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 3, 2014 0:00:13 GMT
Chisato watched the exchange with a worried look, it all seemed rather... intense for small talk.
There was a rather long pause in the room as Chisato remained after her departure, "Uh, is there any other way I can be of service, perhaps?"
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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 Mar 3, 2014 12:08:08 GMT
The translator smiled, and proposed:
We ask you, Asako-sama... how can we be of service? We'd like to introduce you to the finest maidens of our clan, as soon as you provide us contact with the nakodo of your choice... But, if you rather propose a more discreet deal, we'll be honored in help you directly... As some individuals may wish to not have an intermediator aware of all details of his life. And what's more, for a so important person as yourself, we humbly offer as part of our services a careful and skilled shugenja that can be sure both bride and groom are completely free of curses or flaws that can be a problem for their future lineage...
Not so subtle as a Crane, for sure.
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