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 13, 2014 11:09:05 GMT
Don't worry about possibly being betrothed to me, Kousei-san. After this night, it'll never happen. She chuckled, taking the possibility of a death, a banishment or even a seppuku as more certain results of her initiative. Although she was prepared to clean her name, having all the evidences about Reiha's unfortunate situation, this association would be improbable.
When Kousei spoke about his resolve to help in whatever he could, and their friendship, her smile widened:
I don't know if can can celebrate my champion's shame, but in my heart I'll celebrate having such a friend, Kousei-san. May I ask you a last favor before you go?
She motioned him to the window, and showed a ladder in the opposite side of the yard between two buildings. It was put there as if forgotten for someone who cleaned the kitchen's chimney, as the yard was part of a service area. The rainy day was a perfect excuse for the yard to be abandoned in favor of indoor activities. If that ladder could be discreetly put next this window... The guards in the door wouldn't need to be harmed. She suggested. In fact, one of her personal servants had out the ladder there, but for a reason or other haven't returned to finish his task of providing the general a mean to discreetly leave the room.
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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 Mar 13, 2014 18:40:25 GMT
POSTING AS YASUKI KANEKA, THE WIND OF WARYasuki Kaneka was a strong man. His face seemed somewhat more soft given the situation. Actually, he never ever had the notion of getting married, especially since he was his father's son. And here he was, all dressed in a dark blue kimono safeguarded solely for him by the Yasuki, with the mon of the Crab clan embroidered over his right shoulder. On his left shoulder, over his heart rested the Imperial mon of laurels. He was wearing his thick black hair in a ponytail, trimmed and waxed in order to grant volume to his already stereotypical hairstyle. But Yasuki Kaneka wasn't a simple groom, he was Toturi's own scion and the Wind of War. He was a strong and sturdy man, serious and pleasant to the company he enjoyed. And right now his face was grim. For he didn't enjoy any inch of this "charade" He looked at the monk. His name was Te and he proved his own worth by protecting his "bride". When he heard the monk solemnly calling him as Shogun he let a fine laugh. He was amused but didn't wish to insult the fine monk. "Heh! Dear Te-san, it will be my honor to attend to such a fine ceremony that the Dragon Clan can offer to me and my lady! However I am afraid that you've mistaken me with our Champion Hida Kuon-dono!" and his words he managed to pat the monk in the back, showing him his jovial manner. His "bride" blushed but laughed vibrantly and playfully! Kaneka looked the monk in the eye and he smiled. He truly wished to be his father's son, carefree and merry. He tried to be the second at least...
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Mar 13, 2014 20:09:37 GMT
"I apologize Yasuki-sama, I am not often in the presence of the higher classes. I sometimes get titles confused" Te says while getting to his feet. "There is truly nothing to attend. It is a ritual of purification so you may start you new lives together in harmony. It is a fairly long ritual but should not interfere with your plans for the day. Just know that I shall be with you and may occasionally need to sprinkle you both with this water, blessed and consecrated to Benzai-Ten, goddess of marriage" so saying he gives the aspergillum a slight shake which causes a small sprinkling of the water to fall on the newlyweds. Bowing once again Te starts to softly recite passages of the Tao and moves behind the couple.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 14, 2014 10:12:37 GMT
Chisato slowly blinked as Te took position behind the couple. It was easily the most brazen and unacceptable thing for a crab clan samurai to accept on their wedding night, which is a clan known for brazen and unacceptable acts on any day of the week. This monk is a mad genius.
Well Te had tried anyway, and now it was Chisato's chance to make his move, hopefully to take attention away from Te as he sprinkled the couple with water. Prevent them from refusing him right away at least. "Hida sama," Chisato interrupted, there could only be one or two that Hida that Chisato would call 'sama' and he was looking at Rieha and trying not to sweat, "If you don't mind as soon as we are both available today, I would love to discuss with you the necessary edits required in the genealogy. Today marks a significant day for the clan of the Crab, and I would like to ensure its recording is completely accurate, so as to not cause undue insult to your clan. Would you agree to entertaining me for a short while?"
ooc: lets go Rieha, I am initiating court combat! To steal attention from Te before he gets shot down faster then a 40 year old at a prom dance, and to convince Rieha to give me permission to stay with her after she leaves here!
Air 3 + Daimyo 1+ Loremaster 1 + scribe 1 + clan magistrate (a stretch I know, but I was thinking to question someone, and be a part of a conspiracy investigation like this counts) 1 + initiator 1 = 8!
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 14, 2014 23:36:23 GMT
Kousei left Chisato's side once more and moved outside. He hunted around until he saw the ladder that Satomi had pointed out, and shifted it so that it was resting outside her window. He saw a heimen looking at him and decided to play on the reputation of the Crane, winking at him conspiritorially before heading back in.
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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 15, 2014 1:23:21 GMT
A moment after Kousei's departure,Satomi decided it was time for her escapade. As silent and discreetly as possible, she reached the ladder and started to descend.
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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 Mar 15, 2014 10:46:37 GMT
POSTING AS HIDA REIHA, WIFE OF THE SHOGUNReiha was totally distracted when Chisato approached her. She took her gaze away from both the couple and the monk as she looked at the Asako daimyo that was slowly gaining more and more of her attention. However, what he was saying didn't quite compute with what he was requesting. "Asako-san, I truly appreciate your resolve and willingness to look into my genealogy. However, as my husband will so vividly assure you, that matter can be settled once the wedding finishes and the preparations for war are through." she looked him in the eye. "For what would we turn into if we set aside our duties when common cause dictates?" she remained serious yet she still felt the butterflies in her stomach. "Thus, please forgive me but I would have to attend to the Shogun's military council that commences soon....now that would entertain me more." she looked once more at the daimyo, clearly disinterested in the affair he was proposing. But still his words had that strange allure, that would offer a person comfort in having a conversation with them. She shifted the balance of her body to her back foot as she was settling on the thought of leaving the room.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 15, 2014 14:30:52 GMT
"Oh, goodness me, I think you misunderstand... it is not your data that I was hoping to review, but the bride's. This is an auspicious day for her and her family, and I want to ensure that the changes made to the history books adequately reflect the importance of this happy union."
He found his courage it seemed, and it rested in his love of his work, as usual. He hoped his clarification would win her over. He tried not to let be seen how nervous he was.
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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 Mar 18, 2014 20:07:43 GMT
POSTING AS HIDA REIHA, THE SHOGUN'S BRIDEReiha looked at the man as she raised her eyebrow. "So, the Asako daimyo doesn't find the Hida genealogy as intriguing as he likes?" she said amused. She threw a small glance over to the Yasuki bride, "I understand, however. Since strange bedfellows accompany strange times." she said as she turned once more at him. She was calm and silent, as the moment before an earthquake. "Since you're so fond of marking this significant day for the clan of the Crab, then you may as well ask of a Yasuki to entertain you!" she said as she snapped. Reiha was out! Emotionally out. She detested all this charade going on, with the bridal preparations, the secrecy, the involvement of the Empress' brother. All this had worn her out. The only thing she wished was to be close to her husband, finding an emotional solace. Yet she felt a strange emptiness at the pit of her stomach. A rather morbid feeling that couldn't be described. She sweated a bit as she rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes. The image of a rotten carp flashed before her. ...she hated carps. Every Hida woman hated carps. Without apologizing or explaining something else, as abrupt as she answered, Reiha exited the room.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 18, 2014 23:38:03 GMT
Kousei had been watching and waiting, but when Reiha had encountered the heimen and left the room he had been unable to get a good look at him. Was it the same one he had been following yesterday?
He moved over to where Chisato was standing, looking slightly abandoned in Reiha's absence. "Did you see that man? What did he look like?! And have you had any resolution regarding the things we spoke of earlier?"
Chisto's karo looked at the Daidoji with barely disguised distaste, and Kousei realised that once again he was on the verge of browbeating the Asako daimyo. He bowed deeply to him, and hoped that his urgency would be forgiven.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 19, 2014 5:11:52 GMT
"I oh, well... um. No?" He is caught completely off guard by Kousei's sudden arrival and questioning. "She went in there, shouldn't you stop her?"
He is very relieved that now, suddenly, someone else is here... and no one has to count on him, just the way he likes it.
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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 Mar 19, 2014 12:34:42 GMT
POSTING AS HIDA REIHA, THE SHOGUN'S BRIDE
Reiha felt the overwhelming urge to vomit. She was somewhat nauseous and the heavy atmosphere of the corridors didn't help either. She paced quickly and a bit steadily as a chill swept over her back. She didn't know the reason but apparently she had catch a cold and the effects were beginning to kick-in. As her movement was troubled, she found odd enough the fact that the place she was pacing was unguarded. "An unguarded sector" she thought and she made a small mental note to arrange this as proper. Security was of utmost importance to the lady of the Crab. And then she heard a man's voice beside her as he rushed to support her weary body. "Hida-tono, are you alright? Heavens!"She motioned quite abruptly, dismissing any kind of help. All she needed was to find a piece of open land to vomit. But the man wouldn't let her go. She turned to look at him and as he smiled he said: "Bazsuth..."
And that was it. The feeling had stopped, her senses were calm. All of this was just her body producing some sort of mental image. She knew this place and she had seen it before. With different company though... With eyes rolled back she rose once again from her knelt position and began running! Possibly to her chambers...
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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 19, 2014 13:09:19 GMT
How can you fall so low, lady? She mentally said to herself, reproving every and any act since she was unnoficially imprisoned by her own clan. And now, she was climbing, sneaking and hiding like a low-life thief. A talentless one, by the way.
Going right into the main hall wouldn't exactly be a good strategy, nor she was exactly the most stealthy of the persons, but Satomi tried to use her knowledge of the castle and the relative ignorance that she should be a prisoner by now on her favor. It's not a good signal when you wait the right time to act hiding behind a giant statue into Daikoku's Seido, in the heart of the castle. I need either to loose weight or give up being a "ninja", she thought. Of course, giving up being something that doesn't exist is easier than give up noodles.
That was Satomi. In the worse moments of her life, good humor helped to ease the tension.
She had looked the main hall a couple of times, and Reiha was not there. Uhn, it's not good... She should get to the upper floor and spot the two new guards, the infiltrators that would ease Reiha's entrance in the nuptial chamber.
When the couple left the main hall, with the Dragon Monk in their heels, a small honor guard followed them in two rows that would acompany Kaneka and Nozomi to the very doors of their room.
She should be there as well, but it wouldn't be easy.
The Kaiu woman dismissed the possibility to get to her allies without catching much attention, as they're exactly where she couldn't be seen at. She retreated again, waiting an opportunity to stick with an innocent, but influent character, that would have access to "the daimyo's" floor. From there, Satomi would try to stick with her plan to neutralize the kolat agents before they could ease things to Reiha. Satomi was sure the attack was meant to be in the isolation of the nuptial chamber, not witnessed by half the Empire. Kaneka would be a better prey if distracted or asleep. What the giant monk was doing was a mystery for her, and his presence, somehow, became a source of concern. Is he a kolat or just an honest monk offering blessings to a couple, as the sprinkling water activity appear to be?
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 19, 2014 13:21:15 GMT
Chisato was just trying to find a proper excuse to tell the guards that would surely stop him. Terrified about the trouble he had gotten himself into. He looked about, no guards? Maybe he was in the wrong spot... no, this is the right place. How odd, why wouldn't there be any guards?
He breaks out into a cold sweat as he remembers what Satomi told him, that a pair of warriors being found dead recently. Oh, kami.
He tries to stay silent as he tiptoes down the hall, alone, he hopes the others will find their way to this area soon, he did not wish to be the only one here to prevent a murder.
The silence was deafening, Chisato could hear his heartbeat thumping. He slides open a door, an empty room. He crosses the hall and tries this one, also empty. He hears voices up ahead... he moves up slowly and silently.
Then he sneezes violently.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 19, 2014 20:01:22 GMT
It was all going wrong. Kousei looked around for something that could help him, and when his glance faced front again Chisato had disappeared. Kousei blinked. This was... unexpected. He had been intending to try and use the Asako daimyo as a political battering ram to get onto the restricted floor, but when he was going to be forced to improvise. The thought made him wince slightly. His improvisations tended to be violent.
Still, he would try beginning with stealth. He needed to get up to the highest floor of the castle, and both it and the floor below were forbidden. He ran through the options - trying to sneak past the guard patrols inside or attempting to climb the walls outside. If only there was another floor above it would be easier, but the Crab were no fools.
He left the hall and made his way towards the stairs, beginning his ascent. One other idea flashed through his mind - he could disguise himself as a servant and gain access that way - but he dismissed it instantly. He was samurai, and whilst the Daidoji were of a practical bent, there were limits.
Kousei leapt up the stairs two at a time and quickly made it to an entrance onto the floor that Kaneka and Nozomi had retired to. If he could get past these first guards then he would be in a much stronger position. Approaching them, he bowed. "Nozomi-sama has requested my presence to play to her and her husband before they finally retire for the evening. My singing yesterday was well regarded, it seems." The guards looked at him suspiciously. "We have heard nothing of this" they growled. Kousei looked at them, and judged them tough and competent - not the kind of men he could put down with one blow. "Then send a messanger and confirm my orders" he continued, not entirely sure where he was going with this.
The guards looked round and finding no one nearby, one of them muttered under his breath and headed off. One left. More manageable odds. Kousei engaged in banal chat for a moment until he estimated that the other guard was out of earshot and then moved without warning. His first action was to punch the guard in the throat so he couldn't call for help - he hoped that he judged it right, ensuring that he couldn't make a sound without causing permanent damage - and then as he staggered he slipped behind him and snaked his arms around his neck in a choke hold. The Crab flailed, helpless against Kousei's leverage, and after a few seconds the Crane lowered the guard to the door.
He was in. He moved swiftly, knowing that time was of the essence, following the direction that the guard had taken. Satomi had made an excellent illustration of where the bridal chamber would be, and Kousei was determined to try and get there before anything should happen. He heard voices up ahead, and then a sneeze echoed across the floor. Kousei stuck to the shadows, looking around to see if he could spot where the familiar sound had emanated from.
(OOC: Water 3 to spot Chisato?!)
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