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 Apr 30, 2014 14:16:36 GMT
The night closed in as the breeze became colder and intense. What's more, intense winds blew into the Yashiki's halls. Yasuki Hachi had given order that window panes needed to be placed in front of the windows, forced by metal nails. They would prove an excellent protective measure should the weather prove to be harsher, later in the night. Extra pair of torches were placed into every corridor and by every guard and patrol and the cooks were given order to prepare something truly "spartan" to the taste of all the lords. Tonight was a night of resolutions and judgement. And it wouldn't be prudent if someone had a belly filled up with food and was expected to duel...
The room of the trial was the main court room of Yasuki Yashiki. Most of the decorative ornaments were shifted of position as of to provide more space. However, the traditional granite carp statues were now drawn closer to the dais were the "action" would take place. Big braziers provided lots of light as it was also reinforced by the countless amber candles whose flames flickered idly in the room. Last but not least the smell of hyacinth filled the room, due to lady Otomo Hoketuhime's request. Hyacinth was the Otomo lady's favorite flower. Would she also be attending the trial?
In the room two figures would be found. Yasuki Hachi, daimyo of the Yasuki and Emerald Champion of the Empress Toturi the 3rd and Kuni Jiyuna, the acting master of the ceremonies and jade magistrate.
((Action: Should anyone wish to obtain some more information for Kuni Jiyuna's presence, you can gift 1 Favor to the storyteller account and send me a pm. In turn I will provide you the information needed. Characters with the "Master of Ceremonies" or "Jade Magistrate" items will have this information for free. However, if they wish to gift 1 Favor as well, they will gain an information's "leverage" in this scene.))
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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 Apr 30, 2014 15:18:00 GMT
Satomi was escorted to the hall by 4 guards and as determined by the Emerald Champion, was granted the treatment due to her status and position. She bowed to the presents with the due respect and took her place where she was indicated to sit. Her face showed more a determined and stern demeanor, far off what was going on her troubled mind right now. The absence of the ones she thought to be friends and allies let her know how fragile were her claims against the interests of the Crab Clan. It showed to her that Kuon could be a brave warrior, but not a great mind regarding politics, and that the decision of making him a Shogun could be a great mistake. If he was fool enough to be blinded by his feelings for his spouse… However, this night would be the moment when the true face of the Crab was to be exposed. The ones whose only respect the raw power, would be the weakest when it comes to the most subtle of the corruptions?
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Post by Asako Chisato on Apr 30, 2014 20:18:09 GMT
Asako Chisato enters the court with little fanfare, keeping his head low, save for when he started looking about and seeing new faces. He checked each one against his memory and kept an eye on the jade representative. He was followed in by his karo, who was whispering into his ear by a fan alerting him to a few details.
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Post by Ikoma Noroko on Apr 30, 2014 20:33:09 GMT
Ikoma Noroko's entry likely goes unnoticed by anyone save those paying the most careful attention, as she attaches herself to a larger group for a few moments, before slipping off to a quiet corner of the courtroom. Her eyes dart about, cataloging those present and those entering. Her gaze stops unexpectedly for a moment on Chisato, before she continues her survey.
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Apr 30, 2014 21:36:31 GMT
Kaigen, somewhat uncomfortably thrust into the role of hero... again... stood with his fellow Imperial Legionnaires, on guard and trying desperately to be inconspicuous.
The Phoenix found it easier said than done.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on May 1, 2014 0:01:59 GMT
Te slowly enters the room ahead of his guards. His head downcast and his shoulders slumped he leans slightly on Tsuito. He raises his head long enough to look around the room. Spotting Chisato sitting with a stern looking woman Te walks over to them, looks at the chair, unsure if it would hold someone his size, and carefully sits down.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 1, 2014 11:09:30 GMT
Kasumi had taken some time to take a bath and put on a new kimono. As lead investigator she needed to be on her best between all the higher ups of the empire. Tonight would probably not only decide the fate of those higher ups, but also her own if she didn't do this well. She had decided to go in warrior mode, just to be sure, so she was wearing her armour, swords and she had even brought her bow. She hoped it wouldn't be necessary to use all that, but if needed, she wanted to be prepared and as magistrate, she could get away with it.
Entering the room she bowed to those already present and then went to stand beside her boss, the Emerald champion. There she waited for everybody to arrive and for the Emerald champion to start the proceedings.
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 1, 2014 11:59:29 GMT
Chisato nods as he listens to his karo, still looking about the room. If he noticed Noroko he likely would have given her a wave and a smile. But such timing was delightfully halted by his need to sneeze. He quickly covers his face in a silk cloth and looks about the room, face flushed with red.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 1, 2014 12:27:46 GMT
Kousei was escorted into the room by four guards. There was a brief murmur amongst one or two of the other Crab present, as there was a rumour going round that the man assigned to guard the Daidoji had been found asleep at his post and had committed seppuku to atone for his shame. Many of the younger Crab were now wondering if the Crane was bad luck.
For once, Kousei had made an effort on his own behalf rather than having been pounced on by attendants. As a result he was dressed cleanly and simply, looking more like a warrior than a courtier. He had a suspicion that it would go down better with his 'hosts'. His eyes flickered around the room, noting the others present, and he smiled quickly at Chisato and Satomi.
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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 May 1, 2014 13:24:19 GMT
Satomi observed as her friends arrived. It seems that as soon the Sogun and Hida Reiha were in the room, the trial would begin. She was sure Kaneka would be present, but if the rumors about the destiny of Yasuki Nozomi were true, it wouldn't be a surprise if she wouldn't be allowed in the court. She smiled back at Kousei, and returned to her now taciturn expression, waiting the events of the evening. Her fingers played absently on her jade beads, the monotonous sound of this activity relaxing her mind a bit.
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 1, 2014 19:41:00 GMT
In stark contrast to the arrival of almost everyone else, Yasuki Odai arrived with an air of almost cheerful bravado about him, accompanied not by guards but by beautiful women, his presence the closest thing to mirth to be found in the palace that night. Adorned in a kimono of fine, navy blue silk, threaded with gold and embroidered with an abstract scene of an epic battle against the forces of Jigoku from long ago, the Yasuki governor seemed in his prime element, though the jovial air he portrayed never quite reached his eyes.
There were two other things that might distinguish him to both his friends and strangers alike, for different reasons. First, despite his position, was the presence his daisho tucked firmly into his old, worn obi, a distinction that seemed rather out of place given the extravagant opulence of the rest of his attire. The second feature, one that anyone who had met him before would note, was the presence of a fresh, puckered scar across his left eye that certainly had not been there the night before.
He scanned the room, making small talk as he went with various dignitaries and officials, though his eye lingered especially on four individuals in particular; the monk, whom he gave a quizzical, though passing glance, Daidoji Kousei, whom he gave a smile of recognition to, Shiba Kaigen, to whom he gave a sly grin and a nod of acknowledgement across the room, and finally his eyes landed on Kaiu Satomi. The events to come could perhaps affect her most of all...
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 1, 2014 22:19:30 GMT
The doors in the front of the room had to be opened extra wide to allow Kanehitsu into the room. Or rather, they had to be opened in order to allow his entourage in at the appropriate time.
The group was swollen with bright blue robes belonging to a press of young, rich, and entitled Crane who had previously determined after much infighting that the only way for all of them to make an entrance was to allow them to all breach the walls of the court room simultaneously. They were in turn flanked by a small army of attendants who were fussing over a multitude of special arrangements for the young dilettantes; creating a small disturbance in the otherwise dour courtroom.
At the head of the Crane delegation strode a pristine face who may have been called the peacock among peacocks for his outfit and demeanor. Kakita Kanehitsu entered the room and took it all in. Just as quick as he could he scanned faces and already knew how he would begin his opening scene of this night if it were to be recorded as a drama.
The flock of Crane made their way up toward the front of the courtroom, where they had finagled better positions than the Crab would have liked to give them. They arranged themselves as a wall of bright colors against the drab tones of many of the others in the room and began chatting quietly among themselves. Presently a small writing desk was placed before Kanehitsu and writing utensils were brought. He began grinding ink to use for the evening, although few would be able to fathom what business he could have at a court like this.
***
A servant approached Odai’s group and requested that he be allowed to extend an invitation to speak with the Crane poet.
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 2, 2014 4:10:31 GMT
Fantastic. More forced association with my favorite Clan...He kept his on perfectly intact as he gave a slight nod of acknowledgement, scanning the man quickly, combing his brain for recognition from the briefing he had been given of the Crane delegation. "I would be more than happy to speak with any distinguished representative of the Crane clan, of course, but to speak with the honorable Kakita Kanehitsu would be a treat I did not anticipate this evening. Lead the way." His reply was as cheerful as his perfect smile, but his cold blue eyes would contain a glint of slight... apprehension, to the well-trained eye. Giving a wave oh his hand, Odai along with two of the most beautiful of his retinue and one of his personal house guard followed the servant back to Kanehitsu's desk among the small horde of Crane courtiers that surrounded him, glancing at each one of them, racking his mind for any details of them as he want along. (OOC: So to gather information, I would think that your distinctions Artisan of Repute and Famous Poet would give me a bonus when using a Gather Information check on you and your retinue as you came in to determine anything I could about unexpected guests? If so, my roll would be Fire4 + City Governor + Artisan of Repute + Famous Poet + Yasuki Merchant = 8. Let me know if this needs to be changed and I will be happy to do so )
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 2, 2014 9:25:20 GMT
Kasumi was standing next to the Emerald champion when the large crane delegation came in. She wasn't really surprised by this entrance, but she still considered it theatrics and a little frivolous, as they were gathered here for a trial and not for a regular court session. On the other hand, she had seen much worse than this during her time as yojimbo. For now she would just continue to wait and observe.
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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 May 2, 2014 16:49:03 GMT
POSTING AS YASUKI HACHI, YASUKI DAIMYO AND EMERALD CHAMPION
As more and more people kept arriving, the servants were scurrying off frantically trying to make way for the nobles to properly accommodate themselves in the room as well as fulfilling their needs, serving tea and offering wooden basins for them to wash their hands. Afterwards, they would be handed a cloth to wipe the water away and get sprinkled with lavender oil on their palms. Many spectators would be baffled by this, but a daimyo's justice court sat by the Emerald Champion himself was by far a dull affair.
Last but not least, Hida Kuon and his wife Hida Reiha entered the room. Kuon's face offered a puzzled look in contrast to his wife's one that betrayed confidence and arrogance.
Yasuki Kaneka had arrived earlier, accompanied by a large contingent of honor guards. Yasuki Nozomi wasn't by his side and the small rumor that she may somewhat have succumbed to a strong fever gave many people the benefit of doubt.
Yasuki Hachi may have been a daimyo of the Yasuki, but first and foremost he was the Emerald Champion, the dispenser of the Empress' justice and the voice of reason in this "foggy Crab court". Near him nested like a vulture the magnificent Otomo Hoketuhime, the snappy lady of the Otomo who was a famous Crane Clan sympathizer if not an ally already. The Emerald Champion rose from his dais. He was dressed into his Emerald ceremonial armor, the one that had been donned by many a competent duelists of the Empire, Doji Satsume - Kakita Toshimoko - Seppun Toshiken...and now by him. It was a masterpiece, an exalting hymn to the Imperial blacksmithry. Forged of Emerald and steel, with the fine indentations of it's past wearers. It shone even under the dim candle light and granted Hachi an aura of majesty and authority. He smiled as if to "break the ice", but it vanished quickly from his face as he understood that he stood in front of an iceberg.
"Esteemed lords and ladies of the Empire!..." as he began addressing all the notaries in the room as proper etiquette demanded. Anyone would notice that the room was filled with half the important personalities of the Empire as champions, magistrates, officiaries and priests would offer their piece of knowledge in front of Rokugani justice.
"We have gathered here to settle a dispute that had escalated in an armed conflict between Yasuki Kaneka-sama and Hida Reiha-sama." his voice was warm but his words had a serious ring. "In the name of reason, both sides have been subjected to the Empress' justice and as it is expected of such an incident all the individuals involved had been restricted to their chambers. I sincerely offer my warmest of condolences, but as all of us will witness, sacrifices need to be made in the face of duty." Many courtiers would grant a smile, as the Champion had proven true to his Crane heritage...as he played the "duty" card in a Crab's court. "And without further ado we need to first hear the testimony of the emerald magistrate that had been granted the task of safeguarding the information needed from all the individuals involved." He looked in the place of Tsuruchi Kasumi, now it was her moment.
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