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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 4, 2014 23:32:55 GMT
Kousei accepted the bottle and took a small sip before handing it back to Odai. He held the sake in his mouth for a moment, letting the flavour spread across his tongue before swallowing and smiling at the governor.
"If I survive this then I must pay a visit to your village if all the sakes are this good. As for your business with Kyruko this evening, I'm not sure if I want to know or not. I think perhaps not - discretion is always easier if one does not know in the first place."
He stared into the distance briefly. "Preparing a battlefield to your advantage is one thing, but we must take care that we do not become like those we fight against, Odai-san." There was a slightly awkward pause between the two before the Daidoji continued. "Forgive me, I was not meaning to imply anything. Words do not always come out of my mouth in the way I had intended. In the meantime, is there anything else I can assist you with?"
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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 Jun 5, 2014 6:13:07 GMT
To this, Odai actually let out a small laugh, though it was clearly one born of true amusement and not derision. "Daidoji-san, trust me when I say that you would not be implying anything that others are not already willing to say aloud. I alone know the depths of my commitment to the Empire, and believe me when I say I know how fine the line I walk is." He stood, giving Kousei a slightly deeper bow than he had before, seeming to be slightly more comfortable than he had when he arrived.
"I will be honored to have you as a guest in my town once this business is concluded of course," he continued as he made to depart, though not before giving his host due reverence. "May the Fortunes smile upon you tomorrow, Daidoji Kousei-san. Know that your friends are watching out for you, no matter what." With that he made to leave, after Kousei's reply, and once out in the hallways he quickly set things into motion.
Now he must find out where Kyruko was, and what, if any, her particular vices were. If Odai knew how to do anything, it was appeal to the lush in just about anyone...
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 6, 2014 10:02:26 GMT
The reflection had only taken a moment and his thoughts returned to the present. The two duellists bowed to one another and then fell back into stance. Kousei studied his opponent. Her balance was good, the form classic Kakita... was there a weakness there? He wasn't sure.
Their eyes locked. Everything was still apart from their breath.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 6, 2014 21:58:00 GMT
OOC: I promise, it's not your common deus ex machina (I guess).
The two duelists were at their own world, a silent and slow paced one. Kyruko's hands muscles twitched a little, almost impercetibly...
NO! The Champion Kurohito-tono demands this nonsense to stop! A man's voice thundered, breaking the perfect moment.
The real world materialized around the couple, noises, people, dusted filled breeze and this man yelling at them. Begging them to stop and listen.
...
Kakita Kyruko narrowed her eyes, not moving a millimeter off her stance or her focus at Kousei's, but clearly ready to disengage, if Kousei did so. As expected, the man's sudden arrival, atop of a horse, caused a singular commotion in the audience. Kousei might find the nervous tone of the newcomer's voice familiar, even before looking at him.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 6, 2014 23:50:58 GMT
His grip on the hilt of his katana slowly relaxed, and the white of his knuckles returned to the same colour as the rest of his hand. His focus was broken and he looked up at the person who was causing the commotion.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 7, 2014 11:20:28 GMT
Ah, you…! Kyruko huffed with disgust when she turned to see who was talking in the name of the Crane Champion. Doji Hanashimi dismounted, clearly abashed, and surprised with his own voice's volume. The young Doji governor rode for hours to be able to talk to the Clan Champion and return in time to prevent this duel to happen. When his feet touched the ground, and the muscles of his legs cramped, he used his last resort of willpower to keep face and do what needed to be done. For a friend. Asahina Gonhiro came closer, the perfect image of a patient and honorable Asahina shugenja, offering water, which the Doji courtier refused with the rest of graciousness left in his body. Catching his breath, the Doji governor produced two scrolls from the folds of his outfit, and in a quite dramatic stance, holding them high so the audience could see they had the personal mon of the Crane Champion. All the time carefully avoiding glancing to the side where Yasuki Odai was. I… I bring word from Doji Kurohito-tono, Lord of the Doji and Champion of our Clan. He demands further explanation on the reasons a duel of the Shi modality was called to solve the differences between theCommander of the Second Imperial Legion Daidoji Kousei-sama and the shugenja Asahina Gonhiro-san, championed by the governor of the Kishou Province, Kakita Kyruko-sama. He said nothing about how curious the Crane champion got when he discovered his cousin Kyruko was defending this shugenja in a duel of death. Who wasn't? Samas... He bowed low to both duelists, before delivering copies of the edict to both Kousei and Gonhiro. Hanashimi cleared his throat and resumed his sort of theatrical explanation of his interruption.. Therefore, until he can decides whether a duel of death is the only solution that will solve the issue, permanently taking from the Crane clan an important servant of the Empire, this duel shall be considered null… Although, this edict can be revoked at Lord Kurohito's convenience.He finished his summary of the official missive to the parts involved. In the letter, in the usual official tone of the Doji Chancellery, the involved parts were first invited to solve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and the House of Doji offered able courtiers to reach an understanding between both parts. And in the fortuitous case of the common sense failing to both samurai and their respective daimyo, without a public and persistent reason to deny the Empire either a Legion's commander or a Provincial Governor and her protégé, the duel should be resumed at a convenient time, but performed by the Ketsuiki modality's standards. Feigning he was completely calm under the distrusting gaze the Kakita woman was aiming at him, the young Doji Governor smiled at the audience, reassuringly: Lord Kurohito-tono takes care of every single person in our clan. With a leader such as him, no injustice, no misdeeds, no enmity or vain disaffection shall prevail over the well being of the whole.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 9, 2014 11:40:17 GMT
Kousei was astonished to see Hanashimi, and more so to hear the contents of the letter he bore. Was this Odai's influence, or another party? There were obviously other parties at work behind the scenes, and it looked like everything was going to go public. Not to mention that it would be extremely difficult to find testimony other than his own accusing Gonhiro of being a member of the kolat, so that wasn't much of an option.
On the other hand, he was still alive, which was more than he'd expected having seen Kyruko's stance a moment ago. A frontal assault had failed, so it was time to retreat and plan. He looked up and saw Gonhiro smiling, and a wave of hatred passed through him. The man was a stain on the honour of the Crane.
Breath deeply, Kousei. Don't lose it here and make your job even more difficult in the future.
The Daidoji forced an acceptable expression onto his face and bowed to his opponent. "Kyruko-san, it was an honour to have met you. I hope that we shall see each other again under other circumstances." Preferably one involving my nodachi. He made the correct courtesies to the official, albeit somewhat bluntly, and then moved towards Hanashimi, to whom he spoke in a low voice. "Hanashimi-san, it is good to see you. You are going to have to tell me how you found yourself involved in all this."
He then raised his voice to the crowd. "Of course I accept Kurohito-sama's invitation to resolve this through diplomacy if at all possible. I shall retire and contemplate which courtiers to appoint as my missives. In the meantime, I shall rejoin the Shogun at Kyuden Seppun."
Turning back to Hanashimi, he spoke again. "I am going to be travelling swiftly. Do you have time to accompany me to a tea house now?"
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 9, 2014 12:20:14 GMT
Kakita Kyruko listened respectfully, and even smiled to Kousei, her legendary beauty enhanced by a serene face, and the fact she wasn't his opponent anymore. One may say it's indeed a strange way to make acquaintances, but I find it exciting, Kousei-sama. She smiled full dimpled at him, quite charmingly, almost purring in fact.(OOC: Kakita Duelist+Air5+Beautiful+Pretentious+Initiator=9 to Seduction) I in fact can't wait to know you better, now I have the chance. Then she winked at him, mischievously. I'm sure that however the reason of your hatred towards my good savior Gonhiro-san is, both of you shall find a better way to solve it. Our merciful Champion offered it to you, now, stop acting like a Crab and make it worth. Please.
With this last sentence, she bowed again and left, reuniting with her protégé Asahina Gonhiro and her own retinue. Excited conversation ensued, but when Kousei turned to Hanashimi, his former charge just flashed a smile, and relaxed his shoulders:
Yes, a tea house is fine Kousei-sama, my spine is killing me!
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 9, 2014 13:31:29 GMT
They moved rapidly from the castle into the surrounding town and towards a small out of the way tea house that Kousei knew. Hanashimi was talking about all sorts of things - the weather, this year's fashions, how he had taken a strong dislike to horses since having to ride one so hard - and Kousei let the familiar flood of conversation wash over him. He was thinking about something else: a husky voice and a dimpled smile.
Arriving at the threshold, they ordered tea and sat in a corner facing the door. "I hope that the walk wasn't too far for you, Hanashimi-san. I frequented this place often when I was studying at the Iron Fortress, and found that it was just the thing after a hard training session. But now, tell me how you came to be in possession of instructions from Lord Kurohito."
I should see her before I leave. I can go tomorrow and still make good time. Just to be certain one way or the other.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 9, 2014 14:58:56 GMT
Ah, I was sure you'd ask, Kousei-sama… The young governor united his hands underneath his sleeves, as he always did when he was assuming a "full courtier stance". What can I say? I was made aware by a person I met earlier at the Winter Court, that my old friend Kousei-sama was exercising his katana skills to beat himself to death against a superior duelist… The reason for it is unknown to me, but the outcome of the encounter was quite predictable… No offenses meant, please, my friend.
Death duels are rare and I was sure our Lord wouldn't be much fond of the idea of having the only Crane representative in a position of command at the Imperial Legion, being wasted in such stupid fashion. So I risked a bit trying to be sure Kurohito-dono was aware of this duel. As I suspected, he wasn't.
Hanashimi seemed very content with himself and the result of his courtier efforts. While the whole idea seemed too sophisticated for being fully developed by someone as him, he surely possessed the necessary good will (and the contacts) to make it done. Afterall, his philosophy was "kindnesses are often repaid one thousand fold".
Think of it no more. I'm sure our diplomats will find excellent means to make this man to be forced to choose his champion from a few pre-picked choices more fitting his stature. During their stay at the tea house, Hanashimi never asked the reason of the challenge, he was discrete and wouldn't embarrass Kousei, now superior in status to his former charge.
After that, they spent their time relaxing and drinking.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 9, 2014 15:37:37 GMT
After a while they ordered food and the morning stretched into afternoon. Eventually Kousei drew things to a close, thanking Hanashimi for his part in things and suggesting that if he was in a position to do the governor a favour then he only had to ask. The Daidoji had been pleasantly surprised by the swiftness with which the day had passed - Hanashimi was capable of talking for both of them, which made up for his own deficiencies in conversation.
As he left the teahouse and they went their separate ways, Kousei began making discrete enquiries amongst some of the servants as to where Kakita Kyruko was staying. Although he thought that visiting her was in all probability a bad idea, another part of his brain suggested that it might be a very good one indeed!
He came to her quarters at early evening, knocking gently and sending a servant to ask for her mistress' permission to enter.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 9, 2014 19:44:33 GMT
The servant returned with the usual excuses, saying his lady was busy elsewhere attending some important matters and wouldn't be back before an impolite time to receive guests, but there was a message for Kousei, to be delivered at his departure. The message was folded in a delicate peony origami, the finest paper and a faint scent of peach blossoms. A single haiku was the main content of the message, followed by a simple note:
Once petals are shed, They go ungathered as goes truth: Flower's reality.
I hope we can talk in a better moment, as I meant my words of earlier. I'm impressed by the strenght of your character and your interesting persona, if I may be so daring to say. I wish you Kousei-sama the best wishes in your journeys, both your upcoming travel and in your new position as well. I'd be honored to have your visit next time you visit the Kyoshou Province.
Yours, Kakita Kyruko
As sincere, delicate yet fiery, as one can expect from a Kakita. Although the poetry perhaps was referring of a different matter altogether...
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Jun 9, 2014 21:38:40 GMT
Kousei folded up the letter and placed it within his obi. Both relieved and disappointed that Kyruko was unavailable, he told himself that the winds blow where they will and retired to his own quarters alone.
In the morning, first light found him saddling a horse and heading north.
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