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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 20, 2014 1:01:42 GMT
A letter arrives at the home of Yasuki Odai. It is seal with Kakita Kanehitsu's personal chop and the calligraphy is of its usual elegant quality.
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Unto Yasuki Odai,
I wanted to write you and thank you once again for being so hospitable in light of the grievous trial in Yasuki lands. I appreciate the difficulty of being busy all the time and never having a moment to rest.
With that in mind, I wanted to invite you for a short stay at my home in the Kakita provinces. I can offer you but a humble hut to share with me but I hope that you would be kind enough to consider coming to enjoy the spring weather of the Crane Lands.
Furthermore, I have it on good authority that there is to be a special tea ceremony in the coming weeks with the tea master, Kakita Oboro. I don’t know if you have heard of Oboro-sensei’s exploits but he has brought an ancient set of tea wares with him on this visit that I think you might enjoy seeing. They are said to be carved out of jade rather than ceramic but they still retain the light nature and beauty that porcelain teacups would have. I for one am excited to see them.
Please do not hesitate to ask for any special arrangements if you decide to stay at the house. I am sure we can find something to accommodate you here.
From, Kakita Kanehitsu
There is no one man Who will drink tea by himself Within the forest
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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 24, 2014 17:46:59 GMT
The darkness crept in as the night wore on, Lady Hitomi long past the first half of her nightly voyage when a courier makes his way to the offices of Yasuki Odai. The quiet knock on the door startled the man as he pored over reports from his various enterprises; he was not asleep, but that did not mean he was not shocked to be receiving callers so late... Or was it early? He could barely tell these days, it seemed. Tired and disheveled, Odai took a moment to compose himself, for he truly did not know what to expect. Upon the revelation that it was a letter, however, he found himself vaguely disappointed, though that only lasted until he sat down and opened the scroll, recognizing both the seal and the calligraphy of the author as he began to pore over the words. Interesting...
Calling for his servant to hold the Crane courier for a few minutes, he began to word a reply, taking care to not let any of his weariness or trepidation show through into the grace of his letters. After all, he was tiptoeing through a den of wolves here, and one misstep or wrong word and he could find himself becoming dinner. ***** Kakita Kanehitsu,
Your words are too kind, as always. I trust that despite the abnormal circumstances surrounding the event, you and your cousins were well tended to upon departing Yasuki Yashiki? The comfort and safety of our friends, especially a close ally such as the Crane, was to be made a priority.
As for your invitation, business calls me to the Capitol in several weeks time, and as my travels will be taking me that direction any way, I would be honored to come stay with you. I have oft heard of Kakita Oboro-sensei's prowess, in fact, and such an esteemed event will no doubt make an already pleasant visit that much more enjoyable.
I shall finish my preparations and begin my journey early, and as such will send word when we are closer to approaching. Fortunes smile upon your house.
Yasuki Odai
The candle burns low As the oceans foretell of A Summer of storms
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 27, 2014 0:07:57 GMT
On the alleged day of Odai's arrival Kanehitsu kept himself busy in the morning as a good Crane host ought to. He checked with the servants again and again to make sure that meals would be ready in time and pestered the maids to have the genkan foyer properly cleaned. At one point the entire cleaning staff almost threatened to leave for the day for the annoyance he was giving them.
There were several students about the house as well, lounging in the luxury of their sensei's manor house and discussing the latest in poetry and politics over small amounts of sake. Behind fans and when he was not immediately present they made jokes as to the overly proper care the sensei was giving to the arrival of a Crab. they fully expected some warrior luddite who had no grasp of how to properly hold chopsticks, to say nothing of his ability to hold a decent conversation.
There had been no message to the house from Odai saying when in the day he would arrive so Kanehitsu was a little on edge for the entire mronign and coming into the afternoon. He eventually decided everything was as ready as it could be and then declared that he would lock himself in his room. He closed the doors and sat down at his writing table. He began flipping through papers and scrolls trying to get some writing work done, but found it difficult to concentrate. Still he pushed on, and scribbled down some lines which he considered terrible and tore up to be thrown away later. Eventually he got so worked up that he dropped his brush onto the ink stone and began pacing about the room.
His reverie was broken by a knock at his door. He went over and slid it open, fully expecting news of Odai's arrival.
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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 27, 2014 5:02:04 GMT
The afternoon was half gone before the Crab delegation was spotted approaching the estate of Kakita Kanehitsu, the day pleasant enough but with the beginnings of a storm off in the distance. The party was not so large, perhaps a dozen guards on foot all bearing the mon of the Yasuki House elite accompanying maybe another dozen attendants and courtiers, many of them beautiful women, riding in elegantly crafted palanquins, whispering and giggling among themselves.
In the center of the party was a lone rider, the steed a magnificent specimen of obvious Utaku stock with a coat as glorious white as gleaming ivory. Atop this fantastic horse rode a man who matched it in beauty, his long dark hair a cascade of silk flowing down over his shoulders, a carefree smile upon his face and a laugh never far from his lips.
Upon arrival in the courtyard of the estate, Yasuki Odai vaulted down from his horse with the grace of a dancer, or perhaps a duelist, and managed to never get any dirt on his exquisitely crafted kimono, a garment of deep blue with cascading waves stitched in silver around the hems and folds, alongside his various mons. "A glorious day in the beautiful country of the Crane, is it not?," he said to his closest guard, who simply nodded; Mattori distrusted the Crane at best, but to be forced to masquerade as something more than ronin in their company was not something the grizzled veteran was comfortable with.
Noticing a group of servants scrambling at their arrival, Odai nodded to the one who ran up to him bearing the most anxious expression on his face. "Good fortunes upon you. Would you please let Kakita-san know we have arrived, and give him my utmost apologies for the delay?"
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 28, 2014 16:07:01 GMT
The servants bowed as a whole group to the incoming party and one of them rose while still keeping her face down in deference to the samurai.
"Master Yasuki, welcome to our humble home. We will be happy to inform our master of your fortuitous arrival. While you wait is there anything we can do to help you remain comfortable?"
***
Presently the entire group was shown into the main hall. Doors and windows were all open to let in light and the fresh spring air. Beyond the porch was a garden that was certainly not the equal of that at a palace or castle but was respectable enough to bring a feel of nature into the room. Servants were now much more calmly getting out tea sets and small snacks to help rejuvenate the travelers. In the center was Kanehitsu himself in a dressy kataginu outfit with his omnipresent fan waving a light breeze onto his face. He bowed in greeting as the guests entered.
"Yasuki Odai-san, welcome to my home! I hope your journey was quite peaceful. Please come in and all of you make yourselves comfortable."
Kanehitsu took his place next to a low set table where tea was already present. Around the edges of the room, younger crane poets stared at the incoming crowd with a mixture of being impressed at the style that Odai held and the otherwise expected demeanor of the battle ready Crab entourage.
"Tell me Odai-san," Kanehitsu began again, dropping a level of formality, "How fare the Crab these days? Or rather, how do you yourself fare in light of the recent...events that have come upon the Crab?"
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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 28, 2014 19:33:12 GMT
"Busy, Kakita-san," Odai replied after a moment of thought, a slight grin on his face as he sat opposite Kanehitsu, languidly stretching out and enjoying the comforts of fine Crane living for the first time in many months.
He took a moment to truly take in his surroundings, and found himself not at all disappointed; the Kakita's estate was as gorgeous and finely maintained as he would expect from such a man, just as he was not surprised by the subtle whispers and glances being exchanged behind fans among the younger Crane in attendance.
It did not disturb him, of course, he would not have gotten where he was today if he had not long ago grown accustomed to how the Crab were viewed in the higher echelons of Rokugani society. It more seemed that he enjoyed the splash his arrival made, reveling in the attention he received from Kanehitsu's various students.
"Though I am forever thankful that my work has me travelling this season, as I was able to accept your most gracious invitation. In fact, I have a small token, to show my appreciation for your hospitality," he continued, motioning for one of his his servants who had been standing by to come forward. The man threw himself as low as he could go, a small box carved from polished cherry and inlaid with swirling designs set in crystal in his hands, which Odai took and placed on the table before opening it. Within was a set of beautifully crafted fude, covering many styles but all crafted of the same high quality bamboo and topped with elegant strands of horse hair.
"Several months ago, I acquired this set of brushes, once owned and used by the esteemed Kakita Kiyamori. After our first few meetings, I recently came across them again, and thought who better to take care of such a treasure than yourself," he said, a roguish glint in his eye, though his face was a mask of gracious courtesy.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 28, 2014 21:33:40 GMT
"Oh, how delightful!" Kanehitsu said as he looked down at the brushes. "I see that you yourself have taken great care with them already. Would that I could accept such a thoughtful gift from my friend, but alas..."
Kanehitsu played this game almost daily as his station implied a rigorous trade in completely useless paraphernalia to and from visitors between houses. However, he was excited that the Crab had found something unique to his tastes and been kind enough to bring it with him just for this short visit. Kanehitsu gave his usual back and forth with Odai so that each could pretend to be as humble as possible while elevating the other to near godlike status. Internally, Kanehitsu wondered if it was truly sincere to do so, but he liked the Crab well enough to respect him by employing the niceties of true culture. When the exchange was finished and Kanehitsu was in technical possession of the brushes he looked over at one of his students and motioned for them to come closer.
"Odai-san, you have given me such a fine present and i wish i had something equally auspicious to give you in thanks. I hope that you will settle for the mediocre services of my pupil, Kakita Reime. She is an accomplished Shamsen player and singer and I would like it if she could provide you with any entertainment or advice you have while you are here."
"Perhaps she may even be able to accompany us to Oboro-sensei's demonstration tomorrow."
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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 29, 2014 4:27:37 GMT
Such was the game they always played. It was one Odai was well practiced at, though not one he particularly relished. Despite himself, he found that he actually enjoyed talking to Kanehitsu, a fact that the Yasuki found he could not identify the cause of. Perhaps his father and Hachi's words about letting go were starting to rub off... Regardless, the exchange of almost scripted banter seemed not as tiresome as it often did, and the Kakita's gift in return was certainly not overlooked.
Never let it be said that the Crane let their guests go wanting, Odai mused as he eyed the beautiful Kakita maiden with the slightest hint of a devilish grin on his face, sipping his tea as he nodded his head to her in acknowledgment.
"Fantastic, I happen to be an avid patron of the shamisen. I would be honored to have the pleasure of Reime-san's company, as any student of yours I'm sure is of the highest caliber. As always, Kanehitsu-san, you are too kind." He slightly surprised himself with the shift in formality, as it was not something he was normally inclined to do among the Crane; Dangerous. Or am I simply relaxed among good company?
The fact he even had to ask himself that spoke far too much of the interesting times they found themselves in.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on May 31, 2014 19:09:32 GMT
The next day was rainy. Not in the sense that it was an absolute downpour that caused all people with sense to stay inside and board their homes against flooding but more the pleasant type of spattering implied by cloudy skies and a light drizzle all around. It made the greens of the plants come into stark contrast and the mist roll down from the mountains. If you were lucky enough to have servants and be going somewhere in a palanquin the cool air was refreshing instead of freezing. The streets were less crowded as a result and so said style of travel was quite quick.
Resultantly, Kanehitsu's party arrived early for the tea ceremony in Oboro's mid town tea hut and garden. Alighting from the box he had ridden in, Kanehitsu himself was dressed much more simply than anyone who knew him might expect for a social event. In contrast to his usual layers of embroidery and resist dyes he wore only a simple kimono and haori coat. there were some faint designs on the kimono itself, but seeing silvery blue cranes against a slightly darker silvery blue background was something that was only hinted at when the light hit the fabric just right, giving the whole scene a sense of ephemerality. The haori was brighter than the kimono but still a light blue with the appropriate crests stitched into the shoulder and back areas. His hair was pulled back into a single ponytail, out of the way and not overly needful of lots of care. He looked much more samurai-ish than courtly but this was to be expected. After all, it was a tea ceremony.
In instructing his students on poetry, the subject of the tea ceremony had come up more than once. Kanehitsu had often extolled the virtues of simplicity in attending such an event. Some places called for all the splendor one could muster, but the tea ceremony, in its modern incarnation was a time for internal reflection and zen-influenced aesthetics.
Kanehitsu made his way into the garden surrounding the hut where the sounds of the city were muffled out by the fences and the light rain. He washed himself ceremonially in a little fountain by the path and then went to the waiting station where there was covered seating. He rested on his own while watching the leaves capture the moisture of the rain and create their own series of fountains and rivulets on the ground.
After a little while he felt rather inspired and thought to compose a little ditty before partaking of Oboro's tea.
"City rushes by, here we are in the mountains, it is as heaven."
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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 3, 2014 5:03:27 GMT
Odai and company arrived a little later than Kanehitsu's party, setting a languid pace through the streets as the Yasuki wished; he rarely enjoyed such gentle, invigorating rains such as this, far more used to the angry storms coming off the oceans surrounding his home. The morning had been a lazy affair, a long breakfast following a night of Crane-hosted revelry being a luxury Odai seldom had a chance to enjoy, though he still managed to arrive early enough to not be considered impolite.
The young Yasuki had also chosen to don a simple affair for the occasion, a gorgeous but quiet navy blue kimono and hakama set tied together by his black and blue striped obi from his time on the Wall, though he left his daisho upon a stand at the entrance. Odai had left his black hair down, falling casually yet somehow perfectly maintained over his shoulders. His face showed no sign that he had gotten anything less than a long, restful night of sleep, despite any accounts that he was seen partying late into the night, and he was a picture of courtesy as he made his morning introductions.
A subtle air of causal, charming arrogance surround Odai as he entered Oboro-sensei's gardens, and he quickly found the covered seating area that was still sparsely occupied. Making his way to a small table, he gave Kanehitsu a nod as he noticed his host, giving a slight bow before taking a seat near the Kakita. "A fine morning, Kanehitsu-san. I trust the Fortunes find you well on this beautiful day?"
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on Jun 5, 2014 17:02:52 GMT
Kanehitsu stood and bowed to Odai when he approached and then sat back down.
"I am quite well, thank you, Odai-san. I was just considering the beauty of the day. It is lucky that we have this nice weather to help remind us of the mountains on a day that we are going to try and mimic such a setting. Did you know that-"
Kanehitsu had been about to launch into an extended discussion on the aesthetics of tea rooms when he noticed a very distressed servant running toward the little hut where the two samurai sat. the servant was out of breath despite the fact that she couldn't have run more than the distance of the garden itself. She dropped into a kowtow and launched into her message with a horrified tone.
"Honorable samurai-sama-tachi, I beg your indulgence. Something most grievous has happened. We have just found Oboro-sama dead in the tea hut! And what's more, his tea set is also missing! We don't know what to do and we beg your help, my lords!"
Kanehitsu rose again and addressed the servant.
"You must call the guard immediately! Go!"
The frightened servant girl practically flew away from the two of them, heedless of the increasing rain that was starting to pour forth from the heavens. In the distance a bolt of thunder rumbled around, heralding a much more ominous storm than had begun the day. Kanehitsu turned and faced Odai.
"I must apologize Odai-san. We are called to the Empress' service as interim justiciars. I don't suppose you are a magistrate."
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