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 Jun 3, 2014 16:45:52 GMT
Location: Shrine to Jurojin, Ide Lands
Arandaru was clutching the missive reverently into his hand as he gazed over at the valley. At this point, the edge of the Shinomen forest seemed like an eternal sea of trees, its density adding a sense of mystery to the already mystical place. There have been some months since Arandaru had ridden back to Shiro Moto and informed Moto Chagatai of the events that transpired in Kyuden Seppun. However, given the fact that he had an accident back in those lands, he required immediate rest which the Khan "enforced" on him. The shugenja was thus reading the missives of the events that transpired in Kyuden Yasuki, but he dared not send any messages to either of his friends. The messages would've been intercepted or such.
Months had passed since Arandaru's arrival and he once more had been asked to visit the shrine of Jurojin, the fortune of Longevity. Arandaru didn't question the summons, he merely packed his things and went on, riding to the south to visit the place. To his side rode Iuchi Arissa, the fine Unicorn maiden that proved to be Arandaru's most valuable asset.
As they descended the valley's road, they would notice a small but elegant pavillion in the bottom of the large waterfall. The four monks that lived there would ensure that there would be a small tinder building to rest the weary horses of the travelling visitors. Arandaru turned and looked at Arissa.
"Arissa-san, I trust that you remain down over to the pavillion? Hai?" With her solemn nod Arandaru moved forward. They would both stable the horses and step into the pavillion.
Arandaru looked around the serene inside of the pavillion. The fine weather had a nice effect both to his mood and his aching hand.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 4, 2014 5:23:37 GMT
A gentle breeze flowed through the pavilion as a man appeared out of a small side door into an adjoining building, dressed very simply and his head shaved clean in the style of his order. His age was indiscernible to most, seeming to be very possibly anywhere between thirty and sixty, yet very much alive as he swiftly bowed so low his nose touched the floor.
"Greetings, most honorable samas. The Fortunes smile upon friends of Jurojin this beautiful day," the monk said, a mirthful tone to his voice as he greeted the arriving samurai. "This one is known as Goroshi, and must of course ask what brings you to our serene valley?"
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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 Jun 4, 2014 7:35:03 GMT
Arandaru nodded in reverence and smiled at the jovial man.
"Good morning Goroshi-san, I am Moto Arandaru and this lady here is Iuchi Arissa-san. I am most pleased to ever have the chance to visit the lands touched by Jurojin and I wish to pay my respects to him."
As he opens the scroll that his only hand is clutching he gives it to Goroshi to inspect.
"I've received this missive as I have been discreetly summoned here. Iuchi Arissa-san is my companion and should her services be needed, she'll assist me in any an endeavor."
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 5, 2014 3:04:52 GMT
Goroshi's eyes brightened when he saw the invitation, once again bowing as low as he could before beckoning them to follow him to a small table, which somehow was already set with steaming tea for three people. Gesturing for them to take a seat as he did the same, the strange little monk took a moment to breath in the aroma of blossoming flowers on the mountainside mixing with the gentle hints of jasmine and honey coming from the tea.
"Well then, most honorable Moto-sama, Iuchi-sama, I bid you welcome to our humble Shrine. Tell me, when the wind carries a blossom from these lands to Burning Sands, what must it do to survive?" Despite its vagueness, the question seemed truly sincere coming from Goroshi's mouth, as the odd man leaned back on his cushion, sipping from his tea once more.
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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 Jun 5, 2014 12:53:46 GMT
Arandaru narrowed his eyes as Goroshi spoke. Burning Sands...blossom...he surely couldn't easily fathom what the monk insinuated.
"There isn't any soft wind carrying any beauty from the Burning Sands, Goroshi-san. The place guards much more darker things."
In his mind there was the image of the khadi's heart. Their encounter and the loss of his hand. He resumed his glance at the monk. While he had the will and the courtesy to display kindness, he was surely eager to learn the true motives of his summons.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 10, 2014 13:06:27 GMT
The arrival of a smiling elder woman, silently bringing another teapot of fresh tea, seemed to embarrass Goroshi. She bowed politely, not hiding her curiosity through glances to both newcomers. She served more tea to everyone, and sat by the table joining them. Her age was something between fifty and the eternity, her extraordinary vitality clearly showing in her moves, though her skin was thin and wrinkled; her face round and moonlike. Moto-sama, let me humbly introduce you to Miosho, our elder up here at the Shrine. It's a pleasure, Moto-sama, to receive the first of our guests. She said, always smiling, which makes her eyes to disappear in the folds of her creases.
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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 Jun 14, 2014 7:54:34 GMT
Arandaru nods
"The pleasure is mine Miosho-san." he says in courtesy. He's eager to discern the natures of his summons...
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 14, 2014 12:04:22 GMT
Miosho kept her serene face. She sensed the Unicorn shugenja needed some explanation; he wasn't ready to just accept things as they are. Not many were invited, not sure how many will attend. Nevertheless, we sent invitations to all the clans…While the method to pick our honorable guests was quite subjective… Kami Jurojin's wisdom guided us to your name and a few others. It happens every time we have a new Emperor… or Empress, for what matters. Usually our humble shrine does not seek for visitors… Nor visitors come by themselves very often. After a long moment if quiet and comforting silence, she continued, always smiling. I hope you enjoy your stay and have your time to go to the pinnacle and observe how beautifully the light of dawn mingles with the reflection of the water droplets suspended in the air. I'd advise to wake up very early in the morning, if you wish to be imbibed in the very source of Jurojin's presence… After this, we invite you to join us for our morning prayer before our first meal, but we don't wish to press you on doing so. You are free to do what your heart commands while you are Jurojin's special guest, Moto-sama.
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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 Jun 14, 2014 13:12:17 GMT
Arandaru only complied, Miosho's words drumming in his ears. During the rest of the day everything went as casual and normal. Both he and Arissa would carry on with their tasks. And as the night came on, they both retreated to their respective rooms. The monks were resting as well, either that or they resumed their menial tasks.
Arissa had laid to rest, trying to catch some sleep. Only casually would she throw a glance back to the entrance. Moments later he was there. She'd gasped the first time but now she'd simply nod. She was his political attache and they would spend quite some time together. The last month however...
Arandaru crawled over to her bed...naked. They both smiled and hugged, caressing each other savoring the moment. Arandaru wondered if the Fortune of Longevity would matter. And under the moonlight and in the shadow of the night, Arandaru and Arissa became one.
The next morning came swiftly and Arandaru would already feel the revitalizing effects of his rest. It was pretty early in the morning and he was preparing to ascend to the top of the temple. To sense and honor Jurojin, the Fortune that'd saved him in the past.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 14, 2014 15:06:05 GMT
By the dawn, Goroshi was waiting Arandaru to take him to the pinnacles of the Shrine to Jurojin. Whether the monks noticed that the Moto shugenja hasn't spent the night in his quarters, they acted discreetly, and Goroshi showed the same serene and mirthful expression when Arandaru emerged from the tiny monastery to daylight. In fact, some stars still could be seen in the purple-tinted sky, quickly being washed by the first sunbeams. Both men started to ascend by the rock carved staircase leading to the Shrine itself, and to its clawed top. As they progressed, so did the daylight. The impressive waterfall thundering from the heights of the mountain peaks into the abyss surrounding the shrine, seemed a curtain of purple sparkling waters, by now part of a magnificent spectacle of nature as prismatic rainbows of several lenghts sprouted from the humid air, depending on the angle; a rather dizzying environment for the ones climbing water-slippery steps. Goroshi said: Not few fell from this narrow stairs to death, distracted by the beauty of this moment, noble Moto-sama.
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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 Jun 16, 2014 8:21:04 GMT
As Arandaru woke up he stretched arrogantly, his muscles tightening from last week's intensity. He exited the place, dressed up in his shugenja attire, his dark hair caught in a ponytail, reminiscing of an Utaku stallion's tail. He offered a nod to Goroshi and he followed him upwards to the Shrine of Jurojin.
The vista he'd encounter would be forever engraved in his memory. The vibrant light of the emerging sun merging with the purple hue of the darkened canyon adorned by the shining waterfall's sparkling water was a terrific sight to behold. Arandaru felt the morning chill entrenching him whereas the morning rays caressed the Moto man's face gently.
He inhaled and felt a slight lavender aroma in the air, no doubt getting carried away by the meadows nearby. He let a smile, one of the rarest ones. The children of the Unicorn were a blessed folk indeed. Their lands were the most well deserved prize that a Rokugani would respect.
His stump, the place where his hand stood, was a bit warm and the Moto priest would only fathom that it was itchy as well. Arandaru solemnly thanked the Fortune of Longevity on granting this as a reminder to him being alive. When his sandaled feet stepped over the cliff, there Arandaru beheld the Shrine of Jurojin.
"Where mystical and gracious doth entwine" he'd only mutter.
The pillared shrine only reminded of him the sturdiness that a man needed to show when in the face of adversity. Then his face threw back, his eyes rolled, blank and empty. His visions different from what his eyes beheld...
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 17, 2014 11:38:33 GMT
Goroshi smiled, keeping one watchful eye at the ecstatic Moto shugenja. It could take the whole day, or just a few minutes.
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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 Jun 20, 2014 8:31:11 GMT
The fine vistas were gone as they were replaced from a different one altogether.
Arandaru tilted his head forward again after the strong bump backwards, as he was feeling the wind strong blowing at his face. It had a cindering effect, as Arandaru felt his skin itching and rashes appeared on it. He saw underneath the hill of Jurojin. Under the shadow of the hill lied the Unicorn plains, desolate, with wilted brown wheat adorning a gruesomely majestic scene of fallow.
Arandaru could actually "see" the wind, a strong one with a darkened green hue, blowing through the plains, corrupting anything. On the hill Jurojin's touch was gone.. ...the Fortune had abandoned the hill...
The Moto priest closed his eyes and opened them once again. The vision still lingered in front of him. He had to see this.
He heard the moans of people from far away. As he looked further into the horizon, he saw a group of ashigaru staggering as they were screaming, falling on the ground...dying no doubt. "Them fools" would Arandaru only think. "How can one be as foolish as to try to brave this wind of death..." He didn't know what it was, but the vision let him understand that this wind had a deadly effect.
His thoughts were shattered as a female scream tore the air. He looked on the sky and saw the sun blistering, as if in pain. It wasn't Lord Yakamo though...it was...Lady Amaterasu. During past times, the deity in the sky was a female, a graceful entity that shared her blessings with the people of Rokugan. She had been deposed however, by her own husband's shame and Rokugan would only deem it appropriate to replace her with one of its samurai. An individual that only understood the value of duty. And thus Yakamo-tono begun soaring the skies, granting his benevolent shine over the sky under which Arandaru was born.
But the scream was that of a woman..
He turned aside and saw a bluish spectre...of a man, a bureaucrat of some sort. He bowed and gave Arandaru his hand.
This wasn't part of the vision...Arandaru would only understand that the Shin-Tien-Yen-Wang would only wish to offer their assistance. He grasped the bluish hand and was quickly carried into another place, as if getting pulled by some unseen force.
This place...Kyuden Seppun...the royal chambers... Arandaru beheld Empress Tsudao, wilted and pale, her jet black hair giving away her identity. That remnant of a woman was spasming as death was hovering over her like a hungry jackal. She spasmed once more as she pushed something out of her. It was a brown bundle of flesh drenched in blood.
There was no one around, but Arandaru was already feeling the echo of the shock that would linger around. "Is he alright?" ...she'd merely mutter.
"Was she expecting an heir?" he thought. But then again, the brownish remnant of a baby only betrayed that her progeny was far from alright. He frowned and a slight pang of despair pierced his heart.
He looked down and saw himself seated on a horse. Looking around, the court was filled with pine trees.. Tsudao-tono was gone..
He looked from the other side and there stood Kyuden Isawa, resting on the hills beneath Mori Isawa. He inhaled impulsively but to his luck the air was clear. He thanked the Isawa family for granting a solace to this chaotic vision of his. He sensed a shine down the hill and glanced into the horizon. The mortal eye wouldn't see but he sensed it. The Iron Throne shone in the morning light...empty...over a hill of wilted bodies...
Sense tore through the vision and Arandaru resumed consciousness. This "journey", kept his feelings static, immune to the passage of time. An overwhelming torrent coursed through the man.. He fell on his knees, tears welling in his eyes as a slight smile formed into his pursing lips...possibly trying to "exorcise" what he'd just beheld.
"Heavens...why would you abandon us?" he said. And he stood there, as if waiting for an answer.
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Post by The Storyteller on Jun 22, 2014 14:17:34 GMT
Goroshi observed as the Moto Death Priest slowly returned to his senses. The man seemed clearly shocked by his visions, so whatever he has witnessed, the monk knew it should have been the rare premonitions Jurojin granted from time to time. After giving the Unicorn time to recompose, Goroshi approached, silent and ready to attend his needs, if any. The monk however didn't spoke first, allowing the shugenja to have the lead, as many of the shrine's visitors used to react poorly at prosaic comments, right after a vision.
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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 Jun 25, 2014 12:06:54 GMT
Arandaru stood knelt over the site for quite some time. He could feel the strength welling in his gut, his spirit invigorated even by witnessing such an atrocious vision.
Arandaru couldn't explain it further but it was, plainly put, the touch of the Fortune.
He rose to his feet and adjusted his obi, removing the dirt from his knees. He turned and looked at Goroshi.
"Thank you for bringing me up here Goroshi-san, I think that I've learned much." He didn't wait for a reply, he merely followed the lead down the cliff.
He didn't speak, by choice. His mind raced for quite as much, cautiously forming a plan.
The moments passed and Arandaru was back to the pavillion, rejoining Arissa. They had some plans to make. But for now, he would indulge into some spirit soothing by the monks. If they had some time, he would be elated to join them, otherwise he needed to leave the place.
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