Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 20:05:49 GMT
Izo took a deep breath as he viewed the Keep where Satomi was being stationed. The news he had to bear was worth speaking in person. He was however thankful for the increased familiarity he had gained of Scorpion lands in his short time. Still he looked to the two bushi that had been assigned to him as token guards, one of whom announced his arrival so that they may be granted entry. Once inside he dismounted and dismissed his 'honor' guard. A laughable token since they were inside Scorpion lands. He sent along a servant to discern where Satomi was at that particular moment o that he may join her.
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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 Nov 2, 2014 20:27:39 GMT
She knew far ahead of his arrival that he was coming. She had put her man well tuned as the strings of an exquisitely crafted koto during the summer and fall, and no one could enter the valley without her knowledge.
Being Bayushi Izo the consort of the Scorpion champion, and the hatamoto of the whole clan, for what matters, his arrival couldn't be different. He was received as princely as was possible given the milieu. A formal reception was gathered and the garrison was ready to be inspected.
Bayushi Izo-sama, welcome to Southern Watch Keep, she said bowing, as the troops behind her kneeled to the representative of the Champion herself.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 20:51:39 GMT
So much for sneaking in and out. Way to make things difficult. It never ceased to amaze him all the extra pomp and circumstance the previously shadowy figure of the Empire had to go through these days. He supressed a strong heartfelt sigh and contemplated how cruel Sunetra's sense of irony really could be. Even he could not refuse the Mistress of Secrets..
As he looked over the assemblage of troops at her beck and call and by extension his he could not help but wonder how they felt to have a man practically overnight become an important figure in Scorpion politics. It was his hope they stuck to the silent pragmatism most seemed to inspire. If he did well he would survive, if not there was always someone else ready to be the Hatamoto.
He returned the bow with one befitting the difference in station. "A most inspiring welcome indeed Satomi-san." taking his eyes off her and moving to inspect the first rank of troops silently before giving a nod and turning back to Satomi "I do hope my arrival has not interrupted your plans for the day."
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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 Nov 2, 2014 20:58:13 GMT
Thank you. She could go with his bullshit perfectly well.
Absolutely, Izo-sama, Technically he wasn't -sama to her, but to hell with camaderie. Just some routines and reports.
And she had all time on her hands.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 21:22:11 GMT
So this is how it is going to be hmm? Always such a pain..
The continued use of the naming convention was annoying, but perhaps he should have anticipated such an effect. It certainly wasn't easy with what few friends he had considering him a traitor and sometimes worse. He figured it was only fitting one of his first reception anywhere would be the most difficult and perhaps that was the point of this whole exercise. He would have to coin a phrase, 'Sunetra knows best.' at this rate.
"Then my untimely arrival has rescued you from an evening of boredom. Unless of course it is your wish to have me personally inspect each of your soldiers?"
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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 Nov 2, 2014 21:36:49 GMT
I'm proud of my men and the work I did here, so even if wasn't included in your initial intentions, I'd like to have it mentioned in your report to Sunetra-dono about this sudden visit of yours. Was her response.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 22:02:04 GMT
"It would be a great honor to inspect your troops. Few do not know of your successful campaigns and to witness the outcome the training of such an experienced general would certainly be a boon for future inspections." he paused for the briefest of moments.
"To that end I propose you divide your available troops as you see fit and we watch as they conduct individual spars with one another. I'll leave it to you to determine the specifics of the trials. However if you could summon some parchment I would like to take notes."
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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 Nov 2, 2014 22:20:03 GMT
It was made as he suggested and a sumi-e set was handed to him so he could make notes. Satomi wasn't kidding about her work in preparing the troops for enemies the Crab knew... and the Crab themselves.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 22:39:19 GMT
One could never say Izo did not take his duties seriously by the end of the ordeal he had several sheaves of papers with notes on every individual troop present. Just as things were about to end he organized, seemingly at random, men to spar again. He unlike some that would be in his station never sat, taking notes as he wandered instead. He glanced to the sun and was surprised to see how far it moved.
Turning back to Satomi "I believe I have inspected your troops to the fullest extent and can ascertain nothing further from more exercises. By your permission I would say it is due time to dismiss them so everyone can get to their meals." maintaining a perfectly diplomatic attitude.
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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 Nov 2, 2014 23:04:19 GMT
Indeed. She gave them dismissal and returned to Izo, guiding him to the guest lodges. A cohort of officials followed them as proper. Perhaps you'd like to rest before dinner. We'll be in excellent company this evening: Shosuro Isuke-san is my guest. You should have heard of him, of course: he starred "Blood Throne" last year… The favorite play of Sunetra-dono, someone told me. Blarghhhhh! She remembered her hatred when someone used this argument to endorse something.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 23:19:30 GMT
"I would not mind the opportunity to settle in and wash up for dinner. Thank you for your consideration." nodding as she spoke on her guest. "Of course, though I am more familiar with the work his rival Kakita Sensinji in "Black Crane." quite the story. I will have to tell you about it over dinner since it appears such things interest you."
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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 Nov 2, 2014 23:28:52 GMT
And of course will interest Isuke-san immensely. The duality of styles regarding acting Isuke's greatest fan and her husband have preference for is an exciting topic for a dinner. she smirked, allowing him to retire to his quarters before dinner.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 2, 2014 23:38:17 GMT
"Of course." bowing to her before retiring to his room to change his kimono and wash up and attend to the paperwork that followed him wherever he went including the extra that Satomi had so graciously given him. He blinked when he was summoned to dinner and sighed inwardly wondering what sort of circus he was walking into this time. Satomi was certainly pleased to have him around it appeared. She was not going to make delivering the news easy and silent pondered just leaving her a letter to be delivered when he departed. She was certainly well on her way to earning that slap in the face. At this rate he was just hoping dinner wasn't yesterday's leftover or horse nuts or the like.
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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 Nov 2, 2014 23:52:42 GMT
Dinner was another official event, so the officials stationed in the Keep could be rewarded for their dedication and hard work with an opportunity of being seen and maybe, listened to. Shosuro Isuke certainly was a bit pretentious but knew how to be the "co-star", leaving for Izo the honor of being the main attraction, so to speak. Satomi was keeping pace with her men in drinking, which was a lot less of what she was used to. She was merry and talkative, but in any moment vulgar. A more refined version of herself, but still herself.
She of course wouldn't ask what he was doing there. It would be impolite. She just waited until he decided to say or leave.
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Bayushi Izo
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 245| Likes: 75
Rings: Earth:5 Water:4 Fire:3 Air:3 Void:1
Scorpion Hatamoto
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Post by Bayushi Izo on Nov 3, 2014 0:46:50 GMT
It was official, he was going to murder Sunetra in her sleep for making him Hatamoto. Who in the jigoku would want the shadowed emerald figure as her second? The question annoyed him regardless of whom he may have been in a past life. He did his best to acknowledge those who had anything worthwhile to the conversations at hand even if he wasn't the greatest of conversationalists himself preferring to let others puff themselves up as it were. He was finding it difficult to be himself when everyone wanted him to talk, but he managed as nice as he could and with frequent sips of water.
When there was a general lul and he could be heard by most he looked to Satomi. "Satomi-sama, the food and company are as excellent as anticipated. I would however like to arrange an appointment with you, at your convenience, when we could discuss official business."
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