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Post by Horiuchi Jini on Jan 23, 2014 23:43:56 GMT
At first, he was awestruck by the sight of it; but the deafening roar it let out calling for death to whatever lesser thing stood before it snapped him out of it. He dove to the side, thinking on the best course of action and eventually it seemed the bow was it. For an intense moment, it seemed like the timing of the shot would never be right. Satomi was twisting and caught up in her clothing in such a way that if he had tried to shoot the bear, there was a slim chance that he would hit her and that was not good enough. Jini finally found the shot though and planted the arrow into the beast's leg right below the knee. He was not aware of the trap's placement, but he had to give Satomi some room to manuever, so he launched another to draw some attention towards himself. This one landed in it's backside, definitely not as painful as the first, but still annoying to it.
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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 Jan 24, 2014 0:13:10 GMT
Its pained roar was agonizing, and the last thing they wished now was the rest of the pack coming... As Jini got the beast distracted for a moment, Satomi used the time to contour the Golden bear and be before the magic beast again, using the trees as cover. She needed to be in the right side of the path again. The huge beast tried to catch the woman again, and this time Satomi stumbled and rolled, and tried to parry his long claws. Both hard materials, metal and claws, clashed for a brief instant, a screeching sound echoed. Not trying to measure strenghts with a Giant Bear, she made the sword slide back before it was late, turned and ran.
Let's go Jini, for the old times!
Satomi shouted as she passed by the Unicorn man. One could notice her tone was almost...crazily happy.
As expected, the huge creature was too furious and came after.
Both Satomi and the creature disappeared from the view of both samurai, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction behind them. Then, an horrible and grave sound cracked the air.
The Golden Bear was trapped.
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Post by Horiuchi Jini on Jan 24, 2014 0:19:22 GMT
Without waiting to see her plan, Jini took off after her, sparing only a brief glance towards the direction that Satomi had left Mai. He lost track of her in the wooded area, she just moved a bit quicker than he could, but he eventually caught up to her as she stood triumphant over the pit that the bear was now in. He too looked down at it and then back at Satomi. "What do you think, Satomi-chan? Shall I try and communicate with it? I think it's feral, but still a spirit of some kind; I do have the appropriate amulet on me for such a thing." He pulled on his the many straps that adorned his neck and pulled up a small bone talisman shaped like a rectangle with a square hole in the center and carved with words of non-rokugani origin. He held it up as if to punctuate the sentence with it as the question mark.
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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 Jan 24, 2014 0:31:18 GMT
Satomi was still panting and feeling her legs aching a bit, watching the Goldean Bear, when Jini came, only few minutes later. While she recovered her breath and listened to his words, th Bear was trying to get out of the pit. he came to Jini, and looked the amulet over his shoulder. As always, cryptic and probably, something he could be in problem using in front of most traditional Rokugani. She looked in his eyes, cleaning the fine layer of sweat in her face with the back of the hand. Do it. We don't want to be responsible for killing the last "Kitsu-bear" from Rokugan, do we?
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Post by Horiuchi Jini on Jan 24, 2014 0:50:34 GMT
He smiled at what he perceived to be a joke on her part. "Absolutely. I'm no Akodo."
He drew forth the amulet fully and concentrated upon it for a mere moment and then used it's power to bind the kami of water between them both and the bear to act as a translation of speech between them. There was a faint tinge of magic, as there is whenever the kami are called, but it was distinctly different enough to be noticeable to any who practiced the shugenja art. Jini took to his knees in a respectful pose and he motioned Satomi to follow suit before he started up with the spirit. He laid his hands forward in a respectful gesture while bowing his head.
"Mighty spirit of the forest, we would seek to speak with you if you would be so kind as to speak with us. Please let us converse."
In answer to his question the golden bear roars at them, the pain of it's wounds and the rage it was feeling was enough to force it to try and rock them back. Their positioning kept this from happening, but the bear would try all the same. After a moment of such action, it began to pace the small area at the bottom of the pit. With curled lips, it finally spoke: "What do you want, children of the sky?"
Jini, not being aware of what actually started the hunt turned to Satomi at this.
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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 Jan 24, 2014 2:15:51 GMT
Uncomfortable with the whole situation, she spoke.
I question you, why a creature like you is in this forest?
Why a creature like you is in this forest, I question you? The bear questioned, using her own words. Being returned in the question made Satomi even more uncomfortable. Now she realized he was something as one of the spirits of Chikushudo, questioned and though he sounded wise, he was direct:
Satomi exchanged a glance with Jini, and spoke, risking to sound obvious:
So you are the Guardian of this Forest?
The reply came minutes later:
You came here, and destroyed, and killed, and devastated... Defiled and contamined... As if it was yours to do. We came from our Realm to try to interfere... This forest must not die as the others...
In other's mouth, the words would probably just annoy Satomi. He was probably referring to the massive amount of wood necessary to build a palace as Kyuden Meyo. Satomi wasn't even the most pious of the women. But she felt. The Spirit of the Forest let them feel the whole forest as an aching animal, breathing hardly, half bitten, burnt. It wasn't a vision: it was a feel.
After the gruesome sensation vanished, the entity said:
If my sacrifice is what is due to this corruption to end, I'm gladly accepting my destiny.
Wait wait, nobody is going to sacrifice you... Satomi scratched her good eye and cleared the throat. Suddenly, she was feeling very silly, as if she was in an old Kitsune tale. Ando also, she was feeling like a liar (which she was, of course. Her initial plan was kill the Golden Bear, even if it wasn't anymore).
Again she looked askance to Jini, then to the magic beast. We can help. We are going to make the wood extraction stop. We'll get a way to protect this forest. I promise.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 8:23:26 GMT
"I believe what my dear friend is trying to say" Mai decided to step out of the shadows then, moving closer "is that we truly apologise for the damage that has been done to your forest, honoured spirit."
She bowed deeply to the spirit.
"I am Shosuro Mai, of the Scorpion clan. With me is Kaiu Satomi of the Crab" she motioned to Satomi "and her dear friend from the Ki-Rin clan" she let the Unicorn guy work out why she referenced the Ki-rin, not the Unicorn.
"Our world is forever expanding, but it must not be at the sacrifice of places that are considered sacred to those from different realms, such as yourself honoured Spirit. The Lion have taken too much, however" she raised her head to look up at the mighty spirit "they do not intend to leave the forest in this state. Iie, in fact the opposite, as the forest will be replanted and rebuilt. Where old trees fell, soon will be new trees beginning a new life under your watchful gaze. If this would please you, we shall bring your word back to our Divine Empress, who is blessed by the Celestial Heavens and resides in the castle built with the wood taken from this forest."
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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 Jan 24, 2014 9:53:40 GMT
Though Shosuro Mai wasn't in a safe place, as required, Satomi smiled at her;
Thank you Mai-san. Your calmness permits you to explain better our intentions.
It's like she says.
The creature seemed to ponder, and spoke, once again. We do not care for a human who can't be content with a few woods only. But, I see true intentions in your words, woman-with-sword. And, I feel true understanding in the voice of the others. I believe in you.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 10:15:19 GMT
"Thank you honoured Spirit" Mai bowed deeply "we will now leave your woods, and tell others to only return when we will be planting new trees. Your woods will be kept safe and sacred."
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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 Jan 24, 2014 10:39:16 GMT
After a small agreement with the Unicorn, Satomi spoke: Very well. We shall return to the castle right now, in order to guarantee that our word will be kept. This man will be here with you, until I return with means to take you from this pit. I'm sorry for hurting you, Great Spirit. I'm also bringing the ones able to talk with the elements, to ensure the return of the balance into these woods.
Saying so, she bowed low. The Golden Bear agreed, and said. Woman-with-sword, woman-with-soothing-words and man-with-strange-spirit: there's a tumor in this forest, brought by men-with-evil-magic. Can you cure it as well?
This time, Satomi looked at Mai, rising an eyebrow. Maybe it was related with Sahai somehow.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 12:04:37 GMT
Mai looked to Satomi and the Unicorn before turning back to the spirit.
"can you take us to it?"
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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 Jan 24, 2014 12:37:18 GMT
I will show you the way when you return. was the Golden Bear reply.
Satomi bowed once again to the bear-spirit:
We shall return briefly, then. and motioned towards the Scorpion woman. Please, come, Mai-san. Jini-san is going to look after the Great Spirit, when we accomplish our promises.
As they left through the trail, Satomi returned to the point where her yari was buried in the ground. As she pulled it out, Satomi noticed that part of the golden fur of the Spirit Bear had been caught in its tip. It possessed a faint golden glow in the thick hairs.
The Kaiu produced a small pouch from her obi, and carefully put the magic ingredient in it.
They say it's an ingredient very dearly to some shugenja in the Empire, Mai-chan.
She extended the pouch to the Scorpion artisan, in a humble manner.
Please, accept it as a token of your little adventure today, for the time to come. It's not yet finished, but it may be our last opportunity to talk for a long time. My daimyo assigned me to many duties and I believe yours too. I suppose after we finish what we must do for this forest, we'll have little time together again. I, at least, will miss your gentle words and manners.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 12:48:54 GMT
"Until next time honoured spirit" Mai says as they depart.
She looks at the pouch as it was offered, taking a moment to think before speaking.
"I cannot accept Satomi-chan, it is a token of your battle with a spirit. You should keep it."
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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 Jan 24, 2014 12:56:08 GMT
Please Mai-chan. It wasn't a battle with a spirit... It was an unnecessary hunt attempt.
You are now close to powerful shugenja, I was said. You will appreciate it more than I do, in the due time. Your stories about forest spirits, though, will make me a beter token. Please take it. It's a sincere offering. Satomi offered once again.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 12:59:49 GMT
"I cannot accept such a gift, I know many clans including your own keep a token of battle. I have not earned such a token" Mai refused again
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