[The Thousandth Year of Peace] The Topaz Tournament

Kimita has observed the Bushi getting all ... Bushi in their storms of bravado. But never had she seen it done with such hostility. She was certain it would come to drawn swords, especially with insults being thrown around with so little subtlety. When Liyan stepped into the fray, chastising the samurai for their display, she felt sorry that the person she had just met would lose so many limbs so soon after arriving.


But the Fortunes must have smiled upon her because a series of minor interruptions defused the situation, and she walked away with honor and flesh still intact. A woman that the Fortunes favor so well is one to observe. She might prove to be a valuable ally. Had she not been crowded so quickly, Kimita might have wished to continue their conversation. But unpleasantness beckoned.


"Excuse me, Takeru-san, I would appreciate your wisdom on the matters that jus transpired, but I have a formality that I must attend to." She bowed as she stood to walk to the boisterous samurai. She would have been happier if she could have stayed to talk amongst those that had come to the tournament with, but the sooner she dealt with the prospect of Takezo the sooner she could concentrate on finding her position.


She crossed the room trying to keep out of his line of sight. It wasn't stealth so much as she didn't want him to sense her reluctance. She moved, listening to people talk about the fight, the lack thereof, the gaijin who silenced them, and the missed chance to eliminate some of the competition. She finally approached Takezo and bowed to him. "Takezo-san, I have come to introduce myself to you. I was informed that you were contesting for the glory of the Topaz Champion. "


She takes a seat with him so they may talk, even if he does not wish to. It would have to be his choice to leave, she would at least do her part. "Your boasts were quite elegant. Do you really gain much honor and glory by beating dogs with sticks? I am unfamiliar with your customs, having never visited the lands of the Dragon Clan."
 
"I am asking you to reveal my secrets, Okakura-san," Liyan says with a faint smile, "but I shall watch myself in the future, have no fear. What you call idealism, is merely the knowledge of Bushido and its importance, and if there are those who would call that weakness," she says glancing involuntarily at the Scorpions, "I shall not concern myself overmuch with their opinion."
 
Fumiko nods to Okakura, "Oh no, I don't expect anyone to be dismissed, Liyan-san, all here were selected by their Clans for this great honor and none here is fool enough to dismiss anyone. I simply meant that every time we take the field, whether in battle or a game of Go, we must make choices. We have to decide which opponents is the largest threat to us and our allies so that we many remove them from the competition first, before that do us or our allies harm. The does not mean that the others on the field are to be ignored, simply handled later in the battle. I was just pointing out that for some here you just moved yourself up on their own priority list."


Fumiko takes what could never be called a polite gulp of her sake,"I for one can say I learned that you hold Bushido close to your heart, as do we all, but some view some of the tenets of Bushido---differently. Even the Great Sensei's of the Clans differ on some of the finer points. Some would could argue that Bushido demanded that we let the fight before play out to weed out those that do not have the restraint to serve the Emperor, better to find out now than on the field in defense of the Empire. You revealed that you are willing to put the Empire before yourself, again we all should, and yet a room full of Samurai stood by--while you acted. That last tells me you are decisive you act rather than analyze. I do not say this because I think it makes you any less in my eyes nor the eyes of any here but some will now assess Shinjo Liyan as someone to be eliminated sooner in the Championship rather than later."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
"In battle, of course, you are correct. But my understanding was that such a thing would not be possible within the structure of the Tournament. Quite like a game of go in that regard," she adds with a slight smile, "but it is possible our Tournament will be different in that regard from the one my sensei participated in." Liyan pauses for a moment to take another slight sip of her sake. "There is a time for decisive action and a time for wise contemplation, and a situation like the one we faced is quite certainly the former. Hesitation is always easy, but rarely useful. Analysis should be done well ahead of time such that one can take the correct action with swiftness and certainty when the time comes."
 
"Fumiko-san makes some good points, and by confining your thinking of tactics to the field of battle you limit yourself. Even a quiet night of socialising can end in bloodshed, as we very nearly witnessed. Ultimately, this was a tactical choice on the part of Doji-san. I would hesitate to think of yourself free from danger, even if we are competing in an organised tournament. Challenges can be issued, horses can fall," Okakura rubs his leg absentmindedly as he says this, "and someone might try a little too hard in training." Okakura finishes the rest of his sake in one modest gulp, and turns the cup upside down on the table. "I must also disagree with your views on hesitation. Ideally, yes, we would do all our analysis in advance, leaving us free to act in the moment. However, we can never anticipate every nuance of the hurdles we must face. Therefore, we must think on our toes. What I understand from what you said is that hesitation serves no purpose. On the contrary!" Okakura slashes his hand sideways, like a blade. "This hesitation, this moment of thought, is what allows us to act at our best. It is true, perhaps, that the fine people here were taking too long to act. I refuse to consider it pure, vapid, hesitation. No! Everyone was thinking; how will this serve my Clan. Most, it seems, were content to let the pool of contestants clear themselves out. While I can see where you are coming from here, I must refute your point. Think of every conversation as a skirmish, and you won't go far wrong. Keep your objective in mind, and let every word be a sword stroke towards that goal." Okakura nods to himself with finality. "This is the advice my sensai gave me when I started my training. May it stand you well."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
"Taking the appropriate time to understand and judge the situation at hand is not hesitation, it is useful. Seeing the situation and still doing nothing in the vain hope of finding a more perfect solution is. Neither is it hesitation to wait for a day of clear weather before starting a new journey. Hesitation is not inaction, hesitation is inaction without a reasonable condition for when to take action. When swords are so close to being drawn, every moment counts if dishonor and tragedy is to be prevented." She waits for a moment to let a smile light up her face, "and clearly, you have never seen the shiotome ride."
 
"Do not think I meant to say anything you did was wrong Liyan-san, I was merely advising caution because not all think as you do. Not every Samurai in this room hesitated, if fact due to the training we have all received I don't believe anyone in this room hesitated. In an instant everyone in this room assessed the situation and choose not to act, you acted. That says something about you, what you choose to do and say tells us that your action was not out of rashness but decisiveness. Okakura-san is right, every interaction we have with other people are a kind of engagement, whether it is a battle of swords, a test of one's social skills or an engagement of wills. Such engagements need not be open conflicts but the rules that apply to the field of battle can be useful elsewhere."


"Again I say this not to slight you Liyan-san, but to praise you and make you aware that others are watching to. I do not say you should change who you are but if you are aware that others watching you it can make you more prepared."





Fumiko reaches to refill her sake cup and takes a long pull, winded as she is from so much speech. I don't usually talk this much--what is it about this place? Or is it these samurai in particular? she thinks to herself as she looks over the brim of her cup at those around her.
 
"If I thought you had slighted my honor, you would not be in doubt, Fumiko-san," Liyan says calmly as she takes a sip from her newly refilled sake cup. "Okakura-san, if I may change the subject, can I ask you if you know how this fierce rivalry came to be?"
 
Ameiko chuckles, shaking her head, and looks to Okakura, then back among the other three. "Truly, there is a great collection of wisdom here, for a group comprised of those so young as we. I almost worry that it might be wise of me to avoid any conflict with any of you; surely, you have shown greater wisdom than I have of the field of tactics; I had never thought of the world as so full of conflict, as to see all things as Engagements..!" She bows her head humbly, and then smiles warmly at the others- Daigotsu chirps from his cage.


"Hmm..? Oh yes- please, do tell! I believe Liyan-Sama, has struck upon a most interesting and useful question- please, Okakura-Sama, enlighten us!" She is still smiling warmly, sitting down now on a seat- folding her legs and hands over each other.
 
Fumiko laughs, "Fear not Liyan-san I am a Crab. If we have occasion to question someone's honor subtly is not often a hallmark of how we go about it. I find myself often over apologetic in situations such as this. It sometimes covers for the fact that I, am not well versed in social skills---which I reveal without reservation as it should come as a surprise to no one."


"Not wisdom Ameiko-san but years of study under a great Sensei by a mediocre student, in my case at least," She said before turning with the others to await Okakura's answer.
 
Takezo turns to grunt at Kimita. "Uh. Hello," he says, unfolding his arms. He looks entirely unsure of what he should be doing without a weapon in hand, and his eyes keep darting to and from her, as though he wanted to look, but couldn't. It's actually kind of cute in a bashful bushi sort of way.


"Drink?"


He offers her his cup of sake, but this time his hand is trembling. He supports his wrist with his other hand, which helps somewhat.


"Dogs are just dogs. You hit them, they run away. Have to be confident with them, they can smell fear. Um. So... you're a shugenja, right? Never seen a Phoenix shugenja before, just the Agasha. They're weird."


******


Doji the monkey (not that Laichao actually calls her that in front of a room full of Cranes) is there to help refill Fumiko's glass while the chatty Mantis makes his way around the room. The Mantis seems to be sneaking glances at Liyan, which is understandable given her unusual looks. In the background, the Crab have struck up a lewd drinking song, which is countered by the kyogen performance of a random Lion bushi. The Cranes seem absent; apparently Doji Suzuha and Asahina Mikuru were the only one who'd come down to the Poisoned Water.


Bayushi Takeru sidles up to Ameiko, a cup of sake in hand which he offers to her. "A radiant flower like yourself ought to occupy a place of honor in a suitable setting, and I hear the Kakita Artisans have turned their picture gardens into a paradise for the most beautiful blossoms. Would you care to join me in showing them the meaning of true beauty?"


Beside them, Yogo Saemi is eying up Okakura under her veil-mask, which seems to emphasise the brilliance of her smile. "I have never before met an Akodo who speaks as well as you do. You seem to understand that words cut deeper than swords. That interests me, and I would like to know you better..."


Moto Batukhan approaches Fumiko, a small packet of waxed paper in hand. "In our Clan, drinks are traditionally enjoyed with snacks. Would you like to try some?"


He unfolds the packet to reveal something that looks like strips of tree bark. Liyan knows it's Moto trail mix, but she also knows that it's meat (red meat!) which the upper class of Rokugan does not typically consume. Before she can react, the smell of sake hits her nose, and there's the grinning Laichao before her, with curious little Shinjo crawling up her leg.


"Shin- I mean, Shicchan! Don't do that!" Laichao snaps as he peels the little simian off Liyan. "Sorry about that," he says with a sheepish look on his face. "She likes exploring new places... and people. I hope you weren't offended."
 
"Well, Yogo-san, I would be pleased to converse with you in a moment. However, I have been asked to enlighten out companions on the history of the rivalry between the Matsu, the Kikuta, and of course the Mirumoto. You are welcome to listen, if you wish." Okakura stands and makes his way to the head of the table, pulling his fan from his obi. "Now," Okakura exclaims, in a strident voice, snapping his fan open to punctuate the word. "This tale begins in the twenty third year from the founding of Gisei Toshi, at the tournament do deiced upon the first Imperial Enforcer, a position now known as the Emerald Champion. The two preeminent contestants were Matsu and Kikuta, the first to hold their names. Throughout the fist day of the contest they traded victories, Matsu winning the athletics challenge, Kikuta winning the horsemanship, while in the kyujutsu neither could best the other. As the Sun set on the first day, there was no consensus for the favorite to win.


"The second day was a Kenjutsu tournament to decide who would get the honour of guarding the Emperor personally. As it happened, Matsu and Kikuta were placed in the far ends of the brackets. As the duels commenced, Matsu showed her superiority through ferocity, overwhelming her opponents and taunting them as she bested them. Kikuta, by contrast was ever the swiftest swordsman. He faced his opponents with his blade sheathed, yet struck them before they had the chance to raise their hands against him. He always treated his opponents with the utmost respect, bowing to them before and after every duel, and helping them tend their wounds.


"As you have no doubt figured, at the final of the tournament Kikuta, calm in his superiority, faced Matsu, who rained insults down upon Kikuta's head. Kikuta barely inclined his head to Matsu, as the commencement of the duel required both participants to bow. Matsu began charging forward before she had fully straightened, raising her katana above her head. Kikuta calmly finished his bow, hands by his side, yet before Matsu had crossed half the distance between them Kikuta stood behind her, the tip of his sword dyed red with Matsu's blood. As her injured leg collapsed beneath her Kikuta quickly cleaned his sword and began walking away. Matsu railed at the dishonour, yet the ever calm Kikuta still refused to face her. 'You got the same respect from me as you gave the rest of your competitors, Matsu-chan,' he spoke to the empty field in front of him, before walking to the Emperor's side.


"Matsu swore that day, upon the blood spilled by Kikuta, that neither she nor her line would forgive the Kikuta. So began the rivalry between the two families, and with it the first recorded Blood Feud."


Okakura snaps his fan shut with the conclusion of his tale, and takes his seat again. He turns to Liyan. "Neither Doji-san nor Touma had met each other previously, as far as I am aware. Doji-san's school mon was on her sword arm, though, so that explains her involvement in this. Touma had always wanted to be trained at the Matsu dojo, though there were not enough spaces, and at the selection ceremony he lost out on his place. He is also aggressive and abrasive, I have no doubts as to who started the trouble this evening. There is another story in the Mirumoto's involvement. You may be able to convince me to tell it later, but for now my throat calls for more sake. Lichao, I don't suppose there is any more of the 997 Yomeishu left? It was divine. Yogo-san, I believe you had a question for me?"
 
"The actions of animals do not offend me," Liyan says with a smile as she reaches out to pet the endearing monkey, "it is their handlers who run the risk of doing so. If, for instance, they were to mistreat them or misuse them to make a mockery of others," she finishes. Her tone makes it perfectly clear that she is not amused by the name he almost used for the simian.
 
Fumiko tires the offering of Moto Batukhan and smiles a bit as she samples it. Where many might be offended, Fumiko has had to eaten far worse in her time training as a scout, "Oh, this is rather interesting--and I suspect it would be handy for packing for long travel--very interesting indeed. Thank you Batukhan-san."


As she accepted more of the offering (Assuming he offers) Fumiko looked at the others, "I don't presume to take the place of telling anyone here what they must do, but tomorrow is an important day for us all and I for one expect to rise quite early to prepare, so if I may be so bold I think I will have a last cup of sake and then retire"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Now she understood why the Mirumoto clan would seek her out to be the wife, Takezo had no sense. If he was not swinging a sword, his mind shut down. This would be a formality, to dismiss him as a potential suitor, unless he managed to win the competition, then she would not be permitted to refuse him. But if he did win, she would be the one assigned to manage the household while he wandered the land seeking glory.


She took the warm cup of sake and bowed her head in appreciation of his generosity. So far he was as cordial as the monkeys. "I understand how different a Shugenja could be to one trained in the tradition of the Bushi, but calling those who have studied the Kami and Fortunes as 'weird' is insulting. The Fortunes do not grant generosity to those who find them weird." Ameiko-San would likely set him aflame for such a comment, so that he might learn.


"You seem to have mastered wood, both in creation and in attack. I understand that you have made your own boken. Dedication to a craft is an honorable pursuit. Tell me of the two boken you carry." She had also chosen to master wood in her use of the Bo. Perhaps they might find something to discuss to pass the time. She would love to nothing but belittle him, but he seemed to have not understood the first retort. It would be dishonorable to contest a man who had so little master of his own wits.
 
Ameiko blushes brightly- her inner flame rushing to her cheeks, at Bayushi's comments, at least partialy simply to soothe his ego by seeming more succesptible to his compliments than she really is.


After all, it wouldn't do to play her cards and show herself as one who had a perception of social matters. Regardless- she turns to him, smiling. "You flatter this humble one too greatly- I am sure that if we walk among the gardens you speak of, we will find a thousand flowers more radiant than I- truly, you do me too much credit with your kind words. That said- I do enjoy the smell of flowers, and the peace of a Garden. I would greatly enjoy visiting one of the famed Kakita gardens with you, Bayushi-Sama." She says, her voice soft and delicate- even as she sips from the Sake- closing her eyes with a smile as she feels the warmth spread. How she wished she could have privacy right now- to light a fire and watch it burn to calm her troubled mind.... alas, this is no longer the camp-trail, where it was acceptable to light the campfire- and not so odd to huddle near it for warmth...
 
Apologies for the delay!

Esbilon said:
"The actions of animals do not offend me," Liyan says with a smile as she reaches out to pet the endearing monkey, "it is their handlers who run the risk of doing so. If, for instance, they were to mistreat them or misuse them to make a mockery of others," she finishes. Her tone makes it perfectly clear that she is not amused by the name he almost used for the simian.
Click to expand...
"Ehehehe," Laichao smiles sheepishly. "Well, I treat Shicchan nicely. Don't I, Shicchan?"


The monkey sticks her tongue out at Laichao and makes the most endearing expression at Liyan, as if to say, "Please remove me from the person of this ignorant goat."


"You little traitor I mean Isn't she cute? I found her and her siblings aboard a pirate ship. Their mother died giving birth to them in a storm, but by the grace of the Fortunes she found a barrel to deliver them in. My uncle brought me aboard after they'd subdued the pirate crew and I found them. Brought them home with me, and they were a hit with the Spinner's Circle. That's the women who've lost husbands to the sea and never remarried. They do all the embroidery and cloth, and having them around helped raise their spirits a lot."


He pauses to pour out a glass of Yomeishu for Okakura, and then leans back with a sigh.


"So... I know you're from a Great Clan, and I'm from a Minor Clan, but... I heard how that Doji girl addressed you, said you were an outsider. I dunno if she meant anything by it, but do you think they'll ever treat us- I mean, yourselves as equals?"

Ameiko blushes brightly- her inner flame rushing to her cheeks, at Bayushi's comments, at least partialy simply to soothe his ego by seeming more succesptible to his compliments than she really is.
After all, it wouldn't do to play her cards and show herself as one who had a perception of social matters. Regardless- she turns to him, smiling. "You flatter this humble one too greatly- I am sure that if we walk among the gardens you speak of, we will find a thousand flowers more radiant than I- truly, you do me too much credit with your kind words. That said- I do enjoy the smell of flowers, and the peace of a Garden. I would greatly enjoy visiting one of the famed Kakita gardens with you, Bayushi-Sama." She says, her voice soft and delicate- even as she sips from the Sake- closing her eyes with a smile as she feels the warmth spread. How she wished she could have privacy right now- to light a fire and watch it burn to calm her troubled mind.... alas, this is no longer the camp-trail, where it was acceptable to light the campfire- and not so odd to huddle near it for warmth...
Click to expand...
"In that case," Takeru smiles as he rises to his feet and offers a hand. "Let us be off, then, Ameiko-chan."


He bows to Yogo Saemi, who simply sniffs and turns her attention back to Okakura.


******


It's not long before Takeru and Ameiko are strolling through the gardens. He, of course, wears his daisho proudly, as her defender.


"They say the only blooms a bushi should be concerned with are the red of blood... yet I find that the orange and yellow of flames are a far more beauteous sight. Fire is a declaration of strength, yet so many forget that it is also warm and nourishing, in the cold of the night. Would that I could warm myself through the nocturnal gloom until Lady Sun returned to light up my life once more. Though perhaps with something to light my way, I might walk in the darkness without fear..."


He's certainly laying it on thick...


"So tell me, what do you think of our fellow competitors?"






Give me an Etiquette roll.

solyrflair said:
Now she understood why the Mirumoto clan would seek her out to be the wife, Takezo had no sense. If he was not swinging a sword, his mind shut down. This would be a formality, to dismiss him as a potential suitor, unless he managed to win the competition, then she would not be permitted to refuse him. But if he did win, she would be the one assigned to manage the household while he wandered the land seeking glory.
She took the warm cup of sake and bowed her head in appreciation of his generosity. So far he was as cordial as the monkeys. "I understand how different a Shugenja could be to one trained in the tradition of the Bushi, but calling those who have studied the Kami and Fortunes as 'weird' is insulting. The Fortunes do not grant generosity to those who find them weird." Ameiko-San would likely set him aflame for such a comment, so that he might learn.
Click to expand...
"Huh? Oh. Sorry," he mutters. "Just don't understand what shugenja do. They talk to the air and it answers. Talk to the earth and it answers. I talk to my swords and people call me crazy. But they don't get it. Can't trust men, can't trust women. But you can trust steel."

"You seem to have mastered wood, both in creation and in attack. I understand that you have made your own boken. Dedication to a craft is an honorable pursuit. Tell me of the two boken you carry." She had also chosen to master wood in her use of the Bo. Perhaps they might find something to discuss to pass the time. She would love to nothing but belittle him, but he seemed to have not understood the first retort. It would be dishonorable to contest a man who had so little master of his own wits.
Click to expand...
Takezo looks surprised - usually people would ask about a daisho, and not a pair of glorified sticks. Still...


"Carved them myself," he mutters. "Mirumoto gave up his swords, but he was waylaid by armed attackers. He had his rower give him one oar, which he carved into an eku, and when he reached the shore he defeated them all with a wooden oar. Can't take swords everywhere, but doesn't mean you can't be armed. I don't intend to be unarmed."


He reaches for the boken set behind him, then pauses and returns his hands under his thighs, then puts them on top of his thighs instead, trying not to fidget.


"Mine are just... just branches. Whittled them down with a tanto. They'd probably break with a good enough whack, but they'll have given a good enough whack first."

hellrazoromega said:
Fumiko tires the offering of Moto Batukhan and smiles a bit as she samples it. Where many might be offended, Fumiko has had to eaten far worse in her time training as a scout, "Oh, this is rather interesting--and I suspect it would be handy for packing for long travel--very interesting indeed. Thank you Batukhan-san."
As she accepted more of the offering (Assuming he offers) Fumiko looked at the others, "I don't presume to take the place of telling anyone here what they must do, but tomorrow is an important day for us all and I for one expect to rise quite early to prepare, so if I may be so bold I think I will have a last cup of sake and then retire"
Click to expand...
"It would certainly be prudent to retire early," Morita nods.


"Yeah, get your sleep, Fumiko-chan," Chudoku says. "Teppeki! Get over here, you'd best learn how to drink!"


The large Crab turns a simple smile to Fumiko.


"Bye, Fumifumi," he says in his sincere way before lumbering over to join the Chorus and their conductor. Sure enough, they're already starting up a rousing medley of "The Kaiu Drinking Song", which tends to revolve around horrible deaths for everyone's family members and drinking to unconsciousness in order to forget.


Fumiko can go straight back to her quarters, or try and look for someone else...

HairyDM said:
Okakura snaps his fan shut with the conclusion of his tale, and takes his seat again. He turns to Liyan. "Neither Doji-san nor Touma had met each other previously, as far as I am aware. Doji-san's school mon was on her sword arm, though, so that explains her involvement in this. Touma had always wanted to be trained at the Matsu dojo, though there were not enough spaces, and at the selection ceremony he lost out on his place. He is also aggressive and abrasive, I have no doubts as to who started the trouble this evening. There is another story in the Mirumoto's involvement. You may be able to convince me to tell it later, but for now my throat calls for more sake. Lichao, I don't suppose there is any more of the 997 Yomeishu left? It was divine. Yogo-san, I believe you had a question for me?"
Click to expand...
Laichao's (or an expertly-balanced Doji, rather) is only too glad to fill Okakura's cup. Saemi's eyes seem distant and languid, a bemused half-smile on her rosy red lips as her gaze roams up and down his body.


"You must be tremendously brave to compete in a tournament for the able-bodied with a... condition like yours," she says, fluttering her delicate eyelashes at Okakura's lame foot. "You are of the Akodo family, no? Another man might have considered seppuku in order to spare his family the burden of supporting a cripple, yet here you are."


It's hard to tell whether she's being sarcastic, rhetorical, or admiring him in a roundabout way.


"I wonder... your schooling was finished at the Ikoma, no? How has that worked out for you?"





Courtier/Awareness to try and read her, if you feel like it.
 
"I believe they are all worthy samurai of their houses- in their.. own ways, no? They are interesting enough, if not to my taste for the most part.."


[dice]4946[/dice]


[dice]4947[/dice]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[QUOTE="Silent Wayfarer]"Ehehehe," Laichao smiles sheepishly. "Well, I treat Shicchan nicely. Don't I, Shicchan?"
The monkey sticks her tongue out at Laichao and makes the most endearing expression at Liyan, as if to say, "Please remove me from the person of this ignorant goat."


"You little traitor I mean Isn't she cute? I found her and her siblings aboard a pirate ship. Their mother died giving birth to them in a storm, but by the grace of the Fortunes she found a barrel to deliver them in. My uncle brought me aboard after they'd subdued the pirate crew and I found them. Brought them home with me, and they were a hit with the Spinner's Circle. That's the women who've lost husbands to the sea and never remarried. They do all the embroidery and cloth, and having them around helped raise their spirits a lot."


He pauses to pour out a glass of Yomeishu for Okakura, and then leans back with a sigh.


"So... I know you're from a Great Clan, and I'm from a Minor Clan, but... I heard how that Doji girl addressed you, said you were an outsider. I dunno if she meant anything by it, but do you think they'll ever treat us- I mean, yourselves as equals?"

[/QUOTE]
"The arrogant will never treat anyone as their equals," Liyan says, putting down her empty sake cup, "whether they hide their arrogance behind contempt for old rivals, minor clans or gaijin," she almost makes a face as she says the word, it is quite clear she does not consider herself gaijin, "it makes little difference." She raises her hand to correct a strand of hair that has gotten loose, "whether Suzuha-san is arrogant or merely ignorant is something time will tell. Ignorance can be corrected far more easily than arrogance, and it is my hope that I will see the Unicorn treated on an equal footing with the other Great Clans within my lifetime." She pauses for a moment, considering her words, "any samurai can by his deeds prove himself to be equal, or even superior to any other samurai, but he can never change make his ancestors equal to another's if they are not already. And where ancestors are concerned, only the Kami come close to the first Hantei, and none other comes close to them." She picks up the cup again and holds it out to Laichao, "here and now, however, we are all equal, for we the Emperor is here, and before him we are all as stars before the sun."
 
Standing Fumiko bowed to the others around her, "Teppeki don't let Chudoku-san lead you into drinking all the sake in the town, save at least some for the rest of the Championship."


Turning to the others," If you will all excuse me my Sensei would be most displeased if I did not do my forms before I head to sleep, I trust you will all have a pleasant evening. I will see you all for our first trial I suspect, if not sooner."


With a last bow Fumiko heads out to grab her boken and then find a secluded place, or portion of the dojo where she can train.

I had posted the other part for Fumiko about leaving because I knew I was going to be gone all of Saturday attending my kids Regional First Robotics Championship and I had no idea how far things were going to advance in the RP. But now I'm back and Fumiko being the antisocial Crab scout she is was probably starting to itch after being around such a large (to her) crowd of people for so long. So she is going to go somewhere with less people FYI, if she finds somewhere with less people or someone follows her that is OK--not running off to ignore the very fun RP going on, just playing her anti-social disadvantage as her only taking crowds in short bursts

;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[QUOTE="Silent Wayfarer]

"Huh? Oh. Sorry," he mutters. "Just don't understand what shugenja do. They talk to the air and it answers. Talk to the earth and it answers. I talk to my swords and people call me crazy. But they don't get it. Can't trust men, can't trust women. But you can trust steel."


Takezo looks surprised - usually people would ask about a daisho, and not a pair of glorified sticks. Still...


"Carved them myself," he mutters. "Mirumoto gave up his swords, but he was waylaid by armed attackers. He had his rower give him one oar, which he carved into an eku, and when he reached the shore he defeated them all with a wooden oar. Can't take swords everywhere, but doesn't mean you can't be armed. I don't intend to be unarmed."


He reaches for the boken set behind him, then pauses and returns his hands under his thighs, then puts them on top of his thighs instead, trying not to fidget.


"Mine are just... just branches. Whittled them down with a tanto. They'd probably break with a good enough whack, but they'll have given a good enough whack first."

[/QUOTE]
This man was a dolt, with no mental powers outside of hitting things with sword or stick. She dismissed the comment about Shugenja. He didn't understand that the Shugenja ancestors formed the basis of the culture of Rokugan, their code of Bushido, and the values that they lived by day-to-day. And he simply found them to be strange people who talked to rocks. In her heart she wanted to tell this man something of their role, but she doubted he would understand a word she said unless it involved slicing something open with a sword.


Perhaps she could make some headway in another aspect. He had crafted his own boken. But he seemed to dismiss his role in creating them. He understood history only so far as it gave him an advantage in combat. Did he even have any pride in his own workmanship, was there any element of artistry?


"May I see what you have put such effort into creating for your use. Every samurai should possess the ability to create art, is the creation of the boken how you express your art?" She hoped for his sake that he was attempting to do something with these boken rather than just carving wood branches into sticks he could strike people with. She wanted them to be more than just blunt instruments of war, but she couldn't get her hopes up. He just had no capacity for anything other than combat.
 
I'm just going to call people out directly as opposed to quoting them and see if it's more or less confusing.


Isawa Ameiko


Takeru natters on and on with flowery compliments, obviously trying to draw her out and get her at ease with him. However, he's too eager; Ameiko can tell he has a smattering of insight into her... condition and he's trying to feel her out.


He does like her, though. Just that he wants to learn about her body as well as get his hands on it.


"Is something wrong?" he asks. "You've been quiet lately..."


Shinjo Liyan


"That... that's really deep," Laichao says. The ever-enigmatic Togashi perches on Laichao's back and nods while stroking his wispy chin hair, like it was a beard. One would imagine he almost understands Liyan's spiel.


"Heh, well... what you said made me think a little. The Mantis is still a Minor Clan, so I guess I'm lucky to have been selected to represent us. I figured that maybe being friendly would have earned me some goodwill, but maybe I should be conducting myself with more dignity. But... well, the Crab seem to like it. And your Unicorn pal seems to like it. So I'm not too sure."


He shakes his head, and smiles helplessly. "Ah well! No sense worrying about what's already done. So... I've heard the shiotome have their mighty Battle Steeds. Are they like normal horses?"


Akodo Okakura


Okakura's pretty sure that Saemi's interest in him is genuine, and that she doesn't seem to have an agenda beyond trying to chat him up. She's probably interested in how a man like Okakura could put himself together again after being shattered like he was. She might even know the circumstances of his injuries; the Clan of Secrets knew many things.


"Akodo-san?" she asks.


Shiba Kimita


For a moment, Takezo looks like he hasn't heard her. Then he gradually unfreezes, and nods.


"Here," he says, handing the boken over without any particular ceremony.


Kimita can tell that he's pretty good with his hands (and a tanto); though granted, he hasn't really had time to properly sand it down and lacquer it like the one boken she saw while passing by the family dojo. The wood is new and fairly green, though the part of the grips seems to have been worn down more than the rest. He seems to have been using it for practice against the air.


Hiruma Fumiko


The village of Tsuma has no shortage of places for trysts and covert encounters, most of which are currently unoccupied. One particular location, however, might be of interest to the Crab scout.


Doji Suzuha seems to have gotten the same idea as Fumiko about training, and is busy going through her kenjutsu forms against the air. The expression on her face suggests that she's probably imagining Touma as her imaginary opponent.


She doesn't seem to have noticed Fumiko...
 
Liyan gives the faintest of smiles, "they are like Rokugani ponies in the same manner the Emperor is like the lowest of hinin. They have the same number of limbs, and on an overcast day from a great distance, a one-eyed man might not be able to tell the difference. Regarding how to act, I am hardly the expert on courtly manners, but so long as you keep Bushido in mind, you cannot go far wrong. But," she says, looking at the darkening night and the dwindling population of the tavern, "Fumiko-san was right about tomorrow being an important day, and I need to see to it that Matsukaze has been treated properly by the stable hands." She rises and thinks for a moment before continuing, "if you would care to see one of the Otaku Warhorses up close, you are welcome to join me."
 
Okakura smiles, "seppuku is a bit... extreme for a thirteen year old, no? My father had other plans for me, which I suspect my mother had a hand in. She was a courtier once, you know. Ide born. She was married to my father as a concession after a battle over the Seikitsu Pass. Besides, what hinderace is a bad leg in the courts?"


"My brother will continue my line's legacy. He is currently training a my old school," he continues, his eyes darkening. "My father is most proud." He pauses for a moment, before composing himself, reassuming his poker face. "The Ikoma taught me well. Apperantly the Ide came through quite srongly in me, Sensai was most proud. To be honest, I was reluctant to compete at first, but he insisted. He even had my father visit and convince me. I'm not certain that I'm here to win great honour for the Lion and the Akodo, my cousin is quite hot headed, after all. I fear that I will have to write a couple of letters tomorrow. If I can find the time between all the contests, that is," he finishes, smiling wryly at Saemi.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 4 (members: 0, guests: 4)
Back
Top