Shinjo Xiaoxing's page

Spent
Iaijutsu 3

Current: 12

Xiaoxing was everything a Unicorn parent could want in their child, attentive to her duty, keen to learn about her clan's history and place in the empire, and with an almost insatiable hunger for learning and new experiences. She was eagerly accepted to the Utaku Battle Maiden school and things went well with her training. Xiaoxing was honored to be shi†ome, yet executing her duty to the clan in this way did not fill her with the joy she expected, and she felt she was missing a part of herself despite wanting nothing more than to serve her clan.

On the eve after her gempukku, she took her steed out for a final ride before leaving Unicorn lands for her first posting. As she was returning back home, her horse was surprised by something and despite its breeding and training, threw her when its footing was lost and it fell. Landing awkwardly, Xiaoxing was injured and spent the better part of six months recovering.

Whilst she was recuperating she was placed under the tutelage of Shinjo Sarnai, a duellist of the Calm Heart dojo in Dark Edge village. During her time at the dojo she found both a lifelong calling and finally a kindred spirit. Sarnai taught her patience and precision as well as proficiency with the art of the duel, and in addition provided a companionship that Xiaoxing hadn't even realised she was missing. When the nature of their friendship was inadvertently revealed, Xiaoxing was immediately posted to winter court at Kyuden Kakita, to quote her father's scathing comment "That you might learn how a Samurai-ko properly conducts herself!".

Whilst saddened to be apart from the woman who had opened her eyes to her true nature, Xiaoxing realised that the some of the tenets of bushido were at odds with her own character, forming an impossible quandary for her to navigate. Treating the issue as a focus for her development, she also used the opportunity of her posting to Crane lands to hone her courtly skills and develop her On to a level where none could accuse her of improper behaviour.

Satisfied ther daughter was doing her duty to the clan, her family have since been sending her to various different cities, ostensibly on errands for the clan but also in an attempt to find her a husband. Thus far she has been able to politely deflect or put off potential suitors, however it is only a matter of time before her family become suspicious at the delay.

With most other easily accessible options exhausted, Xiaoxing has been sent to the Bon Festival and it has been subtly made clear that she is supposed to stay in the city until she finds someone suitable to marry. In the meantime she is to use her skills to advance and protect the clans interests in Ryoko Owari.

Personality
Xiaoxing is a compassionate woman who understands the world is not an easy place for any samurai student of bushido to live in. She strives to be both honorable and true to herself, a delicate balancing act considering her preference for the company of other women. She is desperate to find a solution to the problem of her marriage. She refuses to swear an oath of celibacy, as she sees that as an even greater sin against honesty. In the meantime she finds solace in the repetitive practice of draw and cut.

She is very controlled around other samurai, irreproachably polite and proper. Those whom she counts as friends may see yet another side to her when visiting a geisha house in her company, as she lets her guard down, giving her humor and emotions a chance to breathe. In particular she enjoys walking in the gardens, as it reminds her of the freedom she seeks so keenly.

Description
Xiaoxing is a pleasant looking samurai-ko with a slightly foreign and exotic twist to her features. Though her manners and etiquette are impeccable, her green eyes are always bright and betray the curiosity and energy that bubble away under the surface. She wears her dark hair in a single long, tight braid that stretches to her waist. Her purple kimono is well made with just a simple design of white and black triangles embroidered around the sleeves.

She has a single frayed duelling ribbon, in white and purple, tied to her obi. When she is nervous or her mind wanders, she subconsciously reaches down to touch it.

Connections

Soshi Kongming
Xiaoxing was introduced to Kongming the first day she arrived in Ryoko Owari, assigned to work with him investigating why a crate was missing from one of the Unicorn trade shipments. It did not take long for Xiaoxing and Kongming to discover the culprits, lazy peasant workers who had forgotten to load the final crate! The investigation complete in a very short time due to their teamwork, both being relative newcomers to the city they decided to meet each week to have tea and discuss current affairs.

Mirumoto Katsuyoshi
Xiaoxing met Katsuyoshi at a roadside inn one dark evening, as the tiny and crowded room forced them to share a table. Whilst initially quiet during the beginning of their conversation, Katsuyoshi proved to be a knowledgeable and interesting dinner companion who challenged some of Xiaoxing's long held interpretations of the tenets of bushido. Her encounter with Katsuyoshi was instrumental in her developing a more flexible understanding of the code, and she remembers that chance meeting fondly.