Heihachi takes a nice long sip from his tea and continues to observe his surroundings
Yukari frowns at Megumi's comment about Miya Shikan's peace. It benefitted some clans.. but for others, it held them back..
"War between clans is sometimes necessary. Unpleasant perhaps, but necessary. There are some issues that, once gone far enough, can only be resolved on the battlefield," the battle maiden replies. The conversation moves on swiftly afterwards however, and the Unicorn falls quiet for a time.
At the Tonbo enters the room in a rather colourful display, Yukari turns to glance at the Dragon. Was this yet another chance meeting, or was he following Ryoko..?
"Tonbo-san," Megumi begins quietly. "I think it might be nice to learn a little more of Dragon teas. Would you care to introduce me to a few?"
As the Crane says this it seems she is preparing to rise and lead the Dragon off to another table.
Heihachi takes a nice long sip from his tea and continues to observe his surroundings
"Tonbo-san," Megumi begins quietly. "I think it might be nice to learn a little more of Dragon teas. Would you care to introduce me to a few?"
As the Crane says this it seems she is preparing to rise and lead the Dragon off to another table.
"Yes, yes, of course, Kakita-san, just one moment, please..." Ukiya mumbles, still staring at Ryoko.
"You should join her, Tonbo-san," Ryoko says icily. "You would find Phoenix teas bitter indeed."
Ukiya blinks in confusion at this, seemingly unable to process it. After a moment, he shakes his head, and then pulls a scroll - slightly damp with rainwater - from his sleeve and holds it out to Ryoko. "Lady Asako-sama, I have... that is... ah, I wish to present to you once more my petition for your hand in marriage. I... my daimyo would be most pleased by such a harmonious match... it would help improve relations between the Clans..."
"Tonbo," Ryoko interrupts, cutting him off, "my family has already refused your petition. Please leave me now."
"Surely not," Ukiya replies, "I... that is, there must be some arrangement that could be reached... Please, if you would just take the petition..."
OK I will burn a Void point, since it's evening anyway...
4d10.open(10).takeHighest(3)=25
The Dragon's poor attempt is met with a disdainful look and crinkle of the nose from the Crane samurai-ko. She tries sipping some tea but finds it very distasteful given the current situation. Frustration begins showing on Megumi's face and she looks over to the cause of the tense climate, Tonbo Ukiya.
"You should have taken the offer of Hida-san or myself," The tone of the Crane is smooth but there is a noted hint of condescension mixed in. "Your offer was rejected, please leave Asako-san in peace."
Ume nodded, knowing all too well how bad an unwelcome courtship could be - only that the Asoko had been blessed with an understanding family who put away the prospect at her protest, rather than the uneasy dangling in the air she was experiencing for a long time.
"I think in the interest of keeping this evening pleasant, you should not push the matter tonight. Have your request delivered to her family. They will not become more disposed towards granting it by you pushing Asoko-san under pressure."
"No, I have... I mean, it's important that I... please, Asako-sama, just take it..." Ukiya tries to push the letter into Ryoko's hands, causing her to recoil in disgust.
"No, I have... I mean, it's important that I... please, Asako-sama, just take it..." Ukiya tries to push the letter into Ryoko's hands, causing her to recoil in disgust.
The dark scowl that crosses Nagatsuna's face mirrors the storm clouds from outside as he reaches out and takes the letter from Ukiya's grasp. With a slow, deep, and deliberate voice he says, "If you wish it's return you will heed the many warnings you were just given. My patience for you has run out."
"Please," Megumi begins in a matter-of-fact tone. "Your offer has been refused. Do not embarrass yourself or insult Asako-san any longer."
The Crane's eyes watch the Tonbo curiously hoping to see him turn to leave.
Examine the merchant...does he hold himself like a samurai?
The dark scowl that crosses Nagatsuna's face mirrors the storm clouds from outside as he reaches out and takes the letter from Ukiya's grasp. With a slow, deep, and deliberate voice he says, "If you wish it's return you will heed the many warnings you were just given. My patience for you has run out."
"Please," Megumi begins in a matter-of-fact tone. "Your offer has been refused. Do not embarrass yourself or insult Asako-san any longer."
The Crane's eyes watch the Tonbo curiously hoping to see him turn to leave.
Ukiya flushes a dark red as he the shame of the Hida's and Kakita's words sink home. His fists clench, and for a moment he merely stands there, trembling, while Ryoko watches him with only the thinnest veil of courtesy. (Fuguki murmurs, "Pop, pop, pop," to himself, but no one is really paying attention.) Abruptly, though, the Tonbo turns and storms from the inn, the rain briefly visible through the doorway before the darkness and downpour swallow Ukiya and the door slams shut behind him.
Examine the merchant...does he hold himself like a samurai?
Ukiya flushes a dark red as he the shame of the Hida's and Kakita's words sink home. His fists clench, and for a moment he merely stands there, trembling, while Ryoko watches him with only the thinnest veil of courtesy. (Fuguki murmurs, "Pop, pop, pop," to himself, but no one is really paying attention.) Abruptly, though, the Tonbo turns and storms from the inn, the rain briefly visible through the doorway before the darkness and downpour swallow Ukiya and the door slams shut behind him.
"I feel I must certainly apologize for my fellow clansmen's behavior. It was unseemly to even witness the disgrace of the Tonbo and the shamefulness that I feel he has laid upon my clan. I will do my utmost best to make up for it while we journey together."
It takes Megumi some time to speak again once the Tonbo has left. She sips some tea eagerly wishing to wash away the bitterness of the confrontation symbolically with it.
"You need not worry about his behaviour Mirumoto-san. I don't think it is an ill reflection upon you or your clan. I am just sorry we couldn't get rid of him earlier for you Asako-san."
Yukari had remained quiet during the Tonbo's ill-conceived attempt to convince Ryuko, sipping her tea in silence. She wasn't particularly well-versed in these situations, and her companions seemed to have it well in hand in any case. As Ukiya stormed out, Yukari wondered briefly to herself just where the Dragon was going to go in this storm. It did not seem like a good night to be travelling, but it looked like emotion might have clouded the Tonbo's judgement.
"Probably not a wise move to brave that storm..." the Unicorn comments quietly.
The Hida's eyes follow the retreating form of the Tonbo and says, "I do not like him. He is a coward." before returning his attention to the people at the table.
Ume smiled. "Well, he may be sincere and committed, but he is making a fool of himself. It is sad, but once more testament to love being a danger to duty." Her smile broke into an outright grin just moments after. "But listen to me, it could as well be a competition who among us becomes a greyfaced matron first, without any joy. He may be a fool, but if we spend all evening berating him, even though he's gone - that is one wasted evening we're looking at."
Megumi smiles toward the Matsu then offers more tea to everyone at the table.
"I am not certain I agree Matsu-san. Love isn't such a danger to duty, many of our ancestors found love and no doubt they would argue it granted them strength to do their duty. What do you think Kakita-san?" The samurai-ko's eyes travel back to the other Crane at the table.
** spoiler omitted **
In the wake of Ukiya's departure, Ryoko warms up considerably to all of you, apparently feeling that you do actually sympathize with her plight; she seems especially appreciative of Megumi's and Nagatsuna's efforts on her behalf. "He has been besotted with me ever since he attended Winter Court in our lands," she tells you. "It is a terrible match; his family is quite low-ranking, even for the Tonbo, but he refuses to accept it. Even if he were of sufficient rank, I would never consent to an alliance with a fool such as he, who cannot even maintain his face."
The rest of the night passes fairly uneventfully, though you do learn (with, no doubt, varying levels of enthusiasm) that Kakita Umasu is traveling north from here as well, as he smoothly invites himself to travel in your company on the road. The festival in Dragon lands to which he is headed is apparently the same direction, for at least some of the distance. Fuguki seems to find the entire entourage vaguely amusing, as he keeps counting the size of the group - miscounting each time - and giggling to himself.
By the next morning, the storm has passed and the spring sun has reappeared to warm the day and - to some extent, at least - dry the roads as you travel northward, along the Path of Changing Hands. There are a number of merchants and other travelers on the road as well, both in "caravans" and single rattletrap carts. All are moving much more slowly than your fairly unencumbered group, and several appear ahead of you and then slowly fall behind over the course of the morning. Every once in awhile, Lion couriers on fast horses gallop past as well.
Finally, shortly after noon, the group reaches the first major landmark on their way to the trading city of Toi Koku. Ahead, the green landscape is split by the broad, dark course of the Drowned Merchant River. The road ascends a long earthen levee to a huge, imposing wooden bridge, forty feet wide, which crosses the river on a series of thick wooden posts. Near the center of the river, the bridge turns into an arch, vaulting across an eighty foot span where the water is deepest. As you watch, a kobune (sailing ship) passes beneath the arch, oars beating steadily as it makes its way upstream.
A pair of Lion ashigaru (peasant warriors) and a tax assessor, also a peasant, stand at the foot of the bridge, taking counts of the contents of the merchants who pass through and assessing a fee for crossing the bridge. They offer no impediment to samurai, however, simply bowing deeply as you approach.
As we approach the bridge, Haihachi (and his little dog too!) will break off, go to the waters edge and give prayer to the River Kami, then he will hurry to catch up...
Shaking his head inwardly at the ever increasing size of their not-so-little band, Nagatsuna carries on with a steady pace and diligent watch for trouble. At the point where his gaze comes to rest upon the swirling and eddying water of the great river his countenance softens for a moment at the sight. With a slight shake he pulls himself from his reverie and continues down the path and across the river.
Megumi is appreciative that Ryoko is more open with the group. The Crane will spend the remainder of the evening chatting with her or Kakita Umasu before retiring early.
During the next day's travel the young samurai-ko chooses to spend most of her time with Umasu. She discusses things of minor interest for the most part.
When the group approach the river Megumi doesn't take much note of the surroundings. Seeing Nagatsuna seemingly staring off into the distance worries the young Crane and she hurries to walk next to him.
"Was something the matter Hida-san? You seemed lost for just a short moment back there."
When the group approach the river Megumi doesn't take much note of the surroundings. Seeing Nagatsuna seemingly staring off into the distance worries the young Crane and she hurries to walk next to him.
"Was something the matter Hida-san? You seemed lost for just a short moment back there."
Looking back toward the flowing water as they walk, "Hai, Megumi-san. Sometimes......places speak to me of my homelands, such as this. Have you ever visited the River of Gold or Earthquake Fish Bay? I used to patrol some of the Yasuki villages and markets along it's shores. I crossed the Tidal Landbridge to your lands so I could attend the Topaz tournament last year. It is truly a stunning sight. Have you ever seen it?"
As the ever-increasing group set off the next day, Yukari wonders a little at just how many people seem to be travelling along the path of Changing Hands. Having a large group was not a bad thing in itself - there was always safety in numbers, afterall - but she hadn't expected quite so many new faces to be joining them. The Kami clearly had plans of some nature.
As they make their way along the road, the Unicorn watches their surroundings with some interest, particularly when the couriers gallop past. Their horses weren't as fine as those the Unicorn bred, of course (and they certainly didn't have the breeding of Arashi), but they were beautiful creatures nonetheless.
Upon reaching the bridge, Yukari begins to make her way across, Arashi's hooves clattering noisily on the wooden planks. As she realises that some of the group have paused at the river bank, she stops to wait for them to catch up. As she waits, the battle maiden's gaze moves to the river, and she watches the ship make its steady way upriver. Not the way she would choose to travel, but she had to admit there was a certain air of calmness and relaxation about it.
"I can't say that I have Hida-san. Most of my life has been spent in Crane lands in class or court. Saburashi-sensei, as can be imagined, is a demanding teacher after all. My travels have been light for the most part with few exceptions, this being one of two."
After she finishes the Crane glances around to take in the river once again.
"How does it speak to you of home? I only see a river and it reminds me of nothing from my own home. Admittedly there is a beauty to it but there is also something lacking. I feel something of the outsider, I think it is that which mars the beauty for me."
"I can't say that I have Hida-san. Most of my life has been spent in Crane lands in class or court. Saburashi-sensei, as can be imagined, is a demanding teacher after all. My travels have been light for the most part with few exceptions, this being one of two."
After she finishes the Crane glances around to take in the river once again.
"How does it speak to you of home? I only see a river and it reminds me of nothing from my own home. Admittedly there is a beauty to it but there is also something lacking. I feel something of the outsider, I think it is that which mars the beauty for me."
Nagatsuna stops suddenly and looks upon Megumi as if truly seeing her for the first time, "Surely, you saw the beauty of the Cranes lands and not just the inside of the court while you grew up there? My travels through your lands made me contemplate the deeper meanings on what and why we protect the empire. It strengthened my resolve. If you find little beauty or inspiration here than surely you would find the Crab lands an ugly scar. For they are craggy, mountainous, and harsh. They prepare us to face any foe, no matter the odds. We fight and die for much more than our homelands. It is that I sometimes miss while parading around these lands with their relative ease of life. I am afraid that I am built of coarser stuff and need the heavy hammer of the mountains to retain my shape." Looking out over the river, "These waters come from many distant regions and bring their stories with them if you know how to hear them." He shakes his head and rumbles a laugh at himself, "and I for one am still trying to figure out what they are saying to me as they sometimes remind me of Fuguki-san."
A full smile stretches across the young Crane's face and her voice comes out playfully.
"Perhaps you should ask our Dragon companion, I am sure Hitomi-san would be happy to discuss the river with you." Suddenly her tone changes to something more serious. "But as for travel, I have seen much of the northern Crane lands. One of my journeys, the other major one I hinted at, brought me all the way to Phoenix lands. On those roads I witnessed much of my homeland's beauty. More recently I spent some time among the Daidoji patrolling the roads but that is the large extent of my travels. As I said, Saburashi-sensei is very demanding and rightfully so. And you may not know it but life as a courtier is difficult as well."
Megumi turns to look upon the river again taking a long time to drink in the whole scene. When she returns to the trail on the road her face is still one of confusion.
"I still can not see home, the river here seems like something different from the ones at home."
After several contemplative moments along the edge of the river, the group moves forward across the bridge. Just as they reach the central arch over the deepest part of the river, however, a thick, dense fog appears, seemingly from nowhere, shrouding the bridge in thick gray cloud and cutting clear visibility to about 5 feet, and making anything beyond 20 feet away entirely invisible.
After several contemplative moments along the edge of the river, the group moves forward across the bridge. Just as they reach the central arch over the deepest part of the river, however, a thick, dense fog appears, seemingly from nowhere, shrouding the bridge in thick gray cloud and cutting clear visibility to about 5 feet, and making anything beyond 20 feet away entirely invisible.
** spoiler omitted **
Spending a point of void (1k1) to Identify the strangeness...
5d10.takeHighest(4).open(10)=43
"Stand ready!" Kuni shouts, "Magic is at work, expect an ambush!"
Heihachi will cast armor of earh spell.
Spellcasting 5d10.takeHighest(3).open(10)=22
Draw my Wakizashi and enter full defense.
Heihachi will cast armor of earh spell.
Spellcasting 5d10.takeHighest(3).open(10)=22Draw my Wakizashi and enter full defense.
Heihachi will cast armor of earh spell.
Spellcasting 5d10.takeHighest(3).open(10)=22Draw my Wakizashi and enter full defense.
I have defense 3, so entering full defense isn't a round of action...
so that was 2 rounds of actions...I was at the waters edge at the time, so I put myself there...remember I had gone down there to give prayer to the river Kami...
I have defense 3, so entering full defense isn't a round of action...
so that was 2 rounds of actions...
Ume's Katana slid into her hand as easily as a whisper, as she too prepared to defend herself against the veiled attacker. The sudden outbreak of mist was worrying, and it forced them to start out in the defense, something that rankled the agressive young Lion.
As the mist rolls over the bridge thick and heavy, Arashi takes a few steps back, shaking his head uncertainly and snorting. Yukari looks around warily as Heihachi shouts his warning about the magical attack. The young samurai draws her katana, peering into the mist as best she can. Unfortunately, the fog is so thick that she can see no sign of her companions. Quietly, she whispers a few words of encouragement to Arashi, trying to reassure him as they turn around in a tight circle. The Unicorn tries to prepare herself for anything that might come their way. She had never had magic used against her in such a way before, and wasn't quite sure what to expect now.
I have defense 3, so entering full defense isn't a round of action...
so that was 2 rounds of actions...
Megumi takes a more defensive posture and glances around to try to make some sense of the scene. Her frustration grows as she sees little more than the large Hida close by.
The Crane's voice calls out to the now-hidden members of her group. "Has anyone been injured? Did you see the source of this fog?"
Megumi and Shisumo:
Nagatsuna smiles in return, "I am sure Hitomi-san would but I am not sure I would understand any bet....." At the mist and Heihachi's words his smile disappears into a stony emotionless visage, "Kakita-san, follow me!" His katana is out in a flash as he moves quickly in the direction he last saw Ryoko (which I am assuming is almost right next to him as he is next to Megumi).