Star Wars Bound By Honor

OOC: And I believe this just about does it for the first page. Time for the first casting of votes via PM, everyone! You can vote for the person whose post you liked best or off their Character Sheet. Up to you!

Byunaatse Kaifen IC:
~The Scorched Road, Kuniga Province~

In the morning, he had been at least somewhat excited for the task of escorting Lady Yirojo and her daughter to Hireolshi. Now? Somewhat less.

It had nothing to do with the people or the task itself, but one ever persistent thing. The weather naturally. The blasted heat just wouldn't let up, the sun just remaining where it was. Mocking him as it continually soaked his fur with his own sweat.

He loved his home, he really did. But the summers could go 'kumaso!' itself. Really, he meant it. What he wouldn't give for a more temperate, hell even a cold, climate. But no, Kuniga Province had always been a more dry land. Prone to heat waves all year round. They were mild in winter of course, but still possible.

"Are you feeling well, Kaifen?"

The green-eyed orokujin blinked and glanced over to see his father eyeing him once more. He offered a small shrug and reassuring smile.

"I'm fine, father. You know I don't deal well with the heat."

A small giggle greeted this, causing him to look at the palanquin. It was Ayagerel.

"Sounds like you should come home with us when we're done visiting. It's much cooler in Shinjei!"

"I am sure I would enjoy such a trip greatly," bowed the samurai in response, "though my duties remain here at home."

The girl shrugged and went back to looking at the sights, while her mother remained quiet and thinking her own thoughts. This didn't surprise him in the least, in fact that was the assumed reaction.

Silence had lapsed once more and they continued on like this for some time. Eventually, Kaifen had to start humming quietly just for some sound outside of their continual marching.

Well, if things kept up at this pace, he might be bored by the end but at least nothing disastrous would have occurred.

Dragon's breath. I didn't just jinx this did I?

For now, things remained calm. The cream-colored orokujin could only hope it remained so.

Tag: No One

 

Benkei Yamabushi
~Midori-no-Songen Forest, Chisinqi Province~

He would marry.

It was a decision that he did not make lightly, but his family could not end with him. He would let the Khan know of his decision and set about the task of finding a suitable wife.

He sighed audibly with relief, the burden of the letter was lifted.

That did not bring him any closer to a course of action for the present moment however, and his unease about the situation had deepened.

"I am too old for this Caersuke." Truth was that no longer yearned for adventures, he had enough of that already, his ideal life at this point in his life was quieter and more introspective. The life of a Samurai was the life of duty however. Benkei turned to the thirty-something whose name he had forgotten, "Continue forward, slowly and double the scouts." He watched the man hurry off to make the orders known for a moment before turning to the Miraluka. "I have a bad feeling about this. Keep your awareness focused on our flanks and rear."

Benkei's left hand rested easily on the tsuka of his sword, his right hand gripped the walking stick which always accompanied him. If they found nothing after this first sweep of the forest he would send word to the Shogun and assess him of his concerns.

Tag: Darth_Elu

It's short, I had no idea what to do, at least we know he is willing to marry now.

 

Elu Approved!






Name: Xaitchi, Kloppa

Species: Zabrak

Gender: Male

Age: 19

Hair Color: None

Eye Color: Green

Height & Build: 5’11”, Athletic build

Personality: Introvert, humble but with a deep sense of ‘self’, very ambitious with a flare for adventure and exploration.

3 Likes: Lightsabers, Plants, Wise Beings

3 Dislikes: Pessimists, The indoors, Death/destruction

Force Sensitivity: Yes

Family & Province: The Torawei Family/Aruka Province

Occupation/Class: Samurai/Botanist/Stargazer

Weapons: Katana & Single bladed green lightsaber

School Dojo: Ashigtai Wru Lí-ryu

Personal Star: A star he fondly refers to as ‘The beam’ as it sticks out in his sight and mind more that any other star. It is in fact Kashyyyk.

Bio: Kloppa was born into the Xaitchi family in the Aruka Province province of Likarahim . As a child the Zabrak became fascinated by the look, feel, and even biology of plants, all kinds. He would spend his hours outside of school (and sometimes within school hours) sitting among the trees and flowers, subconsciously using the Force to touch ones out of reach and bend them as gently as the natural wind would.

At age fourteen he was given a Katana and began training as a Samurai to the delight of his family, he found this to be a waste of time however, he didn’t feel he was cut out to be a guard or a warrior. He continued to practice daily and reluctantly refine his skills with the blade.

He was later approached by a human monk who was a friend of the family and had been asked to watch over him as a favor when his family were unable to. This monk befriended the Kloppa and as the young Zabrak started to feel somewhat enthusiastic of learning the art of effectively wielding a Katana, the old monk gifted a lightsaber to him, green - his favorite color. Though he continued to gain more and more enjoyment from his training with the Katana, he fell in love with his lightsaber and the old monk was more than happy to pass on his knowledge and techniques.

Kloppa continued to balance his Samurai duties with his blade training and sessions with his tutor, all the while continuing to gaze at 'The Beam' - the brightest star in the night sky to him. Dreaming of one day, somehow, reaching it. But his allegiance to the Likarahim and all its people was unwavering and doing his duty to his half of the divided world took first place in his priorities.

 

“It Blends With The World”

IC: Kyōkan/Doraku Kambei

~Near Myōdo-ji Temple, Umi-cé Province~
1 p.m.

The sea was one of the great metaphors for the Force, that greatest of the dragons’ gifts. Many sutras expounded on this. It was boundless, connecting and encircling the world, yet by simply scooping up a handful one could hold a piece of that selfsame ocean no different from the rest. The tide went in and out, sometimes a tsunami swallowed a bit of lowland or the sea receded in some places, but the sea itself was constant. It yielded a bounty of life, but it could destroy the unwary. People could harness it, after a fashion, to float a ship, to fish, even to power machines with its kinetic energy, but no one could control it. Attempts to do so were doomed to failure; only utilizing it exactly as it was yielded success. And if you explored its vastness with too much zeal, it could consume you.

The rhythm of the waves, like one’s breathing, made an excellent meditative focus. This was why Monk Kyōkan had of late made a habit of beginning his afternoon mediations at this clearing overlooking the sea. He began by focusing on the constancy of the sound, his hands and tails in mida-no-jo in, his thumbs brushing the hem of his tan rakusu. As his mind became quieted he began to stretch out with the Force, first sensing the birds and small animals in the immediate vicinity, then the monks at the nearby temple, several of whom were communing with the Force themselves. Kyōkan visualized it as a pulse radiating out from his mind, in time with the sound of the surf, revealing the sapient beings around him like points of light. Initiate monks first learned this technique by scanning their own body, beginning with the most obvious sensations, but as they advanced they became able to perceive the subtlest sensations of their breathing, and eventually even the blood in their veins. Kyōkan had learned this way, though due to his days as a samurai he had a better background for it than the average initiate. There were many martial arts techniques that emphasized breath control and regulating one’s body, but the meditative techniques of a monk’s life were different and more advanced.

He continued with the sensing pulses, moving his focus farther out. He shifted his hands and tails to the next in in the sequence he practiced, redoubling his focus. Through the Force, he could now perceive the fish in the surf, now a woman on the beach, now a man on a speeder driving down the road far behind the clearing, now people on the boats on the horizon. He tried not to let his thoughts dwell on the impressions of Force-presence he received, but rather let his awareness wash over them as the surf below washed over rocks and shells and half-buried crabs. Directed effort was antithetical to this practice. “To find by not finding.” As his friend and mentor Abbot Kwairyō had taught him, thoughts were merely passing things, clouds upon the blue sky of the mind, swells on a calm sea. Kyōkan endeavored to simply notice the manifestations of the living Force around him, without granting undue attention to the impressions he received of the various beings’ emotional states or motivations. He knew from experience that these clouds of thought could quickly turn dark and ominous if pursued too obsessively.

Presently a deigi bird alighted within arm’s reach of Kyōkan. He almost smiled with pride at how his meditative practice was progressing, since he must have been very still for a songbird to be comfortable landing so near, but he let the thought pass. He was tempted to open his eyes and enjoy the bird’s vibrant plumage, but he felt he could almost detect the colors through the Force, and they seemed even more brilliant somehow, more true to their hue, the red more red and the black more black. He detected a gentile inquisitive sense radiating from the bird, but no apprehension. He had studied for nine years to begin to approach such a mindset himself. He reminded himself of the Force’s presence in all beings, and resolved to recall this bird as a meditative focus at a later time. He let the thought recede and recentered his attention on the rhythm of the surf again, moving his hands and tails into yet another in. The bird flew off.

Slowly, Kyōkan began to draw his awareness back towards his body, just as he had sent it out earlier. He let the farther beings fade from his awareness, then the nearer ones, and finally reacquainted himself with the physical sensations in his body, noticing the breeze on his fur and the feeling of contact between his body and the ground. His eyes fluttered open.

He glanced around and noticed the lunch he had packed in the small bento. He opened it and tucked in to the sandwich and tea inside. Monks were not to relish carnal fulfilments, including eating and drinking, but of course all living beings had to eat. The correct approach was to give thanks to the dragons and accept the food for what it was: a gift to be enjoyed. Eating was meditation of another kind. Trying to eat while doing all sorts of other things diminished the experience, but Kyōkan could let his mind wander while he enjoyed his lunch. This was good to do after an intense meditation, like cooldown exercises after a workout.

He considered what to do with the rest of his day. He had some clerical work to finish at the temple, and he was supposed to be working on copying a sutra, but there was still time enough for those things today. He could take a little time. His thoughts turned to the deigi bird. It might be fun to challenge himself by seeing if he could locate it again through the Force, and “follow” it, so to speak, by reading its impressions of its surroundings, sensing what it sensed. He had sometimes practiced Force meditations like this, attempting to simplify the mind by seeing through the eyes of an animal, but they could be difficult. Would he rather paint? It was tempting, with the weather as pleasant as it was, but he doubted he would have time to complete a piece.

He thought also of the woman on the beach. He had managed to ignore it during his meditation, but he could have sworn there was something unusual about her Force-presence. His curiosity got the better of him, and stretched out with the Force again, actively searching for her impression. Yes, she hadn’t moved very far. Kyōkan found her presence again, and indeed there was something unusual. That is, there was nothing. Kyōkan could sense nothing of her mood or intention. This happened occasionally. Kyōkan had felt it in people who were either deeply confused or indecisive about something, numbed with despair, or who sincerely wished to project an air of mystery. Of course, Force-sensitive individuals could be trained to conceal their presence from other Force-sensitives. Kyōkan himself had had a bit of training in this. It was a possibility. He also noticed he couldn’t sense the identity of the woman. This was also unusual, since he knew most people in the local town through his religious duties and could recognize their individual presences. He had met them when they came to pray at the temple, or else had visited their home to perform funeral rites, officiate a wedding, or bless a newborn. Even if he didn’t recognize her, in all likelihood she was a local danka—a parishioner of the temple—or at least a relative of one. Kyōkan felt he should see to this woman. It seemed to him she was either in pain or had something to hide, and either case was just the type of thing one should see a monk about.

Laypersons often thought the purpose of meditation and monastic life was to take refuge, to hide from a corrupt world. This was a common misconception, one even Kyōkan had held a lifetime ago when he first came to Myōdo-ji. Gradually, AbbotKwairyō had set him straight on this as well. A monk’s duty was to help his fellow sapient beings on their path to enlightenment, and advance his own spiritual development through acts of kindness. Far from hiding from the world, the life of a monk demanded deep engagement with it. Meditation and the simplicity of a monastic lifestyle were only tools to this end. Monks dealt with people at both their highest and lowest points. Much of Kyōkan’s daily duties revolved around funeral rites, and sometimes rites on various anniversaries of a death. Besides that, he and his fellow monks performed rites at weddings, births, and festivals. These were happy times, but they could be seen as the opposite extreme of funerals. People were reveling and ecstatic at these times, no more level-headed than they would be at the death of a loved one. Meditation and the simple tasks of a monk’s life helped keep the mind clear and prevent what was often called “compassion fatigue,” a sort of overspending of one’s empathy.

Kyōkan got to his feet, stretched, and took another moment to enjoy the view, though he had meditated here many times before. He reflected on his earnest effort to practice meditation. It was important to give oneself credit for right actions. This helped prevent feelings of self-pity, which was just as bad as arrogance for a monk. He started off on the path that would lead down to the temple itself and eventually down to the beach. As he walked it dawned on Kyōkan that he had neglected to bring his shakujō on his stroll today. After living for so many years as a samurai, it had taken years still for him to feel comfortable without a weapon. The shakujō was little more than a walking stick, but of course over the years techniques for using it as a weapon had been developed. For a long time Kyōkan had used his shakujō as a crutch—figuratively, that is—because felt vulnerable without his swords. The fact that he didn’t mind leaving it behind meant he was shedding more of his old life. He considered retrieving it as he passed the temple, but decided he was fine without it and moved on towards the beach.

As he arrived past the rocks and dunes, he saw the woman in the distance. He resolved to walk towards her until he was sure she noticed him, but he would only look out at the ocean. He was just making himself available, and would let her deign to speak if she would. It was unbecoming of a monk to pry, although certain situations warranted it. If she truly looked distraught he decided he might initiate the conversation. Kyōkan walked down the beach, stopping a few feet from her and folding his hands at his abdomen, again enjoying the view of the ocean.

TAG: Darth_Elu

 

Name: Yagami Zching (Yug-ar-mi Z-sh-ing)
Species: Twi'lek
Gender: Male
Age: 16 years
Hair Color: N/A
Eye Color: Neon green
Height & Build: Athletic. 5' 8''
Personality: Zching is hard nosed and hard working. He has two modes: extremely serious combat mode, and super annoying smart a**. Sometimes both.
3 Likes: Space, adventure, action
3 Dislikes: The word "Crusty", the Blue Dragon School ideals, the Green Dragon School ideals, being restricted by numbers
Force Sensitivity: Yes
Family & Province: None for now
Occupation/Class: Proffesional Hitman (Ninja/Samurai hybrid)
Weapons: Katana style lightsaber, poisoned throwing knives, smoke and flash bombs.
School Dojo: Veri Uzüür Geom-ryu
Personal Star: Alzoc III
Bio: Zching Yagami (formerly spoken: Yagami Zching) is a Twi'lek male native to the planet Xinsuke-ye. He grew up fighting with his siblings, constantly "training" to become the best warrior he could. His family were often excluded from community events due to their unfriendly nature and constant yelling. Zching did not like his family at all, they were only concerened with seeming tough. They were also racist, misogynistic, homophobic and just rude people in general.

In school Zching was rejected from any friend ship groups and often got bullied. That way until he turned 13. When he turned 13 he was hired by a shady man that went by the name of: The Hunter. The Hunter hired Zching, to kill. He allowed Zching to use a large variety of weapons, some of which he sneaked to school and used to scare off the bullies. In fact he scared off most people. He was feared by his class mates and in a way also respected.

Zching liked this respect, he felt powerful. He thanked the Dragons and used his standing to munipulate others. Soon he became the bully of the school. He was the boss, until Hitarai came. Hitarai Yocame -a human force-sensitive- one day stood up to Zching. He taught him a lesson... the hard way. Yet instead of being enemies Zching and Hitarai became great friends. Hitarai taught Zching something that we call "compassion." This "compassion" didn't stop Zching from killing people, but it sure did change him, forever.



Name: Yocame Hitarai (Hit-ah-rai Yo-ka-mi)
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 16 years
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Height & Build: 5' 6''
Personality: Quiet. Very quiet, unless he needs to be loud.
3 Likes: Holo novels, astronomy, learning
3 Dislikes: Ignorance, absent mindness, steam
Force Sensitivity: Yes
Family & Province: None for now
Occupation/Class: N/A
Weapons: Katana, poison darts
School Dojo: Veri Uzüür Geom-ryu
Personal Star: Ziost
Bio:
Hitari has no living family. They all died in a freak accident involving 50 grams of uranium, five bolts of lighting and eight katanas. He was the only survivor yet he lost his left leg which was replaced with a wooden peg and then later with a mechanical one. He was taken in by a local orphanage where he learned the ways of the force.

He was taught politics by a friend, combat by another and math by a cloth merchant. He soon became a genius picking up knowledge in every way he could. Once he began training in the Red Dragon School he met a boy named Zching. They started off rough but realized that they were quite similar. Zching taught Hitarai advanced combat and Hitarai taught Zching how to be honourable and compastionate. They made a great team, yet there was something not right about these two unusually skilled boys, something not right at all....

 

OOC: At long last, here is the first update for those who posted and those who have joined recently!

2:15 a.m.
"Honor Bound"
~Outside Darksahn Gol, Aruka Province~

The day was in its infancy, the sun not even up yet. But there he was, just outside the city of Darksahn Gol. Where he was standing, the imposing walls of the city blocked the lights from within, only intermittent lanterns up top being visible. Some stars were visible, especially ‘The Beam’ as always, but not as much as could be due to Xaitchi Kloppa’s proximity to the urban area.


Nevertheless, he was up and he was there. He was grateful to having finally completed his late night shift just a bit ago, but unfortunately for him…had been asked to meet his mentor just beyond the gates before he could return to the warm, inviting confines of his bed. It wasn’t entirely surprising, such excursions happened on occasion, just that he hadn’t been informed this time till an hour before he was done.


Kloppa could only hope it was a swift lesson or focused on something particularly interesting! Still, he was grateful to the monk for passing such knowledge onto him and it was he who had gifted him his first lightsaber as well.


Waiting for him to arrive, he finally detected his presence as he approached noiselessly. Li Yo Bei had always been a quiet and calm person, which aided in their personalities mixing together nicely at the start five years ago.


Turning to greet him, he could sense the man’s smile more than see due to the hour.


“Come, ignite your blade, Kloppa-kunseng.” First name used as denoting their close relationship. As soon as that was done, he motioned for them to move away from the city and toward the general direction of the lake close by.


It was clear he had no intention of a sparring match or any other like use of the lightsaber, purely using it for its light as they traversed along with not a care in the pre-dawn hours of the day.


Li Yo Bei stroked his short beard absently as they walked, keeping mostly silent for now.


If the young zabrak ever made move to speak, the human would calmly motion for him to not do so. The man had a penchant for enjoying the stillness when it made itself manifest or he had claimed early on in their time together.


He did offer a brief word however, “We will speak in a moment. There is a reason I brought you out here at this hour. I apologize if you are tired, but this felt like an appropriate time.”


After that he said no more for minutes on end as they moved onward to the lake, the outlines of the large Kharuuldan Mountains barely visible in the all-encompassing dark, watching them silently as Kloppa’s green blade led the way.


If nothing else, the samurai’s interest in exploration or even a slight sense of adventure might be piqued due to the uncertainty of what his mentor was trying to achieve by this. Whatever that was.


Xaitchi Kloppa and Li Yo Bei had shared much together in their five years during his lessons and the simple times he merely kept the boy company while his parents were away and now he was curious what he was going to share next.


“A samurai must learn to endure solitude,” the monk had once said when he was watching him at the behest of Mr. and Mrs. Xaitchi.


It hadn’t been the first or even second time he was watching over him, but it was definitely one of the early ones. The man had sat on the deck, sipping some tea, as calmly as you please while stating it with eyes half closed in the pleasure of taste while Kloppa stood nearby dumbfounded at the response to his request of a meal. He quickly learned the monk was no simple servant to do as he bid because he was there at the parents’ insistence.


Cocking open an eye, the monk saw him still standing there unsure, before nodding quietly to the direction of the kitchen. “In solitude, a samurai must learn to do. Pretend I am as the wind.”


“The wind?”


“My presence is felt, but I am not here. You are in solitude then, no? If you are to be samurai, then you must endure.”


Dubious, Kloppa slowly edged toward the kitchen with halting steps. “And you want me to get my own meal in that case?”


“If that is what needs to be done,” Li Yo Bei answered simply.


Over time he came to learn he was simply teaching him self-reliance of course rather than a cold disconnect, but he had been rather bewildered at the time. The memory of that particular evening nearly made him laugh aloud. He had barely even attempted cooking before then. His current skill was much improved, though only he knew how often he may or may not have kept up practice at it. Plants were more his thing anyway.


Even so, he took the memory at heart and its basic lesson. Keeping quiet, he continued to hold up his blade, its distinct hum comforting him while peering ahead of him at the waters reflecting the light of the moon in the approaching distance. He relied upon himself to view what came before and extend with his senses at why he was being brought to this lake.


The Force told him there was no other individual in the area. A few small wild animals that minded their own business for the most part, but otherwise no people and no larger beasts to be alert for. No strange anomalies present around them either that he could discern.


Again, his eyes flicked over to his older companion and didn’t see any weapons of any kind on his person. So unless he was possibly thinking of unarmed combat, it wasn’t sparring practice. But the samurai didn’t get that feeling at all. A duel of any sort did not appear present at all within the human’s countenance and he wasn’t one to hide such things.


After some more time passed, they finally arrived near the side of the lake that curved closest to them. The monk stopped and stroked his short, black beard again as his eyes gazed over the water; Kloppa’s green light bathing them both as they did.


Finally, the man smiled and looked to the teenager beside him. “Notice anything new to the area? You need only your eyes for this.”


Raising an eyebrow, the young man did as he was bid and looked around at the silhouettes only more discernible because of the moon and his own weapon. It took a minute or two, but then he realized.


A small grouping of ferns alongside the lake! They had been around the area many a time, but those ferns were new! Full grown and never had they been there before, he would have known due to his love of botany. Large, full, and dark green with a slight purple hue to the underbrush.


Before he moved to inspect closer, his friend smiled. “They were just brought in to add some diversity to the local ecosystem I understand. I knew you’d appreciate being among the first to see them, especially considering that its an uncommon species. But you were patrolling at the time, so I had to wait till now.


“Plus, there’s another reason for doing it now. Go ahead, extend out with the Force and sense them like you do, give a gentle push.”


Li Yo Bei’s eyes twinkled in the luminous green light as he waited.


Tag: Snokers



11:20 a.m.
~Qwonveng, Qiūzu Province~

It took only a few minutes for her to arrive at the community garden of Qwonveng, such as it was. Still, as small and simple as it was, it was still beautiful for it.

Elaiess began to enjoy it as soon as she arrived. The fragrant smell permeated the air despite the weather or even as a challenge against it, revitalizing and uplifting. The colors gave a nice refreshing visual from the gray above as well.

At this time, the majority of people in the small village were busy and as such, she went undisturbed and able to call the quiet moment her own. Her mind was unshackled and free to roam where it will, her body healthy and just as free, and her spirit centered and at peace.

There would come a time where this would no longer prove true. But for now? Now she simply enjoyed the garden around her.

It seemed open and aimless, with nothing directly pulling her in any direction like was usual, but sometimes that was a subtle choice given to her by the Dragons as well. Whether she chose to take it or not was up to her. And her alone.

Tag: @spacelady


11:45 a.m.
"Amid Darkened Skies"
~The Diamond Path, Gyeonxi Province~

Almost a year and a half. A very long year and a half to Arcalia Stav.

Deceit, betrayal, murder. Outrage, dishonor, imprisonment. These six words summed it all up rather well and showcased perfectly how he had gotten to where he was today.

Rewinding back, into a time that felt like ages past, Stav remembered well how he was once a samurai to the arkanian Ohiro Family in the Ushang Province, far to the Deep South of Likarahim. He was their greatest swordsman and one of the Khan's closest advisors. He was loyal, strong but fair, and kind to his Khan's household and those who also served them. To their opponents he was to be feared. Was ruthless and formidable. Unwavering as the mountain, yet as swift as the hurricane winds when marshaled to action.

Was.

Again. Deceit, betrayal, murder. And just like that: House Ohiro was no more. He, and other high ranking samurai, were gathered up in the aftermath and laid upon with false charges. His own?

Arcalia Stav: Murderer of many fellow servants and samurai of the Ohiros due to grief and rage. Akin to a rabid dog now.

He could well remember how he had fought and yelled. Argued and insisted. Berated and, yes, cried. How could he not? For they clapped him in chains and dragged him off into the darkness nonetheless. Not once did they bother to listen, in fact after he had been initially subdued, they rarely even deigned to speak with him at all.

Outrage, dishonor, imprisonment. For one whole year was he forced to languish in the dark dungeons of his own former family with none to listen to his pleas of the truth. To say he nearly did go mad with grief and rage would be an understatement. But in the end, he persevered and survived that hell. In the end, he was released due to his particular charges and time spent imprisoned for it as well as no longer being feared as a threat.

Then came the monks whom he stayed and trained with a week later, slowly regaining his health and fitness. Here he attempted to rediscover inner peace, or something resembling it, and further knowledge. And then, after a few months, was on his way and traveling through the country. He stopped in at sister temples to the one he joined along the way, not sure who else would take him in; the arkanian simply made his way somewhere in between monk and ronin.

Stav slowly made his way north, though whether or not there was any particular reason for this, only he knew. Either way, that was the direction he went and for the time being, it seemed to go fairly well for him. The farther from Ushang, the less he was recognized. The less he was recognized, the less trouble he found himself in. It was never pleasant to hide oneself, but that was the unfortunate cycle he discovered himself ti be in after he was released.

It was thanks to the monks, too, that he could hold conversations at all during his journey. Being stuck for so long in a dungeon, devoid of light and company for a full year sort of sucked the communications skills out of a person. His social ability was in worse shape than his body and that was saying something considering his condition. It was just another thing to be grateful for, another bit of himself that he owed to the lifestyle he became introduced to after the darkest days of his life.

Pride was lost and wisdom gained. Yet anther thing to ruminate on. However, his honor was stuck quite clearly tarnished and that was still something to think on as well. Seemingly, there were a few things of the past they yet remained unchanged, for he wasn't ready to let go of that damnable concept of samurai's honor just yet like some of the elder monks had advised.

While he had learned much, it had still been done unfairly. Justice was still in need of being served. The idea was nestled there in his heart like some kind of obstinate hound that had gotten hold of a bone.

If he were to ever run across members of the orokujin Ashin Family or miraluka Wrenura Family again…monk lessons or not, he wasn't sure exactly what he would do. For the time being, and ever since he left the dungeons, he had yet to run across any of them. A good thing for all involved truth be told.

Had he met them though and avenged the Ohiros, what then? Would he move on elsewhere? Solely adhere to a monk's life? Or would he travel to his late Lord's grave, present the heads of those that had wronged him, and then commit seppuku in one final act of loyalty? It was highly poetic and such honor greatly viewed, but the strength it actually took to go through with it was enormous. There was a reason why true ronin existed. Many of them simply couldn't take their life in an attempt to restore their honor in a final act, instead living in shame with their heads bent low. Some had better reasons, though the shame was the same. Such as those who purely felt they couldn't die because they had a large family to care for, disgrace or no. Those ronin were more understandable. But ronin, with all the potent negativity attached, all the same.

All things for him to presently debate on.

Which once again brings us to today. The arkanian ronin-monk nibbled on some bread; his last bit of food currently to which was something he had been mildly worrying about the last few days. He was sitting in a serene little glade, shielded away from potential prying eyes and able to delve into thoughts of how he would procure food as well as his new policy in life after how all had fallen apart around him. Both figuratively and literally.

Sometimes a new perspective wasn't gleaned until one fell from the sky and hit the ground, cratering spectacularly. For those of a stronger and possibly more closed mindset, it tended to take such extreme changes for things to sink in. His life seemed to have qualified in that regard in his opinion, not to mention he had been given more than enough time to ponder it in stony, miserable silence.

That was when he heard the sound a little ways off through the trees to where he knew the infamous Diamond Path wound its way through the land.

Xishiro. Frightened and struggling against their masters' reigns by the sound of it. Some yelling and rushing feet. Stav's eyes narrowed at the next few sounds. Ones he knew intimately.

Katanas unsheathing. Lightsabers igniting. And then, inevitably, the clashing of weapons.

Something big was going on for lightsabers to be involved. Katanas were one thing, but light weapons meant samurai.

Had the past so brazenly returned so near him? Did his future lay in the direction of bloodshed once more?

Only he, in the present, could know for certain.

Tag: dragonsith13



12:10 p.m.
~Sorahorin, Barēu-Gû Province~

As the selonian samurai spoke her halting response, giving a translation of her people, Khan Hine sat in silence and listened. His eyes never strayed from her, practically keeping her pinned in place via scrutiny.

It was another long pause as the human Khan closed his eyes after Seri’na Rubellite had finished. Clearly he was replaying her words in his minds, tossing them about and weighing the meaning he would glean from them.

After a bit, his brown eyes finally opened again and his head nodded quietly. “Very well. I no—“ There was a small pause as his gaze and a few others in the room look to see the Chamberlain quietly entering in, though with a small hurry.

Straightening in his seat, he watched them approach curiosity, obviously not sure why their conversation was being interrupted. The human chief retainer to the Hine Family bowed to them both in apology at it then moved in close and whispered into his Lord’s ear. It took only a moment.

A groan escaped Khan Hine as he leaned back once more and closed one eye, the other gazing pointedly at his chief retainer who was looking rather embarrassed. A rare sight to see among other chamberlains, especially for one in her position.

“You are certain?”

“Yes, my lord. My apologies for the misinformation. Shall I return to the other duties you wished me to oversee or remain?”

A sigh. “Go ahead and make sure the others are still doing as they ought, we need no further mistakes.”

Another awkward bow and the chief retainer was gone. The Khan shook his head, exasperated on some level, before turning his attention on the selonian woman again.

“I am sorry for that. It would appear,” he began with some distaste, “That in my bid to see Khan Jeongbayar’s ability and my offering of aid, I have come to realize certain inabilities of my own. You have my heart-felt apologies, Seri’na Rubellite-laosan.”


So, that was the problem. Her name was stated correctly this time, so evidently the Chamberlain discovered the error in their information and quickly relayed it to his Khan to limit any further damage to him. To some this was a minor to mild bit of disgrace; whomever gathered the wrong intel on the selonian’s name would be in quite a bit of trouble she would well imagine.

“Moving on from that…error, I understand your words. It is a good testament to the wisdom of your kin, I believe. However, if the Jeongbayars ever are in need of aid, please let her know that the Hine Family will gladly be of assistance.


“To that end, we have a gift of our own. Would you be so kind as to relay it for us?”

As he asked this question, the man calmly motioned to a servant to quietly slip out and retrieve it nearby. All Rubellite could see was an ornate wood box for the time being.


Tag: Mitth_Fisto



1:30 p.m.
~Seashore, Umi-cé Province~

As the monk came to stand peacefully along the side of the sea, Kyōkan noticed the girl, a human he now noticed, continuing her stroll along the sand.

Her hands were clasped behind her, a large and pretty hat atop her head, and a nice floral dress on. Something nice but not meant for formal gatherings clearly, which was good because the beach would probably ruin it otherwise. Outwardly she appeared calm enough, but now that he was closer it seemed as if there was some some disquiet inside. The Force told him as such.

It would seem she knew of the healing powers of the sea herself to come here to calm her heart and mind. Within minutes she took notice of him, pausing her walk to gaze at him in silence. Apparently she was debating on whether she trusted him or not, though his obvious appearance as a monk of the nearby temple helped.

Without a sound upon the sand, she casually stepped up next to him with one hand still clasped behind her, the other perched atop her head to keep the hat from flying off as her black hair was already being cast about playfully in the sea breeze.

She said nothing for now, but evidently she trusted him. For the time being it was up to him whether or not to initiate conversation due to the inner trouble he sensed or whether to continue to let her open up first. Either way, there would be words exchanged, that much was sensed.

In silence, two strangers waited by the sea and shared a quiet understanding on some level they did not yet grow conscious of.

Tag: bad_feeling_haver



1:45 p.m.
~The Scorched Road, Kuniga Province~

And so they kept plodding along, the sun remaining stubborn and resolute in its heat-inducing ways. Yet, Kaifen seemed to adjust a little better to it. Or at the very least, become more able to ignore it.

His hums carried on while a few of the guards and samurai chatted with each other, their legs ever in motion the whole time. The orokujin was glad he wasn't one of those carrying the palanquin. Now that would have been torture!

A green eye of his momentarily cast about those handling the task in question, when a voice spoke up and caught his attention.

"Excuse me. Samurai-laosan?" Yirojo Ayagerel again. "Is it really true that they call this the Scorched Road?"

Kaifen offered a small smile and nodded to this. "Yes, that's true. We are currently traveling on the Scorched Road now. It'll lead us straight to where we're going."

The girl seemed to peer out and onto the road for a moment, though retracted her head from the dust being kicked up by their passage. She gave just a small cough and then offered a quizzical expression.

"Do you mind telling me why it is called that? I'm curious."

Blinking, the samurai hadn't thought he'd potentially be giving a history lesson on this escort job. Not that it was bad exactly nor was it a huge chunk of history to have to recite, but simply wasn't expected.

He looked over to his father, who enjoyed retelling such things. Most likely he'd sidle on over and happily inform the young lady of the story. But no, Byunaatse Lao kept quiet and stared ahead as he walked along contently.

Apparently he was on his own this time. Sometimes he swore his father did it just to amuse himself. In any event, it was story time.

Tag: Darth_Elu



3:00 p.m.
~Midori-no-Songen Forest, Chisinqi Province~

Nodding, the samurai he ordered went about fulfilling his request and gathering the amount of scouts ahead of him and doubling them. Making them go slower and acting even more cautious than they already were.

"I understand, Yamabushi-sayé." Caersuke replied as he swiveled his head from side to side, keeping his particular attention on their flanks as asked. "But the samurai life never ends, no?"

The miraluka chuckled as they continued on through the forest. The air remained still, the leaves dropping silently, and their nerves as taut as they could be.

Then many of the samurai, including Benkei, stopped in their tracks. Their sense in the Force had suddenly blared in alarm. Those who didn't sense, or the guards not attuned to the Force took a second or two longer to realize and paused as well. Apprehension was clear on their faces.

They felt something coming, but where and what? He could only hope the dragons were amused by this play, because none of them were.

That was when the play turned deadly and the Red Dragon could almost be heard, roaring in the backs of their minds.

The ronin came at them, fast and hard, weapons out and slashing quickly. As usual they were ready to defend their camp in the forest, but this time they had apparently gotten some new allies and planned ahead far better.

They came not from ahead nor either of the flanks. From behind, they also did not appear. Before one should think, they didn't drop from the trees either. They would have been easily sensed up there, let alone keeping quiet in such a number would have been impossible.

No. They came from below. Well covered holes in the ground that acted as burrowing cave entrances suddenly revealed themselves and selonian warriors were upon them along side the other ronin scrambling out from behind them.

Selonians and their burrowing. It proved the age-old observation. A wary enemy still tends to forget to look to their feet.

It was pandemonium as blasters began firing rapidly, men and women yelling as teileng steel and lightsabers on the samurai's end began clashing. One of the selonians, a male by his guess, was springing up and out of his entrance just two feet to Benkei's right. He made a swipe with a katana at his lower legs as he appeared, before long he was charging into him next with blade held high.

Another ronin, a zabrak woman, was rushing him from the other side and wielding a giant nodachi sword.

The older man wished for a quiet life and yet this is what he got. It seemed there would always be obstacles to such a simple goal.

Tag: Mikaboshi



3:45 p.m.
~Okunaka Tea Shack, Kuniga Province~

The woman clinked the coins together in her palm, as if absently checking to see if they were counterfeit. Her eye seemed to gaze at Kazue a bit, as if wondering what she was up to, especially at a young age.

In the end, her hands verified the coinage and she must have decided it was none of her business. With a shrug, she muttered an affirmative and moved off to prepare the drink and dumplings for the dark wookiee.

As she worked, the ronin seemed to continue his peaceful relaxation whereas the strange orokujin man simply looked over at her. His gaze was that of a thoughtful expression. Or was it accusatory? Was he a Hunter? It was nigh impossible to tell.

Before long however, he went back to sipping his drink and not paying her any further attention. The human owner of the tea shack was also making her way toward the wookiee, who opened his one eye to watch her approach.

Setting the food down, she whispered to him and then nodded in Kazue's direction before shuffling off again. The ronin's eye slowly looked up and over at her, trying to discern a reason for the spontaneous gesture from the teenager.

With a shrug, he took some of the dumplings and had a bite, to which he gave an approving sound somewhat like a growl without the threat behind it. He nodded toward her and after a momentary thought, waved her over as he grasped his new drink in hand.

His weapon remained close by him, naturally, but she had aroused his curiosity if nothing else. It was a step.

To where? Well, she'd just have to find out.

Tag: Darth Luna



4:20 p.m.
~Wakaiki-Sodatsu-Eien ni-dojo, Kuniga Province~

Yama Hinoki managed to deal with Chishiki Kireina’s opening gambit of their sparring match, as effortlessly as ever. Her students could only begin to respect the skill taking place before them, as was the way of the pupil.

The overhand slash aimed at the young orokujin’s right shoulder was quickly blocked by the middle of her weapon and maneuvered away. However, then came the master’s flurry against the abdomen and right hip.

Young Chishiki kept up that look of concentration as she moved backwards, deftly escaping the slashes above, while trying to parry away the strikes to the hip and aim for three quick thrusts straight to Hinoki’s stomach.


With every little motion, the eighteen tails between the two woman swished and flowed this way and that, nearly mesmerizing the students watching. Indeed, the student anticipated her thrusts to fail, and had immediately backed away a step as if also expecting her experienced opponent to follow after.

As she did so, she twirled once quickly, all nine of her tails flowing with her but in such a way as to obscure the actual point of the coming horizontal slash from the master’s right to left. When the tails moved at the end of the revolution, the strike was swiping at the midpoint between the hips and knees.


All throughout, the others remained enraptured.

Tag: @galactic-vagabond422


8:50 p.m.
~Jinura Estate, Edokura~

WIth a sigh, the zabrak admirer of Nakatsukasa Iori nodded acceptance. "I understand, next time perhaps, Nakatsukasa-laosan."

A few moments later and the excuse of 'needing some air' wouldn't have worked for just anybody. There were two guards posted as sentries over that particular entrance, considering anything beyond still private to the Khan and his family lest specially invited. She wasn't with the Khan.

And yet, two guards and a woman of such beauty and all three of the same species? It was no wonder that they decided 'maybe this one time wouldn't hurt.' With a stammering of just to keep it short, they allowed her past.

Men.

Situating herself against a cornered wall in an area darkened by the night, she listened and stretched out with the Force to further aid her in trying to discern the conversation. She would have to be careful of patrolling samurai as well, a couple of them with lanterns not too far away in fact.

Upon leaving the main room for the party, there was a nice garden if small directly across though blocked by a wooden railing, with the deck wrapping around on either side. Stairs going to a higher level was seen further down the deck on either side as well and shoji screened rooms lining the other sides of the deck. The Khan's group heading down the left path and the two samurai slowly heading up from the right, though Iori would have some time before they arrived where she was at due to their casual pace.

Her distance was proving to be a bit more problematic than she had originally thought and she could only barely make out their words as they moved into a room on the lower level, but far to the back from her position.

"Thanks for joining me, sometimes such events can get a bit stuffy with so many people." Khan Jinura.

"I agree, so thank you for getting us out of there before it became unbearable." Male voice. Orokujin. Not sure who however.

"You never did do well with crowds, Ashin-sayé," came a teasing voice. Zheyoshi Enkhsui. Cousin to Khan Torawei and regarded as one of the best dancers in Likarahim. There was a good reason why Iori had managed to identify her so quickly. And when one of the best dancers was invited and yet did not make a spectacle of dancing…

Could someone say business?

"I do well enough, Zheyoshi-laosan. Thank you."

"Enough idle chat, we have matters to discuss." Female voice but not Enkhsui. The duro samurai then.

It was definitely getting harder to hear, so Iori would have to move. Question was where and how? Plus the Jinura Samurai were starting to close in, with one of their expressions becoming suspicious. Force User, starting to detect a whiff of her presence.

She would have to play cautiously here.

Tag: Darth Luna



9:25 p.m.
~Jeongbayar Estate, Zhenao~

While she wasn’t as content as she would like, the improvement in centering herself beforehand would prove wise for Roku Akiva.

The gates were opening before she was even fully finished in introducing herself, as she was well expected. Progressing into the Jeongbayar Estate, the feeorin woman could keenly sense the stress radiating out from the grounds in the Force. Rising steam indeed.

An unusual number of guards patrolled the perimeter of the estate at this hour, and a servant woman came bustling out to meet her from the main doors as she strode along the entrance path. Human, blonde and somewhere in her forties by estimation, she was a plump figure who bowed hurriedly before the samurai once they finally reached each other. It was an ample distance from gate to door and in that time, Akiva wasn’t sure if she could recall her or not.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Roku-sayé. Please, follow me!” The woman turned instantly, fully expecting the older feeorin to do so. “I believe the Khan will be relieved to see you. She’s been under constant duress since everything happened! Poor gi…”

Catching herself, uncertain whether she was allowed to say such things anymore in such a fashion, the woman simply shook her head and kept hurrying on ahead. Before long they reached the doors and they opened just as they were coming upon them, going up the few steps immediately preceding them.

“The Khan and Chamberlain both had strict orders,” the servant began again, “That you were to see them immediately. As you’d expect, they are on the top floor right now.”

Five floors to the main building and the top of which had always been the Khan’s Chambers for private meetings with special individuals or family retainers, most especially with the Chamberlain. It, naturally, had now been inherited by Jeongbayar Kanada along with all else. And as they made their swift way there, Akiva would notice everything going on around her.

Most of the servants still up and bustling around doing all manner of things, samurai marching both in and out of the building and exchanging orders. Many of which were hurrying off into the night to elsewhere in the province on some crazed task or another because of actions of others within the Khanate, she could well imagine.


A small group of cooks were hurrying by, and they had to pause to let them through without crashing, with dirty dishes. It was explained that the Khan had only recently had dinner due to the workload and it, as was the norm these days, was a dinner with other high level samurai and advisors so as to discuss certain details regarding the province.

As they finally reached the top floor and were heading in the direction of the Khan’s Private Meeting Chamber, Akiva could only sense the spiritual chaos nearly buffeting her as she made her way closer and closer. Only two individuals were in the room from what she could sense in the Force and she knew well who, but the level of stress pouring from it was almost unnatural. It felt like the ocean’s tide rolling through her and it came from both of them.


But the Khan was an inner storm all her own. And she was waiting for her.


Tag: @A Blind Prophet

 

IC: Sato Izanami
Edokura, Chisinqi Province
7AM: Upon the Wall

It was a quiet morning upon the wall, but this was nothing new to Sato Izanami.

It was always quiet. Always calm.

Always the same.

She sighed, head bowed slightly against the chilled winds as her steps beat out a steady, methodical pace against the hard stone. Working to pull her tunic tighter about her bare neck, her formerly tight and proper high bun of ghostly hair had been thoroughly ravaged at this point; loose strands whipping at her face in the gusts. Lovely weather, she thought without humor.

As she progressed, all-white eyes stared unfocused down the never-ending wall that encircled the city she had always called home; Edokura. Off to her right, the sprawling metropolis dominated the skyline. Teeming with movement, change and pulsing with life, it was the only type of atmosphere the Arkanian Samurai knew she needed to survive. Anything less would threaten her sanity. Even now, only a half hour into her post she turned to gaze longingly at the maze of structures, itching to get lost in their embrace.

Yet another sigh. Tearing herself away from temptation, she attempted to refocus on the task at hand. Eyes slid back to forward just as the looming Gate of Commons grew near. The steady increase of traffic making its way into the city could be easily noted below. Only because she was already faced in their direction, she watched the stream of activity with forced interest. This was the point of entry for those of lower stations, merchants and artisans of the like. The various beings made their way to unknown destinations to make a living, thrive and serve a purpose here in this glorious seat of power within Likarahim.

The very center of the Shogun’s power.

Izanami halted then, a sharp but very familiar pain squeezing her heart. Indeed, the Shogun had an immense influential reach and that was not something she would soon be able to forget, if ever. After all, it was he who had pardoned her remaining family after what her brother had done. After he had left. Turning to move towards the outer wall, she placed a hand on the outcropping for support. The weathered surface was icy to the touch and as soon as her fingers made contact, a shiver rose up her arm to arc over her shoulder. It flooded out, reaching her heart and settling within the deepest parts of her.

Kojin…

A pained expression etched into her features, Izanami looked skyward. It had briefly been a beautiful start to the day; blazing sunrise and splashes of warmth reaching out to the land, nudging it from its slumber. Stunning to most but not a display she could have enjoyed beyond a certain degree, intense sources of heat affecting her the way they did. Such was the nature of her species.

Now, the sun had already faded, replaced with an almost complete cover of greying clouds and falling temperatures. The general result was an all-around gloom that did not help her souring mood. Ignoring the depressing weather for a moment, her eyes held steady while gazing out onto the lands beyond the city, the Chisinqi Province. The exact opposite of what was to her back, the rich lands were full of forests, waters and every color nature could offer. It was a truly mesmerizing territory, one that felt just beyond her reach.

It had been far too long since she had traveled outside the city. So long that she could not recall when the last time had been.

“Dragons help me,” Izanami muttered under her breath. It stung to call attention to the fact that while she fought daily to break routines and avoid stagnancy, she was still here walking the same paths she had walked for over a decade now. She did not like admitting the truth of things, that she felt stuck. She felt tied down. But as a Samurai, repetition was a part of life. As a Samurai, this line of thought was shameful. Right?

Instantly, a swell of spontaneity took hold of her and she wanted to run, to fight, to… anything. She just wanted to do. Clenching her hands into fists, she fought to restrain the random urge, one that plagued her daily - like an itch you can’t scratch, a thirst you can’t quench, a drug that never hits that right high. Izanami constantly searched for something to fill a particular emptiness and each time must outdo the last. Truthfully, it had become a struggle to meet her own requirements as real and honest excitement was getting harder and harder to come by. What else was there in the home she knew like the back of her own hands?

With a grunt of frustration, she pushed off and turned on her heel. Continuing along, she passed a single member of the City Guard. Her head was held high and she refused to make eye contact. These lower warriors were prevalent up here as this was a job more suited for their less unique abilities. Thus, she wouldn’t acknowledge them. It was beneath her and despite Izanami’s… personal predicaments she had always looked at her designation as Samurai with pride. It was all she had wanted in life and, after all, it was in the very blood that ran through her veins.

All she had wanted, but not all she needed.

Damn it, Nami, she chastised herself. Her shortened name, Nami, was now heard most often in her own thoughts rather than spoken aloud. It was only permitted to be used by those closest to her and it had been quite some time since she had been close with anyone, at least not in any way that mattered. Not since… Kojin.

Her mind focused on her oldest brother again, as it often did while she was up here alone. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he happy? Was he even still alive? Her throat ran dry at that thought and she recalled his face the last time she had seen him. Why did you leave? It never did her any good to dwell on what could never be answered but regardless, her mind always ran over the things that would be best left alone. A flash of anger caused her to shove the image of Kojin away.

She pushed forward.

City on her left, open land to the right… walk on. Turn.

Chisinqi Province on her left, the buzz of activity and life to her right… walk on. Turn.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

With each change of direction Izanami felt her agitation rise. Fingers absently moved over her saberstaff on her left hip, caressing it reassuringly as she began counting down the minutes until her shift would be over and she would be free…

Snap-Hiss

Shock reverberated throughout her body and she froze. She knew that sound all too well.

There! The unmistakable glow of a lightsaber was directly ahead, its green hue amplified in the… darkness? It was as if the world had fallen away in an instant and left her behind in a void, black as pitch save for the weapon’s luminescence before her. A very strong and real threat emanated from the unknown handler of the blade, one she could not physically make out in the slightest. Automatically intending her hand to clamp down over her own saberstaff, ready to defend, Izanami found she couldn’t move. At all. As if pinned on all sides by an invisible cage, she was trapped.

Her heart began to pound in her chest.

The green blade inched closer and closer still, the lethal intent becoming more palpable as it drew near. She continued struggling to break whatever was holding her so completely, but she couldn’t even wiggle a finger. As the mysterious being came as close as it could possibly be, Izanami’s eyes raked the empty space in front of her. Still she could not detect anything distinguishing about her would-be attacker. It was as if the lightsaber was held by the darkness itself. And that darkness very plainly wished her harm.

Don’t! she shouted within her mind. What in the hell was happening?!

A pause and then with a single, fluid motion the weapon swung down on a lethal arc. She braced, unable to defend herself in any way… but death did not come for Izanami. Instead, the green glow vanished just as suddenly as it had appeared.

A pressure released and she found she could now move, her hand finishing out her brain’s last physical command and grasped for her saberstaff. She spun, looking in all directions with weapon held at the ready but not yet ignited. Still locked away in this void, it was obvious there was nowhere to go. And everywhere she turned, there remained a single presence. Not strong, but easily sensed and always in front of her. The threatening vibes she had felt before were gone but there was still energy of a sort originating from this thing. And… it was very different.

She started backing away slowly, intending to go she knew not where. The temperature dropped drastically, the chill on the wall now warm by comparison. The iciness struck her to the bone and her breathe caught briefly as it seized her lungs. Small puffs of air formed with her quickening breaths and Izanami saw the same coming from whatever remained so near despite her steps back.

It followed her, closing in further.

“Who... what… are you,” she whispered, her voice shallow. Eyes were locked ahead, watching the small bursts of breath approach. The presence now held her full attention and the assault of its strange and curious emotions was sending her mind and body reeling. Confusingly, she began to feel a rise of heat in her cheeks even as she remained so entirely cold.

The telltale puffs of air across from her ceased abruptly and there was an immediate pressure on her neck, shockingly soft and tender. Warm, even. Was that… a kiss? She froze at the touch, this time because she was so utterly caught off guard with the complete change in course; intent to kill to… whatever this had just become.

The pressure trailed up her neck, lingering gently over her skin. Izanami recoiled slightly and shoved out ahead as if to push the sensation away, but all her hands met was air. There was nothing to physically force off or back. Even as she twisted to face the other direction, even as she placed her own hands on the area affected, it remained as ever present as before and continued to have its way whether she liked it or not. There was nothing she could do! A thrill of pure fear ran through her at this realization, fright mingling with a simultaneous surge of excitement.

Izanami stilled again as the presence progressed, unseen lips caressing her cheek now. She felt the passion radiating and burning into her skin, heating her from within. She struggled still but it was a weak attempt. She wasn’t sure what was up or down, left or right anymore. Lightheaded and bewildered, the smallest part of her acknowledged she might want this even as she still had no clue what this was. It didn’t make any sense. None of this did.

“Please,” she said as strongly as she could, which was not much at all. Was she asking it to stop or to keep going? It was nearly upon her own lips, a teasing brush against the very corner of her mouth.

A soft breath in her ear nearly sent her to her knees then, shaking as they already were. Her head tipped back and she closed her eyes. It was clear where the presence would move next, and her lips parted in an expectancy she knew was so far beyond ridiculous it bordered along outright crazy. But all the same she waited for the kiss that would most certainly be coming any second now…

A blink of the eye and it was over.

Izanami was back on the wall in the gloomy morning, the winds assaulting her once more. She gasped at the return of the world around her and looked about wildly to see if anyone had bore witness to… well what would they have seen? Foolishly she briefly searched for the presence before she caught herself. All she saw was the empty walkway, Edokura, and the Province lands stretching out to the horzon. Nothing was amiss. Outwardly.

Leaning heavily upon the stone outcropping, her heart still raced uncontrollably. She was flushed and warm, and thoroughly confused. Clumsily replacing her weapon to her belt, she pressed frigid hands to her cheeks to cool them. What had just happened to her? A vision? Hallucination? No… it had been far too real. And was this something she should inquire about? Tell someone? Izanami surprised herself with a snort of a laugh. How completely insane would she sound recounting what had just transpired to another? When even she couldn’t make sense of it herself?

A small shake of her head as her breathing began to level out. A secret, then.

Suddenly a hand moved down to her lips and Izanami ran a single finger over them, almost fantasizing what that kiss would have felt like were it to have happened. She was no stranger to that type of activity, but the sensation of the entire experience had been new and completely foreign.

It had been exactly what she constantly desired.

Forcing herself to assemble a modicum of calm, the Arkanian Samurai smoothed down her tunic and straightened up her hair with trembling hands. Pushing her body into motion, she moved to restart her patrol.

As she walked, perhaps a bit slower than normal, one thing was certain: Sato Izanami would have plenty more to think about as she finished out her morning.


TAG: Darth_Elu

 

Onni Fu'ral
~Shaohorin, Kuniga Province~

Onni gave a small smile, as the sounds of laughter had drifted in through the open window. She could hear the children playing outside with Ton'da, who was having as much fun as they were, as they played with the huge animal. Inside the building, the laughter was bright and buoyant here as well, with the elder residents gently teasing each other, while Onni tended to a broken leg. Even the man with the broken leg, was in good humor, as he chuckled both at himself, and the situation he was in. Omni loved coming to this place. The Elder's Residence was a place families could send their elders who could no longer live alone. But these were not places like others Onni had seen. This Kahn cared for both the very young, and the very old, and he made sure that the residents of such places were well taken care of. Their families came to visit them, and spent time with them, not just sent off, alone and simply forgotten. Here, the residents were just as proud of their building as well, and they worked hard to keep it nice. That was how Naosa had broken his leg, working with his son as they were fixing something. And the children loved to play nearby as well. So their was always laughter and light. Onni looked over as Naosa spoke to her.

“With you here, Fu’ral-sayé, I know I’ll be right as rain before long. No reason to be down in the dumps!” Onni laughed softly as laughter erupted once more through the room as its elderly residents joked with each other. Onni tilted her head slightly, feeling slightly embarrassed at the high praise. She was simply glad to be of service.

“But thank you, Fu’ral-sayé. Thank you for coming way out here for one of us.” A Orokujin woman who Onni did not know her name spoke. Onni simply nodded. "You know I do not mind. I love coming out here. I always learn something new, -sayé." she said with a simple smile. As Onni continued her healing, she heard one of the children call to her from outside.

“Miss Healer-sayé! Can we ride Ton’da? Please!”

Another laugh. Onni called back to the children. "If Ton'da does not mind, it is fine. No pulling his ears though!" Poor Ton'da. He was always such a hit with the children. Sometimes, he suffered greatly because of it. But he always seemed not to mind. And from his barking, he seemed quite content, as he played with the children.

Another woman began to speak, this time about the Festival of Lights. And the prophecy. But Onni really had not thought much about the prophecy. A thousand years of waiting. And now, it was just a mere months away. Something about reaching the stars. Traveling. It was quite an exciting time for many people.

Naosa shrugged before looking at Onni once more, “How about you? Excited for the festival in a month?”

“Two months!”

“Right. I knew that.” His eyes said otherwise, not that it mattered.

Onni nodded. "I always enjoy the Dance of Blades Ogura-sayé. And the lights are simply beautiful." Onni tried not to grin, as she thought of the festival of lights. She wondered if he hinted at the event also being a lovers favorite as well. Silly really. But this year, the dream about reaching the stars seemed to be the greater talk of the towns lately. But it was odd, that Khan Kangyuen had not mentioned it at all. Perhaps there was more to this years celibrations than was being put out. Something to listen for, during her travels. Thoughts for later. Onni at last finished the healing of Ogura Naosa. He thanked her profusely as he slowly stood and tested his new leg out, finding it quite well again.

“The greatest healer that ever was!” he proclaimed with a celebratory shout. A couple of others applauded.

Onni blushed slightly. "You are too kind, Ogura-sayé." She grinned. "Save your dancing for the festival." she added with a wink.

Onni looked away, and back out towards the open window where Ton'da and the children played. It was beautiful outside, which meant good traveling weather. But what drew her attention was something else. She slowly stood and walked over towards the window, and looked about. Nothing seemed out of place. The children were happily playing, their shouts of laughter still permeating the air.

But it was there all the same. She felt something. A wrongness to this happy scene. Something was coming their way from the road leading out of town to the south. And it didn’t bring laughter. What truly made her more alert of the fact was when Ton’da paused in his play, his head lifting up and sniffing the air as well. It appears he sensed it too, his head turning to look at her quietly. Onni slowly nodded. She unconsciously placed her hand upon the hilt of her katana to quiet her uneasiness. If she had to put a name to what she felt, though it was still faint…

It was Desperation. And it unnerved her.

A few sudden blinks, and Onni was startled to find that Naosa was holding out a bowl of soup that they had made earlier as a way of thanking her further. She turned to face him, as she took the bowl of soup offered, giving a polite bow. His smile held, but his eyes questioned. “Did the Dragons take your mind to their realm for a moment, Lady Samurai?”

"No." she stated softly and slowly. "I dont belive so, Ogura-sayé. But after a healing, I sometimes find myself - more in touch with my surroundings." She smiled. "Thank you for this lovely soup. It smells wonderful. I am sure it tastes just as good."

With that, Onni moved towards a table so that she could enjoy the soup. Still, that approaching desperation was finding itself hard to dissipate from her mind.



Tag: Darth_Elu

OOC: I hope I used the honorifics correctly.

 

IC: Seri'na Rubellite 12:10 p.m.
~Sorahorin, Barēu-Gû Province~

As she had spoken her halting response, trying not to mangle words of wisdom that she had only ever truly heard spoken in the language of the tunnels, Khan Hine sat in silence and listened. His eyes never strayed from her, practically keeping her pinned in place via scrutiny. For a human this was rather odd behavior, but his family was Khan for a reason and perhaps this was one of them.

It was another long pause as the human Khan closed his eyes after Seri’na Rubellite had finished. Clearly he was replaying her words in his minds, tossing them about and weighing the meaning he would glean from them. This one was truly like a rippling well, no way to tell by looking if the water was swirling from a deep warmth up, or truly a vortex of doom down, only way to find out was to watch something happen or to dip a toe in. And for her Khan Jeongbayar there was nothing better to do but be like Khan Hine, wait and watch.

After a bit, his brown eyes finally opened again and his head nodded quietly. “Very well. I no—“ There was a small pause as his gaze and a few others in the room look to see the Chamberlain quietly entering in, though with a small hurry.

Straightening in his seat, he watched them approach curiosity, obviously not sure why their conversation was being interrupted. The human chief retainer to the Hine Family bowed to them both in apology at it then moved in close and whispered into his Lord’s ear. It took only a moment.

A groan escaped Khan Hine as he leaned back once more and closed one eye, the other gazing pointedly at his chief retainer who was looking rather embarrassed. A rare sight to see among other chamberlains, especially for one in her position.

This was all rather, peculiar. Seri'na was merely listening to the Khan Hine's words, and now this was happening? It was most peculiar to say to the least. Still she did her best to try to relax and not let her fur be ruffled at the back of her neck by this. It would bunch in her helmet and annoy her to no end until she could take the thing off and smooth it out, and she did not want that. Besides, there was no telling what was happening. Until it was shared it was best to act as though nothing was happening, she was just standing, taking a sip of water and waiting just as though the Khan had never started speaking.

“You are certain?”

“Yes, my lord. My apologies for the misinformation. Shall I return to the other duties you wished me to oversee or remain?”

A sigh. “Go ahead and make sure the others are still doing as they ought, we need no further mistakes.”

Another awkward bow and the chief retainer was gone. The Khan shook his head, exasperated on some level, before turning his attention on the Selonian woman again.

“I am sorry for that. It would appear,” he began with some distaste, “That in my bid to see Khan Jeongbayar’s ability and my offering of aid, I have come to realize certain inabilities of my own. You have my heart-felt apologies, Seri’na Rubellite-laosan.”

And so all was made clear. It was the fact that the Khan and his chamberlain had both been saying her name as if they were dear friends. She had to say knowing that the man didn't really intend to put such familiarity to her name was a comfort. One which let some stress out of her shoulders and hips as she did not find either male attractive at this juncture. To some this was a minor to mild bit of disgrace; whomever gathered the wrong intel on her name would be in quite a bit of trouble she would well imagine. What that trouble would be she could not say. Still, she did not quiet know how to respond, so she fell on her best knowledge for such things from the forge. Simply stay quiet and wait for it move onto a different topic.

“Moving on from that…error, I understand your words. It is a good testament to the wisdom of your kin, I believe. However, if the Jeongbayars ever are in need of aid, please let her know that the Hine Family will gladly be of assistance. To that end, we have a gift of our own. Would you be so kind as to relay it for us?”

As he asked this question, the man calmly motioned to a servant to quietly slip out and retrieve it nearby. All Rubellite could see was an ornate wood box for the time being. Tipping her head in a small bow of consent she replied. Part of her wanted to smile that the past errors were behind them all, but the lessons as a child were still there that she had learned in the den for outsiders. Do not smile, most races are like the humans. Between predators and prey, they do not like to see they are lacking to one or the other and sharp teeth show their lack in a painfully plain way. So she killed her smile as it faintly pulled at her lips. "It would be an honor to do so." she simply spoke in return. Although she could not help raise her eyes to take in the box, studying the craftsmanship that went into it, and wondering what possibly was inside.


Tag: Darth_Elu

 

Callie Tolin ~Lonely Tree Inn, Bareu-Gû Province~

It had been a long day. Callie was happy to finally have the chance to sit back, with a nice hot tea, and
possibly a snack or two. She shifted her feet up on the chair next to her, and felt immediately better. The
Lonely Tree Inn, aptly named, for there were no other forest or trees in sight. Mostly just grasslands, and a
perfect spot to take a break. It had a minor reputation for having good owners and a good atmosphere, giving a
nice place to rest for travelers who were in between towns. That was the reason why she decided to come back to
it at the end of her day, she even had a non-urgent delivery for the owner from another Jeongbayar Family samurai
named Nadamichi Hiro, that she had decided to drop off last for the explicit reason of resting in the same place
right after. Callie let her blue eyes take in the room of the inn. A decent number of people were socializing
gaily. There was a stange, and there was singing. Luckily, the people doing the singing were not that bad, so
Callie could sit back and enjoy the fun sounding music. As she nibbled on her snack, she found herself thinking
and realizing suddenly: There really wasn’t a ‘big travel day’ anymore. At least not lately. Not since the
accident. Callie shook her head. That had been far too stressful for everyone. She never saw it herself, but she
had been told at one point that even the Chamberlain had bags under his eyes. A wookiee! It was rather difficult
to picture such an image, but the impression was enough. Callie was thankful at being someplace else when the
accident happened.

But ever since then, Callie was certainly working more than before. She had logged more miles under her belt than
any of the other messengers used by the Jeongbayars, with the possible exception of one or two. But those
thoughts were for later. Right now, it was her rest period, and she leaned back in her seat, watching events
around her. She mentally planned her events to the next day. From there, she would receive her next set of orders
for the new day. She realized that she was quite lucky for her job and position. Because most people still relied
on hadwritten messages and letters. Even though technology was available, with the exception of emergencies, most people prefered the old ways. Hince, she still had a job. And she was QUITE thankful for that. And she liked
going by foot. She could go places that speeders could not. Still, if it was an emergency, she would use other
means of transportation, if they were available. Not that she was fond of riding Xishiro. But if it was necessary, she would.

Callie was really enjoying the music being played, and she had stood, intending to walk over and perhaps join in
on a bit of dancing or ralvery with the other people around when suddenly the doors of the Inn blew open with a
resounding SLAM! Callie put her hand to her hilt, automatically, as everyone else turned to look at who was
entering the Inn. A male zabrak, male, not much taller than herself. His uniform and hair were a mess, and he was
sweating heavily. A katana and the hilt of a single blade lightsaber hung at their hip. Samurai. Instinct and marking told her he was one of theirs as well. She removed her hand from her weapon, though she stayed on alert. As soon as he noticed her, his body was in motion moving straight towards Callie. The look on his face, of relief was almost comical, but the rest of his body movements spoke otherwise. “I’m so glad I found you! I have run much and cannot go further, but knew there was a messenger in the area. I was happy when I finally sensed your presence in this Inn!” He paused a moment to catch his breath a little and give an apologetic half-smile. Callie could feel the eyes of the othes in the Inn, as they listened to evey word the man was saying. Callie had a feeling her perfect evening was about to slip awy.

The Zabrak then continued, “Messenger-xiaocha, you have to deliver this message to Khan Jeongbayar immediately! A force of ronin have organized, close to the southern Bareu-Gû border and are rapidly heading for Zhenao! Tell her that some of the southern town guards and roughly twenty of her samurai are slowing them down right now, but they number close to three hundred! Go!” And with those words, her perfect evening vanished. The man stated no more, as he slammed money onto the table. Callie moved quickly, scooping up the money as she moved, to speak with the owner of the bar, but there were no skycars or speeders to be had, from either himself or others. And with such a time sensative message, there would be no time to head for the closest town to pick up something. She would have to go on foot. And she would have to move fast. Zhenao was eight hours to the north at a normal clip! The young samurai was going to have to run and bid the Dragons be with her as she used the Force to enhance her legs on this one. Callie had to stay impartial with such news, but still an attack, now? Callie took in as much as she could about the messenger Zabrak, in case verfication was needed of the facts. But that was not up to Callie. She had been paid, and a message was given. It was time to do her job.

Callie quickly gathered her items, and headed out the door of the Inn. She concentrated for a moment, gathering
the force around her, and concentrating it upon her legs. She didnt know how much of a head start, if any, she
had ahead of the ronin, but she knew she needed to get there early enough so that the Khan could respond quickly.
Once she was done, she took took a deep breah, and then began to run, heading for Zhenao.


Tag: Darth_Elu

 

IC: Yama Hinoki
Wakaiki-Sodatsu-Eien ni-dojo, Kuniga Province

Chishiki-xiaocha deftly parried the master's strikes, their weapons clash, the sound reverberating throughout the dojo, just as she trained her to, fluid and controlled, waiting for her opportunity. She struck, three quick thrusts to her middle. Yama-senfu furrowed her brow just a little. It was the same move the student had made against her earlier in the match. She also took a step back, ceding ground to the opponent. Hinoki took advantage of the misstep stepping closer raising her weapon to counter attack.

Then the pupil surprised the teacher, spinning quickly on the ball of her foot, tails swaying gracefully behind her. It was a trap, designed to draw the master in, and keep her distracted. While she wanted to smile, her face remained unmoved. Her body moved before her mind could think, taking a step back letting Kireina's blade strike nothing but air.

Like the sea going out before a tidal wave, so were Yama-senfu's movements the light rippling across her black fur. In the mists of her back step she pulled her naginata's blade behind her. Once the threatening arm passed out of the way she surged forward bringing her weapon up then down with great force aided by her momentum. She felt the power flow through her, from the soles of her feet, up her chest, and down her arms, all the while it gained energy like an onrushing wave. That flood of power became focused on the edge of her blade as she struck straight down, aiming for the top of the younger orokujin's head. This strike was powerful but, Hinoki was still in control, she could stop all of it at a moment's notice if she felt her student couldn't defend against it.

Though she had confidence in the other woman's abilities, after the first strike it would be followed up with a swipe to Chishiki-xiaocha mid-thigh that leads into a thrust directed at the student's throat. Tetsu always complimented Hinoki on her fluid movements, saying that she used the naginata as other women used the calligraphy brush, each movement led into the next, each one with a purpose, be that defense or attack. Right now all that purpose was focused on the flurry of strikes aimed at the cream colored orokujin ahead of her.

TAG: Darth_Elu

 

IC: Pyrrak Dedreck
~2 p.m.
“Is It Possible”
~Qiang Lao, Dakūxin Province~

CLANG!

The noise rang out through the work-space, followed quickly by a string of curse words the likes of which would have made a prostitute blush, were they there to hear it. There was one reason that everyone else present completely ignored this, the swearing was in a language that literally no one else on the planet understood.

"My goodness gracious me. I can't say that."

Pyrrak stuck his head out from under the speeder he was working on and glared at his translation sphere. Strike that. Almost no one on this planet speaks. He had had more than a few run in's with that droid since his birth. It had been a hand me down from his mother, who had gotten it from her father, and so forth back to the ship. There had been a pretty limited number of them, and he'd ultimately had to scavenge most of the rest for parts simply to keep this one functional. The most annoying thing about it was that it had a tendency to let on when he was being rude, since it knew he could understand the local language. So that was all it ever spoke. To "insure proper communication" or some other gibberish was it's response when he'd tried to order it to talk to him in his own language. Damn thing needs a memory wipe. The only problem with that idea was that he had no idea how to do it, and he was the only one he knew who even owned a droid. Might be one of the few that even knows what the things are. To say it was frustration incarnate was an understatement, but that's what you got when you weren't even supposed to be on a planet to begin with.

//Don't recall asking you to, Zinai.// Far as he was concerned, that was the droids name. It was a constant insult to it, to which he frequently added other things.

"How rude." It almost felt as though the droid was trying to look offended, but lacking both a face and any resemblance of a malleable expression it failed utterly. So instead it moved around in agitation.

//SHUT UP! Don't make me turn you off, Zinai piece of trash. You know I will.// It certainly wasn't an idle threat, as he'd done it on many occasions. Especially in the last couple of years. Ever since he started working in Dzaojan's Fixit Shop. Not that Dzaojan does much fixing except with the money. That it had also coincided with his attitude nose diving during the same time was hardly a coincidence. It wasn't the most glamorous job, but he wasn't in much of a position to complain about that at this point. He had fallen far about as fast as one actually could, and he refused to think about it anymore. The past was the past, as far as he was concerned. It could rot there, along with all of the hypocrites. Of which there was an overabundance on this planet, so far as he was concerned. What I wouldn't give to get out of here. It was a thing he frequently thought about. He knew that he was the last of his species. There was literally nothing tying him to this planet any longer... other than the minor detail that they refused to travel in space. It complicated the whole leaving thing quite a bit.

As Pyrrak noticed the droid shivering as it hovered near the wall he smiled and slid back under the speeder he was working on. He knew that he shouldn't torture the droid. Knew that he should probably treat it as well as he could, because without it he was rather stuck. But dammit all, the thing annoyed him so much and he just couldn't help himself anymore. After all, as he was technically a ronin, what difference did it really matter? That was something that almost no one really came back from so far as he'd heard. And Dragons knew he'd hunted down more than his fair share of them over the course of his life. There had been exactly one that hadn't been killed, but he had been maimed beyond usefulness when he had been reinstated.

Turning his mind back to the task at hand, he began finagling the various pieces of the repulsors into place, part of him exceedingly tempted to use the Force to shift things appropriately. Ever since he'd gotten over the initial shock and depression of his current status, he had found himself increasingly wanting to use the Force of simple useful things. He hadn't actually done it. Much. And then it had only been when he was completely alone and he couldn't actually fit his fingers into a crevice to adjust something, but he'd come to understand that it was an incredibly useful thing that the Diilenkh Nahè-ryu were attempting to make more mainstream, but they had so much inertia to deal with that he suspected that it wasn't going to happen in his lifetime. Or several Orokujin liftimes for that matter. A wookiee might live long enough. Maybe.

Muttering to himself, he felt something shift with a clank. Gritting his teeth and twisting with the spanner as hard as he could, since it seemed to have jammed, he eventually felt it clunk together. Though the spanner actually broke, and he began swearing softly to himself. It took a lot to break a spanner, and he was lucky that it hadn't actually sliced his arm open when it broke. Especially given the amount of torque that had been involved as he had been drawing on the Force to enhance his strength. To think, could I use the Force to manipulate it I could have saved the tool. At least he wasn't going to have to pay for it, it was Dzaojan's tools after all. Technically. Though with the way things had been going he wouldn't be surprised if he had to buy two more as a "gift". The money simply deducted from his pay.

Reaching out for his toolbox, trying to remember where he'd put that arc welder, he sensed two beings enter the shop. One he was very familiar with, as it was an emissary for Akachen family who had been trying to get him to join up with them. It was rare for a ronin to be reintegrated into a family... but apparently he was an exception in "high demand". Refusing to acknowledge them until he was given no choice, he continued trying to reach the box without actually having to let go of the piece he finally had in place.

Feeling the box be pushed within his reach he knew that Redgrove Taros was definitely there to see him, and not for some other more mundane purpose. Sighing heavily, he reached in and quickly located the welder and almost immediately began to solder the piece into place. Don't know how in the world they knocked this off. Shouldn't have been possible. He heard Redgrove mention that it was a shame that his naginata wasn't nearby. Greater shame I can't just use the Force to pull it to me. Such thoughts were pretty heretical so far as most samurai were concerned, and Redgrove was certainly to be counted among that number. So was the Orokujin who had come with him. Instead of thanking the man, or responding to his request, Pyrrak grunted loudly, so as the be heard over the arc welder.

"I'm sorry master Dedrick, I don't quite understand what you were saying..." The droid butted in where it was unwanted right then. Should have turned it off until I got done. Ignoring both of them, he finished up what he was in the middle of. It was insufferably rude, but he was in the middle of a job. And Dzaojan was not afraid of docking wages were you not actually working. Or working too slow.

Looking up at the repulsors, and finding nothing that he could actually do quickly, Pyrrak muttered to himself and pushed his way out from under the speeder. As he emerged he was assaulted by the sight of the bearded Redgrove, and a dark orange tinted Orokujin. He was greeted by one of Redgrove's practically constant smiles and a wave. Pyrrak wasn't sure what he could actually do to get the human to leave him alone, as he'd already been more than mildly rude to him. Had even gone so far as to tell the man to leave him alone when he was at work. Nothing seemed to get through is apparently thick skull. He knew that the Akachen's were somewhat desperate for solid fighters because of the mess they'd created with Torawei's some centuries ago, but that was not a fight that Pyrrak wanted any part of. Especially with the whelp Aikimi recruiting for a more clandestine group as she was far, far more bloodthirsty than her father. Pyrrak suspected that the situation wasn't going to be a Silent War for much longer.

Heading over to a sink to work on getting rid of some of the dirt and so forth from his paws, Pyrrak nodded at the Orokujin whose name he couldn't remember until Redgrove had mentioned it again. He attempted to look grumpy and recalcitrant, but he suspected that with his facial features being so different that the human just couldn't actually read his expressions. That or he flat out ignored him, simply wanting to spend time with a "living legend", a hero. Pyrrak had come to the conclusion that only fools looked up to heroes, and only greater fools wanted to be heroes. Other than Akitsune, but that was another matter entirely.

He found himself being forced into actually responding when Redgrove mentioned that he had something to discuss, and it was much more at hand than the naginata that Pyrrak had left at home, he spoke over his shoulder. //Fine, speak your peace. Then leave.//

"What my master means to say is that he'd be pleased to listen to your offer," the droid translated inaccurately for him.

//Zinai, if you don't start translating what I actually say I will open you up and "fix" you.// Pyrrak threatened the droid.

"Of course master. As you wish." Zinai edged away from him ever so slightly, but not so far that propriety would be disrupted. It was a protocol droid after all, like pretty much all translation droids tended to be.

Before anything else could be said Nentrai, the other mechanic in the shop, spoke up. Apparently it was almost time for his break anyway, and not to worry about the shop. Pyrrak never worried about the shop anymore. Dzaojan had lost that right when he'd docked an entire weeks wages for something that the ewok hadn't even been there to have done. But of course, since he was a ronin the lousy, lying nagai hadn't listened to a word that he'd said. That had been a few weeks ago now, and Pyrrak was still bitter. It hadn't been the first time the cheapskate had done that to him either, finding any excuse he could to save money. Pyrrak also suspected that Nentrai simply didn't want to be around for the conversation, as he'd been a spectator to some of the more memorable one's he'd had.

Redgrove of course smiled upon hearing about the break, and Pyrrak not being given a choice in the matter by etiquette, co-worker, or "friends" he found himself being lead outside the shop almost immediately. It was nice to stretch his legs and not be stuck starring up into the innards of some machine, he would admit that much. But the company left a bit to be desired. Now, if he could just get a drink... well, maybe he could deal with Redgrove and his pestering. Or he might throw him out of the building. Either one was possible, as he'd done it more than once in the past year. It was amazing the man kept coming back. In such a good mood to boot.

Wrinkling his nose at the smell, given that this was a working area it wasn't particularly shocking, This was the area to be at if you needed your xishiro to be re-saddled as seen by the ample droppings in the street, or for any sort of leather craft. The smell of the piss barrels was more than enough to mark the place quite amply. It was how he found the the shop most of the time, simply follow his nose to the least pleasant part of Qiang Lao and there you were.

As they moved away from the vile smelly part of town into a differently smelly area. This one was savory, filled with meats cooking and vegetables frying or boiling or steaming. Soups and noodles and eggs. And... I haven't eaten all day yet, have I. That was one very good reason for the food to all smell so good. Looking up at the sky, trying to distract himself from his suddenly growling stomach, he noted the relatively pleasant nature of the day. It was a sort of glass half full, glass half empty day. On the one hand there were all of the clouds, but on the other there was also all of the sunshine with the clouds barely mitigating the temperature at all. He'd have preferred something a bit more overcast personally, something to help cut out a bit more of the heat. A nice strong breeze would have been amazing so far as he was concerned. Instead there was a piddling little thing. One of the curses of fur, he often found things hotter than those smooth skinned beings on the planet. He always ended up stinking due to sweat.

A scream drew his attention upwards briefly as a skycar flew to who knew where. It had always seemed a little odd the whole fascination with keeping everything on such a low technological level when it was perfectly clear that the Orokujin were capable of much more. Certain things he could understand, walking for instance. Not wanting to fall into the trap of everything needing to be done yesterday if not sooner, but not using datapads? How did that make sense. Not communicating via commlinks and so forth unless it was absolutely vital... it was like their view of the Force, he had concluded in the last few years. Backwards and annoying. That he was looked down on for being a mechanic and working with machines... it was a double whammy for the ronin. But they were necessary evils like merchants, as most people would view it.

Shaking his head, he turned back to the cacophonous city that they were walking through. It was amazing how much he didn't even hear anymore, simply because it was the normal backdrop of his life. What I wouldn't give to be in a small town right now. If only they had good liquor I'd consider it. He'd always hated the noise and smells of the city, but having been part of the Shigonzhao for more than a decade he'd had to adjust to life in cities. Edokura absolutely dwarfed where he found himself so in a way it was a nice change of pace. Quieter even. But the smells remained the same. The scent of a city might as well be a living thing, something that burrowed deep into the bones of all of them and refused to leave. Burning might solve the problem. Maybe. Some of the stones would probably still stink.

As they neared yet another pub and passed it by, Pyrrak found himself having to ignore the looks he got. It was a continual problem, being an oddity such as he was. Almost everyone mistook him for a very small wookiee, as none had ever seen another ewok. Nor would they. That he had a small droid floating along behind him everywhere only compounded the attention he got. And to think, he'd been living here for a few years. It was another reason he hadn't left, having to deal with even more stares and questioning glances. It was annoying to be watched everywhere he went, and it was only made worse whenever he wore his katana or carried his naginata, so he had gotten out of the habit very quickly. Broken it with a vengeance was another way of putting it. And more accurate depending on who you might have asked.

It annoyed him to see everyone moving out of their way, as though the samurai were somehow better. Worthy of "honor". He would have nothing to do with it anymore. Honor had abandoned him, and so he had done the same. But was he bitter? Angry? Infuriated by the situation? Those who broached the subject of his past rapidly found out the at the answer was a resounding yes. It was a surprise in many ways that he hadn't fallen to the Dākusaido as so many other ronin had, becoming little more than common bandits at best. Or the evil of legend at their worst. That it would only give someone the satisfaction of hunting him down was one of the many reasons he refused to follow that path. But to any of a monastic persuasion, he was a walking catastrophe. And he knew it. Balance had long since fled from his life. He didn't even bother seeking it anymore, simply living with the anger.

Approaching the Dancing Tiger Pyrrak sighed. It was the only place that Redgrove ever took him to, and he really should have known at this point. So much for getting a good drink. Why he insists on going to a dive such as this is beyond me. The man was a samurai. He was well off by most standards. Why in the world he insisted on this cheap place with it's peeling paint and oft broken windows was beyond him. Unless it was because of him. That was a thought that he hadn't actually considered, since Pyrrak had actually broken the windows several times. Once with a flying Redgrove. Suffice to say he wasn't the nicest drunk in the world. Were he to pick of all the bars in Qiang Lao he would have taken them to Xishiro's Rest. It was a hidden place, known only to those that knew their liquor. It was one of the last places he was truly respected at this point in his life. He had the "honor" of a connoisseur there at least. And being able to drink literally anyone under a table. That typically helped.

Ducking under the canvas held up by Aishin, Pyrrak immediately headed to the bar, not even bothering to look to see if the others followed or not. As much as he hated the bar stools because he had to use the Force, he didn't really want to sit at a table somewhere. It took longer to get his drinks that way. So, using the Force, Pyrrak hopped up onto one of the stools easily, drawing a few cocked heads and pointed fingers. Yes. I can use the Force. Like almost every third person you run into on the streets. He was firmly of the opinion that people shouldn't find it so odd. How else was he supposed to get up there? Climb? The stools weren't stable enough for that.

While he settled in, Redgrove situated himself easily onto one of the stools and Pyrrak narrowed his eyes in frustration at the sight. The world simply wasn't designed for someone his size. He'd forgotten how low the stools were here, yet another reason he didn't like the place. After all, it mean the often had to stand up to reach his drink, as most bartenders didn't actually think and left them in the middle of the bar.

Ordering a pair of riji-bul sake's, Redgrove dropped a few coins on the bar. It wasn't what Pyrrak would have ordered, being rather partial to any of the varieties of ginjo, maybe a honjozo or junmai-shu in a pinch, but a free drink was a free drink. It was his fault if the other samurai simply couldn't appreciate a truly good drink. He suspected that this place didn't have any ginjo anyway. Possibly neither of the other two, as he looked over the bottles behind the bar. Oh, there's some junmai. But you don't come here if you're looking for a good drink, I don't guess. Shame to see that bottle so dusty. He almost corrected the order... but it wasn't his money so he remained silent, hoping that Redgrove would do the same. Pyrrak was rather amused at Aishin ordering tea. That seemed like a terrible idea, given the place they were, but to each their own.

As Pyrrak reached for his drink, finding it just barely out of reach, Redgrove asked if he was curious at all. Stretching with a grunt, Pyrrak barely managed to get a finger on the glass before falling back on his rump. Before he drinking, he said //Not in the slightest.// Taking a sip, he winced in horror while the droid translated for him.

"Maybe in a mo-" Zinai started to say before Pyrrak swatted at the droid. It made a very fake coughing sound then said, "Let me correct myself. He isn't particularly interested at the moment. My apologies sir, he's been having a rath-" Pyrrak swore at the droid and it completely froze. Somehow it managed to convey a sense of embarrassment without saying a word. Or even shifting.

Glaring at the ornery sphere the ewok took another sip, grimacing while he noticed Redgrove's amusement at the situation. Because he was always amused by Pyrrak, though more accurately it was life in general. Pyrrak didn't actually make the distinction as he found it utterly insufferable. Or maybe he was just genuinely glad of the company? That was such a preposterous thought that Pyrrak couldn't actually lend any credence to it, but he didn't pick up even a hint of annoyance from the other samurai through observation or the Force. //And your taste in sake is appalling.// Tossing the rest of the drink back with a grimace, he sat the glass on the bar upside down, actually hoping that it wouldn't be refilled.

"Master, I can't say that." Zinai shifted about uneasily, bobbing back and forth.

//Say it, or you'll get another dent.// Pyrrak glowered.

"Umm... Master Dedrick thinks that your taste in liquor is lacking," the droid said uneasily. And when it caught the look Pyrrak shot it, hastily added, "At best."

Pyrrak didn't particularly care about Redgrove's response, though the soft laughter was annoying. He was more concerned with the wookiee behind the bar. He looked less than pleased at the comments about his selection of liquor, and howled as such at the small, obnoxious, furred barbarian. Pyrrak flashed his teeth at him in a rather unfriendly smile, but didn't actually reply.

Pointing at the bottle he wanted, Pyrrak dropped several coins of his own on the bar. More than three times what Redgrove had paid, which caused the human to raise his eyebrows slightly. Grunting the wookiee poured from the dusty blue bottle that had been all but hiding towards the end of the bar. //This is passable// Pyrrak said to Redgrove, //Though I doubt you'll be able to tell much difference.// He waited, annoyed with the bartender when the glass was placed even farther away this time.

"Master Dedrick thinks you might appreciate this, it's much finer." The droid had noticed a distinct downturn in Pyrrak's attitude of late, though it didn't actually know why. It happened to coincide with the mistreatment he'd been the victim of from Dzaojan. Though even Zinai wasn't willing to relate this turn of events to anyone, fearing for it's functionality.

Muttering to himself, Pyrrak stretched as far as he could but found that he actually had to climb part of the way onto the bar to reach it, the bartender flashing his teeth in an amused and equally unfriendly smile. Petty zinai wookiee. See how he likes being called a giant ewok sometime. It would never happen, but with the sheer amount of times he'd been mistaken for a midget wookiee he would have loved to say something along those lines. Or just see it happen. Just once.

Redgrove actually didn't help, as he'd learned his lesson months ago. Do not help Pyrrak in situations like this. It tended to end with one soundly sitting on the floor. Maybe it's lessons he wants. Might pay better than Dzaojan. When the zinai nagai actually pays. Finally reaching the glass, Pyrrak carefully sat back down so that he didn't spill any of the precious liquid. Taking a deep breath of it, simply savoring the scent for a moment, he watched Redgrove out of the corner of his eye. The man seemed to be having some difficulty deciding if he should actually drink or not, though what that was about Pyrrak couldn't have guessed. Giving a mental shrug he took a sip and immediately felt some of the tension leave his body. While not the best, this was at least quality sake. Slightly over aged, due to the lack of demand in this place most likely, Pyrrak absently wondered how old that bottle actually was. Maybe I should buy it from him. Looking at the still feral grin on the wookiee's face he amended the thought. Later. Much later. It wasn't like he desperately needed it back home anyway. It was mainly a curiosity.

And speaking of curiosity, he felt it niggling around in the back of his mind. He actually was curious as to what Redgrove wanted. But more accurately, he was curious as to who had sent him. He tried to fight it, and simply watched Redgrove cough at the difference in the liquor, trying not to laugh. Aishin resolutely ignored the whole situation, staring off into the middle distance. That's more the kind of response I expected. It's almost like this is just a game to Redgrove. I do not understand him. He paused for a moment, thinking about it. Not sure I want to either.

The man was patient though, Pyrrak had to give him that as seconds of silence, simply listening to the ambiance of the room and city, stretched into several minutes. Finally Pyrrak sighed softly. //Fine. Who sent you? The senile old man or his zinai whelp?// He motioned for the droid to translate for him, for once glad that he could express himself without worry of the droid actually repeating him word for word. After a moment he added, //And what do they want this time?// He strongly suspected it had to do with the Torawei's, and if it was he was most likely going to say no. Again. But the situation Dzaojan had become intolerable, and he knew he needed to find another job somewhere. And the idea of getting in some fights was incredibly appealing in his current frame of mind. But for Aikimi... ugh. If only he could go back to the Shigonzhao. That had been his home. His family. But that seemed as likely as him traveling among the stars.

"Master Dedrick would like to know who it was that sent you, the honorable khan or his daughter? And what is it that they would ask of him?" The droid shifted a few inches away from Pyrrak, but he didn't even spare it a glance. He'd learned long ago how to best use Zinai, much as the thing frustrated him. So he waited for Redgrove to be able to breath again from his coughing fit of having tried Pyrrak's offering again. It brought a smile to his face.

TAG: Darth_Elu

 

OOC: Just updating those who are replying to the Opener for the first time for now, the others will get an update again soon! And yes, Ktala, you did well with the honorifics.

9:50 a.m.
~Shaohorin, Kuniga Province~

Her words had been well received concerning the Dance of Blades and the beautiful lights in the upcoming festival. But for the time being, attention was on the soup and her response about being in tune with her surroundings.

“Ah. I see,” nodded Ogura Naosa calmly, “Perhaps not in the same way, but I can understand a bit. And thank you, Varr made it! I’m sure he’ll enjoy your compliments regarding the soup! Aha!”

He had motioned to the zabrak male nearby, who attempted to stoically look away and not show how much he enjoyed the compliment. Some men never changed, even when old.

Time passed like for a while, with that desperate unease growing till it was blaring in her sense. Both Onni and Ton’da would soon see the source not far from the Elder’s Residence. Though, they’d also quite plainly hear it while the children nervously crowded inside, uncertain of what was going on. A few of the elders, peered out as well.

A woman of simple wear, clutching a small bag, and looking about frantically as she paused in obviously hurried travel. Though she wasn’t close enough to see her eyes clearly, it was obvious they were casting about wildly.

“HELP! HELP ME SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! MY HUSBAND...” here she choked up a bit, shaking her head as she tried to get the words out.

It was plainly time to discover just what was going on. Or just watch if one chose for some reason, though the zabrak samurai’s companion was edging toward moving in the woman’s direction.

“Oh my…” quietly murmured the orokujin woman nervously.

Tag: Ktala

10:30 a.m.
~Edokura, Chisinqi Province~

And so Sato Izanami continued her patrol, all the while wondering what exactly had happened to her. So strange, so new, so wondrous. Yet was it good, ill, or somewhere in between? There was no way to tell for certain.

Furthermore, she very quickly found herself back in the monotony of her everyday life and everyday patrol thereafter. At least she had something to ponder about for a change. Because literally everything else remained as it always had been for the last ten years. If nothing else, it certainly gave her that time to think.

What she chose to think about other than…whatever that was…was known only to her and the city guard continued to only make light talk with her if not ignore her entirely. What a dull thing her life was.

A few hours after the interesting situation, something else that was curious occurred though not quite as shocking.

“Sato Izanami-laosan?” a gruff male voice called out.

Turning, she saw a dark haired but light eyed human man in medium armor that revealed his station as one of the city guard due to its basic designs. She recognized him as Futaru Nikalas, one of the lieutenants. While she had spoken with him before it was never much due to a bristly personality and quite rare; even rarer for him to initiate it.

He waved for her to follow him and simply turned away when she acknowledged and looked at him, his burly figure moving along the wall to one the main guard station close to the Gate of Commons.

“Come on,” he huffed, “You’ve got a visitor. Looks like official business.”

Within about ten minutes they reached the guard station that had been made into a small chamber itself, with some of the stairs that led to the city proper within as well. As soon as she entered, Nikalas gave a brief nod then went back to his own patrol.

Inside, seated upon one of the few chairs in the small station and away from the guards on break, was an orokujin woman with gray fur wearing a formal kamishimo outfit. A samurai and judging by her appearance, higher ranking than herself. One glance to the colors and sigil upon the kamishimo, due to its appearance on formal clothing, told her all she needed to know.

Predominantly gold coloring, with the sigil overlaid on that with crossed black fists over a white sun. The symbol of the Zhaoichi Family. The symbol of the Shogun himself. She didn’t recognize this woman, but then again, her lord had many servants sworn to him and his family so that wasn’t surprising.

She stood as soon as Izanami entered, gazing at her silence, before saying one thing that almost shook her. Something she was either desiring or dreading, it was so hard to say.

“Sato Izanami-laosan, I presume, “ a small nod more to herself, “You have been summoned.”

She didn’t need to say by whom.

Tag: QueenSabe7

2:12 p.m.
~The Dancing Tiger, Qiang Lao~

As usual, Redgrove Taros found himself amused at the antics of Dedreck Pyrrak and his translation sphere droid, a duo that stood out. And that put it lightly. Having learned his lesson, he simply kept silent through it all, knowing that was the wisest way to not encourage a hostile reaction from the tiny wookiee. Erm, ewok. At least, most likely not encourage one. Or at least temper it a bit. Depended really.

It was another reason why he chose to bring Aishin along as he was patient and mild-mannered, knew how to keep quiet till called on. Added to the atmosphere, which is what he wanted of course. Also, staying quiet dragged out the disgraced hero’s curiosity that he knew was buried in there. How’d he know? Well, he had his ways. And a hunch. But mostly his secret ways.

Deciding to humor him on the liquor after some dubious thought, though he was a fan of the place no matter what his companion said, he tried some.

Dragon Fire!

Felt like he was burning down the throat and the human couldn’t help but cough though he attempted to suppress it. He failed miserably as one would expect and the orokujin ignored him too. Perhaps he was too good at that. Oh, lets not forget the smirk that briefly appeared on the nasty little woo…ewok’s face too.

Sigh. The things he put up with, not to say it wasn’t amusing after the fact, just…sometimes he wondered why he wasn’t dead yet. A mild exaggeration, but even so.

However, it all paid off in the end. Well, for now in any event. Pyrrak asked his question at last and his ‘affectionately’ named droid, Zinai translated. While keeping it far more courteous as always he suspected.

Taros stared at the empty cup in his hand, rather surprised and retrospectively regretful of the fact he downed it so fast without trying a sip first. Granted, that was how he maintained some semblance of respect around the ronin or so he hoped.

Setting down the cup on the counter, he looked at him and smiled like he usually did. Smiles came naturally to him, it was just who he was. “Actually it is Khan Akachen himself who asks after you this time, not his daughter. I feel you’d get along better with him, though that’s my opinion. Why?”

A small shrug, “He wouldn’t give me details, but he said it was truly important that he spoke with you in person. Today. Honestly, the Khan seemed kind of anxious which I’m not sure why, but there it is.”

Aishin surprised Taros, which probably showed for a second on his face, by speaking up right then while still staring off with his tea in hand. “Khan Akachen thinks rather highly of you, you know. Rumors or not.”

Blinking at his orokujin friend, then giving a small shrug as if to say ‘well, there you have it,’ the human samurai looked to see how the ewok would respond next.

Tag: A Blind Prophet

5:35 p.m.
~Yirojo Estate, Qiuzu Province~

If there was anything wrong with Dr. Orin Mattac’s use of address, the Khan didn’t seem to notice it and the orokujin man began to eat a few bites, signaling it was all right to do so for the human before him as well.

The Khan nodded as the man, so recently delivered from the rice fields, spoke. “Perfect. Hm. Yes, every evening and every day is a perfect one if so looked at in the right light.” A chuckle came after the statement. “It’s a saying of my grandfather’s, may the Force keep him well.”

Another pause as Khan Yirojo took a bite of some meat and calmly dabbled his mouth with a napkin after, his eyes leveling on the man he invited. He was quiet as he watched him for a few moments.

Then he quirked a smile, “Yes, all is well or well enough. Cursed headaches. You seem unnerved however, Mattac-laosan. Is it because of the relative quiet due to the absence of my wife and daughter?

Still getting used to them being gone after they left to meet Khan Kangyuen a week ago, hm? They should have arrived there by now I believe. Or is it that I have no visitors on business? I made certain they were dealt with early…I confess to not wishing to deal with them too late this day.”

His eyes closed again as he relaxed and took in a breath, the small wind ruffling his fur only just a bit. It also brought the aroma of the food all the stronger to their nostrils, which was pleasant.

“No, I wished this evening to just be you and I. My father is content to eating alone and my son is probably be rounded up from his running exercises even now,” a snort of amusement accompanied that, “But I had something I wished to discuss with you.
“How long have you been on Xinsuke-ye now, would you say?”

Tag: HanSolo29

6:40 p.m.
~Provincial Road, Bareu-Gû Province~

Tolin Callie did well in getting a good start, progressing quite well for the first forty minutes of her travel toward Zhenao. Indeed, she thought she had sensed some individuals following her ten minutes in, but hadn’t been entirely sure till a few minutes ago.

A few ronin, three of them to be exact, had been chasing the messenger who had found her. By the time they had reached the Lonely Tree Inn they had just caught sight of her running out and could tell by her haste that she had taken over the message. So their target had abruptly shifted.

Her.

Her speed forced them to really concentrate hard on keeping up, a testament to her skill added further by the fact that it took them so long to catch up. But in the end, they did. Even if they were panting heavily, it was clear she was going to have to deal with them before moving any further. Ronin would resort to desperate measures if she continued to simply outpace them and sometimes that was best avoided.

One of them, a male zabrak, pulled out a chipped katana. The middle and least tired of the three, was a lithe green twi’lek woman who had out two katanas. And the last was a large and brutish looking selonian woman, hefting a heavy mace of some kind. She was panting the heaviest but the strength she had trained into her arms was still evident.

“Come on…girl…face us…” wheezed the zabrak, trying to sound fierce and failing.

Despite the almost amusing state her enemies were in, she could tell they were no slouches in combat judging by the way they held themselves even then. It was up to her whether or not to take it easy on them for any reason. Or simply take care of business.

No matter what she chose, it would likely be over quickly…

Tag: HunterPrime

 

OOC: sorry for the late response everyone and ELU, been sick every since the holiday.


Arcalia Stav
~The Diamond Path, Gyeonxi Province~

The warmth of the mid-day sun slowly approached bathing him in the meadow Stav sat in as he slowly chewed on a piece of unleavened bread. The warmth of the sun, was welcomed and appreciated in contract to the dark and cold of a prison. Calm and at peace surrounding him, he had traveled most of the night and into the morning, only when the sun had risen did he finally rest briefly waking and bringing him to the present.

Taking a small bite and slowly chewing, savoring, and enjoying the meal he was thankful for, as much as he enjoyed as observing the world around him allowing his eyes to wander about. Taking note of the sights of nature and life around him, absorbing the living force around him. He could hear the light pacing of a deer nearby, grazing out of sight, though its signature and presence was calming as it went about its day simply procuring nourishment. Nourishment, Stav thought as he nibbled yet another bite of bread, his eyes gazing about still. Supplies were low and his thoughts briefly strayed to the rations he barely held onto. However this was not to be something to dominate ones center, the idea of having no Shiku was of little importance. The force would provide.

Though foreign to him, this place was known to him. The Diamond Path, that is what they called the winding thoroughfare ahead. A common and traveled path, though not without its dangers. Something was amiss, cutting through the serene midday breeze that moved across a wild field of flowers and tall grass. The sounds of unrest and distant voices, and the ripple of struggle a short distance away. Though he did not know. He suspected Xishiro. As such a commotion and struggle of sorts made perfect sense, given the setting. Though Stav would not assume fully. Stav drifted back into the meadow, focusing on the flow of the breeze continuing to blow.

The sound of katanas unsheathing was unsettling, but then the snap-hiss of lightswords was even more alarming and it meant only one thing…. Despite such Stav kept himself centered, opting to finish one last bite of the bread before placing the remaining half back in his side satchel, tucking it away for now.

Trying to remain focused and centered on the moment, this world was not his to police anymore. Not his charge to jump into and take charge. The pull was strong, but Stav fought it, that part of him was in the past… pain, blood, betrayal, death… This was not his fight. Long deep breaths inhaling and exhaling with the flow of the breeze. The struggle nearby was not stopping, the reverberations of injustice and subjugation, it was too much to ignore. Stav rose slowly gathering his robe and throwing it over him, clasping his staff in his hand as he calmly set out towards the origin of the commotion.

Stav made his approach along a tree line, eying the Diamond path from a hidden vantage point up ahead of the origin of it all.

It was clear what he saw, he saw Samurai.

@Darth_Elu

 

IC: Master Ash; Hanami, Boshi ( Title, Family, Given )
Zhaoichi Estate

In his mind there was stillness, in his heart he felt peace. Clarity was in his vision. A multiplicity of images played upon his consciousness and he felt he understood them, at least most of them, save for one.

Those eyes.

With a slow exhale, followed by an intake of air, then another exhale, did Master Ash surface from his meditation, feeling completely refreshed. Had he eyes, they would flutter open, but the miraluka had no eyes to speak off. He was always seeing, though he was physically blind.

Slowly did he raise his head, just so, signifying his return to the waking world, should anyone else be nearby.

Next to him, an attendant stirred once he had completed his meditations, and offered to him a small gift, a token most precious. A single Xinsuke Lotus.

To the visible eye, a full spectrum of colors danced faintly upon the delicate petals. But to the miraluka’s perceptions, the display was far more radiant and spectacular. The flower seemed to positively blaze with spectral haze, as coruscating colors flashed all about.

“For your thoughts, Dragon-Touched.” The attendant intoned.

“You have my gratitude.” Master Ash breathed in response, accepting the lotus flower.

The memory of a long ago encounter made its way to the miraluka’s mind. Master Ash smiled softly at the memory, then released it back to the stream of his subconscious.

That had not been chance. It had been fate.


With a grace of a seasoned samurai, did he rise to his feet. Taking up his Teileng steel katana, he cinched it to his belt. His lightsaber was already in place. Master Ash smoothed out his samurai robes, which sported both the symbol of the regent he served and the dojo he belonged to.

As it was, it was still early, so he still had a good amount of time before his meeting with the Chamberlain. Though he was uncertain of what to expect, Master Ash looked forward to the meeting. The Chamberlain was a wise and noble being, dutiful to a fault. These were virtues he would have to somehow teach his new apprentice.

Wynt’r Kel.

The miraluka turned to depart the Zen Gradens, as a light smirk appeared on his face. He was thinking of the spirited young nagai who was now his apprentice. Willful and brazen; the young samurai in training was full of promising potential. But like any worthy blade, a master’s hand was required to fulfill that potential. Master Ash was confident he was up to the task- Force willing.

As he walked through a corridor, a familiar sound caught his attention. Drumming. This early in the morning, it could only mean one thing. A grace towards the origin of the sound confirmed his thinking.

Without hurrying, the miraluka walked towards a practice courtyard. The sound of the beating drums had grown, the rhythm of their beat felt like ripples. Before him, a good number of early-rising samurai practiced their sword form. He watched them for a brief moment, how they shone in the force. Master Ash smiled.

Without breaking stride, he joined the formation as he took his place at the rear.

Inside a moment, he fell into focus, his footwork joining theirs, his katana now in hand, glinting in the morning light as it paced through the various parries and strikes. This was indeed a good morning…and after the re-energizing exercise, there would be breakfast.

Tutoring was scheduled for sometime in the afternoon.

Tag: @Darth_Elu

---

IC: Kel Wynt’r (First, Last )
Edokura, Chisinqi Province

Damsel in distress. Check.

Four Kanuza low lives. Check.

Two Twileks, one green, one white. The latter armed with an axe.

The third was a grey furred orokujin with eerily orange eyes. He seemed to be an archer..and something more. Something about him made Kel feel uneasy, so he would have to keep him in his awareness.

The last thug was a giant of a Wookiee, nearly three meters tall.

What would the three of them need with a young arkanian girl? Kel wondered briefly. Nothing good, was the definitive answer.

Every other consideration was set aside, in favor of inhabiting the moment. Kel’s dark eyes studied the surroundings, assessed what threats he could perceive and weighed them in his mind. Of course, he kept an alert posture, as he listened. Whatever he answered, he would make sure to sound relaxed and confident.

A Samurai had to build a reputation on keeping cool and collected. At least on the outside. Absently, Kel wished his Master were around for instances such as this. Still, this was his challenge and he would not turn from it. He would do his new master proud.

“Take a look at this, little samurai has come to play hero.”

“Look, kid,” started the white twi’lek. “Samurai or not, you’re out of your league here. Just go home and pretend this never happened, we all end up happy.”

The green took over again, keeping firmly placed in front of the girl and to the other twi’lek’s left. “Time’s ticking, brat.”

The giant wookiee growled in irritation, causing the white twi'lek to flinch slightly. Tension was building quickly.

Kel surmised he could initially position himself between the archer and the giant wookiee, essentially blocking any line of sight attacks. He could possibly make quick work of both twi’leks, but that would leave him with an angry beast of a wookiee and a sinister orokujin to deal with.

“I really think you got the wrong girl.” He said with a chuckle.

“I’m serious.”

“I should know who’s who around here, since I live in the area. She’s no one important, despite looking just like someone else. You guys seriously need to do your homework.”

Kel let out a breath through his nose, despite giving off a relaxed appearance. His entire body ached, he was coiled for action. But he knew he needed to wait- to see the opening once it appeared. A real opening, not a goad or a feint. These thugs likely worked together and had a method, so he would have to take care not to fall for their tricks.

And most of all…

He would have to trust his training - and the Force.


Tag: @Darth_Elu

 

IC: Kloppa Xaitchi
Outside Darksahn Gol, Aruka Province
2:15 a.m.


“Plus, there’s another reason for doing it now. Go ahead, extend out with the Force and sense them like you do, give a gentle push.”

His mentors words prompted a smile that Kloppa couldn’t hold back. After a long day of patrol duty this was a most welcomed and unexpected reward.

The young Zabrak continued to hold up his blade, kindling them both and the surrounding area and used his other hand to draw back his hood. The assortment of horns that formed a sort of crown on his head felt as sturdy as ever as his fingers brushed over them. He took another look back at Li Yo Bei and then closed his eyes, raising his free hand in the direction of the rare ferns.

Each time he did this it felt the same but it never got old. As he channelled the Living Force he felt that familiar vibration travel instantaneously though every nerve in his body, every fibre of his being. He was careful to refrain from using too much power so as not to disturb the new plants too much. As he reached out the ferns bent slightly and then danced in the green upon green of the grass and his lightsaber blade as he touched it’s very essence. The violet tinted underbrush catching the light and glinting.

He opened his eyes and disengaged the saber, walking with a gleeful grin on his face as he walked over and crouched down, placing three fingers on the top of a leaf.

He looked back at his mentor.

“This species is rare. I might be among a handful to have seen it!”

His smile remained but his eyes changed, becoming distant and lost in thought. He looked up to the skies and spoke again to the monk without taking his gaze off the black of space.

“That star that glimmers… do you know of anyone who has travelled to it?”


TAG: Darth_Elu

 

OOC: Sorry, short post. Lacking in coffee today.

IC as Elaiess Tae'en

The gray sky seemed to refuse to dissipate, continuing to hide the bright sun mostly from existence. The young woman reminded herself it was only temporary as she moved through the dirt road in the center of the small town. She could stop by the market, it was modest, but it had most items she needed, if her garden didn't grow it, but the calm and quiet of the garden beckoned her on. Upon arriving, a small smile took over her expression. At least it was hard to be sad here, she thought to herself as she moved slowly through the flowers, stopping here and there to bend down and breathe in the beautiful aroma.

Standing up from stooping over, a flash of red streaked to life and burned at the front of her mind. She shook her head quickly, pushing the feelings that usually arose with such remembrance to the background once more. She sighed out a quiet breath and focused her attention upward to the darkened sky of clouds. Soon, they would be holding the traditional Festival of Lights and they would select people to finally take flight and leave the planet. She wished and prayed she was one of the few who would be chosen. To leave her dark past behind and look to a bright future within the vast stars scattered in the sky. That's what she desperately wanted for her life. To get away and be free.

The garden was now beginning to feel too enclosed. She needed to get out of there. Pulling the white haori about her a bit more, Elaiess departed from the once serene garden and returned back into the town proper. Bread and milk, she listed in her head and headed to the market with a renewed purpose to carry on with her day.

Tag: Darth_Elu

 

OOC: Dragonsith, as you are the first to visually see the Xishiro, I would suggest taking another look at the Lotus of Many Flavors to see the description created by Spacey & Prophet. You may also PM me with any questions as always.

My apologies to you spacelady as it was getting late and my mind sluggish. I shall update you tomorrow as soon as possible!


2:23 a.m.
~Outside Darksahn Gol, Aruka Province~

It took a few moments, but Li Yo Bei waited a moment longer before answering his student's words about its rarity. The smile still in place.

And then there it was. The ferns were glowing golden in the darkness, an undeniable light radiating forth from them. There was not even a need for Kloppa's lightsaber had he wished to briefly turn it off to revel in it.

"A rare species, made even rarer. This is the sub-variety, as you now see. Claritas Forceitus. Reactive to even the slightest touch in the Force, to which it glows in the darkness. A useful lesson, I think, to which I will not elaborate on further."

When the boy's eyes finally became distant and drifted to a different focus, the sky, the master watched him calmly. The zabrak would do this often and he always found it curious how strongly they pulled to him.

He wondered if…

Shaking his head, he brought himself back to the present.

"Traveled to it? I'm afraid not, Kloppa-kunseng. If I recall correctly, the last time an off-worlder arrived on Xinsuke-ye it was three years ago, though I had heard of it a year past that. Before that it was over a hundred years since any from beyond our skies have come to us."

He slipped his hands in between his sleeves for warmth from the surrounding air and nodded toward the direction of Darksahn Gol, as the light from the Claritas Forceitus slowly faded away at last.

"Come, let us head back now, yet you may ask any questions you have while we walk. And I remind you," he smiled, "that the Festival of Lights is coming up soon. Need I remind you of this year's importance?"

Tag: Snokers


6:00 a.m.
~Zhaoichi Estate, Edokura~

The drumming kept the pace as he and the other samurai did their early morning kata, prepping them for the day and everything it would entail. Refreshing in many ways, their movements fluid and sure. A good start to the day by all accounts.

When it eventually came to an end, he slowly headed for breakfast and the idea to have Kel wakened up early came to him, even with tutoring scheduled for afternoon in his mind. His reasoning behind it were his own of course, but it was sound logic of a certainty.

And in the aromas of the food and the bliss of the morning, he also found something else tugging at his mind. Not of the present planning nor of future visions, but of past memories.

For a moment, however brief, he indulged himself. Who knew, sometimes even memories had a way of readying one for what was to come, hidden lessons or important reminders coming to light.

Memory, like The Force itself, was a truly wondrous thing.

Tag: greyjedi125


9:55 a.m.
~Edokura, Chisinqi Province~

As Kel potentially positioned himself, the twi'lek and wookiee's heads moved to follow his actions. The orokujin archer, obviously still present, was successfully blocked from line of sight at least. For now.

His words let loose, sounding casual and natural. They also confused his opponents, making the wookiee blink in puzzlement.

The twi'lek's merely looked at each other for a moment. The white giving off a shrug.

"What the hell is he saying?"

"I dunno. You expect me to know everything or something?"

The green's head began to turn to look back at him. "Kid, you get hit in the head or something?"

Yet their attentions had been taken off of him for that one moment. Did he take that second to act? Or did he yet wait…?

Tag: greyjedi125


11:50 a.m.
~Diamond Path, Gyeonxi Province~

And not just samurai. He saw ronin assaulting the three xishiro-pulled carriages and the samurai protecting them. Arcalia Stav didn't immediately recognize the family sigil on the side of the covered carriage, but what mattered was the chaos he was bearing witness to.

There were about fifteen ronin, four of which were proficient archers hanging back in the rear, and about ten samurai with another orokujin man as their leader engaging them all over the road. Whatever happened, it seemed the ronin managed to get them by surprise initially otherwise it'd be hard to imagine the samurai being overwhelmed.

The arkanian watched passively, doing his best to keep out of the fighting and letting it play out. And yet the Dragons had a test for him. His own surprise.

A xishiro reared up as a small explosion rocked the ground in front of it, he didn't quite see what caused the occurrence, and its attached carriage overturned. But as it was falling over, a figure launched out of it for safety. An orokujin woman and dressed in great finery. She managed to get out in time and not be squashed, even as she rolled tightly away from it. That was one thing. The dragons' devious plan came right after that.

As she quickly tried to get up, but stay low in doing so, he spied a young orokujin girl around three or four years old. A ronin came suddenly running around the rear of the fallen carriage with blade raised high and he swung quickly, though the mother managed to barely lean away from it in time and a samurai quickly hopped over some wreckage of another wagon to block a second attack, thereby saving the woman.

But the little girl screamed and ran away, fright guiding her path toward the woods not too far from him and away from the fighting. The woman held out her hand toward her daughter.

"MIDOBAYAR! COME BACK!" she screamed shrilly.

The samurai nearby was too busy keeping the ronin attacker at bay and their own duel, in turn, had trapped the mother from following after her child.

And now another ronin was coming around the ruined wagon, his eyes already lingering on the girl and making for her quickly. His eyes were truly evil, devoid of any light within as his blade was raised even for one her age. All the others were busy evading the fighting or taking part in it to see.

There was no helping coming for this little one. Her life was doomed to tragedy at a young age.

…Unless an arkanian ronin-monk went against his previous decision and stepped in. That choice was his alone and he knew in his heart that the Dragons of the Force were always watching.

Tag: dragonsith13


12:15 p.m.
~Sorahorin, Barēu-Gû Province~

At her agreement to carry the gift back to her Khan, Khan Hine would only offer a small smile and nod in acknowledgment to Seri'na Rubellite.

"You have my thanks and I look forward to the future relationships between our provinces," he intoned.

With that the box was held out for the selonian to take and she would find that it was actually rather light, especially seeing its dimensions were about one foot all the way around. The craftsmanship was superb and of a blend of dark and light woods seamlessly put together, both the Hine and Jeongbayar Family's crests blazoned on the top. Judging from the weight, most of it had to come from the wood itself, so whatever was inside was clearly lightweight.

After receiving it, the Khan officially stood from his seat and offered a small bow as a respectful dismissal and she was peacefully seen from the room and back to her compatriots. A male wookiee, dark brown fur and the grace of a rock but a heart of gold, named Yatchin Arroworro was the first one she spied waiting for her in the stuffy antechamber from before. The other was a feeorin man named Hurrei Zyn who had dark blue skin and muscles that gleaned with a slight amount of sweat from the room. Both were samurai one wouldn't want to contend with. But neither was she one to be crossed either.

Within a couple of minutes they were finally free of the estate completely and heading toward the small home of a relative of Arroworro's that had agreed to host them while they were in town. At least until they had further orders where she could alternatively use as a means to also give the Hine's gift.

"Huh. What do you think it is, Seri'na-xiaocha?" mused Zyn whose eyes were taking in the ornate wooden box she now carried.

"A dagger, maybe?" the wookiee offered in his native tongue, translated through the Force as most of his kin were taught to do when becoming samurai.

It was a puzzle, one that was not meant to be opened to them, but the idea was tempting to some degree.

Tag: Mitth_Fisto


4:22 p.m.
~Wakaiki-Sodatsu-Eien ni-dojo, Kuniga Province~

Chishiki Kireina almost smirked when her master was nearly drawn in. Almost. That very brief expression was quickly reversed to one of frustration, also briefly shown before being masked again as Yama Hinoki ended up not falling for it after all and avoided the incoming blow.

The master's response thereafter was swift and precise, her fluidity of movement astonishing to those in the present as it had been to those now of the past.

With widened eyes, Chishiki-xiaocha backstepped once to gain better footing and just barely managed to block the downward slash right above her head. Of course then that just flowed into the next attack, to which the pupil managed to deflect. But again, barely, as it threw her off balance due to the supremely natural movements of the master. She had been advancing well, but she was not her teacher yet.

The thrust at the end did just that. Ended it, just like it had the last time. Kireina's practice naginata had been pulled around almost in time to get there and block, with much better reaction speed, but it just wasn't enough.

She bowed to her master as the match ended officially with applause from the other students, her frustration gone and a smile on her face once more. The woman was simply happy to have been able to duel her teacher once more.

"I still have much to learn, Yama-senfu," she said with a content shrug.

Upon its conclusion, what happened then was up to the master of the dojo once more, though she knew she'd be leaving no later than five.

***
In time she finally found herself arriving at the site where her husband and son were buried. But there was an oddity. She was not alone.

Two orokujin men stood before them, ones she didn't recognize, with their heads bent in respect and hands clasped together in prayer. Whomever they were, they were full of courtesy at the least. And then she got a good glimpse of the katanas at their sides and one sported the Kangyuen Sigil upon the back of his kimono.

What were official Kangyuen Samurai doing here?

Tag: galactic-vagabond422

 

Onni Fu'ral
~9:50am, Shaohorin, Kuniga Province~

Onni cradled the soup in her hands and gave Naosa a smile as he replied to her previous comments.

“Ah. I see,” nodded Ogura Naosa calmly, “Perhaps not in the same way, but I can understand a bit. And thank you, Varr made it! I’m sure he’ll enjoy your compliments regarding the soup! Aha!” He had motioned to the zabrak male nearby, who attempted to stoically look away and not show how much he enjoyed the compliment. Onni bowed her head to him, as an offering of thanks. She then sat and ate the soup, leaving a little bit for Ton'da to enjoy as well.

But that unease was growing steadly, to the point that it was literally blaring across all her senses. She stood, and moved over towards the doorway, even as the children began to crowded inside. Ton'da stood near the doorway, clearly worried as well.

A woman of simple wear, clutching a small bag, and looking about frantically as she paused in obviously hurried travel. The woman looked about wildly. “HELP! HELP ME SOMEBODY! ANYBODY! MY HUSBAND...” here she choked up a bit, shaking her head as she tried to get the words out.

Putting her hand on her katana, Onni called her staff to her, and stepped quickly outside of the Elders building, and moved, stepping out to see what was going on. The woman mentioned a husband, and if he was not here, then he might be injured. Onni could also see Ton'da moving to step out as well, even Onni could hear a few words being murmured.

"What is wrong?" Omni called out to the woman, even as she moved to intercept her. She swept her gaze around the area as well, to insure that the one was not being followed, or that others lay in wait nearby. She gave Ton'da a gesture, to be alert as she stepped out.

"I will help you. Tell me what is wrong?" Onni asked the woman, moving slowly to calm and ease the woman's fear, even as she tried to find out what had happened. She watched the woman carefully as she grew closer. Desperation caused people to react in many strange ways. She only hoped that she could indeed help the woman.



Tag: Darth_Elu

 

6:40 p.m. Tolin ~Provincial Road, Bareu-Gû Province~

Callie felt as if the dragons were with her indeed, as she got a very good start. She did not
like getting plaecd in the middle of things, like this, but it sometimes happened in the
call as a messenger. For fourty minutes, her feet flew as she made her way towards
Zhenao, her force sense extended outwards as she moved. She felt as if someone might be
following her, but she could not be sure. Until now.

Three ronin, stepped out in front of her. All of them were breathing hard, and sweating
heavily. If she had to guess, she would guess that someone had sent them off after the
other messenger, in order to stop the message from being received. Oh joy. Would have
been nice, if he had mentioned it. Then again, he might not have been aware. Still, at
least she had worn them down, if nothing else. Her hand went to her katana, as a male
zabrak, pulled out a chipped katana. There was a female twi'lek there, and she didnt look
as tired as the other two. And she drew two katana. The third was a selonian, who had
some type of large club or mace. She might be breathing the hardest, but the muscles in
her arms spoke of power and strength. Callie's hand move to her other weapon.

“Come on…girl…face us…” wheezed the zabrak.These beings were most likely desperate. But
they were ronin. These beings meant business. Callie decided to not give them a single
moment in which they could catch their breath. She would move with Force speed, as she
was fighting against three. But she would strike at the Zabrak first. But she knew she
would need to watch out for the twi'lek. She would be the quickest of the group. And if
perhaps the dragon's luck was with her, she could use the Selonian to strike towards the
others, if she was quick enough. Her training, revolved around the Purple Dragon, and
their philosophy revolves around an All-Out Assault. For a split second, Carrie thought
about attempting to talk her way out. But to do so, would gain them time to recover. And
then Carrie would really be in trouble. Without a word, Carrie's lightsaber came to life,
as she moved, attacking the male who spoke to her first. "As you wish." she growled as
she became a flurry of motion. She would not be a standing target for them For each
moment she spent with them, would mean less time she would have to reach Zhenao.


TAG: Darth_Elu

 

9:52 a.m
~Shaohorin, Kuniga Province~

Almost instantly at Fu’ral Onni’s question, the desperate woman turned to face her and rushed up to her even as the samurai approached. She quickly grasped at her clothing with one hand, another still clutching the bag. It became apparent that she too was a zabrak.

“Please! You have to help…” she would have said more but paused to hear the zabrak reiterate her question and promise aid. The woman’s eyes widened, tears shining within.

“Thank you! Thank you!” she gasped before setting the bag in Onni’s hands. It was now clear by the weight that it was money. And while decent…not enough by the usual healer fee.
“My husband, he…he’s not well. Sick! He insisted it wasn’t bad and waited, but it has been a week now and things don’t look good. I-I think he’s dying, but you have to save him, samurai-laosan!”

She turned and pointed down the road she came then, “We live in a small home on the side of the road about five miles that way! Please, we have to hurry!”

Ton’da moved closer to his master, awaiting her decision on the matter.

Tag: Ktala

11:30 a.m.
~Qwonveng, Qiuzu Province~

After shaking free of unpleasant images before they once more took hold and leaving the garden behind, Tae’en Elaiess moved toward the market. Bread and milk were two things she remembered she needed so that could be dealt with now.

Yet before she arrived, she paused as another covered wagon was pulled through the town in front of her, calmly making its way toward Shinjei. Xishiro leading the way and a lone human driver up top. Once it crossed, she continued toward her destination.

But her feet gradually slowed. Something was off. Something was strange about that wagon and she wasn’t sure what it was or why she felt that way. Glancing at it again as it slowly made its way through the small village, nothing appeared out of place. Yet that sensation remained.

Did she ignore it or investigate it? A samurai’s intuition was a good thing…but sometimes it led to trouble where there was none as not everyone truly possessed such a thing.

Tag: spacelady

6:42 p.m.
~Provincial Road, Bareu-Gu Province~

The ronin were thrown off by Tolin Callie’s aggressive and near immediate response, her ignited lightsaber and charge forcing them to tiredly take the defensive.
Striking the zabrak first she easily manages to strike him once or twice before he can do much to react and thus, within seconds, he falls grievously injured. As he does, the selonian moves slowly around the twi’lek woman to attempt a large swinging strike at the samurai.

The twi’lek in question merely pivots on her heel, hesitates about whether or not to attack, then opts to simply wait until after the selonian’s swing before charging in herself.

One down, two to go if the message is to be safely delivered.

Tag: HunterPrime

 

IC: Kyōkan/Doraku Kambei
1:30 p.m.
~Seashore, Umi-cé Province~


Kyōkan enjoyed the texture of the sand under his feet. He walked toward the surf, the girl to off to his right. He could see she was a young human, and she wore a broad hat and a light yellow komon with a print of pink plum blossoms. He didn’t sense any purposeful concealment of motive or emotions from her. As best he could tell, she was in fact depressed or torn over something. He didn’t recognize her, however. He wondered who she might be, if not a local. People occasionally made pilgrimages to Myōdo-ji, but if that was the case, why linger on the shore this way?

Kyōkan only looked out toward the ocean, but in a few minutes the girl casually moved closer toward him, but looked out at the ocean herself. Even without the Force, Kyōkan could tell by her body language she was trying to absorb some of the tranquility of the location just as he had been.

The monk wondered if he should talk to her. He considered that she might want to be left alone, but she had been comfortable moving closer to him, and he could sense her inner disquiet. He thought for a moment, and decided he might discuss some local history. It could be dismissed as mere small talk by either one of them if they so chose. If not, the account made for a good parable, and her response might give him a clue as to her identity and what she might need. If she were a local of the nearby village, she would probably know the story.

He exhaled audibly and turned his head toward her, hands clasped behind his back. “Peaceful, isn’t it, imoto-laosan?” he smiled. “One would never know the Battle of Minara-no-Gamkai was fought right off the coast here. Did you know that? Although I believe the exact site is a little out of view from here, just around that outcropping,” he continued, turning his gaze back to the horizon and pointing off to their left where a cluster of boulders met the sea and cut off the view of the beach. He realized the girl might think him a bit long-winded, but that just played into the persona of an eccentric old monk some people her age envisioned. Kyōkan had no problem if she viewed him this way. It would cause her to lower her emotional guards and be more receptive to his words.

“About six hundred years ago it was. A decisive battle in the last war with Kurai. Two of the largest fleets Xinsuke-ye had ever seen clashed in these waters. So much treasure spent on the fleets, so much blood spilled… It must have seemed like the end of the world to those soldiers, like the most important battle those generals would ever fight. I suppose it was.” He breathed in and out audibly again. “Now it’s all underwater.” He let that sentence hang in the air. Seabirds wheeled and cawed overhead. The surf continued to roll in and out with constancy. “Coral grows on those warships. Eels nest in the samurai's armor. Few things in this life are as significant, or as permanent, as we imagine them to be. Sometimes I come to the shore here to be reminded of that.” Kyōkan turned his head back to the girl, giving her a comforting smile, his tails swaying in a gesture of welcome.

Tag: @Darth_Elu

 

IC: Yama Hinoki
Wakaiki-Sodatsu-Eien ni-dojo, Kuniga Province

The fluid repose to Chishiki-xiaocha oblique attack put the younger woman on the back foot, the wave of power crashing down on her from above. The student managed ward off the blow but, was assailed again by the master's quick and powerful strikes, pushing her to the edge of her abilities. The only way to test one's strength is to see where they failed. It was painful but, necessary, a plant needs regular pruning to grow healthy and strong. Hinoki noticed this break, the younger orokujin wouldn't block in time. She stopped her strike mere inches from making contact, eyes still focused, face severe, chest heaving just a bit. The heat of the room and physical exertion had taken more than Hinoki was expecting. The evidence was hidden in Yama-senfu's dark fur, wetted by sweat, though her student showed the telltale signs of perspiration, darkening her cream colored fleece to a near brown.

You wouldn't know just from watching how much each woman was putting into each strike, each parry. Each move was as smooth as flowing water, yet each contact was as crushing as a crashing wave. Their silky turns and motions hid the steel in their strikes, and blocks. That was the way of this school, an exterior and appearance of softness, yet just under the skin muscles of granite and a spine stronger than teileng steel.

The pair bow to each other to the applause of the gathered students. The display was the finest demonstration of the style they were learning, between the master and one of the most proficient among them.

"I still have much to learn, Yama-senfu," Kireina remarked shrugging a little a content smirk on her face.

"We all do," Hinoki replied with a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. She stepped closer putting a hand on Kireina's shoulder, "You've learn much, I am proud to call you my student." She continued quieter so the other's couldn't hear, this was encouragement meant for Chishiki-xiaocha and her alone, "One day you will surpass me, one day you will astound others with your abilities, and, if it is your desire, one day you will teach others." In that moment the teacher was no longer Yama-senfu, but, Hinoki, a proud parent in awe at how far a person she considered a daughter had come.

Looking out over her students once again she thought about the fact that Ishi would be around Karaku Tohiri's age, had he not perished on that day so long ago yet near to her heart. Teaching and caring for others had given her an opportunity to express the feelings she so wished to share with her own child. Though she had to pull back at times, these were not her flesh and blood, they had parents of their own, families of their own. This forced her to hide her concern behind a gruff attitude, correcting a student's stance with harsh ministrations, or watching over the class with a stern expression.

Only a few had seen her without the figurative mask, Chishiki-xiaocha chief among them. Though she hoped that all the girls knew that she cared for them, if in her own way.

Looking at the time Hinoki knew she needed to get ready, if she was to leave before five. She handed the class over to Kireina and retired to her room which was attached to the dojo, taking her naginata with her. She took a quick bath, hearing her students continuing to practice through her walls. She took her time getting dressed in a fine steel grey kimono with close sleeves befitting a married woman, and a warrior. Although she was not a samurai herself, she came from a family of them, and had married a fighter, her blood alone should be enough much less her skill with her weapon. However, these thoughts did not weigh on her, she had her dojo, she had her students, she needed nothing else.

The pattern on it was simple starting well below the obi, the broad ribbon that held the garment together. Green squares and triangles form something akin to rolling hills and sprouting trees. Tetsu had bought this for her soon after they were married, and she only wore it for special occasions. Today she wore it because it held many reminders of the man she grew to love.

Before leaving she put on a broad brimmed hat to ward off the sun's punishing rays, and took up Tstsu-no-isan. Her weapon crafted from the broken blade of her warrior's favorite sword, the katana that was never out of his reach. She stepped out into the full light of the outside, choosing to not interrupt the class with her departure, from the sounds of things Chishiki-xiaocha had things well under control. She rested her naginata against her shoulder as she walked, giving nods to those she recognized and wan smiles to those that had criticized her and her 'Shrineless Maidens'. It hadn't been easy to set up her school, and she'd overcome a lot, often with the edge of a practice weapon but now, after years of competition she'd felt like she'd finally established herself. She no longer had to prove her, and by extension, her dojo's worth with demonstrations of her skill.

The walk out of town and to the place she was heading was calm and somewhat peaceful. There were a few travelers with her on the road but soon she was alone as she stepped off the trail heading into the woods. The further and further away she got, the more quiet and peaceful the area became. She could hear the chirping of birds, and the sounds of insects, as well the slight bending of the trees as the light breeze blew through the canopy. It reminded her of her ancestors, before her family became dishonored when they lived in Shinrinshu Provence. They were once fierce warriors nicknamed 'The Ghosts of the Forests'. It was generations ago but, she still felt a connection to places like this, surrounded by tall trees that cast deep shadows upon the ground. The shade was a much needed break from the oppressive heat that seemed to dominate the air this day.

As she made her way to the place her husband and son were buried, she spied two figures near them. She tightened her grip on her naginata. This was a sacred place to her, the graves of her loved ones. In her mind they were trespassing on holy ground. She approached cautiously ready for a fight, outside of herself, only Seiji and Yukimura, the two samurai that found her, and buried her husband, their mentor, knew of this place, to find strangers here put her on edge. Moving closer Hinoki recognizes the crest on the back of one of the men's kimono, a red flower on a white field, bending lightly in an imagined breeze. That was the mark of the Kangyuen Family, the family that ruled over Kuniga Province.

"I would have thought the Khan wise enough seek me out at my dojo." She called out resting her weapon back on her shoulder, muscles still tensed, her voice was low, respectful but, carrying an edge of infuriation. "I appreciate your reverence," she continued noting their bowed heads, "but you are not welcomed here. Khan's men or not, this is hallowed ground to me and I'd thank you to remove yourselves from the clearing." It was taking all her control not to rail these men for defiling her holy place with their unwanted presence. She twisted her hand over the shaft of her weapon, an external show of her displeasure at the situation. "Please."

TAG: Darth_Elu

 

Onni Fu'ral
9:52 a.m ~Shaohorin, Kuniga Province~

Almost instantly at Fu’ral Onni’s question, the desperate woman turned to face her and rushed up to her even as
the samurai approached. She quickly grasped at her clothing with one hand, another still clutching the bag. It
became apparent that she too was a zabrak.

“Please! You have to help…” she would have said more but paused to hear the zabrak reiterate her question and
promise aid. The woman’s eyes widened, tears shining within. “Thank you! Thank you!” she gasped before setting
the bag in Onni’s hands. It was now clear by the weight that it was money. And while decent…not enough by the
usual healer fee. Not that it would matter anyway. She had stated she would assist, and she would, if the Dragons
be willing. She hopped that they would not be too late. The woman continued with her story. “My husband, he…he’s not well. Sick! He insisted it wasn’t bad and waited, but it has been a week now and things don’t look good. I-I
think he’s dying, but you have to save him, samurai-laosan!”

She turned and pointed down the road she came then, “We live in a small home on the side of the road about five
miles that way! Please, we have to hurry!”

Ton’da moved closer to his master, awaiting her decision on the matter. Onni gently un-clutched the woman's hands from her robes, and nodded. "I understand Xiaocha. I will go with you. But I must retrieve my bag. Just a
moment."

Onni quickly realized that it could be a trap. But it could also be the truth. And as a healer, she was duty bound to find out. She looked at the woman. "What is your name, if I may ask?" she asked politely. She then turned and walked jogging quickly towards the Elders hut, calling out to Ogura Naosa and the others inside. "This woman says her husband has been injured. I will follow her to her home. If all is well, I shall return here to check on you, before I move on, Ogura-sayé". With that, Onni called her bag with her items and medicines within.

Before she stepped back out, she opened the purse the woman gave to quickly, to see if it was indeed money. She
didnt care of the amount or the contents, really. She only wanted to make sure that part of the woman's story
seemed fine. Once she did verify the contents, she quickly moved back out, slinging her own pack across her back, as she held her staff in front of her. With a gesture, she called Tonda to her side.

"Come Ton'da, we have another who is in need of our skills." she gently told him as they moved back towards the
woman. "Lead the way." she told the woman, as she and Ton'da moved quickly. As they walked, Onni asked the woman some questions, trying to see just what had happened to the man, before his sickness.

"What can you tell me about your husband's illness?" Onni asked the female zabrak. "Had he injured himself, or
eaten something, or gone someplace that might explain his illness?" Onni asked the woman as they walked.


Tag: Darth_Elu