Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
Joyful_Overkill
satisfaction in knowing your enemy won't survive.
[X] Agree and leave the hot spring.
GilliamYaeger
M'crazy.
[X] Agree and leave the hot spring.
[X] Agree and leave the hot spring.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
Just giving a heads up. I'll be away from my computer for most of next week, so I'm going to take a break from the Quest for a bit. Glory of the Emerald Empire should resume Monday, June 22. Thank you all for your understanding and patience.
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Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
I'm back home and reliably online, but I'm also pretty tired. I think I'm gonna rest and recover today, and then get back to writing tomorrow. Rest assured, I haven't forgotten about our favorite Crab.
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EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
Glad to have you back, WK. Hope you had a good time away.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
3.40
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Agree and leave the hot spring.
You consider Hanabi's proposal for a few moments. On the one hand, you're enjoying this hot spring immensely. Tension has bled out of your muscles like the lowering of the tide, and quite frankly you're amazed at how good this feels. You've enjoyed long baths before on your trip, but nothing quite so splendid as this. The urge to relax pulls at you, the freedom from the aches and pains you've accrued almost like a drug as you soak.
Hanabi's words nibble at your pleasure clouded thoughts, however. She knows of your reputation, has heard tale of your travels. And if she heard so much of you, might not her comrades also be aware? It strikes you that perhaps it would be best to get the full measure of her knowledge.
The Dragon are not enemies, of course. This is not a war you are waging. Even still, you are here to aid in gaining as much from them for your Clan as possible. That creates conflict, if not one of martial skill. And you know that in any conflict it is best to scout out the opponent's resources. You would be remiss if you allowed this opportunity to slip by.
And besides, you were starting to get hungry anyway.
"I would be honored, Mirumoto-san," you say, standing up and grabbing your towel. Your joints pop audibly as you straighten, but you don't feel any pain. "If you would please lead the way?"
"Of course, Hiruma-san," Hanabi replies, and you hear water shifting as she steps out of the spring.
You wait for several minutes, drying off beside the bathing pool. Hanabi will be getting dressed, and while you're not going to gawk at her it's still best to give her time to get presentable. It's not as if you're in any rush right now, after all. It's still a strange experience to you even now, having so much time. Normally on the Wall you'd be rushing to one position or another when on duty, but out here there is no need. You only hope it doesn't give you bad habits when you eventually return to your Clan.
Towel wrapped around your waist, your body only slightly damp, you make your way into the changing room. Hanabi is not there, but you hear movement from outside. Nodding to yourself, you quickly put on your clothing and settle your weapons into their proper places.
Hanabi is waiting for you as you exit. The woman is just a few years older than you, her long black hair tied into a ponytail that comes to the center of her back. Dark eyes meet yours for a moment, and she smiles. It is a pretty smile, though her features are plain. Her face is made of rounded angles, with a small nose and soft chin. But though she is not some great beauty, like some women you have met, you find yourself smiling back.
"Greetings, Hiruma-san," she says, bowing. "Shall we go dine?"
"I would like nothing more," you respond, bowing back.
She leads you back toward the castle proper, though you do not go too deeply within its depths. Instead, you take a side passage before you would enter chamber you originally entered. You walk down this path for several minutes, and then eventually come out into a dining area.
The room is not very large, but it is filled with low tables. On one of those tables is an assortment of meat, vegetables and rice, along with dishes to place them on. You see a few other people eating, one with a trimmed beard and three with the shaved heads and tattoos of Togashi monks, but for the most part the room is empty.
You fill your plate with fish and steamed vegetables, while Hanabi partakes of what looks like some kind of red meat. The sight of it makes you grimace, for that kind of meat is considered unclean. Hanabi notices your expression as you both sit, and smiles before spreading her hands.
"Mountain Tuna is a delicacy amongst the Dragon, Hiruma-san," she says. "As well as a necessity. We have a few streams and lakes for fish, but not enough. Likewise, our land is not good for herding poultry. So we have to make do with what is available."
"I apologize if I caused offense," you respond. "I shall take better care to control myself in the future."
"There is no offense, Hiruma-san," she replies, still smiling. "You are new to our lands, so such things must be taken into account." She motions toward your plate. "Please, do not wait on my account. Let us eat."
[] Write in.
You consider Hanabi's proposal for a few moments. On the one hand, you're enjoying this hot spring immensely. Tension has bled out of your muscles like the lowering of the tide, and quite frankly you're amazed at how good this feels. You've enjoyed long baths before on your trip, but nothing quite so splendid as this. The urge to relax pulls at you, the freedom from the aches and pains you've accrued almost like a drug as you soak.
Hanabi's words nibble at your pleasure clouded thoughts, however. She knows of your reputation, has heard tale of your travels. And if she heard so much of you, might not her comrades also be aware? It strikes you that perhaps it would be best to get the full measure of her knowledge.
The Dragon are not enemies, of course. This is not a war you are waging. Even still, you are here to aid in gaining as much from them for your Clan as possible. That creates conflict, if not one of martial skill. And you know that in any conflict it is best to scout out the opponent's resources. You would be remiss if you allowed this opportunity to slip by.
And besides, you were starting to get hungry anyway.
"I would be honored, Mirumoto-san," you say, standing up and grabbing your towel. Your joints pop audibly as you straighten, but you don't feel any pain. "If you would please lead the way?"
"Of course, Hiruma-san," Hanabi replies, and you hear water shifting as she steps out of the spring.
You wait for several minutes, drying off beside the bathing pool. Hanabi will be getting dressed, and while you're not going to gawk at her it's still best to give her time to get presentable. It's not as if you're in any rush right now, after all. It's still a strange experience to you even now, having so much time. Normally on the Wall you'd be rushing to one position or another when on duty, but out here there is no need. You only hope it doesn't give you bad habits when you eventually return to your Clan.
Towel wrapped around your waist, your body only slightly damp, you make your way into the changing room. Hanabi is not there, but you hear movement from outside. Nodding to yourself, you quickly put on your clothing and settle your weapons into their proper places.
Hanabi is waiting for you as you exit. The woman is just a few years older than you, her long black hair tied into a ponytail that comes to the center of her back. Dark eyes meet yours for a moment, and she smiles. It is a pretty smile, though her features are plain. Her face is made of rounded angles, with a small nose and soft chin. But though she is not some great beauty, like some women you have met, you find yourself smiling back.
"Greetings, Hiruma-san," she says, bowing. "Shall we go dine?"
"I would like nothing more," you respond, bowing back.
She leads you back toward the castle proper, though you do not go too deeply within its depths. Instead, you take a side passage before you would enter chamber you originally entered. You walk down this path for several minutes, and then eventually come out into a dining area.
The room is not very large, but it is filled with low tables. On one of those tables is an assortment of meat, vegetables and rice, along with dishes to place them on. You see a few other people eating, one with a trimmed beard and three with the shaved heads and tattoos of Togashi monks, but for the most part the room is empty.
You fill your plate with fish and steamed vegetables, while Hanabi partakes of what looks like some kind of red meat. The sight of it makes you grimace, for that kind of meat is considered unclean. Hanabi notices your expression as you both sit, and smiles before spreading her hands.
"Mountain Tuna is a delicacy amongst the Dragon, Hiruma-san," she says. "As well as a necessity. We have a few streams and lakes for fish, but not enough. Likewise, our land is not good for herding poultry. So we have to make do with what is available."
"I apologize if I caused offense," you respond. "I shall take better care to control myself in the future."
"There is no offense, Hiruma-san," she replies, still smiling. "You are new to our lands, so such things must be taken into account." She motions toward your plate. "Please, do not wait on my account. Let us eat."
[] Write in.
What do they mean by red meat exactly? Beef? Pork? Some kind of fish? I'm assuming it's fish since they mentioned tuna.
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Goat actually.
[X] Eat and enjoy the meal with her. Remark that our clan has similar issues with food due to our duty.
Crab does have issues with food right?
Crab does have issues with food right?
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] Eat and enjoy the meal with her. Remark that our clan has similar issues with food due to our duty.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
ITS ALIV- oh, right. It's been for a few days. Still,
They do... partially. They have to import the rice from outside, but since they're so close to the sea, their diet consist mostly on fish and other sealife.
[X] Eat and enjoy the meal with her. Remark that our clan has similar issues with food due to our duty
They do... partially. They have to import the rice from outside, but since they're so close to the sea, their diet consist mostly on fish and other sealife.
[X] Eat and enjoy the meal with her. Remark that our clan has similar issues with food due to our duty
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
A few more votes would be nice, just so I have a consensus.
3.41
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[X] Eat and enjoy the meal with her. Remark that our clan has similar issues with food due to our duty
You nod and begin eating. The food is not as flavorful as some meals you've had on your trip, but it's not bad. As you eat, none of the dishes you've set strike you as bold or memorable. The Dragon, it seems, are rather utilitarian with their food. Perhaps they spent most of their ostentation on making excellent and relaxing baths?
Although… It's not as if you've tried every dish. You glance at the thick, pink slivers on Hanabi's plate. Little drops of juice fall from the meat, red like blood. You repress a shiver as the liquid reminds you of… other things. It lasts but a moment before conscious thought takes over, and you chastise yourself for your reaction. It's not blood that falls to the plate, for even with the lightest cooking none would be left.
Still, you can't help but be curious as to what exactly Hanabi is eating.
"You mentioned tuna," you say, pointing at the meat on Hanabi's plate with your chopsticks. "Though that certainly looks much different from any fish I've ever seen."
"Ah, I must apologize, Hiruma-san," Hanabi says, bowing her head. It strikes you that she's been apologizing quite a bit in the last hour. Though, in truth, you have as well. "I didn't realize I wasn't being clear. Mountain Tuna is what we of the Dragon call the goats that dwell among the peaks."
"I see," you respond, not entirely sure what to do with this information. Any kind of red meat is distasteful, to say the least. Even amongst the Crab, it's not well thought of as food. You care less than others, of course, and will eat it if you must. It simply just isn't the first thing you would choose. "I must admit that is an interesting name to call it."
"It's mostly for the comfort of others, considering the reaction it often causes," she said, shaking her head with a sigh. "But we really do require it. We can only grow so much rice and catch so much fish here in the mountains. What food we can gather and eat safely, we must take."
"The Crab face similar issues," you say, nodding. "Most of our land is rocky and barren, and there are certain portions of the sea that… Well, let's just say I wouldn't recommend fishing there. In any event, it's often hard to gather enough food to feed the Clan as we perform our duty."
"I would imagine so, from all I've heard about the Crab," Hanabi replies. She leans forward, eyes wide. "Is it true that the Crab have one hundred thousand warriors on the Kaiu Wall?"
"That and more," you respond, taking another bite of fish. "Many more. The bulk of our force is always situated on the Wall, spread out so we can quickly respond to any hint of assault."
"Like what happened almost two years ago?" Hanabi asks. "The Battle of Skulking Shadows? You were involved in that conflict, if the stories are true."
"On the edge of it," you respond. "All I did was help ensure word of the attacks reached the proper ears." You pause a moment, frowning. "If you don't mind my asking, just what tales about me have you heard concerning that battle?"
"Some stories say you slew thirty Lost Ones by yourself in furious combat," a deep, melodious voice says from behind. A tall woman in a golden kimono sits down at your table. Her face is made of hard angles, and her hair is hidden behind a tan headdress that looks like a lion's mane. But what stands out most are her eyes, which shine green like emeralds in the light as she grins. "While others claim you did battle with a monstrous creature that flew through the air and cracked hills with its talons. They're really quite descriptive."
You gawk at the woman, unsure of what to say to that. The stories claim you did what? It's no longer a surprise to you that tales of your exploits have made their way across the Empire, but what this woman describes is ridiculous! None of those things happened! What she's recounting sounds more like some nonsense from a pillowbook, something meant to entertain children!
"I take it that's not entirely accurate?" the woman asks, still grinning. She rests an elbow on the table and holds her head in her hand, looking at you. Hanabi, meanwhile, glares at her from behind. "Please pardon my interruption, Hiruma-san. I am Kitsu Himawari, and when I overheard your conversation I felt overcome with the need to join in."
[] Write in.
You nod and begin eating. The food is not as flavorful as some meals you've had on your trip, but it's not bad. As you eat, none of the dishes you've set strike you as bold or memorable. The Dragon, it seems, are rather utilitarian with their food. Perhaps they spent most of their ostentation on making excellent and relaxing baths?
Although… It's not as if you've tried every dish. You glance at the thick, pink slivers on Hanabi's plate. Little drops of juice fall from the meat, red like blood. You repress a shiver as the liquid reminds you of… other things. It lasts but a moment before conscious thought takes over, and you chastise yourself for your reaction. It's not blood that falls to the plate, for even with the lightest cooking none would be left.
Still, you can't help but be curious as to what exactly Hanabi is eating.
"You mentioned tuna," you say, pointing at the meat on Hanabi's plate with your chopsticks. "Though that certainly looks much different from any fish I've ever seen."
"Ah, I must apologize, Hiruma-san," Hanabi says, bowing her head. It strikes you that she's been apologizing quite a bit in the last hour. Though, in truth, you have as well. "I didn't realize I wasn't being clear. Mountain Tuna is what we of the Dragon call the goats that dwell among the peaks."
"I see," you respond, not entirely sure what to do with this information. Any kind of red meat is distasteful, to say the least. Even amongst the Crab, it's not well thought of as food. You care less than others, of course, and will eat it if you must. It simply just isn't the first thing you would choose. "I must admit that is an interesting name to call it."
"It's mostly for the comfort of others, considering the reaction it often causes," she said, shaking her head with a sigh. "But we really do require it. We can only grow so much rice and catch so much fish here in the mountains. What food we can gather and eat safely, we must take."
"The Crab face similar issues," you say, nodding. "Most of our land is rocky and barren, and there are certain portions of the sea that… Well, let's just say I wouldn't recommend fishing there. In any event, it's often hard to gather enough food to feed the Clan as we perform our duty."
"I would imagine so, from all I've heard about the Crab," Hanabi replies. She leans forward, eyes wide. "Is it true that the Crab have one hundred thousand warriors on the Kaiu Wall?"
"That and more," you respond, taking another bite of fish. "Many more. The bulk of our force is always situated on the Wall, spread out so we can quickly respond to any hint of assault."
"Like what happened almost two years ago?" Hanabi asks. "The Battle of Skulking Shadows? You were involved in that conflict, if the stories are true."
"On the edge of it," you respond. "All I did was help ensure word of the attacks reached the proper ears." You pause a moment, frowning. "If you don't mind my asking, just what tales about me have you heard concerning that battle?"
"Some stories say you slew thirty Lost Ones by yourself in furious combat," a deep, melodious voice says from behind. A tall woman in a golden kimono sits down at your table. Her face is made of hard angles, and her hair is hidden behind a tan headdress that looks like a lion's mane. But what stands out most are her eyes, which shine green like emeralds in the light as she grins. "While others claim you did battle with a monstrous creature that flew through the air and cracked hills with its talons. They're really quite descriptive."
You gawk at the woman, unsure of what to say to that. The stories claim you did what? It's no longer a surprise to you that tales of your exploits have made their way across the Empire, but what this woman describes is ridiculous! None of those things happened! What she's recounting sounds more like some nonsense from a pillowbook, something meant to entertain children!
"I take it that's not entirely accurate?" the woman asks, still grinning. She rests an elbow on the table and holds her head in her hand, looking at you. Hanabi, meanwhile, glares at her from behind. "Please pardon my interruption, Hiruma-san. I am Kitsu Himawari, and when I overheard your conversation I felt overcome with the need to join in."
[] Write in.
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Da Boyz
The Cutest Apocalypse.
How many times have we had to repeat the story so far? I imagine that the years would have given Sosuke some measure of distance and closure.
