In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
[X] Yes
Meeting with the Mantis may or may not yield any useful results and can be easily attempted another time. This invite is a rarer and more valuable opportunity to continue building on a good impression on the Phoenix ambassador herself.
Meeting with the Mantis may or may not yield any useful results and can be easily attempted another time. This invite is a rarer and more valuable opportunity to continue building on a good impression on the Phoenix ambassador herself.
- Location
- home
If that actually happened... well, at first I would be sad, then incredibly amused. Either way, I am with you, Comrade.
[X] Yes
- Location
- Earth
I think we can do a bit better then just yes. In a bit of a rush right now, but once I'm back from the daily works I'll see about making something nice.
Not every vote/decision has to be some extensive and wordy write-in. "Yes or no" functions quite well in this case.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Mai Vote!
[k] Yes! No! Maybe! "Actually, you see..."
[Redacted arguments about splitting the difference]
...And that's where babies come from, any questions!"
TLDR: Voters are prone to endlessly overcomplicating things, and they're also prone to splitting the difference or making fine degrees of nuance even when it's not necessary.
Pretty much, yes.
- Location
- London, England
Heh. Well, the results so far seem fairly definitive.
Vote Closed.
Vote Closed.
- Location
- Leeds
[Q] Flirt.
- Location
- Earth
Shame, but oh well. I guess I'll just leave these here.
For a lovely Phoenix Asako Tani:
Lady Burning Bright
Among the cold Mountain Peaks,
A Breathless Beauty.
Oh Brilliant Phoenix
Lay Your weary Wings to Rest
In Gentle Shadows.
On the Matsu custom of honoring their swords with heimin blood:
They call Pain Honor,
They have forsaken the Jin,
Matsu Berserkers.
For a lovely Phoenix Asako Tani:
Lady Burning Bright
Among the cold Mountain Peaks,
A Breathless Beauty.
Oh Brilliant Phoenix
Lay Your weary Wings to Rest
In Gentle Shadows.
On the Matsu custom of honoring their swords with heimin blood:
They call Pain Honor,
They have forsaken the Jin,
Matsu Berserkers.
All I really wanted was to say we were honored to be asked and gift her some poetry. Maybe write it down in caligraphy as well. But ok.
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5.18 - A ride in the snow
- Location
- London, England
"I would be delighted to accompany you, Asako-sama." You reply after just enough of a pause to avoid any implications of haste or pre-planning. "How close is the shrine?"
"Wonderful. It is relatively nearby - no more than an hour's journey, setting aside any unfortunate developments in the weather." The Phoenix replies with a warm smile. "Shall we arrange to meet by the stables two hours before noon? That should give us enough time to make the trip and then return without needing to navigate the pass in the dark."
"That sounds quite reasonable, Asako-sama." You reply, nodding to yourself. You will need to inform your lord, but you doubt Bayushi Kimoko will have any great objection to the plan, and there is nothing else scheduled for tomorrow that you cannot move around as required. "I look forwards to it."
The meeting does not end there, of course, because limiting your time together to the bare necessities would be highly rude, but nothing of further import is discussed. Inspired by your study of calligraphy the conversation turns towards artistic traditions of the various Clans and their changing focus throughout history. Eventually the conversation comes to a natural end and the ambassador departs, while you turn your attention back to your studies.
Yes, this is going quite well.
-/-
Naoto's careful practice and the conversation with Asako Tani have allowed him to further refine his knowledge of calligraphy. He gains a second rank in the skill.
-/-
22nd Day of the Boar
As arranged, you meet Asako Tani by the primary stables of Shiro Matsu the next day. The Phoenix is easy to spot - there is a light snow falling from the sky, and against that pale background her vivid red and orange kimono is abundantly obvious, like a flame in a winter forest. You take the opportunity to study her as you approach, for she is currently distracted by speaking with the heimin responsible for arranging your steeds.
Two things immediately stand out. Firstly, her kimono is designed with practical purpose in mind, shunning the elaborate layers of colours and styles in favour of extra warmth and protection from the wind. Secondly, the peasant seems quite happy to be talking to her, and her expression is relatively kind and gentle when compared to the arrogant self-assurance most samurai would display when speaking to their lessers.
Apparently you are not the only one to see the wisdom of having the heimin think well of you.
"Ah, Soshi-san, there you are." She calls as she turns and sees you approaching. "I trust you have encountered no difficulties?"
"None at all, Asako-sama." You reply with a smile. In truth, Bayushi Kimoko had outright encouraged you to go, though you are unsure if this is because of the potential alliance with the Phoenix or because your lord finds amusement in getting you alone with beautiful women. Speaking of which, that is an interesting factor. "Will Shiba-san not be accompanying us?"
"No, he has his own duties to attend to." Tani responds easily. "He is not actually my yojimbo - I needed a bushi representative when I came to speak with the Lion, but he is not assigned to my protection all of the time. I suppose if I find myself needing a valiant protector you will have to stand in for him, Soshi-san. I trust this would not be a grave imposition?"
You incline your head in acceptance. "Since there is no other option, I suppose my meager skills will have to suffice."
You have heard great things about the trained steeds of the Unicorn Clan, but the majority of Rokugan has no such animals at their disposal. Instead, the mounts you are provided with come from a lineage of stocky mountain ponies, well suited for navigating the treacherous landscape but not so much for managing battlefield maneuvers.
Fortunately, they are also patient and slow-tempered things, for your riding skills are not fantastic. You can sit in the saddle and guide them roughly where you want them to go, but finer control is quite beyond you at this point. Still, at least you are agile enough not to make a fool of yourself, and together you and Asako Tani head for the exit to the fortress and the mountain path beyond.
Beiden Pass and the surrounding mountains truly are a beautiful sight, you have to admit, with the multiple layers of rock peaking out behind forests of ever-green trees and a thin blanket of soft white snow. The path you take winds back and forth a bit more than you would have expected, but after a moment's thought you realize why - it has been cut into the rock in such a way as to impose the smallest possible change on the landscape when viewed from Shiro Matsu proper. Apparently even the Lion are willing to go out of their way if it means expressing their appreciation of natural beauty.
"I confess, I do not know a great deal about the monks who follow Bishamon." You say conversationally as you ride alongside Tani, your ponies having apparently grown used to this route and thus requiring little direct guidance. "One would imagine they would focus on their patron's associations of strength, but I do not think I have ever read anything by someone who has actually been in a position to witness what that entails."
"Soshi-san, I'm disappointed." Tani says with a laugh, glancing over at you. "You mean to say you haven't read every scroll in Shiro Matsu already?"
"In my defense, Asako-sama, there are a great many of them." You respond easily, surprised by the teasing. That is distinctly less formal behaviour than you would have expected from the loremaster. "And for some reason the Matsu never seem to believe that my intentions are innocent when I ask about seeing them."
"Soshi-san, I'm not entirely sure you know what innocent means." The Phoenix responds, still smiling, her tone actual one of approving amusement. "Still, from what I understand the monks here do enjoy physical labour as a form of meditation. Running across the mountains, living boulders, that sort of thing."
Is she...
"That sounds exhausting. I'm not sure I see the benefit in it." You say lightly. "Then again, they are the ones pursuing enlightenment, and the stories are full of monks doing strange things which are later revealed to have some hidden wisdom in them. Perhaps I should give it a try while we are there?"
"I would enjoy seeing that." Tani laughs, a twinkle in her eye. "Certainly I can think of much worse ways to spend an afternoon than watching you exercise."
Apparently she is.
Asako Tani is flirting with you. You must decide how to respond.
[ ] Flirt back. Why not?
[ ] Turn her down, gently. You're simply not interested.
[ ] Deflect her. The last woman you flirted with committed suicide barely more than a week ago, after all.
QM's note - Sorry for the delay. And... Dangerous Beauty strikes again!
"Wonderful. It is relatively nearby - no more than an hour's journey, setting aside any unfortunate developments in the weather." The Phoenix replies with a warm smile. "Shall we arrange to meet by the stables two hours before noon? That should give us enough time to make the trip and then return without needing to navigate the pass in the dark."
"That sounds quite reasonable, Asako-sama." You reply, nodding to yourself. You will need to inform your lord, but you doubt Bayushi Kimoko will have any great objection to the plan, and there is nothing else scheduled for tomorrow that you cannot move around as required. "I look forwards to it."
The meeting does not end there, of course, because limiting your time together to the bare necessities would be highly rude, but nothing of further import is discussed. Inspired by your study of calligraphy the conversation turns towards artistic traditions of the various Clans and their changing focus throughout history. Eventually the conversation comes to a natural end and the ambassador departs, while you turn your attention back to your studies.
Yes, this is going quite well.
-/-
Naoto's careful practice and the conversation with Asako Tani have allowed him to further refine his knowledge of calligraphy. He gains a second rank in the skill.
-/-
22nd Day of the Boar
As arranged, you meet Asako Tani by the primary stables of Shiro Matsu the next day. The Phoenix is easy to spot - there is a light snow falling from the sky, and against that pale background her vivid red and orange kimono is abundantly obvious, like a flame in a winter forest. You take the opportunity to study her as you approach, for she is currently distracted by speaking with the heimin responsible for arranging your steeds.
Two things immediately stand out. Firstly, her kimono is designed with practical purpose in mind, shunning the elaborate layers of colours and styles in favour of extra warmth and protection from the wind. Secondly, the peasant seems quite happy to be talking to her, and her expression is relatively kind and gentle when compared to the arrogant self-assurance most samurai would display when speaking to their lessers.
Apparently you are not the only one to see the wisdom of having the heimin think well of you.
"Ah, Soshi-san, there you are." She calls as she turns and sees you approaching. "I trust you have encountered no difficulties?"
"None at all, Asako-sama." You reply with a smile. In truth, Bayushi Kimoko had outright encouraged you to go, though you are unsure if this is because of the potential alliance with the Phoenix or because your lord finds amusement in getting you alone with beautiful women. Speaking of which, that is an interesting factor. "Will Shiba-san not be accompanying us?"
"No, he has his own duties to attend to." Tani responds easily. "He is not actually my yojimbo - I needed a bushi representative when I came to speak with the Lion, but he is not assigned to my protection all of the time. I suppose if I find myself needing a valiant protector you will have to stand in for him, Soshi-san. I trust this would not be a grave imposition?"
You incline your head in acceptance. "Since there is no other option, I suppose my meager skills will have to suffice."
You have heard great things about the trained steeds of the Unicorn Clan, but the majority of Rokugan has no such animals at their disposal. Instead, the mounts you are provided with come from a lineage of stocky mountain ponies, well suited for navigating the treacherous landscape but not so much for managing battlefield maneuvers.
Fortunately, they are also patient and slow-tempered things, for your riding skills are not fantastic. You can sit in the saddle and guide them roughly where you want them to go, but finer control is quite beyond you at this point. Still, at least you are agile enough not to make a fool of yourself, and together you and Asako Tani head for the exit to the fortress and the mountain path beyond.
Beiden Pass and the surrounding mountains truly are a beautiful sight, you have to admit, with the multiple layers of rock peaking out behind forests of ever-green trees and a thin blanket of soft white snow. The path you take winds back and forth a bit more than you would have expected, but after a moment's thought you realize why - it has been cut into the rock in such a way as to impose the smallest possible change on the landscape when viewed from Shiro Matsu proper. Apparently even the Lion are willing to go out of their way if it means expressing their appreciation of natural beauty.
"I confess, I do not know a great deal about the monks who follow Bishamon." You say conversationally as you ride alongside Tani, your ponies having apparently grown used to this route and thus requiring little direct guidance. "One would imagine they would focus on their patron's associations of strength, but I do not think I have ever read anything by someone who has actually been in a position to witness what that entails."
"Soshi-san, I'm disappointed." Tani says with a laugh, glancing over at you. "You mean to say you haven't read every scroll in Shiro Matsu already?"
"In my defense, Asako-sama, there are a great many of them." You respond easily, surprised by the teasing. That is distinctly less formal behaviour than you would have expected from the loremaster. "And for some reason the Matsu never seem to believe that my intentions are innocent when I ask about seeing them."
"Soshi-san, I'm not entirely sure you know what innocent means." The Phoenix responds, still smiling, her tone actual one of approving amusement. "Still, from what I understand the monks here do enjoy physical labour as a form of meditation. Running across the mountains, living boulders, that sort of thing."
Is she...
"That sounds exhausting. I'm not sure I see the benefit in it." You say lightly. "Then again, they are the ones pursuing enlightenment, and the stories are full of monks doing strange things which are later revealed to have some hidden wisdom in them. Perhaps I should give it a try while we are there?"
"I would enjoy seeing that." Tani laughs, a twinkle in her eye. "Certainly I can think of much worse ways to spend an afternoon than watching you exercise."
Apparently she is.
Asako Tani is flirting with you. You must decide how to respond.
[ ] Flirt back. Why not?
[ ] Turn her down, gently. You're simply not interested.
[ ] Deflect her. The last woman you flirted with committed suicide barely more than a week ago, after all.
QM's note - Sorry for the delay. And... Dangerous Beauty strikes again!
Nix's Warden
Welcome to Hades
- Location
- United States
Well.......that is a thing. I can never tell when Naoto has his mask on or off. I thought he was still wearing it.
- Location
- London, England
He... is? Did something I wrote give you a different impression?
I had similar thoughts. But I want to make flirting an integral part of this character.
Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
I'm thinking the same, Pheonix like to do that. We don't have to outright shut her down. I think deflecting is the better option.
I mean we can always pursue her later, if we and she feel so inclined (nerds unite!) but honestly right now I think it might be best to not.
[x] Deflect her. The last woman you flirted with committed suicide barely more than a week ago, after all.
Nix's Warden
Welcome to Hades
- Location
- United States
Well....If Asako is flirting with Naoto because of Dangerous Beauty, then she has to see his face right? I can't see how Dangerous Beauty would affect her unless Naoto had his mask off.
Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
...that's not how it works.
- Location
- England
Yeah, honestly not feeling it right now. I'm not against casual flirting or anything, but it really has not been long since... well. IC and OOC, it's still a bit raw.
[x] Deflect her. The last woman you flirted with committed suicide barely more than a week ago, after all.
[x] Deflect her. The last woman you flirted with committed suicide barely more than a week ago, after all.