- Location
- Leeds
I don't see how Toshiro being attractive affects this?
Besides if we're claimed for another legion its the tenths problem.
Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)
- Status
Besides if we're claimed for another legion its the tenths problem.
Canon Omake by Ria: A Grey Parting
- Location
- North Carolina
Grey clouds wander across the sky, obscuring the sun entirely. Another winter in Shiro sano Kakita.
Another boring day in court...and yet another set of new faces… I muse to myself.
In the end I was a simple Hida boy, no matter how you tried to pretty me up...I was raised to fight, to be doing things...
I sigh as I dress for court, mentally preparing myself to be bored out of my mind for the next few hours. At least there will be some new faces around here, although I hold no hope that anyone will be anything more than the usual flock of twittering, gossipy courtiers. Don't get me wrong, they're all perfectly pleasant...too pleasant in my opinion. But then, of course they are. Crane always are...to your face, at least. But still. It would be nice to see someone unique, someone with...spirit.
"Are you nearly ready, Katsuie?" My wife's measured tones float from behind the privacy screen. Don't ask me why she still uses one of those things. After eight years of marriage and all the experiences that come with it, it's not as if her body holds many secrets for me anymore.
"Hai, just finishing up," I respond, absently checking to make sure that I am presentable by Crane standards. So much fuss, and really, for what? I suppose I do understand to a degree. I am the husband of a Crane daimyo after all...but still…sometimes I long for the simplicity of the Crab, my birth clan.
My wife steps out from behind the privacy screen, smoothing the elegant blue kimono which depicts a scene of freshly falling snow.
"You look lovely, Ayame," I tell her. And it's true. She is a lovely woman, even if she doesn't excite me, not anymore.
It's not her fault really. We were...we were okay at the start, but eight years is a long time for passionless sex. If it weren't for the fact that she wants at least four children….I doubt either of us would have touched each other after that first night. And that would have suited us both fine.
"Arigato." She says her smooth clipped voice echoing in our large rooms.
No matter the time of day, she always has that voice, one of perfection, of control. Just once...I'd like to be with someone that was open with me.
A last look in the mirror before we walk to the courtroom together silently. We look the perfect couple, her, the ruler of all she perceives, and me, her loyal consort. There has never been any hint that she or I have taken other lovers, been with other people, which for a court as gossipy as the Crane is something of a miracle. Most assumed we were in love and that was our reason for loyalty.
Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't hate Ayame. I respect her in a lot of ways, but I don't love her, and she doesn't love me. We were friends once, back when we were children, but time and closeness has dulled that.
I school my features into my best on as we enter the court.
You're used to this, you've done this countless times.
Smile, bow, look pretty...that's all I have to do here today. Ayame will take care of the rest. I go through the motions out of force of habit more than anything else. My mind absently takes in the court as I battle ennuie.
Nothing interesting here. As usual, more of the sa...wait…
My attention is caught by a young woman who is obviously new. I would have remembered her. She's the most beautiful woman in the room. It's not because her features are the most harmonious or her skin is the most delicate - the Fortunes know that I've seen my fair share of Crane beauties and then some - no, what makes her beautiful is the animation in her eyes. She has ambition, this one, but it's pure and fresh, not like so many who would step all over their peers to get where they want to be. She's open about herself...honest...and that's the most beautiful thing I've seen in this castle.
My eyes follow her even as I lean slightly forward in my place behind Ayame on the dais. I must find out who this woman is, what her name is. And if she's staying long. Impatiently I wait for her to present herself to the Daimyo.
Finally, she approaches the dais. Her movements have the grace of the Kakita bushi. For just a second, her eyes meet mine. I can't breathe. And then she turns her attention to Ayame and bows deeply.
"This one has come to offer her services as per her assignment. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu, Kakita-dono. This one is Kakita Sakura."
Sakura….
My heart begins to pound as I taste that name in my mind. Katsuie and Sakura...it's not a bad fit…
Oh Benten, you heartless bitch, why her?
"Welcome to my court Kakita Sakura-san. I welcome your duties," Ayame says beside me.
"Thank you Kakita-dono!" Sakura says happily.
Even as I ask the question I know the answer.
Because Kakita Sakura is the first person to act like herself in front of me in eight years.
I must have her.
Another boring day in court...and yet another set of new faces… I muse to myself.
In the end I was a simple Hida boy, no matter how you tried to pretty me up...I was raised to fight, to be doing things...
I sigh as I dress for court, mentally preparing myself to be bored out of my mind for the next few hours. At least there will be some new faces around here, although I hold no hope that anyone will be anything more than the usual flock of twittering, gossipy courtiers. Don't get me wrong, they're all perfectly pleasant...too pleasant in my opinion. But then, of course they are. Crane always are...to your face, at least. But still. It would be nice to see someone unique, someone with...spirit.
"Are you nearly ready, Katsuie?" My wife's measured tones float from behind the privacy screen. Don't ask me why she still uses one of those things. After eight years of marriage and all the experiences that come with it, it's not as if her body holds many secrets for me anymore.
"Hai, just finishing up," I respond, absently checking to make sure that I am presentable by Crane standards. So much fuss, and really, for what? I suppose I do understand to a degree. I am the husband of a Crane daimyo after all...but still…sometimes I long for the simplicity of the Crab, my birth clan.
My wife steps out from behind the privacy screen, smoothing the elegant blue kimono which depicts a scene of freshly falling snow.
"You look lovely, Ayame," I tell her. And it's true. She is a lovely woman, even if she doesn't excite me, not anymore.
It's not her fault really. We were...we were okay at the start, but eight years is a long time for passionless sex. If it weren't for the fact that she wants at least four children….I doubt either of us would have touched each other after that first night. And that would have suited us both fine.
"Arigato." She says her smooth clipped voice echoing in our large rooms.
No matter the time of day, she always has that voice, one of perfection, of control. Just once...I'd like to be with someone that was open with me.
A last look in the mirror before we walk to the courtroom together silently. We look the perfect couple, her, the ruler of all she perceives, and me, her loyal consort. There has never been any hint that she or I have taken other lovers, been with other people, which for a court as gossipy as the Crane is something of a miracle. Most assumed we were in love and that was our reason for loyalty.
Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't hate Ayame. I respect her in a lot of ways, but I don't love her, and she doesn't love me. We were friends once, back when we were children, but time and closeness has dulled that.
I school my features into my best on as we enter the court.
You're used to this, you've done this countless times.
Smile, bow, look pretty...that's all I have to do here today. Ayame will take care of the rest. I go through the motions out of force of habit more than anything else. My mind absently takes in the court as I battle ennuie.
Nothing interesting here. As usual, more of the sa...wait…
My attention is caught by a young woman who is obviously new. I would have remembered her. She's the most beautiful woman in the room. It's not because her features are the most harmonious or her skin is the most delicate - the Fortunes know that I've seen my fair share of Crane beauties and then some - no, what makes her beautiful is the animation in her eyes. She has ambition, this one, but it's pure and fresh, not like so many who would step all over their peers to get where they want to be. She's open about herself...honest...and that's the most beautiful thing I've seen in this castle.
My eyes follow her even as I lean slightly forward in my place behind Ayame on the dais. I must find out who this woman is, what her name is. And if she's staying long. Impatiently I wait for her to present herself to the Daimyo.
Finally, she approaches the dais. Her movements have the grace of the Kakita bushi. For just a second, her eyes meet mine. I can't breathe. And then she turns her attention to Ayame and bows deeply.
"This one has come to offer her services as per her assignment. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu, Kakita-dono. This one is Kakita Sakura."
Sakura….
My heart begins to pound as I taste that name in my mind. Katsuie and Sakura...it's not a bad fit…
Oh Benten, you heartless bitch, why her?
"Welcome to my court Kakita Sakura-san. I welcome your duties," Ayame says beside me.
"Thank you Kakita-dono!" Sakura says happily.
Even as I ask the question I know the answer.
Because Kakita Sakura is the first person to act like herself in front of me in eight years.
I must have her.
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- Location
- North Carolina
I have to admit it...Gman wrote that line, not me...as MUCH as I would like to take credit for that...I really can't...
Vote tally:
##### 3.18
[X]Find a poetry recital.
No. of votes: 5
Simonbob, EtchedSteel, Terenak, Lalzparty, Sirrocco
[X] Find a pretty face
No. of votes: 1
veekie
[X] Find a handsome guy.
No. of votes: 1
Dark as Silver
Hmm poetry slam it is.
##### 3.18
[X]Find a poetry recital.
No. of votes: 5
Simonbob, EtchedSteel, Terenak, Lalzparty, Sirrocco
[X] Find a pretty face
No. of votes: 1
veekie
[X] Find a handsome guy.
No. of votes: 1
Dark as Silver
Hmm poetry slam it is.
Arc II: Oh hello Hida-san
--Poetry recital.
You shrug, looking at the couple. "Well, I can't get drunk and risk sleeping in or anything like that, so I thought I'd go try to find a poetry recital or competition...get some culture."
Toshiro and Reika look at each other, communicating with their eyes in the subtle cadence of the Crane.
Turning back to you, Toshiro says, "Well we can't say that we know of anything like that. Poetry recitals usually take place in the winter month...and it's spring. You might find some if you look around Eiyuu though."
"You've already done so much for me...I couldn't possibly repay such compassion, I won't impose on you further. I'll see you tomorrow in the Citadel, Kakita-sama," You say with a bow.
Turning on your feet after receiving their bows, you turn towards the door and leave.
High over head, Lady Moon smiles down on you with a bright light, even as the clouds leave the sky clear. It's a little chilly, but not too bad. Now, to go find a poetry recital.
Careful not to give offense to anyone, you begin asking around.
It takes a while but a kindly old Ikoma, instead of snarling that you are an abomination, tells you about a moon viewing going on at the Old Birch Tree. Thanking him you make your way over to the...sake house? You probably should have asked that, but were too surprised at an Ikoma being nice to a ronin.
The Old Birch Tree turns out to be a teahouse with a massive birch tree growing out of it's garden in the back. That explains the name at least. Looking around you don't see any bouncers looking to keep you out because you haven't got any money.
Not for the first or last time, you miss being a Crane...and all that.
"AS YOU SHOULD, SAKURA," a familiar strident voice says.
You just barely manage to resist rolling your eyes. But you can sense that your grandmother is pissed, and that is just not something you want to deal with right now.
'Oh hello, Grandmother. I wondered where you were.'
"YOU BROKE MY SWORD!" She screams in your ear.
Definitely angry.
'It's not like I meant to,' you mumble.
"YOU BROKE MY SWORD!"
Well, this just leads to a head ache...and she's not wrong anyways.
'Grandmother....I apologize for breaking your sword, please how can I atone?' you ask.
Grandmother humphs loudly in the back of your mind.
"SHOW THAT YOU ARE STILL CRANE IN SPIRIT."
'...Yes, Grandmother' you say obediently.
Now, how in Ningen-do were you going to do that?
Wait. She contacted you outside the tea house...probably means you need to participate in tea ceremony or poetry or something.
With that in mind you make your way into the tea house. The inside is tastefully appointed in a sort of forest motif, with green bamboo shoots and the like being used to create dividers for tables. A private grove for each party...clever, really.
"Samurai-sama." A polite woman about twice your age says.
You look and give her a polite bow.
"Are you here for Lady Moon's Viewing?" the servant asks.
You nod.
"Right this way then…" she says.
The back garden is an expansive place with a number of mats laid around it in a half circle for people to sit on. In the centre, next to the birch tree, stands a tall, burly Togashi whose expression is...strangely gentle. He clears his throat and begins to speak.
"Benten's biwa strings,
Snared me when I first saw her,
In her husband's arms"
You blink. It wasn't perfect...but it did seem...nice...and while the tattoos were a definite turn off, this Togashi seemed a little less straightlaced than others you had met. Wonder what he's doing---
"YOU!" a female voice shouts.
You stiffen as you recognize that voice. Oh Fortunes, no...
Turning you see a tall, lithe, but undeniably muscled woman jumping to her feet.
Hida Takamona...
You try to keep your on - the mask everyone wears so that no one feels bad but everyone sees through anyways - controlled.
You almost manage it as she charges at you. Almost manage to ask, "Who are you talking to?" Almost manage to say you're Megumi and whatever you look like, you aren't her enemy.
You almost manage to.
But as Takamona raises one fist to smash your face in, all that you can get in is a little squeak.
You try to dodge, to do something… But surprise and that sinking feeling in your stomach makes you sluggish so that all you can do is...feel your head snapping back as Takamona's knuckles slam into you. If your muscles hadn't already been relaxed when her fist connected, you're sure you'd be nursing a broken jaw. But as it is you just stagger to one knee. You look up to see Takamona's other fist coming down at you only to be stopped in mid air, a huge hand catching her by the wrist.
The Togashi.
"That's enough, Hida-san, whatever this ronin has done, it's not worth upsetting the party over."
"This bitch dishonoured my family."
"Did she now?"
"What say you, ronin?" He asks.
Up close, you can tell he has green eyes...that's nice.
[] What say
(Megumi is nursing 7 wounds and is down one void)
You shrug, looking at the couple. "Well, I can't get drunk and risk sleeping in or anything like that, so I thought I'd go try to find a poetry recital or competition...get some culture."
Toshiro and Reika look at each other, communicating with their eyes in the subtle cadence of the Crane.
Turning back to you, Toshiro says, "Well we can't say that we know of anything like that. Poetry recitals usually take place in the winter month...and it's spring. You might find some if you look around Eiyuu though."
"You've already done so much for me...I couldn't possibly repay such compassion, I won't impose on you further. I'll see you tomorrow in the Citadel, Kakita-sama," You say with a bow.
Turning on your feet after receiving their bows, you turn towards the door and leave.
High over head, Lady Moon smiles down on you with a bright light, even as the clouds leave the sky clear. It's a little chilly, but not too bad. Now, to go find a poetry recital.
Careful not to give offense to anyone, you begin asking around.
It takes a while but a kindly old Ikoma, instead of snarling that you are an abomination, tells you about a moon viewing going on at the Old Birch Tree. Thanking him you make your way over to the...sake house? You probably should have asked that, but were too surprised at an Ikoma being nice to a ronin.
The Old Birch Tree turns out to be a teahouse with a massive birch tree growing out of it's garden in the back. That explains the name at least. Looking around you don't see any bouncers looking to keep you out because you haven't got any money.
Not for the first or last time, you miss being a Crane...and all that.
"AS YOU SHOULD, SAKURA," a familiar strident voice says.
You just barely manage to resist rolling your eyes. But you can sense that your grandmother is pissed, and that is just not something you want to deal with right now.
'Oh hello, Grandmother. I wondered where you were.'
"YOU BROKE MY SWORD!" She screams in your ear.
Definitely angry.
'It's not like I meant to,' you mumble.
"YOU BROKE MY SWORD!"
Well, this just leads to a head ache...and she's not wrong anyways.
'Grandmother....I apologize for breaking your sword, please how can I atone?' you ask.
Grandmother humphs loudly in the back of your mind.
"SHOW THAT YOU ARE STILL CRANE IN SPIRIT."
'...Yes, Grandmother' you say obediently.
Now, how in Ningen-do were you going to do that?
Wait. She contacted you outside the tea house...probably means you need to participate in tea ceremony or poetry or something.
With that in mind you make your way into the tea house. The inside is tastefully appointed in a sort of forest motif, with green bamboo shoots and the like being used to create dividers for tables. A private grove for each party...clever, really.
"Samurai-sama." A polite woman about twice your age says.
You look and give her a polite bow.
"Are you here for Lady Moon's Viewing?" the servant asks.
You nod.
"Right this way then…" she says.
The back garden is an expansive place with a number of mats laid around it in a half circle for people to sit on. In the centre, next to the birch tree, stands a tall, burly Togashi whose expression is...strangely gentle. He clears his throat and begins to speak.
"Benten's biwa strings,
Snared me when I first saw her,
In her husband's arms"
You blink. It wasn't perfect...but it did seem...nice...and while the tattoos were a definite turn off, this Togashi seemed a little less straightlaced than others you had met. Wonder what he's doing---
"YOU!" a female voice shouts.
You stiffen as you recognize that voice. Oh Fortunes, no...
Turning you see a tall, lithe, but undeniably muscled woman jumping to her feet.
Hida Takamona...
You try to keep your on - the mask everyone wears so that no one feels bad but everyone sees through anyways - controlled.
You almost manage it as she charges at you. Almost manage to ask, "Who are you talking to?" Almost manage to say you're Megumi and whatever you look like, you aren't her enemy.
You almost manage to.
But as Takamona raises one fist to smash your face in, all that you can get in is a little squeak.
You try to dodge, to do something… But surprise and that sinking feeling in your stomach makes you sluggish so that all you can do is...feel your head snapping back as Takamona's knuckles slam into you. If your muscles hadn't already been relaxed when her fist connected, you're sure you'd be nursing a broken jaw. But as it is you just stagger to one knee. You look up to see Takamona's other fist coming down at you only to be stopped in mid air, a huge hand catching her by the wrist.
The Togashi.
"That's enough, Hida-san, whatever this ronin has done, it's not worth upsetting the party over."
"This bitch dishonoured my family."
"Did she now?"
"What say you, ronin?" He asks.
Up close, you can tell he has green eyes...that's nice.
[] What say
(Megumi is nursing 7 wounds and is down one void)
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
Grandmother would have us be Crane... and this is a social setting in which an enemy has assaulted us without direct provocation. We have a significant status down position, and she may have allies here. The question is... what is our objective?
I don't have the ergs to pull together a particularly good vote at the moment, but we shoudl first figure out what we hope to achieve. Various plausible potential objectives include...
- Appeal to that interesting Togashi fellow who just recited that romantic poem about implied marital infidelity
- Make Grandmother happy (probably by verbally smacking down that Crab in a very Crane way, and in a way that she can't respond to Crably
- Clear out our little enemy problem right here by provoking Hida Takamona *just* enough to challenge us to a duel. (Would we need to ask permission of our new commander? That might not work out as well.) Potential bonus poits with Grandmother by being Extra Kakita.
- Improve our own reputation while degrading that of our foe. Such things are always good clean fun.
- Act honorably
- Draw Hida Takamona into dishonorable conduct
I don't have the ergs to pull together a particularly good vote at the moment, but we shoudl first figure out what we hope to achieve. Various plausible potential objectives include...
- Appeal to that interesting Togashi fellow who just recited that romantic poem about implied marital infidelity
- Make Grandmother happy (probably by verbally smacking down that Crab in a very Crane way, and in a way that she can't respond to Crably
- Clear out our little enemy problem right here by provoking Hida Takamona *just* enough to challenge us to a duel. (Would we need to ask permission of our new commander? That might not work out as well.) Potential bonus poits with Grandmother by being Extra Kakita.
- Improve our own reputation while degrading that of our foe. Such things are always good clean fun.
- Act honorably
- Draw Hida Takamona into dishonorable conduct
- Location
- Austrlia
Well, my vote is about disarming her, a bit, while not backing down. Ok, she hit us. So, 'over' protective. Not really an insult, but it also primes those around us to see her actions as going to far.
Using social to restrain an enemy? Very Crane.
We want to slowly get her to change her opinion of us. We want to convert her into a friend, as she is the sister of the man we loved.
The fact that I'm planning to use manners and honor to seduce her around to liking us, and eventualy have her sending our letters back to her brother......
Well, it'll probly never happen. Fun, though!
Using social to restrain an enemy? Very Crane.
We want to slowly get her to change her opinion of us. We want to convert her into a friend, as she is the sister of the man we loved.
The fact that I'm planning to use manners and honor to seduce her around to liking us, and eventualy have her sending our letters back to her brother......
Well, it'll probly never happen. Fun, though!
- Location
- Leeds
What are the chances . . .
- Location
- Leeds
Oh I meant what are the chance of meeting Hida. I suspect that you had three or four events and picked one at random.
Its the only logical reason a Hida would be at a poetry recital.
Its the only logical reason a Hida would be at a poetry recital.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
So... looking IC here...
Obvious things
- We've just been punched in the face, and we're Crane. We're bound to be a bit put out by that.
- We're starting to put our life back together now. Our sword is fixed, we have gainful employment with a lord who has some pull, and we even have some people who get along reasonably well with us. We would very much like to not lose that.
- Not Dying. We're a fan of Not Dying.
- Placating Grandmother would be nice.
Potential things
- We still have fond memories for her brother. She may or may not have contact with him, but at least she knows what happened to him after we were cast out. It might be a difficult play to make, but if she knows, she could tell us.
- She's a serious enemy, and one who has higher status than we do. That makes her a significant threat. We woudl like to make her not an enemy... somehow. We *do* still have fond memories of her brother, though... and if they truly were as close as she pretends, then killing her would surely sadden him. Maybe not so much with Plan "solve everything with your katana"
So, we do the Crane thing and... make friends? At least try to placate the implacable foe? At least a little?
Also, we'd prefer to not have to leave this little gathering in shame. Likewise, our infamy isn't widely known... yet. We'd rather the details not come up in conversation.
Still pulling a blank. Will ponder more and come back later - hopefully when I have more erg. (This week has been *rough*.)
Obvious things
- We've just been punched in the face, and we're Crane. We're bound to be a bit put out by that.
- We're starting to put our life back together now. Our sword is fixed, we have gainful employment with a lord who has some pull, and we even have some people who get along reasonably well with us. We would very much like to not lose that.
- Not Dying. We're a fan of Not Dying.
- Placating Grandmother would be nice.
Potential things
- We still have fond memories for her brother. She may or may not have contact with him, but at least she knows what happened to him after we were cast out. It might be a difficult play to make, but if she knows, she could tell us.
- She's a serious enemy, and one who has higher status than we do. That makes her a significant threat. We woudl like to make her not an enemy... somehow. We *do* still have fond memories of her brother, though... and if they truly were as close as she pretends, then killing her would surely sadden him. Maybe not so much with Plan "solve everything with your katana"
So, we do the Crane thing and... make friends? At least try to placate the implacable foe? At least a little?
Also, we'd prefer to not have to leave this little gathering in shame. Likewise, our infamy isn't widely known... yet. We'd rather the details not come up in conversation.
Still pulling a blank. Will ponder more and come back later - hopefully when I have more erg. (This week has been *rough*.)
Canon Omake by Ria: Sister Envy
- Location
- North Carolina
Sunlight pours down, warming the fresh spring air as I arrive at Shiro sano Kakita.
I'm finally here! I'm going to see Onii-chan!
Excitement courses through me as I make my way up to the castle. After a long winter on the Wall, I have finally wrangled a short leave to visit my brother and his family. It's been a long time since I've seen him, not since just after my gempukku. I have so much that I want to share with him. My feet want to skip and I have to actually restrain myself from carolling with joy. These Crane would probably give me that haughty, superior look they have and I don't want anything to spoil my reunion with Onii-chan.
My big brother has always been my hero. Ever since...well really, forever...I've looked up to him. Back when I was small, he was the best brother a girl could ask for. He was kind and loving. He always had time for me no matter what. He never had a harsh word for me. A look of disappointment was enough to quell even the most rebellious of beginnings of thoughts. He was gentle with me and always found a way to bring me small tokens to show me how special I was to him, how much he loved me. I remember that I cried for weeks after he left to get married. It was the first time that duty took him away so permanently from me. My sister-in-law has no idea that she's married to the most amazing gem of a man imaginable.
Onii-chan isn't waiting for me to greet me...that's weird…
I instruct the servants to bring my things to my rooms, frowning. What can possibly be keeping him from welcoming me to his home? Is he sick? Has he somehow been held up by a duty given to him by Ayame-sama?
I fly through the halls to the court. A brief glance around the room shows me that he isn't there. Just a bunch of Crane staring at me strangely behind hastily raised fans. Hastily, I duck out before I have to apologize and explain myself. Making nice with these Crane is the last thing I want to be doing right now.
"Where is Kakita Katsuie-san!?" I demand, grabbing the nearest servant. She stares at me with frightened eyes. I shake the girl by the shoulders.
"Where can I find your master?!"
The servant splutters and finally manages to give me enough words that I can understand that my brother can be found in the garden. I release her without another word and she scurries off after giving me another frightened look. Ok...it's possible that I maaaaaaayyy have been a little overzealous in my inquiry…
But still… The gardens? That's really odd. Onii-chan has never had much use for gardens, really. I must have been right. He must be fulfilling some sort of duty for Ayame-sama and gotten held up. A feeling of relief fills me. Of course my brother must fulfill his duty to his daimyo and wife even before coming to fulfill his duty to his sister...even though he would never spend time in the gardens of his own volition, especially when he's expecting me.
A thin tendril of resentment towards my sister-in-law snakes up within me. Couldn't she have taken my arrival into account? Doesn't she care that I have only very limited time to spend with my brother and we haven't seen each other in years?
Duty demands, I remind myself. I remember Onii-chan instructing me in the tenets of Bushido when I was very young.
Don't forget, Takamona-chan. Duty is the most important of all virtues.
I learned everything I know about being a good samurai from him. I have always tried to live up to his standards and his example. He would want me to be understanding about this, impatient though I am. And so, I push down the feeling as best I can.
Still though...he must be bored stiff at whatever tea drinking, flower smelling duty he's stuck at. I decide that I'll at least make my way down there and smile at him so that he can see I'm arrived and understanding of his delay. It will give him a happy thought to sustain him through his duty. My mind made up, I set off once again, my feet practically dancing over the floor.
In my mind, I can see my brother's handsome face, that special smile he reserves just for me. He's never smiled at anyone like that, not even Ayame-sama. I can hear his voice, gentle with just a slight hint of humour telling me that he's so glad to see me, that he missed me. I hasten my pace a little, as the walk seems interminable. Perhaps Onii-chan is right and I should work on being more patient. Ok, who am I kidding? Of course he's right. He always is.
Finally. The gardens. Where on earth is he? I scan the area carefully. There! At the entrance to one of the other gardens, I see him...well, his back really. He is faced away from me and appears to be waiting for someone or something. But there can be no mistake. I know my Onii-chan...it's him. A broad smile spreads across my face as I hurry towards him. I won't interrupt, just pass by him as though I was just another person visiting the gardens.
As I approach him, I see that he's with a woman, a Crane woman. Her laugh rings through the air.
Yes, yes, my brother is very entertaining, you lucky bitch. But when his duty is done, it is I who will enjoy his company, not you.
I walk by slowly, pretending to admire the flowers that I really couldn't care less about. And then I freeze in place, stricken as if by lightning. My brother is looking at the woman with such eyes, such softness about his jaw. His eyes pass over me but he doesn't recognize me. ME, his own SISTER!! This cannot be duty, not with those eyes. Who is this woman who so commands his attention?
My world shatters around me as I continue to watch them from behind a rose bush. Horror upon horrors, the smile that he gives her...that's MY smile. How can he smile so to another? Bitterness wells in my heart. How dare that woman take my beloved brother away from me? How dare she make him forget that I was arriving today?
I know just as surely as if he was shouting it out to the world. Despite the on he wears, despite the trappings, the pretense of Crane society, I can see it. My brother is in love. And now I, who has only once ever had to come second to another woman - his wife - am pushed even further away by this usurper, this vile seductress. She can't possibly be anything else. My brother would never so forget his duty to his family, to his wife...to me…
They begin to walk away, back to towards the entrance of the gardens. I strain to hear their words, to see if I can make out a name. Their conversation holds no interest for me. It's that polite, dull drivel that the Crane seem to have no end of.
"I must go, Sakura-san. But I will count the hours impatiently until we might talk again."
Sakura. Kakita Sakura, it seems, judging by her mons.
It's not until they are gone that I move from my place behind the rose bush. Sick with emotion, I make my way back to the castle and find a servant to direct me to my room. Given the wide berth that others seem to be giving me, I can only imagine what sort of expression I must have on my face. So much for controlling my on. Who cares anyway. Oni don't care about what kind of expression you have on your ace.
I pour myself a cup of sake and raise it to my lips, downing it in one single motion. I can't believe my brother betrayed me for a Crane floozy...no I won't believe it….he...he wouldn't, she must have...must have done something, done something to control him, to manipulate him…
That bi---
The sound of ceramic cracking echoes in my hears and I look down to see my cup utterly crushed between my fingers, a victim of my anger...no, not anger...hate.
That whore, that bitch stole my brother.
By all the Fortunes, I would get him back or die trying, and if that meant killing that worthless piece of shit woman…
Well, that just made me so damn happy.
I see the blood dripping from where the ceramic shards pierced my skin. I raise my hand up holding it in front of me, and bring up my tanto to let a little more blood flow.
"Onii-chan...I swear, I'll save you from her. This is my blood oath...Kakita Sakura is my sworn enemy from now until the end of our lives."
That bitch won't know what hit her.
I'm finally here! I'm going to see Onii-chan!
Excitement courses through me as I make my way up to the castle. After a long winter on the Wall, I have finally wrangled a short leave to visit my brother and his family. It's been a long time since I've seen him, not since just after my gempukku. I have so much that I want to share with him. My feet want to skip and I have to actually restrain myself from carolling with joy. These Crane would probably give me that haughty, superior look they have and I don't want anything to spoil my reunion with Onii-chan.
My big brother has always been my hero. Ever since...well really, forever...I've looked up to him. Back when I was small, he was the best brother a girl could ask for. He was kind and loving. He always had time for me no matter what. He never had a harsh word for me. A look of disappointment was enough to quell even the most rebellious of beginnings of thoughts. He was gentle with me and always found a way to bring me small tokens to show me how special I was to him, how much he loved me. I remember that I cried for weeks after he left to get married. It was the first time that duty took him away so permanently from me. My sister-in-law has no idea that she's married to the most amazing gem of a man imaginable.
Onii-chan isn't waiting for me to greet me...that's weird…
I instruct the servants to bring my things to my rooms, frowning. What can possibly be keeping him from welcoming me to his home? Is he sick? Has he somehow been held up by a duty given to him by Ayame-sama?
I fly through the halls to the court. A brief glance around the room shows me that he isn't there. Just a bunch of Crane staring at me strangely behind hastily raised fans. Hastily, I duck out before I have to apologize and explain myself. Making nice with these Crane is the last thing I want to be doing right now.
"Where is Kakita Katsuie-san!?" I demand, grabbing the nearest servant. She stares at me with frightened eyes. I shake the girl by the shoulders.
"Where can I find your master?!"
The servant splutters and finally manages to give me enough words that I can understand that my brother can be found in the garden. I release her without another word and she scurries off after giving me another frightened look. Ok...it's possible that I maaaaaaayyy have been a little overzealous in my inquiry…
But still… The gardens? That's really odd. Onii-chan has never had much use for gardens, really. I must have been right. He must be fulfilling some sort of duty for Ayame-sama and gotten held up. A feeling of relief fills me. Of course my brother must fulfill his duty to his daimyo and wife even before coming to fulfill his duty to his sister...even though he would never spend time in the gardens of his own volition, especially when he's expecting me.
A thin tendril of resentment towards my sister-in-law snakes up within me. Couldn't she have taken my arrival into account? Doesn't she care that I have only very limited time to spend with my brother and we haven't seen each other in years?
Duty demands, I remind myself. I remember Onii-chan instructing me in the tenets of Bushido when I was very young.
Don't forget, Takamona-chan. Duty is the most important of all virtues.
I learned everything I know about being a good samurai from him. I have always tried to live up to his standards and his example. He would want me to be understanding about this, impatient though I am. And so, I push down the feeling as best I can.
Still though...he must be bored stiff at whatever tea drinking, flower smelling duty he's stuck at. I decide that I'll at least make my way down there and smile at him so that he can see I'm arrived and understanding of his delay. It will give him a happy thought to sustain him through his duty. My mind made up, I set off once again, my feet practically dancing over the floor.
In my mind, I can see my brother's handsome face, that special smile he reserves just for me. He's never smiled at anyone like that, not even Ayame-sama. I can hear his voice, gentle with just a slight hint of humour telling me that he's so glad to see me, that he missed me. I hasten my pace a little, as the walk seems interminable. Perhaps Onii-chan is right and I should work on being more patient. Ok, who am I kidding? Of course he's right. He always is.
Finally. The gardens. Where on earth is he? I scan the area carefully. There! At the entrance to one of the other gardens, I see him...well, his back really. He is faced away from me and appears to be waiting for someone or something. But there can be no mistake. I know my Onii-chan...it's him. A broad smile spreads across my face as I hurry towards him. I won't interrupt, just pass by him as though I was just another person visiting the gardens.
As I approach him, I see that he's with a woman, a Crane woman. Her laugh rings through the air.
Yes, yes, my brother is very entertaining, you lucky bitch. But when his duty is done, it is I who will enjoy his company, not you.
I walk by slowly, pretending to admire the flowers that I really couldn't care less about. And then I freeze in place, stricken as if by lightning. My brother is looking at the woman with such eyes, such softness about his jaw. His eyes pass over me but he doesn't recognize me. ME, his own SISTER!! This cannot be duty, not with those eyes. Who is this woman who so commands his attention?
My world shatters around me as I continue to watch them from behind a rose bush. Horror upon horrors, the smile that he gives her...that's MY smile. How can he smile so to another? Bitterness wells in my heart. How dare that woman take my beloved brother away from me? How dare she make him forget that I was arriving today?
I know just as surely as if he was shouting it out to the world. Despite the on he wears, despite the trappings, the pretense of Crane society, I can see it. My brother is in love. And now I, who has only once ever had to come second to another woman - his wife - am pushed even further away by this usurper, this vile seductress. She can't possibly be anything else. My brother would never so forget his duty to his family, to his wife...to me…
They begin to walk away, back to towards the entrance of the gardens. I strain to hear their words, to see if I can make out a name. Their conversation holds no interest for me. It's that polite, dull drivel that the Crane seem to have no end of.
"I must go, Sakura-san. But I will count the hours impatiently until we might talk again."
Sakura. Kakita Sakura, it seems, judging by her mons.
It's not until they are gone that I move from my place behind the rose bush. Sick with emotion, I make my way back to the castle and find a servant to direct me to my room. Given the wide berth that others seem to be giving me, I can only imagine what sort of expression I must have on my face. So much for controlling my on. Who cares anyway. Oni don't care about what kind of expression you have on your ace.
I pour myself a cup of sake and raise it to my lips, downing it in one single motion. I can't believe my brother betrayed me for a Crane floozy...no I won't believe it….he...he wouldn't, she must have...must have done something, done something to control him, to manipulate him…
That bi---
The sound of ceramic cracking echoes in my hears and I look down to see my cup utterly crushed between my fingers, a victim of my anger...no, not anger...hate.
That whore, that bitch stole my brother.
By all the Fortunes, I would get him back or die trying, and if that meant killing that worthless piece of shit woman…
Well, that just made me so damn happy.
I see the blood dripping from where the ceramic shards pierced my skin. I raise my hand up holding it in front of me, and bring up my tanto to let a little more blood flow.
"Onii-chan...I swear, I'll save you from her. This is my blood oath...Kakita Sakura is my sworn enemy from now until the end of our lives."
That bitch won't know what hit her.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[x] Smile sadly
-[x] "Hida-sama, why? Why are you here hurting me when you could be with him? You can. I cannot. At least one of us should be happy."
...because it presents us in a decent light to those watching, because it's unlikely to lead to us having to kill her (and thus saddening the man we still kind of love), and because it might lead to her spitting out some sort of information about him. Also, because she's unlikely to want to respond to that with the truth of what happened, when it immediately implies (though it does not state) that she has impure thoughts about her brother - something that would be very difficult for her to disprove.
It also has us trying, at least a little, to be sympathetic to the woman. If we're not going to wish death on her, then trying to change her perspective on us is the only way we're ever going to get her to stop hunting us.
-[x] "Hida-sama, why? Why are you here hurting me when you could be with him? You can. I cannot. At least one of us should be happy."
...because it presents us in a decent light to those watching, because it's unlikely to lead to us having to kill her (and thus saddening the man we still kind of love), and because it might lead to her spitting out some sort of information about him. Also, because she's unlikely to want to respond to that with the truth of what happened, when it immediately implies (though it does not state) that she has impure thoughts about her brother - something that would be very difficult for her to disprove.
It also has us trying, at least a little, to be sympathetic to the woman. If we're not going to wish death on her, then trying to change her perspective on us is the only way we're ever going to get her to stop hunting us.
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- Location
- Leeds
That sounds like that we're going to face an insult about duty.
She's here because her clan demands it not putting herself first like we did.
She's here because her clan demands it not putting herself first like we did.
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