Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)
- Status
Arc V: Month Four: The Experimenter of Fire
---Talk to Isawa Kyoko
After some consideration, you decide that having another priest can only be beneficial to the team. One of the famed Isawa at that? Granted, there was some quirk noted like 'Do not ask her to talk to Water Kami they will drown her' noted in the file that Akodo-sama provided...but Kimiko-san provided your cover there quite nicely. Although you're not entirely sure how someone can convince the water kami to drown themselves. While offensive water magic exists...it's very difficult to do.
So after you get used to the new monthly training regime. (You're not entirely sure how Jubei started teaching you to torture yourself for training...but you've apparently impressed him with your puzzle arrow etiquette training course) The time is right you judge to go speak to Isawa Kyoko.
Like most proper Samurai she makes her home in Eiyuu district. Unlike most proper Samurai, it appears that part of her roof is on fire. You break into a dead run, wondering what careless servant happened to cause such a calamity. Hopefully you can save her!
The door is locked, but you quickly spot a way around, climbing over the roof into the burning building, only...there's no smoke, no heat. Nothing to indicate that there's any danger...save for the fire on the roof. Something is not right here, but you can't put your finger on what it is. Grandmother gives a hmmph sound that she usually reserves for Crab living down to their reputations.
Running up the stairs, you find yourself bursting into a large room on the second floor that looks...well you aren't sure how to describe it. Is it possible for a library, a forge and a hanabi workshop to have a baby? Because that's how it looks like to you. In the centre of the room is a slim looking woman who has stuck her head inside a large glass globe that dances with fire.
What the actual fuck.
Your language aside I concur with the sentiment.
Looking up you see that the glass globe has a series of tubes that lead across the ceiling and outside to the roof...and the fire seems to be travelling amongst them. So that's the source of the fire, you think.
Well you did think it was odd no one was coming to help, but apparently this is normal. A part of you deeply wishes that wasn't remotely true. However, you're pretty sure that it is, which means that odds are...
"Isawa Kyoko-sama?" You call out.
The woman gives a start and pulls herself out of the globe. She has no hair on her eyebrows or head...which come to think of it makes way to much sense. Still, her brown eyes look at you carefully, seemingly filled with barely repressed energy. She bows, and you bow deeper to her.
"Hello stranger-san, yes I'm Isawa Kyoko-sama....although most only use san with me. Who might you be?" She asks.
If you were to describe her speech in one word, you'd go with...fast. Like she was thinking too quickly and had to actively work to slow down her words. In terms of tone you'd place as a high alto, just enough to almost do a soprano part but not quite.
"I'm Megumi the Ronin" You say.
"Hmm interesting, I guess you thought I was in danger?" She says.
"Yes?"
Her voice speeds up, you have to focus to figure it out.
"Simple deduction, you want something from me"
"...uh"
"No reason for ronin otherwise. Knowledge?" She asks almost hopefully.
You blink, mind barely replying in time to answer.
"Sort of?"
Her hope dies a quick, pitiful death.
"Magical knowledge, battle knowledge...sadness"
"Sadness?" You ask.
Would that you were a Clan Samurai and you could ask her to slow down.
"I am a Fire Tensai, good at fighting, but fire creates and destroys, prefer former" She says.
An in? You decide to try out a line.
"What about preservation?"
Kyoko shrugs.
"Preservation...less so, can be done, needs more finesse."
Lets let that slide for now. The other bit of curiosity you have needs addressing.
"What are you doing here Isawa-sama? If you are permitted to tell me" you ask politely.
"Speaking to Fire Kami, attempting to communicate with other fire kami" She says cheerfully.
"Oh."
Kyoko frowns for a moment before clicking her fingers.
"So you want me to fight, but to preserve...body guard mission. Important"
You...didn't give her that much did you?
"How did you?"
"Fire is element of intelligence, I am not stupid." She says.
"Never meant to imply you were Isawa-sama." You say quickly.
Kyoko brings a hand to her chin, apparently still thinking.
"Hmm, so want my help, assume approved, my choice. Need help myself."
"Eh?" You ask.
"Errands need work, work better spent on the kami, could use assistant." She says apparently to herself.
"I would be happy to help Isawa-sama if you would tell me how?" You say.
Kyoko brightens, almost like the sun.
"Am performing an experiment, need test subject"
Why do you feel a shiver? Its not that cold.
"And this is...allowed?" You ask.
Kyoko pauses for a moment.
"...Mostly, 95% sure that experiment will be successful."
"Well..."
[] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
[] Refuse but ask to help some other way
[] Leave the Isawa alone before your hair gets set on fire, that Utaku looked nice...
[] Write in
AN: Sorry about the delay on this one.
Kyoko is...special.
After some consideration, you decide that having another priest can only be beneficial to the team. One of the famed Isawa at that? Granted, there was some quirk noted like 'Do not ask her to talk to Water Kami they will drown her' noted in the file that Akodo-sama provided...but Kimiko-san provided your cover there quite nicely. Although you're not entirely sure how someone can convince the water kami to drown themselves. While offensive water magic exists...it's very difficult to do.
So after you get used to the new monthly training regime. (You're not entirely sure how Jubei started teaching you to torture yourself for training...but you've apparently impressed him with your puzzle arrow etiquette training course) The time is right you judge to go speak to Isawa Kyoko.
Like most proper Samurai she makes her home in Eiyuu district. Unlike most proper Samurai, it appears that part of her roof is on fire. You break into a dead run, wondering what careless servant happened to cause such a calamity. Hopefully you can save her!
The door is locked, but you quickly spot a way around, climbing over the roof into the burning building, only...there's no smoke, no heat. Nothing to indicate that there's any danger...save for the fire on the roof. Something is not right here, but you can't put your finger on what it is. Grandmother gives a hmmph sound that she usually reserves for Crab living down to their reputations.
Running up the stairs, you find yourself bursting into a large room on the second floor that looks...well you aren't sure how to describe it. Is it possible for a library, a forge and a hanabi workshop to have a baby? Because that's how it looks like to you. In the centre of the room is a slim looking woman who has stuck her head inside a large glass globe that dances with fire.
What the actual fuck.
Your language aside I concur with the sentiment.
Looking up you see that the glass globe has a series of tubes that lead across the ceiling and outside to the roof...and the fire seems to be travelling amongst them. So that's the source of the fire, you think.
Well you did think it was odd no one was coming to help, but apparently this is normal. A part of you deeply wishes that wasn't remotely true. However, you're pretty sure that it is, which means that odds are...
"Isawa Kyoko-sama?" You call out.
The woman gives a start and pulls herself out of the globe. She has no hair on her eyebrows or head...which come to think of it makes way to much sense. Still, her brown eyes look at you carefully, seemingly filled with barely repressed energy. She bows, and you bow deeper to her.
"Hello stranger-san, yes I'm Isawa Kyoko-sama....although most only use san with me. Who might you be?" She asks.
If you were to describe her speech in one word, you'd go with...fast. Like she was thinking too quickly and had to actively work to slow down her words. In terms of tone you'd place as a high alto, just enough to almost do a soprano part but not quite.
"I'm Megumi the Ronin" You say.
"Hmm interesting, I guess you thought I was in danger?" She says.
"Yes?"
Her voice speeds up, you have to focus to figure it out.
"Simple deduction, you want something from me"
"...uh"
"No reason for ronin otherwise. Knowledge?" She asks almost hopefully.
You blink, mind barely replying in time to answer.
"Sort of?"
Her hope dies a quick, pitiful death.
"Magical knowledge, battle knowledge...sadness"
"Sadness?" You ask.
Would that you were a Clan Samurai and you could ask her to slow down.
"I am a Fire Tensai, good at fighting, but fire creates and destroys, prefer former" She says.
An in? You decide to try out a line.
"What about preservation?"
Kyoko shrugs.
"Preservation...less so, can be done, needs more finesse."
Lets let that slide for now. The other bit of curiosity you have needs addressing.
"What are you doing here Isawa-sama? If you are permitted to tell me" you ask politely.
"Speaking to Fire Kami, attempting to communicate with other fire kami" She says cheerfully.
"Oh."
Kyoko frowns for a moment before clicking her fingers.
"So you want me to fight, but to preserve...body guard mission. Important"
You...didn't give her that much did you?
"How did you?"
"Fire is element of intelligence, I am not stupid." She says.
"Never meant to imply you were Isawa-sama." You say quickly.
Kyoko brings a hand to her chin, apparently still thinking.
"Hmm, so want my help, assume approved, my choice. Need help myself."
"Eh?" You ask.
"Errands need work, work better spent on the kami, could use assistant." She says apparently to herself.
"I would be happy to help Isawa-sama if you would tell me how?" You say.
Kyoko brightens, almost like the sun.
"Am performing an experiment, need test subject"
Why do you feel a shiver? Its not that cold.
"And this is...allowed?" You ask.
Kyoko pauses for a moment.
"...Mostly, 95% sure that experiment will be successful."
"Well..."
[] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
[] Refuse but ask to help some other way
[] Leave the Isawa alone before your hair gets set on fire, that Utaku looked nice...
[] Write in
AN: Sorry about the delay on this one.
Kyoko is...special.
- Location
- Leeds
Erm.
[?] Kidnap a heimin to be the experiments subject?
[?] Kidnap a heimin to be the experiments subject?
Potential option, but heimin belong to someone, so it's a bit dishonourable to kidnap them.
- Location
- Leeds
[?] Kidnap an eta to be the experiments subject?
Or do they also belong to someone?
Also yes, although not necessarily the same person. Remember feudal rule, the Samurai are in charge of the heimen, and the heimen are in charge of the eta, and the eta are ideally forgotten to exist outside of certain circumstances.
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case i die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if i may ask?"
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case i die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if i may ask?"
- Location
- Austrlia
You know, I don't think I've seen a Mad Scientist in L5R before.
We need to know if she's trustworthy, if her calculations are accurate, and secrets must be kept.
Besides, I want to know!
[X] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case i die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if i may ask?"
We need to know if she's trustworthy, if her calculations are accurate, and secrets must be kept.
Besides, I want to know!
[X] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case i die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if i may ask?"
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[X] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case i die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if i may ask?"
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case i die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if i may ask?"
Arc V: Month Four: Memories of Fire
[X] Agree to be a test subject in exchange for Isawa Kyoko joining you
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case I die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if I may ask?"
While on the one hand, you're pretty certain that shugenja experimenting with the kami is somehow blasphemous. On the other hand, you could use a genius helping you on the mission. In the end, you know that the mission of getting Aya back is more important than whatever hypothetical damage might happen from an experiment going wrong. She did say that it was 95% chance of success so that should be good right?
So you decide the answer is yes.
"My life is about the mission now. So if helping you with the experiment is what it takes, I can do that." You say.
Kyoko smiles and gestures towards the centre of her....home.
"Thank you, stand in circle"
You walk over to the circle, and look at her. "I know you said that this will work and I trust you, but if the kami decide otherwise and it doesn't, go talk to Hida Isamu-sama, he'll be able to get you on the mission."
Kyoko nods
"Yes, warning some discomfort"
"What are you actually testing and how if I might ask?"
"New spell, on you, warning there might be some discomfort."
The fire shugenja moves around to the large fire still in the glass globe, and begins to throw hair and incense into it. That done Kyoko sticks her hands into the fire and begins to chant in the mystical language of the kami.
The world burns.
You can see it in your eyes.
Endless desert stretches out before you.
Why had you come here? For work, for hope, for a chance.
Yet the Shield Cities had proven unfruitful, Shiro Enishi was the last stop.
Out of the sand emerges a strange man in a black cloak, wasn't he burning like you?
The heat was too much. The man draws a katana and charges, you draw your own katana.
You were a student of the Kakita Ryu, and he toyed with you, you couldn't break his defences at all.
In your mind there was no doubt that you would die here. Then so be it, but you would take this man with you.
Laughter.
With a gasp you sit up, fumbling around for your blade. The Black Cloak, the monster, who had...who had...your head hurts. A memory lost tries to exist only to be forced back by the pain. What was that? For a moment it felt like you could remember everything including the very important thing of who stabbed you and ruined your sword initially. Then the moment stopped and you were on Kyoko's floor. Where was the shugenja? Looking around you can see her writing in a book and frowning.
"Oh, you're awake" She says glancing up.
"Hai...Isawa-sama what happened?"
Kyoko looks back down at her book.
"Attempted to convince your fire to rewrite itself so that you would have perfect memories."
"...What?" You ask.
She tried to rewrite your mind? The actual fuck.
Technically no, she was attempting to alter your fire. It is disconcerting though.
Kyoko says, still writing.
"Specialization better, but harmful long term. Can't diversify because of poor memory, want to address the issue"
"By rewriting my mind?" You ask a little offended.
You thought it'd be something like 'make clothes out of fire' or something like that. Not 'let's play with your head like a demented Tsukai'.
Kyoko glares at you.
"Maho, no. Mind is given stronger muscle, not changed from mind."
"That is change Isawa-sama."
The shugenja looks frustrated.
"Water kami change people all time, no one upset. No fundamental difference"
That's...not wrong persay. There are many stories of the water kami giving a man the strength of ten in need and so on. Somehow though, it feels wrong, is it because your mind is something entirely within? You don't know.
"It feels like there is difference..."
Kyoko snaps.
"Perception only, whatever happened, part of you"
Slowly, you glance down at your hands, that battle did happen, but you can't remember the ending, it hurts too much to try. That said, this could be important, if nothing else, it could explain what happened to your katana. While you wouldn't change your path in Shiro Enishi, much. How you got here is something of a mystery that you never thought too deeply on. But, now you had a clue, the question was how to follow up on it.
You could ask around for mysterious black covered warriors who ambush people in the desert. Someone might know something, or you could....ask Kyoko to try her experiment again in the hope that it would let you remember things more fully.
Looking up from your hands to see Kyoko writing furiously, you can tell that she's...upset, hiding it behind bookwork and shugenja experimentation, but upset. While your anger over what happened is understandable, the venom of 'No Maho' is enough to put the pieces together.
Which means even though you're sure she'll come because she gave her word, you don't think Kyoko will give her best on the mission. Being accused of being akin to a Maho Tsukai has a way of being a wedge issue between people. Now how to solve this personnel conflict before it gets out of hand?
[] Apologize, and then ask Kyoko to perform the experiment on you again when she's ready
[] Apologize and then ask Kyoko to join you for drinks at a bar
[] Apologize and ask how you can make it up to her
[] She's an adult, leave it alone.
AN: Sorry this took so long to get out, the memory scene fought me.
-[X] "My life belongs to the mission now. Please go here (insert important place to go) in case I die or am crippled in the experiment."
--[X] "What is it you are actually testing and how if I may ask?"
While on the one hand, you're pretty certain that shugenja experimenting with the kami is somehow blasphemous. On the other hand, you could use a genius helping you on the mission. In the end, you know that the mission of getting Aya back is more important than whatever hypothetical damage might happen from an experiment going wrong. She did say that it was 95% chance of success so that should be good right?
So you decide the answer is yes.
"My life is about the mission now. So if helping you with the experiment is what it takes, I can do that." You say.
Kyoko smiles and gestures towards the centre of her....home.
"Thank you, stand in circle"
You walk over to the circle, and look at her. "I know you said that this will work and I trust you, but if the kami decide otherwise and it doesn't, go talk to Hida Isamu-sama, he'll be able to get you on the mission."
Kyoko nods
"Yes, warning some discomfort"
"What are you actually testing and how if I might ask?"
"New spell, on you, warning there might be some discomfort."
The fire shugenja moves around to the large fire still in the glass globe, and begins to throw hair and incense into it. That done Kyoko sticks her hands into the fire and begins to chant in the mystical language of the kami.
The world burns.
You can see it in your eyes.
Endless desert stretches out before you.
Why had you come here? For work, for hope, for a chance.
Yet the Shield Cities had proven unfruitful, Shiro Enishi was the last stop.
Out of the sand emerges a strange man in a black cloak, wasn't he burning like you?
The heat was too much. The man draws a katana and charges, you draw your own katana.
You were a student of the Kakita Ryu, and he toyed with you, you couldn't break his defences at all.
In your mind there was no doubt that you would die here. Then so be it, but you would take this man with you.
Laughter.
With a gasp you sit up, fumbling around for your blade. The Black Cloak, the monster, who had...who had...your head hurts. A memory lost tries to exist only to be forced back by the pain. What was that? For a moment it felt like you could remember everything including the very important thing of who stabbed you and ruined your sword initially. Then the moment stopped and you were on Kyoko's floor. Where was the shugenja? Looking around you can see her writing in a book and frowning.
"Oh, you're awake" She says glancing up.
"Hai...Isawa-sama what happened?"
Kyoko looks back down at her book.
"Attempted to convince your fire to rewrite itself so that you would have perfect memories."
"...What?" You ask.
She tried to rewrite your mind? The actual fuck.
Technically no, she was attempting to alter your fire. It is disconcerting though.
Kyoko says, still writing.
"Specialization better, but harmful long term. Can't diversify because of poor memory, want to address the issue"
"By rewriting my mind?" You ask a little offended.
You thought it'd be something like 'make clothes out of fire' or something like that. Not 'let's play with your head like a demented Tsukai'.
Kyoko glares at you.
"Maho, no. Mind is given stronger muscle, not changed from mind."
"That is change Isawa-sama."
The shugenja looks frustrated.
"Water kami change people all time, no one upset. No fundamental difference"
That's...not wrong persay. There are many stories of the water kami giving a man the strength of ten in need and so on. Somehow though, it feels wrong, is it because your mind is something entirely within? You don't know.
"It feels like there is difference..."
Kyoko snaps.
"Perception only, whatever happened, part of you"
Slowly, you glance down at your hands, that battle did happen, but you can't remember the ending, it hurts too much to try. That said, this could be important, if nothing else, it could explain what happened to your katana. While you wouldn't change your path in Shiro Enishi, much. How you got here is something of a mystery that you never thought too deeply on. But, now you had a clue, the question was how to follow up on it.
You could ask around for mysterious black covered warriors who ambush people in the desert. Someone might know something, or you could....ask Kyoko to try her experiment again in the hope that it would let you remember things more fully.
Looking up from your hands to see Kyoko writing furiously, you can tell that she's...upset, hiding it behind bookwork and shugenja experimentation, but upset. While your anger over what happened is understandable, the venom of 'No Maho' is enough to put the pieces together.
Which means even though you're sure she'll come because she gave her word, you don't think Kyoko will give her best on the mission. Being accused of being akin to a Maho Tsukai has a way of being a wedge issue between people. Now how to solve this personnel conflict before it gets out of hand?
[] Apologize, and then ask Kyoko to perform the experiment on you again when she's ready
[] Apologize and then ask Kyoko to join you for drinks at a bar
[] Apologize and ask how you can make it up to her
[] She's an adult, leave it alone.
AN: Sorry this took so long to get out, the memory scene fought me.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[x] Apologize, and then ask Kyoko to perform the experiment on you again when she's ready
-[x] Apologize. You admit that this spell is no ill thing, and, in fact, has done you a service. You... started to remember something while under the flames - something you would like to remember better. Your earlier words were because you allowed your surprise to overcome you. Apologize again - and admit that if she is willing, you would humbly ask her to perform the experiment again when she is ready. Surely a second test run would provide additional data?
-[x] Apologize. You admit that this spell is no ill thing, and, in fact, has done you a service. You... started to remember something while under the flames - something you would like to remember better. Your earlier words were because you allowed your surprise to overcome you. Apologize again - and admit that if she is willing, you would humbly ask her to perform the experiment again when she is ready. Surely a second test run would provide additional data?
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- Location
- Leeds
[x] Apologize, and then ask Kyoko to perform the experiment on you again when she's ready
-[x] Apologize. You admit that this spell is no ill thing, and, in fact, has done you a service. You... started to remember something while under the flames - something you would like to remember better. Your earlier words were because you allowed your surprise to overcome you. Apologize again - and admit that if she is willing, you would humbly ask her to perform the experiment again when she is ready. Surely a second test run would provide additional data?
One day L5R quests will just have [X] Sirrocco as a vote option by default.
-[x] Apologize. You admit that this spell is no ill thing, and, in fact, has done you a service. You... started to remember something while under the flames - something you would like to remember better. Your earlier words were because you allowed your surprise to overcome you. Apologize again - and admit that if she is willing, you would humbly ask her to perform the experiment again when she is ready. Surely a second test run would provide additional data?
One day L5R quests will just have [X] Sirrocco as a vote option by default.
- Location
- Moon-Station
[x] Apologize, and then ask Kyoko to perform the experiment on you again when she's ready
-[x] Apologize. You admit that this spell is no ill thing, and, in fact, has done you a service. You... started to remember something while under the flames - something you would like to remember better. Your earlier words were because you allowed your surprise to overcome you. Apologize again - and admit that if she is willing, you would humbly ask her to perform the experiment again when she is ready. Surely a second test run would provide additional data?
-[x] Apologize. You admit that this spell is no ill thing, and, in fact, has done you a service. You... started to remember something while under the flames - something you would like to remember better. Your earlier words were because you allowed your surprise to overcome you. Apologize again - and admit that if she is willing, you would humbly ask her to perform the experiment again when she is ready. Surely a second test run would provide additional data?
- Location
- Austrlia
[X] Apologize and then ask Kyoko to join you for drinks at a bar
-[X] Suggest you might be open to it again later, but you want to know if you feel any different tomorow. Experimental, after all!
Guys, the experimental magic fucked with our head. It's natural to be a little gun-shy. So, we drag her out to relax, incidently showing her we hold no ill will, get away from something we're not sure about, and have the excuse of longer term implications.
Still want her involoed, don't want her angry with us, but don't want us only seeing us as dumb experimental material.
-[X] Suggest you might be open to it again later, but you want to know if you feel any different tomorow. Experimental, after all!
Guys, the experimental magic fucked with our head. It's natural to be a little gun-shy. So, we drag her out to relax, incidently showing her we hold no ill will, get away from something we're not sure about, and have the excuse of longer term implications.
Still want her involoed, don't want her angry with us, but don't want us only seeing us as dumb experimental material.
Arc V: Month Four: Revelation of Flames.
[x] Plan Sirocco, MK XCIII
In the end, you're a ronin, and she is a Clan Samurai, even if she had done you wrong, which she didn't, you'd have to apologize.
So as you stand up, you bow low to her.
"Forgive me Isawa-sama, I was perturbed by the memories you brought forth. While the memory is important, it is not a pleasant one, and I allowed my surprise and dismay to slander you. Please accept the humble apologies of this one" You say.
Kyoko looks at you for a long moment before speaking.
"Understood, is memory painful?"
"Somewhat, it concerns how I came to this city I was attacked on the road. I took a head injury and forgot most of it." You explain.
"Hmm"
"If Isawa-sama is willing, I would like to have the spell cast again, to show my trust on you, and to help with your learning"
"Your fire is quite weak...but if you insist."
A momentary flash of irritation on your part is quickly suppressed. All things in balance, the creative energy of the body's movements are paired the the energy of the mind. While you aren't stupid, you aren't someone who has stoked that aspect of your internal elements at all. You were a being of the Empty Wind as Brother Jubei described it.
"Hai, I do it, it might be important." You say.
Kyoko moves back to her place before and begins to chant, you concentrate on your fire and hope it will help...
The world burns. Do you understand? This is what must be.
Blood is dripping. Your sword is broken, so it may be reforged.
Your Blood. It comes, the demon, the enemy.
Yellow eyes look down. Would that another was chosen.
Contempt, pity and fear. Yet that is what the stars say of your birth
A crows feather falls. In a Palace of Jade you will die
Sakura, Sakura, SAKURA!
"YES GRANDMOTHER?!" You bolt up with a shout.
Don't you ever do that again you foolish girl!
"Sorry Grandmother"
"Must state, not your mother" Kyoko says.
You look around and blush slightly.
"Gomen...I hear her sometimes."
Kyoko nods. You look around the room, you're on the floor again, and your whole body hearts, like it was stabbed a bunch of times. The last time it was like this, was after that attack in the citadel. Only, you didn't get into a fight with a demonic woman, at least you don't think you did.
"Isawa-sama what happened?" You ask.
Kyoko looks away for a moment and then back to you.
"Memory traumatic, but less important. Possibly other gaijin magic interfered. Temporarily burned you alive, mentally. Body simulates."
"...What?" You ask.
"Fire within you became over stimulated when encountering foreign process. Fascinating, but near fatal if less control was had. Will not do again." She explains.
Okay that got your attention.
"...I have something inside me?"
Kyoko holds her arms together in front of her chest.
"Crude answer, yes and no. Precise answer: Have specific set of internal chi and ki configurations along meridians to stimulate latent elemental growth. Not natural, likely result of skilled priest, possibly Senpet work. Net effect, potential for growth is unlimited, but life span diminished."
"Wait was that last part?" You ask in something approaching, horror.
"but life span diminished."
"Why?" You ask.
Kyoko frowns.
"Purely physical manifestation of the elements combined with the divine spark. Definition of Human. Elemental balance very careful, slow change from baseline. Rapid changes prove impossible to balance. Body deteriorates, fire burns hotter, but goes out sooner."
You frown trying to put that into more...coherent words. You have grown tremendously over the last few months, to the point where some people are impressed. You thought it was just because you had something that made you want to push yourself past your own limits. Yet Kyoko was saying that the ability to do that came from outside, and was making your lifespan shorter the longer it was used. Given what happened, it must have been because of something the Man in Black did, The question is why, you remember him laughing, but was it really laughter? More and more you wish you could hold on to that memory instead of having it stubbornly fade away.
"Why would someone do that to me?" You ask.
Kyoko shrugs.
"Unclear, speculative answers only, if you want?
"Hai" You say.
A guess was better than nothing. At least in your mind. Why didn't Grandmother remember this? Or tell you? That question can be left for later you suppose.
Kyoko holds up one arm, fingers extending as she answers.
"Three theories present themselves. One: Unethical experimentation, wished to see if it could be done. If ronin dies, no one cares, perpetrator can keep refining efforts. Two: Some form of a chi manipulation that went very wrong, but did not kill you. Three, believed that you needed to be capable of this and thus acted in such a way as to make it happen."
You're not sure you like any of those theories, but it's something at least.
"Thank you Isawa-sama."
"You are...welcome, thank you for trust." Kyoko says.
After a moment, you bow, and ask for her leave, she gives it. You have a lot to think about, but at the very least, Isawa Kyoko is with you. She's a strange one, but you think she's reliable.
-----------------------------
Over the next month you a lot of time with Kyoko, just to make sure the bond you build is strong. You learn that she loves to experiment with just about anything, even if it's not the kami, and that she knows quite a bit about basically everything. However, she does not have friends, her enthusiasms are out of place in her clan. Most view her work as near heretical, only the fact that she is extremely good at being a Fire Tensai keeps her in the good graces of her lord.
It's kind of sad to you, that you might be one of her closest friends.
That said it was while talking with her that you saw the way forward to your next technique....
[] The Empty Wind
Building on the lessons she learned from mastering 'The Wind Bites' technique. Megumi understands that even when you do not see it, the wind is still there, and even the slightest movement can disturb it. When she assumes centre stance, she may roll her Air Ring, and then add the result to her armour TN. Creating a potent defence that lasts as long as she's in centre stance, and the round after exiting it.
[] The World is Empty.
A legendary kata within the Empire. Megumi has only heard of it's effects, of how the user follows a specific set of movements to hypnotize themselves into a state of Munshin. While she has never formally learned the kata. Her own mastery of the sword and deep connection to the Void, has given her insight in how to perform it. While not quite up to the standards of masters. This bastardized version is still reasonably effective. She adds half her void ring as unkept dice (rounded down) to all attack rolls, so long as she has a single point of void left.
[] Stubborn Eyes
Focusing primarily on court and her own ability to see the world for what it is. Megumi has learned that sometimes it's simply a matter of persistence and stubbornly pushing forward. When attempting to discern the truth or see through an illusion. Megumi may add her Willpower to the attempt as unkept dice.
However, despite repeated entreaties to her. your grandmother stubbornly refuses to tell you what happened that day, saying only that she can't.
(AN: You didn't think I forgot about how you got here did you?)
In the end, you're a ronin, and she is a Clan Samurai, even if she had done you wrong, which she didn't, you'd have to apologize.
So as you stand up, you bow low to her.
"Forgive me Isawa-sama, I was perturbed by the memories you brought forth. While the memory is important, it is not a pleasant one, and I allowed my surprise and dismay to slander you. Please accept the humble apologies of this one" You say.
Kyoko looks at you for a long moment before speaking.
"Understood, is memory painful?"
"Somewhat, it concerns how I came to this city I was attacked on the road. I took a head injury and forgot most of it." You explain.
"Hmm"
"If Isawa-sama is willing, I would like to have the spell cast again, to show my trust on you, and to help with your learning"
"Your fire is quite weak...but if you insist."
A momentary flash of irritation on your part is quickly suppressed. All things in balance, the creative energy of the body's movements are paired the the energy of the mind. While you aren't stupid, you aren't someone who has stoked that aspect of your internal elements at all. You were a being of the Empty Wind as Brother Jubei described it.
"Hai, I do it, it might be important." You say.
Kyoko moves back to her place before and begins to chant, you concentrate on your fire and hope it will help...
The world burns. Do you understand? This is what must be.
Blood is dripping. Your sword is broken, so it may be reforged.
Your Blood. It comes, the demon, the enemy.
Yellow eyes look down. Would that another was chosen.
Contempt, pity and fear. Yet that is what the stars say of your birth
A crows feather falls. In a Palace of Jade you will die
Sakura, Sakura, SAKURA!
"YES GRANDMOTHER?!" You bolt up with a shout.
Don't you ever do that again you foolish girl!
"Sorry Grandmother"
"Must state, not your mother" Kyoko says.
You look around and blush slightly.
"Gomen...I hear her sometimes."
Kyoko nods. You look around the room, you're on the floor again, and your whole body hearts, like it was stabbed a bunch of times. The last time it was like this, was after that attack in the citadel. Only, you didn't get into a fight with a demonic woman, at least you don't think you did.
"Isawa-sama what happened?" You ask.
Kyoko looks away for a moment and then back to you.
"Memory traumatic, but less important. Possibly other gaijin magic interfered. Temporarily burned you alive, mentally. Body simulates."
"...What?" You ask.
"Fire within you became over stimulated when encountering foreign process. Fascinating, but near fatal if less control was had. Will not do again." She explains.
Okay that got your attention.
"...I have something inside me?"
Kyoko holds her arms together in front of her chest.
"Crude answer, yes and no. Precise answer: Have specific set of internal chi and ki configurations along meridians to stimulate latent elemental growth. Not natural, likely result of skilled priest, possibly Senpet work. Net effect, potential for growth is unlimited, but life span diminished."
"Wait was that last part?" You ask in something approaching, horror.
"but life span diminished."
"Why?" You ask.
Kyoko frowns.
"Purely physical manifestation of the elements combined with the divine spark. Definition of Human. Elemental balance very careful, slow change from baseline. Rapid changes prove impossible to balance. Body deteriorates, fire burns hotter, but goes out sooner."
You frown trying to put that into more...coherent words. You have grown tremendously over the last few months, to the point where some people are impressed. You thought it was just because you had something that made you want to push yourself past your own limits. Yet Kyoko was saying that the ability to do that came from outside, and was making your lifespan shorter the longer it was used. Given what happened, it must have been because of something the Man in Black did, The question is why, you remember him laughing, but was it really laughter? More and more you wish you could hold on to that memory instead of having it stubbornly fade away.
"Why would someone do that to me?" You ask.
Kyoko shrugs.
"Unclear, speculative answers only, if you want?
"Hai" You say.
A guess was better than nothing. At least in your mind. Why didn't Grandmother remember this? Or tell you? That question can be left for later you suppose.
Kyoko holds up one arm, fingers extending as she answers.
"Three theories present themselves. One: Unethical experimentation, wished to see if it could be done. If ronin dies, no one cares, perpetrator can keep refining efforts. Two: Some form of a chi manipulation that went very wrong, but did not kill you. Three, believed that you needed to be capable of this and thus acted in such a way as to make it happen."
You're not sure you like any of those theories, but it's something at least.
"Thank you Isawa-sama."
"You are...welcome, thank you for trust." Kyoko says.
After a moment, you bow, and ask for her leave, she gives it. You have a lot to think about, but at the very least, Isawa Kyoko is with you. She's a strange one, but you think she's reliable.
-----------------------------
Over the next month you a lot of time with Kyoko, just to make sure the bond you build is strong. You learn that she loves to experiment with just about anything, even if it's not the kami, and that she knows quite a bit about basically everything. However, she does not have friends, her enthusiasms are out of place in her clan. Most view her work as near heretical, only the fact that she is extremely good at being a Fire Tensai keeps her in the good graces of her lord.
It's kind of sad to you, that you might be one of her closest friends.
That said it was while talking with her that you saw the way forward to your next technique....
[] The Empty Wind
Building on the lessons she learned from mastering 'The Wind Bites' technique. Megumi understands that even when you do not see it, the wind is still there, and even the slightest movement can disturb it. When she assumes centre stance, she may roll her Air Ring, and then add the result to her armour TN. Creating a potent defence that lasts as long as she's in centre stance, and the round after exiting it.
[] The World is Empty.
A legendary kata within the Empire. Megumi has only heard of it's effects, of how the user follows a specific set of movements to hypnotize themselves into a state of Munshin. While she has never formally learned the kata. Her own mastery of the sword and deep connection to the Void, has given her insight in how to perform it. While not quite up to the standards of masters. This bastardized version is still reasonably effective. She adds half her void ring as unkept dice (rounded down) to all attack rolls, so long as she has a single point of void left.
[] Stubborn Eyes
Focusing primarily on court and her own ability to see the world for what it is. Megumi has learned that sometimes it's simply a matter of persistence and stubbornly pushing forward. When attempting to discern the truth or see through an illusion. Megumi may add her Willpower to the attempt as unkept dice.
However, despite repeated entreaties to her. your grandmother stubbornly refuses to tell you what happened that day, saying only that she can't.
(AN: You didn't think I forgot about how you got here did you?)
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- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] The World is Empty.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
So... Following options:
* crank our armor TN (+5k5!) when we enter Center stance (how long does that last, anyway? As long as we stay in Center stance?) This one is a potent tool for duels, and has some applicability in normal fights, as well. In particular, given our various bennies when in center stance...
* +3 to hit as long as we have a point of void left. That's... a bit better than an unkept die. A bit worse than two unkept dice. The void choice is... kind of subpar here. Was it meant to be this bad?
* +4k0 to attempts to discern truth or see through illusion. This isn't bad, and helps bump our perceptiveness. Helpful on the magistrate side, but there's a question of how much we'll need that on the road. On the other hand, we *are* collecting quite the band of fellow warriors.
@gman391 - did you really mean "add half her void ring" rather than something like "add half her void ring as unkept dice" for The World Is Empty? Also, could we get a confirm on how long the boosted armor TN for The Empty Wind lasts?
Thus far, being a bit underwhelmed by the payoff on Plan "everything on Void".
* crank our armor TN (+5k5!) when we enter Center stance (how long does that last, anyway? As long as we stay in Center stance?) This one is a potent tool for duels, and has some applicability in normal fights, as well. In particular, given our various bennies when in center stance...
* +3 to hit as long as we have a point of void left. That's... a bit better than an unkept die. A bit worse than two unkept dice. The void choice is... kind of subpar here. Was it meant to be this bad?
* +4k0 to attempts to discern truth or see through illusion. This isn't bad, and helps bump our perceptiveness. Helpful on the magistrate side, but there's a question of how much we'll need that on the road. On the other hand, we *are* collecting quite the band of fellow warriors.
@gman391 - did you really mean "add half her void ring" rather than something like "add half her void ring as unkept dice" for The World Is Empty? Also, could we get a confirm on how long the boosted armor TN for The Empty Wind lasts?
Thus far, being a bit underwhelmed by the payoff on Plan "everything on Void".
Well the kata itself, is add your entire void ring as unkept dice, but it only lasts a number of rounds equal to your void and requires a void point and only works with swords. So yes the technique version means void as unkept dice...which I now see I forgot to put in there.
This was meant to be sort of a midway point between that and work with everything so more broadly useful but not quite as powerful as the kata. In addition to this it also really synergizes well with said kata. That said I wrote that one up mostly tired, so I'm going to review it and see if its too unpowered for a rank 4.
Edit
Intended for Empty Wind to work like a normal Centre stance dance. So it lasts as long as Megumi is in Centre, and for one round after exiting it.
(So Centre-Centre-Centre, maintains the benefit. Centre-Attack-Attack, would lose the benefit after the first Attack)
This was meant to be sort of a midway point between that and work with everything so more broadly useful but not quite as powerful as the kata. In addition to this it also really synergizes well with said kata. That said I wrote that one up mostly tired, so I'm going to review it and see if its too unpowered for a rank 4.
Edit
Intended for Empty Wind to work like a normal Centre stance dance. So it lasts as long as Megumi is in Centre, and for one round after exiting it.
(So Centre-Centre-Centre, maintains the benefit. Centre-Attack-Attack, would lose the benefit after the first Attack)
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
Ah! So. Revisiting:
* Empty Wind: Gives us a punishing advantage in duels, as the vast majority simply won't be able to hit us at all while we're in center stance. Makes Center Stance better than basically any defensive stance for being defensive. Also lets us do some pretty vicious stuff when fighting defensively, with dipping in and out of Center - keep up the superdefense indefinitely while lashing out with some pretty brutal attacks every other round. If we were still in solo Ronin mode, I'd grab this one in a heartbeat. It's still pretty good (for the dueling, if nothing else) but I expect that most of our remaining fights to the death are going to require us to do something other than survive ourselves, given that we're travelling in a largish group that contains the princess. Still... that dueling buff.
* The World is Empty: +3k0 on all attacks. That's... not bad, and consistency is a good thing. Not nearly the raw power of Empty Wind, but it may wind up being the most directly useful for the battles we have immediately ahead of us.
* Stubborn Eyes: +4k0 to see through illusion and seek truth. This is cranking something we're already pretty darned good at. it will almost certainly get used in the path to come, but I'm not convinced it's necessary (goes from 10k8 on investigation to find the truth to 10k10 on investigation to find the truth), and I have a feeling that it'll come up less than rolls to attack.
@gman391 - just to verify, Empty Wind really is increasing our Armor TN by 5k5 in and after Center Stance? Not complaining, but I want to make sure I'm reading it right. Seriously no kidding on the Potent Defense bit.
* Empty Wind: Gives us a punishing advantage in duels, as the vast majority simply won't be able to hit us at all while we're in center stance. Makes Center Stance better than basically any defensive stance for being defensive. Also lets us do some pretty vicious stuff when fighting defensively, with dipping in and out of Center - keep up the superdefense indefinitely while lashing out with some pretty brutal attacks every other round. If we were still in solo Ronin mode, I'd grab this one in a heartbeat. It's still pretty good (for the dueling, if nothing else) but I expect that most of our remaining fights to the death are going to require us to do something other than survive ourselves, given that we're travelling in a largish group that contains the princess. Still... that dueling buff.
* The World is Empty: +3k0 on all attacks. That's... not bad, and consistency is a good thing. Not nearly the raw power of Empty Wind, but it may wind up being the most directly useful for the battles we have immediately ahead of us.
* Stubborn Eyes: +4k0 to see through illusion and seek truth. This is cranking something we're already pretty darned good at. it will almost certainly get used in the path to come, but I'm not convinced it's necessary (goes from 10k8 on investigation to find the truth to 10k10 on investigation to find the truth), and I have a feeling that it'll come up less than rolls to attack.
@gman391 - just to verify, Empty Wind really is increasing our Armor TN by 5k5 in and after Center Stance? Not complaining, but I want to make sure I'm reading it right. Seriously no kidding on the Potent Defense bit.
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