KibagamiKuno: I wanted to help Shujo rediscover his initial intentions, lest power
corrupt heheh
Suzume Sousha: Just felt I'd pass that on
Hantei Dave: seen it rishard
Suzume Sousha: ahh ok
Hantei Dave: Kuno: Shoju isn't seeing people right now
Hantei Dave: anyone wanted to get things done for a few hours?
Hantei Dave: Sousha and Oku should rest
Togashi Udon: pray
Hida Oku: yes
Keshijo: Kuno, want to practice swords?
Keshijo: I have 2 training swords
Suzume Sousha: definite need rest
Hantei Dave: anyone want to discuss what you will say to the Dragon?
KibagamiKuno: certainly
Keshijo: Talk to the Dragon? That would be planning ahead...
KibagamiKuno: Keshijo and i go play with swords and maybe discuss a bit. Udon,
want to join? You can sit on the sidelines and chime in
Togashi Udon: silly, one cant plan to talk to a dragon... but i'll watch
Suzume Sousha: if we plan the discussion now how can we screw your plans up
later?
KibagamiKuno: we can always plan to be near when a dragon talks. It is similar
Togashi Udon: see, dragons already know what you are going to say
Hantei Dave: As background, the Mirimoto family makes up most of the
army
Togashi Udon: :-)
KibagamiKuno: sousha - good point. Let us discuss the things we won't discuss, then
pull a rabbit later.
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Keshijo: That'll be a lot of angry relatives at Thanksgiving...
Hantei Dave: Togashi family lead the clan though
Keshijo: Udon, I had no idea you ran things... :-)
Togashi Udon: (Blush)
KibagamiKuno: dave - keshijo and i go practice swords for a bit
Keshijo: hai.
Togashi Udon: My cousin Murimoto Hitiomi is the dyamo of the Murimoto
family.
Suzume Sousha: damn thats bad spelling
Suzume Sousha: :-0
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Hantei Dave: Miramoto Hitomi
Hantei Dave: my spelling might be wrong too
Togashi Udon has left the room.
Hantei Dave: hmmm
Keshijo: Where go him?
Suzume Sousha: got pissed that I insulted his spelling
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Hantei Dave: well, if noone has a plan we can skip to morning when
he returns
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: no? Anyone need any items?
KibagamiKuno: dave - i need things
KibagamiKuno: 1 wooden tanto
Suzume Sousha: hmmmm . . . I think I am good I still have my torch and rope from
before :-P
Keshijo: I need some arrows.
Hantei Dave: oh...and people can take their recovery back in STUN and
2 points in HITS back
KibagamiKuno: 1 wooden practice sword
Suzume Sousha: ok
Hantei Dave: kuno and keshijo: done
KibagamiKuno: and new sandals
KibagamiKuno: :-)
Keshijo: And a new mask...
Hantei Dave: geez....woa
KibagamiKuno: and a new set of chopsticks :-)
Hantei Dave: you can have a standard issue Bayushi house guard mask
or a cloth one
Togashi Udon has entered the room.
Hantei Dave: The Scorpion attack Udon again
Keshijo: Um... I already have a cloth one. A guard one would be nice.
KibagamiKuno: nani?
Hantei Dave: hehehe....j/k
Togashi Udon: Disbelive!!!
Hantei Dave: Keshijo: it is iron
Hida Oku: Dave, can I get those things we talked about earlier?
Hantei Dave: and looks like a demon mouth
Keshijo: Ah. Cool.
Togashi Udon: Kim + Hairdryer + tv + radio + lights = no Udon
Keshijo: Do they have anything like stonecutter arrows?
Hantei Dave: stonecutter?
Hida Oku: ha
Hantei Dave: don't know what that is
Keshijo: It "bites" into a stone wall so you can use it to anchor a line..
Suzume Sousha: is that like a stone burner?
Keshijo: I'm probably not strong enough anyway..
KibagamiKuno: how about those sandals and chopsticks?
KibagamiKuno: Can we get a bag of rice if it's a 3 week journey?
Togashi Udon: I would like food & water supplies.
Hantei Dave: ah....nothing like that here....don't want anyone climbing
the walls you know
Hantei Dave: you aren't going on that journey yet...the Dragon army is
10 minutes away
Hantei Dave: trying to decide if they should raise their banner
Keshijo: Mountains, though...
Keshijo: Oh, I thought we were going to the mountains..
Togashi Udon: Thats in a week
Hantei Dave: it wouldn't be proper to carry rice to a diplomacy
meeting
Keshijo: Oh! Any other type of climbing gear?
Keshijo: That we could get for next week...
Hantei Dave: keshijo: maybe after this talk you will have more time to
look for that sort of stuff
Keshijo: Hai.
Hantei Dave: ok....ready for next morning?
Suzume Sousha: sounds good
Hida Oku: yes
KibagamiKuno: ah, thought we were leaving immediately for that trip
Keshijo: hai
Hantei Dave: Kuno: you met with the Unicorn just yesterday!!!
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: ok, away we go i guess
KibagamiKuno: busy days :-)
Togashi Udon: The Dragons and the Scorpions have long been allies, but the
Dragons do what they want. You would have better luck predicting dice
rolls.
KibagamiKuno: 4
Togashi Udon: you lose
Keshijo: 7
KibagamiKuno: (doh, 2)
Keshijo: CRAPS!
Togashi Udon: man you guys are bad
Hantei Dave: whats the rolls for?
Keshijo: Predicting...
KibagamiKuno: to see if i could predict dice rolls
Togashi Udon: 1, it was 1.
Hantei Dave: ok...the next day is hot and sticky
Hantei Dave: noone will be in a good mood
KibagamiKuno: (dave, my excel spreadhseet is rolling low)
Hantei Dave: its a fault in excell to round down to the nearest
billionth
KibagamiKuno: baka
Togashi Udon: I am smiling as I great you all.
Keshijo: I wear my simple cloth mask today.
KibagamiKuno: good hot and sticky morning to you. Today the world feels like a
giant riceball.
Hantei Dave: if you guys are uncomfortible, then you can imagine how
they feel in the encampments
Keshijo: No one can see my mouth...
Suzume Sousha: ahhh your making me hungry
Hantei Dave: You all have a light breakfast before leaving
Togashi Udon: I wear no shirt, tattoos displayed.
Hantei Dave: Again the gates open rushing you through....it is oddly
quiet today
KibagamiKuno: anxious, in the camps - hot and restless samurai - await destiny
Hantei Dave: the Emporor's garden is wilting
Togashi Udon: We head to the Dragon encampment.
Hantei Dave: as b4, you navigate the maze of Lion bushi
KibagamiKuno: grown men wilt like the garden - words, too hot to speak today
Hantei Dave: The Dragon army is on a hill south of the Unicorn. You
can see the general's tent on top
Hida Oku: then stop breathing you fool
Hantei Dave: slightly off to the side, on another hill, is the Ise Zumi
kneeling in a circle in meditation. They are hard to miss
Suzume Sousha: By the way, were the lion still talking shit?
Keshijo: I can't speak anyway... :-)
Hantei Dave: Sousha: it was more quiet today
Hida Oku: onto the command tent!
Togashi Udon: How many Ise Zumi are there?
Keshijo: I look out towards the shadowlands...
KibagamiKuno: growling lion lines - whose faces we march before - nameless are we
all
Hantei Dave: Udon: same number that visited...8 i think
Keshijo: No clouds of locusts I hope...
Hantei Dave: You approach the Dragon command tents
Keshijo: Or other assorted nasties...
Hantei Dave: You are stopped by Mirimoto bushi
Hantei Dave: state your business one says
Togashi Udon: Tanto Bearers, behold. You have seen 9% of all of the Ise Zumi
in the Empire.,
Hida Oku: Udon: Who cares Mirimoto: We're here to see your daimyo
Hantei Dave: "Hmmmph.....then show a Daimyo's respect"
Keshijo: bow
KibagamiKuno: (9% means there are 88.8.... total?)
KibagamiKuno: bow
Hida Oku: (heat makes Oku cranky(er))
Hantei Dave: "or we will give word to yours of your dishonor"
Togashi Udon: Oku: you should. Our daimyo will kill you if she learns your
family name.
Keshijo: We humbly request an audience with the ranking officer.
Togashi Udon: (whisper)
Hantei Dave: "Speak up!"
Togashi Udon: (ignore him)
Keshijo: I apologize. I cannot speak any louder.
Hantei Dave: The dragon samurai are taller than most rokugani
Hantei Dave: in general
Keshijo: I move closer.
Keshijo: So he can hear me..
Hantei Dave: He hands Keshijo a cord
Hantei Dave: ...and then hands each of you cords
Suzume Sousha: ok
Keshijo: I take it...
Togashi Udon: take it
Hantei Dave: "Tie this cord from your saya (sheath) to your katana and
do the same for your tanto's and other blades
Hantei Dave: "All other weapons must be left here"
Suzume Sousha: hai.
Hantei Dave: "Place your katana on your right side"
Suzume Sousha: *complies with request*
Keshijo: Hai. (I drop my arsenal of wooden swords...) and leave my bow
here.
KibagamiKuno: shift katana to right by sheath.
Hida Oku: I have no katana
Hantei Dave: You can take your toy sword...keep it on your right
Togashi Udon: I comply. I leave my chain and bo staff.
Hantei Dave: he says
KibagamiKuno: place tanto in plain sight, tie it's handle to the handle of the katana
Hantei Dave: ok...actually, the swords only need to be connected to
the saya
Togashi Udon: tie cord around tanto...
Hantei Dave: it would take you a round to untie it
KibagamiKuno: dave - if we have more weapons to tie, is the cord long enough?
Hantei Dave: he gives you several if you need it kuno
KibagamiKuno: or should we use a second cord?
Togashi Udon: (human arsonal)
KibagamiKuno: i tie my wakazashi to my jin
Hantei Dave: ok...when you all do that he tells you to wait while he
alerts your presence
Hida Oku: damn, lag
Togashi Udon: Bodhai tree is with me.
Hantei Dave: ok Udon
KibagamiKuno: wooden tanto/katana were for practice and wouldn't have been
brought. nagenari would have been left behind as we weren't coming to do battle.
Hantei Dave: ok Kuno
KibagamiKuno: dave, important note - tanto and katana both at righ, both point the
same way.
Hantei Dave: Two young samurai appear from the command tent, One
is a woman (samurai-ko). Both wear the customary ornate green
and gold armor
Hantei Dave: neither can be older than 21
Hantei Dave: behind them is an older man wearing his war gear as
well
Hantei Dave: and a thick mustache
Hantei Dave: Also, another samurai next to the older one
Hantei Dave: he is probably about 30
Hantei Dave: maybe younger
Hantei Dave: The woman speaks
Hantei Dave: "I am Mirimoto Hitomi, Daimyo of the Mirimoto family and
I speak for the Dragon Clan. State your business!"
Suzume Sousha: (would togashi recognize any of them?)
KibagamiKuno: bow
Hantei Dave: maybe sousha
Suzume Sousha: bow
Keshijo: bow
Hida Oku: bow
Hantei Dave: The young man next to her speaks. "Prostrate yourselves
before your superior"
KibagamiKuno: [bow, a little lower]
Suzume Sousha: takes a knee
Hantei Dave: anyone prostrating?
Togashi Udon: Greetings cousins. We have come to speak with you about the
future of the Empire.
Hida Oku: <down to knee>
Keshijo: Like Sousha I take a knee.
Hantei Dave: Hitomi looks at Udon. "Did you not hear my order
cousin?"
KibagamiKuno: sit in standard samurai kneeling position.
Togashi Udon: Of course, sama.
Togashi Udon: Kneel & stand
Hantei Dave: She looks angry
Togashi Udon: I am sure you are aware of the prophacy which hold the Empire
in its hot grasp.
Hantei Dave: "I did not ask for lectures. I gave instructions."
Togashi Udon: As you wish, sama.
Hantei Dave: "Show respect. Prostrate"
Togashi Udon: Kneel.
Keshijo: Prostrate.
Hantei Dave: "I do not waste my time dirtying my sword on dogs. All
except the Scorpion leave"
Suzume Sousha: I stand up and walk out.
KibagamiKuno: Bow, stand, walk backward several paces, turn to the side, kneel and
wait.
Hida Oku: leave
Togashi Udon: Cousins. (nod) turn and go to Ise Zumi.
Hantei Dave: "Hmmph."
Hantei Dave: THe older man whispers something to Hitomi
Hantei Dave: she snears
Keshijo: Honorable Lady. We are here to ask for your help in defending the
Empire from He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Bayushi Shoju is not making
a play for personal power.
Hantei Dave: "No" she says, and turns to leave for her command tent.
"Raise our flag"
Keshijo: He is acting in the way he believes is best to protect the empire from
the prophecy in the scroll/
Hantei Dave: Daini bows
Hantei Dave: i mean, the other younger samurau
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Keshijo: Please, my lady. Hear us out first.
Hantei Dave: The older samurai and the one next to him are hesitant
Hantei Dave: The older samurai prostates
Hantei Dave: "Hitomi-sama. Please."
Keshijo: Does not the long standing friendship between the Scorpion and the
Dragon at least merit that.
Keshijo: ?
Togashi Udon: i stop and turn and go back to keshijo
Togashi Udon: i kneel a distance away
Hantei Dave: Hitomi says, "I expect the respect of a Daimyo...not a
whisper. Send a message to each Clan of the bearers descirbing
their actions in detail." She leaves
Hantei Dave: The other young samurai bows and leaves as well
KibagamiKuno: I rise to leave - "Keshijo-san, Dragon has already chosen Hantei the
39th. If only we all saw as clearly as they. Thank you for your time most
honorable Hitomi-sama"
Hantei Dave: The old man has tear run down his cheak
Hantei Dave: cheek
Hantei Dave: and the mid-age samurai waits for him
KibagamiKuno: (Prostration is reserved for the Hantei - anyone else who claims it,
claims that title)
Togashi Udon: you sound like a child, sama. not a daimyo.
Hantei Dave: "Show strength."
Togashi Udon: i leave
Hantei Dave: says the mid age samurai to the old one
Hantei Dave: Keshijo?
Hida Oku: so, udon, how'd it go?
Togashi Udon: head for the ise zumi
KibagamiKuno: I turn and speak to the samurai "There is much work left to be done
in the Dragon camp, best fortune to you in that endeavour"
Togashi Udon: betrter then expected. your still alive!
Hida Oku: you are a strange lot
Togashi Udon: smile!
Hantei Dave: 1 sec
Hantei Dave: waiting for keshijo's response
Togashi Udon: (pats Oku on back)
Keshijo: The second will hold the throne in good hands, but his reign will not
last beyond his name.
Hantei Dave: said to who keshijo?
Keshijo: The leader.
Hantei Dave: She walked away but the mid age samurai heard you
Hantei Dave: and the older man
Hantei Dave: "I am Yukihira" says the mid age bushi
Hantei Dave: He nods slightly
Keshijo: I stand.
Keshijo: Greetings Honorable Yukihira. I am Shosuro Keshijo, of the
Scorpions.
Hantei Dave: "As you say Scorpion....you sound as if you have little
trust in your commander"
Keshijo: I trust my commander. He has not claimed the throne as his own.
KibagamiKuno: (and if we hurry back, that might still be true when we get to the
palace!)
Suzume Sousha: LOL
Hantei Dave: hehe
Hantei Dave: Yukihira nods to Keshijo and leaves with the old man
Keshijo: We need to unite the clans against the coming darkness.
KibagamiKuno: (whisper faster, keshijo...)
Keshijo: Do not let Revenge bring the prophecy to fruitition.
Hantei Dave: "That is not my decision Scorpion. You speak to the
wrong listener"
KibagamiKuno: Udon - who are the ise zumi and how do they differ from
hitomi-sama?
Hantei Dave: he says as he leaves
Hantei Dave: he left Keshijo
Keshijo: Please try to make her understand. That is all I ask.
Togashi Udon: We follow Togashi Yokuni and the Tao of Shinsei.
Keshijo: I follow a short way.
Keshijo: Just to get the last words in..
Hantei Dave: visiting the Ise Zumi or back to palace
KibagamiKuno: Ise zumi - we came this far
Hantei Dave: ok
Keshijo: Agreed.
Hida Oku: ummm.
Hida Oku: ok
Togashi Udon: We are his yojimbo's of a sort... He truly leads the dragon clan.
Hitomi leads the Mirumto family.
KibagamiKuno: might as well get a second chance to die
Hida Oku: hmm, Dragon freak me out, hiding in thier holes, and all
Hantei Dave: Oku: mountaints ^_-
Hantei Dave: wrong direction
Hida Oku: whatever... other side of Rokugan to me
Hantei Dave: Sousha: you ok with the Ise Zumi?
Togashi Udon: Oku- the Lions and the Crabs are the only Clans that ever tried
to seize the Mountains. Both failed.
Suzume Sousha: sure
Suzume Sousha: I have survived this long :-)
Hantei Dave: ^_-
KibagamiKuno: The young shall bring war - with indignation and pride - and He shall
win all
Keshijo: Kuno: Very wise words.
Hantei Dave: You approach the circle of Ise Zumi. They are on their
knees facing inward the circle. Their shirts are off showing
tattoos covering their bodies
Hida Oku: Hah! He hasn't won yet, and will never win while the
Crab stand on the wall
Hantei Dave: ...and some covering faces as well
Togashi Udon: I introduce the Tanto Bearers to all of the Ise Zumi present. I
sutter at the female, Nebbiki.
Togashi Udon: as i introduce her, toppless.
KibagamiKuno: we should heed them some ourselves....
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Hantei Dave: you don't know all of them Udon
Togashi Udon: oh, well
Hantei Dave: only those 2
Togashi Udon: i do my best.
Togashi Udon: i am sure i know there faces
Hantei Dave: The shift on their knees not leaving the floor
KibagamiKuno: he shall win, oku, when what is on this side of the wall is as diseased
as what is on the other.
Togashi Udon: Togashi Mitsu
Hantei Dave: they face you
Hida Oku: Then the Crab will fight two fronts!
Togashi Udon: Togashi Nebbiki.
Keshijo: Don't worry Oku, The Scorpion have your backs..
Suzume Sousha: what is oku talking about?
Hantei Dave: "We pray for an end to suffering." says Togashi Mitsu,
the one that spoke b4
Hida Oku: I was afraid you'd say that
Keshijo: Hehe.
Hantei Dave: ok ok.....game on!
Togashi Udon: I would pray with you brother.
Keshijo: Bow.
Hantei Dave: "It is not your time to pray brother"
Hantei Dave: "What can we do for you now."
KibagamiKuno: bow - "we seek to find the same end - to do so we must unite the
clans"
Keshijo: The prophecy must not come to bear.
Togashi Udon: Keep an eye on Hitomi, her path is dark and lonely. She has
become the moutain.
Hantei Dave: "How can you when the clans are not united in your very
ears."
Hantei Dave: he responds to Kuno
KibagamiKuno: Udon-san, mountains reach the sky because they have been planted
on the ground for a very long time.
Togashi Udon: oh, and we must save the empire from
he-who-should-not-be-named...that too.
Keshijo: We will do our best and that is all we can.
Togashi Udon: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: Mitsu-san, we must all strive to change our views
Hantei Dave: "We must also strive to have the same views"
Hantei Dave: He speaks calmly with a slight smile
KibagamiKuno: Who am i to say that any have reached that same view, and who
would i be to claim to know where to find it?
Hantei Dave: "you are the universe"
Hantei Dave: "To address Udon....."
Togashi Udon: Friendship is tested when it is time to share the burden, sys
the Tao.
Hantei Dave: "Hitomi-sama is her own and she stands for the Clan.
Yokuni-sama has given us no reason to interfere"
Togashi Udon has left the room.
Suzume Sousha: doh
Keshijo: Doh!
Keshijo: jinx
Hida Oku: RUN!
Hantei Dave: doh!
KibagamiKuno: (hmph, so much for staying with us during hard times!)
Suzume Sousha: damn hair dryer!
Hantei Dave: we should wait
Hantei Dave: he's screaming right now
Keshijo: I'm gonna get a soda then...
Hantei Dave: boil water here
KibagamiKuno: 3 min break?
Hantei Dave: 3 min break
Hida Oku: ok
Suzume Sousha: cool
Hantei Dave: poor skip
Hantei Dave: i'll post this when he returns:
KibagamiKuno: here he comes now
Togashi Udon has entered the room.
Hantei Dave: Kuno slices open the bellies of all the Ise Zumi
Togashi Udon: sorry
Togashi Udon: i cant win
KibagamiKuno: Oops - did i do that? Didn't realize they were so fragile
Hantei Dave: hehehe...we took a 3 min break
Keshijo: And you're YELLOW! ACK!
Hantei Dave: yay!! yellow
Keshijo: :-)
KibagamiKuno: nasty color
Suzume Sousha: yeah I seem him as yellow aslo
Suzume Sousha: leave and come back damnit!
Suzume Sousha: :-P
Hantei Dave: better than white
KibagamiKuno: Togashi Udon: Friendship is tested when it is time to share
the burden, sys the Tao.
Togashi Udon: crashintosh computer
KibagamiKuno: Hantei Dave: "Hitomi-sama is her own and she stands
for the Clan. Yokuni-sama has given us no reason to interfere"
KibagamiKuno: Togashi Udon has left the room.
Hantei Dave: you here oku?
Togashi Udon: His will is the way (nod)
Suzume Sousha: crap . . . bathroom . .. brb
Hantei Dave: one more minute all
Togashi Udon: (refering to Yokuni-sama)
Keshijo: Guess we know what Sousha's doing...
Hantei Dave: peeing on an ise zumi
Keshijo: No... he said crap...
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Keshijo: :-)
Togashi Udon: just a different kind of rain...
Hantei Dave: ....
Hantei Dave: peach green tea
Keshijo: Diet Coke with Lemon...
Togashi Udon: pepsi
Togashi Udon: (I take out a peice of paper and sit down.)
Hida Oku: back
Hantei Dave: ok...lets start again
Togashi Udon: (I start to fold it)
Hantei Dave: back to philosophy
Keshijo: I though this was diplomacy...
Hantei Dave: Udon starts folding a messy looking shape
Hantei Dave: might be a duck
Hantei Dave: or a beaver
Hantei Dave: the rest of you can't tell
Hantei Dave: Mitsu says,
Hantei Dave: "Yokuni-sama says you all have a long task before you but
it is not the one you follow now"
Suzume Sousha: back
Hida Oku: glad to hear it
Togashi Udon: I am still learning the puzzle. (I present this terriblely
misshappen thing to Nebikki)
Hantei Dave: another ise zumi says, "Your paths are always before you"
KibagamiKuno: With no new Hantei - each sees each as challengers - clans are but
throne threats
Hantei Dave: Nebikki smiles and bows, "It is a puzzle"
Hida Oku: that's it?
Hantei Dave: Another says, "No, clans are not threats at all."
Hida Oku: you're grand wisdom is "it's a puzzle?"
Hantei Dave: They all look at Oku
KibagamiKuno: and yet a new emperor - is the evil all now fight
Hantei Dave: "Oku-sama" says the girl, "you may be the biggest puzzle
yet"
Hida Oku: The only thing we need to know is that we must fight and
defeat the dark one, and the crab will do so with or witout the
help of the other clans
Hida Oku: we have till now, anyway
Hantei Dave: A bushi runs up the hill and bows quickly
Hida Oku: especially you! as you hide in your mountains
Hida Oku: Feh!
Keshijo: The Scorpions will be right behind the crab in the fight against evil.
Togashi Udon: the crab blisters in the sun
Keshijo: But we need the help of the Dragons.
KibagamiKuno: to stand only on the wall, oku, is but a line. Sooner or later the crab
must choose a side of the line
Hantei Dave: "Hitomi-sama has ordered that you not speak to the
bearers any longer."
Hantei Dave: Mitsu says
Hida Oku: Save me the semon and spend some time in the Dark Realm,
and then let's see where your allegiance lies
Suzume Sousha: LOL'
Hantei Dave: "It seems that Hitomi-sama finds us terrible and
threatening. We must obey her wishes."
KibagamiKuno: Hitomi-sama will be a powerful Hantei indeed, but it might be a quiet
rule.
Keshijo: Honorable Bushi, They can listen. Hitomi said only that they cannot
speak.
KibagamiKuno: perhaps it would not offend her if we were to speak, rather than you
Mitsu-san?
Hantei Dave: Kuno's words silence everyone for a moment
Togashi Udon: I Laugh!
Hantei Dave: Mitsu says, "It is best not to poke a sleeping tiger. We
will see you soon." He bows
Keshijo: Like I said, "The second will hold the throne in good hands, but his
reign will not last beyond his name." He could be a her.
KibagamiKuno: Let us leave in peace and without more tension.
Suzume Sousha: sounds good
Togashi Udon: We will see you in one month brothers. (stand & bow) Sister
(bow)
Hantei Dave: The monks turn to pray again
KibagamiKuno: The Ise Zumi have heard our minds, probably more than we know
:-)
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Keshijo: Bow. We will swim, honorable dragons. We will swim.
Hantei Dave: You begin your walk back to the palace
Hida Oku: <half bow, turn back to palace>
Hantei Dave: ...again
KibagamiKuno: when would it be appropriate to unbind our weapons?
Hantei Dave: Kuno: anytime they don't kill you. Now should be fine
KibagamiKuno: then i do so.
Togashi Udon: Kuno-Your the dumbest Lion I ever met! You told Mitsu he talks
too much! HAHAHA! You truely could show me the way to kill myself!!!
Keshijo: I gather my bow.
Keshijo: and practice swords.
Suzume Sousha: by the way, was there no one from the Togashi clan at the dragon
camp?
Keshijo: and arrows...
Hantei Dave: did Udon just insult Kuno?
Keshijo: Not again....
Hantei Dave: Sousha: Ise Zumi are togashi
Togashi Udon: Insult--no!!!
Suzume Sousha: er Togashi
KibagamiKuno: Heh, no udon - i told Mitsu-san Hitomi-sama hears too much.
Suzume Sousha: ok
Togashi Udon: HAHAHA!!!
Hantei Dave: oh, so NOW she is sama
Suzume Sousha: I completely missed that somehow :-P
KibagamiKuno: she has ALWAYS been sama.
Togashi Udon: I laugh all the way back.
Hantei Dave: then prostrate to sama ^_-
KibagamiKuno: But prostration is for the hantei. there are many levels of the bow.
Hantei Dave: better start getting used to it
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: wannabe hantei's? There'll be more of those about
Hantei Dave: who will explain to Shoju you failed?
Hida Oku: push through all the Lions. . . .
Hida Oku: I will
Hida Oku: :-D
Keshijo: No Oku, i think I should..
KibagamiKuno: does this mean we aren't welcome at dragon-land in a month?
Hantei Dave: you get back to the Golden Palace...now slightly charred
Hida Oku: no no, it will be my pleasure
Hantei Dave: Kuno: go and find out
Togashi Udon: yes, we are. hitomi cant stop that.
KibagamiKuno: go for it, messenger Oku-san.
Suzume Sousha has left the room.
Hantei Dave: You are invited to Shoju's quarters this time
Hantei Dave: oops...another gone
Keshijo: Ack.
Hida Oku: bye, sparrow
Suzume Sousha has entered the room.
Hantei Dave: as I said, you are invited to Shoju's quarters this time
Keshijo: I go.
Hantei Dave: you all go ^_-
Suzume Sousha: very well.
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Hantei Dave: The guards allow you to enter, Shoju stands peering out
a window on the west wall
KibagamiKuno: Shoju-sama, Oku-san would like to relay the tale of our parlay.
Hantei Dave: It is a large room
Hantei Dave: As you step in you each squeak on the floor boards
Hida Oku: the unicorn wont fight you, the dragon will
Hantei Dave: "They are mouse boards. Built for the Scorpion Daimyo's
of old."
Hantei Dave: "You cannot sneak up in this room. I have been here
many times."
Hantei Dave: "That's not true husband" says Kachiko from behind
you...none of you noticed
Hantei Dave: She walks silently across the floor
Togashi Udon: (smile)
Hantei Dave: The Dragon have raised their banner
Hantei Dave: says Shoju
Keshijo: <Bow> The Mirimoto are against us. The Dragon, however, may not
be a total loss.
Keshijo: Their true leader may be yet swayed.
KibagamiKuno: Trust the graces of such a lady to defy even the very building - [bow
to Kachiko-sama]
Keshijo: The commander of their army sees only blood.
Hantei Dave: "Without the Mirimoto, the Dragon are a loss"
Togashi Udon: Hitomi's path is dark. It is my belief that her sword will never get
close to you. If it could, Yokuni would have come himself.
Keshijo: I respectfully disagree. It takes more than an army to win a war. Our
clan knows that better than any.
Hantei Dave: "Hitomi is no threat to me."
Hantei Dave: Shoju snickers
Hantei Dave: "Good words Keshijo"
Suzume Sousha: Perhaps this will lead to a civil war within the dragon clan.
Hantei Dave: "Any defense can be kept with the Crab."
Hida Oku: And what have the crab to say, Shoju?
Keshijo: <Bows>
Hantei Dave: "They will understand and they have desired change for
long"
KibagamiKuno: Hitomi-sama sees herself prepared for high status. She may be the
second.
Hantei Dave: "That, Oku, is what you must find out."
Hida Oku: I intend to do so
Hantei Dave: "Hitomi is just a girl. She desires no leadership...only
revenge for her borther's death. Just as well. She would not join
when the Crab do so."
Hantei Dave: "I did not expect so"
Hida Oku: we shall see
Hantei Dave: Kachiko says, "Now husband....be optomistic. Your duty
will prevail."
Hantei Dave: "With such fine help, how can we lose," she smiles at you
all
Suzume Sousha: (bows) scuse me Shoju, when the crab do what?
Togashi Udon: (blush)
Hantei Dave: Shoju: "Hitomi's brother was killed by Hida Yakamo,
Sousha. She cannot let his memory die. If the Crab join, she will
turn her back."
Keshijo: She has already turned her back...
Hida Oku: "heh"
Hantei Dave: "She has no wisdom of years."
Togashi Udon: Careful, Oku. He was my cousin.
Suzume Sousha: ahhhhh . . . . sometimes revenge clouds the mind
Hida Oku: Nothing against the man... It was just a good duel
Keshijo: Revenge brings the dark one.
Hantei Dave: "WHen the Crab arrive, you will engage them...and then
the other CLans will have no choice but to see."
Keshijo: Revenge brings the Oni..
Hantei Dave: "They will be here in 2 days my sources say."
KibagamiKuno: I disagree - i do not believe revenge is her only goal - there is
something more that she seeks, a prize she now sees within her grasp.
Hantei Dave: Kachiko says, "Rest...you deserve it. As embassidors you
must be clear in mind"
Togashi Udon: Thank you (bow)
Hantei Dave: She bows
KibagamiKuno: bow
Suzume Sousha: bows
Hida Oku: Oku goes back to his room.
Keshijo: Bows
Hantei Dave: for any of you trying to leave quietly I'll let you roll
Hantei Dave: Oku stomps out ^_-
Hida Oku: blah... why bother
Togashi Udon: I am too oblivious to think of sneaking
Hantei Dave: everyone meesage me one thing you want to do this
evening
Suzume Sousha: I'll be noisy
Togashi Udon: (dar--she;s purdy)
Suzume Sousha: while we are resting?
Hantei Dave: yah
Hantei Dave: or something else
Togashi Udon: Are Kuno & Keshijo ever gonna fence?
KibagamiKuno: hmm? We did, weren't you watching?
Keshijo: I thought we did earlier.
Keshijo: I lost.
Togashi Udon: guess i missed it
KibagamiKuno: missed the whole spectacle
KibagamiKuno: lol - it was a tie.
KibagamiKuno: we both slipped and fell on wooden blades
Togashi Udon: ah
KibagamiKuno: the splinters were so large, i ate dinner with them (show udon
chopsticks)
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Togashi Udon: (you have udon chopsticks---hehehe)
KibagamiKuno: splinters from boken - dipped in rice and soy blood - tonight, my
chopsticks
Togashi Udon: can you catch a fly with them?
KibagamiKuno: No, but noodles, that i can catch
KibagamiKuno: (called shot - udon's nose with chopsticks)
Togashi Udon: Unless its slippery
Hantei Dave: ok...back in one minute here
KibagamiKuno: hey dave - what's my eating skill level?
Hantei Dave: just like in the movie airplane Josh...a drinking problem
KibagamiKuno: fwip - udon everywhere
Togashi Udon: no combat sense or iajitsu bonuses for utinsils!
KibagamiKuno: ok - so situational comedy complete, i go off to my room
Hantei Dave: one more minute
Hantei Dave: k...back all
Hantei Dave: everyone here!!!!!!
Togashi Udon: hai
Keshijo: hai.
Hantei Dave: roll call...blue ranger...go!!!
Hida Oku: Back..... Oku looks happier, yet shaken
Suzume Sousha: :-P
Togashi Udon: Not stirred?
Hida Oku: of course not!
Suzume Sousha: red ranger . . . go?
Hantei Dave: ok...everyone can take a point to be used in the skills you
were working with
Hantei Dave: so, if someone was doing work in the library for instance
it can goto lore or language or research, etc
Hida Oku: sweet
Togashi Udon: thnx
Suzume Sousha: kick ass
Hantei Dave: its getting late but a rouse is heard all over
Hantei Dave: something is happening
Hantei Dave: it is about 10pm
Keshijo: Is this the morning or am I on my evening stroll
Togashi Udon: grab my staff and open door
Keshijo: Ah.. My stroll...
Hantei Dave: whatever you were working on was where you were at
the time
Hantei Dave: it inturpted your reading or kata or whatever
Hantei Dave: a general movement is heard in and out of the palace
Hantei Dave: Guards are running back and forth
Keshijo: I go to the walls.
Hantei Dave: walls?
Hantei Dave: you mean top?
Hida Oku: I ask what is happening
Keshijo: Of the palace... and look out...
Keshijo: Yes, top.
Hantei Dave: Oku: guard says an alert is occuring and all positions
need to be fortified
Suzume Sousha: I run around to try to find the others
KibagamiKuno: I gather my things.
Hantei Dave: a yelling is occuring from the city
Hantei Dave: Sousha: Keshijo passes you
Hantei Dave: he is going up
Togashi Udon: I go to Kuno's room with my bo staff
Hantei Dave: Udon and Kuno meet
Suzume Sousha: after with my Wakasashi still in my hands from training
Hantei Dave: Udon?
Suzume Sousha: I ask keshijo if he knows whats going on and follow him
Hantei Dave: i mean oku
Hantei Dave: Oku?
Togashi Udon: Kuno, where to?
Hida Oku: I will join with the others
Keshijo: Sousha: Nothing good, I'm sure.
Hantei Dave: Oku meets sousha and Keshijo
Hantei Dave: You 3 run up
Hantei Dave: Shoju and Kachiko are up here
Togashi Udon: Lets go find the others!
Hantei Dave: joining you other 2?
Hantei Dave: ok
Togashi Udon: Kuno?
Hantei Dave: pokes kuno
Keshijo: bow to Shoju and Kachiko.
KibagamiKuno: where to indeed?
Togashi Udon: HEY AABOT!!
KibagamiKuno: we are but ambassadors.
Hantei Dave: Kuno stays in the room?
Hantei Dave: Udon?
Togashi Udon: But our duty lies with the other tanto bearers.
Suzume Sousha: I bow and ask Shoju if he knows what is going on
KibagamiKuno: Our duty lies with each other, let us find our fellow bearers and then
see where we stand
Togashi Udon: I am sworn to protect them.
Togashi Udon: We go (insert Batman theme)
KibagamiKuno: Our duty is not to fight an inter-clan war
Hantei Dave: dadadadadadaddadadadadadadada UDON
Hida Oku: which batman theme? old or new?
Hantei Dave: You all run up then ^_^
Togashi Udon: 60's tv
Hida Oku: ah
Keshijo: Biff! Bam! Sock! Pow!
KibagamiKuno: we need the little between-scene-bat-symbol schwing!
KibagamiKuno: then tada! we find each other
Hida Oku: where's the "bat anti-army spray?'
Hantei Dave: A cry is occuring from the Lion encamplments
Hantei Dave: Shoju stares over the side with everyone else
Hantei Dave: Even Shoju's young son is here
Hantei Dave: in his new battle armer...never used
Hantei Dave: A new energy comes from the massive army
Suzume Sousha: eeep.
Hantei Dave: all Lion cheer as their voices meet in unison
Hantei Dave: at first you can't hear what they say
Hantei Dave: Then it comes into synch
KibagamiKuno: i sigh. Here, finally, is a war and i cannot fight.
Hantei Dave: TO!!!! TO!!!! RIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
Hida Oku: haha!
Hantei Dave: TO!!!! TO!!!! RIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
Hantei Dave: TO!!!! TO!!!! RIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
Hantei Dave: TO!!!! TO!!!! RIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
Hantei Dave: TO!!!! TO!!!! RIIIIIIIII!!!!!!
KibagamiKuno: (who is totori?)
Hantei Dave: (Your Daimyo) ^_-
Togashi Udon: It seems he is alive.
KibagamiKuno: (thanks, just curious)
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Keshijo: (Didn't Udon piss him off?)
Togashi Udon: (never met him, but giv me time)
Hantei Dave: Each time you have been here, he had been missing
Hantei Dave: Kachiko goes pale
KibagamiKuno: what do i know of Totori-sama?
Hantei Dave: She says, "I.....I....I was sure......"
Hantei Dave: "He couldn't.......how?!"
Hantei Dave: She runs down
KibagamiKuno: (sadly, i bet i know a way)
Hantei Dave: a way?
Togashi Udon: Kuno- He was the general of the Hantei samas army
Hantei Dave: Kuno: check my web page...he is there
KibagamiKuno: (a rather tainted way. That she could be sure, and he could be here)
Hantei Dave: he is the true Lion Leader...not Matsu Tsuko
Togashi Udon: a master tacticain and the sworn protecter of the hantei-sama
Togashi Udon: Akodo Totori.
Hantei Dave: He is said to be the greatest tachtician ever
Hida Oku: not a very effective protector, is he?
Keshijo: (And he's come to join us, right?)
Togashi Udon: Your Daimyo, sily ciub. ;-)
Togashi Udon: cub
Hantei Dave: Shoju stands up tall and strides away from the wall back
down
KibagamiKuno: yah, read up now
Keshijo: I follow.
Hantei Dave: everyone else?
Hida Oku: the crab haven't arrived yet?
Suzume Sousha: follow
Hantei Dave: not yet Oku
Togashi Udon: I follow Keshijo, try to catch up
KibagamiKuno: (udon - kuno would know him, i just didn't remember)
Togashi Udon: (i know)
Hida Oku: well, I go back to my room
Hantei Dave: anyone can follow....a large group besides Keshijo also
fallow
Hantei Dave: Shoju goes and sits on the Emerald Throne
KibagamiKuno: we need a defensible place to avoid being "accidentally" disembowled
during the fight.
KibagamiKuno: somehow, i doubt Oku's room is such a place.
Hantei Dave: "We will NOT lose!!!"
Hantei Dave: He says nothing as he is swamped with questions
Hantei Dave: and just sits like a statue
Hantei Dave: Kuno: looking for defensible places?
KibagamiKuno: Lose what? There is nothing to win - there is only stalemate and
alliance.
KibagamiKuno: hai
Hantei Dave: i can describe different rooms to you if you want
Togashi Udon: "distant thunder tells of present danger." a passage from the
tao
Keshijo: My brothers, we must not panic. We are the Scorpion, and We Can
Swim.
KibagamiKuno: we know the palace well enough now, lets pick one.
KibagamiKuno: Something we can get out of, should they torch the place.
Hantei Dave: many are smeared with graffiti kuno
KibagamiKuno: i know, i put it there :P
Togashi Udon: ???
Hantei Dave: Keshijo: your voice cannot rise above the clammor
KibagamiKuno: (udon, i've been covering the walls of library study rooms with
poetry heheh)
Togashi Udon: (ok, paco)
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: (heh)
Keshijo: I stamp my Katana on the floor to get their attention.
Togashi Udon: i place a steading hand on keshijo.
KibagamiKuno: Let us pick a room on the second or third floor, and away from the
bulk of the armies.
Hantei Dave: the throne is on the 2nd
KibagamiKuno: how about that third floor heh
Hantei Dave: your rooms are on the 3rd
KibagamiKuno: unless we want to slip out of the palace entirely, but that seems like
desertion
KibagamiKuno: perhaps there are stronger rooms than ours on the third. More
practical rooms
Keshijo: Alright. I light a flame ward.
Togashi Udon: (Whisper to Keshijo-- we are united for the empire and for the
destruction of he-who-shall-not-be-named. not for a clan. above all else)
Suzume Sousha: gotta run to the bathroom again, but feel free to continue. I'm sure I
will follow whatever our group decides to do.
Keshijo: Does that get some attention?
Hantei Dave: keshijo lights a ward in the throne room and a circle
forms
Hantei Dave: his ward burns
Togashi Udon: (am, i on fire?)
Hantei Dave: You stand with attention Keshijo
KibagamiKuno: Udon - lets see what keshijo is up to
Hantei Dave: everonye falls silent with wide eyes
Keshijo: My Brothers, We are the Scorpion and We Can Swim. We must trust
in our leader.
Hantei Dave: Shoju stairs
Hantei Dave: stares
Keshijo: If we fall, the prophecy will come true, one of the other will claim the
throne.
Keshijo: If we do not unite as a clan we cannot save our beloved empire.
Keshijo: If we cannot unite ourselves, if we allow panic to prevail...
Keshijo: The empire will fall.
Keshijo: This cannot be allowed.
Keshijo: The Lion may be rallying, but they have not moved against us yet.
Keshijo: And this palace has never fallen.
KibagamiKuno: If the clans war against each other, the empire will also fall.
Keshijo: Nor shall it.
Hantei Dave: do you have an oratory skill Keshijo? i see not. roll
presence + 3d6
Keshijo: We must hold strong.
Keshijo: (ack. Dice...)
Togashi Udon: can i add to it? i am right next to him?
Hantei Dave: you can't add...its all Keshijo presence this time
Hantei Dave: noone even knows you are here Udon
KibagamiKuno: (Keshijo? Presence?)
Keshijo: Do my cool effects help?
Togashi Udon: thats a 1st
Hantei Dave: I'll add bonuses and penalties
Hantei Dave: ^_-
Hantei Dave: penalty for the whisper
Hantei Dave: bonus for the fire
Keshijo: I rolled a total of 16...
Keshijo: (But the whisper makes it so much cooler...
Suzume Sousha: back
Hantei Dave: A voice says "We can swim...."
Hantei Dave: and another repeates
Hantei Dave: Shoju stands
Hantei Dave: as all repeat the phrase
Keshijo: <I bow and let Shoju take the floor>
Hantei Dave: "I will stand with my family. And fall with it if fate
decrees. I am proud."
Hantei Dave: Shoju's son walks up
Hantei Dave: "Today, I am a Scorpion father..."
Hantei Dave: Hos son bows
Hantei Dave: the assembly follows the bow
Keshijo: <as do I>
Hantei Dave: Kachiko is not here
Togashi Udon: (bow)
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Hantei Dave: ok....people begin leaving as SHoju meets with his council
KibagamiKuno: Keshijo-san [whisper] we must be for each other now, even before
our clans. It is time to take our place beyond the ensuing storm.
Hantei Dave: you should prob leave
Hantei Dave: do you want to discuss fortifications?
KibagamiKuno: room or palace?
Hantei Dave: room...hehehe
Keshijo: Me too?
Togashi Udon: If we leave, Keshijo must leave.
Hantei Dave: you too keshijo
Keshijo: I go to the roof and motion for the other to follow.
Togashi Udon: Following
Hantei Dave: someone getting oku?
Hantei Dave: lol
Hida Oku: In my room
Suzume Sousha: I'll run back to him
Suzume Sousha: since I should be the fastest
Hantei Dave: ok
Keshijo: Ok.
Hantei Dave: you all meet on top of the palace....bow men take every
position up here
Hantei Dave: they ignore you
Hantei Dave: it is disturbingly quiet down below
Hida Oku: heh...
Hantei Dave: less fires then normal (not including the city burning)
Hida Oku: now we wait for the crab
Hida Oku: <says I>
Keshijo: Are we in a mostly private area?
Hantei Dave: you can't even see the Dragon's except for a few torches
Hantei Dave: private enough
Hantei Dave: and a circle of Ise Zumi around a fire
Hantei Dave: on their own hill
KibagamiKuno: Keshijo-san, will you be fighting alongside your clan or staying apart
from this battle?
Keshijo: I check around us.
Hida Oku: They haven't attacked. . . yet
Hantei Dave: Keshijo's eyes wander
Togashi Udon: what does that mean???
KibagamiKuno: do any of you plan to fight alongside the scorpion in this inter-clan
battle or are we to remain neutral?
Hantei Dave: they went for a stroll
Keshijo: Kuno, please make sure we are alone.
Hida Oku: it depends on what my clan decides
Hida Oku: I will fight for my clan
KibagamiKuno: before you will fight for us?
Suzume Sousha: perhaps you can speak to your clan Kuno? Maybe prevent this
disaster that might happen?
Hantei Dave: war...strike on iraq
Hida Oku: Kuno.... I will do what is best for my clan, and nothing else
KibagamiKuno: I am ready to - I have a letter here to send, now. But i must know
where you stand to speak honestly to my clan.
Hida Oku: whatever that may be
Suzume Sousha: or at least we can figure out what is going on.
Hida Oku: (I have the "sense of duty" complication)
KibagamiKuno: (but what is your duty to? I have it as well, and my duty is to the
land and to Hantei the 38th)
Hida Oku: clan!
Keshijo: Kuno, We need to make sure we are alone. I know your skills in
these matters are superior to mine.
KibagamiKuno: Dave - i check if we are alone.
KibagamiKuno: 28 to smell em.
Hantei Dave: roll
Hantei Dave: lotsa smells up here kuno
KibagamiKuno: would it make more sense if that was to hear them?
Hantei Dave: lotsa sounds too but you can try
Hantei Dave: 28?
KibagamiKuno: 30 to hear.
Togashi Udon: Keshijo- Perhaps this is the cost to defeat the dark one.
perhaps this is but the tip. but we are chosen. we must be united.
Hantei Dave: 30...didn't hear anyone snooping
Togashi Udon: I know i would watch every ise zumi die if it could save the
empire.
Keshijo: This is the tip. The prophecy is in motion.
Hantei Dave: btw...just so you all know we went in with british troops
and bombed bagdad big time i think
Togashi Udon: Be conserned with good deeds, not great ones.
Keshijo: There must be no second to take the throne.
KibagamiKuno: dave, we look around for a moment, to be sure there aren't any
snoops
Hantei Dave: if you all do it you might look obvious
Hantei Dave: ^_-
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: ok, we casually glance around, then lets whisper real quiet like.
Hantei Dave: ok...roll everyone who looks... -4
Keshijo: The palace must not fall. If it does a new Emporer will be crowned.
KibagamiKuno: 26
Suzume Sousha: not looking
KibagamiKuno: -4
KibagamiKuno: 22
Hantei Dave: hummmmdeeehooo....don't mind me....just looking at that
treeeeee
Hantei Dave: kuno didn't notice anyone
Keshijo: <I trust Kuno's senses>
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Togashi Udon: If it takes the fall of a clan, then so be it. Perhaps this is the way
it must be.
KibagamiKuno: the prophecy speaks that the throne WILL be filled.
Togashi Udon: We travel a dark cave hopeing to see the light at the end,
KibagamiKuno: There will be a second. It is the third we must prevent
Keshijo: If the Scorpion fall, the second comes sooner,.
Hantei Dave: ok....you all need to decide what you want to do until the
crab show
Hantei Dave: you have a day and a half
Keshijo: It may just be a delaying tactic but right now it is the best we have.
Suzume Sousha: sounds good to me
Hantei Dave: or at least until the Lion break in
Suzume Sousha: are we positive they want to attack us?
KibagamiKuno: (tony joining)
TyrusFlynn has entered the room.
Hantei Dave: Sousha: you could always go and ask
Hantei Dave: TONY!
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hida Oku: ?
Suzume Sousha: that might not be a bad idea
TyrusFlynn: howdy
Suzume Sousha: hey dony
Hantei Dave: bows before Tony
Togashi Udon: hey tony-san
Hida Oku: Kuno, you're search wasn't very thorough
Suzume Sousha: but it should be a lion that does the asking :-P
Hantei Dave: I will call him TOny-chan
TyrusFlynn: hello all
Keshijo: They are Lions. They want revenge for the Hantei's death. It will take
a great deal of convincing. No offense, Kuno.
Togashi Udon: Fine Keshijo.
Togashi Udon: How about this:
Togashi Udon: You go kill Shoju
TyrusFlynn: I will drift into the shadows and observe
Togashi Udon: Take the throne
Togashi Udon: we kill you
Togashi Udon: i take the throne
Hantei Dave: tony: next time join in ^_-
Togashi Udon: you all kill me
KibagamiKuno: no, we aren't sure of their plans. But i want to tell them that we are
not going to fight should they attack. To be honest, i think it would be futile to
defend if they do attack, and we would better serve our cause after the
Togashi Udon: prophascy done
KibagamiKuno: fighting is done
Suzume Sousha: Totori might not be here for what we think he is.
Togashi Udon: Belief in prophacy gives it life.
Keshijo: There is that possibility, but he was supposed to protect the
Emporer's Life.
Hantei Dave: Oku? opinion?
Suzume Sousha: actually I agree with Kuno. . . fighting will serve no purpose, except
for aiding the dark one
Hida Oku: in what?
Hida Oku: the prophesy?
KibagamiKuno: and we are not likely to win any battle against a n army of that size.
Suzume Sousha: If the crab should show up the loss of life on both sides will be
immense
Hantei Dave: Just to clarify...Totuti is the Empror's denfender
KibagamiKuno: destiny has shown us some of it's cards, let's not try bluffing
ourselves here.
Keshijo: He should have committed Sepuku.
Hida Oku: I think that it's very presumtous to think that any of you
might truly understand or think that you can alter the prophesy
Hantei Dave: tradition WOULD demand seppuku
Hida Oku: and things will play thier course with or without your aid
Togashi Udon: Oku-Of course!
Hida Oku: fools!
KibagamiKuno: Oku - for once i agree, and i believe we must stand aside and let this
battle, if it is to happen, take its course
KibagamiKuno: We cannot find our destiny dangling from the end of a naginare
Suzume Sousha: oku we don't know WHO will be the second emperor.
Hantei Dave: so you all agree then?
Suzume Sousha: that has yet to be detirmined
Hida Oku: I will do as I am sworn to do... obey my daimyo
Hantei Dave: oops..nope
Hida Oku: and what is best for my clan
Hida Oku: I will follow him
Togashi Udon: Oku, what if your duty no longer rested with your clan?
Suzume Sousha: I agree that we should not fight this battle.
KibagamiKuno: and how will you get those orders from here?
Togashi Udon: That tanto binds you to us, just as it binds us to you.
Hida Oku: I will meet with my daimyo when he arrives
Keshijo: I think the prophecy can be wrong. But it is our only guide.
Hida Oku: until then, I will do what is best for my clan: protect
myself, the tanto, and you who hold the tanto
Togashi Udon: We are the chosen tools of the kami's. We are part of, yet
seperated from our clans.
Hida Oku: so shut up!
Keshijo: We must work against it.
Hida Oku: let battle decide what it will when it comes
KibagamiKuno: Keshijo, what say you? Like Hida, is your highest loyalty to be
toward fighting with your clan in this siege? Or helping to save it in the aftermath
Togashi Udon: (I hug Oku, he's so cute when he's angry!)
Hida Oku: bah!
Keshijo: I am for delaying the next part of the prophecy.
Hantei Dave: A bolt of lightning strikes down to represent a tear in
the group....heheheh
Hantei Dave: ^_^
Togashi Udon: What if Shoju is the second?
Hantei Dave: ok...it is what it as people
Suzume Sousha: :-)
Suzume Sousha: the second will be the second. We can not see the future. We can
only watch the prophecy unfold.
Keshijo: Shoju has said he does not claim the throne. He has not taken the
title yet.
Hantei Dave: you can argue all day. What do you want to do for the
next day or so...you all need rest soon
Hantei Dave: well, not really...only some of you
Keshijo: If the walls are breached, one of the others will claim the throne for
the prince or themselves.
Togashi Udon: yet he sits upon it?
Hantei Dave: SOusha needs some rest again...maybe Udon can help one
more time
Keshijo: I can sit in a chair. That does not make me King.
Suzume Sousha: if that is the case why not just let them in???
Suzume Sousha: Shoju doesn't want the throne, and one of them does. . . . fine. As
long as we stop the dark one. That is all that matters.
Togashi Udon: True. But perhaps the claim does not need to be uttered
allowed, but known in the heart?
Keshijo: The King will have the backing of the Empire.
Keshijo: If the Empire doesn't put your there, you are not Emporer.
Hida Oku: <storms away>
Keshijo: The Clans will not call Shoju King.
Keshijo: They will, however, crown their champion.
Togashi Udon: Or perhaps, Shoju needs to claim the title in order to rectify the
damage he has done
Togashi Udon: If he is the second, then will not the thirdbe the dark one?
Togashi Udon: then, can we not kill him?
Keshijo: We are not prepared for the dark one.
Keshijo: We need more time.
Togashi Udon: we have a day and a half
Keshijo: Once the palace is reasonable secure we can pursue the remaining
tantos.
Hantei Dave: ok....lets move on
Keshijo: Then we can face the dark one.
Hantei Dave: the palace is reasonably secure ^_-
Suzume Sousha: yeah . . . I dont think our bickering will make a difference.
Keshijo: (Okay, very secure.)
Hida Oku: (BTW, this palace DID fall once... to the Scorpion. We were
there, remember?)
Hantei Dave: ^_^
Hantei Dave: anyway.....what do you all do to keep busy now
Keshijo: (I thought you left)
Hantei Dave: ?
Hantei Dave: for a bit more tonight
Hantei Dave: the temples are packed with bushi walking in and out
KibagamiKuno: I write that letter and send it under an Akodo banner.
Suzume Sousha: I sleep :-P
Hantei Dave: praying to the Sun GOddess and their ancestors
Keshijo: Kuno, Do you need me to fire it?
Hantei Dave: and where will you fire it off from?
Hantei Dave: the roof is packed
KibagamiKuno: If you would, yes. As before?
Togashi Udon: I will help sousha...didnt he need it?
Hantei Dave: harder to do this time
Keshijo: Certainly.
KibagamiKuno: we choose a nice window up high, like before. But not the roof
Hantei Dave: Udon: I think so
Keshijo: Yes. Good idea.
KibagamiKuno: same window, if possible
Togashi Udon: sousha--whatd ya need?
Hantei Dave: Kuno: you need to spend an hour writing the letter
Suzume Sousha: nothing
Hantei Dave: in that time, you recieved a visitor
KibagamiKuno: ok
Hantei Dave: it is Armoro...brother of Shoju...he demands to read it
Suzume Sousha: I rolled for sleep already and won it
Togashi Udon: k, cool
Suzume Sousha: but thank you for your concern
KibagamiKuno: i roll it up before he enters.
Hantei Dave: He says he knows of it
Hantei Dave: and he is willing to confine you here if you do not show
it now
KibagamiKuno: I do not understand, Armoro-sama, are you suggesting that we are
watched?
Hantei Dave: He waits with hand out
KibagamiKuno: When did he arrive?
KibagamiKuno: (within the hour?
KibagamiKuno: )
Hantei Dave: RIGHT after you finished it
KibagamiKuno: Armoro-sama, i must ask that the order comes from Shoju.
KibagamiKuno: -sama
Hantei Dave: I represent my brother in internal matters here
Hantei Dave: he says
Hantei Dave: I represent the security
Hantei Dave: I am his Yojimbo
KibagamiKuno: This, however, is a matter of politics rather than that of security. If
there is to be a question as to the content of the letter, then it should be shoju-sama
who questions it
Togashi Udon has left the room.
Suzume Sousha: doh
Suzume Sousha: damn hair dryer
Hantei Dave: Then until my Lord can make time I confine you here for
security measures. He instructs 3 guards to enter your room
Hida Oku: there he goes again
Hantei Dave: yep ^_^
Hantei Dave: well, no matter...we have the kuno issue to resolve
KibagamiKuno: Armoro-sama, you have made your decision.
Hantei Dave: Aromor leaves (doesn't turn back
Hantei Dave: anyone else keeping busy?
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: I write poetry while the guards are here
Hantei Dave: they wear their masks giving no expressions
Hantei Dave: ok...i think I covered everyone tonight
Hantei Dave: except Udon
Hantei Dave: everyone can take enother point in your skill of practice
Hida Oku: he's working out
Togashi Udon has entered the room.
KibagamiKuno: Udon: Hantei Dave: everyone can take enother point in
your skill of practice
Togashi Udon: thats 3!
Suzume Sousha: your out!
Suzume Sousha: I was sleeping so what was I practicing?
Hantei Dave: heheh
Keshijo: snoring...
Suzume Sousha: LOL
Hantei Dave: sousha: make a note against that....problem...a few more
things like that and you might get over it
Hantei Dave: skip...take a point for your bo practice
Togashi Udon: k thnx
Hantei Dave: it has been quiet ALL night down there everyone...it is
just dawn now
Hantei Dave: Kuno: you had a visitor
Hantei Dave: another one
Hantei Dave: Keshijo enters your room
Keshijo: I guess I notice the guards.
Hantei Dave: you do
KibagamiKuno: Armoro-sama no longer trusts me.
Hantei Dave: (its his job)
Keshijo: Aromoro-sama trusts no one.
Keshijo: It is his duty.
KibagamiKuno: there are times when empires depend on trust.
Keshijo: Sometimes.
Keshijo: What were the guards orders?
Keshijo: I ask the guards.
KibagamiKuno: I am confined to this room.
KibagamiKuno: (oop, let the guards answer)
Hantei Dave: oops
Keshijo: <sorry>
Hantei Dave: "He is confined to this room"
Hantei Dave: ^_-
Keshijo: Is that all?
Hantei Dave: "Hai"
KibagamiKuno: Would you like to see some poetry Keshijo?
Keshijo: So, if we were to practice fencing, you would not object?
Keshijo: Poetry? Yes. Your poetry is superb, my friend.
Hantei Dave: "You are permitted but we must draw our weapons as
well by proceedure"
Keshijo: Perhaps poetry is better then. I would not cause undue alarm.
KibagamiKuno: Indeed, let me share some, it is a pleasant way to pass the hours
Hantei Dave: ok....while you 2 talk
KibagamiKuno: (i offer keshijo a seat with his back to the guards, i sit to his side)
Hantei Dave: are you 2 planning something?
Keshijo: I take the seat.
Keshijo: <Who? us?>
Hantei Dave: just so I know (dave)
Togashi Udon: <no. no. thire fine. pay no attention>
Togashi Udon: they're
KibagamiKuno: I drone on in phrase for a while.
Keshijo: I attempt to write some of it down...
Hida Oku: ah
Hida Oku: silly people
Hantei Dave: what do you other 3 plan today?
Togashi Udon: (boy those are some dumb scorpion guards...)
Hantei Dave: (its not easy to take arms against an ambassidor)
Hantei Dave: they lose attention it seems
Hantei Dave: as Kuno's horrible poetry runs on
KibagamiKuno: I write to Keshijo - first word
Hantei Dave: and on
Hantei Dave: and on
Togashi Udon: pray & practice for me
Hida Oku: when do the crab arrive?
Hantei Dave: I'm rolling perceptions for them just so you know
Hantei Dave: 1 more day oku
Hida Oku: (estimated by the scorpion)
Hida Oku: ok
KibagamiKuno: dave, i rattle on with some REALLY bad poetry, until Keshijo has
the letter.
Hida Oku: I will go again to practice, with my Tanto this time
Hantei Dave: i should deduct points for this Kuno ^_-
Hida Oku: and also make a painting
KibagamiKuno: heheh, i figure it is a trial of poetic endurance.
Keshijo: Hehe
Hantei Dave: heheh
Hantei Dave: He has it
KibagamiKuno: it takes 31 bad poems.
Keshijo: After a few extra poems, I excuse myself... Asking for a chance to
fence later.
Hantei Dave: they allow you to leave
KibagamiKuno: I accidentally knock over the ink as he rises to leave.
Hantei Dave: ok...
KibagamiKuno: i try to wipe it away, but just kinda make a mess.
Hantei Dave: plup
Hantei Dave: expensive ink
Hantei Dave: not very samurai like kuno
KibagamiKuno: Hmm, well it will have to do.
Keshijo: <I would've flamed the paper for you>
Hantei Dave: Keshijo: now what?
KibagamiKuno: (if you could have made it fly, we'd be better off)
Keshijo: I wander for about half and hour before heading to the window.
Hantei Dave: ok
Keshijo: Looking for tails.
Hantei Dave: roll
Keshijo: Ugh
Keshijo: 14
Hantei Dave: noone here
Keshijo: Wake up dice!
KibagamiKuno: Dave, i write a new letter...
Hantei Dave: ok Kuno
Keshijo: Anything happen on the way to the window?
Hantei Dave: nope
Hantei Dave: anyone else busy?
Keshijo: Thwip!
Hida Oku: painting and practicing
Hantei Dave: roll dodge without evade skill first keshijo
Hida Oku: with tanto
Togashi Udon: praying & practicing
Hantei Dave: beat 35 ^_-
Suzume Sousha: sleeping
Keshijo: I can't...
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: a dart hits your neck
Hantei Dave: you get dizzy b4 the arrow leaves. You see Aromoro
Hantei Dave: All you hear is, "The palace was designed by Kai
engineers and Bayushi...we know all hidden doors...
Hantei Dave: roll resistance Keshijo
Hantei Dave: beat 25
Keshijo: I can't
Keshijo: "I... <cough> am loyal..."
Hantei Dave: you pass out
Hantei Dave: All the bearers are brought to the prison.
Hantei Dave: ALL
Hantei Dave: you are put in together
Hida Oku: great
Hantei Dave: any resistance?
Togashi Udon: (well this is one way out of the fight)
Suzume Sousha: I am still drunk with sleepiness and wonder why I am in prison.
Hantei Dave: someone wanna fill in the others?
Hida Oku: what the hell? How did I get here?
Togashi Udon: (Can I have my Bodhai tree?)
Togashi Udon: (What about the Tantos?)
Hida Oku: did they just approach me?
Hida Oku: and ask me to go to jail? Do not pass the "Go" board?
Hantei Dave: they asked you to come with them...aromoro asked
Hida Oku: oh.... damn
Hantei Dave: no bodhai tree
Hantei Dave: no anything
Togashi Udon: (Hey Oku, the Crab army arrived. They are waiting for you in
prison)
Hantei Dave: they asked for your tantos
Hida Oku: <grabs udon>
Togashi Udon: (hugs oku)
Hida Oku: <Drops udon> Blech!
Hantei Dave: This is a dark prison
Hantei Dave: torchlite only
Suzume Sousha: not picking up soap
Togashi Udon: (Its ok, no one will judge us. ;-))
Hantei Dave: in the basement
KibagamiKuno: they ask for the tantos?
Togashi Udon: we're in oz
Hantei Dave: shackles are on walls and 6 cells are here
Hantei Dave: you are all together
Hida Oku: ATTICA! ATTICA!
Hantei Dave: yes, they want ALL weapons
Togashi Udon: How strong are the shackles?
Hantei Dave: you aren't shackled...but they are iron
Suzume Sousha: is it possible we could have had some hidden?
KibagamiKuno: I cannot give up the tanto.
Togashi Udon: How strong is the jail cell?
Hantei Dave: sousha: they are watching carefully and you weren't
expecting them when they arrived
Suzume Sousha: true. . . I was sleep
Hantei Dave: Aromoro: "You have no choice Kuno"
Suzume Sousha: shame I don't have a lockpick skill
Togashi Udon: (ah, the smile...thinks back... i should have know. pet a
scorpion, prepare to be stung)
Togashi Udon: nooffense keshijo
Hantei Dave: anyone put up a fight about tantos?
Hida Oku: #!@$^!#*&
KibagamiKuno: hmm
Hida Oku: &@%#!
Togashi Udon: hrm...
Suzume Sousha: nah . . . still groggy.
Hantei Dave: anyone?
Suzume Sousha: plus the people locking us up probably wouldn't give a shit
KibagamiKuno: Aromoro-sama, you defy your brother.
Hida Oku: $*!$&% and ^*!#*% in his shoes, too
Hantei Dave: Kuno? Udon?
Keshijo: I'm out cold... or dead...
Hantei Dave: Kehsijo loses HIS tanto
Hantei Dave: ^_-
Togashi Udon: I do not wish to give up my tanto
Togashi Udon: keep it in my sight
Hantei Dave: but do you anyway?
Togashi Udon: and i will go with you
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: he agrees
KibagamiKuno: I agree to those terms.
Hida Oku: ROAR!
Hida Oku: <pant pant>
Hantei Dave: Oku?
Hantei Dave: you too?
Togashi Udon: (he's my pet)
Hida Oku: yeah... this is when I'm inthe cell
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: you are all celled together
Hantei Dave: you spend about 2 hours here
Togashi Udon: are the bars though
Hantei Dave: oops
Hantei Dave: b4 that
KibagamiKuno: I give Aromoro the letter, btw.
Hantei Dave: Aromoro says to Udon
Hantei Dave: "Udon, are you the universe?"
Togashi Udon: We are all a piece of the puzzle, Arormoro-san.
Hantei Dave: "Would you preach that to your brothers?"
Togashi Udon: If they do not hear, the preacher must show.
Hantei Dave: "Then the tanto's will never leave your site." He walks
away with all 5 tantos
Hantei Dave: what was the letter Kuno?
KibagamiKuno: i sent it to you.
Hantei Dave: he grabbed it
KibagamiKuno: We have become an interesting piece of the puzzle, Udon.
Hida Oku: LET ME OUT
Keshijo: <moan.....>
Togashi Udon: Life is fun, is it not, Kuno-san?
Hantei Dave: you guys spend 2 hours here...then Kachiko arrives
carrying all tantos
Hantei Dave: She places them on a table
Hantei Dave: keshijo is awake now
KibagamiKuno: Humorously, i do not think we could find better lodging if we tried.
Keshijo: bows to Kachiko.
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Hantei Dave: She takes her rime
Hantei Dave: time
Togashi Udon: If you wish us to break out, I can arrange that. (bow)
Hida Oku: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THIS, WOMAN!
KibagamiKuno: hush Oku, she has respected our wishes and that of the prophecy.
Hantei Dave: Kachiko looks at a shackle
KibagamiKuno: It is very honorable .
Hantei Dave: She swirls it in her hand
Togashi Udon: (blush)
Hantei Dave: "Keshijo-san? What does it mean to be Scorpion?"
Keshijo: To be Loyal.
Hantei Dave: "How do we be loyal?"
Keshijo: We do what is best for the clan, my lady.
Hantei Dave: "For the Clan?"
Keshijo: For the Clan and the Empire.
Hantei Dave: "By what means?"
Keshijo: By any means, my lady, if one is a Scorpion.
Hantei Dave: She walks to the end of the room where she came and
retrieves a book from the corner
Hantei Dave: "We do trust you Kuno-san...as much as a lyer and loyal
servant is permitted to trust.
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Hantei Dave: "And as part of a lye, you must be arrested."
Hantei Dave: lie
Hantei Dave: "Or shame poor Aromoro and his Lord."
KibagamiKuno: Then arrested I shall remain.
Hantei Dave: "You forced a lie and now you must follow it to the end"
Togashi Udon: (Looks at Kuno)
Hantei Dave: "You will all continue your embassy to the Crab, as a
show of trust."
Hantei Dave: "....from us."
Hida Oku: I HATE it when they make it seem like it was their idea. . . .
Hantei Dave: She places the book down and hands you your tantos
somehow making you feel shameful as you reach through the bars
Hantei Dave: do you all take them like that?
Suzume Sousha: I take mine back
KibagamiKuno: I take it proudly.
Hida Oku: I snatch it away
Togashi Udon: i take it
Keshijo: I have no shame in my actions.
Suzume Sousha: I observer it to make sure it is the same as I gave it to him
Hantei Dave: "You now know the shame that a scorpion must always
feel."
Hantei Dave: everyone roll perception
KibagamiKuno: sight sound smell?
Hida Oku: 22
Hantei Dave: none kuno
Keshijo: 21
KibagamiKuno: 28
Togashi Udon: 16
Hantei Dave: anyone over 18 senses Udon doing something
Suzume Sousha: 17
Hantei Dave: She waits to see what you do Udon staring at you
Hida Oku: Udon, what the hell are you doing?
Hantei Dave: Udon starts growling as his voice become a loud yell
Hantei Dave: and he bends a bar way to the side
Hantei Dave: with a grrrnnnnnk
Togashi Udon: We stayed in this cell as a show of trust...from us.
Hantei Dave: its still not big enough to slip through yet though (just so
you know)
Hantei Dave: She smiles
Hida Oku: haha!
Hantei Dave: She picks up the book again
Keshijo: Spoken like a Scorpion...
Togashi Udon: (udon is growling)
Hantei Dave: Will is stronger than iron Udon. The bars are meager
compared to our guards
Hantei Dave: she says
KibagamiKuno: I smile
Keshijo: <smiles> Spoken more like a Scorpion.
Hantei Dave: "read this, and your mission continues"
Hantei Dave: "friends of the Scorpion"
Hida Oku: blah!
Hantei Dave: She tells the guards to allow you to leave when the book
is finished
Togashi Udon: (udon slowly calms down)
Keshijo: Oku, do not balk a Scorpion's friendship.
Hantei Dave: she leaves
Hida Oku: it appears I have it, whether I want it or nort
KibagamiKuno: Let us see what the book has to say?
Hida Oku: not
Keshijo: I am sorry, my friends.
Hantei Dave: It is the most famous book of the Scorpion Clan...it is
called "Lies"
Keshijo: I read.
Keshijo: Ah, an excellent book.
Hantei Dave: you all can take a language whatever skill point if you sit
through it ^_-
Keshijo: I have read it in the past.
Hida Oku: I'll read too
Hantei Dave: Keshijo: you had to
Hantei Dave: Kuno: you know this book
Togashi Udon: i'l read it
Keshijo: I enjoyed it so much I'd gladly read it again.
Hantei Dave: it was written as a response to a Lion book called
Leadership
Hida Oku: a skill point for what?
Hantei Dave: it is not looked highly on in Lion circles
Hantei Dave: any language, writting, whatever oku
Hantei Dave: calligraphy
Hantei Dave: also toawrds lore
Hida Oku: ah
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: who is the best story teller....Sparrows are known story
tellers
Hantei Dave: ^_-
KibagamiKuno: espionage?
Hantei Dave: OK...espianage also
KibagamiKuno: deception? I don't see that one on this list
Hantei Dave: and torture and thing like that tooo
Hantei Dave: sure...decpetion
Suzume Sousha: hmmmm
Togashi Udon: dragons would confuse them as story tellers...they would tell
the end 1st...
Suzume Sousha: I have no good story unfortunately
Hantei Dave: anything writing or scorpion related
Suzume Sousha: just running most of my life
Hantei Dave: Sousha: read the book ^_-
Hantei Dave: out loud
Hantei Dave: you clan is raised in doing this
KibagamiKuno: I read over his shoulder
Suzume Sousha: hmmmmm
Suzume Sousha: hold one moment
Hantei Dave: hehehe...gotta finish b4 the Crab arrive
Suzume Sousha: I was making sure I didn't take illiteracy as a complication
Suzume Sousha: :-P
Hantei Dave: we will finish with the crab tonight people
Hantei Dave: oh yeah...heheh
Hantei Dave: your ok
Hantei Dave: oops...just noticed your 1st complication....
Suzume Sousha: Lies
Hantei Dave: hehehe....I'll have to use that more
Hantei Dave: you all sit and listen to story time
Hantei Dave: unless you go and hum in a corner
Hantei Dave: anyone?
Hida Oku: nah, I'll listen
Hantei Dave: hehehe...even Kuno?
KibagamiKuno: i'm reading over his shoulder.
Hantei Dave: ok
Suzume Sousha: Lies can be used . . . .
KibagamiKuno: It's an interesting exercise in classical lit and calligraphy.
Hantei Dave: it is blasphemous concepts Kuno
Hantei Dave: but written very well
KibagamiKuno: even if it is a demonstration of dishonor
Hantei Dave: ^_-
Togashi Udon: will you all shut up, i cant hear sousha!
Togashi Udon: god, i sound like oku
Hida Oku: :-D
Togashi Udon: i apologize to everyone
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: anyway, you all sit through the entire book
Hida Oku: >:o
Suzume Sousha: The End
Suzume Sousha: :-P
Hantei Dave: its getting to be evening
Hida Oku: I love that story
Hantei Dave: the guards realeased you...you can see them smile
through their masks
Keshijo: I feel shamed and inspired...
Keshijo: and a bit happy...
Keshijo: I return their smiles.
Keshijo: only bigger...
Hantei Dave: all your stuff is in your rooms....Shoju requests your
audience
Togashi Udon: i gather my stuff and go to the audiance
KibagamiKuno: then attend
Keshijo: I go straight there.
KibagamiKuno: (did he call for us immediately?)
Hantei Dave: Shoju is in a different chamber staring out a window
Hantei Dave: yes Kuno
KibagamiKuno: well, then, i suppose there isn't time to pack yet.
Hantei Dave: anough time to pack
Hantei Dave: ^_^
KibagamiKuno: there yah go.
Keshijo: I rub my neck a little...
Hantei Dave: actually lets meet on top again
Hantei Dave: Shoju stares over the wall
Hantei Dave: heheheh
Hantei Dave: all is still silent below
Hantei Dave: He says, "Brothers, I have one last task for you."
Hantei Dave: "They are here"
Keshijo: <bow>
Hantei Dave: You all peer over the wall as an army of dark blue black
and red ants comes over the furthest hill
Suzume Sousha: bows and waits for the task
Hida Oku: ah.... my brethren
Hantei Dave: there is no end it seems to the number that marches over
the hill
Hantei Dave: it is an army that rivals the Lion clan
Hantei Dave: Bowmen stare open mouthed
Togashi Udon: We are your brethren, Oku.
Hantei Dave: a sea of bushi marches steadily and finally settles
further away then any clan
Hantei Dave: Shoju says, "How...how can so many come and still
defend the Kai Wall from demons?"
Hantei Dave: "I had no idea"
Hantei Dave: The Crab raise no flag
Hantei Dave: it is obvious even at this distance to see their leader for
he is nearly 7 feet tall
Hantei Dave: The Great Bear, Hida Kisada
Hantei Dave: has come himself
Hantei Dave: it is a danting sight
Hantei Dave: (done)
Togashi Udon: Wow.
Suzume Sousha: cool
Hantei Dave: "Tell them for me." says Shoju.
Hantei Dave: "Tell them that with their help we will save Rokugan"
Hantei Dave: "With them as brothers..."
Hida Oku: Are you sure, Shoju
Hida Oku: that that is your message?
KibagamiKuno: Shoju-sama, I cannot.
Togashi Udon: (looks at Kuno)
KibagamiKuno: My faith that you seek a brotherhood amongst all clans is wavering
this evening. I worry that I would not be an effective
Keshijo: <looks at Kuno as well>
KibagamiKuno: liason unless that faith was re-affirmed.
Hantei Dave: "Then stay Kuno. I understand."
Hantei Dave: "But I also trust you"
KibagamiKuno: And I very much want to continue believing that. Help me to
understand.
Hantei Dave: "You may even leave this palace Kuno. Promise me you
will not by your own volition take arms against me."
Keshijo: I will go. If we must win one clan at a time, we will.
Hantei Dave: SHoju has a new glint in his eyes
KibagamiKuno: I would tell my own clan i would not take up arms against you. I
believe you know that.
Hantei Dave: "Kuno, follow a bushi's heart."
Hantei Dave: We all must sacrifice
KibagamiKuno: Hai, Shoju-sama. We all must sacrifice.
KibagamiKuno: I will go.
Hantei Dave: "Oku, I respect your leader and I know he will see us
both to victory"
Hida Oku: I hope for all our sakes that you may be right
Hantei Dave: "I will wait on the throne"
Hantei Dave: He turns to leave
KibagamiKuno: [bow].
Hantei Dave: everyone still here?
Hantei Dave: take what you need
Keshijo: I follow Shoju.
Hantei Dave: and off with you again
Suzume Sousha: o boy
Togashi Udon: hai, i gather my bo & Bodhai trre and am read to follow oku to
the crab.
Hida Oku: let's go!
Hantei Dave: all ready to leave
Hantei Dave: ?
Hantei Dave: everyone?
Suzume Sousha: whatever weopons I have is all I'm taking
Hantei Dave: ok SOusha
KibagamiKuno: I pack my poetry, good blades, and get ready to go.
Suzume Sousha: and armor and everything else I travel with
Suzume Sousha: lets get it on
KibagamiKuno: (armor, etc)
Hida Oku: I take all my stuff
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: ^_^
KibagamiKuno: I take a block of charcoal instead of ink and brush. I take the nagenari,
but leave the wooden practice blades, etc etc. Only the essentials, but nothing i
wouldn't want to leave.
Hantei Dave: 1 sec all
Hantei Dave: ok
Hida Oku: k
Togashi Udon: hold, before we go out the wall i wish to gather all the tanto
bearers in a circle
Hantei Dave: Udon: keshijo is gone
Togashi Udon: ...
KibagamiKuno: (yes, better that we know the handicap before we enter battle ;-) )
Hida Oku: what the...
Togashi Udon: fine
Togashi Udon: please sit with me
Togashi Udon: take eachothers hands and form a circle
Hantei Dave: Oku?
KibagamiKuno: ok
Hida Oku: sheesh... what the hell is this, Udon?
Togashi Udon: please.
Hida Oku: sheesh
Hida Oku: ok
Suzume Sousha: ok
Togashi Udon: I begin to chant
Hantei Dave: this is foreign especially to Kuno
Togashi Udon: i chant for 15 minutes
KibagamiKuno: i get impatient and squirm
Hida Oku: me too
Hida Oku: ?
KibagamiKuno: let's squirm in synch, it'll pass the time
Hida Oku: ok
Togashi Udon: lag i think...
Hida Oku: to the left, to the left
Hantei Dave: after a bit of squirming
KibagamiKuno: left left, right right foot in... right foot out...
Hantei Dave: you all feel boredom set in...then openess
Hantei Dave: it is a refreshing feeling..
Hantei Dave: 14 minutes passes
Hantei Dave: Oku breaks his grip after 14 minutes
Suzume Sousha: kick ass!
Hantei Dave: you stopped early Udon
Togashi Udon: hai
Hida Oku: ...
Togashi Udon: lets get this over with then.
Togashi Udon: walks to the wall
Hida Oku: ok, then
Hantei Dave: ok.....
Hida Oku: on to the camp, I guess
Hantei Dave: lets crank out this last past ^_-
Hantei Dave: past?
Hantei Dave: part
Suzume Sousha: good. getting tired
Hantei Dave: you all leave the palace a 3rd time
Hantei Dave: through the very quiet Lion army
Hantei Dave: into the dark night to the furthest encamplments yet
Hantei Dave: 20 minute walk
Hantei Dave: it creates an anxiousness
Hantei Dave: you approach the massive Crab Clan
Keshijo: I catch up...
Hantei Dave: you were with them
Keshijo: Okay.
Hantei Dave: Hida Kisada stands IN FRONT of his army overlooking the
fields
Hantei Dave: he is massive
Keshijo: <I bow, deeply>
Hida Oku: drop down...
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Hantei Dave: his entire body is covered by a thick armor...even his
face
Hida Oku: prostrate
Togashi Udon: bow. then take a knee.
Togashi Udon: stay behind the others
Hantei Dave: next to him is another large man with a thin long
mostache but not quite as large
Keshijo: It is an honor to meet the Rokugan's greatest defender.
Hantei Dave: He is Hida Yakamo, famous son of the Great Bear
Hantei Dave: another is next to Yakamo...a normal sized but noble
bushi
Hantei Dave: and on Kisada's other side is a robed shugenga
Hantei Dave: with a gray face
Hantei Dave: and long moustache as well
Hantei Dave: They are like dark angels of death
Hantei Dave: They watch you bow
Hantei Dave: ...and say nothing
Hida Oku: My lord, Shoju-sama sends a message from within the
palace
Hantei Dave: Yakamo has a tetsubo hung over one shoulder watching
like he is above you all
Hantei Dave: they still wait
Hida Oku: I relay the message
Hantei Dave: the other bushi says, "It is Oku-san?"
Hida Oku: I also explain the situation, what has happened till now, if
he will let me
Hida Oku: Hai, it is I, sir
Hantei Dave: relay the message someone
Hantei Dave: say it
KibagamiKuno: (oku?)
Hantei Dave: shouldn't be perfect
Hantei Dave: just say it as best you can remember
Hantei Dave: unless you have edeitic memory
Hantei Dave: talent
Hantei Dave: Oku...don't look back
Hida Oku: Shujo-sama requests aid, with your combined strength,
lord
Hida Oku: to save rokugan
Hantei Dave: Hida Yakamo looks up at his father and smiles wide
Hantei Dave: The shugenga is quiet and small with hands pressed
KibagamiKuno: "He seeks a throne, absent of an emperor, and the brotherhood of all
clans to save rokugan from the threat of the evil one. Shoju-sama believes that your
incredible show of force can avert war"
Hantei Dave: Hida Kisada doesn't move for a moment
Hantei Dave: He then shifts
Hantei Dave: He speaks in a low resinating growl of a voice"
Hantei Dave: "It is incredible that Shoju can take the palace and hold
it for two weeks"
Hantei Dave: "An amazing show of force"
Hantei Dave: the shugenga speaks "Very commendable Lord Kisada"
Hantei Dave: Yakamo smiles wider and throws his unkept hair back
Hantei Dave: Kisada continues
Hantei Dave: "I respect him for that"
Hantei Dave: "If he were to come to me to show off his power before
me I would respect that"
Hantei Dave: "But he does not"
Hantei Dave: "He begs me"
Hantei Dave: "He takes the palace but he cannot hold it"
Hantei Dave: "He is weak my Lord" says Yakamo
Hantei Dave: Kisada: "If he could hold the palace without the Crab I
would support him...but he cannot."
Hantei Dave: "He gains an enemy tonight"
Suzume Sousha: :-(
Hantei Dave: "Raise the standard against Bayushi Shoju!"
Keshijo: He could hold the palace without your support.
Hida Oku: ...
Keshijo: He seeks to hold together the empire.
KibagamiKuno: Kisada-sama, please bear in mind that Shoju represents but one clan,
and his complete goal is yours - to drive back the evil one
Hantei Dave: Yakamo: One so weak cannot hold an empire worm"
Keshijo: It would be better not to waste resources. The Crab would know this.
Togashi Udon: Turn around and go back to the wall then. See if he can hold
the palace.
Hantei Dave: Yakamo: "I agree...and the Scorpion have proven not to
be a resource"
Hantei Dave: Kisada: "Oku....my gift. Go tell Shoju he must die now"
Hantei Dave: "You are gift no more"
Keshijo: The Scorpion are Rokugan's greatest resource.
Hida Oku: Hai, my lord
Keshijo: They do what the other clans cannot.
Hantei Dave: Yakamo laughs loud at Keshijo
Hantei Dave: HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
Hida Oku: before I go, may I meet with you, Kisada-sama
Hida Oku: Also, I have a gift for you
Togashi Udon: You look weak by needing the rest of the empire to remove him
form the palace.
Togashi Udon: from
Hantei Dave: You may meet with my advisor Kuni Yori and son Sukune
Hantei Dave: says the bear
Hida Oku: Hai
Suzume Sousha: Kisada-sama what do you plan to do AFTER killing Shoju? What
of Rokugan?
Suzume Sousha: What of the Dark one?
Suzume Sousha: Will you forsake us all?
Hantei Dave: Yakamo kicks Udon
Hantei Dave: HARD!!!!
Hantei Dave: and kicks again
Keshijo: The empire needs the scorpion.
Hantei Dave: defending Udon?
Togashi Udon: no
Keshijo: Just as it needs the crab.
Hantei Dave: 8 stun points udon
Hida Oku: I will move to Udon, and try to compell Yakamo
Hida Oku: "He doesn't know us! Please, show mercy, he has saved my
life!"
Hantei Dave: Yakamo: "BEG!!! BEG for your mighty Crab now!"
Hantei Dave: Yakamo laughs
Keshijo: We will not BEG for the crab.
Keshijo: We will allow the Crab to perform their duty.
Togashi Udon: (spits out tooth and smiles)
Hantei Dave: Yakamo leans on his legs with both hands
Keshijo: Their Duty to defend Rokugan from the Evil One!
Hantei Dave: "You beg already back stabber"
Hantei Dave: HAHAHAHA
Keshijo: I do not beg.
Hida Oku: oh boy
Keshijo: I only point your duty out to you.
Hantei Dave: Sukune: "Brother. He is a bearer.
Hida Oku: "oh. . .no. . ."
Suzume Sousha: (Rishard thinks oku doesn't know that Hida Kisada could easilly kill
him with one swipe)
Hantei Dave: you mean Keshijo
Hida Oku: (oh believe me, I know)
Suzume Sousha: er yeah
Keshijo: Will you answer rokugan's need or help in it's downfall?
Hantei Dave: Yakamo looks at Sukune
Hantei Dave: and laughs a few more times before turning
Keshijo: (Oh believe me, I have no doubt he could kill me)
Hantei Dave: the brothers walk away
Togashi Udon: (i return to kneeling)
KibagamiKuno: "Kisada-sama, we have heard your will and shall carry that message
to Shoju-sama. In the coming days, please think about the words of the prophecy;
not for our sakes but for that of the empire"
KibagamiKuno: [bow low]
Hantei Dave: "I will honorable Lion"
Hantei Dave: says Kisada
Keshijo: If the palace falls and a new emporer is crowned, Rokugan is
doomed. And it will be your fault!
KibagamiKuno: domo arigato most worthy Lord of the Crab.
Hida Oku: I present to Kisada my gift. . ."For you my lord.... my finest
work"
Hantei Dave: You notice a smile from one side of Kuni Yori's mouth
Hantei Dave: as he stands next to the bear
Hida Oku: and my other one that I made earlier to Yori
Hantei Dave: "Exquisit Oku" says Yori
Keshijo: Remember that, as you defend the wall.
Hantei Dave: worthy of a bushi of the Crab
Hantei Dave: "
Hantei Dave: They ignore the scorpion Keshijo
KibagamiKuno: Keshijo-san, no more words - let us wait for Oku-san to finish in
peace
Togashi Udon: They cannot defend a wall from evil on both sides, Keshijo.
KibagamiKuno: (i back away and kneel a short bit back)
