KibagamiKuno: --------------------------------------------------------------------
Hantei Dave: here we go
KibagamiKuno: first, lets agree we aren't going to get through everything tonight, so no sense in rushing it.
Hantei Dave: right
Hantei Dave: After trying to dig up info on this so-called great swordsman
Hantei Dave: the Ise Zumi, Nabiko tells you of a story she heard
Hantei Dave: of a monk at the Temple of Osani-Wo who once visited a strange tengu
Hantei Dave: (as if there is another type)
Hantei Dave: He may be able to lead you to the creature
Hantei Dave: to continue your training
Hantei Dave: *
Hantei Dave: ^_^
Hantei Dave: * = insert talking
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: "Osani Wo is not so far from my homeland, and there are many places between here and there that it would be good to see before rokugan is plunged into darkness"
Hantei Dave: Nabiko is a happy-go-lucky character with much personality. She smiles at your interests are offers to assist you.
KibagamiKuno: That is fortunate that you are interested in going, we should speak with your clan elders to see if it would be fortuitous for us to travel to Osani Wo. There may also be much learning from our clans that we could exchange along the way.
Hantei Dave: "Hai!" She bounds off to prepare
KibagamiKuno: D: Who should i speak to regarding permission, etc?
Hantei Dave: noone...go hiking. ^_^ You are a tanto bearer
KibagamiKuno: Tanto bearer or not, it would be improper to leave with a dragon without permission. It is a form of liasonship between the clans, and an elder must be comfortable with that.
KibagamiKuno: I no longer have elders, so to speak.
KibagamiKuno: so it is up to them.
KibagamiKuno: (formalities)
Hantei Dave: As you attempt to uphold formalities...the Ise Zumi seem uninterested in your methods. They smile and generally advise you to guide yourself. ^_^
Hantei Dave: it is quite frustrating
Hantei Dave: Togashi Mitsu suggests you get a boat at Toshi sano Kanemochi Kaeru (City of the Rich Frog)
KibagamiKuno: I bow and thank them for granting me permission to guide myself and thank them for the company of Nabiko
Hantei Dave: Nabiko takes a small pack of dried foods and declares that she is ready to depart
KibagamiKuno: Then let us depart. I plan to head a slightly different way than boat from Toshi sano Kanemochi Kaeru
KibagamiKuno: we will go to that city and cross the Oboreshinu Boekisho Kawa
KibagamiKuno: at the bridge there
KibagamiKuno: then we'll travel to Kyuden Ikoma and go up Yama sano Kaminari
Hantei Dave: doh...explorer crashed
KibagamiKuno: when we come back down, we can purchase a boat at the junction of the rivers
Hantei Dave: uh oh....josh..please save script...I'm about to go down
KibagamiKuno: there must be a town there, given it's optimal trading location
Hantei Dave: brb
KibagamiKuno: saved

(See David Crash and Drown)

Hantei Dave: glug glug
KibagamiKuno: not yet, haven't gotten to the river
KibagamiKuno: heh
Hantei Dave: ok ok...please repeat the first city
Hantei Dave: (while I check the map)
KibagamiKuno: ok, so climb the mountain, come down, hop on the river, travel down past Ryoko Owari Toshi
KibagamiKuno: then to Osano-Wo and hopefully this master swordsman.
Hantei Dave: TO THE MOUNTAIN Yama sano Kaminari (Mountain of the Seven Thunders)

KibagamiKuno: go to: Toshi sano Kanemochi Kaeru
KibagamiKuno: cross the river then go down the road to Kyuden Ikoma
KibagamiKuno: then climb the mountain
Hantei Dave: got it
KibagamiKuno: then get a boat at the river juncture and boat south, as above
Hantei Dave: ok...you start down the Togashi's Mountain
KibagamiKuno: OK
Hantei Dave: with your new companion
KibagamiKuno: how is the trip down?
Hantei Dave: She hops down the jaged rocks easily in her sandles
Hantei Dave: the trip down is much easier ^_-
KibagamiKuno: (how light is Nabiko? Can we share my horse when we get to the bottom?)
KibagamiKuno: (is she an ise zumi?
Hantei Dave: (yes)
Hantei Dave: She has short black hair and is a fairly tiny girl...but still stong in her skills
KibagamiKuno: so she's akane in disguise.
Hantei Dave: Unfortunatly, your horses have been long returned to your loaners
Hantei Dave: not quite as angry as akane
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: (not likely, they're dead)
Hantei Dave: they belong to the clan first
Hantei Dave: ...and they were loaners you horse thieves
KibagamiKuno: heh, oh well.
Hantei Dave: you do not end up at the Dragonfly gates anyway
KibagamiKuno: so we walk then.
Hantei Dave: the mountain has conveniently led you to a closer point
Hantei Dave: you lost the path anyway
KibagamiKuno: that was very convenient of it. Maybe it feels bad for being so stubborn during our last debate.
Hantei Dave: the journey to Toshi sano Kanemochi Kaeru is undisturbed. You and your company get to make light conversations they whole way
KibagamiKuno: What mountain knows guilt, that it would guide hikers true, destiny unknown
Hantei Dave: actually, she is very talkative about the ways of the ise zumi...more so then Udon ^_^
KibagamiKuno: light conversation and poetry.
KibagamiKuno: I'm curious about how the ise zumi came to be ise zumi, it seems an unusual collection
Hantei Dave: She says, "We Ise Zumi are not a bloodline like the other clans. We accept our members from all over Rokugan."
Hantei Dave: "The purpose of the Dragon Clan facinates us."
Hantei Dave: "I have dealt in politics before. It is something that I am glad to leave behind."
KibagamiKuno: but who accepted, and who denied and cast out, by what do they judge?
Hantei Dave: "ummm...its much like a gempukku ceremony. You must endure harsh training and become open to new concepts. Noone is truly denied but many cannot attain the level of an Ise Zumi."
Hantei Dave: "But it is more the journey that matters Kuno-san"
KibagamiKuno: ah, so some remain for years striving for that goal, though they never reach it.
Hantei Dave: "welllll, we all strike for the unatainable."
Hantei Dave: trive even
Hantei Dave: you know what i mean
KibagamiKuno: even the vine seeks to cover the entire tree, but it is only a vine.
KibagamiKuno: by the time it has grown up, it has not grown around.
KibagamiKuno: Many vines, however, can cover the tree together.
Hantei Dave: "The village is ahead." She smiles
KibagamiKuno: D: how much time do we spend on the road? Days?
Hantei Dave: Toshi sano Kanemochi Kaeru is a village full of many rich families...many of them Unicorn trading items of carved gold and ivory.
Hantei Dave: less then 2 days....3 since you left completly
Hantei Dave: more like 2,5
Hantei Dave: 2.5
Hantei Dave: much of the area you passed was unused fields and small farms
KibagamiKuno: I would have offered to train Nabiko on skills she may not be familiar with from the monastary - martial arts or the like
KibagamiKuno: (during the evening)
KibagamiKuno: I'll also do the cooking (gotta practice that heheh)
Hantei Dave: She offers the same...but you find many of her techniques lacking when compared to what you already know
Hantei Dave: you do some sparring together on your journy
Hantei Dave: (she is quite charming)
KibagamiKuno: does she fight hand-to-hand or is she interested in learning a weapon?
Hantei Dave: she carries with her three weapons of her own
Hantei Dave: a nagamaki, and 2 metal fans
Hantei Dave: she is ambidextrous in her skills
Hantei Dave: make 2 rolls btw....first a WILL test
KibagamiKuno: how is her iaijutsu?
Hantei Dave: then a perception test (no type)
Hantei Dave: she doesn't know iaijutsu
KibagamiKuno: add anything to the will roll?
Hantei Dave: (looking at your sheet...nope)
KibagamiKuno: (if not, 16)
Hantei Dave: she rolled 17 ..now roll perception
KibagamiKuno: 23 for perception
Hantei Dave: you think she is having a seducing effect on you....but you seem to be losing that battle of wills
KibagamiKuno: heh, such is life... and love...
KibagamiKuno: silly cute fighting girl heheh
Hantei Dave: (sorry Udon ^_-)
KibagamiKuno: udon who? :P
Hantei Dave: Udon! Noodles! Good food in this town
KibagamiKuno: yes, exactly.
Hantei Dave: lots of Lion here too btw...all Matsu of course...and many ronin
KibagamiKuno: i'll teach her iaijutsu techniques for her nagamaki
KibagamiKuno: "ronin"
KibagamiKuno: i need to kep my mon covered now, don't i?
Hantei Dave: I assume you removed it
Hantei Dave: you ARE ronin
Hantei Dave: you see a few unshaven ronin wearing Lion colored kimonos
Hantei Dave: you can guess they haven't been that way too long
KibagamiKuno: hmm, then i'll remove it and keep it safe.
Hantei Dave: you can rest here this night and cross the river in the morning
Hantei Dave: Nebiko finds her own place to sleep even if you offer otherwise
KibagamiKuno: btw, during the sparring, i'd like to practice defense/offense against those fans of hers.
Hantei Dave: btw...your money will begin to run out now. You have no more income
Hantei Dave: no more geisha houses for you
KibagamiKuno: I realize that, which is why i'm stopping by Kyuden Ikoma. There are some ronin there which would have money from my ronin Kibagami family.
Hantei Dave: you hope
KibagamiKuno: the Akodo are not hunted, there name is just removed. The foundations of a society continue on, regardless of name.
KibagamiKuno: and money, sadly, is one such foundation.
Hantei Dave: the next morning your goto the river. You map is incorrect. Their is no bridge here. The local peasant run a crossing service instead. They can take you on their shoulders or on platforms for more money.
KibagamiKuno: No boat service across?
Hantei Dave: many people are crossed back and forth on this small snady area
Hantei Dave: no boat service
Hantei Dave: sandy area
KibagamiKuno: Hmm, well then i guess it will be shoulders for us - is that alright for Nabiko?
Hantei Dave: She would rather cross herself
KibagamiKuno: ah, we can do that too? No unions?
Hantei Dave: As she steps in with her sandles in her hand, the locals begin complaining
Hantei Dave: It is apparently a toll
KibagamiKuno: Nabiko: Unions.
Hantei Dave: she agrees to be carried
KibagamiKuno: (heh)
KibagamiKuno: I give her crossing guy my armor to carry, such that he should not have a discounted load.
Hantei Dave: They carry you two across on their shoulders. While crossing they make lewd comments to each other and others that pass about the girl being carried
Hantei Dave: "Look at the bird I have! Wooo"
KibagamiKuno: (fyi - the armor is also to keep his hands busy)
Hantei Dave: "She is even covered in feathers!:"
Hantei Dave: He refers to her tattoos
Hantei Dave: Yours says, "Hey ronin! You got alot of metal..you got alot of money?"
Hantei Dave: He tips to the side a little
Hantei Dave: "The water gets deep here"
KibagamiKuno: "Then it would be wise to step carefully, lest i be the only one who makes it across"
KibagamiKuno: Keep your head up and I'm sure we will see the other side
Hantei Dave: "Its hard work. I might slip! And you are extra heavy. You don't want me to fall into your girl do you?"
Hantei Dave: "Don't you know we provide a useful service?"
KibagamiKuno: Many things slip, and "my metal" is not a good thing to slip... who knows what it my fall into.
KibagamiKuno: Yes, you provide a useful service by bringing people across to the other side.
Hantei Dave: Nebikko: "and my nagamaki can reach far over as well." She winks
KibagamiKuno: it is less useful if you always step in the deep parts.
Hantei Dave: roll PRESENCE
KibagamiKuno: 19.
Hantei Dave: can you beat his WILL test of 8? yes
Hantei Dave: he walks strait
Hantei Dave: as does the other
Hantei Dave: and quiet
Hantei Dave: they drop you off
KibagamiKuno: and they are paid the proper toll fee.
Hantei Dave: (in advance ^_-_
KibagamiKuno: heh, then they'll get no more on this side.
Hantei Dave: You continue on your way
KibagamiKuno: "That was a pity - i actually was hoping for a chance to practice swimming, we'll see a lot more river before this trip is through"
Hantei Dave: you pass peasants mostly.
Hantei Dave: this part takes you another day to walk
KibagamiKuno: (and thus some additional practice time, and more bleh kuno meals... heheh)
Hantei Dave: a ronin wearing Lion colors mutters to you as you pass him. He is very worn
Hantei Dave: "Where do you think YOU'RE going?"
KibagamiKuno: (what does he mutter?)
Hantei Dave: He scrathces his chin
KibagamiKuno: What news of the watch palace?
Hantei Dave: "Don't you know you are scum?"
Hantei Dave: "ehhh? Got anything to drink? Some sake?"
KibagamiKuno: In these days ronin, all are scum.
KibagamiKuno: hai, i do
KibagamiKuno: and i would like to share it with you.
KibagamiKuno: I pour him some in a bowl
Hantei Dave: "Ok. Anything for ex-family right?"
Hantei Dave: he chugs it down. "Ahhhhh"
Hantei Dave: "arigato"
KibagamiKuno: Have you traveled far?
Hantei Dave: "mmmmeeeehhh. I was at Otosan Uchi. I thought maybe they'd give me place to rest but naaaaa. Its all lousy Matsu now...."
KibagamiKuno: (btw, dave, did you read the Japanese Inn? That river crossing scene is right out of it heheh)
Hantei Dave: (I took it from a lone wolf chapter ^_-)
KibagamiKuno: The Matsu are happy to find themselves "right"
KibagamiKuno: But today right, tomorrow... who knows?
Hantei Dave: "Heh...I'm going to find a place ot wash my feet. Sainara"
Hantei Dave: He waves backwards
KibagamiKuno: sainara
Hantei Dave: Soon you see Kyuden Ikoma (Sacred Watch Palace) where you were trained as an Akodo
Hantei Dave: oops...
Hantei Dave: no...thats for ikoma
Hantei Dave: sorry
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: heh, my family has roots there too
KibagamiKuno: but i trained elsewhere (Ken Hayai)
Hantei Dave: There are a large number of temples and shrines as you approach. The Ikoma are famous for ancestral worship
KibagamiKuno: I stop at a few and show respect, particular to families i know.
Hantei Dave: small buddha and family stones line the sides of the road
Hantei Dave: some people light incence or pour sake over stones
Hantei Dave: while others just pray
Hantei Dave: you do to
Hantei Dave: The Ikoma House Bushi guard this palace
Hantei Dave: (btw...I am at the office right now and don't have my Lion book and thus do not know the name of the Ikoma Daimyo)
Hantei Dave: The Ikoma guards ask your purpose
KibagamiKuno: I am a lion ronin, who comes to rest for the night before beginning a spiritual journey into the mountains.
Hantei Dave: you make them laugh
KibagamiKuno: (i smile softly)
Hantei Dave: "Ok...on with you ronin. Don't waste our time."
KibagamiKuno: (on as in "enter"?)
Hantei Dave: (no)
Hantei Dave: (as in go away)
KibagamiKuno: The Ikoma are not friends of the tanto bearers? I did not know...
Hantei Dave: They stop smiling
KibagamiKuno: I turn slightly as if i might leave.
Hantei Dave: They look at each other.
Hantei Dave: "Can...can we please have your name sir?"
KibagamiKuno: Kibagami Kuno, ronin of clan Lion
Hantei Dave: Nebiko smiles
Hantei Dave: The stutter
KibagamiKuno: (bow)
Hantei Dave: "M--my apologies Ak....Kuno-sama. We are honored that your family graces us."
Hantei Dave: "We will accompany you."
Hantei Dave: They bow
KibagamiKuno: You have done nothing wrong but protect your palace as well you should, I take no offense. let us proceed.
Hantei Dave: You enter the halls of Ikoma. The walls are lined with swords and armor of great heroes
KibagamiKuno: (heh, they called me sama... )
Hantei Dave: Its as if the spirits themselves protect this palace
Hantei Dave: (show of respect of course)
KibagamiKuno: yes.
KibagamiKuno: definitely.
Hantei Dave: Nebiko is curious at the decorations
KibagamiKuno: having been a guard for years before being a tanto bearer, i probably escorted some sama here before
KibagamiKuno: (i describe their origin to her, with much respect in my voice)
Hantei Dave: You are granted a meeting with the Ikoma Daimyo (story and name escape me)
Hantei Dave: He has some retainers with him and sits in his chair of command
KibagamiKuno: That is most generous of him and more than i had hoped for.
Hantei Dave: Nebiko bows
KibagamiKuno: bow very low.
Hantei Dave: He says, "I am honored that the tanto bearer has graced us. My condolences to your families name. The Kabigama name is still welcome though."
KibagamiKuno: Sama, thank you for allowing me to enter your great palace. I am here on a spiritual journey - part of fulfilling my duty as a tanto bearer - and plan to ascend the mountain tomorrow.
KibagamiKuno: domo arigato
Hantei Dave: "Please pray before your kin. You will be well taken care of here. We would also be honored to accept you into the ranks of the Ikoma. Please...."
Hantei Dave: He bows his head slightly
Hantei Dave: Nebiko stands quiet arms behind her
KibagamiKuno: It is a great honor you offer me, and I hope one day to be able to accept. But many winds blow harshly these days - let us see where we are blown in the future.
Hantei Dave: "The wind blows the same for all people. I offer again."
KibagamiKuno: great daimyo of the Ikoda - please do not be offended but my fate does not belong to me. For now, i must remain ronin. I can only hope that such gracious offers come in the peaceful times following these.
KibagamiKuno: (bow low)
Hantei Dave: (he continues protocol) "Your fate can have family too. I offer again."
KibagamiKuno: (urg - gift offered three times...)
Hantei Dave: (you can refuse)
Hantei Dave: (at rist=k of offense)
KibagamiKuno: (will he be offended?)
Hantei Dave: (roll)
Hantei Dave: (not perception...you need a people skill on this one)
KibagamiKuno: (bushido or diplomacy?)
Hantei Dave: either
KibagamiKuno: (bushido to tell if he would be offended, then diplomacy when i refuse to try to prevent him from being offended)
Hantei Dave: ok
KibagamiKuno: 21 bushido
Hantei Dave: you think he is being polite and following protocol only. He won't be offended
KibagamiKuno: Ikoma is a great and honored name. Long have you been mediators and guardians of wisdom in the lion clan. Please forgive me that i cannot accept so great an honor.
Hantei Dave: "Hai. I understand. Please rest here as long as you would like. My servents will tend your needs and that of your companion."
Hantei Dave: (see...those skills do help)
KibagamiKuno: domo arigato. sama - may i ask onee question of you?
Hantei Dave: "Hai."
KibagamiKuno: It is said that totori has gone mad and wanders rokugan - do you know what he seeks? or what ails him?
Hantei Dave: He grits and his eyes glace back and forth once. "I have heard little of him. It is too trageic to speak of. If he came here, I would not be able to welcome even such a great man. Even Tsuko-sama feels he was treated too harshly. I only pray he may one day commit seppuku."
KibagamiKuno: domo arigato, sama, i understand.
Hantei Dave: "hmm"
Hantei Dave: He awaits you to leave
KibagamiKuno: (bow, leave)
Hantei Dave: Nebiko does the same
KibagamiKuno: (thought he was going to say something, didn't want to walk out on him heheh)
Hantei Dave: "Don't you get tired of such silly rituals Kuno-san?"
KibagamiKuno: Each has a way of speaking. Some speak fast, and right to the point. Others in riddles. Many speak in formalities. Sama has just answered one of togashi's riddles.
Hantei Dave: She smiles fakely
Hantei Dave: The shrines here are lavish and fill the entire lower basement with the exception of the great Ikoma Library
Hantei Dave: This library holds the most complete records of all lineages
KibagamiKuno: There is more i would tell you of their rituals, but lets save it for our own - there's a great big lump of rock out there that requires climbing heh.
Hantei Dave: It is customary in Ikoma gempukku to recite by memory your entire family line back to Ikoma himself.
Hantei Dave: (I'm done too)
KibagamiKuno: I wonder if i'm in their books - heh. Maybe i'll check when this is all over.
Hantei Dave: The next day I assume, you go rock climbing.
KibagamiKuno: hai
Hantei Dave: up Yama sano Kaminari (Mountain of the Seven Thunders)
Hantei Dave: highest peak in Rokugan (I thought it was somewhere else..oh well)
KibagamiKuno: Is there a town at the base of the mountain?
Hantei Dave: It is a brisk near winter day
KibagamiKuno: (oh, was i able to replenish any funds during my time in the palace?)
Hantei Dave: They give you some funds by your request
Hantei Dave: and there is no town at the base...only a VERY steep staircase that disappears at points by rock falls and weather
Hantei Dave: it was carved about 1000 years ago
Hantei Dave: you begin your hike.
Hantei Dave: (both of you make climb rolls)
Hantei Dave: 19 for Nebiko
KibagamiKuno: (one sec - i would have inquired before i left the palace about where to leave my armor, knowing i wouldn't need it on the journey)
KibagamiKuno: hmm, 12.
KibagamiKuno: (oop, 13)
Hantei Dave: good point. You will have hike up with it i guess
Hantei Dave: add penalties to armor
Hantei Dave: if there are any
Hantei Dave: i think it was -2 for you
KibagamiKuno: (umm, what i'm saying is i would have left it at the palace)
Hantei Dave: ok then...thats fine
Hantei Dave: who knows when you'll go back though
KibagamiKuno: (and it's onle -1 ^_^ )
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: either way you failed
KibagamiKuno: damn stairs... heh
Hantei Dave: Nebiko slowly helps you. It is more of 4 legged climbing up these stairs
KibagamiKuno: do i get my footing as we go along?
Hantei Dave: you don't get too far by the time it gets dark
Hantei Dave: your footing was bad ALL day!
Hantei Dave: maybe tomarrow your headache will go away
KibagamiKuno: (i rolled a 3)
Hantei Dave: hehe
Hantei Dave: its cold but no sticks to make a fire here
KibagamiKuno: inner fire is all that is required.
Hantei Dave: Nebiko is shivering. "Kuno-san. Please excccccuse my forwardness....but..."
KibagamiKuno: I talk with Nabiko more about the Ikoma and their rituals and books and such
Hantei Dave: she doesn't blush
KibagamiKuno: it is what we must do. I require your help to make it up
Hantei Dave: she tries to make a concentration roll
KibagamiKuno: and you need thicker blankets - or hairier arms.
Hantei Dave: She lies next to you and is able to cincentrate on Ikoma talk
Hantei Dave: concentrate
KibagamiKuno: I ask if she wants to hear some of my bad poetry too.
KibagamiKuno: "it will put you right to sleep"
Hantei Dave: "sss-sssure"
Hantei Dave: roll WILL btw ^_-
KibagamiKuno: 13?
Hantei Dave: 17 for me
Hantei Dave: you must make concentration rolls for Ikoma speach now
Hantei Dave: lol
KibagamiKuno: (so this is how i never can face udon... noodles again)
Hantei Dave: She falls asleep
Hantei Dave: NEXT MORNING!
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: (whew!)
Hantei Dave: can't wait to hear Skip's reaction. He shoulda never written the gempukku story ^_-
KibagamiKuno: I have some millet balls we can share, would you like one?
Hantei Dave: It is another clear day...make new climb roll please
KibagamiKuno: 23
Hantei Dave: "She agrees and offers you a piece of dried fish"
Hantei Dave: 21 on her climb...much quicker day
KibagamiKuno: "fish ... it's been a long time. Samurai don't seem to like it much, but what can i do? It's fish! ^_^ "
Hantei Dave: You will be at the top by tomarrow morning...assuming you make your roll...or else tomarrow afternoon.
KibagamiKuno: I tell her stories about some of my younger days in a far away land where they had good fish.
Hantei Dave: She tells you she would like to visit the gaijin lands
KibagamiKuno: And about putting the rod in the rocks while practicing my forms and balance - waiting for the bell to jingle.
Hantei Dave: again it is a chilly night....and awkward
KibagamiKuno: "the higher we go on this mountain, the colder it will get..."
Hantei Dave: she practices her fighting with you but it is less sparring this time...you are both hindered
Hantei Dave: ....pulling punches
Hantei Dave: her style is much like Udon's
Hantei Dave: ok...one more climb roll
KibagamiKuno: 19
Hantei Dave: doh! 16 on her
Hantei Dave: slow days climb ^_-
KibagamiKuno: I'll have to give her a hand this time heh
Hantei Dave: she rolled a 9...not a 3
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: "Perhaps sparring is not our best teaching tool. Let us instruct, instead."
Hantei Dave: You pull yourselves up by late afternoon the 3rd day. The first thing you see is the red and black colors of the Scorpion Clan in a temple of strong wood and stone of their design
Hantei Dave: it is not what you expected
Hantei Dave: ...on first glance
KibagamiKuno: It is what it is.
KibagamiKuno: It isn't for me to tell it what it should be.
Hantei Dave: You pick yourselves up completely and you realize that their are actually 7 small temples up here...each in the design of the Clan for which it stands
Hantei Dave: is that what you expected? ^_-
Hantei Dave: It is quiet here
KibagamiKuno: I actually expected one small one for each.
KibagamiKuno: or one big one with all
Hantei Dave: very peaceful and moss runs up the walls as if it hasn't been cleaned for almost a year
Hantei Dave: vines are begining to die as winter comes
KibagamiKuno: I take off my sandals and walk forward, tryng not to disturb anything.
Hantei Dave: some seagulls walk about
Hantei Dave: both of you walk in perfect quiet
Hantei Dave: most beutiful is the Lion temple
KibagamiKuno: (to me, or in general?)
KibagamiKuno: (or is there not a difference)
Hantei Dave: in general..you think. The Lion usually are expected to create temples of great honor
Hantei Dave: within each is a carved stone carrying the names of each respected Thunder
KibagamiKuno: I motion to Nebiko, questioning if we should enter
Hantei Dave: the only one visiting today are the sparrows it seems
Hantei Dave: Nabiko shrugs... "Why not?" she smiles
Hantei Dave: and steps into the Lion Temple
KibagamiKuno: i pause for a moment, contemplating the broken silence, then follow her in (bowing at the entrance)
Hantei Dave: "Matsu" is written on the rock
Hantei Dave: She kneels before the stone
Hantei Dave: and sits quietly
KibagamiKuno: (akodo isn't written anywhere?)
Hantei Dave: some old incense sticks and dust is still here
Hantei Dave: Nebiko explains. "It was not Akodo who was chosen to enter the dark lands. For fate favors the mortal man and not the kamis."
Hantei Dave: "Matsu was the first Thunder to volunteer for the perilous journey."
Hantei Dave: "It is very different than the gathering you must do."
Hantei Dave: "Lady Matsu volunteered."
KibagamiKuno: I smile - "akodo are too loyal, the first question we have is "what of my clan?" "
KibagamiKuno: (family)
Hantei Dave: She smiles. "My first question is 'what of your clan?'"
Hantei Dave: (family)
Hantei Dave: she bows her head to the floor and stands. "I will give you some time alone."
KibagamiKuno: "I needed to see this place, to come close to the physical representation of the thunders of the past, that i might understand who and how will be the thunders of the future"
KibagamiKuno: domo.
Hantei Dave: tell me when you are done praying ^_^
Hantei Dave: (we will finish up here soon)
KibagamiKuno: I pray for a bit, and reflect on totori. If he is to be death, then perhaps his final pilgrimage is to come here and ask Hantei the 38th for it.
KibagamiKuno: And i reflect on the bravery of Lady Matsu who volunteered for the task without anyone needing to ask it of her.
Hantei Dave: 39th ^_-
KibagamiKuno: (38th.)
Hantei Dave: ah
KibagamiKuno: How awkward to have to ask a hero to be heroic.
Hantei Dave: when you leave you find Nabiko kneeling by a stone between all the temples
Hantei Dave: She is crying
KibagamiKuno: (Perhaps it is not for us to ask, but rather to suggest a path that will make them a hero). I kneel next to her and stay silent.
Hantei Dave: It is a small stone, roughly carved with the name "Shinsei" on it
Hantei Dave: it has no temple of its own
Hantei Dave: "It is so lonely here I thought at first." She says.
Hantei Dave: She brushes some dirt to the side below the rock and another name is written. "Sakura"
KibagamiKuno: "They are not alone, and they need no temple. They are at the center of the apex of Rokugan, together."
Hantei Dave: "Sakura was the 1st teacher. Shinsei followed her teachings. Not many know that."
Hantei Dave: "She had a purer ideal."
Hantei Dave: "Did you know Shinsei was also a great politician? Togashi Yokuni told me that."
KibagamiKuno: "she is his foundation"
Hantei Dave: "He knew that the 7 Thunders were symbolic.. It was planned that they were one from each clan. No other reason was there."
Hantei Dave: "They chose themselves."
KibagamiKuno: "And they must do so again, but perhaps a little help is required..."
KibagamiKuno: "As i learned the first day on this mountain, that first step can require a helping hand"
Hantei Dave: "I think it is different this time some way. I think society has changed the way it works. The Crane created culture...the Lion created armies. All the clans gave something. But Fu Leng created society."
Hantei Dave: "If there was no threat...society would not exist."
KibagamiKuno: "Is society evil?"
KibagamiKuno: "Can we live alone?"
Hantei Dave: "I don't know."
KibagamiKuno: Society incubates evil, and it spreads like a cold from person to person
Hantei Dave: "perhaps. But it makes us strong too."
Hantei Dave: "It gives us reason."
KibagamiKuno: Society itself is not evil, nor are people, but only if they are together can evil spread. And yet, as you say, they cannot be apart.
Hantei Dave: "and direction."
Hantei Dave: (lets end here)
KibagamiKuno: -----------------------------------------------
KibagamiKuno: heh, so that was good.