BZPRPG - Kentoku Archipelago

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

Having walked for what seemed forever through the expansive marketplace, Esaika decided to catch her breath, and grab a bite before she would go on her journey. Coming upon a restaurant, she sat down at a table close to another dasaka, of the Vadiru clan judging by the symbol on her satchel (Celis). Esaika decided to order a simple dish, since she was getting low on currency.

 

Wait a minute... clan Vadiru? Hmmm, this was a rare opportunity. Ever since she had heard those certain things back in the day, she had gained an interest in the clan's... activities. She stood up from her table, and sat opposed to the dasaka. "I couldn't help but notice that symbol on your satchel... are you of the Vadiru clan?"

Edited April 9, 2014 by Toa Onaku

[25K Now!]

IC: Noshima

 

"Orders have been provided for tightening the security," she replied. "The clan possesses a greater presence within the palace also."

 

Usually, the Hogo simply waited in the background for orders, their day-to-day business of guarding the palace hidden from the general populace. It made people feel safer, less scrutinised. But when a threat arose, they would begin to walk the halls more openly, to remind others of their present. Such a tactic was to deter any would-be troublemaker from acting again. Noshima did not exactly subscribe to the tactic - if somebody was brave enough to strike within the palace halls, then it would be highly unlikely that they would consider a more visible Hogo clan a deterrence to their schemes. No, she had ordered her subordinates to show themselves more often to placate the palace inhabitants.

 

It would not do for complaints about the Hogo's ineffectiveness in protecting them to filter in.

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

Celis arched her brow as she looked up from her meal and considered the dasaka across from her. When she spoke her voice was cold and unforgiving

"Yes.. I am a member of clan Vadiru.. Why does is it of any concern to you?"

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

"Well, I was wondering if I could join the clan? I'm quite interested in keeping Furstic property safe and such. You know? Keeping keeping the good old values of old intact?" Esaika let out a slightly nervous chuckle. "Eheh... anyway, is there... any way for me to join the clan?" Esaika had an expression of high expectation and excitement, looking upon the Vadiru member with a prominent plea in her eyes.

[Krayzikk]

IC:

 

"Yes, we are. Two of them, at least." Kagesu replied, watching as Oshi arrived. The trio present were truly an odd group; Enali, not yet out of her training, Oshi, the picture of a warrior, and Kagesu, a Menti who did not seem to fit the title. She shifted in her seat, turning to better face the others. Even though they were aware of her presence, she seemed to blend into the room's darker corners.

 

"To answer your question, Enali," She said, speaking again after a moment of quiet. Even her voice was soft, as though the speaker was used to being quiet. "We've been tasked with finding and learning about the Kanohi Dragons."

[They]

IC: Hogo Kamari, Imperial Gardens

 

"Of course," Kamari said softly, understanding immediately the implications of her Toroshu. A larger presence of Hogo had less to do with actual security than public image, a way of saving face that was, after so many centuries, nothing less than basic protocol for the clan. Her grip on the bow she always carried tightened for a moment, but then the palanquin arrived and she found herself moving to open the flap. Normally, a lower menti would have opened the palanquin, but Kamari had always been protective of Noshima: it was her duty to make sure no one was already in the transport. The perfect assassin could have used a Huna, slipped inside, and stayed that way until Noshima entered. It would make an easy dispatch along the route, and if the palanquin was to tumble as the assassin leapt out and escaped, who was to stop her?

 

A forceful swipe with her crystal falcata inside the confined space assured Kamari of a safe palanquin. Bowing softly toward Noshima as the sword returned to its sheath behind her right hip she said, "the palanquin, Toroshu."

[25K Now!]

IC: Noshima

 

"Many thanks," replied the Hogo Toroshu, nodding to her friend as she entered the palanquin.

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

Celis cocked her brow a bit as she watched the dasaka across from her

"And what makes you think you would be good vadiru material... afterall we are often hated for being fursic sympathizers."

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

"I have my reasons... but I feel this might be the right thing for me." Esaika sat there, her face sobering up to a more serious expression. "Although it's not the 'guarding of Fursic property' that interests me..."

 

Esaika tried relaxing her body, knowing very well the danger of saying the wrong thing in the presence of a potential assassin. But hey, she might be wrong. After all, she heard those things many, many years ago. She could easily have been mistaken about it... but something told her she wasn't.

 

"Could you give me a chance?"

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

Celis was not impressed. The one hand she had kept in her lap grabbed onto her cane and jabbed it underneath the table towards Esaika's stomach in a rough gesture as she began asserting her honed and trained willhammer discipline onto the dasaka

 

Hoping that her will would overcome hers for one did not become toroshu of clan vadiru without being able to crush a few wills

Listen here ya little welp. You reek of weakness. You are darn lucky I don't kill you right here. It would be in your best interest that you shut your mouth and order a nice meal from Noviga here.. Her food is to die for. Do I make myself clear?

Celis just kept her icy gaze on Esaika as her expression became like stone

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

Esaika grimaced as Celis jabbed her staff into her stomach. Her expression of discomfort turned into a frown of defiance as she looked at the dasaka in front of her. Just then the dish she had ordered arrived. Keeping her defiant expression, she put a bite of the food into her mouth, chewing slowly and exaggeratedly, although in no way over the top, to further attempt at standing up for herself.

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

Celis smiled as she removed her cane from Esaika's stomach and went back to eating her meal while keeping a close eye on esaika eventually speaking up

"Tell me.. do you know who I am?"

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

The pompous toroshu of the Vadiru? "A member of the Vadiru? Then again, I don't know anyone here, really. I haven't exactly been following events over the past few years... no, I don't know who you are." Esaika looked directly into Celis' eyes, her defiant expression holding fast. "But I guess that leaves us on even ground then?"

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

Celis narrowed her gaze on Esaika as she furthered her attempts at her menti discipline to break through the walls of her Esaika even as she spoke up

"I am Celis, Toroshu of Clan Vadiru. And you would do well to remember this."

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

A defiant grin crawled across her face as she responded. "Oh, you can count on it." Esaika took another bite off the dish in front of her, grinning vaguely while she chewed her food, keeping the eye contact with Celis.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Toa Onaku

[Emzee]

IC: Sesseta – Local Café in Kozu

 

It’s calming to see even a little bit of consistency, even if the source of that is our beloved sunset, I thought as I sat at my usual small wooden table for two (occupied only by me, of course). Naturally, the workers at this café knew me, and every few days, I would visit this little shop to calm my nerves and recharge my psyche. A glass of cabernet rested as still as death to my right, and I began to enter deep thought once again.

 

Perhaps I should go ahead and introduce myself. I am Sesseta, the younger sister of old Nera, the wise and incisive Toroshu and Matriarch of the Fursic clan. Quite a chess master, that old lady; but what most fear of her is her tranquil fury. I supposed I should too, but to be honest, once you've read the same horror novel enough times you start to notice all the plot holes.

 

So much time had passed since Kuno had left for Sado to enact our plan, and unsurprisingly, the fledgling yet plodding First Son never returned once. While I would not claim to know Kuno as well as his own mother, anyone could have figured that the boy had become avoidant precisely because he had made no progress. It seemed to be how he commonly responded to failure. The natural consequence of this was always Kuno figuratively being dragged off by the ear by my dear older sister for another scolding session. As entertaining as that may sound, it really has become a bore over the years.

 

It’s disappointing, yes, but hardly a shame. After all, Kuno isn’t merely the best we’ve got, he’s all we’ve got, and sometimes I fear that Nera forgets this. That or she remembers it all too well and flashes back to it every time she sees what all she has to work with. Me though? I’m an optimist; I see the best in people and try to get people to see the best in themselves. The ones with confidence are the easiest to perceive.

 

As the bottom of the sun between to protrude into the oceanic horizon, I took another sip of wine. The cheese and grapes that once graced my porcelain dish had long been enjoyed, leaving only crumbs and stems. Everyone’s focus now was on the sunset, and I too joined the other patrons in the shared joy of the sight. Watching the sunset doesn’t have the effect on me that it used to, but it’s quite a feat for even me to remain immune to the twilight.

 

The next several moments consisted of only silence and awe, and as quickly as the sunset began, it had ended. The show was over.

 

As I took the last two sips from my wine glass, my thoughts shifted to Nera, who was no doubt badgering the First Son while I sat here in enjoying the cool summer breezes that would usher in the night. I pondered for a moment what exactly my sister hoped accomplish by going to Sado – all she is doing is confirming what he already know, and massaging her own deservedly large ego by believing she can talk competence into Kuno.

 

I used to believe that was possible, but now, I prefer to capitalize on incompetence. Guide my pawns to the squares that they would choose themselves – so that I won't have to guide at all.

 

It is said that you can draw a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. I say, that you surely can if you choose the right horse – the horse that wants to drink.

 

I rose from my chair and politely bid adieu to the few who recognized me – despite being a close relative of the Fursic Matriarch, I took pride in my ability to remain relatively unsung. Obscurity gave me more freedom, a fact all too well-known by my fellow Fursic clan members.

 

As I left the café, my escort and handmaiden – Yuzio – waited patiently. I nodded to her, giving her the signal that our next destination was home.

 

I decided that I would be enjoying a second glass of cabernet once I arrived home. I'm feeling thirsty tonight.

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

Celis brought her cane up from under the table and attempted to have it gently lift Esaika's chin

"come now.. It was your own foolishness that lead to this. Acting like you are something important when you are but another insect needing to be crushed. I should remove your wings and leave you to survive yet I am feeling merciful.. Perhaps it could be Noviga's food here but even if it is not you should thank her."

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

"Correction, it was your condescending pompousness that lead to this, and mind you, that handling of the staff could use a little work." Esaika looked into Celis' eyes, her face having relaxed, but her eyes speaking the same, strong defiance. "Or would you perhaps prefer that I bow down and lick your boot like the little insect I am? I am interested in joining this little parade of yours, but I am nobody's "insect", Celis."

[Voxumo]

IC: Celis

 

The corner of Celis mouth rose at it's corner as she considered Esaika

"You do not even know what this parade is.. You lack respect and you lack discipline."

 

She now rose to her feet as she placed her cane back onto the ground while her hand rested on her sword's hilt

"And this is a cane not a staff. You do not know your weapons. So get back to whatever you were doing and stay out of my sight. Next time i will use the full power that my position allows me. Now I must be going."

 

And with that she walked off but just then an umbraline messenger approached her and delivered a letter which she read over and a delicate smile came over her face

Well well... gonna have to see about getting myself a masquerade outfit.

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

A slight smile came to Esaika's face as she dropped the defiant look, sighing partially in relief, partially in disappointment. I wouldn't have fit in there anyway...

 

She stood up and went her way, leaving the payment on the table by her dish.

 

OOC: Esaika open for interaction.

[25K Now!]

IC: Amaki

 

Amaki strode past Esaika, hoping to find something to eat.

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

Esaika continued her journey through the marketplace, munching on the food she had decided to take with her in her in one of her pouches.

 

OOC: Esaika still open for interaction

Edited April 11, 2014 by Toa Onaku

[Ghosthands]

IC:

 

"Yes, given the success of the Ageru, it is indeed a very efficient system" Kulrik agreed with the Toroshu.

 

"And your Menti? Do they only serve in your Hall and along the borders, or do they also help with the farming? Forgive me for mentioning them, but is there in fact any truth to the rumors that your Soulswords participate in the reaping and hone their skill?"

 

First Son Kulrik took a look at the settlement around them, counting a number of warehouses and other buildings associated with the agricultural process.

 

"And your land; are there any acres left that have been untouched, or has it all been developed? I've seen naught but farmland and Mahuika hall since I've reached the Ageru."

 

IC (Kilanya)

 

Kilanya snorted quietly at Kulrik's first question.

 

"No truth whatsoever," she replied. "I am aware of these rumours; they are born, as far as I can tell, of jealousy. Our Soulswords' skill is the envy of many other clans. No; the young Menti of our clan train diligently both in the Yards on Sado and under the supervision of our own masters here on Odaiba. I have a great many talented Menti under my command - but you will also find Ageru among the Rora's armies. Commodore Ayiwah's lieutenant, for example, is one of my clanswomen."

 

The buildings began to thin out, revealing the swathes of farmland beyond, stretching all the way out to the sea - and with the peak of Mount Koshiki looming into the sky to the north. It was to that majestic natural landmark that Kilanya pointed.

 

"Most of our lands are, indeed, cultivated," she said. "But the foothills and slopes of Mounta Koshiki we leave untouched, for their natural beauty among other reasons. I thought we might head that way."

 

***

It was a long walk, leaving much time for discussion, but finally the fields gave way to grass and scrubland, dotted with trees, sloping upwards into the first of Koshiki's foothills. There Kilanya led Kulrik along a rough path, and into the untamed lands surrounding the volcano.

 

"...we have not, of course, had a dragon attack for years," the conversation continued. "We keep our distance, and they keep theirs. There is still much that we do not know about them, of course."

 

There was nobody else about, besides the local fauna; the occasional bird chirping in a tree and lizard scuttling across the path, and the soft whispering of the wind, were their only company. The Toroshu stopped as they reached the top of the hill, looking out at the view of her lands before turning to Kulrik.

 

"Quite a vista, isn't it?"

Edited April 11, 2014 by Geisthande

[shadow pridak money gang]

IC:

 

Back down here. Further argument on the point, after deference to mother, will appear to be badgering her. Yumi dislikes being badgered. Putting up her hands on the table placatingly, the younger princess took a fruit and began to carefully slice it into equal portions while her sister happily ate, and Hanako cast her gaze between the Rora's two heirs warily. Silence swept the table like a wool blanket; after several seconds, the wool became a gag. Desdemona could feel it scratch her tongue, stop her breath, choke the life from her while Yumiwa ate as though she had won a great victory.

 

"So!" she finally exclaimed, trying to alleviate the residual traces of the expedition talk with something she knew would put her sister in a far more talkative, creative mood. "This party."

 

-Tyler

Edited April 11, 2014 by LONG LIVE TYLER

[Ghosthands]

IC:

 

"Yes, we are. Two of them, at least." Kagesu replied, watching as Oshi arrived. The trio present were truly an odd group; Enali, not yet out of her training, Oshi, the picture of a warrior, and Kagesu, a Menti who did not seem to fit the title. She shifted in her seat, turning to better face the others. Even though they were aware of her presence, she seemed to blend into the room's darker corners.

 

"To answer your question, Enali," She said, speaking again after a moment of quiet. Even her voice was soft, as though the speaker was used to being quiet. "We've been tasked with finding and learning about the Kanohi Dragons."

 

IC (Enali)

 

Enai's eyes widened in shock.

 

"...did you say dragons?!"

[They]

IC: Kwaiya, Gotsoko's Study, (the Imperial Library, Sado)

 

Kwaiya left the two datsue to mumble amongst themselves about semantics. Her eyes flittered across the few books of paper interspersed among the many covers of crystal resonance shards, their covers peeling with age and spines cracking from overuse and abandon. She grabbed the closest one.

 

A History of Diet

Foods through the ages

Kwaiya felt at a loss as to why the lorekeeper had selected the volume with onionskin pages until she had almost ripped the table of contents off its binding. The book was fragile, with paper from onions instead of pulped hardwood, and the scents of sweat and soup stock wafted from the book in that order. She turned the page. And then turned another.

 

"I don't understand," Kwaiya finally said, catching the attention her peers. "What are these foods? I've never heard of them before."

 

IC: Kamari, Seafood Restaurant (Coliseum, Sado)

 

Many from the outlying islands who had never visited the capital believed the coliseum district was famous only for its sports. Kamari would laugh softly each time she encountered such simpletons before rectifying the error with a simple lesson on gourmet cuisine. The coliseum, with all its avid sport goers for paero and gladiator matches, Kamari would begin, created an infinite number of hungry bellies. And where there were hungry bellies, restaurants would surely follow. The palanquin moved at a fast clip, the bearers jogging with Kamari alongside them. Inside was Noshima, protected and away from view. Kamari's eyes roved the streets as they passed dashi and menti bowing their heads in respect and getting out of the way of the oncoming noble. Some recognized the clan crest, others simply gawked wide eyed at the small procession. With time they arrived at the restaurant.

 

:We are here, my Toroshu.: Kamari said softly with ideatalk.

 

IC: Koga, First Son Paero match (Coliseum, private arena, Sado)

 

Giving Seiryu a last pat on the shoulder, breaking the formal distance so often observed at court, Koga set off to join his teammates at the opposite side of the field.

 

OOC: Calling all first sons. If you are playing paero, assign your character to a side and let's get this going. Once we quickly establish the teams we can kick off the game, get it over with, and then move on to this awesome PARTY!!! (Thanks Yumiwa.)

[25K Now!]

IC: Noshima

 

Noshima nodded, gracefully stepping out of the palanquin to observe her surroundings. Nothing out of the ordinary. Good.

[EmperorWhenua]

Ic:

 

The talk of politics was like water under the bridge to me by that point—if my sister didn't have any more opinions about something then a conversation with her clearly was dead. The hole in interaction was adequately filled for me by content eating. Sandwiches and pastries and fruit before me vanished like magic as a great hunger overcame my body and I was sipping tea about as fast as Hanako could refill my cup. I liked this silence. Not only did I feel proud of successfully countering my sister's argument points but she wasn't changing the topic to something else she could potentially best me at. I invited my sis to join us for dinner and she was there with us, I just liked it without her being high and mighty. Most of my attention was payed to my food and not looking at Desdemona, though I did spare a glance at Hana and we smiled at the simplicity of the moment.

 

"So!" my sister suddenly exclaimed, probably trying to liven the room up by talking about something she knew would put me in a better mood: "This party."

 

"Mmhm, dugh yugh wand do com, doo?" I asked (despite still having food in my mouth) quickly in reply, not because I actually wanted her to come but out of familiar politeness. She'd get an invitation, too, of course, as she naturally held the status for it though I doubted she was much of a socialite (that's always been my thing). I swallowed an eyeroll as I thought to myself in dread, Here she goes again. Talking. I thought maybe she'd tell me how a party should be run or a more streamlined seating arrangement for dinner or something, though no, turns out she just wanted to know more about it.

 

And I happily obliged, mostly to just set the temperature of the room on my terms instead of hers. "We decided," I said, rapidly flicking a finger between Hana and I, "to hold it in the Dragon Hall, mostly because it's huge enough to contain the event. Besides, we rarely use that room much these days. I think the last time was uhhh the post-christening reception of the DIN* Yukanna? Yeah." The Dragon Hall, as it was known, was a vast and opulent rectangular ballroom with a giant vaulted ceiling and stepped balconies at either end lengthwise to emulate a ship's layout, so it was the natural choice to celebrate the flagship's reveal. As I recall, Commodore Ayiwah didn't handle the occasion too well and left early after causing an uncomfortable stir... but maybe she learned some social lessons by now? I decided to send her an invitation regardless. She was the naval commander and a relative, anyway.

 

"I hope to see a great bunch of people attend, of course. All the toroshu will get an invitation, as will their immediate family and every clan's First Son. Imperial courtiers will, too, and a bunch of VIPs of our clan like the commodore and the datsue cohort. I'm thinking we should also allow every holder to bring a guest—make a note of that, Hana, honey—so they can have their handmaiden or a relative attend with them."

 

It wasn't to guarantee a minimum attendance, particularly since there was no doubt in my mind that there would be a flood of people jumping to attend, especially from the First Sons. Though it was known between Umbraline and Fursic courts that Kuno and I were "arranged" (my god how I always loathed the thought) it wasn't something talked about beyond the diplomatic channel between our two clans, meaning every other clan still believed they had a chance at marrying into the Imperial Family since no official proclamation was made, meaning all the First Sons felt they could impress me enough to make one of them my consort and produce heirs of my own with them. It was every boy's dream, every mom's dream and every clan's dream. I wagered when a First Son will get their invite they'd drop their feeble mother like a stack of firewood just to race and answer my summons. Besides, it was almost a crime not to at least correspond to an imperial invitation. (It's good to be the chōjo sometimes.)

 

Anyway, as time went by the three of us talked about the party, though it was mostly Hana and I rattling off ideas and facts about the planning to Desde who, despite her intelligence, seemed to get lost in the variety of information being tossed about. She even managed to contribute a few ideas of her own, some of which I liked enough to include. We ended our little assembly by nightfall and it was Hanako who reminded us of the investigation she and my sister initiated. And so we got up, Hana wrapped me in my full-length red cloak in preparation for the chilly nighttime air, and the table was left to the servants to clean.

 

"Okay," I suggested, "I think we should start out in the cell our girl was held in." I shrugged casually as we walked down a breezeway back to the Gardens and tacked on, "It wouldn't hurt."

 

Ooc: * DIN = Dasaka Imperial Navy

Edited April 12, 2014 by Jenny Quantum

[Observedhalo]

IC: Ahrusa

 

After the open debate this morning, the people of the Market resumed their normal behaviour. Ahrusa had no doubt in her mind that it was initiated by her own clan. The crowd had long dissipated, and Ahrusa carried on with her business. Feeling hungry, she walked over to a close by food stall, when she noticed the Toroshu of Clan Vadiru passing by. "It looks like everyone is here today", Ahrusa thought to herself. She had come from the food stall, having been sitting at a table with another. A simple commoner, not in any way noteworthy, and yet Ahrusa felt compelled to pursue her. After a while shadowing the Dasaka, she decided to converse. "Um, excuse me. Where you just talking with Toroshu Celis?" She did not know how to address serf, making it come out very clumsily and unprofessional.

 

OOC: You're up, Onaku

Edited April 12, 2014 by Observedhalo

[Ghosthands]

IC (Tazera)

 

The lieutenant, being the military woman that she was, cut a different figure as she walked to the courtiers and minor nobles that thronged through the lower halls of the Imperial Palace. Her gait was purposeful, decisive, but rough around the edges and less refined (or, alternatively, pompous) than the majority of the Dasaka that walked their criss-crossing paths in the crystal halls.

 

Tazera was a sailor and a soldier. She wasn't political but practical, having spent most of her time at sea - a whole other world to the spires of Sado. She allowed herself a private smirk at the thought of these fancy-pants folk trying to cope on the deck of a ship, struggling to get their sea-legs and finding out the hard way that you can't sweet-talk a flailing lanyard. She could handle herself in their world, but could they handle themselves in hers?

 

But she doubted she'd ever get the chance to properly see that in practice. Too bad. Back to the mission at hand.

 

She'd tailed the Menti back to her home; it hadn't been too hard. She hadn't taken too much care to avoid attention as she fled from the debate she'd begun, so following her hadn't been difficult. To the crowd, Tazera was just an Imperial Navy officer on shore leave - not a spectacle by any means, but enough of a presence to make passers-by subconsciously give her a little space and make her forward progress less hampered. On reaching the Menti's abode, she'd quickly noted down the address on a slip of coarse papyrus from her belt-pouch. Then there was the matter of the Menti's identity. Well, how better to find out than to ask the neighbours?

 

An obliging Dashi had provided her with the information she sought.

 

"Oh, that's Nihi. She's a warrior; went on some important expedition a few weeks ago, or so I heard. Mostly keeps herself to herself these days, when she's not visiting her poor sister. Nihi hasn't been quite the same since the day those foreigners escaped, you know..."

 

Tazera had asked about said sister, but all the Dashi could tell her was that she was ambiguously 'sick'.

 

Now she had a name and address to a face, and an inkling of personality to boot, and without further ado she'd double-timed up to the Palace to rendezvous with Ayiwah. Maybe she'd get some actual shore leave once this was done...

 

And there she was, coming down the steps. She'd know those epaulets anywhere.

 

:Aya!: she called over the mental plane.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Geisthande

[Onaku]

IC: Esaika

 

"Um, excuse me. Were you just talking to Toroshu Celis?"

 

Esaika turned around to see a dasaka wearing a Kualsi. She was clearly of the Fursic clan, her clothing detailed with buttons bearing its insignia. "Yes? What is it to you?" This wasn't over yet, it seemed. Although it was in no way apparent, Esaika prepared herself for conflict.

[Constructelf]

IC Seiyru

"Okay then..." Seiyru walked over to his side of the field, still quite confused. "I don't really get it; maybe I'll just watch for the first bit?" Already he could feel the heat of the sun burning his skin; he wanted nothing more than to throw hi robes over his head and sit in the shade. Shame that he just couldn't do that right now; propriety and all that. "As soon as this ends," he thought bitterly to himself, "I am going back home and locking myself in the study. I've had enough of the outside for a lifetime!" Then there was the matter of the Yamada faction; they had traced the assassin to one of their members, which meant that they were getting ready for something or something, and they were Fursic aligned to boot! "Please let the university be safe, please let the university be safe, ooh, this is bad. How much longer do I have to be out here..." Of course, he was thinking all of that to himself; if anybody heard him saying those words aloud, they would have thought him a madman. Or was he already one?

[Ghosthands]

IC (Gotsoko)

 

Gotsoko peered over at the book Kwaiya had retrieved.

 

"Ah yes, Kesari's History of Diet," she said. "You have not heard of those dishes, my dear, because they have not been eaten in the Empire for nigh on a millennium, except as curiosities."

 

She shook her head at the book.

 

"Kesari was an eccentric one...insisted on having her books inscribed on materials related to the subject matter. For your own sake, Kwaiya, I hope you never have reason to consult her maps of the city's sewer network..."

 

She cleared her throat.

 

"But enough delay."

 

She patted the pile of volumes on her desk.

 

"I have here, I think, all the information we desire," she said. "I have had many long years to study whatever knowledge I wished here, and so it is not the first time I have read some of these books - but even I have read only a fraction of the contents of this great Library."

 

Her eye twinkled.

 

"It may be that we will discover things that no living mind has heard."

[Observedhalo]

IC: Ahrusa

 

Ahrusa sized up the Dasaka. She seemed unruly, not speaking in a respectful manner to her superiors. Her appearance was nothing special, looking similar to any other Dasaka of her class. "I just find it peculiar that a Toroshu was had sat down and had a conversation with a Ringti. Tell me, what Clan are you a member of?"

[Geardirector]

IC: Eiyu Ankora (Gotsoko's Study)

"Kesari was an eccentric one...insisted on having her books inscribed on materials related to the subject matter. For your own sake, Kwaiya, I hope you never have reason to consult her maps of the city's sewer network..."

 

"Without a doubt the most pointless book since "How to Speak Vulgar Taa" was translated... into Vulgar Taa" Ankora agreed with a nod as Kwaiya rejoined them.

Gotsoko continued with a quint little ditty on knowledge that left Ankora bemused, though she didn't show it.

"Knowledge for knowledge's sake" she summarized, "don't we all want that to be the actual reason?"

Edited April 13, 2014 by Geardirector

[Toa Fanixe]

IC:

 

 

Kulrik enjoyed the serenity of their surroundings, the birdsong and and natural beauty of the land harkening him back to charm of his native Oki. It wasn't quite the same, lacking a certain wildness to it, but as Kulrik closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, he delighted the opportunity Zuto-Nui had given him.

 

As he and Kilanya continued their ascent up the mountain, conversing about a range of topics, Kulrik decided he rather enjoyed the Toroshu's presence. She spoke to him much like an equal rather than a subject, as most Toroshu were oft to do. First Sons may have a cherished position in Kentoku society, but they still ranked lower than Toroshu on the social ladder, a fact which many of the insecure or pompous clan leader's delighted in reminding his gender. Kilanya, it seemed, was both secure in her position and level-headed enough to have pleasant conversation with the most handsome man in the Empire.

 

They stopped at the top of a hill, the soaring presence of Mt. Oshi not far in the distance.

 

"Quite a vista, isn't it?"

 

Kulrik looked downwards to the plains, and agreed. Such a sprawling view of the land was a rarity in all of Kentoku.

 

"Yes, it's quite magnificent. As are are you, Toroshu Kilanya."

 

Kulrik immeadietly regretted the words he'd uttered. The long walk and pleasant company had lulled him into a sense of security, and as a result he'd reverted back to his usual, womanizing self. He hadn't been lying - Kilanya was certainly beautiful, even if she wasn't a Vilda - but Kulrik had no desire to entangle himself with the higher echelons of society. It was far too dangerous, and Kulrik was rather fond of his freedom as a First Son. He didn't want to do anything that might jeopardize that freedom.

 

He hoped the Ageru Toroshu thought it a simple complement, and nothing else.

 

Then, the earth began to shake.

 

Nearby birds squawked and took flight while landlocked animals roared, groaned and screamed. Small boulders were dislodged from the mountain, tumbling down the hill only to smash into trees in the valley below. Kulrik and Kilanya flailed their arms, trying to steady themselves as the land moved and acted on its own accord.

 

Then it stopped.

 

"Did you feel that, or was it just me?" Kulrik asked quietly, as if too loud a sound might trigger another earthquake.

 

Suddenly a great furrow appeared, earth collapsing and falling in on itself. It advanced in a straight line, cutting across the hill and swallowing everything in it's path and leaving a deep trench in it's wake. Kulrik saw it heading straight for Toroshu Kilanya.

 

The Vilda First Son jumped forward, hoping to push the Toroshu out of the way, but he was too slow. The earth buckled beneath Kilanya and gave way. The Toroshu fell into the earth's maw, and Kulrik followed in after her.

 

...

 

 

The dust settled.

 

They were underground, in some sort of tunnel. One side was collapsed, a wall of earth and rock blocking the way, but the other extended deeper into the ground, and from it emanated the faintest glow of blue. Every dozen feet or so a small, clear crystal adorned the passage walls', otherwise undetectable except for the peculiar way it caught the ephemeral glare, reflecting a point of light.

 

Kilanya lay on the floor, Kulrik knelt over her and arms upraised, having tried to protect the Toroshu from falling debris. He had, as evidenced by the dozen rocks of various sizes on the floor beside him and the bruises across his back. After everything had stopped moving, he held out a hand.

 

"Are you ok?" Kulrik asked Toroshu Kilanya.

[Ghosthands]

IC (Kilanya)

 

Kulrik's compliment would have elicited Kilanya's most arched eyebrow yet, had a natural disaster not intervened. As the ground yawned open beneath their feet, the Toroshu, try as she might, could not stop herself from falling into the fissure.

 

The ground rushed up to meet her.

 

***

Kilanya groaned as she came to, pushing herself up from the uneven rubble cast down by the earthquake. She found Kulrik offering his hand, and took it, pulling herself upright.

 

"It's nothing," she assured him, shaking the last of the dizziness from her head. She cast her eyes about the gloom of the tunnel, taking in her surroundings. "What is this place...?"

 

She raised a hand, and her Soulsword flared into life, its ethereal glow granting the two Dasaka a little more illumination. The Toroshu frowned. Those crystals on the walls...they were too regular.

 

"I have a feeling we're not the first to have been here."

Edited April 13, 2014 by Geisthande

[Toa Fanixe]

IC:

 

Kulrik summoned a Soulsword of his own, more to reassure himself by having a weapon in his hand than to provide light.

 

He walked over and inspected the tunnel wall, and one of the crystals embedded in it. Kulrik stroked the crystal, removing a thick layer of dust as he did so.

 

"We most certainly are not. This tunnel isn't natural; it was purposefully dug out, along with places for the crystals. They look like they might have been lightstones once, but if they were, they were extinguished long ago."

 

Kulrik pointed his Soulsword at the ceiling.

 

"My aide Seigyo will have seen us fall into the earth, and will be back with Ageru to dig us out. But it'll take some time... the ground here isn't stable, and a pickaxe in the wrong place could cause further collapse.

 

"We should head that way" Kulrik nodded in the direction of the faint blue light. "It seems the land there is more secure, and it's our best chance to find a way out."

 

Toroshu Kilanya agreed, and the pair began walking down the underground shaft.

 

"This tunnel is built on-, under" Kulrik corrected himself, "Ageru land; are you sure you've never heard of it? Could it be some old Ageru mining project?"

Edited April 13, 2014 by Toa Fanixe

[Ghosthands]

IC (Kilanya)

 

Kilanya shook her head.

 

"Odaiba has fertile soil, but she is barren of minerals," she explained. "Prospectors gave up here long ago. And even so, we would never dig so near the mountain."

[Toa Fanixe]

IC:

 

It was quite the conundrum.

 

If what Kilanya said was true, then the existence of the tunnel should have been near impossible. To have built something of this scope without the knowledge of Ageru was absurd, and this close to Mt. Oshi... they could have awoken the dragons, which Kulrik realized was what the Toroshu had been referring to.

 

There was the possibility Kilanya was lying... Kulrik stole a glance at her as the pair marched on. No, he thought, there's nothing to be gained by keeping this a secret. None that I could fathom anyways.

 

...

 

Time was stolen in the darkness, and Kulrik could not longer tell how long they'd been in the tunnel. An hour may have passed, or a dozen. The tunnel did not split or turn, and for that Kulrik was thankful. To be lost underground would have made their chances of survival slim indeed. No matter how far they travelled, always the blue light seemed just up ahead, but was ever unattainable. Kulrik sighed. At least he'd eaten a good breakfast.

 

....

 

An eternity later, the blue light finally grew in intensity. Kulrik and Kilanya exchanged a glance, and understanding passed between them. There was no telling what they would encounter. The two Menti continued walking, the tunnel widening on either side. Then there was a sloped wall of solid crystal.

 

The wall was part of a larger structure, a hollow dome of crystal that was itself housed in a huge, natural cavern. Blue lightstones adorned the wall, roof and floor of the cave, and they all shone with an intense blue light, the source of illumination that the Dasaka had seen before. How they were still active though, when the all the ones in tunnel had died, seemed strange to the Kulrik.

 

On the other side of the wall, inside the crystal dome, Kulrik could make out the form of various objects. In the centre was what appeared to be some sort of altar, or pedestal maybe, and a long, thin object lay at the top. There were a few bookcases by one wall, and a desk nearby. Opposite the desk was a device, although it appeared smashed and broken. And on the other side of the room was a bed, wardrobe and what Kulrik thought was a crude fridge and stove.

 

All of that, on the other side of the wall.

 

Kulrik inspected the glass partition. Waist-high were two vertical slits, each the length and width to fit a sword.

 

"What do you think?" Kulrik asked Kilanya, pointing out the two holes. "It could be some sort of lock mechanism, a trap or both."