Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 1: Atsumari/Gathering

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

Seichiro bowed to the defeated Crab, and would put his sword back in the scabbard. He sighed, then walked back to the Lion tent, where he sat, thinking about the tournament, and reflecting on the fights he witnessed, trying to learn about them.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Martial Duels:



After Kagae would be escorted off for treatment, Seppun Benjiro would step forth.

"Thank you, one and all, who decided to put your lives on the line today. This day allowed us to see a display of some of the greatest up-and-comers in all of your Clans. Seldom do such gatherings proceed as nobly as this one; and for that, I am honored. As should all of you be."

Seppun Benjiro would then turn to Seichiro, and would bow before him. "By a test of steel and wits, you have shown that your mastery as a samurai warrior is considerable. Great things are in your future, Matsu Seichiro. Your victory speaks volumes of the skill possessed by your Clan. With time, you will sharpen this skill to the keenest edge. Congratulations for winning the Martial Duel."

The following characters would receive the listed benefits for their efforts in competing in this part of the tournament:

Matsu Seichiro - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Martial Duel; 1 additional point of Glory for winning the Martial Duel. 1 point of Honor for showing sincere courtesy to your rivals.
Kaiu Kagae - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Martial Duel. 3 points of Honor for showing sincere courtesy to your rivals.
Bayushi Kojiro - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Martial Duel. 5 points of Honor for showing sincere courtesy to your rivals.
Kakita Zanzen - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Martial Duel. 1 point of Honor for showing sincere courtesy to your rivals.
Ujina Denbe - 1 point of Glory for competing in the Martial Duel. 3 points of Honor for showing sincere courtesy to your rivals.

Note that a point of glory, status, or honor is 0.1; a rank of glory, status, or honor is 1.0  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Courtier Debates:



Not too terribly long after the Mantis courtier left the Debate Hall, Ide Jiro would be the next to vacate the premises. He wasn't as cheerful, but he didn't seem all that down either. He would pause and nod to Hisashi, before continuing on his way back to the Unicorn tent.

After nearly half an hour later, the runner-up would leave the chambers. As the door slid open, the aged monk Kan would step forward, his eyes closed deep in thought. He would look up to notice Hisashi, and smiled gently to the younger man.

"Greetings, Hisashi-san. I'm afraid I wasn't quite as victorious as I wish I could have been. Koan is a man of much potential to be a great man, or a terrible one. He was too much for Jiro or I to handle."  

[Plainsfox]

@ The Scorpion Tent

Kojiro picked up his book and drummed against the cover. "It seems we let ourselves be mismatched, Naizen." Kojiro turned his head away. I wonder if there would be a way to learn of the up coming events so that we could match ourselves to them more easily."

The Bayushi shrugged. "It sounds like a simple secret, and we are nothing, if not collectors of secrets. However, if we are to bring attention to ourselves honorably, then we should pray to our ancestors that such events will allow us to show case the skills learned by the emperor's underhand."

The Scorpion made sure he was presentable before leaving the tent. "I'm going for some tea. Can I get you anything?"  

[Sutiiven]

Rain Yupa

@ Courtier Debates:"Greetings, Hisashi-san. I'm afraid I wasn't quite as victorious as I wish I could have been. Koan is a man of much potential to be a great man, or a terrible one. He was too much for Jiro or I to handle."

The mantis bowed politely to the monk respectfully. "I am sure you argued valiantly, Kan-san. I am deeply sorry that I was unable to continue with you and Jiro-san." He glanced off into the distance slightly, clearly bothered by something. "The words that Koan spoke were... exceptionally harsh. I cannot believe he would play so dirty - and to think that it is my people that are considered the questionable ones."

Taking another moment to think, he paused, then bowed politely to Kan again. "At any rate, I wish you the best over the coming days. Perhaps we will best Koan at a later date."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Courtier Debates:

Kan would shake his head at Hisashi's response, as if in disagreement. "Be mindful of others, Hisashi-san. Koan is but one man. He is a Crane, not the Crane; just as you are a Mantis, not the Mantis. If you allow yourself to be drawn into a world of stereotypes, you will be playing into Koan's hands."

He would turn and gesture towards the debate hall behind him with an open palm, giving a concerned look to the Mantis. "After Koan leaves, Lady Kita would like to speak with you in private. If you excuse me, I must give the message to the other competitors as well." Kan would say, bowing his head if Hisashi would give him his leave.  

[Mongooseh]

"Heh... I am sorry that I didn't claim this victory for the crab..." he would sigh and catch his breath seeing as it was hard to breathe with a massive gash on his chest, "I am grateful of your praise... Do not mistake that... But I think it would be better for me to rest... Though I probably have some apologies... To say tomorrow... I am not sure... If one of you would be so willing... Could you go find out why... That unicorn was so angry at me? I would be in your debt... If you could express... My apologies if I had offended her..."

With this said he would lay down and rest till he was disturbed or otherwise something was brought to his attention.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Tent:

Naizen would shake his head in response to Kojiro's offer. "I'll see what I can find out. But the tournament must have been designed prior to the arrival of the Magistrates, so I do not know what I will be able to find out."

Whenever Kojiro would return to the tent, he would find Naizen missing.

--------------------

@ Crab Tent:

As Kagae would begin to fall asleep, Hogai would give a concerned look to Kaori, who did not take her eyes off of Kagae. Then he would black out.  

[Sutiiven]

Rain Yupa

@ Courtier Debates:

"Be mindful of others, Hisashi-san. Koan is but one man. He is a Crane, not the Crane; just as you are a Mantis, not the Mantis. If you allow yourself to be drawn into a world of stereotypes, you will be playing into Koan's hands."

"After Koan leaves, Lady Kita would like to speak with you in private. If you excuse me, I must give the message to the other competitors as well."

Hisashi pondered the words of the wise monk, and bowed politely. "Thank you very much, Kan-san. I shall heed your advice, and look forward to speaking with you again."

With that, he would await the victorious Doji Koan's exit as Kan left. He was curious to see what Doji Kita had to say that required their private attention.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Courtier Debates:

If Koan even noticed Hisashi upon his egress, he didn't acknowledge the Mantis, and victoriously strolled towards the tent of his own Clan. Upon entering the nigh-empty debate hall, Doji Kita was still sitting in her same spot, at the head of the table. Several plates and bowls were being cleaned up by servants, though a bowl of rice still remained at the Mantis's spot. It was also not as cool as it should have been if it had been sitting there unattended since his exit.

"Come. Sit." she would gesture to the young courtier, her hand guiding his attention to his vacated seat.

"I am sorry that you were unable to join us for dinner. My servants still made enough rice for the final four, so it would have been a shame to let yours go to waste. Please, eat."  

[Sutiiven]

The mantis bowed politely towards Doji Kita and took his seat as instructed. "Arigato, Kita-sama." He would take up his meal and begin to eat, politely taking a few bites and swallowing before returning the bowl to its resting place and speaking again. "I beg your forgiveness of my curiosity, but may I inquire as to the purpose of this private conversation?"

The mantis was not one to beat about the bush unless it was entirely necessary. The fact that the judge of the event wished to speak with him (and indeed, the rest of the unsuccessful participants) confused him. He wished not to dwell on the why, and decided the direct approach to be most appropriate.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Post-Courtier Debate:

Kita would smile somewhat upon Hisashi's inquiry, but she wouldn't respond immediately. She would seemingly wait patiently for the most opportune time to speak. Or perhaps, the most opportune time for Hisashi to listen.

"Tell me. What did you think of tonight's debate, Hisashi-san?" would be all she would say in response; a question to answer a question.  

[Sutiiven]

Rain Yupa

@ Post-Courtier Debate:

Kita would smile somewhat upon Hisashi's inquiry, but she wouldn't respond immediately. She would seemingly wait patiently for the most opportune time to speak. Or perhaps, the most opportune time for Hisashi to listen.

"Tell me. What did you think of tonight's debate, Hisashi-san?" would be all she would say in response; a question to answer a question.

Hisashi was slightly confused at the question, but tried his best to formulate an honest answer. "It was... interesting. A challenging battle of wits and words. Enjoyable, to a point. That however is merely a result of my own inadequacies - I felt that you handled the event in an exceptional manner, Kita-sama." With this he gave a polite bow. He wasn't attempting to flatter her; he was genuinely impressed at how the event played out with her in control. It was the very reason he decided it best to bow out when he did rather than run the risk of drawing her wrath.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Post-Courtier Debate:

Kita would close her eyes and wave dismissively. "I did not summon you here to have my ego stroked. This is about you, not me." she would emphasize. She spoke as if she DID know the true intentions of Hisashi's words, but said this, as if it was a hurdle she felt she needed to cross.

"I do have one more question for you, then you can be dismissed for the rest of the evening. And think carefully before you answer, Yoritomo Hisashi: What is your take on the state of affairs of Rokugan, today?"  

[Sutiiven]

Rain Yupa

@ Post-Courtier Debate:

"I do have one more question for you, then you can be dismissed for the rest of the evening. And think carefully before you answer, Yoritomo Hisashi: What is your take on the state of affairs of Rokugan, today?"

Hisashi stared at the bowl of rice before him in thought. His mind swirled with the chaotic events within his homeland - it had been a mess since before he had been born, as far as he could recall. It was a troubling state of affairs.

"We are... in troubled times, Kita-sama. We are not acting as a proud empire should. I cannot forsee the outcome, but I pray that someday we will be able to overcome ourselves and become the truly great nation that we claim to be." He would look up at Kita and give a genuinely tired but soft and hopeful smile. "I would gladly break my bow in twain and cut out my tongue to see my homeland a peaceful and prosperous place for at least once in my lifetime."