Iron Hearts: Kameyama Jima
http://ironhearts2.fallenash.com/

Fire and Blood [D7, LN]
http://ironhearts2.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?f=163&t=999
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Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

His hunch had unveiled many secrets but the cost was beginning to creep on him. His hands had been left burned by the dying embers and where the fire had touched them blisters were left in painful reminder; furthermore, the abuse of aguardiente to numb the pain had left his head and stomach touched adding to the general feeling of malaise.

He stumbled towards the hearthroom, grabbing a bottle of ardo and slumping on his bergere as he clumsily uncorked it. He had to numb the pain until his savior would arrive and the tart taste of ardo beltza would do fine until she delivered him from the pain.

His gaze turned to the flames. He rose his bottle in a toast. "FIRE AND BLOOD," he laughed crazily. Blood would flood the world.

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

It had been upsetting to get a messenger at the door in the middle of the night just when she and Kenzo were about to go to sleep, and upon hearing who were calling for medical assistance, Utsusemi was feeling more inclined to just let the idiot wait until morning.

But she felt pity for the poor messenger who would probably get the heat if he returned empty-handed, so with some annoyance the two Dragons dressed and headed over to the eastern port. She didn't trust Zabieru, but she also didn't want to draw his ire unnescessarily if she could avoid it, and at least convinced Kenzo to wait outside.

I just hope I don't have to scream for help... that this isn't some stupid trap we're walking into.

It didn't help either that Zabieru's estate looked even scarier now in the darkness of the night, and she hoped Kenzo would be safe as she stepped up to the entrance of the Tortoise's home and pushed the door open.

Author:  Mirumoto Kenzo [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

Little dark circles underneath Kenzo's eyes showed his beginning fatigue, but he was otherwise alert. He gave her a solemn nod as she reached the entrance.

"I'll be here if you need me." He said, bowing. He straightened, his eyes seeking hers. "Take care, Utsu-sama." A quirk of his lips for her was all he could show in public like this.

He took up his position at the entrance, waiting and ready.

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

The estate seemed to be more ominous in the dead of the night. The ocean wind rustled through the imposing oaks leaves, creating a distant dirge that made one think about the purpose of the trees. Furthermore, the moonlight reflected on the stones of the house, a waxy glare giving an eerie shine to the estate that combined perfectly with the wind.

Kenzo would be lead to the larder where warm food and drink would be given if he so desired, whilst the Lady Uxue would be lead towards the room she had been there last. A perceptive eye could see that the person leading her seemed very similar to one of the sailors, but then again all gaijin look the same. Once she arrived the man left as he had escorted her, silently.

The room was even dimmer than the last time. A slow fire provided the only illumination in the room and the shadows cast by the flame created playful shadows in the corners of the room. Sitting next to the fire was the infamous Tortoise, a half-empty bottle of what could only be alcohol dangling from his right hand. He had foregone his rokugani clothes and instead was clad in a comfortable white blouse and blood red pants, a very typical Merenese fashion. His hands were bandaged and spots of brownish red indicated dried blood.

The man slowly turned to her, the twilight causing his face to appear even more feral, his green eyes shining with unknown emotions and his hirsute beard parting as he flashed his pearly whites in a grin. "Lady Uxue," he slurred and laughed. "An unusual time to be awake."

He was clearly tipsy.

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

The lady Uxue narrowed her eyes as she saw the familiar figure of the master of the house. She hardly had to look at him to guess he was drunk... the smell of alcohol seemed to hang in the air. "A messenger came, saying you were hurt." Her accent was still quite noticeable, each word was crisp and clear like a morning and still seemed to have some of that Doji-quality to it even when she was speaking a foreign tongue. And I seem to be the only one who has bothered to help the wounded ones among the explorers.

She tilted her head, noticing the bandaged hands. "What happened?"

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

He stood up with a leap and took a healthy gulp from the bottle. "The pursuit of knowledge is not without perils," he laughed in a low, almost grow like, chuckle. He was clearly more than the 'poor little courtier' he had described himself, his body was athletic and practiced, clear evidence that the man was not a sedentary courtier; additionally his movements during the duel and the way he almost prowled while moving dismantled any doubt that the man was experienced in killing.

"Do you like stories Lady Uxue?" he grinned before slumping on his chair again, gesturing towards an empty chair next to him.

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

She eyed him carefully, feeling a little bit like an animal that was trying to decide of an offer was safe or just a trap. For now, she warily approached towards the offered seat.

"You can tell your stories while I examine your hands. I should be asleep, as should probably you," she said, letting her annoyance show through a little in her speech. The satchel was eased off her shoulder as she sat.

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"You mean to tell me you weren't already sleeping?" he laughed at again as he handed her the hand. "Not me. Sleeping safe and soundly. Feeling as fresh as a daisy."

"You will like this story though. It has everything."

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"I was just about to sleep after a long day when your messenger came," she said, not looking at him as she was setting out the box with her medical supplies. Like a daisy if someone emptied a bottle of shochu on it, I imagine.

Still, she was surprisingly careful and gentle when she took his hand in hers and began to remove the bandage. "You did a rather poor job..." Utsusemi commented with a critical eye. What good did bandaging do if he didn't treat the actual damage? "But go ahead. I will listen."

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

His hand was covered in blisters, some of them open. The bandages, and his skin smelt like strong alcohol most likely used in order to keep the wounds clean, as the bandages smelled similarly. His hands were calloused, once again proving that he was no courtier.

"Fortunate that I got you before you went to sleep," he hummed. "Though it still quite late to sleep," his smile widened into an almost predatory grin. "Lady Uxue must hate this no? I mean, I'm not stupid. I've noticed how you look at me. You really are a paragon of patience and decorum, aren't you?"

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

His predatory grin was met with a perfectly neutral, if slightly unamused, expression. She recoiled slightly at the sight of the injury to his hands. What in Jigoku did he do to himself? Burnt and cut?

"A samurai must follow all tenets of Bushido, Muhaki-san," she said, her hazel eyes shifting up to look at him briefly as she picked out a clean piece of cloth first along with a bottle of water. "That includes being courteous even to those you do not like, and to give aid to those who ask for it."

The cloth was soaked in water and she began to clean one hand first. It would hurt, but she gave him no warning about it. "Word is you won your duel this morning."

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

He became amused when she brought up Bushido. "Oh please," he did not react to the water, whether this was due to the alcohol or a high tolerance for pain it was not clear. "You could have waited until tomorrow. There was no need to brave the night for this."

If she wasn't looking she could feel the weight of his gaze as he scrutinized her. He was known for engaging in what best could be described as psychological warfare on people and Utsusemi's encounters with the man were sufficient proof to know that fame was well deserved. "Perhaps there is something that attracts you to me," his words were honeyed, his green eyes glinting with mischief. "Or perhaps I am projecting," a low chuckle. "It is hard to tell."

He shrugged as best as he could whilst having his hands restrained. "I guess so," he confirmed. "I guess the Fortunes saw fit to grant strength to a poor courtier like me," he commented in almost comical humility.

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"Don't be ridiculous," she shot back at his comment of her being attracted to him. "If you think so, you are delusional."

The feigned humility didn't earn him any accolades with her either, but he had won, so clearly the Fortunes disliked the Matsu more than the Tortoise. "Someone at least was favouring one over the other in the duel. Congratulations, I suppose, but you are hardly a poor or weak courtier."

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"Oh?" his eyebrow raised quizzically. "And what makes you say I'm not a weak?"

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Thu Nov 16, 2017 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

Utsusemi shot him a stern look. "You are reading too much into what I say. Because you are drunk."

Having at least rinsed his hands of the alcohol now, she looked away from him as she reached for a jar of salve. As the lid was removed, the air was filled with quite a sharp smell, but different from the alcohol. "Didn't you have a story to tell?"

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"Tipsy," he smirked. "Or perhaps this is all a trick. A ploy. A farce in which I portray the role of a drunk," he laughed. "Quite theatrical, don't you agree?"

"All in due time," he winked at her. "We have so much time. Although I hope I don't need to injure myself to enjoy more of your company."

"After all... you need to tell me why you don't think I'm weak."

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"No, I do not," she retorted quite firmly, still not meeting his gaze as her fingers were dipped in the strong-smelling salve. As she applied it to Zabieru's burnt hands, it felt like biting cold ice.

"I might not feel as benevolent next time you need my aid, if you continue to act like a fool."

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

"Please," he hummed, his eyes once more twinkling with mischief. "I am many things. A fool is not one of them Lady Uxue."

"But you know that don't you? Now. Honesty. That is also a virtue," he grinned. "What do you think of me."

Author:  Agasha Utsusemi [ Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

Utsusemi raised an eyebrow as she lifted her gaze from the business of applying the salve.

"Honestly? You are not half as clever as you think you are. Your display at the meeting yesterday was unbecoming of a samurai, because your penchant for theatrics backfire on you when you try to apply it in a meeting of people who know the game of Rokugani etiquette and politics better than you."

She smirked slightly but there was no warmth to the gesture. "Matsu-san might have lost the duel, but at least he has acted with honour and decorum... so in a way, you could say that you won the duel, but at a great cost. You are now after all on thin ice with his higness the Admiral."

Author:  Muhaki Zabieru [ Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Fire and Blood [D7, LN]

There was no anger in his eyes, nor he seemed to be annoyed by her reply. In fact, it seemed as if he had been expecting an answer like the one she gave him.

"Brilliant," he laughed once more. "I would clap but..." he gestured at his hands with his head. "That must have felt good. I bet you were saving that one."

"Mind if I add one of my insights? Just promise me you won't leave."

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