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Post by Shinwa on Jun 12, 2017 6:49:57 GMT 10
As Shiba Shou approaches, the ronin bows deeply, just as the others had. He takes in Ikoma Dorai with an assessing eye, but none could consider his greeting an affront. He is silent, his face still as the Master of the Void describes the wounds in reality. Shiba Shou is silent for a long time, before he said, "I am told it all goes back to the beginning. Again and again, stories and destiny both share path, a narrative, woven into the tapestry of creation and all Samurai's Dharma, and you must go back to the beginning to understand the end." Shinwa flinches.
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Post by M'thack-kir on Jun 12, 2017 10:11:11 GMT 10
Kiru bows even lower than the others do at the Master of Void's approach. He listens intently to this wise man, focusing on memorising every single word he utters.
Finally, he dares to speak himself.
"Ti-ikak, the beginning would be the Nezumi homeland on Rokugan. That is where Heaven fell and consumed the land in fire and darkness. But as that has since been purified, and Rokugan is nowhere near where the Seogka of Water was seen, where should The Warren travel to first?"
Shiba Itsuki, meanwhile, who had been ghostly pale before, acquires a full rosy colour in his cheeks at the arrival of the Master of Void and the Lion, noticeable a full ten seconds before the air kami in the area react and modify his skin tone to a gorgeous almond. He prostrates himself when Shiba Shou addresses the group, rising only when he is told to, but that moment of time isn't enough for him to sort through his many thoughts. Don't think anything. Don't think anything. Shou will hear you. Don't think anything!
"Ikoma-Ikoma can fit aboard, but it is tight," Kiru explains with some regret in his voice. "However, Itsuki has enough space in Itsuki's quarters for another, and can rearrange furniture very easily, ne. Is Ikoma-Ikoma okay with this?"
Itsuki's eyes widen in a semblance of fear for a full heartbeat before the air kami conceal this. Kiru! What are you doing?!
Kiru glances casually at his pilot, a gleam in his eye.
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 12, 2017 10:35:01 GMT 10
Tetsuko stands and bows to the Master of Void, but says nothing. She had done her part, but now was the time for orders.
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Post by emeralddragon on Jun 12, 2017 13:42:52 GMT 10
Shou is silent for a long moment, before he shook his head, frustration on his face for just a moment before it had vanished, "The Void is elusive and vague to all, and it tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. I cannot tell you where to begin, only that when all trails dry up and you need help seeing where to go next, it is the beginning that shall help reveal your path, and that casting your net into the past will yield more results then looking for newer information." Shou bows again, and then said, "Blessings of the Fortunes upon you all."
Honoka bowed once more, and replied, "And to you, Shiba-Dono."
Once the Shiba had left she returns to her desk, considering the words of the Elemental Master for quite some time. Just when it seems like she may have forgotten you, she said, "The Wisdom of Shiba-dono should be heeded, and I will consult some of the older texts, trying to see if we are wrong and the Great Kami faced the monsters that empower the Dark Fortunes in the first age. It is said that the Elemental Dragons did not need Oracles in the time of the first Emperor, for it was a far more divine and mystical time, so perhaps the same is true of these monsters."
"In the meantime, the starting point we do know of is destruction of the The Naleesh. The ship was victim of this monster, and while I highly doubt the Unicorn and Dragon simply stumbled upon the world that holds this new wound, it is possible that the world holds some clue to the origins of this creature."
The Asako falls silent, "of course, even with the monster dead, the Dragon Monk who survived the attack reported that a large amount of water Kansen were also present. Given that, the Inquisition wishes to gift you with fingers of Jade, Jade Powercells, and Agasha element shifting Nemuranai to turn your explosive rounds to jade. Such gifts should allow you to face most threats on the planets surface." Honoka looks towards Tetsuko and said, "However the news Hida-san brought is quite concerning. We do not have the time to re-equipt the Warren with Jade weaponry, nor is The Warren really designed to fight such a foe. It is not a failure of duty to retreat, if doing so will lead to a greater victory latter."
Rotating her computer screen, she showed them a star system. Temporarily named 'Imperial Exploration 2635-d' the star system featured a red dwarf, a single rocky planet, and three ice giants orbiting the system. The rocky planet was quite cold from the limited and incomplete data collected by the The Naleesh, however the surface still almost entirely covered with liquid water, with only a few volcanic islands breaking through the surface.
"A copy of what limited data we have on this star is available on this datastick," Honoka passes it to Kiru, before asking, "Is there any questions? Your travel papers will be issued at the end of the meeting."
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Post by M'thack-kir on Jun 12, 2017 13:56:23 GMT 10
Kiru nods in thanks and pockets the datastick. "No more questions from Kiru, Asako-Asako-Asako. Arigatou for the upgrade for Kiru's weapon."
He looks to the others, wondering if they have anything further to add.
"Asako-sama," Itsuki pipes up, knowing he has no choice, "this one does not have the prayer scroll for Jade Strike. Kiru-senchou doesn't ever ask me to leave the ship, but just in case...may I please have a copy made?"
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Post by Shinwa on Jun 12, 2017 22:50:54 GMT 10
Shinwa finally says, though the reluctance in his voice is clearly visible, "The jade powercells will fuel any radient or kinetic blade and radiant pistols or rifles...but.." He bows his head. "It is given to this one to bear a sacred blade, though it has never to my knowledge been put to such a test. This is a library with many things of old, and those with many skills in ancient things. If you wish my sword in your service, I give it. But if there are those still able to cast the blessings of Jade on steel, I would be forever grateful."
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Post by emeralddragon on Jun 13, 2017 0:13:31 GMT 10
"Of course Shiba-san. The possibility that something that could threaten you or the ship must be taken into consideration. It would not do to have you ill equipped," Honoka types something briefly into her datapad.
As Shinwa mentioned his question, Honoka's eyes brighten, "Shinwa-san, it would be my honor to bless your blade as such. Be it awakened during crafting or by deed, steel blades are far to rare. So many Nemurani were lost in the War of the Tao, never to be seen again," A second message gets sent out to, her hands moving over the screen rapidly, "Do you know its history, deeds or historic wielders? When, where and who made it? Or its Clan of Origin?" On the mention of the last one, she pauses, recognizing such inquiries may hurt the Ronin as few enter the lifestyle by choice. Still, even though she begins to restrain her questions, it is clear she is excited to hold this piece of history, and to learn its story.
A few moments latter, an Asako Librarian and one of the Shiba guards from outside approached the desk, the second looking uncomfortable. The Librarian bowed, before approaching the Itsuki and offering the Shugenja the scroll, "Let us hope you never have to use it Shiba-san." The Shiba guard on the other hand, offers the Katana, currently resting in a case, to Shinwa, "I am told by Asako-sama, that you need your Katana, Samurai-san. Please forgive me, for its polishing is not yet complete and thus to properly honor the Blade, we will need it back afterwards."
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Post by Ikoma Dorai on Jun 13, 2017 0:28:26 GMT 10
Ikoma Dorai shows about as much outward interest in the proceedings as Nanashi. He noticed, with respectful but subtle nods of his head, each of the others present. He seems entirely relaxed and at the same time alert--perhaps law enforcement or military training on display.
He does seem perplexed by the nezumi, but files it among the things about the Phoenix Clan he's just going to roll with. When addressed, he's concise: "Space is no problem for me. I'm not a fancy man. Room for my fighter is more concerning. I would hate"--he involuntarily flexes one hand--"to have to leave it."
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Post by M'thack-kir on Jun 13, 2017 0:30:51 GMT 10
Kiru waves a hand dismissively. "No problem, Ikoma! It can dock with The Warren when Ikoma wants to socialise or rest."
is Kiru glancing at Itsuki? No, of course not.
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Post by Shinwa on Jun 13, 2017 1:07:03 GMT 10
Shinwa answers, "It was my grandfather's sword. Its name is Totsuzen." Beyond that he answers none of the Inquisitor's questions, at least not questions made in casual inquiry, his lips pressed firmly shut with a tight and grim expression. If she were to exhert her authority, he might be compelled to say more. Or she certainly knows spells that reveal many things.
But that does not mean that the sword does not speak for itself.
The saya is lacquered to steel gray, but the lacquering has a crackle pattern underlaid with gold, and then lacquered clear over the top to a brilliant shine. The tsuba is of steel, also covered in gold, with a stylized design of a peony. The tsuka is wrapped with blue silk and black cording, though it has no sword charms affixed to the tsuka at present.
But the blade is even more spectacular when drawn.
The hamon is narrow, and fiercely bright, a flowery ripple of damascus marking the wickedly sharp edge. The body of the blade is a polished mirror, but the very observant can see that a water pattern has been worked into the steel sheathing over a weld-forged, rather than a fold-forged core. In ancient Rokugan, only meteoric iron had sufficient purity for weld-forging, though of course modern techniques can duplicate the strength, if, perhaps, not the spirit.
Overall the blade is built for speed, and is lighter than other blades.
A bushi skilled in the history of the sword might have a chance of recognizing such a creation.
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Post by emeralddragon on Jun 13, 2017 14:10:27 GMT 10
The Asako draws the sword carefully and looks over it. She clearly knows some stuff about such weapons, but to Shinwa at least, its clear that Honoka miss the mark and remains ignorance of its true origin, "Damascus steal...it is truly a beautiful creation. Such patterns are rare, far too rare, in this age, as people forget that the kami of a weapon can be awakened, making it far more powerful then even Radiant energy. It does however put an age range on it. The techniques that allowed this type of steel to be made came from the Ividni, however were lost during the Destroyer war. As such the Steel making techniques only became available after they were discovered by chance in the failed attempt to retake the Colonies in 1635. So it can't be older then that. And can't be any younger then the 1900s as our abilities and technology in that era advanced rapidly making it redundant."
She paused and looked over the Saya, clearly trying to find some sort of further hint to its age, to narrow the 300 year window down, "Of course their are rumors of clans having access to purer metals before then, from the Kaiu to the Tamori and Agasha, or even the Kakita, but if such blades exist, they are true relics of a bygone age, steel made pure by the kami themselves rather then the skill of the blacksmith. Awaken Metal, blessed by the kiss of the Stars, gifted to man by Tengoku, stories like that. If such a weapon made of tengoku blessed iron exists still it is locked away for true champions of the Clans, and almost certainly a Nemurani. Sadly I know to little to confirm such things, but I can't imagine such metal supplies lasted longer then the year 700 and certainly would have been taken away by Lady Sun like the Ancestral Swords. Truly ancient artifacts."
Looking slightly sad that her knowledge does not allow her to narrow that gap more then a 300 year range or even determine what Clan made it, and knowing she did not have time to send it to someone to properly identify it, looked at Shinwa and bowed once more, "Totsuzen is a beautiful weapon, Shinwa-san. I hope that my blessing is worthy of such a blade..." She stared at the blade that was at least, to her knowledge, over 1,000 years old, and murmured, "Imagine what stories it could tell." Finally she carefully pulls out the prayer scroll, as well as purifying salt, a finger of Jade, and blessed water before she begins to pray over the blade. This process takes quite some time, however by the end of it, the blade seems to posses a faint green sheen under certain lights, although the blue-grey of damascus still is more apparent.
Placing the blade back in the Saya, the Inquisitor bows to Shinwa once more and offers the blade back to her. "May it last another thousand years."
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Post by Ikoma Dorai on Jun 13, 2017 16:09:25 GMT 10
Kiru waves a hand dismissively. "No problem, Ikoma! It can dock with The Warren when Ikoma wants to socialise or rest." is Kiru glancing at Itsuki? No, of course not. Dorai nods--closer to a bow this time, but still not really there--in recognition. His voice hints at appreciation when he says, "Of course. Arigato."
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Post by Shinwa on Jun 13, 2017 23:19:07 GMT 10
Shinwa reverently accepts back the sword with a deep bow. "You honor both me and Totsuzen. I will always try to use it well. It has a striving spirit and will not rest until all its duties are done. Your blessings will help it achieve that duty. Thank you."
He then lays the sword back in the case to provide to the Shiba guardsmen for more 'cleaning' as requested.
Once it has gone, he says, "Then we resupply the Warren and navigate to 'Imperial Exploration 2635-d' to investigate for traces of a rift to Jigoku, or, barring that, hints that there has been passage to that world from another world, potentially deeper in the frontier, that might have led to that world. From there, we follow what leads we might find until such a rift is found, then report back with its location and what threats can be found there."
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Post by emeralddragon on Jun 14, 2017 4:15:44 GMT 10
The Asako listens to Shinwa's words, before nodding, "Exactly, Shinwa-san." A keystroke latter and those of them carrying datapads would feel them go off, "That contains any travel documents you may require, and a means to contact me should you need it. Do you have any further questions Minna-sama?"
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Post by M'thack-kir on Jun 14, 2017 9:59:59 GMT 10
As Kiru does not possess a datapad, he is fortunate his hatamoto Shiba Itsuki's kimono sleeve 'dings' to acknowledge the received email.
"Time to go," Kiru replies, confirming he has no further questions. He waits for the others to be ready to leave, too, and will bow low to the Inquisitor and cheerily lead the way out back to the speeder.
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