Words of Replicant Jesus

15^th of the Dragon 1172 IC, Pale Oak Castle, home of Asako Shizu, Phoenix Daimyo

The crowd of samurai was abuzz with activity, samurai from various clans all across the empire milled about in conversation.  Amidst the crowd was Bayushi Shiatari looking painfully out of place and hoping to stay unnoticed as she tried to find Agasha Ayame, husband to her new lord and master for the next year or so.

“Excuse me lady?” a young girl’s voice called up to her, tugging on her kimono sleeve.

Shiatari glances down, her scorpion styled mask, covering the upper part of her face.  She sighs inwardly and replies tersely, “Leave me alone, child.”

“Are you a Scorpion?” the little girl asks.

“Yes, now leave me alone,” Shiatari hisses.

“Why are Scorpion so mean?  Are you a mean lady?  What is your name?  My name is Sukime, nice to meet you,” the little girl replies with a sweet smile.  She is a pretty young girl with fine features and a mischievous energetic nature.

Shiatari tries to look away, “You don’t need to know my name.”

“Sukime-chan, you shouldn’t run off like that,” Agasha Mayako shouts as she finally catches up to her younger sister.

“She won’t tell me her name, why is she being so mean big sister?” Sukime asks.

“It isn’t polite to bother strangers, Sukime, you know that,” Mayako speaks with an exasperated tone.

“Well she won’t tell me her name that’s rude,” Sukime pouts.

“My name is Bayushi Shiatari,” the Scorpion bushi speaks with a resigned sigh.

“Hi Shiatari-chan, nice to meet you, your pretty,” Sukime grins.

Mayako sends her younger sibling back to her mother and converses with the Scorpion bushi briefly about the Tournament, both eager to show their martial skills and bring honor to their respective clans.  In the midst of their conversation another bushi approaches, Suzume Takeshi of the Sparrow clan.  He is a handsome young poet warrior with the hair the shocking color of the sun, and an easy going attitude that seems at odds with many of the samurai currently gathered.

Takeshi introduces himself with a bow and a smile.  Initially both of the young samurai-ko are apprehensive of his motives but they warm up to the warrior poet quickly.  Takeshi grins as gestures at a Doji courtier, “Now this is just gossip of course but I hear that Doji Aiko-sama lost a son a few years ago to illness, and now many say that her house is cursed since has yet to produce another child.  I had no expected to see someone of his status here, interesting.”

[I was bringing in Shiatari’s Sworn Enemy disadvantage, Doji Aiko. –GM’s note]

Shiatari quips, “That isn’t what I heard.”

“Really Bayushi-san and what have you heard?” Takeshi returns his gaze to her interest.

“Oh nothing, really,” the young Scorpion bushi deflects the comment.

“Of course,” Takeshi responds not wishing to pry further, “I just hope that I can compete with such honorable and skilled samurai of the Great Clans and perform with honor and distinction.  Though to tell you the truth the martial pursuits are not my passion, I am a master of words and a skilled poet if I must say so myself.  My lord has given me permission to travel and work on my book, a collection of poems covering all the clans of our great land.  In fact this is my first time meeting a samurai of the Scorpion clan, and I am duly honored.”

“The honor is all mine,” Shiatari replies flatly.

Mayako smiles, “That sounds wonderful Suzume-san.”

“Please Takeshi is fine, we are all friends here,” the Sparrow bushi smiles.

“I wouldn’t say we are friends just yet, Suzume-san,” Shiatari responds.

The three samurai share pleasantries for a few moments longer before Takeshi takes his leave to visit with other samurai in attendance.  Leaving the two samurai-ko alone for the briefest of moments before they are approached by Mirumoto Rai, an equally young and inexperienced Dragon bushi.  He bows stiffly and speaks in an even tone, introducing himself as is proper for his station.  The greeting is brief before the young samurai leaves.

Mayako sighs scanning the room and is startled at the voice of her mother, holding a delicate fan with both the Phoenix mon and the Seppun mon displayed elegantly, “Mayako, we must retire and prepare ourselves for dinner tonight.  Bayushi-san you as well, you represent my husband’s house now.”

Shiatari is surprised at the introduction, “Agasha-sama, of course.”

The dinner is a sumptuous feast of steamed dishes and rice, with impeccable presentation.  Seated across from Mayako and Shiatari is the young samurai Takeshi, who grins at his luck.  The young Sparrow smiles as he sips his tea, “Benten must favor me tonight, to have placed me back in your presence this evening.”

“Hi Takeshi,” Shiatari greets the Sparrow bushi with a practiced smile.  The trio converse some more about the tournament until Asako Shizu-sama stands and offers his official greeting to the gathered samurai.

The older samurai is approaching the age of retirement, but he still retains his strength and determination and is more dedicated than ever to pursuing peace throughout the empire.  His warms take in the gathered guests and he gives a warm if heavy handed speech about the conflict between his clan and the Dragon, professing that only peace can ensure true victory.  Despite his message he can’t help but rest his eyes on envoys of the Dragon and the pro-war samurai of his clan.  His final announcement shocks the gathered samurai as he professes that this tournament will not test their martial skills but the skills of poetry, painting, dancing, and the tea ceremony.  Murmurs and frantic whispers spread through the hall.

Takeshi grins with delight as Shiatari and Mayako share concerned glances, neither is well schooled in those softer arts.  Shizu-sama then raises his cup of sake, causing the hall to silence and follow suit, “For the Empress!”

Mayako peaks to Takeshi, “Takeshi-san would you like to go for a walk after dinner and tell us about your poetry?  I would love to hear more about it.”

Shiatari sensing her newfound companion’s intent follows suit, “We would both be honored if you would join us.”

The young Sparrow bushi gives in to their requests and spends the rest of the evening walking with the two samurai-ko explaining his philosophy of poetry and it relates to sword play and even given them a few off the cuff poems to impress them.  It turns out he is a very skilled poet but not as smooth with the women as he would like to be…

Shiatari slyly asks, “So where are you chambers in case we would like to learn more?”

“Umm… my chambers?  I mean of course, you can come by any time day or night, I would be happy to see you in my chambers, I mean happy to see you.  I mean,” he sighs and gives them the location with an awkward smile.

Both girls giggle and the young poet retires.

“So what do you say that we check out his chambers later tonight, and find some inspiration for our own poetry,” Shiatari whispers to her compatriot.

“You mean?” Mayako replies softly.

“3 AM meet outside his chambers, we can find what inspiration we need, are you in?” the Scorpion grins coyly.

“Of course!”

[I will admit I had not planned for this, but this turned out much better then I had hoped! – GM’s note]