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Dangerous Conversationalist
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 Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:30 am
The Clan Estate of the Esteemed Aoibara Clan, Flowers of SeireiteiThe EstateHere in Seiretei, in one of the great places of beauty, is the Aoibara Clan Estate. A small castle befitting of a moderate noble Clan, the Estate is located on a great platform surrounded by water that protects the estate from invading forces. There is but one gate directly into the Estate, at the front of the raised platform. A bridge climbs across the water to reach this place. All around the estate is the property of the Aoibara Clan, a verdant green field with cherry blossom trees growing about, and all kinds of flowers to be found in the property's area. Within the estate, and on the grounds, is where the Aoibara congregate to do their duties, lounge about, and discuss the business of the day.Surrounding Fields and River AreaThe surrounding land of Aoibara Estate is beautiful and well kept, yet also it tends to feel a bit wild and fresh. The nature of the entire estate is simply that both nature and the hands of men and women have shaped this wonder of Seireitei, making it one of the most gorgeous landmarks the whole of Soul Society has to offer. While greater level nobles have more money, and more property, nobody makes a greener, prettier lawn than the Aoibara!Gatehouse and seperate propertyOutside of the main estate property are several small gatehouse type structures, which are the housing areas for those who do not wish to live in the castle. from one or two of the comfortable but compact homes, there are underground/underwater pathways from inside the estate basement. These server as escape routes for any of the Clan having to run from the castle. One of these small homes is purposefully kept far outside on the edge of the property, and while not run down, it is the least pretty of the areas. The Aoibara lend its condition to the entire property just being 'a bit too big to manage all the time', but the truth is, it's meant to make intruders ignore it, so it can be used as an escape route in necessary times.The inside of the main estate is opulent, but less so than that of a greater noble house. Every comfort in the world is extended to the guests of the Aoibara. The help staff containes a small cadre of gardeners, who assist the main family with tending the large yards of the estate beyond the lake that it sits upon. Several smaller gardens are used as meeting places. Once inside, the interior is decorated with flowers and plants of all kinds, all placed for fashion and exceptional flow of Chi by the principles of Feng Shui. The furniture is of good quality, but not overspent on. The first floor of the estate is mostly the guest's quarters, and main rooms such as the dining hall, entry hall, and kitchens. There is also a place to recieve and entertain guests here, a room for dancing and other such entertainment if important guests are being entertained.
The second floor is where the resource floors are. Here, the clan's account books, notes and traditions, Kidou secrets, plant and garden formulae, flower information, and other such things are kept. A good half of the second floor is a great library where all of the Clan's records and secrets are kept. The staff of the second floor consists mostly of bookkeepers, accountants, and library staff, as well as janitors. The other half of the building are the servant's living quarters for all of the maidservants, manservants, gardeners, and the aforementioned bookkeepers, accountants, and library staff. The janitors as well. The servant quarters are shared like dorms, but they are large enough that the servants have room to sleep and live, and they are treated well.
The final and third floor are the Noble Quarters. These are the lavish rooms for the family members. Currently, there are ten family members living in the estate. The members of the family that live in the estate are as follows:
Aoibara Sonki: Sonki Aoibara is the Male Head of Estate for the Aoibara Clan at this time. He is the deceased former Head of Estate's brother by blood, and Lady of the Estate's brother, by her marriage to his deceased brother, as well as Megumi, Yuri, and Shouken's Uncle. Sonki-sama is very obviously male, though he wears silken robes and has long hair, and soft features. Sonki is not a Shinigami himself, but it has been said he is an expert with many forms of Kidou.
Aoibara Chishio: Chishio Aoibara is the Lady Head of Estate for the Aoibara Clan at this time. Chishio married into the family, wed at the time to the former Male Head of Estate. After his death, Chishio-sama took over the affairs of the Estate, with the help of her brother by marriage, Sonki. Her eldest children, Yuri and Shouken, came from her marriage to the former Head of Estate. Her youngest son, Megumi, is the product of a forced liason who attacked her outside of Soul Society's main borders, but only the family knows of this. Chishio is a quiet, but caring woman, who is very shy around males who are not of her family, which is quite understandable.
Aoibara Yuri: The heir to the Estate and eldest son, Yuri is a quiet but passionate young man. Though he carries a feminine name, it is very easy to tell he is a male, and while soft of feature, he will not be mistaken for a woman anytime soon. Yuri has short black hair, and the golden eyes of his family. Though he does not resent Megumi because of his birth, Yuri is disgruntled and somewhat upset that Megumi managed to qualify for the Shinigami Academy, while Yuri himself did not. Still, while that strains their relationship some, it isn't enough to make Yuri hostile to him, and he recieves all guests and Megumi with a cool, but welcoming kindness.
Aoibara Shouken: The Elder Daughter, in fact the only daughter of the former head of estate, and the lady of the estate, Shouken is a happy, outgoing girl who always has her head in the clouds, or amongst a crowed of handsome young men. Shouken is very liberal with her flirtatiousness, to the point of being scolded at times by the Elders; she isn't as ladylike as they'd want, and she tends to think the doddering old men need to just shut up and enjoy life. Shouken has a talent for healing, and making things grow, and while she hasn't applied for the academy yet, if she does at all, she certainly has raw talent.
Aoibara Elders: These are simply adressed as Elder, Sensei, or Sir/Miss. They are the grandparents, or great-uncles and aunts of the Aoibara Clan. Nobody is sure where they fall in the lineage other than the family itself. There are a total of four of them, all from the early days of the Clan, and they oversee things. They can overtake the position of head of estate if need be, but things have never gotten so extreme that they've had to. They tend to stay out of affairs not involving other nobles.
The guards of the estate are shinigami of low to mid level, or armed guards who are taught a spear or sword style. More often than not, the guards live in a seperate barracks that is located on the grounds of the estate just for them. Both male and female guards are employed, and there is no rule about them fraternizing with each other or the servants, as long as all get their duties done promptly. There are a total of sixty guards over the entire estate. While this seems like very few for a large estate, most of them cover the main estate grounds. The Aoibara doubt anyone will pillage their roses.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:15 pm
arrow Estate Main Grounds
Megumi hums to himself, dragging his friend along with him, the tune he's humming hard to place, just some obscure tune he seems to know. He wonders to himself how his family will react when he brings a strange girl home..but then again, considering how he looks, they'll probably be more surprised it's a girl he brought home at all.
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:20 pm
arrow Estate Main Grounds
She allows herself to be dragged, of course, there isn't much in the way of protest from her, not a whole lot she could say. She seems to be somewhat in awe, at the size, and beauty of the estate.
"Megumi.. I.. dunno about this. Yer family. Will they mind me bein here?" there was a dubious look in her eyes, and she gave a slight tug backward, almost to remind him she was there. She'd never done well around nobility. In fact, he'd been the first, and only one she'd ever done well with. She would be a fool to admit that she wasn't nervous.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:50 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Fields
"Oh, don't be silly. The only ones that might say something are the elders, and the only time they even say anything is just in advisement, or when there's a problem so big the entire well being of the estate is in jeapordy. More than likely, if my uncle is home, he might just give you the look-over, but most likely he's out doing things. Mother is a wonderful person, really..a little shy around most men..but still."
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:01 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Fields
"So yer tellen me they ain't gunna say a word?" she gave him a puzzled look, still leaning into his hand, trying to give him a slight tug. Yeah, there's no question she's almost second guessing her decision to accompany you. Who wouldn't be?
"Well, if ya say so." that reserved look, moving to catch up to even footing with him.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:42 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Side Fields
"You're an academy student. In the academy, everyone is equal, really. So it doesn't matter what or where you come from, all that matters is that you're a student just like I am. We're on the same level once we're there, right? I mean, besides. It's not like I'm taking you home to marry you. We're going to be doing some training while the teachers are shuffled around a bit, on top of the fact that we have guests all the time. In fact, we've had occasions and events where we've given jobs and such as guards to those less fortunate. My mother says that giving someone who is poor money or food will preserve them for one day, but letting them work for their meal will last all of their life, and keep them out of the alleys to boot."
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:05 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Side Fields
She seemed to bristle at that stark reminder of her own background. The tension could be felt in her entire body, all the way down to the tips of her fingers, as she gave him an almost forced smile.
"Yeah, that's true. So, lets get going." and her fingers untangled from his own, as she made her way up beside him, intending to head with him wherever he may lead her. Yeah, there was an underlying bitterness there. Nobles got to sit in their houses all day, while people like her spent most of their lives trying to get enough food just to keep going from moment to moment. Not much positive about that.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:56 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Back Fields
"We probably won't be going in the house anyway. I was going to go to the fields outside the house, because it makes it so there are no introductions. If they ask, I'll tell them the truth..that we need to increase our level of skill. You don't seem to be too comforted here..but it's alright. Shinigami are all noble; one way or another, you get to remain in the large city and have what you like. That you've been chosen proves you're special as compared to others. Normally, the noble families, particularly the four kingdoms under heaven are those with high levels of reiatsu..but..the odd thing is, sometimes you'll find someone from a normal background that shows great power.."
And off to the fields he tugs her..
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:00 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Back Fields
She grunted softly, at his long winded explanation, however, she allowed her hand to be taken, and herself to be drug along to the field for training.
It takes several moments, before she speaks.
"Its just. You know, I had to fight, and scrap for every bit'a food I ever ate, 'fore Academy. Some people, call us worthless. Say we don't even try to do honest work fer anythin'. I.. can't say much else. Just.. resentment, maybe. I envy ya, in a way."
And she follows, hand twined with his once more.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:13 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate fields; Ring of Sakura
"Envy..us? Goodness, you must not have any idea what it's like to be noble..every step you take is watched..everything you do, for the most part is decided for you..who you'll marry..who you become..your words must be correct, the way you eat has to be precise. Everything about you is looked at sharply, no one misses a detail and all eyes are always on you. You can't say how you feel..you can't do anything that isn't in the highborn style. To be honest..as brutal as it is that far out..I envy those like you. It may be hard to stay alive..but you have the freedom to make your own choices. Live or die; challenge or cowardice..it's up to you. Noble families are well oiled machines..really."
He sighs..leading her to his favorite place; out in his circle-grove, surrounded by a ring of cherry trees.
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:20 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate Fields; Ring of Sakura
She fell into step beside him, a wry smile on her face, her head inclined, watching the ground where she walked.
"I can't say I'd wanna be a noble. But I envy a few things about it. That you always got food. That you probably never had t'go hungry. It didn't gnaw at yer belly till ya passed out. Yeah, I got freedom to make my own choices, but the choices is few an' far between."
The bitter edge is gone from her voice, and instead, there's an almost sad undercurrent to her tone.
"You either fight an' live, or don't fight an' die. You gotta watch every street ya go down, every word ya say. Someone bigger 'en you take offense, gotta be ready to go down fighten, or die in the street like a stray dog. That's how most people see us, ya know. We're just stray dogs, left t'die in th'street."
She shook her head, as she stepped forward into the small circular grove. There was a peaceful tone about the place. Something that relaxed her, and made her want to linger. She turned slightly then, after moving just a bit away from him, her voice has returned to that solemn tone, and she seems very much in her element, amidst all the flowers.
"All my life, I wanted to live like a noble. I wanted to know for certain that I would have food, and shelter. I would have been willing to pay the prices that come with it. Just for a chance to live, and not look over my shoulder in fear. Would I be killed. Or beaten for a scrap I had stolen. But, that's the past, Megumi-sama. You're right, in a sense. Being in the academy, we are equal. Its the reason I agreed. The reason I came out of Kusajishi. I want to prove myself. Prove that I'm not just another stray dog to be left dying in the street."
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:28 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Ring of Sakura
"I think in a way we're all equal. We just have to work for it. My family believes all things in nature are sacred. Everything..the people on the low end, on the high end, all part of the cycle. Some are food for others, while still others provide something else. There are no strays; there are no coincidences..in life, both on earth, and here, there are two certainties..death, and choice. We die one day no matter what..and are reborn. The other thing is we make a choice. We can choose to die a little inside when a loved one passes, or to just not care. We can choose to help someone in need, or to look the other way. Everyone..makes those choices. It's fate."
He shrugs..and reaches for his bokuto, before tossing her one as well..though his has a guard on it, like a fencing blade, while the one he throws her is standard issue, weight, and whatnot..
"The truth is, struggle is another certainty. Even nobles have to struggle. While it may not be for food or water, we have to struggle for our position. We're born into it, yes..but we have to hold it ourselves, or we fall out of it. You have to behave a certain way all the time, or you're considered shameful. I'd rather be loathed all the time, honestly, than have other nobles lie to me about how they feel just to keep up appearances. That's what I envy about those of lower station..their lives are brutal..but..they are also honest..and in a noble house, honesty is not a right..in fact, it's rarely even something you get..except perhaps among your family, and sometimes not even then."
He just shakes his head..sighing..touching the rose pin that holds his cloak up.
"Anyway..if you think you're up to it, I want to see how strong you are..I've been wondering since I met you..if you need a second weapon, there's one in that small storage shed. I carve them out of fallen wood. I never take living wood. I wait for nature to provide it for me."
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:34 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Ring of Sakura
"Yeah." there really isn't much else she can say to that. She's said her piece, he has said his. In a way, his words ease the tension in her body just a little. It meant he didn't.. and likely wouldn't, look down on her because of who she is, or where she comes from. That, is rare. And treasured.
She takes the bokuto, balancing it in her hands for a moment, before moving towards the indicated shed, to retrieve another. What she brings with, is not a smaller one however. The two blades are almost completely identical in size. Her fighting style is a rare one, that is certain.
That she can wield both blades effectively, without taking too much of a hindrance.
"Sure. I'm feeling pretty good. Despite being dragged across several fields." a grin shot in his direction. "I think I can handle it."
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:01 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Ring of Sakura
He smiles..and shifts out of his cloak, shedding down to just the lower part of his outfit. His body is definitely not womanly, though it is a body that isn't bulky at all. His body is built for agility, plain and simple. He seems a little more built than he should be, for the way he prances around, but in reality, it's not too far from what one would expect. There is a moment where it seems like the estate's grounds themselves react to him..a breeze blowing his hair about, showing his eyes completely..each eye is a differing color, an odd thing indeed.
The estate takes on its own life once he falls into a ready stance. Sakura blossoms flutter around his person, giving the entire area an ethereal look..a curtain of flower petals dance all around..coupled with leaves that seem to be about the grounds..here, it seems like all four seasons are always happening. With a wave of one arm, the tornado of flowers bursts away from his person, in the direction of the weapon he carries.
"Absolution is gained when one looks into one's self and finds the truth within a deep and forgotten place. When I spoke with Shinrei, he showed me that I had to stop trying to be what I wasn't to be who I was. With that revelation, I think it is time I tested my skills with a slightly clearer heart. I can't say I'm totally without burden..but I'm not about to let something like that stop me. I need to become strong. I will graduate, and I will attain a high position. My family is counting on me. I'm counting on me."
And he brings the weapon down, again cutting into the air, blossoms scattering, and the wind stopping..almost in tune with the young man. He falls into an en garde position, classic fencing, his primary foot ahead of the other, and he raises the weapon in a salute. It's the first time he's had a real smile on his face..and quite a smile it is indeed.
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Dischord rolled 3 20-sided dice:
7, 5, 10
Total: 22 (3-60)
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:09 pm
arrow Aoibara Estate; Ring of Sakura
When he sheds his clothing, she shakes her head slightly, reaching to slide her haori off her upper body. The ties of her kimono are positioned in the back, and behind her neck. Part of the reason she always wears the damn thing. She allows the thing to flutter to the ground behind her, fallen and drifting amidst the leaves.
Though there is no reaction from nature, or the estate, to her presence, there is a seeming coolness in the wind, as she takes what appears to be a loose stance. There looks to be no discernible style with sword-arts, but they're obviously effective, for her to have taken down the sensei in zanjutsu class. She arched forward after a moment, one blade drawn over her head, the other in a defensive position across her body. It wasn't a usual stance to be certain, but it was effective, she knew from experience.
"I can't say I got anything like that inside me. Can't say that I got some deep hidden secret. I can't say I got any family to make proud of me. But I refuse to be another dog in the street!" and she lunges forward, making immediate use of the blade in her dominant hand, striking at his own bokuto, she attempts a sharp parry of his blade away, bringing the second blade down from above, a blow meant to strike a shoulder. There's a definite fire in her eyes when she fights. She seems most comfortable in this type of situation.
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