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 Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 1:10 pm
After crossing the treacherous mountain pass, they came to a large, jagged crevasse, near impossible to cross without the aid of flight. Dangerous, as if it were designed to be deadly; sharp, sudden drops, nothing to grab onto, and smooth as glass all-round. Located in the center of this lifeless maw, a plateau rises above all else. This is Ichisei HQ.
Eventually, they landed on the plateau in from of the main gate; adored with meticulously make bronze statues of dragons leading up to the gate. The gate was guarded, but the guards raced to open the massive gate as their master approached. The gate swung open, seemingly large enough to allow a mountain to pass through them. Behind the gate, a large courtyard separated them from the beautifully adorned Japanese Castle. In the center of the courtyard, a large fountain in the form of several dragons, eight heads in all, each reaching out in equip with traditional drinking cups one would find at a shrine.
Anyone unfamiliar with the culture (if your in Japan you'd better already know this), anyone entering a shrine washes their hands and mouth by pouring water from one of the cups on their hands, then taking a small sip from the cup.
This is as far as anyone that is not a close ally of the clan has seen. This is all that is visible from the sky, and none have dared enter the courtyard (or has the audacity to attempt to enter the castle), without entering though the main gate.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:30 am
Aiko Khadroma
Khadroma Clan Head / The Storm Wind
Current form : Full -> Yokai
Current Outfit : Black Kosode, Hakama, Geta, Red Obi, Engraved Kiseru
Still somewhat far off from the main base a storm was rising, with more lightning flashes that really should have been in that style of storm but Aiko didn't care to rebuke the members of her branch. Most were excited about being let free of the bounds that they normally had to worry about when close to human cities. Doesn't do to attract the attention of the scientists. Plus, it wasn't like their cargo would be harmed by it. The massive containers were heavily insulated, although it wasn't exactly to keep the lightning out so much as in. The containers that took some of the larger members of the clan to carry were filled with their own sake. Of the nine branches, each made their own, which was sold to lesser and lesser pools of people. The Storm Branch could only be given to powerful yokai, and even then it was best not given in large amounts.
One of the others gave a shrill whistle as the residence was spotted and the leaders of the Khadroma clan folded her wings and dove straight through the clouds. Unlike any time there was fear of humans seeing she was in her full truest form. True, she was still small by some standards, but in the Khadroma Clan it was not size that mattered, but ability. Glossy black wings folded, disappearing against the rest of her plumage. As she broke the first cloud bank she snapped her wings out, suspended for a moment against the rolling mass before she rotated her wings forward and began to pick up speed.
The rest of the clan stayed as she swept once around the plateau, her voice echoing with the song of the wind in a way of greeting. Then she swept back around and flared black wings even as the change took the glossy feathers. When her feet touched the ground she was in her yokai form, dressed in the black kosode she had worn to fight Yuji although she had no intentions of picking a fight with the dragon. She knew the outcome of that. Instead she went through the process of entering a shrine, giving the nod of a clan head to a lesser rank to those she passed. She stopped before the head of the Ichisei clan and gave the bow of one clan head to another, "Good eve. The shipment comes, along with the wish for discussion. Staying more on the formal side she cast a quick glance at the other dragon. Her sort of luck it was the head of one of the other branches she was sure existed.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:11 pm
Santis smiled as he bowed slightly, just enough to be polite, strangely, there was a hint of warmth to his bow.
"Your timing is impeccable as always Aiko." He raised his right hand and waved over a dozen men to begin moving the containers into storage.
After you and your clanmates cleanse themselves at the fountain, you may all make yourselves at home; your visits, as well as your gift, always put me in a good mood!"
Dinner and drink will be served later on, till then feel free to relax here, do be mindful of the heavily restricted areas, but the Khadroma clan is always welcome here.
With that said, he approached Aiko:
"Until then, we have business to discuss. "
With that, Santis turned and began walking toward the castle doors.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:23 pm
Aiko Khadroma
Khadroma Clan Head / The Storm Wind
Current form : Full -> Yokai
Current Outfit : Black Kosode, Hakama, Geta, Red Obi, Engraved Kiseru
Aiko gave a sort of half smile and gave a sketched salute to the clan members that had landed. Most had taken their yokai forms, as it was rather uncomfortable to be on the ground with such long tails, and became hard to move at best. They in turn bowed and began to do as asked while Aiko turned to follow the dragon. Folding both wings neatly across her back she tucked her hands into her sleeves and began to follow, feet masked by the hakama. "Without a doubt, let us partake as best we are able to."
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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 12:46 pm
Now, what is it you wished to discuss with me?
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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:00 pm
Aiko Khadroma
Khadroma Clan Head / The Storm Wind
Current form : Full -> Yokai
Current Outfit : Black Kosode, Hakama, Geta, Red Obi, Engraved Kiseru
The woman smiled slightly as she came up to walk beside him. Very simple really. I wish to discuss the would be king of Yokai, Yuji. You saw the same things that I did, so I came to see what you, knowing better physical strength, saw in him."
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Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:49 pm
(All behind locked doors beyond this point in forum, anyone not currently in building, aka, anyone other than Santis, Aiko, and Scherazadra; unless otherwise noted, is not privy to information discussed beyond this point in character):
"To be honest, I am not impressed. My aura was as strong as it could be in my near-human form, and when i was following him, i made no attempt to hide myself. and yet, he didn't even seem to notice me, even when i recovered the (corpse?) of the opponent that he was up against, he didn't even seem to notice. If i wanted to, I could have easily ambushed him and/or burned his city and/or castle to the ground.
Anyone who is that unaware or uncaring of their surroundings it becomes... questionable about their right to the throne, even if one could destroy the planet in a single breath, if you cant see the man pointing the gun at your head, your going to die before you can do anything.
And to be completely honest, i don't know what happened between him and that woman... i was there to see how he reached and if he could notice my presence, once i established that, i'll admit, i became bored until i saw the chance to collect a souvenir or two. Whats your opinion on the matter?"
(as he faces Aiko and Scherazadra).
*It should be noted that Santis's assistant is present at this time, currently serving tea and other refreshments.
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 12:53 am
Aiko Khadroma
Khadroma Clan Head / The Storm Wind
Current form :Yokai
Current Outfit : Black Kosode, Hakama, Geta, Red Obi, Engraved Kiseru
The woman nodded once, than twice in quick brisk movements that betrayed her as a bird, as if the wings weren't enough. "Quite agreed. He also didn't react when I summoned lightning down on the assassin that had escaped. Granted, I was not aware he had done that purposely, however it does not change that he did nothing to react to an unknown factor entering the field." She sighed slightly, Opening her wings to move up onto what she thought might have been a perch in the room. It could have also once been a candle rack but she wasn't overly sure. Either way four taloned feet cured around the jut of rock until she was perfectly comfortable and at a relatively even height with the two. "And before that in the fight which I challenged him to, he did manage to take my sword, but he spent a large amount of time attempting to instruct me on his abilities against my own, despite having admitted to knowing little about the clan. He made the mistake of thinking that my wind would do nothing but fuel his fire, and while he did catch me at one point, it was by luck alone. Also losing control of his flight like he did put him in a rank below even the children of the clan."
Glancing at the other dragon, she seemed to debate for a moment. She still did not know its rank or temperment, however there was still a quick way for her to escape should she spark it, so there should be no harm in elaborating just in case. "It is my understanding that in you clan rank is based off of age, so perhaps that children would rank above the man who is older than even I would be slightly amiss. In the Khadroma Clan however, rank is based off of our ability to fly the currents of the wind of our specific branch. How high doesn't matter, so long as it is done with control and grace. Thus, to need to prove that he could fly higher than me and to shoot past with no control at all, dropped his rank to nearly bottom. Not being able to recover before he hit the ground dropped it lower yet, and then claiming that he out flew me, put him below all in the clan, and added a heavy insult to us which is not easily lifted."
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 8:39 am
Having followed the two in while staring about her, taking note of the architecture and positioning of guards and such, Scherazadra had let her mind wander while half-listening to the conversation. Her subconscious sorted and filed information while she pondering a few sticky philosophical problems. She also analysed this new creature, and not surreptitiously. Her ash-grey eyes were intense as she watched the thing conversing with her uncle. Finally, the thing looked at her and seemed to make a judgement call, so she perked her ears and paid attention to the comment.
"While I have no idea how Uncle runs things here," she said once the avian was done, "back in my home the rank was based on patriarchy, with old Great-grandfather being in charge. However, there was room to move up either through deed or murder." She shook her head, as if warding off sleep.
"This king you speak of sounds like he has an ego. Not necessarily a problem. I myself have quite a bit of pride, and a reason for having it. But I would think that a political leader of any sort would be at least partially concerned with multiple assassination attempts, and would also have enough self-control to avoid showy displays of power unless they were needed to cow the populace. Which is already done, so far as I have seen.
"I confess, I have no idea what you are...err...madame, but you seem to at least grasp the realities of being a leader. And your people have been slighted, you say? I would think it time to answer such a thing. While I don't know even the first points of the political or military realities in this land, I know that the longer you let that insult stand, the more the offending person thinks they can get away with later.
"With pardons, Uncle, I must go see to getting settled in, unless you'd like me to stay here with your guest."
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:26 am
Ahh, it is no trouble, go relax and get settled in, I will send someone when it is time to eat, till then, make yourself at home. We should be talking for quite some time, so I'm sure you'll get the chance to converse with her before she and her clan leaves.
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:33 am
Aiko Khadroma
Khadroma Clan Head / The Storm Wind
Current form :Yokai
Current Outfit : Black Kosode, Hakama, Geta, Red Obi, Engraved Kiseru
Aiko gave a slight nod of agreement. "Naturally. After all it is unlike the Khadroma Clan to miss a big celebration, especially if we have actually been invited, and by a friend no less." Smiling slightly she let her weight settle back. She held the rather polite smile, although it hid her thoughts as she mulled over what the dragon had said. Normally such an insult would be reacted to by treating him as worthless, a laughing stock for children. I am not sure that I would be able to convince the clan to stand against him on just that, nor would I think that was a good idea without further consideration. At least all of the winds save the Western Wind have gathered tonight.
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:15 am
She sketched a slight bow to the visitor, nodded to her uncle, and left the room, to go and seek accommodations for herself. Having no luggage, she simply inquired of the nearest servant where the family quarters were, and headed there. Along the way, she admired some of the artwork she ran across, though she still had trouble understanding some of the subtleties of sculpture and painting.
Having what looked like run of the place, she selected a suite of rooms sized for her, yet including a sitting room of mortal size and an adjoining set of personal guest rooms. Later, when she had permission, she would add a small personal vault at the back of her cavern. For now, this section of the lower floors suited her fine.
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 1:31 pm
Turning back to Aiko: "Yes, it is unfortunate that the "ruler" (his seemed to cringe as he uttered the word) is so in love with himself....
While this attitude persists, I will never treat him as a ruler... And if he begins to drive this country into turmoil, I may have to take the reins myself (there was a sort of sinister smile as he said this)...
BWAHAHAHA!!! oh, thats an entertaining thought...
Could you imagine a dragon sitting on the throne?! I'd break the damn thing! HAHAHAHA...
To be honest, I think Junior could learn a thing or two about leadership from you..."
Leaning to his assistant: "Tokine, see to it that the young mistress is finding everything okay... Then I want you to have the chefs begin working on dinner, everything should be ready, but tell them to begin preparing it all"
"Yes Master" (bow)
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:41 am
Aiko Khadroma
Khadroma Clan Head / The Storm Wind
Current form :Yokai
Current Outfit : Black Kosode, Hakama, Geta, Red Obi, Engraved Kiseru
"As of yet the Khadroma Clan has no official standing beyond that we do not intend to pledge to him until he proves that he is worthy of trying to hold the winds. To say that I could tutor the king of yokai might be a touch far however." She tilted her head slightly, considering what the man would look like on the throne, and if in fact he would be able to hold it. Power wise without a doubt, however if such a thing came about, he would be put to the same test as Yuji had been. She wasn't overly sure that he would get too much farther than the phoenix though, given the very nature of the test. Not even most of the winds could touch her in the air.
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:17 am
"Hold the winds you say? Anyone who thinks the the wind is something that can be restrained has no claim to the throne. Your clan works in tandem with the winds, yet he seems convinced that if he forces the wind to obey him, it will. Its as if he believes that it will obey him like a dog, and believes that if he points a scepter at it and says: "Sit Boy," it will subside."
"I am not foolish enough to believe that I can hold the winds any better than you, it is your specialty after all. I do feel that as a honorary member of your esteemed household, i should be able to do better than most. However, asking someone who is not kin to attempt to challenge and deafet the one who is known for being the most skilled flyer in the lands...
It's like me challenging you to see who could reduce more lands and villages to ash in a single day, or seeing who could withstand repeated magically and physical attacks for the longest time."
*He smiled* "And last time I checked, dragon scales protect better than feathers... I dont have feathers to aid my flight, or to help me take advantage of the slightest shift in the wind to send myself to soaring heights at will; but no man, demon, dragon, nor yokai, has ever even chipped on of my ebony scales."
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