Dark Edge Village

Bayushi Suteichi came to the Western Fields to meet Otaku Imane. He brought his samisen and tea set. He began brewing some Shiba's Sunset tea, hoping she would like the scent and flavor of citrus. Of course he brought sweets. This time he did not bring daifuku. Suteichi brought chinsuko. It seemed more appropriate to have with tea. As tea was brewing, Suteichi began tuning his samisen and playing a song while he awaited his guest.

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Perform:Samisen/Agility D3: 37

Elsewhere, though not far enough to dim the alternative composition, Butaj sits down on a thunderstruck tree across a wide rolling plain and plays. Maybe just for himself, maybe to beckon someone. The sound of the two-string lute is distinct from that of shamisen. Huludai grazes nearby.

Day 3 - LM - Playing topshur in the fields - Ag/Sensation: 5d10e10k4 26

(Music!)

Enough music was being played on the plains that it lured a wild Crane out to them. The Scorpion she gave a wide berth to. While he was quite good, it was obvious that he was planning a private party, and she would respect his privacy, though she was curious whom he was planning to party with.

The second player, though not as skilled, drew her attention. While he wasn't on the Scorpion's level, she did have to admit there was something artistic about his choice of location.

She was wearing a new kimono, one of a darker Crane Blue, with a silvery stream of small horses chasing each other on the trim.

For now, she let the Moto play. There would be time for words soon enough.

Day 3 - LM - Playing topshur in the fields more! - Ag/Sensation: 5d10e10k4 26

It looks like casual play for relaxation and mood is Butaj's ain as he does not push the artistry any further. Huludai's neighing alerts him to the presence. He notices the Crane grace but is too far to greet her properly, so he just raises his voice across the steppe into a song. And what song it is, one that would likely make Fukawa re-evaluate who is the artist here. Spanning octaves, from very low throat singing to almost tenor, traversed back and forth with ease, Butaj grips the soul with his semi-onomatopoeic love song of the steppe.

Day 3 - LM - Adding Song! - Awa/Song (Sensation, Voice): 5d10e10k4 50

(Song!)

Often when one heard the approaching sound of an Otaku it was the thunderous roll of impending death, but not today. This morning it was the gentle sounds of music that announced the arrival of Almatar and her human, Imane.

The battle maiden wore light clothing and was riding the horse using her knees while playing a wooden flute. As she neared the Scorpion she waved over at Moto Butaj and Doji Fukawa before dismounting. A light bow was offered to her host.

"Good morning Bayushi Suteichi-san, what a beautiful day for a meeting. The tea smells quite delightful." She breathed in deeply, enjoying the scent. "Unfortunately Moto Khulun is unable to join us this morning, but with Almatar here and Moto Butaj nearby I am sure that this is quite satisfactory."

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D3 LM Flute playing for fluff TN15?: 4d10o10k3 21

His range was impressive, it was a shame he had not the training to take full advantage of it. Once it was complete, she offered her own song to the plains:

"Proudly stood the castle walls.
Springtime feasts abound.
Cherry blossoms were in bloom.
Moonlight sparkled 'round

Stately pine trees lined the grounds
Spreading out their boughs.
Courtyards trimmed by artist's hands.
Where's that moonlight now ?

Autumn graced the castle lawn,
Covered white with frost.
Flocks of geese, they sang their song
As the sky they crossed.

Moonlight fell upon the swords
Standing in the ground.
Warriors gathered peacefully.
Where's that moonlight now ?

Now the moon shines lonely there.
Nothing moves within.
No more sounds of happiness.
Not as it had been.

Time has ravaged castle walls.
Ivy overgrown.
Storms pass now through broken limbs,
Rustling as they're blown.

Moon and stars remain unchanged
High up in the sky.
But the earth continues on.
Time won't pass it by.

Does the moon remain up there
Wondering what has been ?
Shining on those empty halls.
Ruined works of men."

Music!

TN 10, 3 CR, 42 vs. 25

Butaj listens attentively, then rises, leaving his instrument behind as he walks toward Fukawa. "Good morning." He calls. "So much melancholy so early into the day. Is it about a place around here?"

Fukawa bowed to the Moto.

"Good morning, Moto-san." she replied. She considered the question.

"It's not literally around here." she admits. "There are no haunted castle ruins nearby for Moto Butaj to conquer. It's more about how time flows. Year after year, spring, the time of new growth followed by summer the time of war. How swiftly it moves."

Butaj returns the bow as best as he can. "It does. People are born, grow up, fight, marry, have their own children, bring them up, grow old and die. Butaj is aware it happens similarly to the change of seasons. But does this cycle hold a special personal meaning for Doji Fukawa? Butaj is not entirely sure because of this fan cover but is under impression your beauty couldn't be further from fading. More like blooming. Hence Butaj wonders where the melancholy comes from. Is your soul much older than your body?"

Otaku Imane wrote:Often when one heard the approaching sound of an Otaku it was the thunderous roll of impending death, but not today. This morning it was the gentle sounds of music that announced the arrival of Almatar and her human, Imane.

The battle maiden wore light clothing and was riding the horse using her knees while playing a wooden flute. As she neared the Scorpion she waved over at Moto Butaj and Doji Fukawa before dismounting. A light bow was offered to her host.

"Good morning Bayushi Suteichi-san, what a beautiful day for a meeting. The tea smells quite delightful." She breathed in deeply, enjoying the scent. "Unfortunately Moto Khulun is unable to join us this morning, but with Almatar here and Moto Butaj nearby I am sure that this is quite satisfactory."

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D3 LM Flute playing for fluff TN15?: 4d10o10k3 21

I will make certain to give extra supplications to Benten that, that thing Khulun is NOT here. That insolent Butaj on the other hand...

Suteichi gave a genuine smile to Imane.

"Ohayoo Otaku-sama. Unfortunately Yogo-sama could not attend either. We are in the eyes of the public so we will be fine. I have an apple for Almatar, if that is alright?"

Moto Butaj wrote:Butaj returns the bow as best as he can. "It does. People are born, grow up, fight, marry, have their own children, bring them up, grow old and die. Butaj is aware it happens similarly to the change of seasons. But does this cycle hold a special personal meaning for Doji Fukawa? Butaj is not entirely sure because of this fan cover but is under impression your beauty couldn't be further from fading. More like blooming. Hence Butaj wonders where the melancholy comes from. Is your soul much older than your body?"

With great care, Fukawa folds her fan, and reattaches it to her obi. He seen her enough with the the previous night to know there was nothing wrong with her, but it's presence seemed to offend him. And she didn't need it, it was simply nice to have for surprises like unpredictable barbarians.

"I don't know about that, Moto-san, though it would probably be fair to say that the last few years have forced many children of the Crane to grow up faster." she replied. "What I wonder is about the meaning of your clan's return. There have been many problems within the Empire as of late. I wonder if you are here as saviors of the Empire, or if you are returned because the final chapters of the Empire are being written, and you are present because you must be here for both the beginning and the end."

Imane bowed politely for Almatar and inspected the apple. She was about to take it and then hesitated.

"Ah. Bayushi Sutechi-san. What is the current course of action in the Empire in regards to the acceptance of gifts for one's horse? An apple would be most grateful received, but not at the cost of correct etiquette."

At the very least a mistake would be unlikely to earn the ire of an entire clan...

Edit: what the hell android? 'about' and 'sky' are not interchangeable.

Otaku Imane wrote:Imane bowed politely for Almatar and inspected the apple. She was sky to take it and then hesitated.

"Ah. Bayushi Sutechi-san. What is the current course of action in the Empire in regards to the acceptance of gifts for one's horse? An apple would be most grateful received, but not at the cost of correct etiquette."

At the very least a mistake would be unlikely to earn the ire of an entire clan...

"No need of the games of gifts. This is just a pure act of courtesy. Please do accept it. Besides, I do not believe your steed could refuse me three times." he joked.

That was a relief.

"Then I thank you on behalf of Almatar for your generous gift Bayushi-san. The courtesy is much appreciated." She took the apple and offered it to her horse, who looked at her like it could care less about such mortal concerns as fruit.

"I know you want it you big jerk. Don't embarrass us infront of the nice man."

Eventually the horse relented, sniffed at the sole and took a small bite. Imane nodded and sat, placing her flute in front of her.

"I enjoyed your playing, may I ask what the song was about?"

A shrill ululation breaks out over the fields as the sound of thundering hooves announces the presence of Moto Khulun… it seems she would not allow a sister in need to go un-chaperoned!

She circles the duo of Imane and Suteichi at a respectable distance before bringing Oguro to a gentle stop near her cousin. She laughs heartily, “I am sorry I overslept, I blame Butaj and his love of kumis! And this would be?” she looks at the Scorpion, he looked familiar but she had met so many suitors who could tell.

“No matter, Scorpion…” she reaches down and grabs a skin of kumis and tosses it to Sutechi before dismounting.

“Never let it be said Khulun comes without gifts.”