[D3 EE] Rabbit Hunting

[Moto Khulun]

"Perhaps the Sahir can send his request to Ide-dono, then no one shall have to lose face," she says.

[Fairuz Kaiya]

The Fairuz's gaze was becoming distant in thought as he started to become more withdrawn, but fortunately Tomoe was able to word his position better than he could.

"It is as Usagi-san says.. thank you. Context here is important.. Many samurai one finds this far north do not face such evils on a regular basis, indeed, some have never at all! As such.. with such strange occurrences, it is not unusual to send for those who specialize in the task while still watching out and preparing to fight..."

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

"Hmm. "

Chi-Pu ponders the situation she found herself in.

"You have heard what my orders are and what I must do to maintain my honor."

She pauses and looks at each of them.

"But I am not you, and you must do what you can to maintain yours. "

She smiles, her red cheeks losing their fire.

"This way we all keep face. Can you promise to continue helping me prepare for this threat?"

[Moto Khulun]

With that settled the Moto princess asks again, “So you know nothing of the Onyx Champion, nothing useful, at least.”

[Usagi Tomoe]

"The Unicorn have my assistance. I'm no warrior, but I will do what is in my power to help you all... aha!" Tomoe snapped her fingers. "Now I remember."

She gestured to Khulun's ivory trinket.

"Lady Doji and Lady Shinjo were closer, being the only sisters among the Kami, and it is said in the early days of the Empire as the Kami were founding their Clans that Lady Doji gifted her sister with a netsuke that Lady Shinjo swore she would never take off. I guess I must've been befuddled by the rather unique material it has been made from, rather than the traditional wood that netsuke are made of."

[Moto Khulun]

The Moto princess listens and says, “That is helpful, thank you.”

She fastens the netsuke to the hilt of Massacre and says, “This truly a Unicorn relic, and one with a deep history. Rabbit-sensei has proved her meat to not be so bad, not Moto good, but better than I thought.”

[Otaku Chi-Pu]

Chi-Pu nods.

"You keep getting these heirlooms, Moto-san and all will wish to make you a bride. Do not let them leave the Unicorn"

She smirks

[Usagi Tomoe]

"As for this Onyx Champion... I'm concerned to hear of this so far north," the Hare seemed a mixture of upset and a little frightened. "Where did you come across that name?"

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D3 EE Lore: Shadowlands/Intelligence to know about Onyx Champion. Free Raise for extra info! TN 25: 5d10o10k4 32

[Moto Khulun]

Chi-Pu nods.

"You keep getting these heirlooms, Moto-san and all will wish to make you a bride. Do not let them leave the Unicorn"

She smirks

"Perhaps I can return it to Shinjo-no-kami," she says thoughtfully.

"As for this Onyx Champion... I'm concerned to hear of this so far north," the Hare seemed a mixture of upset and a little frightened. "Where did you come across that name?"

“Do you wish to hear the tale, Rabbit-sensei, I am not skilled storyteller,” she says.

[Usagi Tomoe]

"I would like to hear it, Moto-san," the Hare nodded.

[Moto Khulun]

“The night the Oni arrived I received an omen, a black bird… hundreds of them descended on the fields and offered words with me. Its eyes were dead… its feathers were dull and the birds moved with unnatural power.”

“It spoke the name of Moto and then said it was a Herald! It coughed up this netsuke and said to discover the secret and would return the next night.”

She fingers the relic and says, “I returned and the Herald returned and that is when I learned the name of the Onyx Champion… it said that it was once Miya, but now is Kyoshi the Onyx Champion.”

[Usagi Tomoe]

"It sounds like this Onyx Champion wants to take advantage of the newly returned Unicorn," Tomoe frowned. This was really bad.

"The Onyx Champion... you remember I told you about Iuchiban, yes, Moto-san? The Onyx Champion is not someone as powerful and dangerous as him, yet, but there have been reports of this Onyx Champion being someone who has amassed unholy powers in the deep Shadowlands. Onyx, like obsidian, are regarded as being anathemas to the purity of jade and crystal... most likely this title was chosen to symbolize their stance against the purity of the Empire."

"The Onyx Champion might offer what seems like aid, but is an enemy of the Empire."

[Moto Khulun]

“Then more fool him, the Unicorn will not be so easily used or corrupted,” she says with a nod.

[Usagi Tomoe]

"I can only ask that you are careful if you intend to pursue this further, Moto-san... and that you take care to protect yourself against the corruption they might inflict upon your soul. Jade is one of the few things that can bring such protection."

She looked down, sadly. "Once corruption takes root, it is almost impossible to be rid of. There are legends that tell of items or lost techniques that can cleanse it away, but... well, legends aren't easy to come by in those cases."

[Moto Khulun]

“When hunting wolves, the hunter should know they come in packs. The Unicorn will be ready,” she says in reply.

“You have given me much, you say this Onyx Champion is like Iuchi-Ban, but not so powerful? What powers do such champions have? Like Oni, or more like dark magic?”