Post by Bishimi on May 31, 2009 0:44:37 GMT -5
Miko slowly made her way through the city of Zento, as she was so often prone to do, alone and with no guard. She thought little of it for this was not the place she once called home no matter how much it resembled it. Here, with no Hanzagiri to concern herself with she had never felt safer making her now almost daily stroll through the city. “Much has changed in so little time,” she thought to herself “but yet it’s all so familiar.”
As she walked she took notice of all the people hustling about the city, some new to her like Hikiko who was kneeling, strumming her shamisen at the pond out side of the Lotus dojo or Yuna who was in the bakers shop teaching her craft to the other cooks in order to provide food of quality to the city. Then there were the ones that she did know from times past. Ni sat in the tailor’s shop quietly either making new clothing and armor or repairing the items the Blue and Iron Lotus seem to go through so quickly. Around the corner she heard the unmistakable bang of a smiths hammer and knew it was Henwei pounding out weapons for the clans use. She continued on her personal little sabbatical the whole while seeing more of her people new and old. It was at this point Miko started to become angered, up until now she had little time to think about much of anything but the state of the island upon her arrival was very different from what it is today. “Under my rule and the care of my clans these lands have begun to live again. I think its time I speak to the Soke. ” She thought to herself as her brow furrowed.
“Orlando” she said so silently it was almost mouthed, for she knew no matter how much she wished to be alone the Soke would never allow it and she knew who it would be following her. Shodan Orlando appeared not but feet from her back with his head bowed “Hai empress” he said keeping his head lowered. “Where is the Soke?” she asked almost forcefully. “I believe he and some of the others went to Poets tavern empress, they may be back by now.” He responded hoping it would appease her. Miko nodded and began walking back towards the tea house as the Shodan simply slipped back into the shadows and did as he always does, make sure she is safe. As she approached she heard the vigorous clang of weapons from across the road. As comforting as these sounds were to her normally they only helped in fueling her anger this night. She stopped for a moment before entering the tea house quickly scanning the area. Set in her decision she turned and entered.
“Bishi…” she began but quickly cut her own words short as she saw what the clan was huddled around. “Is…that…” she managed to force out of her mouth as Bishimi turned around with a grin that was clearly seen through his hood. “It is Empress.” He responded. He and the rest of the clan moved away from the sword giving her room to shift closer. Miko approached the item with a reserve never seen in her actions by members new or old. Miko approached the sword with caution; almost as if she got to close she would realize it was a fake. As she got closer she realized this was not the case and the people that knew her best seen in her eyes what its return meant to her as it meant no less to them. Shihan Micarlin quickly dismissed all in the clan save the elders. It was all the Empress could do to hold back her tears before they all left. As they did she slowly dropped to her knees in front of it whispering as if she were talking to her long lost love. Bishimi and the rest of the elders circled her to keep the sight away from any that might see from outside the house and let her weep.
After a bit of time Shihan Garrett helped the empress to a seat, the rest of the elders joined. “When was this retrieved Soke?” she asked quietly. “Just this eve Empress.” he began “We were at Poets tavern when I was approached by a man with a message, whom I feel the need to pay since his information was correct. It simply read: The item you seek is in the quarters of the bluest man you know. To me it was obvious what this meant so I sent Wang and Crawler to….” His words trailed off in her ears as she stared at the sword remembering her times with Seiji. As the thoughts crossed her mind the Sokes words would slip in and out. She remembered Seiji and her walking the lands together helping the citizens. “…so we approached the ones at the tavern about it and the new mayor had quite the attitude.” She remembered the day that the Hanzagiri kidnapped her. “Micarlin was quite the diplomat..” Bishimi continued not knowing the Empress’s mind was elsewhere. She remembered the day Seiji came to her rescue and the fight that ensued. “All in all nothing sat well with me..” It was that same day Seiji died in her arms underneath the fan dancer dojo. “Garrett and I met the new mayor at their Headquarters and properly “thanked” him for our swords return.” It was at this point Bishimi realized the Empress’s mind was elsewhere and shut his mouth.
They all sat in silence for some time as the Empress stared at the sword remembering times past. After a bit the empress sat up straight looked Bishimi in the eyes and said “We have much to discuss in the times to come Soke. For now, the clans accomplishments do not go unnoticed. You have done me a great justice by returning my beloveds sword. I cannot, in good conscience ask more of our people for now. Take this time to rest, gather your forces, make sure they are well trained, we have much to do in these lands.” With this Miko stood up and bowed to the elders, they returned the gesture, she slowly walked towards the sword and bowed uttering a prayer to her love then went to her room to retire for the night.
As she walked she took notice of all the people hustling about the city, some new to her like Hikiko who was kneeling, strumming her shamisen at the pond out side of the Lotus dojo or Yuna who was in the bakers shop teaching her craft to the other cooks in order to provide food of quality to the city. Then there were the ones that she did know from times past. Ni sat in the tailor’s shop quietly either making new clothing and armor or repairing the items the Blue and Iron Lotus seem to go through so quickly. Around the corner she heard the unmistakable bang of a smiths hammer and knew it was Henwei pounding out weapons for the clans use. She continued on her personal little sabbatical the whole while seeing more of her people new and old. It was at this point Miko started to become angered, up until now she had little time to think about much of anything but the state of the island upon her arrival was very different from what it is today. “Under my rule and the care of my clans these lands have begun to live again. I think its time I speak to the Soke. ” She thought to herself as her brow furrowed.
“Orlando” she said so silently it was almost mouthed, for she knew no matter how much she wished to be alone the Soke would never allow it and she knew who it would be following her. Shodan Orlando appeared not but feet from her back with his head bowed “Hai empress” he said keeping his head lowered. “Where is the Soke?” she asked almost forcefully. “I believe he and some of the others went to Poets tavern empress, they may be back by now.” He responded hoping it would appease her. Miko nodded and began walking back towards the tea house as the Shodan simply slipped back into the shadows and did as he always does, make sure she is safe. As she approached she heard the vigorous clang of weapons from across the road. As comforting as these sounds were to her normally they only helped in fueling her anger this night. She stopped for a moment before entering the tea house quickly scanning the area. Set in her decision she turned and entered.
“Bishi…” she began but quickly cut her own words short as she saw what the clan was huddled around. “Is…that…” she managed to force out of her mouth as Bishimi turned around with a grin that was clearly seen through his hood. “It is Empress.” He responded. He and the rest of the clan moved away from the sword giving her room to shift closer. Miko approached the item with a reserve never seen in her actions by members new or old. Miko approached the sword with caution; almost as if she got to close she would realize it was a fake. As she got closer she realized this was not the case and the people that knew her best seen in her eyes what its return meant to her as it meant no less to them. Shihan Micarlin quickly dismissed all in the clan save the elders. It was all the Empress could do to hold back her tears before they all left. As they did she slowly dropped to her knees in front of it whispering as if she were talking to her long lost love. Bishimi and the rest of the elders circled her to keep the sight away from any that might see from outside the house and let her weep.
After a bit of time Shihan Garrett helped the empress to a seat, the rest of the elders joined. “When was this retrieved Soke?” she asked quietly. “Just this eve Empress.” he began “We were at Poets tavern when I was approached by a man with a message, whom I feel the need to pay since his information was correct. It simply read: The item you seek is in the quarters of the bluest man you know. To me it was obvious what this meant so I sent Wang and Crawler to….” His words trailed off in her ears as she stared at the sword remembering her times with Seiji. As the thoughts crossed her mind the Sokes words would slip in and out. She remembered Seiji and her walking the lands together helping the citizens. “…so we approached the ones at the tavern about it and the new mayor had quite the attitude.” She remembered the day that the Hanzagiri kidnapped her. “Micarlin was quite the diplomat..” Bishimi continued not knowing the Empress’s mind was elsewhere. She remembered the day Seiji came to her rescue and the fight that ensued. “All in all nothing sat well with me..” It was that same day Seiji died in her arms underneath the fan dancer dojo. “Garrett and I met the new mayor at their Headquarters and properly “thanked” him for our swords return.” It was at this point Bishimi realized the Empress’s mind was elsewhere and shut his mouth.
They all sat in silence for some time as the Empress stared at the sword remembering times past. After a bit the empress sat up straight looked Bishimi in the eyes and said “We have much to discuss in the times to come Soke. For now, the clans accomplishments do not go unnoticed. You have done me a great justice by returning my beloveds sword. I cannot, in good conscience ask more of our people for now. Take this time to rest, gather your forces, make sure they are well trained, we have much to do in these lands.” With this Miko stood up and bowed to the elders, they returned the gesture, she slowly walked towards the sword and bowed uttering a prayer to her love then went to her room to retire for the night.
