Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0 
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Post by Umeko on Jan 10, 2018 18:09:45 GMT -5
She laughed bitterly. "There was only one whose name is now forbidden. You can still call yourself Shibatsu. I lost the right to even say my own name." She reached into a drawer, opening a hidden compartment, before placing on the table between them, the mon of the Mantis, and her own family's; the Yoritomo's.
Umeko looked down at the forbidden icon, her fingers brushing longingly at the depiction of the mantis. "The choices I made might have been out of stubborn pride, but I do not regret them. While the rest of my surviving family quickly married into an other clan, or were adopted by minor families, I chose to stay without a master. I hunted for years... In an endless quest for revenge." She shook her head. "But my situation also has many disadvantages."
The woman finally looked back up at him with a sad smile as she spread her hand, showing the small office around them. She chuckled bitterly. "I am terribly poor. And as much as I would like to convince the emperor to return our name to us, I find myself lacking the resources, the funds, and maybe most of all, the skills to do so."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 10, 2018 18:42:44 GMT -5
Eito offers a small gesture. "I can call myself Shibatsu. But I was born Susumu. Still it is nothing like what you endured." he stares at the icon with clear sadness in his eyes. As she speaks of the hunting he ponders, thinks on her situation. "I can see. It is funny. You are not the first one to speak to me about the return of the Yoritomo. If you are not plotting with the other you should be." he offers before he looks up. "As I told them, while I do not speak for my clan, I am certainly be willing to help you with what you need. But in return, I ask that where possible, you help me with the reinstatement of the Spider. I understand while that may seem, impossible for you to agree to. I only want whats best for my people, and yours as well Umeko-san."
He takes a deep breath and offers a small shrugging smile. "A pity, you would have made a good Shibatsu. But you will make a fantastic Yoritomo."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 10, 2018 18:57:42 GMT -5
The ronin offered an enigmatic smile at his mention of plotting, before sitting back in her chair. "You understand we are both in a difficult situation. After all, it would be incredibly hard to lead a major clan as either an almost instinct family, or as one that most consider as untrustworthy. Should we then settle for simply accepting our fates as minor houses within a clan lead perhaps by the Wasp, or the Kitsune? Kakita Hanashiro, the thunder, was a kitsune after all."
"I however would like to try to recreate what was lost. As crazy as it might sound. I have no issue helping you as well... The people responsible for the betrayal of your family have been dealt with. Those that are left have been judged honorable and that is enough for me."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 10, 2018 19:01:50 GMT -5
"I must assure you, I am not honorable. I believe I am kind, loyal, dedicated, and many other good things but not honorable. I hold Shourido and it's values close to my heart. I think to allow someone I will share such a task with to think something false of me is a poor idea. That being said we are loyal. I think we could do something. Worse comes to worse, the Yoritomo could join the Spider and follow the Shibatsu. Or the Shibatsu and our fellow spider can join the Mantis under the Yoritomo. I would accept either of these as preferable to the current state."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 10, 2018 23:24:15 GMT -5
Umeko smiled, the first since the conversation had taken a more serious turn. She bowed her head. "Your honesty, at the very least, is appreciated." She absently played with the empty fingers of her left glove as she considered his offer.
"I cannot speak for all of the remaining members of my family, obviously." The woman finally said. "While I myself can't honestly say that I mind the Shibatsu, this will obviously not be true for everyone. It might be easier to show a front of more traditional practitioner. Especially with the whole trust issues problem..." She shook her head slightly. "I will need to send letters out to those that might be interested and see what the overall response is."
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 11, 2018 2:20:08 GMT -5
Eito nods. "I myself need permission to move on my families behalf but I find that a general building of good will and financial campaign are not a bad idea. Are there any Mantis students in need of scholarships?" he asks going into business mode. "And traditional might be easier but Shourido answers the question of why they need a new great clan. Still, I look forward to working with you on this. I will tell you what I get back from my letters but I am hoping that we can save two families with one move." he says before he sips his tea, closing his eyes at the sensation's it brings.
"Ah, splendid. I knew there was something special about you. I am glad I decided to pursue you, even if I wonder if you don't prefer Unicon-san, there is no need to tell me falsehoods to gain my co-operation in your endeavor, your cause is right. So if you and he are already together I won't take insult. Honestly he is a handsome man as well, a tempting man."
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 11, 2018 20:04:37 GMT -5
What ever she was about to say fades on her lips at the sudden change of tone in the exchange. It would be quite obvious to the Spider that the poor woman is not use to the subtle handling of conversation, and she finds herself once more stammering. "W-what?" Her cheeks begin to flush again as she processes the meaning of his words. "Oh, heavens... I mean, no, no, me and Genji-san are friends but nothing of the sort... While I am looking for a husband, I have yet to decide on anything..." She trails, blush deepening as she realizes what she just said and to whom.
Wait, did he say he was pursuing her?! She stared at the man before her in disbelief.
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 11, 2018 20:12:42 GMT -5
Eito thinks a moment. "Interesting. Well, we shall have to see what happens there. I am a complicated man Umeko-san. Some aspects of this are what allow me to shine. Others make me a pest. I am happy and sad to hear you both are just friends. I have every intention of making you blush more in the future and I will warn you, you have my eye. Strength, ambition, power, control, toughness but still a humble dedication to ideals and to craft and just enough innocence. It is a lovely combination. I will write my letters tonight to see if I can get you the Spider's help, and have them accept yours in return. But you have my personal help, as much as I can give without setting my own goals back."
(http://orokos.com/roll/584138 20 for more flatter)
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Umeko
Ronin/Other
Posts: 295 Likes: 0
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Post by Umeko on Jan 12, 2018 10:16:51 GMT -5
The gardener seemed slightly confused by his words. "Yes, of course." She said, though to which part it wasn't very clear. "You have mine as well, so long as our goals align." Umeko stood, assuming their short meeting to be over. "I will try to contact as many as I can, and will inform you of any development as soon as I know of them."
She paused, an earlier conversation fluttering back to the edge of her memory. "Oh, that's right... Eito-san, are you aware that the crown Prince is studying at the school currently?"
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Post by Shibatsu Eito on Jan 12, 2018 10:30:59 GMT -5
"The Crown prince? That seems like a good avenue there as well honestly. I will see if I can talk to him. If he were to join my class it would be ideal but, not everyone is as confident studying Shourido as others. I hope what I hold virtuous doesn't offend you either. Still it's a place to start and if you can get me some names, I can start building a way to get money to them. If they need it for an army or political expenditures so it doesn't seem to come out of nowhere. Would hate someone to think I was bribing you." Eito stands, taking one of the chocolates as his eyes sparkle. "The business of our meeting is complete, at least the formal business. However I am not going to lie, there was something else I wanted. You. I am not going to pretend I am a good man, that my heart does not wander, that I have ever really belonged to one man or one woman, but I will say you interest me Umeko-sensei. I have been hinting it since I met you." he steps closer to her, just enough to add pressure but not enough to scare her off. His voice moves to a whisper, using the techniques he was taught, control the room, capture the space. And then the techniques he learned himself, the best way to manipulate or seduce someone was through honesty and kindness. "Tell me you aren't interested and I will stop immediately, we will stick to our business and that will be all. I will respect your honor" he gestures by moving the candy away from her before he leans down to place the heart shaped chocolate in front of her. "If not though, tell me you are interested, right now, and over time you can see that sometimes, the darker and more sinful the chocolate, the sweeter the taste." ( orokos.com/roll/584331 35 with Paragon Reroll) |
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