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Post by ravigen on Dec 2, 2014 6:33:41 GMT
Sayoko frowned slightly, not sure where the suddenly somber tone had come from but rapidly deciding she did not like his upset look, but it was a valid point, barring poison, sickness, or death she would outlive him. But was that something to worry about now? decades before it would even become a concern?
She shook her head and placed a hand on his shoulder,
"Then it is only even more incentive to do more with the time you have is it not?" she smiled and redid her ponytail, using the action to form a plan. That done she grabbed him by the hand.
"Come on, I wish to see the beaches below the manor, we have time and I have not seen the ocean before." |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 2, 2014 6:57:33 GMT
Bron hesitated. His better judgment told him he shouldn't. It would certainly be pleasant not to think of time and consequences, but, as a ranger, he'd learned at young age to remain practical and prepare for coming winters. Nonetheless, he let her take his hand, and ducked out from under the table and away from the crowd. Yes, his better judgment was against taking this further, but Bron found he couldn't tell Sayoko no.
"In a hundred and twenty-five years and you've never seen the ocean?" he asked, giving her a teasing grin, "Maybe having a short life isn't so bad. You elves obviously don't make use of all the extra time. Well, I guess I can't let this chance to show you something new go by."
He led the way to a side gate that led to some steep steps leading down the cliffs to the shore.
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 6, 2014 9:07:41 GMT
In the second week of the tournaments, Azlyn had planned for more entertainment and all the tables were set outside in an open rectangle around a platform stage. Dramatic players, put on a show which Azlyn had directed and there were a several bards and musicians, singing and telling stories. It was a little windy and ragged clouds were flying swiftly over the sky, but the temperature was pleasant, having cooled off slightly without feeling chill. Bowls of oranges and nuts and baskets of bread were on the table the guests were brought places of roast duck and venison, a long with a bitter greens salad with a sweet dressing. Wine was abundant as usual and as a desert drink a fine cherry whiskey was brought out and served in small glasses.
Chello didn't drink much, she hated getting drunk and wanted to enjoy bantering her wits, without worrying about intoxication making her tongue a little too lose. She found herself sitting next to Grand Admiral Selman Reyid and smiled at the Surveak officer. She'd noticed him and his Southern Tribe styled weapons and armor in all the events so far and had been hoping to get a chance to make his better acquaintance. She'd first heard of him as a young girl in Arkhaer and his fame as the best archer and marksman in the south was well known to her. His, dress, his accent, even the posture with which he stood reminded her of home, of her father and the other warriors she'd grown up around.
"You were quite masterful with your bow in the archery event, Grand Admiral," she said, "And it was good to see someone representing the Southern Tribes of the Empire even here, on the other side of the world."
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 7, 2014 4:39:53 GMT
Chello didn't drink much, she hated getting drunk and wanted to enjoy bantering her wits, without worrying about intoxication making her tongue a little too lose. She found herself sitting next to Grand Admiral Selman Reyid and smiled at the Surveak officer. She'd noticed him and his Southern Tribe styled weapons and armor in all the events so far and had been hoping to get a chance to make his better acquaintance. She'd first heard of him as a young girl in Arkhaer and his fame as the best archer and marksman in the south was well known to her. His, dress, his accent, even the posture with which he stood reminded her of home, of her father and the other warriors she'd grown up around. "You were quite masterful with your bow in the archery event, Grand Admiral," she said, "And it was good to see someone representing the Southern Tribes of the Empire even here, on the other side of the world." Grand Admiral Selman Reyid was in the middle of a particularly large swig of wine when Chello addressed him. His eyes moved to meet hers, but he was loathe to rush through his drink even for the sake of a queen's respect: He finished his cup slowly and deliberately before wiping his mouth with a napkin. Then, finally, he let his face light up with its characteristic grin. "Queen Chello Yusra, it is a pleasure," he greeted, speaking in Arkhaer Dialect and using the Queen's maiden name. The edge of his grin took on a wry twist, as if to hint that he knew something she didn't want him to. Not the last name, of course, which anyone of the Southern Tribal elite would have at least heard of, but something more particular...perhaps a man so accomplished as he could detect the glint of great ambitions in others. "I am honored to have represented the Southern Tribes in a manner worthy of your praise. Though," he raised an eyebrow in mock-consideration, "the compliments might mean more coming from a Horseborn." The friendly rivalry between nomadic-pastoralist "horseborn" and Arkhaer-based "cityborn" was familiar to any Southern Tribesperson. In comparison to the blunt and vicious insults often thrown and taken in good fun, Reyid's jab was rather subtle. |
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 4:55:03 GMT
Chello rolled her eyes slightly at the resurfacing of an old and frustrating rivalry. In her family it had been double emphasized. Her mother had come from a family with strong pastoral heritage and while not actually horseborn, her twin sister had latched onto this aspect of their heritage with the fiery rebellious passion that had defined Cassidy. Wherever she went her sister went dressed in the pastorial style and if possible on the back of a horse. Chello was pretty sure Cassidy would have rode her horse around inside the castle if it had been possible. Chello on the other hand, hated horses and wanted nothing more, than to remain in the safe and intellectual abode of true civilization.
She took a moment to take a long drink from her wine, making him wait on her as he'd made her wait on him, before replying in the same langage, "I'm beginning to see why you came so far north Admiral," She said with a smile, "Since the wild people of the ancient horseborn are all but vanished, having given way to the tides of reason and civilization, you seek to find a similar frontier and wild spirit here on the edge of the Empire." Her eyes were drawn over toward Azlyn, who was having a rowdy conversation with some of the Firetooth.
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Post by aspenivan on Dec 7, 2014 5:19:50 GMT
The Grand Admiral laughed hard at the Queen's retort, mouth wide-open and eyes growing red. It was quite a rare occasion to enjoy proper banter so far North.
"I love it!" he exclaimed. "Spoken like a true Imperial Secretary! All you need is the black robes and you're good to go, milady! Perhaps you should have considered a future in the bureaucracy? Though in any case, I must inform you of how far from realized your grand projects for us 'wild' types are. Arkhaer may grow fat and proud with the winter, but it loses its crown every spring like clockwork." By now, Reyid's grin had settled into a playful smile. "Everyone can appreciate the city for a season or two, but the true home of true-blooded Southern Tribespeople is the steppe!" He chuckled heartily, but kept his mirth more reserved than his prior raucous laughter.
"At any rate, I suppose neither of us quite fits the category anymore, eh? One of us traded the steppe for the sea, and another old Arkhaer for the frontier. Speaking of which, how is the North treating you? I would have expected the move from a Sujjid, since they've got a business to run after all, and some of the nomads have talked about finding new grazing-lands on the new continent. But a Yusra? I pray the climate, and even more the local customs, have managed to grow on you."
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Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 5:37:34 GMT
Chello gave a wry smile. "I'll admit, It's been a slow process, Admiral, but I suppose I have adjusted well enough. I've taken measures to civilize and improve Elon and the people certainly have a unique spirit. We just finished building a library and you may have seen the bridge that is under construction in Silyn district. One thing the north holds in abundance is opportunity and as much as I loved Arkhaer, I must say opportunity is an attractive lure. I expect more and more families of the Empire will be immigrating north in the decades to come."
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 7, 2014 14:21:46 GMT
When the Jotun came to table again Gudrik was with them. He wore a red sleeveless tunic that exposed his powerful arms and the growing collection of tattoos that were covering them. The most recent addition being the personal sigal of Yontai Furtaker broken in half. It sat just below the tree on his inner arm. They hailed the Ikegami as they passed and congratulated them on their victories.
Gudrik broke away to sit with General Pjjokhat. "Well fought my friend, are you prepared for the next round?"
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 19:04:45 GMT
The competition was nearing it's end and with it her time in Elon would be over to return home to Kegosu and back to her duties as heir, the competition was fun while it lasted but she had to go back eventually. Bron was somewhere around but she hadn't seen him this morning, she would go and seek him out later, for now she was going to eat and drink in some relative peace.
Sayoko sighed and took a sip of her wine, relaxed. |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 19:25:32 GMT
Gudrik decided to mingle a bit. He'd never had the chance to speak to any of the Ikegami before now and out of them all the princess seemed the most aproachable of them. "Do you mind if I join you? I've found that drinking alone rarely ever improves one's mood."
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 19:31:55 GMT
Sayoko raised her cup in a wordless invitation to sit, she'd never met the giants before and mingling would be good to learn about new cultures. She'd heard of the man, Gudrik the Blood Dancer, his prowess in battle was renowned as were some of his less savory actions. She'd give him the benefit of the doubt for the moment and be cordial as was needed though.
"If you like, it is an open feast hall and I suppose I'd welcome company for the moment. |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 20:08:39 GMT
Gudrik chuckled a bit at her response. "I was wondering at something from the combats. Is fighting with two weapons a common tactic in your homeland? I've seen it on occasion but it seems all of your samurai carry those paired swords. Daisho I believe they're called?"
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 20:15:15 GMT
Sayoko looked at him closely, a little surprised that he knew about the term but chalked it up to hearing it from one of her family members or perhaps one of the retainers who were in the town. Still it was a respectful gesture to use the correct term and she'd oblige them with an answer.
"Not usually, it is something one must train in to use both at once, typically though when entering the home of another Samurai leave their katana at the door and carry the Wakizashi inside but if you train in it the Wakizashi can be used with the katana as a matched pair." |
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Post by Vaklu on Dec 11, 2014 20:41:08 GMT
"So the 'Wakizashi' is intended as secondary weapon or for personal defense?" Gudrik stugled with the unfamiliar word. "I noticed you favor the matched pair style, when did you begin your training?" The art of war was a field in which he had great interest and any chance to expand his knowledge was to be capitalized apon.
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Post by ravigen on Dec 11, 2014 20:47:39 GMT
Sayoko nodded, turning to face him properly, if this was to be a talk about weapons and soldiery she'd do it face to face.
"Indeed, it is rarely used but the option is there and I suppose I started training to use the two in concert maybe sixty years ago, it was after I'd learned to use it on it's own but my father insisted we all learn to use it in concert with our katana."
She took another sip of her wine and considered something.
"I personally prefer using just my katana but I do not deny the usefulness of the wakizashi as a companion weapon." |
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