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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 22, 2011 1:36:01 GMT -5
::It was the dawn after the disturbance within the castle grounds and the attempt on the life of his master when Kamikaze found himself in deep meditation in one of the outer gardens. After what was in his mind a failure to protect his lord, he found his concentration wavering, moreso when a voice broke it completely::
Shizuka: You are troubled my disciple.
::As expected of his former sensei, he had not heard her approach. She stood at the edge of the coy pond, robed from heat to toe in black with her face hidden behind a Noh mask. It was a sad thing indeed to consider the face beneath had once been beautiful those years ago when she had trained him. But that voice, like ice along the surface of the water would always be the same::
Shizuka: Do not excuse yourself. You cannot hide these things from me.
(OOC: Playing with Kamikaze's past a little again. Wanted to use this character more, and this was the only role that seemed to fit her. What do you think Jas?)
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Post by Nu on Nov 22, 2011 1:44:21 GMT -5
::He stood and turned to her, his fox mask moved to the sside of his face, allowing her to look as her former disciple::
Kamikaze: I'm reflecting what has happened yesterday. I should of saw what August's true intentions were. I shouldn't of left him alone with Lord Sigimund. And hearing him say he didn't require my help, I can't help but think I'm starting to lose my edge.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 22, 2011 1:48:20 GMT -5
Shizuka: And why do you suppose that is? What regrets could ever plague "He Who Has Cheated Death"?
::She used the title that their fellow clansmen had begun referring to him after he had returned; one of many. However, despite the impressive weight it carried, like most everything else that came directed at him from her mouth, it held a very condescending tone::
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Post by Nu on Nov 22, 2011 2:11:10 GMT -5
Kamikaze: My regret is that I couldn't see what was happening until it was too late. I vowed never to make that same mistake again after what had happened to her...
::Shizuka knew he was referring to his former ward, now missing since her escape.::
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 22, 2011 2:41:43 GMT -5
Shizuka: If I recall, that is where the trouble began was it not? The first time your resolve began to waver. ::The events that led to that girl's entrance into their previously simple lives at the castle of Doma. were still clear as day to both her and him, like how one cannot forget a first kiss, or a terrible injury:: ::Kamikaze awaited Shizuka's decision as his sensei's eyes remained locked on the girl in front of them in the lower garden of the castle. Two Wutai held her by her arms, keeping her immobilized. She was a gangly creature, all angles and ends with an unruly nest of hair that appeared a muddy shade of brown at the moment, though it was more likely because of the same filth that covered her clothes. As it was, her hair came all the way down to her knees, draped over her shoulders like the fur of a wild animal. Her only redeeming feature in her small gaunt face was a bright pair of blue-green eyes::
Shizuka: So this is the girl?
::The woman's tall mature and exotic beauty was a painfully obvious contrast of the girl's apparent poverty. The meager rags she wore may as well have left her bare beside Shizuka's long red kimono of the finest silk from their homeland::
Shizuka: Remind me again of the trouble she began.
Wutai: The outer guard caught her stealing food from the wagons being delivered to the palace.
Shizuka: And when they attempted to apprehend her?
Wutai: She made utter fools of them. She turned herself into a shadow and passed right through them. If it weren't for Master Kamikaze's interference, she would have escaped with this.
::He threw the burlap sack that the girl had previously stuffed with food::
Wutai: Lady Shizuka, how is it that a small child could have mastered such an advanced shadow technique?
Shizuka: It is no technique, but the powers of a demon she possesses. I've read her aura. This girl is a Sorceress. One of those Witches that pollute the eighth world and are prophesied to destroy it. She has no place here, and she has stolen from the palace guard which is tantamount to stealing from our Lord.
::She lifted her jaded gaze to the man who held her::
Shizuka: Cut her hands off.
::The moment it was uttered the girl tugged violently at her captors as they forced her to her knees. She turned those eyes on Kamikaze accusingly.::
Girl: You promised me! You said I'd be okay!
::She shouted, refferring to his initial capture of her, and his assurance that to face the consequences of her mistakes would make things better for her in the end. Shizuka looked to him next::
Shizuka: Kitsune, is this true?
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Post by Nu on Nov 22, 2011 2:56:08 GMT -5
Kamikaze: It's true sensei. Though she is indeed a sorceress, I sense she would be an excellent assassin if given the proper training. Her power over shadows would be an asset to us and our lord. It would be a waste to simply take her hands and send her back out to an unforgiving world.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 23, 2011 3:24:55 GMT -5
Shizuka: That decision was not yours to make. You did your duty in bringing her here so justice may be served, but you have done both her and yourself a dishonor by making her a promise you cannot keep. This matter will be dealt with swiftly after we are through here. Kaito, do what you must.
::The girl's blue green eyes went wide, swelling with tears as the two Wutai stretched her arms out before her as Kaito drew his katana::
Girl: No don't! I won't do it again! I promise! I'll never steal again!
Shizuka: We know you won't.
??: What's all the commotion for?
::The sound of that voice made even Shizuka snap to attention. The Count strode into the garden robed in black with a long black cloak draped over his drooping shoulders, leaning on a wooden cane with a gleaming knob at the end; the polished figure head of a dragon with ruby red eyes. His long graying hair hung about his shoulders, framing his wisened face. Those red-brown eyes were as fierce as ever, despite the look of amusement his old face wore::
Sigismund: Well Shizuka? What's become of this little one?
Shizuka: My lord, this girl, this witch was apprehended stealing food.
Girl: I was hungry! And those apples looked so good!
Sigismund: Apples? That's what this is about?
::The old count shook his head::
Shizuka: No disrespect my lord, but what she stole is hardly the issue. The matter is who she stole from. She has stolen from you, from the wagons you sent for. There is ne'ery a step between her actions and treason.
Sigismund: I don't believe so. Looks to me like a starved little girl desperate for a bite. And isn't that why I sent for those wagons in the first place?
Shizuka: Yes my Lord, but--
Sigisismund: But what? Are you questioning the intent of those wagons now? Had she been a little more patient and stayed here a day more she would have recieved those rations in any case. Seems like she took the initiative herself which I find intriguing.
Shizuka: With all due respect then, what do you propose we do with her my Lord?
::The Count stroked the long narrow graying beard that snaked from his chin in thought::
Sigismund: Kamikaze seems to believe she possesses talent.
::The Count's eyes drifted to the girl and winked::
Sigismund: As do I. See to it that talent is trained. After of course, making sure she gets something to eat, a hot bath, and a change of clothes. Can't have one of my retainers dressed in rags and covered in filth now can we?
::The Count laughed to himself as he departed, leaving Shizuka fuming::
Shizuka: It shall be as you wish my Lord. Kitsune,
::She rounded on her disciple::
Shizuka: Since you were the one with the keen eye for this girl's potential, you will be her master. Don't you remember our conversation just last moon how eager you were to take on a disciple of your own?
::She smirked, remembering full well that he had informed her he never in his lifetime intended to take on a disciple, and nothing she could say with her silver tongue could persuade him otherwise::
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Post by Nu on Nov 23, 2011 3:31:58 GMT -5
::From under his mask, she could see the glare his ruby eyes were throwing her. It wasn't he couldn't take a disciple, it was just he felt he wasn't ready and would probably never be ready.::
Kamikaze: As you command sensei...
::But he looked to his newest ward and his eyes soften abit before he approached her and knelt down to so she could see him in the eyes.::
Kamikaze: Come with me, there is much to be done. But first, what is your name young one?
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 23, 2011 3:52:12 GMT -5
::The girl lifted her eyes. Her life had been spared, but they appeared as terrified as before. Nevertheless she set her jaw and answered::
Girl: Nicole.
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Post by Nu on Nov 23, 2011 4:11:35 GMT -5
Kamikaze: Nicole... It's a fine name for you. ::He then stands back up:: Now fallow me Nicole. We have to gte you cleaned up.
Kamikaze: Just seeing her like that, so frail and thin, did indeed cause my resolve to waiver, and we both know that wasn't the last time.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 24, 2011 19:23:40 GMT -5
::Shizuka didn't approve the way he seened to remember that girl with fondnes::
Shizuka: Yes there were other occasions where you allowed your feelings for that girl cause you to forget who you really served. And now you're letting it happen again. I thought I burned this message into your head the day I took you on as my disciple. There is only our service to our master and his ideals. We chose Lord Sigismund because of all that he has done for our clan, and because he holds to ideals that we deemed worthy of championing. So long as he is loyal to those ideals, we are loyal to him, and we do anything in our power to help him realize them. Everything else in your life, family, friends, even me your sensei who taught you this truth must be put aside in the name of that. That is the only truth in the lives of killers like us.
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Post by Nu on Nov 26, 2011 0:06:06 GMT -5
Kamikaze: You think I don't know that? I have kept to the code and been loyal to Lord Sigimund in both his previous and his current rule, but there was something about her... Something that made me think twice about putting her aside. What it is I don't know and I can't explain what it is.
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Post by Book of the Twilight on Nov 27, 2011 3:58:25 GMT -5
Shizuka: Well whatever it was I suggest you discover it and stamp it out before it's given another chance, because I have not forgotten where my loyalty lies, and it is not with you.
::The rythmic click-clack of heels on the cobblestone interrupted them as Alicia Strauss made her way to the courtyard::
Alicia: Shizuka, we'd best be going. Our vessell is prepared to take us to Figaro. Oh, hello Kamikaze. Didn't see you brooding over there. In any case, my diplomatic duty calls, and so does yours.
::Kamikaze could feel the eyes of his sensei on him even through her mask, calculating, watching for any kind of sign::
Shizuka: Remember Kitsune, there is only our Lord and his dream. Your loyalty. Nothing else.
::And with that she was gone::
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