[center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center] [center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (VRA), [@The Irish Tree] (VIV), [@Rezod92] ~[/center] Kazenosuke wast still holding off Camael at which hour the next waft of attacks cameth. The dancing swordsman hadst to bethink apace and did start by spinning pushing the draconic familiar hence a did bite ere spinning to giveth his scabbard did thrust enow force to stumble Camael hence. His bodkin wast a blur to dispel the shadow rats from Zeka. He then ramm'd his bodkin at one of the incoming shadow clones and dispelling t, leaving only two remaining. He did kick one hence once moo and crouch'd down to throweth ov'r his shoulder the last one. They weren't eliminated, but t didst buyeth him enow time f'r the next attacks. Kazenosuke hath tried to useth only his scabbard to block Vivian's downward leggeth strike, only f'r the icy leggeth to wend through and hitteth the dancing swordsman. Just in time f'r Vară's fiery orbs to lunge at his position and explode. The swordsman wast launched, leaving a smoke trail, past Zeka's fog and to the wooden walls of his bawbling home. After his corse did slide down to the did grind, Kazenosuke hath used his bodkin to prop himself back up. His forks wast wobbly, one couldst sayeth he wast on his last forks. Clutching the area whither Vivian hitteth him, he did point his blade at the almost victorious yokai. "[color=indianred]You. bethink t's ov'r. ? I've still did get some square hath left in me. [/color]" The three taskforce members would eke notice yond a huge number of crows has't gather'd in the trees surrounding the square. They hath seemed ingraft, just curiously watching the hurlyburly unfold. But clearly, they wast not. The taskforce couldst coequal detect faint traces of charm within those folk [hr] [center][h3]Unknown Forest[/h3][/center] [center][b]KAGEHO, INNOCENT SHADOW[/b][/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (MAT) ~[/center] [quote=Matsuri Okitsu][color=fdc68a][b]"Oh and Takeshi couldn't come, he was busy dressing up as a miko! For...some reason. I didn't really ask."[/b][/color][/quote] The shinobi wench didst not appeareth to beest interest'd in talking, as the fires hath continued to burn the forest down. In fact, the lady hath brought out that lady sickle weapons and hath seemed to beest getting eft to start a square with matsuri until the young Inari hath said that lady last sentence. That lady weapons wast still out, but they and that lady posture wast anon did relax. Any fighting intent wast anon gone. "[color=firebrick]Thou has't mine own ears, yokai. Doth not waste those folk. [/color]" The shinobi hath said coldly and apace. "[color=firebrick]Spare nay details. Bid me everything. [/color]" the flames wast dying down 'round those folk, but still did illuminate enow yond Matsuri couldst still see the shinobi. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption] (UMI & RCD), [@AzureKnight] (KIR & LAV) ~[/center] The refugees were still distrustful of the taskforce, despite [u]Umami[/u] and [u]Ripcord[/u] humbling themselves to them. They were drawn in when [u]Kirei[/u] joined them in renovating an old and unused shrine at the corner of Terauchi Temple. Things were going pretty smoothly, the taskforce even gathering quite a crowd of an audience, until [u]Lavinia[/u] joined them and assumed some things about the [u]Claremont[/u] sisters. Things that struck a nerve with the siblings. "[color=fff79a]Uh, oh. Looks like they're about to fight.[/color]" "[color=7ea7d8]Let's get out of here before we get caught up in all that.[/color]" The refugee crowd was listening in on the commotion inside. They dispersed before anything... loud happened, and they were all gone by the time [u]Lavinia[/u] and the [u]Claremonts[/u] resolved the misunderstanding. Ayu, having noticed the fleeing villagers, went inside the newly-refurbished shrine. "[color=limegreen]Hey, do any of you mind explaining to me why people suddenly fled from here?[/color]" The spymaster's eyebrow raised when she saw a large kiln in place of the old shrine she knew. "[color=limegreen]Wait, isn't this the-- Ugh, never mind. I suppose it's dedicated to no one anyway.[/color]" "[color=limegreen]Now then, what did you all do here that warranted people freaking out?[/color]" Ayu jumped to conclusions before noticing the mark on [u]Ripcord's[/u] neck. "[color=limegreen]Whoa, and what's that on your neck?[/color]" [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@FroggRFlowR] ~[/center] Takeshi did listen intently to Tomi's introduction and explanation of that lady situation. He gather'd yond the lady wast from an 'alternate shizuyama' as the lady mention'd. A similar, but different ordinary from the implications. The young lord couldst only wonder at how a seemingly simple dragon couldst accomplish such a feat. Peradventure thither wast moo to this Tomi Oro than hath met the eye? 'r peradventure the lady wast simply falsing through that lady teeth. Although, dragons wast not famous f'r their deception. [quote=Tomi Oro][color=fff200]"Even you, Takeshi. I met you from where I come from, but you are wholly different, down to your scent. So, I do not know how, but it seemed I have slept my way to an... Alternate Shizuyama. [i]Somehow[/i]?"[/color][/quote] Takeshi stoodeth his did grind at which hour Tomi did get closer to him, although he didst bite his lips at which hour the dragon's visage wast very close to his. However, Tomi wast only interest'd in the smelleth of his hair. How different t wast from the takeshi yond the lady kneweth. [quote=Tomi Oro][color=fff200]"Definitely a Tomi thing to do... Just my luck!"[/color][/quote] Clearing his throat and his fluster'd visage, Takeshi madeth his reply. "So. thou art from an alternate shizuyama, an alternate ordinary. I doth not knoweth if 't be true this. 'travel between worlds' is possible. I doth not coequal knoweth if 't be true thou art simply falsing to me. But f'r anon, i shalt believeth thee. Besides, t's not like i has't evidence to the contrary. " "well hath met, then. Madam Tomi Oro. " takeshi madeth a brief bow, but he hast other questions to asketh. "May i asketh, what doth thee plan on doing anon? Thou sayeth this is not thy shizuyama, not coequal thy own ordinary. I would very much appreciate thy aid 'gainst the Varjan invasion of mine own home, but I would eke understandeth if 't be true thee hold nay obligation to this lodging and would prefer to leaveth and behold f'r a way back home. " [hr] [hr] [hider=Original Text] [center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center] [center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (VRA), [@The Irish Tree] (VIV), [@Rezod92] ~[/center] Kazenosuke was still holding off Camael when the next wave of attacks came. The dancing swordsman had to think quickly and started by spinning pushing the draconic familiar away a bit before spinning to give his scabbard thrust enough force to stumble Camael away. His sword was a blur to dispel the shadow rats from [u]Zeka[/u]. He then rammed his sword at one of the incoming shadow clones and dispelling it, leaving only two remaining. He kicked one away once more and crouched down to throw over his shoulder the last one. They weren't eliminated, but it did buy him enough time for the next attacks. Kazenosuke tried to use only his scabbard to block [u]Vivian's[/u] downward leg strike, only for the icy leg to go through and hit the dancing swordsman. Just in time for [u]Vară's[/u] fiery orbs to lunge at his position and explode. The swordsman was launched, leaving a smoke trail, past [u]Zeka's[/u] fog and to the wooden walls of his small home. After his body slid down to the ground, Kazenosuke used his sword to prop himself back up. His legs were wobbly, one could say he was on his last legs. Clutching the area where [u]Vivian[/u] hit him, he pointed his blade at the almost victorious yokai. "[color=indianred]You... think it's over...? I've still got some fight left in me...[/color]" The three taskforce members would also notice that a huge number of crows have gathered in the trees surrounding the fight. They seemed normal, just curiously watching the battle unfold. But clearly, they were not. The taskforce could even detect faint traces of magic within them. [hr] [center][h3]Unknown Forest[/h3][/center] [center][b]KAGEHO, INNOCENT SHADOW[/b][/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (MAT) ~[/center] [quote=Matsuri Okitsu][color=fdc68a][b]"Oh and Takeshi couldn't come, he was busy dressing up as a miko! For...some reason. I didn't really ask."[/b][/color][/quote] The shinobi girl did not appear to be interested in talking, as the fires continued to burn the forest down. In fact, she brought out her sickle weapons and seemed to be getting ready to start a fight with [u]Matsuri[/u] until the young Inari said her last sentence. Her weapons were still out, but they and her posture were now relaxed. Any fighting intent was now gone."[color=firebrick]...You have my ears, yokai. Do not waste them.[/color]" The shinobi said coldly and quickly. "[color=firebrick]Spare no details. Tell me everything.[/color]" The flames were dying down around them, but still illuminated enough that [u]Matsuri[/u] could still see the shinobi. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption] (UMI & RCD), [@AzureKnight] (KIR & LAV) ~[/center] The refugees were still distrustful of the taskforce, despite [u]Umami[/u] and [u]Ripcord[/u] humbling themselves to them. They were drawn in when [u]Kirei[/u] joined them in renovating an old and unused shrine at the corner of Terauchi Temple. Things were going pretty smoothly, the taskforce even gathering quite a crowd of an audience, until [u]Lavinia[/u] joined them and assumed some things about the [u]Claremont[/u] sisters. Things that struck a nerve with the siblings. "[color=fff79a]Uh, oh. Looks like they're about to fight.[/color]" "[color=7ea7d8]Let's get out of here before we get caught up in all that.[/color]" The refugee crowd was listening in on the commotion inside. They dispersed before anything... loud happened, and they were all gone by the time [u]Lavinia[/u] and the [u]Claremonts[/u] resolved the misunderstanding. Ayu, having noticed the fleeing villagers, went inside the newly-refurbished shrine. "[color=limegreen]Hey, do any of you mind explaining to me why people suddenly fled from here?[/color]" The spymaster's eyebrow raised when she saw a large kiln in place of the old shrine she knew. "[color=limegreen]Wait, isn't this the-- Ugh, never mind. I suppose it's dedicated to no one anyway.[/color]" "[color=limegreen]Now then, what did you all do here that warranted people freaking out?[/color]" Ayu jumped to conclusions before noticing the mark on [u]Ripcord's[/u] neck. "[color=limegreen]Whoa, and what's that on your neck?[/color]" [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@FroggRFlowR] ~[/center] Takeshi listened intently to [u]Tomi's[/u] introduction and explanation of her situation. He gathered that she was from... an 'alternate Shizuyama' as she mentioned. A similar, but different world from the implications. The young lord could only wonder at how a seemingly simple Dragon could accomplish such a feat. Perhaps there was more to this [u]Tomi Oro[/u] than met the eye? Or perhaps she was simply lying through her teeth. Although, Dragons were not famous for their deception. [quote=Tomi Oro][color=fff200]"Even you, Takeshi. I met you from where I come from, but you are wholly different, down to your scent. So, I do not know how, but it seemed I have slept my way to an... Alternate Shizuyama. [i]Somehow[/i]?"[/color][/quote] Takeshi stood his ground when [u]Tomi[/u] got closer to him, although he did bite his lips when the Dragon's face was very close to his. However, [u]Tomi[/u] was only interested in the smell of his hair. How different it was from the Takeshi that she knew. [quote=Tomi Oro][color=fff200]"Definitely a Tomi thing to do... Just my luck!"[/color][/quote] Clearing his throat and his flustered face, Takeshi made his reply. "So... you're from an alternate Shizuyama, an alternate world. I do not know if this... 'travel between worlds' is possible. I do not even know if you are simply lying to me. But for now, I shall believe you. Besides, it's not like I have evidence to the contrary." "Well met, then. Madam Tomi Oro." Takeshi made a brief bow, but he has other questions to ask. "May I ask, what do you plan on doing now? You say this is not your Shizuyama, not even your own world. I would very much appreciate your aid against the Varjan invasion of my home, but I would also understand if you hold no obligation to this place and would prefer to leave and look for a way back home." [/hider] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=Nobutada, Unwavering Will] "There's a monastery east of here called Fung Temple. There's a monk there named Nobutada. He's one of the most sturdiest people I know, able to weather blows that could shatter boulders. When my father called for the monks of Fung Temple, I didn't see Nobutada among them. If he's still alive, he'll be in the monastery and he can lend us his aid." [/hider] [hider=Sorae, Gentle Protector] "Sorae's skill with the naginata is fearsome and second to none. She and her clan was summoned to Sanjo Beach, but never appeared. We should head to their estate in the west and find out what happened to them and, if possible, recruit them to our cause." [/hider] [hider=Kageho, Innocent Shadow (ONGOING)] "Kageho is a shinobi who was supposed to attempt to sneak through the Varjan blockade alongside others. The last wave of shinobi that we could send. I... ordered them not to go anymore, behind my father's back, since it would have been a waste and the Varjans were upon us. It was too late to call for reinforcements from the other islands. Still, I expected her to show up in Sanjo Beach with the other shinobi. But they didn't. Anyway, their hideout should be around here somewhere. Try looking for any suspicious clearings in the forests around here. We can use their help." [/hider] [hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade (ONGOING)] "Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father. Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help." [/hider] [hider=Yurine, Death Keeper] "Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries. She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us." [/hider] [hider=Kikyo, Ever Faithful] "My childhood friend Kikyo was on an anti-yokai mission before all of this. I... was kind of glad she couldn't be on the beach and hoped that maybe she'll find a way to escape and live a full life elsewhere. But I know she would never do that. If she's coming back, she would definitely head for Port Wadatsumi in the southeast. We should find her before she does anything... drastic." [/hider] [center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center] [hider=Honey Trap] There was a villager woman, crying alone near a large tree within Terauchi Temple. "Yokai, could I speak with you? A group of bandits is terrorizing Sanjo. They slaughtered my whole family, like animals! They were killed at our home, near a river. I am Saki, please avenge my family and stop those bandits." [/hider] [hider=No Place Like Home] An upset woman noticed the taskforce member approaching. "As if losing our homes wasn't bad enough, we have to see Varjans in them as well. They took a home nearby a few days ago. The man who lived there won't leave the area. He keeps begging for help." [/hider] [hider=Shizuyama's Freedom] A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. "Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by a shrine priestess who wasn't present in Sanjo Beach." "They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not properly trained." [/hider] [hider=Hunter-Killer: First Encounter] There was a villager man sitting in a corner, quaking in fear. "Yokai, there's a warrior in Yagata Shipyard clad in black with a bandaged head. He seemed to have slaughtered all the Varjans there and freed me and a few other prisoners." "He told me to tell you that he wants to meet the taskforce so they could kill him. I'm not sure what's going on with that guy but he gives me the creeps." [/hider]