A Word Please(Requesting entry)

[Basuta]

[I guess since it has been more than five days, I'll just head in. Let me know if you want to continue from here or in another topic when you can.]
[Entering Village if I may. If I can't for any reason let me know.]
[Topic left due to inactivity]

 

[Michi]

Indeed, welcome.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Sorry for the inactivity, been swamped fixing some personal mistakes and missed posting. Feel free to continue this thread if you like. As Shiori has stated welcome to Sunagakure and may you enjoy your time in the desert.

 

[Basuta]

(OOC: Ready to continue?)

The two enter the chamber of the Mistress Azame and await to be directed. As they wait, they watch the swordsmanship of the woman spoken of and spoken for. Shoma watches the on to follow the moments while Ava marvels at the display, yet both remain still out of respect. The Young Master seems to take much interest in this culture that powered women. Shoma, however, questions in his mind the balance, being concerned as to whether or not males were seen as lower or inferior. Ava begins to swell with excitement and releases control of herself. She immediately pulls out her sheathed, sealed sword and starts waving it around, and as she does so, displays the skill set of a novice with knowledge of simple movements as well as a dexterity level seeming to be in much need of improvement. Ava shouts random "ya's", "chiya's", and "ho" as she demonstrates her lack-luster freestyle, embarrassing her teacher thoroughly.

Still, she could however manage to strike her guard in the back of the neck. Such an action manages to begin her back to the now, as she states "I'm sorry. Are you okay?" The Guardian simply remains silent while looking forward, showing the expression of a highly stressed parental figure.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Kyojin nodded to Shoma as he replied,"When I was born I had a tail, my horns developed in my late teens along with my runic tiger stripe markings. My childhood was generously mild despite my lineage and capabilities. Besides specific Lunar events, and celestial alignments this is my normal state unless I use transformation jutsu."<i></i> Kyojin spoke nonchalantly about his actual birth as he watched Lady Azame briefly before bowing and stepping away. He left the trays of food and beverages before stepping outide into the hallway.

Azame sheathed her blade, then curtsied before approaching. She took a moment to smile at the young lady's enthusiasm before placing a healing hand upon Shoma in a grasp of friendship. The bruise and light cut to Shoma would instantly heal if he allowed her to do so as she made the gesture that was traditional between swordsmen in times of peace to grasp Shoma by the forearm in a motion similar to a handshake but a simple forearm clasp that spoke volumes about her shared understanding of what it is like to raise and train children of all levels of skill. "Greetings Master Guardian Shoma and Mistress Ava, I am told you have both traveled far to visit our locale. You are both welcome to stay as long as you like, your lodgings will be free, along with any meals you partake of in the dojo. Should your Mistress wish it, I can have a series of training classes opened for her."<i></i>

 

[Basuta]

[OOC: So sorry about the wait and the short post. Much is going on at home.]

As the woman approaches, the guardian departs. The pair are left in front of Mistress Azame. To the samurai she seems more of the rough warrior type, someone sooner pictured as a partner in arms rather than a family woman. It becomes clear with the hand-shake given the roles of male and female are total reversed here. Then again, many are thrown off by the relationship that Shoma and Ava share in terms of title. She shows concern for the mishap of the young master, however little damage was done to the flesh, mere redness and irritation of the skin... not so with the reputation and image. But as Shoma and Azame clasp in greeting, the Mistress addresses him as a Master. Although he nods in understanding, he first brings up a matter of title. "Please, you are too kind. I am no master." Ava takes this time to put here weapon away at her side and try to regain her composure. She then states"I would be honored to partake in your lessons, especially those not available to Shoma. As you can see, I only need... 'minor' guidance hehe. So I believe the two of us maybe stay for while. However, we hope not to overstay our welcome." She states this after she bows to woman. The pair would wonder in unison what kind of training could be expected.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Azame smiles genuinely as she invites them to sit down while she pulls out some very old scrolls that explain some of her personal training methods. As Azame grasped the hilt of one of three swords her eyes briefly became reptilian as she looked them both over before releasing the spirit of the blade and regaining her normal green blue eyes. " Well from what I can see from our brief meeting Guardian Shoma is close to the elements and may one day find his own true path to his own elemental blade style if he hasn't already. Your lessons Mistress Ava would allow you to literally call upon the soul of a blade if you so chose to sacrifice some of your own spirit to forge that type of bond with sacred steel. There are other lessons and other paths you could assuredly take to become one of the greatest swordswomen alive but all of the paths I know involve a sacrifice either on your behalf or another's. Although you may be one of those rare geniuses that can actually draw in the energies around you to alter reality to become a weapon unto themselves. You need to first discover what your full potential is and then seek a safe method to bring it out. You are close to the perfect age to attempt a blade ceremony and discover your natural affinity. In your case I think it best to keep Shoma with you until you are certain you know what you want to learn. Once you have had some rest we can start your lessons in the morning. Any concerns?"<i></i>

 

[Basuta]

The pair sits themselves down with the lady as invited to do. This woman then demonstrates what seems to be the abilities of a witch or oracle. With the change of her eyes, she seemed to be able to see into the past or maybe into the souls of the two before her. Was this a doujutsu of some sort? Shoma begins thinking it to be possible, for in his youth and even his time as a shinobi, he has heard of people with bizarre eye colors that could do things with their vision normal men could not. As she speaks of Shoma, his head tilts to the side slightly in curiosity. To the swordsman, this seems possible. However, Ava's telling was a bit more... more. The young girl's excitement slowly fades with the mention of what would be needed with all of the paths of realization known to the Mistress of Sand.

With the questioning of concerns, Ava reveals, "Umm, when you speak of... sacrifice... what do you mean 'exactly'? And do you know of 'any' other paths, that don't seem so... grim or dangerous?" It would seem that the mention of safer methods slipped pass the youth. To this Shoma simply smirks and shakes he head a little. Seeing this, Ava gives Shoma a questionable look with a smirk and says, "Shoma, would you be willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good of the Masuda Bloodline?" From here, Shoma does nothing but stare at the Young Master.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Azame smirked a bit before responding to Ava's worries. "You misunderstand Young lady, when I speak of sacrifice I do not mean your life, I meant you must give up something of yourself to gain the ability to do things few others can do. Allow me to explain further, each of my swords were forged by a master samurai using Takahashi fire forged steel and ancient sealing techniques. My primary blade contains the soul of a great beast that was raised to protect me when I was a child. She died defending me before I mastered the ways of the blade. After I grew older and much wiser, I married a man far stronger than myself but easily dominated by my personality. In his haste to please me he offered to bring my long lost pet back in the form of a blade. He fulfilled his promise and now my darling drake is always at my side and when necessary I can call upon her abilities to enhance and aid my own. My second blade contains elemental energies that allow me to apply kinetic energy directly to any attack, the sword is so imbued that its blade is invisible to the common eye and it would appear to others that I am only wielding a hilt until I draw blood with it. My final blade contains the essence of an ancient healer's touch allowing me to strike my enemies viciously but instead of causing them actual damage they only receive the embarrassment if being knocked about and only receiving torn clothing or shattered armor but no wounds. Because of my personal sacrifice of special training and imbuing each of these blades with a portion of my own immortal soul I am able to call upon greater power from them than a conventional sword. My beast blade can become a giant sword, my kinetic blade can become an invisible shield, my healing blade can become a giant mace. The sacrifice was that a small portion of my soul is now a part of each of these weapons but since they answer to me and me alone their is little to worry about. Do you understand what I mean now or would you prefer another example?"<i></i>

What Lady Azame did not speak of but Shoma might be able to figure out was that she could actually allow the weapons to fuse with her and become something else entirely. She had just explained the abilities of the Tsukumogami path to Ava without directly naming it. There were other paths but they would involve intense training or the surgical transplant of eyes, one path would require her to actually take another soul into her and using it as a living weapon.

 

[Basuta]

Both the swordsman and the VIP Masuda concerns are eased slightly. Some of the traits she listed did seem to have vague similarities with some of the feats the Elder Master Masuda. There were moves forbidden to Shoma due to the needed use of lifeforce to perform them. But one important thing that seemed to be inferred by this oracle was that she was immortal. If she wasn't simply referring to just the soul itself, then the cost for Ava to wield such a weapon would be far greater than the price Mistress Azame pays. Ava, however, would be satisfied with the with want heard in comparison to what she had previously heard. Nodding to samurai, Ava then speaks to the woman.

"No need to further explain. It would be an honor to take part in your lessons. It would be unwise to limit myself to the teachings of just One Master. My Grandfather has instructed my Guardian, that he may train me in the art of the sword. Grand-Master Masuda's teachings begin with the development of the Self. My grandfather could, through his will alone, move his sword. His blade in his hands could spring to life has it had a will of its own. But few techniques of the sword are taught within the first year for the development of discipline is paramount. So much time is wasted in waiting to learn how to actually wield the sword. "

Shoma hearing this frowns, for he went through this training without questioning it, feeling that Ava should not so easily put aside the Grand-Masters values. Still, this was her decision to make.

[Marked for training]

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Azame nodded to Shoma in sympathy, she knew the path of discipline very well as it had been her own till her first marriage which ended disastrously, since then she taught young ladies to live free and to their own ideals without worry or fear. So far there had been few ill gains from her current method of teaching. "Your desires are evident young mistress but do not mistake your family's lessons for boredom. They are certainly meant to cleanse your mind and spirit for the truth of the sword. The truth of the blade is that it is a weapon an object designed to injure, harm, and when necessary kill. In the hands of a master it can do great and terrible things. In the hands of a child it can do great and terrible things. It is the terrible things that any weapon can do that discipline helps to keep any wielder of weapon from doing. Since you are currently bored with the discipline necessary to manifest your family techniques I will train you in wielding your body as a blade so that when the time comes for you to wield your sword, not only will you be beyond the fitness required to master your family techniques you will have your own abilities to augment and excel in your lessons. Is this satisfactory for you or do you only wish to learn the blade and nothing else?"<i></i>

 

[Basuta]

The younger girl looks down for a moment in reflection. The older woman seems, to the youth, like she wants to side with Shoma her bodyguard. Perhaps the two more experienced fighters had got through to the girl. "Hmm, I well,... I believe an alternative method of conditioning would not conflict too much. Still, I do so desire to learn more about this land and the unique styles it possess, but it seems I will have to wait." Shoma's facial feature seems to display a look of relief, though within he is more shocked by the youth's decision. Training in the use of something other than a sword didn't go against the Elder Master Masuda's wishes.

"Mistress Azame, thank you for you patiences with us. Is there anything that you would ask of us in return." Shoma wonders whether all of this generosity is truly free, and why it would be given so freely.

[Sorry for the long wait.]
[Marked for Training]

 

[Toraono Kuro]

​

Queen Azame finished her final kata in standing form before answering "I do require one form of payment. I require a display of mastery of martial or scholarly skill to be recorded and placed within the records of the Toraono Dojo as an exchange of knowledge or a display of knowledge attained while here. It is how this dojo maintains its reputation. One must learn something or be learned to come through the training of the Toraono Dojo."<i></i> With that she sheathed her secondary blade and sat before the duo once more to let them consider what exchange or display of mastery they might muster up. She ate delicate cakes with a zest and zeal that defied her natural tendencies. Then her facial features resumed their natural state, it seemed wielding the second sword gave her a hungry decisive nature.

 

[Basuta]

The samurai nods at the woman's statement. Shoma closes his eyes, taking time to ponder just what to trade. He sees that they greatly value knowledge. For them to be willing to trade knowledge for knowledge is more than reasonable, it just made sense. But to the samurai, though he and his Master are currently guests at the Mistress Azame's Dojo, he still feel at debt to the people of Sand due to the generosity. The swordsman opens his eyes seconds later to respond to the female master "I see that this is not a fair trade as it stands. For you kind offer before my young Master, I owe you more than just knowledge, but an offer of service as well. Should my Master allow, I will share with you some of the teaching of samurais' past, and the lesson and wisdom that there example displays. For in remembering their story, they live within those who choose to let them into there heart, strengthening the will, the body, the mind, when their story is recited. Shoma, gives a brief look to Ava, who nods and smiles greatly in approval.

Then Shoma continues, "Then I shall share lessons that my Elder Master has taught me. And as for the remain, you may use direct my sword at those that bring you discomfort through misconduct or injustice. Is this acceptable? Ava ponders the words that her guardian spoke, hoping that this version of the arrangement doesn't cause too much trouble for Shoma.

{OOC: Sorry for the extra long wait time. I've been having some real-life changes over the past few months and I think things are fairing better now.}
[Marked for training]

 

[Toraono Kuro]

​

Queen Azame cleaned her hands of sugar and crumbs before pulling a ledger from a large desk that was pushed against a far stone wall. The ledger was marked with the seal for the Nobuku Clan of Iron Country and the leather and backing crested with a lesser Toraono Clan seal. This book marked those whom received Lady Azame's personal training which went beyond the Toraono Dojo norm as it was her family skills not necessarily the lessons of Toraono Kaibudo or the other branch families that she taught.

"Your method of exchange will more than suffice, if the both of you would sign my ledger and notary for lessons and services in exchange for lessons and knowledge we will separate for a while before dinner this evening where you can meet the rest of my family and we will begin her lessons in one day's time after I have her fitted for a training gi and armor befitting a woman trained by my hand."<i></i> After presenting the ledger to them Lady Azame would begin making arrangements for Shoma and Lady Ava's stay and training.

 

[Basuta]

The two watch as a contract is presented before them. One half of the duo looks forward to the new style to be learned and adopted. The other half begins to see this as an opportunity to share knowledge and somehow add worth and note to the sword master's teaching. Maybe this could work as a means to built a relationship between practitioners of Masuda swordsmanship and those of the... Azame Style. As the remaining two people of the Masuda heritage, and only one of actual blood ties to the name, it is almost an essential move to preserve the Masuda ways. Yet, Shoma hopes for a brighter future than for the only source of Masuda knowledge to be acquire-able by those who come here,... because no Masuda could. The pair take their turn signing the ledger, each with hopes for the same future, with different priority per individual.

Little did they know what the night would bring...

(Topic left unless stopped. Thank you for your patience with my slow self. Your welcome to enter The Banditos event as my npc is trying to contact known security, if you like.)
[Marked for training]