"The smiling fox always has a secret to share."  Kuwata smiles and follows Chiang

---

Avatar a product of the amazing webcomic-year one. yearone.spiderspawn.com

Nods and follows from the rear as he keeps his eyes and ears open, sniffing quietly his paw resting on the hilt of his sword.

[ The Plains - Chiang ]

The spirit to you resembled something of great power, and as you followed it you knew better than to ask it any questions or to irritate it in the slightest.  The meanest anger from it would mean more than a little trouble for you and your party, as this creature could repel and probably destroy any of the Oni who would be following you, and with it's erratic temperment (The mirrored temperment of the golden grass from which it was composed, ever changing) gave you little warning as to what would set off the mighty being.  As such you didn't really ask anything of it, and merely waited for it.  When it did stop, you sensed a great power contained within the small hut which lay before you.  It was divine, to say the least, but the feeling itself was too contained for you to be sure what was going on with it.  Other than that, you knew that it would be safe from anything aside from an Oni bearing the foul touch of Fu Leng himself.

[ The Plains Ksoo'ma ]

As you neared where-ever it was that the 'gambler' was taking you, you quickly realized that for, whatever reason, there was no Shadowlands taint about the trail, nor about the final location.  It was as though the demons had not touched this land, and not only that, the newly awakened blade which lay within it's scabbard gave off no hum of evil.  It seemed to do that, with it's name, the mighty Haikaru, the name which it took when your own powerful name imbued it with strength.  To you, it felt as though the presence of the Lion Samurai were within your soul, yet a different feeling accompanied it, a feeling that you were the inheritor of the Lion, the strength, the spirit, the power, the blade which you felt could slice through demon-flesh without hindrance, and probably would help you in other ways, all from the power contained within yourself...

[ The Plains - Others ]

The path twisted between the grasses, some of which rose above the heads of even the tallest member of the party, and after awhile the feeling of unease began to dissipate, and a feeling of purity filled even the most hardened heart.  Strange, it was, until the object that they were going for soon appeared - a small hut which obviously was in a state of disrepair, so much so it was barely habitable.  Still, there was probably enough room in the hut for all of the people assembled, and the feeling of peace permeated the air, that is, until a peculiar man stepped out of the front door, bent over with his cane in hand.  He must have been at least 80 years old, looking like a man composed only of wrinkles, and yet when his gaze fell on Ksoo'ma he still smiled and spoke in a language only the two of them could understand.

"It's been a long time since I have seen one of the Nezumi, and I welcome you and your party into my home."

Then, his gaze settled on the Spirit which only Chiang and himself could see and chuckled, his eyes then going to Chiang as he realized that only the two of them could see it, that is, until he waved his cane at the spirit and it appeared before the entire assemblage.  This time, in an understandable language, the venerable man spoke.

"Ai... Much time has past since I have communed with the spirit of the Plains.  You led these people here, did you not?  Through your medium there?"

He pointed at Chiang.

"Shujenga, I have not seen one of your type for some time, what clan do you herald from?  Where are all of you from, and why have you come to the sanctity of my home?  Do you wish to get herbs for sickness?"

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

Sha Ya Shi starts to confront the one saying he'll lead the creatures away but them stops.  Then she turns to Chiang.  "Gamblers are normally foul cheaters that should not be trusted.  You must have a better feeling than this 'Gambler's Luck' of yours.  Gamblers often feel the end of blades quite often."

(A note to go off of Twitch's note, my horse is very tolerent of smells and things like because I have trained it so much because of these beasts.  My horse is either bothered by it but doesn't show it or just doesnt even notice it.  I say this because my horse is my best companion and is very valuable to my character.)

((It isn't a training thing, it's a discomfort thing.  Nezumi and horses repel each other on something if a mystical sense.  The Horse may stay for now, but as a personal reccomendation you may wish for it to stay with the old man.  Oni eat horseflesh, and it's a good target for those - such a well-bred animal would be dearly missed should that occur.))

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

"I think we should go this way... I'm feeling lucky."

 

At this Ksoo'ma nods to Chiang reverently and turns to follow the group, his steps sure and certain that they are being lead correctly.

 

******

As they come closer to their destination he relaxes further and glances about in wonder under his concealing wide brimmed hat.

 

******

The cloaked figure bowed to the old man in return somewhat confused and worried at first that he was able to see past his disguise but pasted it off as magic, this place, and this man obviously had strong name to repel the shadowlands taint… or perhaps as he first suspected this was the source of the luck that all humans seemed to have, perhaps he could gain its use for his own people. Thoughts buzzed in his head like bees at a blossom as he watched the scene unfold before him with intense interest and awe.

Chiang looked at Sha Ya Shi, grinning broadly. "Ran foul of a bad gambler, eh...? Not all are untrustworthy, you know. After all, the only gamblers I have known to feel the end of a blade were either horrible losers or incredible winners." He chuckled, bowing low to the spirit and the man.

"I am Moshi Chiang, of the Mantis clan. I was on my way to sell wares to a town I felt would need... my services... and was ambushed by... things. These people saved me, and we ran to the plains..." He bowed to the spirit again. "And we were led here, much to my happiness, at least."

[ The Hut - Everyone ]

The old man gazed upon the assemblage and gestured for them to come into his home, which appeared shabby, but as they entered into it, it's size increased drastically.  It was sparsely furnished, but it did have enough room for all of them, surprisingly, and after a few words to the spirit of the plains, the old man came back into the house and dusted himself off, looking at the others and motioning for them to sit at the tea table where another was already seated, a young woman whom had obviously been there for some time, sipping her tea.

((Talion, that's you.))

"So I see your troope has managed to evade the warriors, one trained by the Lion whose face is hidden by fear.  Do not fear in my house, for although the others may be unsettled I abide no harm to fall upon my occupents."

((None of you know that Twitch's character is a giant rat, so if he chooses to do that, act accordingly.))

His pause awaited Ksoo'ma's action, but he didn't really give him more than a few moments before continuing, his gaze falling onto each of them individually.  It was at this point that the assembled group realized that although the old man used a cane to stand, and appeared to live in such a poor hovel, his clothing was tinted with gold, and although the home was outwardly in disrepair, it was merely dusty on the inside, the china and tea being of high quality, somewhat hard to afford if the man was actually whom he portrayed himself.

"It has been a long time since I have had guests.  I see at least one every few years, but I rarely go out among the world anymore.  People don't think of people like much anymore, since I don't pray much and pay no homage to Lord or Emperor.  Most consider it treasonous and avoid me like poison.  But I still have my ways, I heal, I help, but I haven't in a long time.  Anyone who comes to my home; however, is safe from the taint of Shadowlands and any threat aside from that of Fu Leng himself, and even he might reconsider fighting me."

A smile erupted on his face, showing that his teeth were all there, and then his eyes, which appeared gold in this light, fell upon each of them individually.  It was then that for a split second everything in the world seemed to stop, and a unique feeling filled the heart of the people who were in attendance, a feeling of utter joy, insurmountable joy, a feeling like love, but not quite.

"Any questions?  For now I'd reccomend you stay a few nights in my home."

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

Ksoo’ma’s hands reached up towards his hat brim, he stopped halfway and dropped them back down; he looked about nervously then down at his Katana. Ksoo’ma squared his shoulders, reached up and pulled off his hat, letting the hood fall back; his nose twitched and he glanced about the room fearing the inevitable.

Chiang nodded to the old hermit, then stopped before he could say something, looking at Ksoo'ma... His eyes widened for a bit in acknowledgement, and he bowed his head a bit... smiling. "I guess it was wrong of me to think I'm the only one 'ere with secrets... I guess I'd be a little more wary of you, if I didn't already owe you and the everyone else 'ere my life..." Chiang looks up at the ceiling, smiling wider. "You're all so good with your blades..." He nodded at the ceiling, seeming to come back down to earth... he looks to the hermit. "As I was about to say, I would gladly accept your hospitality..." He stopped, realizing he didn't know the man's name... he decided to skip that piece of information for now. "And if you're as good as you say you are, along with the others here, I'll have no problem feeling quite safe."

He nods, not mentioning his Shugenja skills also aided in his rescue, and thier arrival at the house... but he only ever bragged when it came to a big haul, good business, or an icredibly lucky game of chance...

Sha Ya Shi stands up not even noticing what is going on around her.  "I must be alone for a moment.  I will return soon."  She then walks outside.

She then returns after about an hour.  "So my new friends, what is our next move against the evil that has invaded our land."  She also then discovers the identity of her hooded companion.  "I thought of you strangely and now I know why.  No worries though.  We must figure out what we are going to do.  We must not be hasty to fighting this things as you all now know.  But we must do something soon.  I am a very patient person when foul things are afoot."

huh?

---

darkness is supreme.......and so is this taco i got from taco bell *munch... munch* damn this taco is good

((This is called a roleplay. It's playing make-beleive for grown ups. Shoo.))

Kaya inhaled sharply at the sight of the rat-man's face, nearly dropping her cup with surprise.

---

I swear, now you're just doing it to piss me off.

(You know, you can't just leave, say an hour past then come back... well you can but you're going to have to wait for us to catch up. We now have an hour of game time to rp till you can post again, that could take a day or it could take months... think hard, is this what you really want to do?)

((Stupidity on the part of Phoenix... Pelase ignore.))

---

I swear, now you're just doing it to piss me off.