[RP]Obake Blade

[JasraLantill]

((Sorry, Grace, but as Aya was unconscious during her arrival, she wasn't surprised by Lady Hakura's arrival as she didn't know that there were supposed to be no other guests. But she is curious about her. ))

 

"Still outside? That's a bit...odd, isn't it?" Aya commented to Maggie and the others. "Even for Kai," she added, knowing that the sinewy fighter was a bit odd at the best of times. "I thought everyone knew that the monastery's doors are always open for travellers. And I would think that a bed and a hot meal would be welcome, especially after the..." She swallowed hard. "... rock snake incident."

 

She looked down at her empty bowl, her first course of soup now finished, and then at all the food that yet surrounded them on the table. If Kai was still outside, it didn't seem right to have all this food and not share it with him. "Father Abbot?" she politely asked Abbot Carlisle. "If for some reason our companion Kai doesn't feel welcome here, is it alright if we take some food out to him?"

 

"I don't see why not, child," Abbot Carlisle replied. He blotted his mouth with his napkin. "Charity is one of our seven core beliefs. I'll have Brother Damien make up a plate for him." He nodded to Damien, and the monk quietly rose, taking away the Abbot's empty soup bowl, and headed for the kitchens.

 

Aya looked again towards the elegant Lady Hakura, who was sat next to Takara. Seeing them sitting side by side, Aya couldn't help but notice a strong resemblance, but she thought it rude to ask if they were related. She didn't think it rude to ask, however, where the young Katsuro was though, and thought that by doing so it might stimulate enough conversation at that end of the table as to answer her question.

 

"Takara? Is Katsuro not joining us for dinner? I thought he'd be hungry after such a long trip. Is he ok?"

[Grace]

"I think the boy is having a little chat with one of my old friends," Kaori answered. At the sound of her mother's voice, Takara jumped a little, remembeing that none of her companions had yet met the elder woman.

 

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, standing. "Everyone, this is my mother, Kaori." With a disbelieving smile in her mother's direction, she added, "I haven't seen her in eleven years."

[3yks]

"I didn't realize i wouldn't be going in until you were all well on your way into the monestary, I thought i might come in later tonight, and let Kyo know where I was." He shrugged, "I'm sorry if I worried anyone, I just didn't feel comfortable going in." He smiled at Tellis. "Kai thanks this lady, Kai takes some pride in the cooking Kai does." He grinned at her, that slightly unhooked grin that he had.

 

"And while we have all done things we are not proud of, some of us have done more of those things than others." It was a little disconcerting how he was slipping back and forth between his two 'personalities' his way of speaking in third person having that hint of insanity in each word, while his other, more 'normal' method of speaking was a even, and calm.

[JasraLantill]

"Your mother?" Aya's eyes widened with disbelief as she looked pointedly at Takara. She had thought perhaps Lady Hakura was Takara's aunt or cousin--she had not even the slightest preconception that she could have been Takara's mother. "You haven't seen your mother in eleven years?!" Aya blinked as if she hadn't quite heard Takara correctly. "Eleven years?!"

 

Getting an admonishing look from the Abbot, Aya realised she was being judgmental and she quickly apologised. "I'm sorry," she said to Takara. "I didn't mean to sound critical or to be rude, but eleven years... that's a really long time. I mean, eleven years ago, I was eight--younger than Katsuro is now." She gave a quick glance at her friend Maggie. "I was still playing with dolls eleven years ago," she added quietly.

 

She looked at Lady Hakura, then cleared her throat. "Very nice to make your acquaintence, mi'lady," she said bashfully. "And I apologise again for jumping to any conclusions. I didn't mean to pry into your private affairs. I'm sure you have good reasons for being apart from your daughter for so long."

 

She slouched down in her seat, purposely avoiding the Abbot's gaze by raising a hand to her brow. "Can I just die quietly of embarrassment now?" she whispered to Carwyn.

[Jason Skywalker]

Akira stopped eating, even though there wasn't actually more soup left. He slowly got up and bowed, "Pleased to meet you milady. Please have a seat and a bowl of soup with us if you desire," Akira respectfully said.

[Rogue Nine]

((I think they were already seated, Jason.))

 

Carwyn nodded respectfully at Lady Haruka. "Glad to make your acquaintance as well, Lady. Your daughter have both proven themselves able, loyal and steadfast companions. You must be very proud of them."

 

"Can I just die quietly of embarrassment now?" Aya whispered to him, her hand up at her face, which was turning that lovely shade of red again.

 

He chuckled and patted her hand. "Now now, there'll be no dying under my watch, of embarrassment or otherwise," he whispered back. "Everyone's allotted their fair share of social etiquette hiccups." He motioned slightly with his spoon towards Akira. "Some of us are already way past our limit."

 

****

 

You'd be surprised how many things this lady has done that she's not proud of... Tellis thought to herself.

 

"We may be here for a few days, Kai," she said, putting down her plate and drawing her cloak around her. "Will you stay out here the whole time?"

[3yks]

He shrugged, "Kai is used to sleeping outdoors," he was, he rarely stayed in inns or the like, usually just slept in the woods, or hidden away on a rooftop somewhere. He didn't have much in they way of money, and didn't much care for working or anything ... so he had gotten used to it. "Kai is not sure Kai would even know what to do with himself, if Kai spent a few nights in a row in a bed."

[JasraLantill]

"Everyone's allotted their fair share of social etiquette hiccups." Carwyn motioned slightly with his spoon towards Akira. "Some of us are already way past our limit."

 

"I'm definitely past mine," Aya said. She gave a sheepish, but apologetic grin to the Abbot, then let out a sigh of relief as he nodded his acceptance. "I should know better than to blurt out things like that at the dinner table," she said quietly to Carwyn. "I spent enough time here. Did I ever tell you that I learned to read in this place?"

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn raised his eyebrows. "You know how to read?" he asked, his voice incredulous. "Can you teach me how?"

 

Aya's eyebrows shot up to match his own. "You mean... you can't read?!" she whispered. "I mean, of course I'll teach you, but I thought you knew how to."

 

Carwyn giggled evilly. "I do, Aya," he said, the mischief evident in his voice. At her betrayed look, he softened his expression. "Thanks for offering, though. I'm still probably nowhere near as articulate as you are anyway, what with you learning how to read in a monastery of all places." He glanced over at Maggie. "I take it you learned along with Maggie when you were both young?"

 

****

 

Tellis nodded at Kai. "If such is your choice," she said, standing. "Unfortunately, I do require a bed to sleep properly." She looked at him. "Is there anything you would like me to bring you back from the monastery when I return in the morning?"

[JasraLantill]

"I take it you learned along with Maggie when you were both young?"

 

Aya nodded in response to Carwyn's question. "Yup. In the library. With Father Abbot." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Only he wasn't Father Abbot when we started, just Brother Carlisle."

 

She looked at the Abbot askance. He was looking at the pendant Akira had given him earlier, but she couldn't tell by his expression what he was thinking about. Carlisle was funny that way. He could give a single look that meant a hundred words, or a facial expression that said nothing at all. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he had become the Abbot when the elder Abbot had passed. Finally, he closed the pendant, gave a knowing look to Akira, then laid it down gently on the table.

 

"Aya?" he said to her. "Perhaps, after the meal, you and Maggie can show your companions around the monestary? Master Ruroni has indicated an interest in our scrolls. Perhaps you can start your tour there."

 

Aya nodded. "Yes, Father Abbot," she said, as obediently as one of the monks or Maggie would have. She helped herself to some roasted meat and some bread, then offered some to Carwyn. "How does he do that?" she asked Carwyn in a low whisper. "Makes me feel like I'm eight years old again."

[3yks]

He shrugged faintly, "Breakfast might be nice." He smiled faintly, "Kai doesn't eat meat though, so if it's meat Kai will just make up what Kai has with him," he shrugged, and motioned at the monestary. "Go ahead and go on back. I will be fine out here."

[Rogue Nine]

"People in high places aren't there for just any old reason," Carwyn replied, biting into a piece of bread. "Abbott Carlisle doesn't seem like a stern person, though. Just someone who commands a lot of respect."

 

****

 

"I hope so," Tellis said sincerely as she lifted her hood over her head and made her way down the hills back towards the monastery. She looked back over her shoulder. "Good night," she called out, hoping Kai would hear her.

[Quist]

Maggie overheard Abbott Carlisle mention for her and Aya to show their visitors around after the meal. She nodded, unconsciously half-bowing to the Abbott as he walked away. Turning back to Kyo, she said, "We do have a fantastic library. You said you're something of a historian, so it should be right up your alley. After we've located your missing friends, would you like to see it?"

[ForceFightWMe12]

"That would be fantastic." Kyo answered, smiling as he dipped his spoon in to try and scrounge what was left of the soup, "Of course, there's always the chance that you might lose me in there, but, hey..."

[Jason Skywalker]

"Don't worry, i'll come with," Akira told Kyo, glancing at him and grabbing his pendant and putting it around his neck, "I haven't been around books for a while."

[Quist]

"You'll find that we have no shortage of books, m'lord," Maggie told Akira, smiling sweetly at him. "In fact," she said, speaking to both Akira and Kyo now, "My mentor, Brother Hanzo, is the resident librarian. He should be able to assist the both of you in whatever you're looking for." Then she frowned, looking among the monks for Brother Hanzo's familiar face and not finding him. "Unfortunately, I don't see him at the dinner table..." Her voice grew worried. "He has been feeling under the weather lately, so I'd not be surprised to find him still resting," she surmised. She made up her mind to check on him as soon as dinner was finished.

[Rogue Nine]

Tellis let herself into the monastery and quickly made her way to the dining hall. Entering the cavernous room, she observed that most of her companions were already seating and eating dinner, along with the monks. She also took note that the newcomer, Lady Haruka, had taken a seat next to Takara. The difference in styles was striking; the older woman was almost luminescent in her white gown, Takara, with her dark hair and black clothing, was the total opposite.

 

She glided to the end of the table and took a seat to the side Kyo and Maggie were sitting on.

[Master_Archon]

((Oh, and M_A, shouldn't 'Yuri' be talking with Katsuro? Hurry it up, please! Katsuro's gonna wanna get down to dinner sooner or later ))

 

((I am SO sorry Grace! You see, I can't get on LF over the weekends, because I lack the capability to get on my computer at the moment, [and I won't be able to for awhile] so by the time I get on, on the weekdays, I have a million posts to read through, so I can get caught up, and so I can respond. So again, I'm sorry Grace.))

 

Yuri was lost in deep, and hidden thought, his mind was a fog as he seemed distracted, he didn't notice Katsuro, and he bumped into him.

 

Katsuro apologised though, tapping his head knowingly. Yuri smiled at him, and looking him in the eyes, his eyes showed he was distracted, but he was yet still paying attention to Katsuro. And for the first time in a long time, he looked at Katsuro, and not through him, like a certain someone had mentioned he did, earlier.

 

He smiled distantly, chuckling at the boy he tapped his eyes in the same knowing fashion, then spoke to him in a soft tone, "it's okay boy, but for now, you should go eat, your mother's waiting for you, and someone special. Go now, I'll be around, as you should know."

 

At this he patted the boys cheek, and pushed him off towards the stairs, he waited until he was gone before his face took on a more serene, and hagard look. He looked at the floor, both his hands clutching his walking stick like it was the last thing he had.

 

After awhile of just staring off, he looked over to the stairs with his searchless eyes, before he walked towards them. As he stepped into the shadows that were at the top of the stairs, he seemed to disipate from sight within the shadows.

----------

A while later, a little mouse scurried out of the shadows from underneath Takara's chair, it stared up at Kaori with knowing eyes, then over at the still-in-shock daughter, Takara. It cleaned itself for a moment, then it scampered up the back of Takara's chair, perching on the back of the chair's head rest, out of sight from most of the people at the table, because it was hidden behind Takara's head, but one start from the woman, and the poor thing'd be found out and done for.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Do you think he's...?"

 

Kyo had just been about to ask Maggie about Brother Hanzo when Tellis entered the hall smoothly, causing hardly a ripple in the air and attracting almost no attention to herself. She had caught the swordsman's gaze, however, and he was distracted by her now.

 

"Tellis!" he called to her, "Where were you?"

[Rogue Nine]

"Checking on the last member of our party," Tellis replied, holding a hand up towards a monk who was approaching her with a bowl of soup. "Kai didn't enter the monastery with us. He's camping out in the hills to the side." She took a glass of water off the table and sipped at it. "And no, I don't know why, before you ask."

[Quist]

"Excellent, so all your party members are accounted for," Maggie said, smiling brightly. She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin, then stood up from the table. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back. I'm just going to check on Brother Hanzo."

 

She padded away quickly, exiting through the west door and sprinting back through to the monks' living quarters. Approaching Brother Hanzo's door, she slowed down to catch her breath, then called out, "Brother Hanzo?"

 

There was no answer.

 

A lump rising in her throat, Maggie pushed the door open slowly and peered inside. The kindly monk was in a half-sitting, half-lying down position, his head on his pillow and his feet still on the ground. His teacup was still carefully balanced in his hands on his lap. Maggie exhaled and smiled wearily. Brother Hanzo had fallen asleep while drinking his tea. She wasn't really surprised, since ryebark did tend to do that to him sometimes.

 

Moving to his side, she gently laid a hand on his bony shoulder. "Brother Hanzo? Wake up."

 

He stirred, then opened one eye to peer at Maggie. "Eh? What?"

 

She giggled. "You fell asleep drinking your tea, Brother," she told him, carefully taking the teacup out of his hands.

 

Brother Hanzo grunted, then gingerly lifted himself up off the bed, shaking his head and mussing his wispy white hair. He patted it down and looked at Maggie. "Oh did I? Good heavens." He gathered himself up and stood from the bed. "Well, I suppose I have you to blame for it, then."

 

Maggie's eyes went wide. "Me?" she asked, surprised.

 

"If you didn't make such good, strong tea, I'd not have fallen asleep," he answered, moving to the foot of his bed and slipping on his sandals.

 

She cast her eyes down as she gathered the teapot and teacup in her hands. "Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it so strong, Brother."

 

He chuckled, then put a weathered hand to Maggie's cheek and tilted her face up. "Don't be sorry for anything, child. Thanks to you and your tea, my pain is gone." He smiled at her, his kindly eyes still crinkling with amusement.

 

Maggie blushed. "Oh Brother, why must you tease me so?" she asked as she led the way to the door.

 

"Because I care for you, Magdelena," Brother Hanzo replied, following her.

 

Maggie grinned as she opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Usually she preferred her nickname to her full name, but when Brother Hanzo called her by it, it was a term of fatherly affection and endearment, a product of the many years he'd been her caretaker. "Come, our guests are waiting for you in the dining hall," she told him, moving down the hallway. "Brother Damien made his herb potato soup as well, in celebration of Aya's return."

 

"Ah, excellent," he said, falling in step next to her.

 

"And a few of our guests have expressed interest in viewing the library after dinner as well," Maggie added.

 

"Oh really?" Brother Hanzo asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well then, I will have to show them around."

 

"I thought you might say that," she said, pushing the door to the dining hall open.

[JasraLantill]

Aya took a last bite of her dinner, then pushed her plate slightly away from her. She had eaten a large bowl of hearty potato soup, followed by a course of roasted meat, bread, and veg. The Northern Monks may have lived in humble surroundings, but they always provided travellers with a good meal.

 

Just then, Maggie and Brother Hanzo returned to the dining hall. Aya smiled at the old monk, glad to see him and even more glad to see him still walking under his own power despite the pains of his arthritis. "Good to see you, Brother Hanzo? Glad to see that Maggie's been looking after you."

 

"Looks like it's time for your library tour," she said to Kyo. Then she leaned towards Carwyn. "And, did you want a tour of the library as well? We can take the long way and go through the garden on the way there?"

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn wiped his lips with his napkin as he nodded. "Sure, I'm up for a tour," he replied brightly.

 

"I'd like to accompany you to the library as well, Kyo," Tellis said, taking a sip of water.

 

Carwyn raised his eyebrow at the healer. "Some musty old scrolls you want to pore over too, like Kyo?" he prodded facetiously.

 

Tellis shrugged. "You could say that."

[ForceFightWMe12]

Kyo made a mental note to see Kai later that night, at some point. To have him staying outside, for whatever reason, would not be a welcome idea to him.

 

"Alright," the swordsman said, standing up and pulling on his gloves as he did so, "Let's go."

 

((Sorry for the lame post. >.>))

[Quist]

Maggie strode up to Kyo and his friends, Brother Hanzo in tow. "Mr. Ruroni, this is Brother Hanzo, our resident librarian. If you have any needs within the library confines, then there's nothing that he can't help you with," she announced cheerily.

 

Brother Hanzo nodded towards the tall blond warrior. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Mr. Ruroni."

 

Maggie leaned in and added, "He's also a bit of a scholar himself he says."

 

The old monk's craggy eyebrows shot up. "Oh really? Do tell, dear boy."