Yakumo Teiko
Established
Roleplay posts: 35 
Age: 28
Physical Description: Yakumo is a fairly slender and elegant looking man who's Triad origins only shows on his body which is covered in tattoos of snakes in all sizes and shapes. Outwardly he is a fairly handsome man with a charming smile.
Clothes and Equipment: Yakumo is normally always dressed immaculately and has a preference for fine silked Yukatas
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 8, 2018 10:02:27 GMT -8
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Post by Yakumo Teiko on Jun 8, 2018 10:08:04 GMT -8
Yakumo tapped his foot and rolled his eyes as he listened to Hitsufune's outburst. With a single glance at Renzo's fluid stance he already anticipated the outcome of the fight. Frankly 'alive' seemed end up being 'in peaces' if this continued and Yakumo had no intention of letting it end like that. It was not befitting to let potential be wasted like that. Carnage was unnecessary for its own sake just.
"Fine." he said to himself and took a deep breath and his fingers started tingling as the presence of the snake spirit surfaced. His reaction speed, grip strength, aim and agility all improved with rapid haste to super human levels whenever he let the chi of the snake spirit slither through his veins. With a firm grip on the chained sickle Yakumo threw it sideways with a fast rotation speed aiming in between the two duelists.
More exactly the sickle was aimed at Renzo's kama as Renzo struck out towards Hitsufune's katana. The power and accuracy from the throw enhanced by the snake mask would most likely mean that Renzo's weapon would be pulled out of his hands when Yakumo's sickle got hold of Renzo's chain and its velocity sent it flying towards - and lodging itself into - a tree in the background. However the stretched out chain would effectively stop Hitsufune's attack too and split the two for a brief while.
"The mask!" Yakumo said and pointed to the ground in front Renzo. "Don't delay it." he said with a devious grin.
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Hitsufune
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Age: 23
Physical Description: Slender but athletic Hitsufune has long black hair that extends down under his shoulder blades.
Clothes and Equipment: Wears whatever is practical and 'blends in' with other people. He has an affinity of his red and white yukata though. Wears a katana and a chain around his torso and waist for battle purposes along with leather strips around his hands.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 23, 2018 12:39:33 GMT -8
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Post by Hitsufune on Jun 8, 2018 10:23:51 GMT -8
Had Hitsufune accepted death? Said his last words in a proper fashion? Prayed for his clan and his soul? Whatever the answer for that was Hitsufune was not backing down and all his muscles were focused on completing that one simple task... cutting down the fiend who stood before him.
"Aaagh...!" Hitsufune exclaimed, though his vicious charge was halted when suddenly his own chained sickle rushed past him effectively stopping him in his tracks as Hitsufune had to back off a few steps only just avoiding being caught in the chains.
"You..?!?" he said and looked surprised at Yakumo. Had the aura around him changed a bit? And what was the meaning of this? Hitsufune was as confused as he could be until Yakumo mentioned the mask that lay on the other side of the chain - closer to Renzo than to him. Whatever Yakumo had done this was an opportunity he couldn't let go. He knew Renzo would likely go for the mask, and whenever Renzo would go for the mask, Hitsufune would dive to his knees in an attempt to do a sideways cut catching Renzo off guard.
Would it work before Renzo claimed the mask? Hitsufune had no time to even consider it and only knew that he had to make sure the wicked thug didn't get his hands on it again. Hopefully even losing his hands completely.
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Renzo Uehara
Established
Roleplay posts: 46
Age: 27
Physical Description: A rather atypical ronin mercenary, Renzo wears his silky black hair long and flowing, and dresses in bold, rather ostentatious and luxurious clothing. He cultivates the appearance of a courtier, which is only enhanced by his good manners and fluid movements. He smiles too much to be entirely respectful.
~oOo~
Clothes and Equipment: Renzo’s primary weapon, "Tsujikaze" is a double-ended kusarigama with a sickle at both ends of the chain. Each sickle blade is kept hidden inside the handle when not in use, but can pop out via a hidden mechanism. The blades are about as long as his forearm, and rather than being standard farm tools have been manufactured in the same way as a sword from a master smith. Renzo also carries a daisho as a mark of his samurai status.
~oOo~
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Apr 17, 2018 7:28:39 GMT -8
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Post by Renzo Uehara on Jun 11, 2018 12:27:25 GMT -8
Renzo felt the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stand up as a powerful aura seemed to arise from Yakumo’s direction. He glanced over as the kama was pulled from his hands, with a hiss of annoyance. His eyes narrowed to angry slits as Yakumo dared to interrupt his admittedly rather one-sided combat with Hitsufune. This was not his fighting pit, now. Renzo resented being treated as though he was entertainment to be called on and off at Yakumo’s whim, instead of being left to do the job that he had been contracted for. He spoiled the rhythm of the dance and deprived him of his prey. Nevertheless, he was still the client. Renzo was irked. Getting angry was unbecoming, he had taunted Hitsufune for it enough, and yet Yakumo… The dance isn’t over, there is one final crescendo, the voice was almost like a scream inside his mind, the screech of a trapped bird. Something in him was responding to the powerful aura that Yakumo now presented. Something outside of him too… While Yakumo’s altered chi seemed to put all his senses on edge, the aura emanating from the bag seemed to scorch him, as though he was standing too close to a fire, and it made a fire rise inside him too. We will dance together and live beautifully, you and I! Uehara Renzo!
“Fenghuang!” he called out, and reached his hand towards the bag. Hitsufune’s scrabbling on the ground to stop him was to no avail, as the mask flew from the bag directly to Renzo, as though pulled by a magnet. Instead of going to his outstretched hand, the mask made a beeline for his face and attached there, fiery feathers growing from it as it took on life from its wearer. Glowing as embers sparked from the feathers tips, the mask’s beak let out a cry of triumph. Finish it! Renzo’s movement was insanely fast, as, still holding the one end of Tsujikaze – the other kama being imbedded in the tree – he circled Hitsufune, twice, bringing the chain with him, the iron links growing hot and beginning to glow, wrapping him in the chains coils as he was forced towards the tree. If Hitsufune could see this coming and managed to roll aside, it was possible he could avoid it, but otherwise he would find himself bound to the tree with Tsujikaze’s chain, the metal links burning against his flesh where they touched.
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Yakumo Teiko
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Age: 28
Physical Description: Yakumo is a fairly slender and elegant looking man who's Triad origins only shows on his body which is covered in tattoos of snakes in all sizes and shapes. Outwardly he is a fairly handsome man with a charming smile.
Clothes and Equipment: Yakumo is normally always dressed immaculately and has a preference for fine silked Yukatas
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 8, 2018 10:02:27 GMT -8
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Post by Yakumo Teiko on Jun 12, 2018 9:38:41 GMT -8
"Do it... do it... DO IT!" the snake hissed inside Yakumo's head, clearly trying to reach out to both Fenghuang and Renzo. Yakumo cared little for Renzo's displeased gaze and expected Renzo not to be able to resist the temptation... and Fenghuang neither.
"Yesss...! Claim and keep it this time, Renzo!" Yakumo exclaimed as Renzo called out. It was Yakumo's gift to Renzo, and he would be damned if Renzo wasn't going to receive it. As the mask flew from the bag the snake and Yakumo simultaneously went silent observing the events while Yakumo simply released his hold on the kama weapon he had just thrown.
"There's no reason to intervene any longer..." he said and smirked. In a flash Renzo and Fenghuang moved and before long Hitsufune was wrapped to the tree where Yakumo's kama had hit.
"Hahaha... very nice! Much better than before!" Yakumo said and clapped his hands while even with his own mask on he was only just able to follow the speed of the movements.
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Hitsufune
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Age: 23
Physical Description: Slender but athletic Hitsufune has long black hair that extends down under his shoulder blades.
Clothes and Equipment: Wears whatever is practical and 'blends in' with other people. He has an affinity of his red and white yukata though. Wears a katana and a chain around his torso and waist for battle purposes along with leather strips around his hands.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 23, 2018 12:39:33 GMT -8
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Post by Hitsufune on Jun 14, 2018 23:14:40 GMT -8
Hitsufune's muscles were as tensed springs, but instead of Renzo bowing down to grab for the mask - it came flying out? Hitsufune was at the same time shocked and terrified. What kind of oni resided in that mask that made it have a will of its own? In any case he was relieved that he never worn it and... reluctantly he started better understanding why this was kept safe guarded at Kuzuyama clan. The thing even seemed to burn with embers as it attached itself to Renzo's head.
"Renzo..! Think!" Hitsufune exclaimed. "This isn't a good idea..!" he said, having now turned to more diplomatic ways, though still holding his sword out before him. It was even clearer now that he wasn't going to be able to defeat him, though his meager attempts at diplomacy didn't seem to put Renzo off. As Renzo suddenly flashed towards him, Hitsufune made a surprised and unprepared strike at his enemy but hitting only clean air, and as the chain circled around him and he was suddenly and violently yanked towards the tree Hitsufune could no longer hold on to his katana.
"Aaarghh..!" Hitsufune screamed in agony feeling the chains burning on his skin struggling to get free from the torturous pain.
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Renzo Uehara
Established
Roleplay posts: 46
Age: 27
Physical Description: A rather atypical ronin mercenary, Renzo wears his silky black hair long and flowing, and dresses in bold, rather ostentatious and luxurious clothing. He cultivates the appearance of a courtier, which is only enhanced by his good manners and fluid movements. He smiles too much to be entirely respectful.
~oOo~
Clothes and Equipment: Renzo’s primary weapon, "Tsujikaze" is a double-ended kusarigama with a sickle at both ends of the chain. Each sickle blade is kept hidden inside the handle when not in use, but can pop out via a hidden mechanism. The blades are about as long as his forearm, and rather than being standard farm tools have been manufactured in the same way as a sword from a master smith. Renzo also carries a daisho as a mark of his samurai status.
~oOo~
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Apr 17, 2018 7:28:39 GMT -8
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Post by Renzo Uehara on Jun 16, 2018 14:04:01 GMT -8
Wearing the mask of Fenghuang, Renzo felt as though fire was burning all through his body. Not painful exactly, but invigorating. It seemed as though sparks raced through his blood and spurred his muscles to move faster, his nerves to fire quicker. It was an exhilerating feeling even as the mask itself almost blinded him with the sheer force of its will encountering his. This time it left his memories alone, but seemed to sense his feelings and was delighted and amused by them. The mask was the one who had asserted its dominance, but it understood Renzo did not want Hitsufune killed, and after the masked man watched a few moments at Histufune's fear and struggle it shook its feathers, laying a hand to the red-hot chains and cooling them. Its blazing presence seemed to recede a little and Renzo almost staggered before regaining control over his own mind and body. There was his defeated opponent, a truly despicable creature. He hadn't needed the mask to defeat such a one. And yet, he did not for a moment regret putting it on. Regarding Hitsufune's somewhat pathetic appearance, Renzo composed a poem.
“The frog croaks loudly in the moonlight
Believing itself to be a nightingale,”
He heard the cackling and taunts of Yakumo, and seeing Hitsufune was secure, turned to face him. “There was no need to interfere,” he said with irritation, his voice sounding strange to him through the beaked mask. But as he turned, instead of the man he knew, through the eyes of the Fenghuang mask, he saw Yakumo as a snake.. with slit eyed pupils, forked tongue and scales covering his face and the length of his body. A spiritual aura, one he had felt moments earlier now rose from Yakumo's body like rising mist. Our dear companion, the Snake,. Images briefly flashed through his mind as Fenghuang helpfully showed him flashes of memories of the previous snake bearers it had known. He clamped his eyes closed and shook his head once. Re-opening them, the snake-like appearance remained. “I suppose this explains a thing or two ... but why me? Why did you want me to have this?”
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Hitsufune
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Age: 23
Physical Description: Slender but athletic Hitsufune has long black hair that extends down under his shoulder blades.
Clothes and Equipment: Wears whatever is practical and 'blends in' with other people. He has an affinity of his red and white yukata though. Wears a katana and a chain around his torso and waist for battle purposes along with leather strips around his hands.
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 23, 2018 12:39:33 GMT -8
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Post by Hitsufune on Jun 17, 2018 22:32:56 GMT -8
Even the chains burning into his skin were no match for the hatred Hitsufune felt towards Renzo at the moment and despite Hitsufune's own screams of agony Renzo's mocking poem burned itself into Hitsufune's memory. However as Renzo cooled the chains the tension of the pain that had kept Hitsufune conscious receded and his body finally gave in to the strain it had been put under both mentally and physically as he felt his body go numb as he blacked out into a dreamless sleep.
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Yakumo Teiko
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Age: 28
Physical Description: Yakumo is a fairly slender and elegant looking man who's Triad origins only shows on his body which is covered in tattoos of snakes in all sizes and shapes. Outwardly he is a fairly handsome man with a charming smile.
Clothes and Equipment: Yakumo is normally always dressed immaculately and has a preference for fine silked Yukatas
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 8, 2018 10:02:27 GMT -8
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Post by Yakumo Teiko on Jun 17, 2018 23:02:04 GMT -8
'What an astoundingly quick learner, he's a perfect match with Rooster.' the snake interjected as Yakumo nodded in agreement once again folding his hands in front of him slipping back into the casual guy he normally was. 'However I don't know what Rooster will think of those poems...' the snake added clearly not appreciative of Renzo's poetry.
"Could use a bit of work up yes." Yakumo said with a grin. But did he care a lot? No, not at all. Renzo has found his companion and they made for a superbly lethal couple he thought.
"Oh I don't act out of 'need' I act out of 'want', and I wanted to see you wear that mask instead of getting caught up toying with a half dead mouse." Yakumo answered with a wry smile. Yakumo was indeed used to people giving him what he wanted and if they somehow didn't he had no issues with 'pointing them in the right direction'.
"Starting to connect the dots yes?" Yakumo asked as he slowly stepped towards Renzo closing the distance to better have a civil conversation while he explained Renzo 'the details'. "You see... me and snake here have long sought to bring back the remnants of the Guardians of The Jade Masks. Snake has told me loads about it and from what I heard it piqued my interest in a way I could not have imagined before." he said as his face told of a deep excitement he couldn't quite subdue.
"You're my first 'creation'." Yakumo then said, knowing his choice of words would provoke some kind of reaction from Renzo. "And I don't think it was luck. I scouted you and I told snake that: 'I look at this guy and compare him to what you've told me about the previous wearers. This guy is definitely a cock.' and snake agreed." Yakumo said his grin widening.
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Renzo Uehara
Established
Roleplay posts: 46
Age: 27
Physical Description: A rather atypical ronin mercenary, Renzo wears his silky black hair long and flowing, and dresses in bold, rather ostentatious and luxurious clothing. He cultivates the appearance of a courtier, which is only enhanced by his good manners and fluid movements. He smiles too much to be entirely respectful.
~oOo~
Clothes and Equipment: Renzo’s primary weapon, "Tsujikaze" is a double-ended kusarigama with a sickle at both ends of the chain. Each sickle blade is kept hidden inside the handle when not in use, but can pop out via a hidden mechanism. The blades are about as long as his forearm, and rather than being standard farm tools have been manufactured in the same way as a sword from a master smith. Renzo also carries a daisho as a mark of his samurai status.
~oOo~
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Apr 17, 2018 7:28:39 GMT -8
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Post by Renzo Uehara on Jun 26, 2018 12:31:22 GMT -8
“Hmm, I see now why you were so interested in that old tale. Bring back the Guardians… and all because you merely ‘want’ to?” He stepped forward, the mask still resplendent and sending down the occasional spark of flame that turned to a mote of floating ash before it touched the floor. Hitsufune’s slumping in unconsciousness barely registered to him.Why should you not wear me? the Fenghuang’s indignation bore into Renzo’s brain like knives, and he almost staggered, resisting the urge to grasp at the mask and pull it off. This man before us does not decide your worthiness Uehara Renzo, but I do, and I have chosen!
Attempting to keep his cool, a smile slid onto Renzo’s face, behind the blazing feathered mask. He approached Yakumo with a smooth walk. “I don’t expect you to tell me the reason. At any rate, it is none of my business.” The smirk remained, as his eyes narrowed. “Fire is pure creation, yet it is not easy to control,” he replied, and it seemed that the mask spoke these words along with him.
At Yakumo’s words, he halted, surprised, ready to become offended as he looked to his employer and tensed. Then a moment later, he laughed. Never had an insult quite made him feel proud to deserve it. What a dangerous line this Yakumo walked, and yet, Renzo felt as though he quite liked him for that audacity. “I thank you for your gift, Yakumo-sama. But you should know, we prefer Fenghuang.”
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Yakumo Teiko
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Age: 28
Physical Description: Yakumo is a fairly slender and elegant looking man who's Triad origins only shows on his body which is covered in tattoos of snakes in all sizes and shapes. Outwardly he is a fairly handsome man with a charming smile.
Clothes and Equipment: Yakumo is normally always dressed immaculately and has a preference for fine silked Yukatas
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Mar 8, 2018 10:02:27 GMT -8
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Post by Yakumo Teiko on Jun 28, 2018 9:51:53 GMT -8
"Want to?" Yakumo said and studied Renzo. "Are you sure that it's merely on whim? Can't you feel it? The kinship of the masks?" Yakumo said as his grin widened. "Surely they belong together don't they? After all they were made to stand side by side and protect the jade emperor." Yakumo said, though he had to admit that though he wanted the masks to be brought back together he had no idea as to what end. And if snake knew he hadn't let Yakumo in on it yet. ".. or rain havoc on the jade emperors enemies." Yakumo said and chuckled. "But I have a feeling that the jade masks were created for something else than just obtaining powerful warriors, and I have a deep wish to see exactly what that is." Yakumo added and once again caught himself studying Renzo and wondered if these masks were indeed man's best shot at eclipsing the gods?
Yakumo laughed along with Renzo. There was never anything as relieving as a good laugh after seeing the painful fall of an enemy. Speaking of which it seemed like Hitsufune had given up and fainted. Surely one who couldn't even challenge Renzo in a fair fight was no match for Renzo with the rooster mask on and he let our a chuckle before turning his attention back to Renzo.
"Well Fenghuang and Renzo, you should get to know each other better, but I think our business has been concluded here." Yakumo said and nodded towards Hitsufune. "Untie him and leave him be. He was too weak to do anything and I bet his will is broken now if Fenghuang did his job properly." Yakumo said and looked at Renzo with eyes and voice seemingly transforming for a short moment, making it hard to judge if the last part was spoken from Yakumo or snake.
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Renzo Uehara
Established
Roleplay posts: 46
Age: 27
Physical Description: A rather atypical ronin mercenary, Renzo wears his silky black hair long and flowing, and dresses in bold, rather ostentatious and luxurious clothing. He cultivates the appearance of a courtier, which is only enhanced by his good manners and fluid movements. He smiles too much to be entirely respectful.
~oOo~
Clothes and Equipment: Renzo’s primary weapon, "Tsujikaze" is a double-ended kusarigama with a sickle at both ends of the chain. Each sickle blade is kept hidden inside the handle when not in use, but can pop out via a hidden mechanism. The blades are about as long as his forearm, and rather than being standard farm tools have been manufactured in the same way as a sword from a master smith. Renzo also carries a daisho as a mark of his samurai status.
~oOo~
Allegiances: Tawakoshi
Registered: Apr 17, 2018 7:28:39 GMT -8
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Post by Renzo Uehara on Jul 1, 2018 3:59:02 GMT -8
Renzo could feel the connection between the masks, that they resonated together like instruments playing in harmony, but he had no intention of telling Yakumo exactly what he felt. After all, he had only known Fenghuang in the presence of the Snake. Power was its own reward, despite Yakumo’s professed curiosity about the reason for the masks’ existence.
He gave a small bow when Yakumo suggested they get to know each other better. Fenghuang was had started to flash visions at him in response to Yakumo’s words, too many and took quickly for Renzo to make sense of them. “Yes, we will … later. This is enough for now,” he put his hands to the side of the mask and tried to pull it off, but Fenghuang was resistant. “Enough, Fenghuang!” he commanded it, and after some resistance the mask replied simply, You will learn, and came free of its own accord after Renzo had stopped wrenching at it.
Holding it in his hands, he looked around at a world more drab and colourless than it had been. Yakumo once more appeared human to his eyes. Grey clouds slowly made their way across the sky, while the leaves and grass underfoot seemed more black than green. He picked up the bag that the mask had been carried in, and placed it inside. It certainly needed a better dwelling place than this thief’s sack, but for now he tied it to his belt and went to rescue Tsujikaze from the tree, pulling the blades free and unwinding the chain, letting Hitsufune’s body slump to the ground. As he pushed the blades of the kusarigama back into their handles, he regarded the unconscious figure coolly. He had thought Yakumo had needed him alive for some purpose, but apparently not. Renzo himself had no reason to suggest an alternative, the man meant less than nothing to him. However, he did pick up the ronin’s kusarigama and threw it into a bush.
“Yes, let us return. I look forward to hearing more about your philosophy, Yakumo-sama.”
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