The Warriors Call

[Silence Sei]

Akashima.

It was a beautiful country with beautiful traditions. There had been many warriors of legend that had come from this area of Corone. There were more still that had come to learn its culture. Sei Orlouge himself had gained several strong allies from the lands of the east, which prompted the youngest Orlouge to attempt some scouting in the area.

Yet, when he had arrived in Akashima, and found his way to the docks of the foreign land, he found such tranquility in the crashing of the waves against the docks, the quiet nature of the citizenry, and the way the wind had felt against his skin, that he had decided to meditate there for a while. Of course, Akashima was also home to warriors who sought to test their mettle against one of the most powerful warriors Althanas had to offer.

Time and time again, a fighter would come, seeking to fell ‘Silence’ Sei Orlouge in battle, and time and time again the fighter would leave the Mystic unscathed, and even unmoving as he remained sitting upon the Akashimian pier. The wood a bit uncomfortable after a while, but the end of the pier had provided such a serene setting that Sei did not care. Fishermen stood to his back, casting their lines in hopes of making good on their dinner plans for the night. The salty air of the sea cascaded all around the air, every so often being accompanied by the caw of a seagull.

Each time a wave crashed upon the wood of the pier, a slight mist sprayed the telepath in his face. It was refreshing, and reminded him of how long he had been out here meditating. He could feel the burn of the sun upon his skin, which had become reddened from the star’s rays. The mute was aware with how angry his daughters would be at him for not applying proper protection from the harsh afternoon heat, but he cared not at the moment. His meditation would allow him to focus on more important matters. For a brief moment, he was not Sei Orlouge, former strategist to the Aleraran Grand Army, consistent tournament place holder, son of the Genocide Giant and the Mental Matriarch.

He was a man seeking inner peace, and quite possibly a new ally or two.

((Closed to Musashi))

[Musashi]

Home.

Many people had little colloquial definitions of what it meant to them. 'Where the heart is' being the most common. Probably signifying comfort, family and acceptance. To Musashi it was where everything made sense. Tradition held strong. The movements were familiar. Right.

He had returned home after a few months into his journey. Looking to find a level of normality before venturing back out. He was considering travelling to the deserts. Studying with some of the protectors that belonged with the nomadic tribes. It was a vastly different culture there. He intended on study, and a soft bed before the travels towards his new destination.

The wooden gangplanks of the dock were a noticeable relief as Musashi half stumbled from the small, rocking, ship. The final leg on the journey back to his homeland was what he had been dreading the most. The necessary evil of sailing was something the land loving had dreaded ever since his first true experience with it when he had left to journey across the foreign lands.

His legs weakened and the travelling warrior reached out to steady himself before he fell off of the pier and into the hooks of fishermen which lined the pier opposite the freshly docked boat, now unloading trade goods from the lands across the water, other passengers disembarking in their own time, gulls circling the blue sky in search of their own share of the water's bounty as the sun gleamed from the surface and the smell of salt and fish filled your nose.

After a couple of seconds, legs feeling more solid, Musashi started to turn back towards the port, estimating the amount of time to get to the repository of knowledge and whether or not his stomach would agree if it was time for a meal. As well as looking for information on the desert tribes he wanted to make sure that some of his more recent experiences were recorded as being possible. So maybe the repository was first on his list.

He removed his hand from the supporting shoulder that had caught his fall.

Shoulder.

Musashi's eye's dropped a couple of degree's and noticed the gentleman who had been on the receiving end of someone's inability to acclimatise to solid ground. He quickly bowed at the waist. Apologising, glancing at the stranger. Who didn't look like he was from around here at all.

"I apologise greatly. You're new here? I could maybe show you around?"

He swallowed, nervously horrified that he had acted so disrespectfully.

"I was about to make my way towards the repository. I would be more than happy to show you there."

[Silence Sei]

The sudden hand upon his shoulder startled the Mystic for a moment, his eyes growing wide at the sudden physical contact. He turned his head, fully prepared to engage in combat with yet another young warrior seeking a name for himself. What he got instead was a man whose legs seemed a little too wobbly for his body, one who showed respect for the mute by removing his appendage and bowing an apology towards the Ixian leader.

Most interesting of all, however, was that this person did not seem to recognize the face of Sei Orlouge.

The mute smiled at this, standing himself up and turning to face the man. He returned the bow in kind, unfamiliar with Akashimian culture and thus unknowing if that were the proper response to forgive such a transgression. When his new acquaintance offered to show him the repository, the telepath could do nothing but maintain the silly look upon his features and nod. Perhaps a tour of Akashima would be good for me.

He rightened his posture and beat off some of the dust that had accumulated upon his gray gi. He extended a hand towards the man, and a slight nod. Sei’s telepathy was always quite jarring to those who knew nothing about him, so he had decided to keep his form of communication to himself for now. He had hoped this stranger took his quiet nature as a hint to his disability. Otherwise, talking to the young man would become rather difficult rather fast.

[Musashi]

Mushashi smiled, part relieved, part... almost glad for the company. The repository was a large building with many scrolls of knowledge and it was a hot destination to many travelers who wanted to learn more about the lands they had chosen to visit. For however long they had deemed right to visit. Otherwise, Musashi walked with the quiet traveler as he led him towards the larger than normal building of knowledge, Casually informing the silent gentleman of little bits of trivia about the area which the Akashiman thought might be pleasant to hear.

He expected no response, but glanced his way a couple times to make sure he was not boring the stranger.

Whatever the stranger thought, he could not read it so easily on the worn features as they walked the streets. A few Akashimans seemed to glance over as they passed. But they were a shy culture, only recently being truly open to other ways of life. As such Musashi decided to ignore such looks and to focus on the task in hand as the two travelers approached the landmark.

The large building was made of stone, Built of four stories and took up the central square of the city. Great oak doors lay open along one face under their own high arches. one of the most impressive structures in akashima, second only to the great arena that lay at the heart of the country with the academy.

The huge building was split multiple times into separate sections. So Musashi knew where he wanted to go.

"As you can see the great hall houses magnitudes of knowledge, all free to read and study. I'm wishing to look over our tomes on Kami, and spirit beasts. A couple incidents on my travels need... clarifying. Then I need to research some of the cultures of the desert for my journey."

He smiled, bowed and walked with Sei along the shelves and up the first flight of stairs. Knowledge of the spirit creatures were kept around the middle of the building. All the while, there was something scratching at the back of his mind. Something that was calling out to be given attention.

[Silence Sei]

The two passed through the library rather quietly, rows and rows of bookshelves flying by them. The Mystic’s eyes darted around whenever they would find another person within the building. Every single time, the person’s eyes would widen, and Sei would respond by raising a finger to his lips. His tour guide had still not given a name, and Sei was curious to learn more about his interests in desert cultures.

A wise man never talks, a foolish man never stops talking Sei thought of the old Akashimian proverb. This stranger, a swordsman by the look of him, was a friendly fellow, and did not seem to mind the Mystic trailing behind in blissful silence. When the man had stopped, Sei quickly halted as well, waiting for the man to say something else.

When the swordsman did not say something, Sei took this opportunity to at least introduce himself to his new found friend. He reached into his pocket and grabbed both a pen and a piece of paper, scribbling some things down before showing them to Musashi. He had written the word ‘Sei’ on the paper, above the kanji (the natural text of Akashima) that spelled his name. Hopefully, the warrior would realize that this was an introduction, and not some form of question presented by the Mystic.

[Musashi]

The all prevailing smell of old paper filled the building. Thankfully there were flumes and tunnels throughout the structure that allowed the air to move freely, keeping the spaces to a reasonable degree of fresh air ensuring that the staff and guest would not be put off from browsing or researching. On their way to the tomes of knowledge about Fallien and her deserts Musashi paused at what knowledge of spirit beasts they posessed. Withdrawing their knowledge on the Kami of winter for reference during the evening. He would search out a scholar if anything was now incorrect in the document. They would know what to do with it.

They had stopped, Musashi turned to his guest to a piece of paper with a symbol written upon it. Taking it Musashi read it quietly, before bowing his head. Responding.

"Welcome Sei-san, I am Musashi Mirsuru. I hope you are enjoying our country."

He replied. simply. A muffled laugh from a few shelves over, hidden and excused itself.

"I just wish to collect a couple items for study and we shall go to the local tea house. I hear good things."

It wasn't too far before they arrived at Musashi's final stop. A general scroll of facts about the country was going to be the best for his use. Meaning they would be able to leave the repository as soon as they wished. The scroll itself was a dark yellow shade not replaced in some time, with a broken wax seal of dark blue, it's stamp a thin branched tree of origins that Musashi didn't know. Interesting.
However, placing the scroll into his pack until they reached the front desk, Musashi turned to Sei. No without a destination Musashi took in the stature of the large man. Considering how odd it was that he had not spoken but knowing it was not his place to enquire.

"If you have seen enough of the repository, I suggest we may begin our journey towards the exit and some much needed nourishment?"

[Silence Sei]

The faux mute nodded eagerly at the suggestion of food. The Mystic’s stomach had been producing low gurgles for a while, and the concept of filling his belly caused the growls to grow a bit louder. He stepped back, allowing for his tour guide to lead the way out of the library. The cool breeze greeted them as they stepped back out through the doors. The call of the gulls and the setting sun greeted them as their eyes adjusted to the natural light.

Musashi turned to his new acquaintance, probably prepared to ask where he would like to go, when a strange voice erupted from behind the swordsman.

“Well well, what ‘ave we got here?”

The voice came from a thug with a red mohawk. He stood at least a foot over Musashi, and held an unlit cigarette in his mouth. From behind him, two more thugs arrived, a green and yellow Mohawk on the man’s left and right side respectively. They each carried a tone of mirth within their heavy Scara Brae accents. No doubt they had been taking advantage of the hospitality the people of Akashima afforded to them. It was the only way to explain the blood splatters on all three of their forms. Musashi turned around, his hand already reaching to his side, when Sei stepped in front of his, his hand held out in protest.

“Sei-san?”

The name caused the bullies to halt in their tracks for a moment. It was all the strategist needed to act. Jumping off of the ground, Sei sprung into the air and delivered a hard kick to the temple of the head thug, sending his pale features crashing to the ground and his cigarette to sail out of his mouth. As he landed Sei brought an elbow onto the yellow haired brutes head while staring so hard at the green haired punk that his scalp literally caught fire. The former was knocked out while the latter ran off screaming.

“That should do it,” Sei finally ‘spoke’ to Musashi, turning around and smiling at his new friend. “Now, you had said something about food, Musashi,-sama?”

[Musashi]

By the Oni.

Musashi Knew who he was with in an instant. Feeling greater the fool for haven taken this long to acknowledge what had already been itching away at the back of his mind. Other matters had taken over, and forced the common knowledge from his mind. Musashi was beginning to decide if he had caused another dis-honour to the warrior. But the voice thrown into musashi's head dislodged the consideration, as he grew accustomed by Sei's way of communication. A voice coming from nowhere and everywhere at once, the messages were still obvious in coming from Sei himself. As if Musashi was given the memory of Sei's voice without the hassle of speech. It was a simple enough thing to grow accustomed to with enough experience. Or he hoped, at least.

"Yes, food."

Around the corner, Musashi often frequented a food bar. A simple stand with about eight stools that allowed the customer to sit by the counter, an array of table in close proximity to the bar allowed for more intimate seating. They sold a few common noodle dishes as well as rice or dumpling orientated meals. A small place of high quality orders. Ran by a short, old man who was heavily invested in his creations. It ran into the food, making the food bar one of the best places to eat in akashima.

The samurai took a seat at a table next to the bar, ordering a plate of dumplings while the two customers decided on what to order in a moment. The steaming food, Four sticks of four lay between them. Musashi Collecting one and chewing off of it considered Sei, sitting opposite him. Akashima was a peaceful place and Musashi was wondering why the warrior, famed as he was had arrived on the island.

"So what brings you to our slice of the world Sei Orlouge?"

[Silence Sei]

“I always find Akashima to be the most peaceful place in Corone. Ever since the war, I’ve been prodded and plagued with people who seek to admire me and those who seek my head. I find much less of either on the shores here. The Akashima Doctrine was created by myself to make sure that the city was not touched when the Knights reclaimed Corone for the people, so they are very accepting of me and leave me be…mostly.” Sei said, looking back to where the thugs had just tried to go after Musashi and himself.

“Other than this last little bit, you have shown me kindness beyond words, Musashi Mitsuru.” Sei’s gaze shifted back towards the samurai, bowing his respect to the warrior. “I am familiar with the ways of Akashimian culture thanks to warriors such as Lillith Kasumi and Arden Janelle. As such, I find that I must ask myself if you are a ronin of sorts? If so, I imagine that journey must be quite lonely.”

Sei turned, motioning his hand for the samurai to follow. He walked through the streets much more confident than before. His posture had straightened up, and his eyes seemed full of vigor and life, darting every which way to take in the various sights and sounds of the Eastern City. He walked with Musashi down several streets, sharing tales of his own adventures with the swordsman as they tried to locate the tea shop the Akashimian had spoke of.

“I ask you these questions, Musashi-san, because I was wondering if perhaps you would like to serve under somebody such as I? The Ixian Knights pay handsomely, and your kindness today has shown me than new blood is just what we need to keep our groups active and assertive. What say you, Musashi-san? Will you join the Ixian Knights?”

[Musashi]

Musashi stood. understanding Sei's words and how they seemed to come with flashes of his own understanding. Sei spoke to him, true. But he did so in almost pure meaning. An experience the samurai was curious whether anyone really got used to the sensation. And another thought. Whether the link went both ways.

A disturbing possibility to realise.

But sei was a good man and they conversed as Musashi waited for the small snack to be prepared. His bow was returned, the samurai clasping his fist across his chest bowing at the waist, as was appropriate for all warriors in reception of respect. They continued to talk Sei discussed his experience with Akashima. Mention of Lillith brought up memories of forests and Kami. Arden, Musashi didn't know and only thought of empty space, lack of knowledge. The few steaming dumplings arrived, served on a skewer made of wood and steaming slightly in the pleasant heat of the country's climate.

"In a way"

He replied, as a responce to both Sei's question and assumption.

"But you meet more faces alone."

As the two walked. Straight backed and relaxed they talked. Sei curious about the samurai. Musashi, curious about sei. Eventually they came across the tea house. The only sighn of it's existence was a space in a wall where a door would stand. Half length curtains of silver enblazed green fabric obscured the way. Akashiman characters reading out 'chiovna'. Parting the way, inside was lit with a dim ever present glow. Illuminating a room of six meter long square tables each with a pot heater in the middle. Musashi sat by on near the back of the room. Waited on quickly by a serving girl. who brought a pot of hot water and placed it on it's heater. A selection of tea leaves lined the wall in separate clay pots.

As they were sitting, Sei asked Musashi about joining the knights.

"That... would be an honour"

But.

"I would however require freedom to walk my own path as well."