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The Festival of Summer approaches [Plot/Event/Kina]

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Solomon's Proxy

Solomon's Proxy
Ω-Tier
Ω-Tier

An empty sky hung heavy upon the weary East below. Once-gold fields now wilted brown and the season’s yield left for pigs to guzzle. Yet, some miles away, the absent stars were replaced with fires shining brighter than the sun and loud shouts of merriment filling the evening air. Joy and wonder danced upon the winds, spreading cheer. There was no mistaking those happy lights in the quiet Orient: the Kambutsu festival in Kina was beginning!

    Bright fires danced to the rhythm of booming drums; cherry trees swayed along with the strings of a shamisen. The cheer of music touched even the heavens above, breaking the silent sky into song. This was no quiet religious ceremony, but an explosive time of celebration.

    The blur of orange fires, posters lit red and brown bamboo whizzed over the heads of excited children, gaping in awe at the many wonders around. Over here, a girl shrieks in delight as she catches a squirming koi. Her father searches frantically in his empty pockets for spare change to please his impatient daughter. Over there, a grandma treats her son to some takoyaki hot off the griddle. Tempting wafts of melting fat burn the nostrils of starving customers like some elusive dragon. These savoury aromas mingle with the greasy sweetness of dango, enticing the drooling youths to waste their money on over-priced goods.

    But eventually, just like the supply of takoyaki, the festival finished for the day. As the moon deigned to grace the night sky, the festival-goers began leaving in trickles and droves until the vendors and their stalls were left alone. Then even they packed up shop and took their leave. Only the light of the fires remained.

    Upon a distant balcony, furnished with expensive draperies and carpets, a man decked in gold stared at those same fires. His brows furrowed intensely as the young aide by his side whispered some news into his ear and politely gestured him towards the double doors behind. Inside lay a low-legged table decorated with jade and bright ivory whereat sat five richly-dressed figures. Their gazes fell upon this man as he took his seat, their expressions as varied as the clothes they wore. Some bowed their heads in respect, others openly sneered. But he paid them no mind, and he began to speak,

    ‘There is no need to explain why we are gathered here, my dear daimyos. You all know how dire our situation has become. As such, it is time we settle this matter a final time.’

    ‘It is time to settle the fate of Kina.’

Solomon's Proxy

Solomon's Proxy
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Ω-Tier

The seas east of Kou were ordinarily quiet in the summer months - most trade went towards the western countries. However, this was no ordinary summer’s day. Indeed, these eastern seas were teeming with bustling ships, filled with Kou dignitaries and foreign travellers. Their destination? The reclusive island-nation of Kina! Having heard of their massive festival and open employment options, many people had boarded these ships to discover what wonders would be in store for them upon the shores of the mythical country. One such wonder would be revealed sooner than expected as they approached the pristine bay where the harbour lay.

The Festival of Summer approaches [Plot/Event/Kina] B1553210


    A host of many hundreds emerged from the hills behind, parading themselves into the dock area. This great display of pomp and colour filled the harbour, as samurai ousted fishermen and swords replaced their poles. Within minutes, an intimidating array of fully-armed men and nobles in rich clothes had assembled upon the wooden docks. As the ships drew close, those onboard could see the vibrant banners swaying in the wind; red flags at the fore, a throng of colourful symbols behind, but six banners stood out among them. Standing before these six banners were six envoys, dressed in the same colours as the banner behind them.

    The first envoy stood proud upon the docks, recognisable as the foreign ambassador Kintaro. His garb beautiful and his head high, he began the introductions for the Hinamoto clan, "I bid you all welcome to the lands of beautiful Kina on behalf of our glorious leader, Hinamoto Akihiko!" Gesturing towards a handsome man dressed in dazzling gold robes, he continued his speech to those onboard the ships with a booming voice, "We invite you to attend the Kambutsu festival, organised by the venerable Hinamoto to celebrate Kina’s flourishing. Please enjoy the many delights that our people have arranged and listen to what the humble clans of Kina offer."

    With an imposing stature and a body forged by years of training, the second envoy appeared before the arrivals - known to those coming from Kou as the Shikizui clan's leader, Yoshihiro. His large hand would raise unwavering as he roared out to the people and visitors, "Welcome, dear countrymen of Kou and foreign travelers! It is our pleasure to have you! I offer you all to view our famed sumo fights and enjoy the local cuisine!". Many samurai in well-fitting kimonos lined up behind the great warrior as he greeted the foreign arrivals, wondering who had come from the mainland of Kou. But Yoshihiro was not concerned, smiling brightly at those onboard whilst his entire being radiated a warm and protective aura.

    The third envoy was a young man in an emerald kimono, with shoulder-length ivory hair and antlers stood amongst them. The youthful heir Ryujin had come to extol the wonders of the Morihana clan, "We from the Morihana clan bear fruits from the cultural capital! Come visit our stalls to see our innovations and the importance of the festival to our clan! And feel free to enjoy the takoyaki!" As he turned back from the dock, what seemed to be an ebony serpent trailed into the shade alongside him.

    Waving aside the fourth envoy burst forth a most peculiar man, clad in form-fitting burgundy pants and jacket. With their face hidden by the brim of their cap, its sun emblem glinting in the bright daylight, this man lifted his hat to reveal himself for the arrivals. It was the Toh clan's leader himself! “HAHAHAHA! Welcome, visitors! Rejoice in the culture that is Kina and enjoy our spectacles - I, Toh Tobinara, will personally be putting on a show with some of my clan members! We may be small but we stand amongst the greats!” He ended his speech with a dramatic salute from his pistol, the shot whistling into the air. As it reached its peak, it burst into vivid blossoms, seemingly made from stars of lavender, rose and honey.

    Though their reputation among the nobles was not well, the Kogata clan sent forth the fifth envoy. The other clansmen either stared daggers or avoided eye contact with this man clothed in blue and black, but he simply smiled and began his part, "My mistress, Fumiko Kogata, welcomes you all to Kina! I do hope you enjoy yourselves - our lovely hot springs are the perfect place to relax and let loose!" He spoke calmly despite the intense reactions from the other clans, his gaze not straying from the arrivals, and left quietly once his part was done.

    Finally the sixth envoy stepped up. Though they were last, the Kazeharu clan ensured they were not the least as the tanned Ichiro appeared. Brushing his long white hair from his robes, which looked to belong in an archery range, he began to speak, ”On behalf of my sister, Ichika, the Kazeharu clan welcomes you. Partake in the bounty of Kina and enjoy the prosperity of our people.” He spoke loudly, but with a calm voice that washed gently over the crowd. ”Our clan has provided refreshments and games for the festival, but I also hope you will come and see our exhibition about the relations between nature, magic, and technology later.”

    Once the last envoy had spoken, they vanished back into the great wall of banners and men. In place of their welcoming messages came a new sound, soft and murmuring like the buzzing of many bees. The murmurs grew louder and clearer as a procession of seven purple-robed priests, each donning a headdress of gold, parted the sea of clanspeople and knelt upon the dock’s wooden jetties. Six of these priests remained kneeling, while the seventh continued murmuring those buzzing words while he began to rise.

    “Atama soru yori kokoro wo sore.”

    As he stood up, his wrinkled body came into view. His grey skin seemed to have dried up, like paper in a desert, and his ornate robes hung loose from his bony arms. When he spoke, his voice rasped as if his throat were parched - but it held a friendly tone nonetheless.

    “Pardon my intrusion, I am the High Priest overseeing the Kambutusu festival. This festival celebrates Kina and its history, but also its deep ties with spirituality. As such, please respect what this festival means to us. That said, I do hope you enjoy this wonderful festival! Uho ho ho!”

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Diana Corvus

Diana Corvus
A-Tier
A-Tier

she rubbed at her eyes with the flat of her palms, exhausted from the peaceful nap she had taken under the deck of the ship. her slender fingers ran through pluto's mane, already missing the warmth she found nestled within it. as they exited the ship, her eyes were assaulted by the blinding sun that hung over the horizon, causing her to squint and bury her face into jahan's arm. she wanted to go back to sleep but the day wouldn't allow her such luxuries.

he concealed them with the magic of his cloak and she thanks the gods for it. pluto decided to venture off into the crowd nearby, breaking his concealment. as he passes through, the people gasp and comment, she rolls her eyes.

by the time they got to the front of the crowd, the orientation had begun. by the looks of it, if they could be seen, they would stick out rather harshly amongst the native folk. though with the amount of foreigners who had arrived with them, it wasn't so bad.

she listened to each leader with hearing that was half-attentive but she got a decent profile on each of them, noting what they were at a glance. judging by first impressions, none of them peaked her interest. it was worth looking into seeing if any of them would make decent allies. on the contrary, their weaknesses was what she was curious about.

jahan went on about building a palace and she couldn't argue as wild as it sounded. "sure, but it'll have to be the best," she says, entertaining him for the moment. not that they needed one in this land but if they were to claim territory in kina, it wouldn't hurt to set up a nest.

without much warning, save for the tensing of his muscles and his words, he dashes forward with his full speed and (1) diana was forced to follow suit. if it weren't for trying to keep their concealment, she would have thrown him across the field for such a stunt. a frustrated breath pushed out from her nose and she elbowed him with a bit of force. she followed him reluctantly in his pursuits. though she would've preferred if he just carried her.


375 WORDS | 490 STAMINA

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Solomon's Proxy

Solomon's Proxy
Ω-Tier
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The dark-skinned Fanalis and his white-haired lover retired from the welcome-party’s discerning gazes, retreating into Aurangzeb’s folds. The crowd of foreign travellers and local dignitaries were so absorbed in their personal affairs that the disappearance of these two seemed not to be noticed. Well, at least, it seemed that way.

    "I would mind your words, young lion."

    A grating voice stabbed into the temples of Jahangir, bypassing his ear and echoing inside his mind. Though a new and unfamiliar person, it would not be hard for him to recognise it as the High Priest’s distinctive rasping. Were he to look towards the High Priest, he would notice nothing out of the ordinary - the elderly man still stooping as he was before, conversing with a Kou diplomat. But, nevertheless, the voice continued scraping across his temples,

    “For you to build a palace in this land, you would first have to conquer it. But this land could not be taken by your strength alone, try as you might. It is an island that has endured throughout the centuries by sheer will and might - a country tempered by steel. One where this lesson is most important: ‘Before you think of taking anything, you must learn to give something.’ Uho ho ho! Perhaps, if you keep that lesson in mind, Kina may teach you in kind…”

    The next words dug deeper into his skull, like two stakes being hammered into the bone.

    “World King.”

    Meanwhile, with the boundless curiosity of Pluto unleashed, the fluffy-haired dog had slipped the yoke of Aurangzeb’s invisibility and rushed towards the Kazeharu’s envoys. Surprised though Diana might have already been, she would be all the more surprised when faced with the amused reaction from Ichika, the clan’s leader, as she leapt onto this massive wolf with a huge smile and a hug,

    "What an adorable dog this is! Does anyone know if they belong to one of the foreigners, or are they some youkai that has wandered in?"

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