The Blue Sylph

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

"Yes, yes, yes, coming coming!" says a voice behind the wooden door in answer to Touka's insistent knocking. Soon enough, the gate opened up and behind it a talk, lanky built man in a simple yet finely made blue kimono, with a dagger sheathed at his waist. The man had a sharp looking face, with a big forehead and keen looking eyes. His hair was tied up in a knot and had a bit of grey in it "Good morning, young lady. What may I help you with?"

---

"But of course, Ryuunosuke-sama" says Chiyo, bowing respectfully though the woman smiled with easy familiarity at the young man she had cared for so long. The way of address was unfamiliar... she usually called him botchan or Ryuu-kun on specially close situations. However, it seems like in his new position, Chiyo is awarding him a more respectful way of address "Already hard at work? You've been quite eager for this day... however, don't forget to take care of yourself. Breakfast is ready and waiting for you"

The woman was around 34 years old, somewhat pretty though in a motherly sort of way despite never having children or a husband. Her hands were calloused from hard work, though their touch was kind and tender which reflected upon the fruits of her labor. Her dark brown hair was kept somewhat short and tied up into a bun "You got a moment to relax yet, nobody has arrived yet... though I think our useless guardsman was just going to check on the front door now"

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Ah yes! Sorry I forgot to mention it. You are approved!

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

It is actually not his birthday! That would have been sometime after the winter arrived and the arrival of spring. However, during winter most of the Clan tend to cease or reduce activity among one another as they retreat to their homelands to prepare for the cold, keep their affairs in order and villagers alive and due to the difficulties of travel. Indeed, crossing the pass to Mitsumine lands in winter is quite hard at best conditions. Thus, there is the tradition to cease diplomatic meetings between different lands during times of winter and either spend it at home or as a guest in the home of another Clan or the capital. Of course, while communication and travel is greatly impaired in this season, the guests of the imperial capital or even those who spent winter in the home of another clan do enjoy a lot of entertainment and long term political play during their stay.

The winter pass into Mitsumine lands has been open for a couple weeks now, however, today is the traditional day when diplomatic meetings begin and the retreat of winter ends. This gives enough time for characters from other lands to have spent a few days in waiting in Takeshi's village and the like. I already have some NPCs in mind that will be calling onto Ryunnosuke on this in game day.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

It was a monster many years in the slaying! Finally it has been felled for good!

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Thank you, Jiwon!

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

And we have officially started!

Dissertation went well! Got 96.88/100 and finally that beast has been slain!

As for the Boar and the Wolf, they are currently quite close allies, even if they haven't spoken as much recently due to Takeshi's self imposed exile. During many of the conflict with the Tigers, Takeshi and his brother Daichi fought side by the side with the Boar heads of the Clan, making close ties and brothers at arms. However, there remains in history precedent of a time where it was Wolf who hunted the Boars. Some of the Clan remember that story and cast wary eyes upon the North. As for the Boar Heads, they are fierce warriors but strong hard working men during times of peace. Bashful and merry to friends as they are terrible and full of wrath to their enemies.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Spring had come to the land, the cold bite of winter had long released its hold over the land. However, in the land of the Mitsumine, the mornings were still quite cold. With such a chilly breeze, like the breath of a Snow Woman on the back of the neck, a figure walked through the gardens of the so called Wolf's Den, Genrouuchi, minding not for a moment such unpleasantness or the little light of before dawn.



The man's name was Mitsumine Takeshi, a man of 34 years of age, and today he walked the familiar path to the ancient graves of his family clan... and towards two graves in particular, only twelve winters old. He made his prayers, burned incense and with it, a letter addressed to people who have long since passed from this world. He bid the God of Flames, the God of Breezes and any God that may be listening, to carry the words he burned, the ashes of his feelings towards the afterlife and the people he had lost so long ago.



Today was an important day, the beginning of a whole new era and a new way of living for Takeshi and his entire Clan. The man stood up from his prayers, looking back upon the home where he had lived for the last twelve years... and where the most important thing in the world for him now rested. Ryuunosuke was as ready as he could be and yet Takeshi's hand still grasped the hilt of blade, his weapon he brought everywhere, at the thought of letting him face what lie out there in the world. Politics, Bureaucrats, War, Warriors, Spies, Assassins... and dark things which roamed beyond the understanding of man. Such things were a given due to their position in this life... but the reason Takeshi worried so much was one he kept close to his heart. To the world, Mitsumine Daichi and his wife had died due to a traveling accident... however, Takeshi knew the truth. The two of them were assassinated... and by an enemy whose face he did not know. That was the most chilling part of it all... for as long as they were unknown, as their motives remained shrouded in mystery, every shadow could be hiding a murderer's blade.

Gritting his teeth in the darkness, Takeshi almost wished the moment of truth would come. Twelve years ago he had been a man of action, a straightforward being whose first instinct was to challenge whatever trouble he may face head-on. However, the years had given him patience... and while his paranoia nagged at him constantly, he had learned than living with such was much better than for the menace to strike... and to find himself unable, once more, to prevent the loss of those he loved. He would prepare... his blade always sharp and his mind keen, however, nothing would be best than for such worrying to have been unnecessary.

Still, today was not the time for such gloomy thoughts. The passes into the Mitsumine lands had been cleared for a few weeks now. Still, today was the moment when the Mitsumine called off their winter retreat and would be willing to host and meet emissaries from lands beyond their own. It was also the day where Takeshi stepped down as Head of the family and gave that honor to Ryuunosuke, as it was always meant to be.

Today he was a man, and as such, Takeshi smiled as he remembered the instructions he gave his staff. Chiyo, the head maid of the home and Takeshi's closest assistant would break the tradition of twelve years having woken up Ryuunosuke at the break of dawn. He was a man now, and as such, not to be set a schedule by his uncle. He would either rise early on his own, command a servant himself to wake him up from now on... or simply oversleep during the morning.

On the other hand, Nawabuta, the gatekeeper of Genrouuchi would be greeting the visitors to the old home and handing them over to Chiyo's maids to tend to their needs before Ryuunosuke was ready to meet up with them.

Takeshi on the other hand... he would be within easy reach should he be needed. On one of the inner courtyards, as he did every morning, he would be practicing his blade work.

Now, what shall be the fate of Ryuunosuke, Heir of the Mitsumine Clan, as he rest in the third room of the Wolf's Den Mansion?

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Ah sorry for the long wait Deathmaker, thanks for reminding me jiwon.

Current head of the Boar Clan is a bit too much for a player, you'd spend all of your time actually running your own faction separate from everyone else. A heir in waiting would be alright, however, perhaps they are being fostered by the Mitsumines.

As for when this begins... I'll give a tentative Friday start date. Tomorrow I got to present my dissertation in the late afternoon and only after that will I be truly free.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Indeed, most of the Hakurou clan reside beyond the eyes and towns of men, however a small part of them keep a presence as a normal human clan for when it may be convenient and to take care of some of their Shrines. As for the dissertation, it's about using Web Platforms to manage the administrative and educational processes within a highschool.

As for multiple characters, I don't mind the concept at all! However, as always, reserve judgment upon seeing them.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Alright then! Looking very good Savant!

Now we have enough players to begin the game. These days are a little busy for me due to a dissertation but as soon as I'm able to, I shall be posting our IC and get this started!