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Post by Skylos on Dec 21, 2009 15:46:00 GMT -5
Skylos and Omni complied, dropping their illusions. Skylos then spoke. "Where are they taking...er...you?"
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Dec 21, 2009 15:49:23 GMT -5
"Why, their master of course," Yamiken answered. "Mitsuhide himself. That's where all the prisoners are currently being brought. Not that there are many..." Though of course, there would be one in particular who would be there... "Let's go." He walked out, leading the way after the samurai who had captured the younger Nobunaga.
Naga followed. He wasn't particularly affected by what he'd seen. Yes, it was quite terrible... but he'd seen far worse in his time, both in terms of brutality and senselessness. Indeed, he'd grown up in a time of widespread war. Sadly, he was used to this sort of thing.
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Post by Skylos on Dec 24, 2009 15:49:23 GMT -5
Skylos and Omni followed. Skylos was kind of confused though. He asked where, not to whom.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Dec 24, 2009 19:00:56 GMT -5
Well, forgive Yamiken for assuming one answered the other. At any rate, Skylos soon found out. Their trailing of the party which had captured Nobunaga led them to a large room, indeed more like a hall, near the front of the temple. At the opposite end sat Mitsuhide, in full samurai regalia; lined up in two ranks coming down the hall were his various retainers and commanders. Nobunaga, trussed, was being led up between these two ranks to the Akechi commander. Kept to one side were the few other prisoners who had been taken in the onslaught; no notable faces were to be seen there. On the other hand, though, kneeling at Mitsuhide's right was none other than Nouhime, apparently unbound. Nobunaga's head turned to her once as he came in; from Yamiken and the others' point of view his expression was of course unseen, but whatever it was caused his wife to frown. After that, however, Oda's gaze remained focus on the man who had already betrayed him: Mitsuhide. Yamiken filed in with the other Akechi soldiers, Naga behind him. They faded into the back ranks, watching the proceedings from somewhat afar; however, almost immediately, Yamiken did start manoeuvring up the hall, so as to at least be able to see the expression on his own face. Naga decided to follow him, though made an effort to remain inconspicuous.
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Post by Skylos on Dec 24, 2009 19:10:03 GMT -5
Omni and Skylos tried to follow them as well, not wanting to get seperated. They just hoped their moving around didn't put unwanted attention on them.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Dec 25, 2009 18:37:02 GMT -5
Fortunately for the four of them, everyone was two absorbed by the spectacle unfolding before them of the most powerful man in the land being, it would appear, sentenced to death by one of his own lieutenants. Akechi was currently reading out a long string of charges against his former master, most revolving around the various abuses carried out by Nobunaga against people and religion, as well as some accusations of general cruelty and grossness of behaviour. Nobunaga's expression was cold and motionless throughout this damning testimony, treating Mitsuhide with a look which was at once disdainful and odious. Eventually, his captor finished the prosecution. "Oda Nobunaga," he declared, standing up for effect. "I hereby name you an enemy of this country and all its people. I urge you to accept this charge of crushing weight and preserve what is left of your derelict honour by committing seppuku at once." He let that exhortation hang as he gazed down at his kneeling prisoner.
Nobunaga sneered in response. "You think I will give you the satisfaction of being able to declare me dead by my own hand, your only roll in it to force me to see the horror of my actions? Well, no one would see through such a flagrant fabrication, and I suppose you will probably make the assertion regardless of my manner of death, but I think I will at least force you to swallow the insult to your precious honour of lying to do so." His eyes narrowed. "But I wonder, Mitsuhide, can you take the leap? Can you slice off my head with that katana of yours and perfect the deed?" He angles his head back arrogantly. "I think not. I think you can't even kill me. And so I dare you. Do it. Strike me down. Become a master."
Mitsuhide glared at Nobunaga. "You're not in much of a position to be insolent," he told the warlord stiffly. However, he made no move just yet.
Nobunaga snorted derisively after a few seconds. "I thought not," he disparaged Akechi. "You're not a leader, Mitsuhide." He sneered. "You're not even here of your own volition, are you? Who manipulated you into doing this? Hideyoshi? He is clever enough to have arranged something like this - perhaps he is more of a Caesar than me! But because of that I warn you: he shan't let you live much longer." Nobunaga let that lie a second, then rounded it off by declaring, "You'll be dead within a month, I guarantee. Probably sooner."
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Post by Skylos on Dec 25, 2009 18:42:05 GMT -5
Skylos swallowed this down. So this is how events unfolded back in this day? In the back of his head, he knew this to be quite an experience that none would ever see... But that was very in the back of his mind. On the top was nervousness of being caught, but also a strong anticipation for what was to come. However, it was all dramatic irony to him. He already knew what would happen. Even more ironic, was the fact that the information came from the soon-to-be-dead Nobunaga.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Dec 25, 2009 19:05:55 GMT -5
Mitsuhide looked furious at this, but at the same time torn in indecision somehow. He still didn't make any move.
Nouhime then spoke suddenly. "You're just trying to delay the inevitable," she told Nobunaga coolly. "You and I both know your time is finished now, Nobunaga. Your misdeeds have finally caught up with you. Any sane man, even a dishonourable one, would be taking suicide now - not attempting to goad his conqueror into performing the act for him! Or have you no shame?"
"Shame?" The word escaped as a vehement hiss which took everyone, even Nouhime back. Indeed, only one person in the room seemed totally unaffected by the sudden display of heat from the previously frigid samurai - Yamiken, the man who had lived it all before. "You dare talk to me of shame?" Nobunaga's voice rose as he rounded upon his wife with vitriol. "You whore! You've sold me out! Did I not give you enough, a woman who can't even produce children for her husband? You sicken me, you-"
Nobunaga suddenly let out a gasp which was echoed by the entire chamber. Quick as a striking viper, Nouhme had darted in towards Nobunaga... and a blade which she had presumably been concealing somewhere in her robes protruded from his heart. The warlord's jaw worked, but he seemed to shocked to finally be confronting the fact of his own death to form words, for once. His assassin stood slowly giving a flick of her sleeve, upon which some splattered blood. She looked down upon her husband, loathing written all over her expression. "Die, and rot in hell, you bastard," she hissed down at him, before abruptly whirling about and sitting back down again next to Mitsuhide, whose jaws was agape like the rest of the room, taken aback by the woman's sudden action.
Only in the brief seconds where none else in the room could see her face as she was turned from them did Nouhime's mask slip, revealing a more grave and thoughtful expression to the hate painted onto her features otherwise.
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Post by Skylos on Dec 25, 2009 19:15:08 GMT -5
Even knowing the death that hd just happened had already happened, Skylos stil lcouldn't believe what had happened; it had all been to fast, even though he had known Nobunaga was going to die. His gaze drfited to Yamiken.
Omni just stared ahead. Living in the past wasn't something he did...so this trip hadn't been wonders to him. More like reminders of past things.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Dec 25, 2009 19:29:07 GMT -5
Yamiken's expression was impassive. Surprisingly, he was actually watching his own face most closely of all; in fact, the way he saw it was that this was one of the few opportunities he'd have to see himself from the third-person, much less see himself dying. Therefore he may as well make the most of it. Naga's reaction was somewhat more like the other men in the room, if less pronounced: many were still gazing open-mouthed at Nouhime, others in shock at the dead Nobunaga, who had slumped over onto the ground as the last of his life left him, eyes not leaving his killer until the end; a few, somewhat more seasoned samurai were already looking to their lord for guidance, to see his reaction.
Mitsuhide himself happened to be the first to fully recover and take further action. Without warning, he drew his katana and struck down viciously at Nobunaga's neck, sending the neck flying. This cause many people in the hall to jump. "On this day," Akechi intoned solemnly, voice devoid of much emotion, "Oda Nobunaga committed seppuku." And that was all which needed to be said; slowly, his retainers recovered from double-shock and gave nods of assent. Mitsuhide promptly cleaned and then sheathed his katana. "Take the body and give it commoner's burial," he ordered some attendants. "It is more than he deserves, but we must be more gracious than justice necessarily dictates if we are to remain above his level." He glanced at the other captives, then added, "Execute the rest of the prisoners." He then extended a gentlemanly had to Nouhime who, after a few seconds, accepted it and rose to her feet. The two then left the room, followed by several of the Akechi commanders. Meanwhile, others set about carrying out their lord's orders.
Yamiken, meanwhile, looked around slowly. Was this it? Was there something more he was meant to do here, meant to see? This should be the incident over, surely...
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Post by Skylos on Dec 25, 2009 19:39:16 GMT -5
Skylos recovered after a bit, but he had been frozen up a tad more so than his relative by the...well. Let's just say that he hadn't seen someone die quite like that before. Sure, there were enemies that they had killed, but it was never like that. It made a shiver go through him.
Omni had seen death a lot, but he couldn't help but frown and pay his respects, even though it was Nobunaga. He didn't like death, and found it to be unnecessary. He cherished the idea that everyone could live, and to see any person die, no matter how cruel he or she may be, made him sad. It was still a life, either way.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Dec 25, 2009 19:45:36 GMT -5
Yamiken frowned. Was there still something to do here, then? But what? He was dead. (Thinking that almost made him laugh.) It was over. Unless there was something more that Mitsuhide was about to do here which they were to observe... but they weren't just here to watch. They were being tested. The only test in simply was watching was not doing anything to change events. Now that that was over... "Let's go," he murmured to the other three. "We'll seem suspicious if we remain." He began leading the way, following out the rear of procession away from the room. Elsewhere, the temple was roaring in conflagration; however, the fire had yet to reach this part.
Naga just went after Nobunaga. His reaction was similar to Omni in its essentials... he wasn't quite as sacred in his view of life, but he still regarded it as a waste, even with an individual like this Nobunaga. But he'd seen too much death to be that shocked by any of it.
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 18:16:44 GMT -5
It was almost like they were walking in the timeline of Yamiken's, but then it dissolved into a street in France. Looking behind him, Skylos only saw the street. He sighed. "I think it's my turn." He noted.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 18:20:02 GMT -5
Yamiken glanced around. "Ah... so this is a French town," he mused. "Interesting." He wondered what they'd be facing here... "Oh, Omni. Perhaps you'd better drop these samurai illusions before someone notices us."
Naga just looked about. He wondered what they'd be facing here... or perhaps rather, what Skylos would be facing.
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 18:24:05 GMT -5
Omni chuckled. "You'll have to do yours yourself." he said, making a slight joke. But no, he undid the disguises... "Ah. Chuck's house. I think I may want to sit this one out." Omni noted somewhat dryly.
"We're all sitting this one out." Skylos noted, with dry humor. Skylos looked down at his watch. It held the correct time, being that it was the watch to induce time travel. "It's the day, but yet the hour."
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 18:28:27 GMT -5
Yamiken did, as it happened. In illusory form, he was now wearing a pair of tight black trousers, a white top and a black leather jacket. Nothing too complicated. "What, may I ask, is going to happen?" he asked Skylos with a mixture of curiosity and business in his tone. This was what they were going to be facing, after all.
Yamiken's disguise now left Naga sticking out like a sore thumb, though... he didn't have 'magical blend in' charm. That's the TARDIS~
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 18:35:19 GMT -5
"Neon is going to kill my cousin Robbie, which then in effect creates our group." Skylos explained to Yamiken. "In a long term view, that also causes your revival." Skylos noted. "You hould thank Neon the next time you see him." Skylos managed a smirk. A little bit of Omni magic then went over the remaining three so that they would stick in.
"People don't out in their robes unless they're getting the paper...or they're over forty." Omni chuckled. In fact, all he did to Skylos and himself was make their robes invisible. Skylos was wearing a yellow shirt and khaki pants and Omni was in his usual black shirt and long white pants. For Naga...Well. Omni wasn't on fashion, so he just gave him a red polo and some blue jeans.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 18:41:06 GMT -5
"I might just do that," Yamiken smirked in response. "He'd probably take it far more seriously than I." He laughed a bit. "So then. How long until this pivotal event occurs?"
Naga glanced his clothes over. So this is what people wear these days. Interesting. And people call Sotec old...
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 18:52:18 GMT -5
Skylos could imagine his reaction... But then the question interrupted this image. "Well. Couldn't be more than an hour. I don't remember the exact time...You'll understand." They'd be watching it, he assumed. Just for grins, he reached out to feel auras. There was Halo and Rem far off... No Ponic yet. Alice's was around...somewhat far though...She was on an airplane if he recalled correctly. His own aura - okay...That was just plain weird. He could feel his own aura. Do you know how entirely bizarre that was? - was in Chuck's house, where it ought to be. Neon's was...
Skylos raised an eyebrow. He could feel that aura coming from... John's... That would mean that... "Something isn't right. Neon is in the wrong place..." Unless he went after John on the same day...
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 18:56:59 GMT -5
Yamiken looked sharply at Skylos. "You're sure?" he demanded. "There's no way this could just be how things went before?"
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 18:59:27 GMT -5
Skylos shook his head. "I mean. I have no idea... I never asked Neon what he was doing that day. I didn't want to bring it up..." Skylos frowned.
Omni scratched his chin. "Well. Let's be careful as we visit Neon then." Was that really a good idea?
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 19:07:28 GMT -5
Yamiken, after a few seconds' consideration, seemed to think so, and gave a nod. "Yes," he agreed. "Good idea. We should make sure we're thoroughly concealed first, though." Well, Yamiken's aura never was visible at the best of times save to those powerful enough to see it anyway...
Naga meanwhile was still wearing that stealth charm as far as hiding his aura went.
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 19:14:47 GMT -5
"I guess it's a good precaution, but I don't think we learned Aura reading for quite some time." Skylos noted.
Omni shrugged and hid Skylos's Aura. Omni's was already hidden as well. "I'll do the honors, I suppose." The four would teleport to Neon's old house... John's house.
"So he is here... Why? He had been possessed by this date... That's why he went to kill us..."
Omni frowned slightly. "On what date was he possessed?" Skylos... was unable to answer because that information was something he did not know.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 19:17:49 GMT -5
"I think we may be about to find out," Yamiken noted drily. He looked the house over and tried locating any auras in it.
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 19:27:46 GMT -5
Only John and Neon were present. Skylos confirmed this by looking as well. "This is... This is wrong. Somehow... Unless..." Skylos tried to puzzle events in time together. But the fact of it was, Skylos had no idea about Neon before he had met him, except for what he had learned last winter. And even that... It didn't cover this...
Omni sensed around for any other Auras. The place was only filled with normal Humans. There was nothing out of the ordinary.
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 19:30:11 GMT -5
"I suggest we go in, very carefully," Yamiken spoke. "We'll teleport into an unoccupied room, then move closer - invisible, of course." He paused. "Actually... it may be better if only two of us go in. Four moving about could cause problems. I nominated myself and Caleb."
Naga had to wonder why Yamiken should go in... Omni, surely, had more right. ... but then who did he trust less, Omni or Yamiken?
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 19:37:34 GMT -5
Omni shrugged. "All right then. Be careful. We wouldn't want to do anything to affect the timeline in some way." Omni chuckled. That went without saying.
Skylos nodded and turned to his partner. "I'm familar with the layout of the house...Though that knowledge is a good many years in the future. But I doubt so much has changed. They abandoned the house..." He scanned around, then teleported the two to the second floor. "Neon's in his room up here... John is downstairs. I doubt that they'd interact..."
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 19:40:01 GMT -5
"I suggest we move to mental communication now," Yamiken noted quietly. "However, you still seem to have barriers up; if you could let them down enough to create a channel...?"
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Post by Skylos on Jan 3, 2010 19:43:25 GMT -5
Skylos nodded, letting them down enough without a second thought. He trusted Yamiken with such things. In fact, this was affecting Yamiken's well-being as well, so murking with it was the last thing Yamiken would try to do. What do you think we should do? Spy on Neon?
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Post by Mumiyoshi on Jan 3, 2010 19:45:29 GMT -5
I think we should certainly check on his situation, Yamiken agreed. If nothing seems amiss, we'll investigate John. Lead the way, Skylos-kun.
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