|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 17:10:01 GMT -7
Takehiro laid on the carriage, also staring up at the man. He was completely unaware of what was going on. These things... these people... they all seemed so unreal.
"We didn't end up using that opium, did we?"
If they were high, this all made sense. That would explain the flog, the flying guys, the over-the-top shit they've seen and experienced. If not, then, well... maybe it was time to just have a good cry, and accept that your life just fucking sucked.
"I wanna go home."
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 16:23:37 GMT -7
Takehiro just grinned. "Technically, you and I have both failed already, with the Yoritomo man walking." There was no arguing that. When you were assigned to kill them all, and you didn't, that kind of sounded like failure. If Hideyasu didn't realize that, he was blind.
"Tell you what, I'll help you find your guy. 'cuz I trust you, but I don't trust your blind trust for a daimyo who would do a thing like that to the people. If you go against your word to me, and you try to kill him, I will defend him."
He figured he got his point across pretty well, so he simply nodded afterward. If Hideyasu meant to continue, Takehiro would follow.
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 12:58:33 GMT -7
Takehiro would charge behind the four bandits, making his way to the elder. He figured the chief could hold his own, so he wouldn't stack enemies on the already outmatched Yukimura. His target was the elder, who he sought to crush from behind with the hammer. Though, were the archer to target him, he would whirl the hammer in Hiroshi's direction, before pulling his spear on the chief.
Kamaitachi's back-up has arrived.
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|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 3:03:20 GMT -7
"And that's exactly what I think of your Lord. His army. That's exactly what everyone I've worked with thinks of the Hojo. So, pull your head out of your ass, buddy."
Takehiro noticed the hand on the sword, and, if Hideyasu remembered anything about his old comrade, it was best he kept it sheathed. Takehiro knew how Hideyasu fought, and, if memory served correctly, he would outclass the guy in no time, nevermind the darkness.
"You wanna kill a "traitor," you wanna go through me first, buddy. And you won't get through me."
Takehiro didn't know who the traitor was, but he would support anyone who wanted to leave the Hojo.
|
|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 2:51:48 GMT -7
"Nah. I didn't let a single bastard go. But I wish I did, 'cuz those orders were bullshit. And even if you tried to punish me I'd kick your ass."
He chuckled. Maybe he was kidding, maybe he wasn't. One thing he knew, though, was that if he could go back and change how that all played out, he would. Kamaitachi would never have been created, and the Yoritomo could possibly be a great power right now. That was kind of a burden to have on your shoulders.
"So, he wants an assassination done, but he didn't send Kotaro? That's kinda strange. What, was this guy a grunt, or something?" Maybe the stabs didn't really stop, with Hojo. They were douches. "Now you doing this because you want to, or you just trying to be a good little boy? The way I see it, the Oda might be much more fit to rule than the Hojo."
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|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 2:36:25 GMT -7
So Hideyasu replied by... kicking the guy in the face. Sweet. So he was that kind of dood. Taking things seriously and all that... could be a pain. A pain Takehiro just wasn't used to anymore. Not since the old days... Like the attack on the Yoritomo.
"Yeah, well, what can you do? You got your lord spouting all this shit about justice, and he goes ahead and orders you to attack a village of fucking innocent people. Not exactly my favorite pastime. Oh, and they're still alive, by the way. The family ain't exactly dead."
While the Yoritomo weren't exactly innocent, they were attacked unprovoked. They had no relation to the Hojo, they proved as no threat, and there was nothing to gain. So, as far as he was concerned, it was cruel. Even in these times, such a thing was still possible.
"Nah, got no clue."
He could guess, but he didn't. He just put his spear on his shoulders and rested his forearms atop it, taking a few steps away from Hideyasu.
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 2:25:45 GMT -7
"Your mother."
That's not really who he was.
Takehiro got a decent look at the guy, cocking a brow when he realized who it was. An old comrade from his days in the Hojo, eh? Out here, near Owari? He was just asking for some trouble. No way he'd get any protection this far from home.
"Last I checked I was better at living than you were." His eyes fell to the man on the floor. "Couldn't you just kick 'im in the face and be done with it?"
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 7, 2014 2:03:53 GMT -7
Traveling was a very common thing in these times, especially when you lived the life of the wanderer. This life was Takehiro's, so, naturally, he partook in it, traveling from town to town, looking for work, among other things. It was because of this that he traveled the road to Owari. Despite the nightfall, he welcomed the time alone, and used it to clear his head. He'd seen and done some pretty weird shit lately, and some time to cool off was always nice. But, maybe you couldn't always have it.
Not far outside Owari, Takehiro would observe one man seeming to have a tussle with another on the road. Normally, he'd leave it alone, but this seemed like a mugging or something, given the time and location. That was the kind of stuff the mercenary hated, even if he got paid for it sometimes. So, naturally, he would do something about it!
"Midnight stroll with the hubby?" he mused, placing a hand on the closer man's shoulder; the man who seemed to be winning the tussle.
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 6, 2014 19:29:23 GMT -7
Takehiro just shrugged. If the man refused to see things any other way, that was his own problem. But the mercenary wouldn't let the monster die. Not on his watch. He had some sense of honor, even after the things he'd done. Those were probably all that kept him trying to support this man, maybe. A feeling of guilt.
"I've taken you to a very... secret place." He grinned, passing an almost serious look Kamaitachi's way. But then, he let out a chuckle. "Not really. You're in a safe place. A small village not far from where we did battle. And I'm not sure how much they know of you... certainly not much, if they were willing to house you, even given your infamy."
He would stop picking at the man's brain. Directly, at least.
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|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 6, 2014 18:32:35 GMT -7
"Honor or none, grief is the same for those who remain."
Granted, were Takehiro to lose a brother to an honorable death, the grief would be accompanied by pride. Though, the pride could not replace what was lost, and it would, too, exist alongside a feeling of hatred and a yearning for vengeance at who had taken his brother's life. These were the thoughts of a brother, of course, and Takehiro assumed they were universal.
"I speak not from coin, Yukimura-san. Coin has little to do with what I'm telling you right now. Were I offered coin to strike you down right now, I very well could, given your lack of defense, and I have half a village on my side. But I would not."
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|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 6, 2014 18:25:46 GMT -7
Takehiro would have nodded off, attention turning to Hiroshi as he made his way over. The mercenary shrugged, disappointedly, and shook his head. It made sense, though, if no one really knew much. People who had a price on their head weren't often easily found. There was a reason they were wanted, and their skills were most often that reason.
"Nothin' useful. Guy must be a ghost."
He initially paid no attention to the guy who left, seeing as many people were coming and going. Though, with the loud clang, Takehiro whirled around to look, instinctively. As the man spoke, even in his disbelief, a grin grew across the mercenary's lips. Hastily taking his spear in hand, he would motion for his partner to follow, and dash out of the building, seeing if he could catch up with the man. Him being in the area made things immediately easy. He didn't want to put any unnecessary distance between them.
[OoC: Stats for the bounty:
Str: 17(19+2)
Dex: 13(14)
Con: 13(23)
Wis: 13
Spr: 12]
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
|
Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 6, 2014 0:14:11 GMT -7
Takehiro would take one of the katanas, as well as the hammer, in both hands. He'd look to Kamaitachi and the elder, and he would notice Katsumi had her bow drawn on the man. He also paid very close attention to the numbers at the gate, and he grinned.
Takehiro would charge toward the entrance to the village, trusting Kamaitachi could hold his own for just a few more minutes, and would seek to impale one of the villagers from behind, and crush the other's skull in with the heavy hammer he took with him. This would allow the other two villagers to be quickly overcome by the seven bandits, and they could make their way in to fight Yukimura, Katsumi, and the elder.
BUT, if Katsumi targeted Takehiro, he would wait until she fired her first arrow to approach. He would step to the side, having enough time, given the distance and his speed, and throw the katana at her midsection, and then charge her with the hammer.
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 5, 2014 18:49:14 GMT -7
The merc fell to the ground, be he held his spear tight. Once on his back, he would try to sweep his spear over his chest and swat the swords away, and then once more to knock the villagers off their feet. Should this attack prove successful, the mercenary would jump back to his own, and stab both of the villagers in their stomachs while they were down.
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|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 5, 2014 12:26:25 GMT -7
Takehiro cursed, reaching down to take the hammer the villager dropped. He would step forward, hurling the hammer toward the villagers as hard and fast as he could, looking to take out at least one of them with it. Meanwhile, he would take his spear back up and prepare a defense, not looking to over-exert himself, given the cracked rib. However many were left, one or two, he hoped, he'd be ready.
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 23:38:07 GMT -7
Takehiro barely had time to react to Haji's remark before the boy was kicked off the carriage by some strange man. His eyes followed Haji, much to his own peril. His cheek was met with the iron fist of a pink-clad warrior, launching him off the carriage and into the dirt, where he would skid along face-first and end up next to his partner.
"... what's... goin' on..?"
His hands pushed against the dirt, struggling to bring himself off the ground. How much force was behind that punch?! Were they doomed?!
And why did Haji call him a hero?!
That thought sent Takehiro back into action. He would do what only a hero could: standing back to his feet, the mercenary charged the pink-clad warrior, hopping at the carriage that conveniently stopped once Takehiro fell off and tackling the man into the seats.
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 23:33:17 GMT -7
Takehiro grinned. Maybe there was a decent character about this man. He was ambitious, that was certain. Though, the mercenary knew not if the man could back up his words. For all Takehiro knew, he could be talking tough, but got beat by his little sister every time he went home. You just couldn't be too sure with things like this.
"And you're sure you'll be capable of either? I wonder how many have uttered those very same words."
It wasn't uncommon to hear, in these times. Sure, war was profitable, but what could the common rabble gain from it? Nothing but sorrow. They had everything to lose, for battles that just weren't their's. While this talk showed character, it was also what bred the monsters who took their anger out on the poor, and those who could not fight back.
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 23:29:24 GMT -7
They were surrounded in fog by some big scary god-like creature and all Haji was wondering was WHAT THE FUCK WAS A SLAB? Takehiro shot him a glance that evidently read "are you kidding me," but then, he didn't know either! Maybe it was one of those pieces of stone with writing on them, or something?
"Okay. The worst has passed us. We... we can get through this. We can, right?"
Was this the price to pay for stealing from daimyo? Maybe this was why the merchant broke down in the first place! He couldn't handle all of the crazy shit that got thrown at him! If this was what it meant to be a daimyo, Takehiro didn't want it!
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 23:02:44 GMT -7
Takehiro's eyes widened at the sight of the man, and he seemed to panic. There was no way to turn the carriage around! They were on a straight path! "HOW DO I TURN A CARRIAGE AROUND?!" He shouted, just before screaming as the carriage approached the man. Were they to meet their end here?!
"RETURN THE - UUGHHH!!!"
The man's hands rushed to his chest and he seemed to inhale sharply, just before letting out a cry of utter terror and pain. It was as if Atlas himself began to weep, a titan of pure strength overcome with woe. And then the guy fell over and died, and the carriage ran around it.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"
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|
|
Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 22:44:18 GMT -7
Takehiro blinked, watching the man.
"Uh."
What the hell was with this village.
"We, uh... we should move to another village. Yeah. Let's do that."
Almost stoic, the mercenary quickly began packing the stuff back into the carriage. Seemed to him like the people here were only going to get more and more weird, and he REALLY didn't want to see what'd happen if someone bought the boom powder. That could be disastrous. So, he saddled back up on the carriage, once again taking the reigns, and setting off once his partner got on as well.
"We got twenty gold coins, but... was it worth it?"
What kind of monsters had they unleashed on the world?
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|
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 22:37:45 GMT -7
Just like everyone else, it seemed. "I want the good life, mama, but I don't wanna work for it." That's what Takehiro heard, and it peeved him a little bit. It didn't matter what this kid wanted, if he wasn't going to fight for it, he was going to be moping in a corner in some crowded bar for the rest of his life.
"Then you need to work for larger things. If you want to make your own stand, then you need to make your name known, and you can't do that if you don't take any work. It's that simple."
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 22:25:34 GMT -7
The man seemed to have an excessively pessimistic view on life. It was like he'd lost everything worth living for, the way he talked. He was almost like Kamaitachi, just, not as angry. Well, maybe they were the same in that aspect.
"If you just take what comes your way, sure, I can agree." Takehiro shrugged, taking a sip of his sake. "That's why you gotta make them want you. Suddenly, you've got options, and you can pick and choose. There would be no "clinging" to your pride, then. At that point, I'd say you've adopted a fairly good standing for yourself, and any pride you have, you've earned."
Takehiro's done his fair share of getting by on scraps, but recently he was getting to some good jobs. Personal assassination missions from the Hojo weren't easy to come by.
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 22:22:00 GMT -7
"Uh."
Why was the guy looking at Takehiro? Haji was making the sales pitch, not Takehiro. Why wasn't he looking at Haji?! These people, man. The mercenary glanced over at Haji, then back at the guy. Then he was on repeat for a few seconds.
Why the hell did he want eight.
"That'll be sixteen gold coins."
The guy muttered something about "one of these days," and "straight to the moon," but he pulled out the coins anyway, took the swords, and went on his merry way.
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 22:11:05 GMT -7
Offered nothing. But, the potential for coin was there, certainly.
"If something were to happen to you, don't you think it would do a great deal of harm to your Lordship and your family? I know I would be devastated if I were to lose a brother, only because he wanted no protection."
He felt there was a good deal of truth to his words, and that wasn't the prospective coin speaking. Were he to lose his brother, he would be ruined, and surely anyone else would feel the same way. Whether the man wanted to acknowledge that was his own business, but still.
"I can see you've offered nothing, but while I am a mercenary, I am also a man with morals."
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 22:06:36 GMT -7
"And what would you call the mercenary who serves the daimyo?"
The mercenary laughed a little. The daimyo were war-mongering, of course, and their profit came totally from battle. Though, what was different of the mercenary, set aside the fact they held no allegiance? They had less to lose - their reputations were not on the line at ever possible moment. Their names were not known, no, but they were not likely to be targeted. And yet, they still profited from battle.
"I must say, they may be as you say, but in this case, we would be no different."
"We" was implicative of the mercenaries as a whole, inclusive of this man only if he felt he should be.
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Amakusa
35(107)
STR
35(78)(97)
DEX
34(58)
CON
34(54)
SPR
34(51)
WIS
Daimyo
Occupation
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Demon of Totomi
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Post by Amakusa Takehiro on Feb 4, 2014 17:47:01 GMT -7
The "monster" seemed like he wasn't much of a monster at all. He was bitter, yes, and defeated, and it seemed this was something that plagued him. A tragic event in his past that could not be undone, one that Takehiro, himself, was responsible for.
"Yoritomo?"
He figured the man would react to the name, since he reacted to the mention of Hojo previously. "You're the last one. I kill you, here and now, and I finish the job I was hired to do years ago." He turned, facing the man, but leaning against the wall. "You really want your family name to go out like that?"
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