Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

Hikiko · Adventurer Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 50 Location: Zento

She was ordered out of the little building that had become her insular world since the abduction, the cruel black hand shoving her so that she nearly fell down the steps. The drow cast a portal that led only to another portal. A too familiar pain struck her as the arrow flew and struck her shoulder. The world began to go gray as the beast grabbed her hair and dragged her through the second moongate, and Hikiko knew she was losing consciousness.

A second arrow struck her high on the hip, taking her down and leaving her once again in the blackness that would have been welcome if such a thought were possible. Kiko did not see or feel the drow tear the arrows cruelly from her flesh, leaving no physical evidence of what he'd done to her.

It was the sound of voices combined with the sensation of hands upon her, shaking her, that brought her back to the waking world. There were blue-clad men standing in a circle around her, speaking too quickly in their mainland sounding language for her to catch more than every few words or so. Next she knew she was being carried away, and a new form of fear began to crest. Perhaps these men were in congress with the drow, and they meant to do more harm.

It all happened so quickly. Hikiko found herself in a room, seated at a large table of the sort that perhaps wars were planned at. Questions were asked, many of which she was unable to answer. The man who seemed to be in charge did ask a question she understood perfectly, when he asked her if there was someone she wished for him to contact. Her answer came quickly, quietly, simply.

"Bishimi-san," was the answer she gave. The men chattered in their strange tongue. It seemed orders were being given.

Hikiko · Adventurer Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 50 Location: Zento

The woman introduced herself as Ari, and was very kind to Hikiko. She gave the disheveled girl cool water to sip and spoke gently to her . . . she seemed to understand she must speak slowly to Hikiko so she would understand. Hikiko knew this was a kindness she would not soon forget and was grateful for the seeming compassion of the other woman. After a time, one of the men from the party who had found Hikiko summoned the women, and they left the building hand in hand.

Ari led Hikiko down the steps of the formidable building, and seeing the handful of Lotus at the base of the stairs was a moment that would be indelibly engraved in Kiko's memory. A flood of emotions of every sort washed over her: joy, relief, fear, apprehension. She wondered how it was humanly possible to feel so many things at once, to have so many questions bombard one's mind. The expression on Edda's face was one that would haunt her later in the night when Hikiko battled for rest--it was one of shock and horror. A look she hoped to not see again cross the faces of anybody she held dear.

The four words she heard were as a life raft to a drowning victim, and she felt her knees go rubbery as they were shouted. It was the Soke's voice, commanding and strong from behind the hood.

"Hikiko! Wang, get her!" The words were barely out of his mouth when the ninja stepped forth with his hand extended. A sob tore its way from her throat as she grabbed his hand with both of her own.

The ninja never ceased to amaze Hikiko in their diversity. Amazing, really, that they could be both a fearsome warrior and a tender protector--more than once she had seen evidence of this. Quietly, he told her that it was time to go home. The word home had never sounded so sweet to her ears, and perhaps never would again.

On some level Kiko was aware of the two leaders talking, and quiet side conversation among the members of both clans among themselves. The words were lost on her, she was simply too overwhelmed with all that had happened, and with the knowledge that she was really going back to Zento alive.

Rei Ukiyo · Visitor Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Zento

Hikiko was back and alive. This was what comforted Rei. Though sad she was at not having been among the reception group, she was relieved to no end that Hikiko would heal and be whole, one again. Rei decided without being told that she would help patrol the inn where Hikiko-chan was recovering.

The news had poured out from the Soke's lips with a mixture of relief and remorse. A tone of sorrow that he felt he had failed his people, all the peoples of Zento. Rei felt herself commiserating with him, for she too felt that she had failed Hikiko. But, wisdom followed on the heals of this self-pity, and she decided that she would not allow herself nor the Soke, if she could help it, to wallow in it.

She put on her best teacher's tone and adopted a scolding attitude. What strength and hope would the people take from the Soke if he acted beaten? He must both appear to be strong and be strong all at once. These were two different things, to act and to be, and the people needed to see his strength and resolve else they would lose faith in him. She realized that her breach of protocol would land her in punishment, but she felt he needed to hear these words that she was saying. It was worth it if it would help him, and in doing so, help Zento. She had witnessed firsthand the effects of a clan whose people had lost faith in their leaders. She had experienced it, and she refused to allow it to happen to her new family.

Softening her tone, she then tried to give gentle voice to her thoughts. The Soke was a man, not an immortal. He could not be all-knowing. He could not have known someone was going to steal away with their precious Hikiko. To blame himself for lacking the abilities of a god was both futile and folly. As she left the teahouse, she prayed that her words of wisdom would be absorbed and that she would be able endure whatever punishment would be laid upon her for her uncharacteristic impertinence.

She made her way to the inn to look in on Hikiko.

Edda · Certifiable Joined: 20 Jan 2009 Posts: 1586 Location: US

Every single day, since she had found out Hikiko was taken, Edda sat in the tea house and stared at the empty space in front of the fires. The place where Hikiko made daily visits to kneel and put incense on the fire. That emptiness cut deep at her. She had never expressed to Hikiko how much she truely treasured her presence, and now she regretted it. If she saw Hikiko again, she decided, she would never stop making it clear to her that she was important.

As time passed and there was still no sign of Hikiko, Edda felt desperate for information, just a lead even. When the day finally came when the people of Moonglow sent a letter to the Soke, Edda was on her feet in an instant. Traveling to Moonglow was a wave of mixed feelings. She was anxious to see Hikiko again, nervous that she would be disapointed only to find they had found another woman, not Hikiko; and frustrated that she was being held in Moonglow. It was no secret that they didn't like any of the Lotus, why wouldnt they be standing there abusing Hikiko?

When the Soke Bishimi, the Yondon Wang, and Edda arrived with the Moonglows, to Edda's surprise almost.. kind.. words were exchanged.. and their Hikiko was returned. Edda almost didn't recognize her. She was a mess. Not the Hikiko she knew at all. Edda hugged her sadly, and gently, with one arm, and Wang carried her home.

As she knelt back down in front of the fires, Edda breathed a sigh of relief. She had faith that Hikiko would be back to herself soon.

Hermoine66 · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:20 am Post subject:

As Sia Yia walk to the Lotus tea house in think how sad it would be to see that spot by the fire pit empty again , they stop suddenly in seen bunch of lotus army walking back with Hikiko. They thought first they were seen things and rub there eyes , they still saw HIkio. They say "Hikio" and follow the army in to the lotus house. They look at her all brused and her clothes torn , they were sad she got beating up pretty well but she is back. Sia Yia dont know much about Hikiko but when she went missing and seen all there friends sad , also the lotus house did not felt the same. They were over joy to see her back and gave her a hug which startled her alittle "good to see you back" , they say to Hikiko. After Hikiko disappear and found they be watching all there lotus friends alot closer now. They exclaim to Edda " Who every did this to Hikiko will pay dearly there heads will roll we will make sure of that.

Hikiko · Adventurer Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 50 Location: Zento

Time and all the things that filled it seemed to have taken on new meaning to Hikiko since her return to Zento.

She was not used to feeling so guarded and limited. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the attention being given to her safety, it was simply a new thing for her to learn and accept. Kiko was acutely aware of the way people of the Lotus and her affiliates treated her now, even those she never really had a chance to get to know on more than a passing and polite level. Now, it seemed as if all knew her quite well and even that felt strange.

Her new residence at the Temple was certainly different. Certainly, she felt nearer to the kami that she always honored and made offerings to in an attempt to stay in their powerful graces. But feeling closer to the kami often left her in the lonely moments feeling even more isolated than ever before. Hikiko yearned for her parchments, her brushes, her paints, her shamisen. She missed the make-up box that allowed her to so carefully apply the adornments of her identity. Her collection of beloved kanzashi were not among the few spartan possessions she had with her; in fact the only comb she had for her hair was one given to her by Ni'Xuin.

Looking at the comb always brought a pang of intense loneliness and a touch of fear with it, all things considered.