Ok, Each of you will be split into these threads when the time comes. As free time is given I will jump to these threads to handle some of the more complex 'solo' oriented content.

We start off in the Room in the Imperial Palace that is connected to your individual rooms.

Dusk moves through the corridors for a while. At each intersection he passes two Imperial Guards, apparently on duty. The Guards pay him no attention nor do they make any motions to prevent his exploration.

After a few minutes he comes to a doorway leading out into a small garden. An ivory fountain with what appears to be a man with a solid gold tierra and a large staff stands in the middle of the fountain. He faces away from the horizon where it looks like the sun will rise shortly. Water slowly trickles from his opened right hand and the top of his staff. Closer examination reveals that there are many orange and white fish swimming around in the fountain.

Content with his discovery Dusk enters the garden and has a seat on one of the many Bamboo mats placed around the fountain. He sits back, lowers his hood, and relaxes as the wind blows through his hair. It isn't long before he hears what appears to be a conversation taking place between 5 men in green and orange robes at the other end of the garden. They do not seem to have noticed him.

[OOC] What will you do?[OOC]

*Dusk tries to move out of sight from the strange men from behind the fountain.*

*Though he knows he probably shouldn't be hearing the conversation, Dusk's curiosity gets the better of him and he creeps a little closer towards the men, while staying hidden behind various objects.*

*In addition, he tries to enchant the wind to allow it to more easily let sound travel through the air for his benefit*

The men appear to be in a deep debate about the nature of the elements and their place in what they refer to as "The Celestial Pattern". As Dusk raises his hands lightly to move the wind one of the men turns in his direction as if he senses the wind's presence. The man simply says in passing,"Every momment has a lesson for you to learn. Learn to listen." He then returns to his conversation.

Each man gives off a similiar piece of interesting, yet cryptic wisdom as they continue their conversation. Dusk leans around the corner of the fountain for closer examination. The men are all similiar in the color and design of their robes, the fact that there is not a single hair on their heads, and the fact that what parts of their bodies are exposed are covered in various tatoos. As they each, in turn, offer up their point on a various element they also each hold out their hand, palms open towards the sky. The conversation continues.

One of the men proposes,"In order for a man to follow the path of Earth, it is necessary for the man to keep in mind that the essence of Earth is to build an indominable spirit and an iron will; to believe that you cannot fail in anything that you do." With this a small mountain of earh rises up from the center of his palm.

The next man proposes,"When strength is robust and not trapped, it's justice is not thwarted and it's duty is not frustrated. Using water as a model, the spirit is made to be as water is..." With this he cups his hand and it fills with a small pool of water.

The next man proposes,"Fire is beneficial for the success of the upright. Flexibility gets through successfully by clinging to balance and rectitude. Illumination doubled makes fire. Thus do great people shine on the four quarters with continous light." With this a small fire appears and dances just above his palm.

The next man is the one who Dusk suspects knows he is there. He proposes,"All things and beings are prodiced through the sensitivity of heaven and earth. The sensitivity of sages moves people's minds so much that the world is harmonious and peaceful. Be aware...and all things in the universe be seen, even the wind itself." With this a small twister of wind appears just above his palm.

The final man proposes,"From one thing, know ten thousand things. When one learns they know nothing, then they will be able to understand everything." With this he simply turns his palm out and nothing happens.

At this point the 5 men sit down on their bamboo mats and remain silent as the sun rises up and casts it's rays onto the back of the figure on the fountain. They appear to be deep in meditation and Dusk sits back to reflect on what he has heard as they do so.

A few momments later they all simultaniously rise and, in single file, exit the garden. As they do the one who spoke of Air veers slightly away from the others and stops in front of Dusk. He says,"Relish the momment before you make the 1st step on a journey, for that is the sweetest momment in the world." He then bows and smiles at Dusk. Before he leaves to join his bretheren he adds,"...and your journey is just beginning." He then departs.

Before the 5 men are out of view, Dusk turns to watch them leave. He notices they all have the same symbol on the back of their robes...


Dusk is now alone in the garden.

[OOC]What will you do?[OOC]

*After this enlightening experience, Dusk feels that he should rest to prepare himself for the journey ahead*

*Still, the words of the five men still ring in Dusk's head as he goes through the corridor back to the Adventurer's rooms*

[OOC] And.....you're asleep. See you at the party. ;) [OOC]

Dusk decides to head back to The Celebration. When he arrives back at the celebration he notices that not much has changed. Jadome is nowhere in sight, nor are the rest of the Dragon Acolytes. Uona seems to have moved off to the side and is talking with 4 other Phoenix. A large group of Crab and Unicorn appear to be engaged in some sort of drinking contest near the food, they get continually louder as their contest continues. Kachiko is nowhere in sight, but Shizue is sitting on the bottom of the steps conversing with a few people of various clans.

[OOC] Welcome back to The Celebration. Your action?[OOC]

*Seeing as how the other members don't really talk to him much, Dusk gravitates towards towards the drinking contest, at first hovering a distance away, but slowly getting closer to the festivies*

Dusk cautiously approaches the table and takes a position away from the actual contest. Casual goading is being exchanged between the two factions represented as they continue. The volume and tone of these comments is getting louder and louder at a rather alarming rate. At one point a large Unicorn is fighting tooth and nail to finish his current round and a Crab shoots off at him,"You drink like a Crane child!" To this the Unicorn finishes his drink and spits the last part of it in the face of the Crab. The Unicorn laughs,"I deeply appologize, but at least now you smell better." The other Unicorn in the group laugh loudly as the Crab dives at the Unicorn. Shortly thereafter, both groups are involved in a full fledged fistfight.

Dusk, still keeping a safe distance, watches as the other occupants of the room mysteriously seem to be leaving, perhaps to return to their rooms. The remaining Imperial Guards who were posted on the edges of the room are moving towards fighting group and Shoan appears to be leading them.

[OOC] Now what will you do?[OOC]

*Dusk gets a bit nervous as these guys aren't exactly the type of people he likes to associate with. He'd rather seek company with his team, even if they are a bit on the quiet side. Begins to turn away back to the rooms*

Dusk heads back towards the rooms and arrives there without any further interruption.

[OOC]And you're back in the main thread now. ;) [OOC]

Dusk wanders the halls for a bit, trying to locate Azrael. Oddly enough he notices that the halls are empty. There are no guards to be seen and not a single passerby. He wonders to himself where everyone could be?

[OOC] Your action. ;) [OOC]

*Curious, Dusk continues to roam the halls in no particular order. He could be going around in circles, yet not know it, lost in the strange nuances in the air.*

Dusk wonders the hallways, passing a few of the various gardens in his travels. He does not see a single other person. No servants, no guards, no friends, nor foes. The halls are vacant of any activity except Dusk.

That's strange.

I would have thought that a place like this would have much more people working to keep this place in shape.

Something's not right.

Well, it's getting late anyway. Maybe everyone is asleep?

*talking to himself, Dusk decides to head back to his quarters for the night*

Dusk returns to the main room and notices that the Kuni appear to have retired for the evening. The Yasuki, however, are still hard at work surveying the scene. Azrael and Kiyushichi appear to be conversing.

[OOC] And with this, you're back in the main thread. [OOC]

After several minutes the historian returns with a fairly small scroll tucked neatly under his arm. He holds the scroll out before him and opens the seal on it before rolling it outon the desk in front of Dusk.

Dusk learns the following from the scoll...

____________________________________________________________________
Etiquette of The Dragon Clan:
____________________________________________________________________

The Dragon do not follow the same rules as those of the majority of Rokugan. Overall they place far less emphasis on concepts like politeness, sincerity, and proceedure and prefer to focus more upon things like enlightenment, truth, and wisdom.

Many Dragon live out their days on the mountain. It is uncommon, but not impossible to encounter them in daily travels though. Many people have described them as enigmatic and this is a fair description. Let us look at the various families and how they behave.

Togashi(The Ise Zumi):
The tattooed followers of Lord Togashi are perhaps the strangest of the clan. They respect wisdom and personal character over cast and heritage. This has much to do with their ongoing quest to attain enlightenment and the fact that the Togashi are not a true family in the literal sense of the word. They are, instead, a group comprised of both blood members and members from various other clans and walks of life. The Togashi are perhaps the easiest to distinguish due to the fact that they are rarely covered in elaborate garments and, instead, cover their body in various forms of tatoos. They are not the only family of The Dragon to have tatoos, but should you encounter a person covered in them then the odds are in favor that it's a Togashi.

Many Rokugani dismiss the aloof Togashi as arrogant and condescending, but nothing could be further from the truth. A typical Togashi can have much to say, but he would rather not say anything at all, remaining content to watch a scene rather than get involved. The Togashi are more concerned with enlightenment and truth, however, will not remain quiet when duty to these ideas demands they speak up. Those who speak and act genuinely, honestly, and respectfully will gain the good attentions of the Dragon.

The Togashi are often misunderstood because they tend to never give a direct answer. They're known better to give out small bits of wisdom or quote other sources of wisdom such as The Tao of Shinsei.

The Mirumoto:
The Mirumoto are the Samurai of The Dragon Clan. They are usually the easiest to spot because they wear armor and carry two swords. The Mirumoto are known throughout Rokugan for their 2 sword technique and this is a very good way to identify one of their ranks.

The Mirumoto mostly follow the same rules of etiquette as other samurai. They will bow to another samurai or anyone they see as an equal. They will also bow to show respect to those who have earned such from them. A Mirumoto, like most samurai, will kneel before someone greater than them or who holds a higher rank(aka a Daimyo). The Mirumoto are one of the two more traditional families of The Dragon Clan in the eyes of Rokugan.

The Mirumoto respect skill and purity over that of sheer might. Even their most casual actions reveal their skill and teachings.

The Agasha:
The Agasha are the shugenja family of The Dragon Clan. They are also the clan's historians and are often referred to, by other Dragon, as "The Memory of The Dragon Clan." The Agasha are polite, but driven. They seek enlightenment though harmony with the elements. Fire is their most common path in this matter, but Agasha can be found are following any of the 5 rings to enlightenment.

The Togashi are often silent and tend to offer up cryptic bits of wisdom from time to time, but the Agasha are less likely to offer up that much. They will talk more directly if you can gain their attention on a certain subject matter, but are more prone to listen than speak.

The Agasha are odd in whom they choose to show respect. Their own magical paths differ greatly from those of the other clan's shugenja and for this it is a mystery as to what they are looking for in reguards to respecting a fellow shugenja. This much is certain, if you earn the respect of an Agasha then it is not something to be taken lightly.

The Kitsuki:
The Kitsuki are known throughout Rokugan as a family of investigators and justicars. They are easily the most social of the families and follow the closest to what would be considered normal etiquette.

The major difference between a Kitsuki and another member of Rokugan society is their almost blatant disreguard for sincerity and deciept. The Kitsuki are drivin by a deep rooted sense of justice and honesty. Unless on official business for The Empire a Kitsuki will rarely engage in casual conversation with someone they do not trust. A Kitsuki's trust is a very difficult thing to earn and only the most honest and pure of character can ever hope to accomplish such a thing. Those who do, however, are to not take such an accomplishment lightly.

The Kitsuki, unlike their fellow Dragon, tend to live mostly in the capital. They are in direct service of both their clan and The Emporer. They are seen as the major link of communication between The Empire and The Dragon Clan due to the Dragon's tendancies to remain in their mountain stronghold.

Final Thought:
The Dragon are not known as the most enigmatic of the clans without just cause. Those who can earn their trust or respect have gained a powerful ally, even though they may not know or understand the motivations of that accomplishment.
____________________________________________________________________

[OOC]This concludes today's lesson, Grasshoppa. Meditate on what you have learned. ;) [OOC]

*Dusk sits backs and reflects on what he has learned as stated by the mysterious voice they he did not hear. :angel: *

*He looks at the others and see if they are done with their scrolls*

*Feeling that he had already absorbed enough for the day, he neatly rolls back the scroll and bows politely at his attendant, thanks him, and bids him farewell. Dusk moves towards Azrael*

[OOC] Very well, you may address Azrael in the main thread. ;) [OOC]