"...FRAME THEM FOR MURDER..." Thats Good.

When Dining Table became my Working Table.

Tagging @otome-comments remember 5 things in your room/bag contents? This is what happens when I "get serious" 😂😂😂

chinese mantou馒头 (steamed bread)

Romance Under Wintry Sky

Fandom: Samurai Love Ballad Party

Characters: Oniniwa Tsunamoto x Original Female Character

Summary:  He is a noble samurai, she is just a lowly maid. For all intents and purposes, she could only watch her lord from afar, serving him as his maid, not harboring any forms of desire for him..Knowing his character, he could easily marry a lot of beautiful ladies and frankly, she doesn’t want to be in that difficult situation where she had to share him...So, even if he is unmarried, even though she was secretly in love with him, she can only swallow her feelings inside.

Inspired from "A Date with Tsunamoto" a story from Grand Samurai Street Fair. NO SMUT.

Also posted on AO3.

PART 2: Tryst Under Wintry Sky [MATURE CONTENT!]

When Airi agreed to Lord Tsunamoto's idea of cuddling together inside the room as the cold wintry snow poured outside the inn, she hadn't expected him to embrace her so—fiercely, not that she expected him to pull her tight onto his warm body; hands on his chest, feeling his rapid rush of blood pumping. Nor she expected that her own quickening heartbeat would be so obvious to him and, to her utter embarrassment, shades of red became evident on her face.

"Haha. You're red to the tips of your ears you know." he chuckled as he lightly pinched both of her cheeks.

Airi gave him a fierce look to cover up her shame, Not funny. She wanted to say something; but knowing the position she's in, she inwardly felt joy even though her exterior is anything but comfortable with the arrangement.

He is a noble samurai, she is just a lowly maid. For all intents and purposes, she could only watch her lord from afar, serving him as his maid, not harboring any forms of desire for him. Well, she could become his concubine if he so wished, but the thought of possibly sharing him with his official wife or another concubine one day could only breed resentment within her heart. Knowing his character, he could easily marry a lot of beautiful ladies and frankly, Airi doesn’t want to be in that difficult situation where she had to share him. If there is anything, what Airi doesn't want to admit to Lord Tsunamoto right now, it's the fact she harbored desire for him for a long time and wished that he had only his eyes (or rather, his eye his left was scarred long ago) on her.

So, even if Lord Tsunamoto is unmarried, even though Airi was secretly in love with him, she can only swallow her feelings inside.

"I'm only joking. You can rest easy around me." the lord gave her a rakish grin as he stroked her hair.

A joke? Airi thought in horror.

"What? You were just teasing?" Airi said, indignation and hurt apparent in her words. I knew it, things between him and me, it won’t work! She tried to wriggle out of his grasp but he kept her so tight that her arms lost its strength to resist, "Ugh, I have no idea what to do with you, Lord Tsunamoto!" Of all the things Airi hated, even if its the man she had a crush on for a long time, being told that all his advances right now, and reminding her of the obvious signs how hopelessly she was in love…her one-sided love….

Telling her his advances right now is a joke. It was the worst thing he could possibly say. Which is why she hardened her face into a look of pout filled with frustration, regardless if the one on the receiving end was her superior.

"Sorry. Don't run away on me." he smiled but his voice was solemn as if regretted his earlier remarks. However, Airi continued to pout, trying to hide her hurt inside. She looked away from him to hide her reddened cheeks and shame. Does he have any idea what his actions do to me? Does he have any idea how I truly feel right now? I wish he knew.

"It's just that you're so cute when you blush. I couldn't help myself." he added ever so fondly as he gently cupped Airi's cheeks back in his way.

What? The meaning behind his was not lost on Airi. Could it be…

Nah, he could be teasing me again. I know how he’s like...

Airi closed her eyes and gently free herself from Lord Tsunamoto's grasp. On the outside, she seemed calm thanks to her years of experience being his maid as she put up with several noble women who also vie for his attention; but inside, her heart is raging like a storm: torn between her desire to embrace him even just for tonight and her duty to stay grounded.

"Hm. What's wrong?" he asked, his head leaned forward to see her clearly. Airi could see the scar on his left eye, and the soft brown on his right. It was filled with care despite him being so teasing. And for a moment, Airi doesn't know how to respond.

"You are constantly giving me the run-around, Lord Tsunamoto," she mumbled in a soft voice before she could put a stop to it. This isn't what she wanted to say, however, but because her frustration of holding back her feelings was so great, her subconscious controlled her.

"Am I?" the man gaped in surprise.

"N-no. It's not like that. I mean..." Airi lied, she had to or else Lord Tsunamoto might misunderstand her intentions. However, her voice pitched so high that it was evident to Lord Tsunamoto her poor attempts at covering it.

"Tell me, why do you think I am giving you the run-around?"

Airi could see Lord Tsunamoto's once gentle right eye turned darker, was it due to his irritation or something else? Airi wasn't sure.

But, right now, she couldn't hide her frustrations to him anymore.

"Remember that time I was almost blamed for putting poison on Lord Masamune's food? You defended me in front of all those retainers who couldn't wait to put me down." she began recounting her story and how her feelings of him grew.

That time, Lord Tsunamoto had to put a good word with Lord Masamune to let Airi stay in his castle to keep her from the accusing eyes of Date retainers. In the castle, he had constantly teased and flirted with her but she only laughed treated him as her master and a dear friend. She had believed she doesn’t deserve his affections and that there are better women than her.

But slowly, Airi had warmed up to him, serving him with all her heart in gratitude. Of course, Lord Tsunamoto was thankful for her efforts. And then, time passed, before Airi knew it, her fondness of Lord Tsunamoto grew into something that longs for his attention. She became accustomed to his teasing eventually but she knew she couldn’t go further for she is just a common maid and he is a noble samurai. He needed a wife that could further his cause, or Date’s cause. They live in harsh times where anyone can be a friend or foe, and marriage is a very strong tool to solidify an alliance.

What is worse, she also met several guests of high status, many of them were women who also had eyes for Lord Tsunamoto. They too made it difficult for Airi to tell her lord how she truly felt. They would constantly order her around while they spend time with her lord’s presence while she goes to the sidelines fulfilling the guests’ requests. Once, when a retainer complimented her cooking, one arrogant lady, who is part of a powerful merchant clan, shamed her awful desserts, though they were obviously delicious.

Unfortunately, the retainers have no choice but to agree with the lady, not wanting to offend her and her connections. She was going to be punished by the castle matron when Lord Tsunamoto tried Airi’s desserts and claimed to the wider public that he liked it. That incident changed the opinion of Airi by the castle occupants. For that, she was thankful. However, it also dawned upon her how little she is to the grander scheme of things and can only survive under Lord Tsunamoto’s good graces. Marrying him will not benefit him at all.

And so, she had remained as Lord Tsunamoto's maid bound by duty to serve, no feelings attached. That was supposed to be her cover, her facade.

Yet she couldn't deny her growing feelings for him for so long.

And then, an opportunity came, Lord Tsunamoto was tasked to go onto the village near the border to check on its security and other pertinent problems. Lord Tsunamoto brought Airi along. She had wanted to tell Lord Tsunamoto her feelings, away from the prying eyes of his retainers and of those women. If he would not return them, she would understand. She will let go of him without any resentments...but until then.

However, a heavy snowfall came. And their journey is cut short.

"So, now, we're stuck together here in this room. And then you made me cuddle you like we're lovers, and then you say its a joke?" Airi wiped off her tears and said the next words as though they are filled with sadness, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have these feelings for you, Milord. I should have set these dreams aside.” Dreams of you looking out for me as I did and no one else. Airi shook her head, numbing her own feelings. It would seem her feelings won’t be reciprocated after all.

Lord Tsunamoto sat silently, his eye and mouth wide in surprise. And for a moment, there was only the howl of the wind outside, bitter coldness crept towards their room and Airi shivered from the coolness of the atmosphere. Was it the cold? Or was it fear?

At last, Airi couldn’t stand the silence any longer. She shifted away from him and--a hand caught hers. Before she could react, she was pulled towards Lord Tsunamoto’s embrace so strongly that the force made them collapse on the tatami mat they were sharing. After a moment of confusion, she found herself on top of him. Her kimono disheveled, slightly revealing her exposed chest to him. The hand that had been pulled was now at Lord Tsunamoto’s broad chest so that it’s resting on his heart. To her surprise, he could feel the fast and strong thumping of his heart. Airi felt her face reddened in shame, knowing the compromising situation she’s in.

“Get it now?” he asked. He wasn’t smiling, instead, he looked serious. For a moment, Airi couldn’t respond. What could she say? She just confessed her whole heart to him and she isn’t even sure if he would return it.

“I saved you that day because I know you were still too young to die just because of the backhand schemes of the enemy. When you arrived to the castle you made everything, from making good desserts and keeping my castle orderly, in gratitude of me...even if I don’t deserve it.” his voice was soft, without his usual teasing attitude.

Airi looked up. Gone was Lord Tsunamoto’s usual rakish grin, only to be replaced by pensieve solemnity: a sad look on his face. For the first time in a long while, Airi could see wrinkle lines boring onto his skin and an expression that know despite his seemingly youthful vigor, he had a lot of experiences to tell, and he is tired by some of it.

“When those women fawn over me, I knew they weren’t really attracted to me. Ha! The nerve…” he cracked a grin, but it was without any mirth. “These wenches were only after my position as Lord Masamune’s trusted retainer, nothing more. Some of them were actually planted by the enemy to spy on me, like that lady who said your desserts were awful.”

Airi was silent, but the revelation struck her hard. It wasn’t easy for her to keep he feelings to herself, but knowing Lord Tsunamoto NEVER looked at these women with any sort of liking? I should have known. If only I wasn’t so hung up with hiding my feelings...

“Then, I saw how your sunny smile faded in time. I missed your laughter, Airi. That’s why…” he trailed off and he let go of Airi’s body from his own, and he looked away as if trying to hide his expression from Airi due to shame. However, this time, Airi embraced Lord Tsunamoto, gently placing his head to her bosom.

The man looked up and saw Airi’s smile like sunflowers under the sun. It was a smile that tells unadulterated joy, the one Lord Tsunamoto saw a long time ago on this young maiden’s face. Memories of good times flooded him as his own happiness once again filled his heart.

“Thank you, Milord,” tears of laughter slowly fell from Airi’s eyes. Her lord gently touched her face and wiped her tears in reverence. To which Airi started to laugh.

“Aw, you laughed,” he smirked, hugging her closer.

“I’m sorry.” Airi said, welcoming his embrace, feeling the heat radiating from his body. “It’s more a relief than anything.” That you and I felt the same way she thought but didn’t voice it, she need not need to.

Lord Tsunamoto cupped her face. He is back to being his usual self, full of youthful vigor and charm Airi always loved. But then, shades of redness filled his face and from her position, she could feel his beating heart. Together cuddled close, the coolness of the air became nothing but a warm wind.

“Don’t go telling people that you’ve got me wrapped around your finger, young lady.” the man pouted, “I’d never live it down.”

“Then,” Airi smirked, “if I am to be your lover, let me tell you, I HATE sharing you with anyone. If you decide to tie yourself to another woman. I won’t be angry at you, but I’ll leave. Just so we’re clear.”

“Aw, my girl is a jealous-type, I see,” Lord Tsunamoto leaned closer to her ear and whispered her some words. “I like that.” his voice husky with desire that made Airi’s heart thump faster in anticipation.

This is what I always wanted. Him looking at me...and only me. On this house, under the cool snowy sky. I could never trade this precious time together with anything else.

This one, @otome-reviews , if Kyo ES had added some suspense elements just like this and IF only the story is focused more on Kyo and Hide side of things. That would have been an exciting read...and the main conflict would have been like: can they trust Hideyoshi if Kyo and MC put themselves on the same camp as him? I bet this was the reason why Kyo wasn't so enthusiastic with Hide's proposal in the first place.

Haha, this is just my speculative--what-if scenario (plus, I saw what "Dark Lord" Hide could do in Kojuro Act 2).

I just re-read Kyoichiro’s ES and his PoV story…but I couldn’t shake the possibility that Hideyoshi might be THE ONE responsible Kyo got “detained” by Nobunaga.

…Long Post Below…

Do remember that Kyo is really careful with his thief identity (he is a former ninja after all) and the only time Kyo’s identity was suspected by Nobunaga was AFTER Hideyoshi found him on the storehouse (at least in this ES. I still haven’t done his MS, sorry). MC nor Suke wouldn’t dare to let something slip about Kyo’s “other life”, perhaps Hide wouldn’t unless he had a good reason…

…like using Kyo to ruin those monks to aid Nobunaga. But since the story implied Kyo refused that first offer (when Kyo busted the empty storehouse). Hide might have thought of a way to get Kyo in his plans, like slipping some rumors that Kyoichiro might be Ishikawa Goemon to get Nobunaga to act, thus entrapping Kyo in Kiyosu to make the cotton merchant at severe disadvantage.

“if something should happened outside while you are in here, you will be proven innocent” (-which also means “if nothing happens outside while you are here, you are guilty”-).

Sakuya went to Kyo’s house and saw MC and judging by their conversation, Sakuya didn’t expect MC to be there (or at least didn’t expect that Kyo’s “mistress” was the fugitive Tsuki MC). I was led to think Saku went to Kyo’s house to assassinate MC but I believe it wasn’t the case…So what was Saku doing in Kyo'shouse? Gathering evidence? Maybe. But we do not get to know his REAL reason being there because Hide intervened in an epic fashion.

Hideyoshi is not simple. He plans “two steps ahead” as Kyoichiro would put it. Hide might have “slipped” into Nobunaga about Kyo, he doesn’t want him dead. While Nobunaga was busy with his entrapment scheme, Hide anticipated Nobu’s methods. He prevented Sakuya from killing MC (or rather he stopped him from gathering evidence against Kyo) with his “presence” since Sakuya is supposedly a secret Oda ninja, therefore he can’t act recklessly under Hideyoshi’s watch.

In Kyo’s pov, Hide used his weirdness and fixation to Kyo’s crane to get him to give one to him, not because he want it to be a signal to MC about his predicament in Kiyosu. But in reality, Hide used it as a tool to get MC to act by being the supposed thief and steal something to clear Kyo’s name.

So, Hideyoshi became Kyo’s benefactor and became indebted to him. Because of this, Kyo ruined those corrupt monks which he would otherwise refuse to do under normal circumstances.

Kyo must have got a sense of Hide’s motives as he forged the aliance with him not out of gratitude but only because he “does not want to be on Hideyoshi’s bad side”. And that statement, tells us something just how far and how “deep” HIDEYOSHI would go to achieve his goals.

Three Little Sisters (ft. me and my two co-ES/MS Allies)

It’s a common theme in fantasy, that assassins are fed poison from young age to train them to become immune to poison. This is scientifically not possible, as human antibodies/immune system does not work this way.

This practice is known as “Mithradatism”, named after King Mithradates (King over what is now Turkey), the man perhaps the very source of all the legends. As the story goes, he feared assassination by poison and thus started consuming poison to make himself immune, as well as experimenting with medicines to further improve on it.

In the end, after his defeat King Mithradates tried to commit suicide with his family by poison. However, it was said that while his family died, he himself remaimed alive, and either was killed by his enemies or committed suicide by sword.

Since his survival seemed to prove that “poison immunity training” works, the legend might have spread to nearby regions. It’s also bolstered by the fact that snake handlers in India seem to be less affected by snake venom after working with snakes for so long. Still, even if one can build immunity against one type of poison, it’s not possible to train to be immune to any and all poisons that exist.

Err... @voltageslbp ?

Wait, isn’t this dragon a castle item last BE?

Free Bat Wings and my first 5pearl roll: the cloak I really wanted.

I feel lucky 😂

The Honorable Death: Samurai and Suicide in Feudal Japan (part 2)

By: Martini Fisher

Source: https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/honorable-death-samurai-and-suicide-feudal-japan-005822

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