==This piece was drawn in mid-2023. Following my first art commission, my Ko-Fi supporters voted for me to begin uploading art here, including pieces that have been up on FA that I still like. This is one of those pieces.==

Tamao liked the blindfold. It made people underestimate her and yet also care more for her. The wrap of cloth around her eyes signaled all it needed to and more. In a way, she empathized with the Scorpion like that, utilizing a mask to subtly curate one’s own perception. Only, in her case, it wasn’t dishonesty but openness.

She didn’t mind not having it either. She liked the moment’s confusion, the hesitation, the way people tried to come to a conclusion on her at a glance without being fully able to.

The gentry samurai of this vassal family Lion Clan town, however, had forbade her from wearing the blindfold. He had doubted her very identity, her very conditions, and her honor. That…that she minded greatly.

The pinkish bunny knelt in his home, politely bowing before the samurai of higher status and glory. Her eyes remained closed. He scowled, knowing that—should he be wrong—she’d never see his expression of disdain and doubt. If he were right, it would properly insult the visiting “shugenja”.

“Lord Katai-sama,” she greeted, “your hospitality honors me. I thank you for your reception during my journey.”

“Moshi-chan,” the lion hummed dismissively. “You would do well to recognize the differences in our positions with proper speech. I am lord of this village, a proud member of the greatest clan of honor there is. Your gempukku has yet to even be fully past. You shall address me with deference and respect.”

“My apologies, Lord Katai-dono.” She bowed again, deeper this time. A voice whispered. She turned its suggestion down.

“Hm. Better,” he said with a self-satisfied nod. He stood from his seat, his footsteps quiet as he approached the young girl. “Your clan would do well to learn manners.” A lone girl, not even an adult, made his tongue loose with honest opinion. “If your letter speaks truth, that you are journeying to prove your ability as a samurai, much less a shugenja, then the Lion Clan will teach you the respect pirates and smugglers cannot.”

Tamao’s eyes remained closed. “Lord Katai-dono, I believe you may have been misinformed. The Mantis Clan is a great clan, honor-bound and given whole-heartedly to the empire’s honor and security. Even before this, my family, the once Centipede Clan, whole-heartedly gave of themselves to properly honor Lady Sun, the divine mother. I am proud to be Moshi.”

The form of address did little to satisfy him this time, the lion increasingly annoyed by her refusal to open her eyes. “Hm. Proud to be a spy, most likely,” he scoffed, “with flimsy excuse to steal from Lion lands. A blind child being shugenja? How do you plan to read the scrolls of your trade? How do you plan to serve your lord? No, you are a spy, and you simply cannot hide the theft your eyes commit.” He stood in front of her, towering above. “Open your eyes and show me.”

The young bunny did not. “I am grateful for your hospitality, Lord Katai-dono,” she said, “but my eyes belong to the Jade Sun, and to Lady Sun. I shall not give of them lightly. My apologies, I must decline.”

Amid the safety of his own home, amid the comfort of his own word being far greater than this one’s, the lord let drop his On. Firmly, he reached for the bunny’s bowed head, thumbs extended to forcibly lift those eyelids. So firm in his prejudice and insult, he neglected to notice Tamao’s hand inside her scroll case.

Tamao heard a whisper. This time, she agreed. The lion’s hands touched her face. She quietly let slip the words of prayer.

The lion proved his years of experience as a samurai and bushi, leaping backwards the second he felt heat lick across his fingers. A roar of flame engulfed the rabbit like a veil. Around her neck flickered a spirit of pure fire, its “back” arched in hostile intent and fury. Slowly, she withdrew her hand from the bag, fingers having traced the texture of the ink on the paper.

Aghast that he might be attacked in his own home, he reached for his katana. The flames would not stop him. Her gaze did.

Her eyes just barely missed where he stood, unfocused and cloudy. A garish, hazy speckling marred the green color. There was no sight in them, not even a flicker of recognition. But what filled them was blessed confidence and assured honor. When she finally spoke, she did so calmly, but with ever the slightest note of pride.

“Lord Katai-sama,” she repeated, “Lady Sun has given me much and taken only one thing in return. For you to touch her mark on me so dishonorably is to insult Lady Sun and Tengoku itself. My eyes, Lord Katai-sama, are Lady Sun’s. Do not further anger her fire, or they may yet act without my prayer against blasphemy.”

The Lord took a step back, the demure bunny’s eyes open as he requested. His breath stalled, unable to deny the visiting Centipede’s view and thus cut by her direct address of his dishonor. Were he a truly honorable one, he felt as though he might prostrate himself in apology. Instead, he managed to keep himself to a bow of his head. “...Moshi Tamao-kun,” he responded, voice held as even as possible to mask his social wounds, “I would be honored if you might stay the night. As an apology, I will write a letter you may deliver to your sensei. I see you will be a worthy samurai for your lord, and you are deserving of your name.”

Tamao closed her eyes and smiled. “Thank you, Lord Katai-sama. Lady Sun bless you.”

The whisper of her kami companion did not speak of blessings. But that would be her secret to keep.
______________________________________________________________________

I had a cursory glance at Legend of the Five Rings (4th Edition) a long time ago. Well, a friend mentioned possibly planning a campaign, so I started reading the books. What hit me, like a flood, was a rare case of deep inspiration. Character after character flooded my mind, and, sure, while I have no idea if my interpretations will be possible, correct, or in-line with the canon or my friend's design...I didn't have many avenues to vent my hyperfixation. And, well, I did say I needed to draw spontaneously more, especially if I'm to improve...so...two birds, one stone!

The character:
Moshi Tamao is a shugenja, a type of priest that casts "magic" through prayers to the kami. Her family is renowned for their worship of the sun in particular, the mother figure of all creation, and primarily deal in air and (during daylight) fire kami. Tamao took this to heart as a child, and very foolishly did something most had the good sense to do. Upon playful coaxing by the kami, she stared into the sun to receive its inspiration. Obviously, she's blind now, but it did earn her the admiration of a fire kami. Her sense of touch is fantastic, but still...a blind samurai, even a shugenja, is tricky to work with. It'd be an interesting challenge to play! (Tamao was a prior minor character of mine who was a nearly blind bun, but this has easily become her most canon form~)

The art:
As this was the first picture in my run of inspiration, I used the opportunity to hopefully find a more consistent method for character anatomy...and I did! It's not perfect, but the torso and overall proportions are a lot better! Also, I had a LOT of fun designing the privacy screen. So with this being an incredible success, I clearly had to do more... x3

Art and Tamao (c)  MavenTreecat

Please login to post a comment.

No comments yet, make a comment please