L5r - Topaz - Shinjo Sumi

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Shinjo Sumi (nee Bayushi Sumi)
Character sheets: At the time of the Topaz Championship (insight 131 Rank 1)

When the Magistrates first arrived in Ryoko Owari (insight 151 - Rank 2)

After her wedding (Insight 168 - Rank 2)

Background:

Shinjo Sumi was born Bayushi Sumi to rich and influential parents from Shimomura (Frost Village) in the Chuuou province at the furthest Southern edge of Scorpion territory, looking over the planes of the minor clans like the Wasp, Sparrow and Fox. These territories are among the most plentiful in Scorpion territory for both food and lumber so her life growing up was luxurious. Her family had been diligent but unexceptional in their service to the clan.

She moved to Ryoko Owari when she was still in her early teens and studied under experienced courtiers of the Bayushi Courtier school under the renowned Master sensei Bayushi Kyoto before he moved to live in Otosan Uchi.

She excelled at her studies and when the Topaz Championship was announced, she was chosen to represent the Bayushi Courtier school before the Emperor.

At the Championship she began a friendly affair with the Unicorn Shinjo Takaaki, after he gave her the gift of a beautiful hand mirror. Later in the contest she gave him a gift in exchange, a beautiful amber necklace that reflected the light of the sun in dazzling rainbows suggesting that it would be useful in his upcoming fight against the Crane Courtier Doji Kuwatai. Strangely his opponent collapsed in a violent fit during that duel and he won without opposition. They continued to flirt (and more) for the rest of the competition and agreed to communicate more exchanging frequent letters even after they left.

Given that she had distinguished herself at the Topaz Championship, she was awarded a prestigious job when she returned. Apprenticed as the emissary from Ryoko Owari to the Imperial Palace.

She was pleasantly surprised to find that an Imperial matchmaker had paired her with the rustic but handsome Shinjo Takaaki and kept abreast of his adventures has his social standing rose even further.

They met again in Ryoko Owari, where she came to give Shinjo Takaaki the gift of a very fine hand-painted kimono, showing, depending on the angle of incoming light, either a unicorn or a wall of flames, as a personal gift as well as a copy of `Lies` from the governess which was a gift to all of the group. Takaaki returned the favour by presenting her with the cup he had commissioned as a gift for her during their stay in Godurasan Mora, a fine example of its kind inlaid with semi-precious stones and mother-of-pearl forming the symbol of the kami Benten, as well as the kanji for 'memory'. The fact that he had the foresight to have a gift prepared for her seems to catch her off guard and she appears at the same time vexed and pleasantly surprised. She did however mention that there had been some discord about who should join whose family, a tense and anxious subject as the person with the superior position would take their partner fully in to their clan and pay a substantial dowry to compensate the other clan for their loss.

After a visit to Teardrop Island she agreed to join the Unicorn clan, with the understanding that while that meant he would publically be head of their household she would actually be in charge at home and in the bedroom.

Later back in Ryoko Owari, she was unfortuate enough to be the victim of a Maho-Tsukai who stole her form and tried to exchange her for an ancient and valuable map. Fortunately Takaaki was able to save her and slay the wicked blood mage before major harm could be done, although it was a deeply traumatic experience.

As Takaaki was soon due to be elevated to Emerald Magistrate they decided to be married soon. Although the marriage of Bayushi Sugai delayed their plans by some months.

During the Bon festival, she was among many others who were caught within the courtyard of the Temple of Amaterasu as it was besieged by countless masked zombies. Escaping death again by leaping on to Takaaki's steed, she was further traumatised by the event and resolved herself never to be helpless in the face of danger again.

When they finally married on the plains outside the city, she was taken away by members of the Bayushi family to undergo the secret Scorpion rituals of departure that would ensure that she did not reveal any of the hidden secrets of her clan once she truly became a Unicorn herself.

The Wedding was an energetic affair with the grooms family sent to chase down Sumi and the brides family sent to chase down Takaaki. They were eventually carried back and married.

Following their wedding night she affirmed that she was going to join the Moto Bushi school and has been training for it ever since.

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