Harlan returns to the group, his customary crossbow missing as he limps next to Skygni.
"You guys notice anything...off around here?"
Malnival shrugs as he looks around. Humans. They are always...off."
"Friend Harlan is correct. The people here are wary, uneasy." Kiyomi speaks in a very low voice, casting a furtive glance at any locals nearby.
"Is it me?" Ameiko asks, in a jesting tone that rings uncertainly.
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Heng and Koya return. The half-orc now clad in a beautiful white gi offset by a strange furry brown belt that wraps his waist where once the equally ungainly heavy metal belt with the faint reek of hobgoblin was seen. He looks a bit embarrassed and explains that the temple of Iro-shu did not have the belt of physical of physical perfection that he was seeking and he had to settle for one dedicated to some legendary monkey martial artist. Koya shares the almond cookies she purchased with a slight smile at her adopted son's awkward fashion sense.
After exploring Sakakabe's markets and more, you head into the Kiniro Kyomai teahouse. The teahouse is surrounded by a walled garden, meticulously arranged and decorated with beautiful flowers, just coming into bloom. Their scent mixes with the aromas of lacquered wood and incense coming from inside. At the entrance, a sliding door of painted rice paper, you are greeted by a young geisha. She wears a flowery, long-sleeved kimono and her skin is painted purest white.
She bows respectfully, saying in Taldan, ""Welcome guests. This one is O-Hakami. How may I be of service to you?"
"Hmm ... pleasant smells. Seems forever since I've noted that," Parity muses as he takes Ame's arm and holds it firmly with a faint smile.
Harlan smiles and nods to o-Hakami.
"Hello, my name is Harlan Starshine and we would like some tea please."
Kiyomi smiles brightly. "Please, O-Hakami, I am Kiyomi. My foreign friends humbly request the honor of a tea ceremony, please." Kiyomi bows the appropriate way.
O-Hakami bows low to Kiyomi, and returns Harlan a warm smile. "Of course, honored one. It will our pleasure to serve you." The young geisha gestures for you to follow, and guides the group into the tea house. She leads you down a hallway of paper walls, glowing warmly from ambient lights on the far side. The air is scented pleasantly, and filled with the sounds of ephemeral samisen notes.
Ameiko grins widely, unable to contain her joy.
Halfway down a long hallway, O-Hakami slides a wall panel aside and bows again, respectfully offering you the chamber. Beyond is a chashitsu, or tea room, with several tatami mats arranged around a small central hearth in a symmetric pattern. A hanging scroll in a small alcove depicts a blooming tree in spring, with calligraphy letters for renewal and rebirth. "Please be seated while this one prepares the tea."
A couple other maiko, apprentice geisha, enter discreetly to help you get properly arranged and comfortable while O-Hakami begins the slow, delicate, deliberate and respectful ceremony. Every movement is balanced and respectful to the ceremony.
"Your travels must have taken a great while. What brings you to humble Sakakabe?" she asks politely during a pause in the ceremony.
Kiyomi notes a few small errors in the ceremony, but being very aware of protocol and manners, does not bother to point them out. Rather she smiles warmly at the young lady, encouraging her as she performs. Kiyomi nods to her foreign friends. "My friends here are traders from the other side of the world. They have come to Minkai to purchase goods which are rare and valuable in their homelands. I have the honor of being their agent and guide in this land." She gestures respectfully at Ameiko, "My honored cousin is their leader. Our families have been apart for many years and it is a great joy to show her our home."
O-Hakami smiles, nodding and adding sagely, "A reunion with family, even those we've never before met, is a fine reminder that blood is thicker than water, as they say." She continues the tea preparation, carefully keeping her sleeves clear of the cups with practiced movements.
Parity stifles a yawn.
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Malnival sits with the others and watches the ceremony with amazement. Not since Falling Leaf had he seen such effort and ritual.
Kiyomi nods. "Praytell, O-Harami, what news of the city? Things seem.. tense here."
Harlan beams, taking in the entire show.
I wonder how they do that?
"Wouldn't it be easier with short sleeves? That must be part of the challenge."
"Wouldn't it be easier with short sleeves? That must be part of the challenge."
O-Hakami beams a smile at Harlan's question, even letting out a giggle. "The challenge of chanoyu is finding a harmonious balance of grace and function, while always respecting the ceremony. Achieving such perfection is the goal, though impossible even for the most experienced masters."
As she finishes the tea preparation, the other maiko subtly leave and then return with trays of delicately arranged finger foods.
Kiyomi nods. "Praytell, O-Harami, what news of the city? Things seem.. tense here."
O-Hakami bows her head. "It is a troubling time, they say," she replies neutrally.
"And what troubles would 'they' be talking about?"
O-Hakami smiles politically, taking a moment to fill your tea cups, poorly masking a moment of unease. "I... this one..." she stutters.
Relief appears with an interruption. The door panel slides open, revealing another geisha, this one older and dressed similarly, but with impeccable care. O-Hakami freezes. The new arrival gives her a meaningful stare, and O-Hakami stands and bows to you. "Honored guests, this one will leave you in the capable care of our matron, O-Kohaku."
O-Hakami demurely joins the other maiko while O-Kohaku takes her place, resuming the tea ceremony without the slightest hesitation. The grace and precision of her movements are nearly flawless, and in contrast you realize just how inexperienced the previous host was.
"On behalf of Kiniro Kiyomai's reputation, this one gives the deepest apologies for the rude interruption of your ceremony. Had we been made aware of the presence of such notable patrons, a fully-qualified geisha would have taken you in from the start." O-Kohaku gives you a smile, adding, "Now, you were asking about troubles?"
"Notable?" Parity rouses from his boredom, his hackles up. "What do you know of us?"
The gladiator does his best not to growl or grab his sword but his neck muscles twinge with the effort.
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Kiyomi smiles prettily, but blankly at the geisha. "Indeed, honorable O-Kohaku, please have we done something worthy of the attentions of a skilled geisha such as you?"
Harlan smiles at the new arrival.
"Oh, I think your sleeves are even longer!"
Is she hiding a dagger? Or poison? A poisoned dagger? I wonder if she'd teach me to do this?
"Say, is there any way for me to become a geisha? How do you become a geisha? What's the difference between a fully qualified one and a normal one?"
Malnival watches the exchange with no hint of emotion, the magus appears as a statue but his fingets begin to move, limbering up in anticipation.
"Matsumata Kiyomi, you know I am a great fan of your work. I've made your version of The Spider and the Butterfly required training for the maiko," O-Kohaku replies, favoring the bard with a wink and smile. "I am greatly pleased to see you alive and well. After your disappearance, we could only fear the worst."
To Harlan, O-Kohaku shakes her head and laughs, "I am afraid not, my friend. The geisha is a singly female profession, though any of them would be happy to teach you our ceremonies and traditions. Becoming a geisha takes many years of training and practice -- a maiko apprentice must master many disciplines, including music, games, dance, and discussion."
Lastly, she addresses the hanging question, carefully passing out the tea cups as she speaks. "Your coming has not been heralded, but we are not without eyes and ears. Seinaru Heikiku is not so distant, and words travel with the winds." O-Kohaku gives Ameiko a subtle, knowing nod. "And the young dancer was not as discreet as she would have liked."
O-Kohaku arches an eyebrow quizzically for a moment before replying with a chuckle and nod. "Ironically, I was not using a turn of phrase when I mentioned the 'young dancer'. I was in fact referring to the young woman who passed through here just over a month ago. She was well-versed in Minkaian traditions, spoke our language fluently, and was a wonderful dancer. Her questions about the Five Families were telling, however, although she tried to mask her interest with a neutral candor."
"I apologize, but I assumed she was your scout, or a kind of emissary."
"Whats going on? Speak plainly woman, your subtleties confuse me. What do you know?"
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Ameiko rests a hand on Parity's arm. "Calmly."
"O-Kohaku, if this woman is our companion, we are surprised for we thought her killed or kidnapped. Assassins, doubtless agents of the Jade Regent, attacked us in Ordu-Aganhei. Maeve went missing, and though we searched the city, could not be found. If this dancer was indeed her... is she still here?"
"She did not give that name, rather something like Kuro Ga... roughly 'Black Moth' in your tongue. She arrived in Sakakabe about two months ago and left a couple weeks later, disappearing as abruptly as she arrived. There were hints she was headed south, perhaps to Enganoka or even Kasai... both, probably." O-Kohaku spreads her hands. "I did not meet her personally, and my information is second or third hand. I wish I could say more."
After a moment, she continues, You said you seek support -- if Hirabashi Jiro believes in your cause, I am impressed. I remember him as a samurai in my late uncle’s service, and fondly recall how he and his "unruly swords-for-hire", as they were charged, were banished from of the district a year ago. Those who charged him were vipers-tongued liars. I trust his judgement and honor."
"I am no friend or enemy of the Jade Regent, but my hopes that Emperor Shigure will re-assert his rule have steadily faded. Uncontested, the Jade Regent will soon become the ruler of Minkai, in effect as well as name. Here in Sakakabe, far from the imperial capital, everyone is too afraid of the provincial governor, Sikutsu Sennaka, to do anything that might disrupt the status quo. I have many contacts among the northwestern merchants and nobility, and can motivate them to your cause. Unfortunately, I have a problem of my own..."
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Heng takes it all in, rubbing his tattooed scalp in puzzlement. He nods absently in agreement at her opinion of Hirabashi Jiro's honor. He notes the governor's name and then looks sharp at the mention of problems. "We are already in your debt for the important information that you have provided, O-Kohaku. Is it something we might be able to help you with?"
Harlan is crestfallen when he learns he cannot become a geisha.
"That's too bad. Of course, dancing is right out for me."
*****
"So, if we deal with Sikutsu Sennaka we may be able to motivate people to our side."
Parity quietly steps back behind Ameiko, still smoldering, but paying attention now.
"There's always a catch ..."
O-Kohaku takes a sip of tea, nodding gently. "One of the Kiniro Kyomai’s most talented and respected geisha, O-Sayumi, has gone missing. O-Sayumi is adored by the local nobility, and has even received gifts from Sikutsu Sennaka’s younger brother, Itsuru -- a gentle, honorable man who doesn’t share his brother’s draconian beliefs and methods."
"O-Sayumi recently agreed to entertain a pearl merchant named Yugureda Shosaito, a regular client of the teahouse, and traveled to his private island for a weeklong stay, but she never returned. The merchant himself claims the girl never arrived at his island, but I fear that O-Sayumi is being held against her will."
"Does Shosaito have her? And if not, then where is she?" O-Kohaku maintains a calm demeanor, but it is impossible not to sense the passion in her words.
Kiyomi blushes when O-Kohaku compliments her, bowing her head gratefully in acceptance of the honor. "This one would be honored to assist you, honored one."
"Ok, so where is this island? And what route would she take to get there? Any details on the house on the island?"
"And do you have a depiction of this young woman? Details on how she was supposed to get to her destination. Was there no escort? Have you done any inquiries of your own?". Parity jumps on to the end of Harlans line of questioning, the halfings nature pulling the sullen warrior from his shell.
Parity considers other things the geisha said, "You say the regent's younger brother has frequented here? Might he be coming back again soon? "
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"Sikutsu Itsuru is the provincial governor's brother, not the Jade Regent's," O-Kohaku corrects. "I cannot speak to his schedule, but he has visited our teahouse on several occasions. He is quite fond of O-Sayumi, and I expect he is as concerned for her as I."
"Yugureda Shosaito visited O-Sayumi a few times, making very generous offers for her company at his seaside residence, but she always refused. She told me he had an intensity, a morbid obsession with her that made her uncomfortable." The geisha frowns, shaking her head. "Then, a month ago, O-Sayumi suddenly accepted his offer. She departed and promised to return in a week."
"O-Sayumi boarded Yugureda’s barge, which periodically travels between Sakakabe and the merchant’s house, called Shinju-no-Ie. It lies about seventy miles northwest of Sakakabe, on a small island rising from a coral reef in the pearl-rich waters of Namidakame Lagoon, at the mouth of the Jikko River. The place is secluded and nearby villagers fear it, believing the merchant to be an evil wizard."
"Whether these rumors are true or not, neither the barge nor the geisha have returned. The merchant protests his innocence, and my own agents have turned up no sign of O-Sayumi."
At this point, O-Hakami bursts out, "Please! Please, you must find my onee-san! She still has many things to teach me, and I fear for her so!" The young woman wipes away tears, bowing low to cover her shame.
O-Kohaku sighs, giving the maiko a stern look, but nods in agreement. "O-Sayumi's disappearance has been a blow to our tea house's reputation and finances. If you can aid us, I will reward you and do whatever I can to arrange meetings with powerful individuals to aid your cause."
"Hmm, maybe we can meet with this governor's brother as well, leverage some assistance from him if he's fond of this girl. Kill two birds with one stone"
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O-Kohaku nods, "If you find O-Sayumi and bring her home alive and well, I am sure I can deliver you a grateful Itsuru."
Harlan nods.
"Ok then, let's head up north and talk to this evil wizard merchant. Everybody got their stuff back?"
"I like the sound of that ... and I get the sense that maybe that young girl did something improper. Am I right? Social cues aren't my strong suit," Parity shrugs it off.
"Shall we away to the governor's brother before we depart and then down to the docks or vice versa?"
"Well, wouldn't same something improper but I do wonder why she suddenly accepted his offer. Does she have family? Somebody the merchant could've hurt to pressure her? I think we should rescue her first, if the governor's brother likes her then he'll be more receptive if we've saved her first."
Malnival sips his tea and nods his head. "I agree. We must rescue the girl."