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Doji Oruku listens to your thoughts on the matters at hand. He says to Mirumoto Katsuyoshi:
"You are the only shugenja among us. Are you able to speak to the air kami, and find out more about who put them to use and for what purpose?"
to Shinjo Xiaoxing and Akodo Hideyoshi:
"It does indeed seem that plots are afoot that we do not yet understand. I feel frustrated and several moves behind. I have already dispatched Thunder Guard to inform Doji Tsumetsu-sama of the incident here and I expect his return shortly. Perhaps we might learn something of these plots from his investigation in my stead."
As the servants and samurai of the house begin to try to restore order to the estate, you learn that Doji Usija is indeed among the survivors. He's not pleased to learn of the fate of his wakizashi, but he thanks you heroes for saving his life once again.
Additional honored guests surviving the incident at the estate include a Yasuki merchant and her yojimbo and Doji Tsukimi's (maternal) elderly grandfather, Kakita Ukidanu. He's in town to visit his granddaughter on the occasion of the Festival and is well past normal retirement age, perhaps by twice over. He seems senile but harmless.
Outside, people are starting to leave their houses to come out into the streets in droves. Children scamper while holding sparkling lights, laughing while they dart about their elders.. all dressed in costumes and masks.
About 5 minutes later (almost the beginning of the Hour of the Dog) Doji Tsumetsu arrives with his bodyguard detail. The hatamoto is quite heavyset; his belly visibly makes rolls inside his kimono. His clothing is garish: colors as bright as possible with no apparent regard to sublety or complimentary color schemes.
He seems worried about the state of the estate and once the main parlor is made presentable he chooses to receive Doji Ochiba there first, ahead of Doji Oruku or his Captain of the Guard or any of you. You hear the matron tell a tale of the terrible Oni and the spell it wrought over the household. She stresses all of your bravery and valor in combat.
The Tai-sa, Daidoji Naigotai, bows next before kneeling before the hatamoto, admitting his failure to remain awake or to protect the estate. He asks to be released from his shame by being granted permission for seppuku.
Doji Tsumetsu replies:
"No, Naigotai-san. Evil maho magic was at work here. You are blameless, any shame belongs to the vile sorcerer responsible."
With this proclamation, the servants mutter fearfully to themselves and make signs of protection in the air, begging the Fortunes to take mercy on them all.
Tsumetsu turns to face each of you:
"You have defended my house and protected my daughter's life. In return, I owe you a reward for your valor. Please accept the hospitality of the Crane, and allow me to give you a gift."
He commands one of the guards to bring forth a satchel that he had been carrying. When he retrieves it, he pours out four tokens into his meaty palm. He explains:
"These are tsangusuri, or magical fetishes created by my Asahina kin. They are magical, but can only be used once! The first is my favorite: This little Ebony Fan will cause those listening to the bearer to be struck with awe and respect!
This next one is an Ivory Key: It can open any door, even if locked or magically held shut by the kami!
The next is a Golden Pomegranate: consuming it will purge any poison from your body and speed the recovery of your wounds!
The last is most special, the Jade Sun: When used it creates a globe of true sunlight, lasting a quarter of an hour and unlike the other fetishes, can be used three times before losing its power!"
Xiaoxing nods at Oruku as he replies to her questions, then watches as the senior ranked Crane reappears and takes charge of his household. As he addresses the group, Xiaoxing bows deeply to the hatamoto
Tsumetsu-sama you are truly generous and a very gracious host, but we could not possibly accept such wondrous and beautiful gifts simply for doing our duty, it was an honour to be of service to your clan.
She bows again, straightening with a disarming smile on her face.
Tsumetsu-sama you are truly generous and a very gracious host, but we could not possibly accept such wondrous and beautiful gifts simply for doing our duty, it was an honour to be of service to your clan.
The hatamoto seems pleased with your manners and positively basks in the compliments. He insists, however:
"I respect your dedication to bushido, but I implore you to accept these gifts. Surely heroes such as yourselves would put these treasures to better use than could I."
Hideyoshi listens to Oruku's words, nodding in agreement.
the lioness is two steps behind her prey, until she is not...
Hideyoshi marvels - not for the first time today - how much of his grandfather's wisdom now makes sense, after all of this time. Even more amazing, how much he remembers!
After Xiaoxing completes her refusal, and listening to the hatamoto's response, Hideyoshi steps forth and bows deeply. "It was our honor to serve the Crane so, Tsumetsu-sama. We cannot accept such generosity for merely doing what honor demands." He straightens, and steps back.
Perhaps oddly for a non-Ide Unicorn, Xiaoxing appears to be enjoying the exchange
You are too kind, we merely did as any samurai would have in the same position. Your gift is surely too great for the small service we performed, we could not possibly accept it, especially whilst you have such other important matters to attend to
Xiaoxing bows again as her gaze politely avoids looking anywhere where there might be ripped tatami or broken artwork, a difficult task despite the servant's best efforts over the last few minutes to try and tidy up.
Katsuyoshi continues to ignore the current exchange, showing a disinclination towards the whole procedure.
"The kami tend to not understand the world as you or I would. If I were to ask you who commanded your loyalty you could answer me the Emporer in his infinite wisdom commands your life. The kami do not have a concept of status. They do not understand individuality. They just are." Katsuyoshi sighs as if explaining a thing that was intrinsically known. "There is no guarantee that the kami that are in this area are even the same as were here when we fell to slumber. I will attempt to question them and see what can be learned but I can not promise anything useful. 24 sense
= higher than 10
= 14
Himeko returns Xiaoxing's bow, matching its depth. "I am glad that I could be of some assistance. Without your blade, I surely would have met my end, charging foolishly into that abomination's claws."
When Himeko gets a chance, she will check on her man-servant. "Teju, are you unharmed?"
= 11
Himeko remains silent during the gift exchange. Her companions had already refused the gifts an appropriate number of times. To interject now might be seen as too ingratiating. Instead, she observes Doji Ukidanu, wondering if she knew the elderly Crane.
Doji Himeko: Teju complains of his uncomfortably sweaty countenance, but swears to you that he is unharmed.. in no small thanks to your own efforts. He unsurprisingly proves to be little help in divining what happened here tonight. All he knows is he was helping do Tsukimi's hair for the festival; next thing he knows is monsters were attacking everything. He is so very sorry for poor Kakita Yaruko who will have her hands very busy for the for-seeable future re-creating works of art for display in the estate.
Kakita Ukidanu dodders about the estate, seemingly talking to people he envisions from memories.. or perhaps answering questions he remembers being asked at some point in the past. He appears to be intending to help the servants clean up the messes about the Estate, but his slow and shaky movements tend to complicate their efforts more than he assists. Still, as an honored elder, no-one dares shoo him away and they tolerate his "help" good-naturedly.
When you mull this over in your mind, you realize that there must be an interesting story you're not privy to: Why did Ashidaka Tsumetsu not become a Kakita by marriage when he married Tsukimi's mother?
Doji Tsumetsu offers the gifts to you all for the third time after your polite second refusal:
"Henceforth, every time I gaze upon my beautiful daughter I will be reminded of your valiant heroics that prevented her from a terrible fate. I have no gift to give that can properly repay that debt, but I implore you to accept these tokens of my respect and admiration."
Katsuyoshi stands and pulls the blue saiya from his belt, stalking up he bows with exaggerated motion and presents the blade. "We could not accept such a gift without offering something in return." The saccrine that drips in the boys voice seems to ooze through every calculated word. "It seems you have lost a blade this night, might I offer you this one so your people may better defend your daughter and your home when the need arises again."
Inside, Xiaoxing reels from the sudden shocking insult the young Dragon has just leveled to the Crane, and a hatamoto no less! Her mind runs around the words as if they hang in the air still, seeking possible alternate interpretations, double meanings, anything that could help, anything to maintain on.
Can't correct him, that would be too direct and acknowledge the insult, can't ignore it, move on with other conversations, he's offered that sword which demands an answer...
All the possibilities whirl like fireflies around her, before coalescing in to one bright path ahead.
On the outside, she simply blinks twice.
Ah Tsumetsu-sama, I hope you forgive my intrusion in to Katsuyoshi-san's affairs, his gift is after all very personal to him and quite apart from our own conversation with you. I do not know this young Shugenja well...
...but he has carried that Crane blade since before I first met him. I understand little of its history however I believe from the moment it came in to his possession he has been seeking a worthy recipient for it...
...and in this moment between heartbeats, though it can be scant consolation for the loss of his ancestral wakazashi, perhaps Usija-san can find some small measure of comfort in the generosity of a stranger from another clan, who simply sees another samurai in need of a blade, who has also faced danger this evening and may do so again, and does not want him to go without a way to defend himself and the household of his lord this night...
...I apologise if I have spoken out of turn, please indulge a yoriki that is keen to continue pursuit of a villain! I offer my humble thoughts only in the event that the weight of the moment has prevented any from being able to express themselves appropriately...
she bows very low to Tsumetsu
Whilst we offer our thanks to you for your hospitality, I fear that our duty now takes us away from your generosity and forgiving warmth as we go to seek out the enemies of the city, and exact justice in the name of the emperor for what has transpired this night in your household.
Outside, Xiaoxing's face remains a mask of perfect sincerity and politeness.
Inside her mind she implores wordlessly at the other samurai present to agree with her, to move things on, from the corner of her eye she sees Oruku-sama, and her thoughts turn to prayers to the ancestors that they can just leave with no further incidents.
Since it doesn't matter with that roll I am taking the 3, complete failure to be courteous.
Katsuyoshi watches as the Unicorn attempts to cover for his breach of etiquette, why she stepped in us unclear. The story she weaved was not even far from the truth, as much as he dislikes the Crane they should be given the chance to defend their miserable existence from peril.
The boy steeled himself, ready for the challenge he had grown used to receiving. The only way a crane knew how to react to anything was to duel it, a shame that another would fall to his blade. Sadness and disgust mixed and crept so subtly in to his countenance.
The silence after Shinjo Xiaoxing's final plea for verbal backup seems oppressive.
Daidoji Naigotai and Dojo Oruku both seem ready to speak after the moment draws out to awkward degree. They are both products of the Crane dojos, and maintain a firm adherence to protocol and employ courtier-like skill in banishing emotion from their visages. The Daidoji's eyes, however, glower.
Tsumetsu-sama finally breaks the silence before either of those Cranes finds the moment to do so.
"Doji Usija-san foreswore wearing a katana when he completed his gempukku as a Courtier, as do most Shugenja."
There was emphasis on the last word.
He gives no gesture or other hint that any of you are dismissed. Naigotai's bushi stand as still and oppressive as the atmosphere in the reception hall. Their eyes are firmly fixated on Mirumoto Katsuyoshi, but their hands do not migrate to their swords. Yet.
Hideyoshi stiffens as the words come pouring out of Katsuyoshi's mouth. His face remains a mask of neutrality, but inside he seethes with anger.
'fool! have you no honor? the hatamoto's house has been attacked, and you question his ability to protect his household?'
The Lion awaits the inevitable reprisal from the Crane hatamoto. Amazingly , Xiaoxing steps and attempts to save the situation. Though her words are skillfully chosen, Hideyoshi does not approve. The Dragon must pay for his transgression. Now that the hatamoto has offered a way out, Katsuyoshi must find his own solution, or suffer the consequences...
The tension in her shoulders was almost unbearable as the silence persisted far longer than etiquette dictated, but she could do no more. The seconds ticked by and only with the greatest of self control does she remain unmoving.
As Doji Tsumetsu finally spoke, her chest burned as she drew in a ragged breath. She had succeeded in separating the Dragon's action from everyone else, making the insult his to bear alone, the rest was in the hands of the fortunes.
Let us see what this Dragon has wrought upon himself...
The crane does not see the intention of the action from the meaning of the words, my fault. I can not interact with him as if he was a kami. The lion is blinded by his own code to see what is...
19
...an opening. Clear as day shining through a mountain waterfall. The first refusal. I can use this, sacrifice an arm to save the head. Not an inch to the left, not a step out of place.
Even though Katsuyoshi projects a outward calm, inwardly he is wrestling to keep his tongue in check. Hard as it might be, he would get through this.
Katsuyoshi bows deeply to the Hatamoto. "Forgive me, speaking with the kami does tend to make one forget the proper forms, especially when one has beseeched the flames for their aid as often as I am forced to. The nature of the fire kami, when brought to action, tends to be one of eagerness and haste... though this is no excuse for forgetting ones actions. I will try again." Knees sink to the floor and forehead swiftly joins. Back arches and the blade is held aloft in supplication, single arm straining to appear relaxed. "If it would please the Crane. I, Mirumoto Katsuyoshi, son of Mirumoto Eri and Kakita Munahito... the name of the Kakita brings bile to the man's mouth. "...offer my blade to your service and the defense of your daughter, till such time as your people have been restored and this threat has been slain. Though I do not yet understand why the beast targets your clan in this way, I will see that the screams end with mine as I bring this beast down." Katsuyoshi awaited the response, every muscle at perfect balance, ready for any eventualities.
. 26
I'm saying he doesn't recognize Kakita Munahito by name with a roll like that.
The plump hatamoto rocks back slightly as he considers Mirumoto Katsuyoshi's words. He replies:
"I have not yet been fully briefed by Doji Oruku-san, but he led me to believe that all of you, including you Mirumoto Katsuyoshi-san, are already serving under his leadership to bring any guilty parties responsible for the attack on my kin into the light of the emperor's good justice?"
Without shifting his gaze from the floor, Katsuyoshi makes his final offer. "The magistrate is my superior, the Emperor is my liege. I slay this beast without thought to the interests of any clan as this is our duty. My duty only extends as far as the life of this beast is concerened, no more no less. I offer you my life in place of your house if the need arises, as long as this does not interfere with my duty to the Hantei or to my Daimyo."
Doji Tsumetsu taps his chin thoughtfully (did he learn that from Doji Oruku, or vice versa?) before giving his final verdict:
"It would be foolish of me to turn away the willing services of a shugenja when the foul of the shadowlands stands in the way of justice for my Clan."
Doji Oruku exhales deeply; he can't keep relief from showing. Daidoji Naigotai is the one maintaining steely resolve this time; his eyes send a message only understood by the hatamoto's guards... they bow deeply to the hatamoto and return to their duties around the estate.
Doji Tsumetsu claps his empty hand against his meaty thigh with delight as the atmosphere in the parlor somehow seems to brighten. He almost forgets about the four tokens in his other hand; he beckons Doji Himeko forth to accept them on behalf of the entire party:
"I am pleased to have such a diverse party of samurai seeking justice for the House of the Crane. May these gifts serve you well!"
As he pours the tokens from his hand one by one, the Jade Sun becomes the last token remaining in his palm. He pauses before giving it to her, seemingly entranced by the little green item. After a moment he remembers himself, explaining:
"It is said that this item was blessed by the Sun Goddess herself. Its holy light can not only banish the darkness, but even restore a lost soul to Amaterasu-okami's merciful grace."
He hands the Jade Sun to Doji Himeko reverently.
It only takes a moment before he returns to his jolly self. He banishes silence from his parlor with a loud, sharp clap of his hands. As the servants return to the hall, he explains:
"Doji Oruku-san and I have much to discuss. But I insist we do so in a civilized manner: over tea. There have been many strange things afoot tonight, and I wish to hear about them all."
Rather than Tsumetsu-sama getting up and moving into a sitting room, the servants bring a low table into his parlor and seat the table in front of him. He proves to be a "hands-on" sort of leader; he insists on getting his way with minor details of the table setting and fussing over the porcelain for service. There's not much left undamaged and his efforts for a flawless tea ceremony seem frustrated.
During the hubbub, Kakita Ukidanu wanders into the room, seemingly unnoticed by the Cranes or the servants. His gaze wanders over the occupants of the room before settling onto Shinjo Xiaoxing.. breaking out into a wide, toothless grin. He asks in a croaking and ancient voice:
"Do you play Go? I want to play Go.
And I want to play it with..... you."
He is already pulling out playing stones and setting up a board in a quiet corner of the parlor while happily muttering to himself.
Hideyoshi stands in silence, watching events unfold between Katsuyoshi and the hatamoto.
how odd, he thinks, that this Dragon feels he can readily give his service to the Crane. I wonder what grandfather would say, if a Lion stepped away from his duty as a soldier of the Emperor to pursue personal goals...
Himeko accepts the tsangusuri with all the grace and hospitality hammered into her during her time at the Doji school, but in truth, she was disgusted. This exchange represented the part of her Clan that she cared the least for: adherence to ceremony, even in the face of urgency.
While the tea is being prepared, Himeko leans towards Oruku. Using her fan to block her lips, she whispers: "I apologize for my boldness, Oruku-sama, but surely we have more important things to do? An oni targeting our Clan runs free in the city and a tattooed man has stolen a sacred sword. I fear that the more time we spend here, the colder the trail will become."
As the tension bleeds out of the room, Xiaoxing relaxes inwardly, allowing her breathing to slow and calm. She is completely unprepared when she is targeted by the venerable Crane, but finds herself relieved by being excused from the table.
Ukidanu-sama, I would be only to pleased to play, though I fear I will not be much sport as I have little experience with the game. You honour me with your invitation and I hope to learn much from a skilled player
she smiles sincerely and settles down at the small table to play.
She enjoys the game and takes care to interact with the Crane at whatever level he initiates, either remaining quiet if he does or else making small talk if he speaks during play.
Doji Oruku replies discreetly to Doji Himeko while the hatamoto is distracted by attempting to judge which undamaged tea cups can be acceptably combined into a presentable set.
"I have already talked with Naigotai-san about the tattooed man; he has a tracker already out in the street looking for signs of where the thief went.
But the Oni? We have seen twice now that it can move with impunity throughout the city; I doubt we can catch the beast. We must learn more of its motives and why it does what it does.. it will be the only way to get ahead of the creature so that we may ambush it."
Finally Doji Tsumetsu settles upon a collection of porcelain that he deems acceptable for use together, much to Kakita Yaruko's relief as she serves tea as the Mistress of Ceremony.
Tsumetsu-sama's former ire is completely forgotten as he finally gets his tea.
"So, my guests: Doji Oruku-san has told me very briefly about you. I would like to learn more! Please, introduce yourselves so that I might better get to know my new friends!"
Unfortunately, he keeps right on talking rather than giving anyone a chance to immediately respond.
"Are you in town to see the Festival? Judging by the frequency of the fireworks in the sky above it sounds like the formal opening of the Festival is soon to begin. So many of our fine City's residents will take to the streets during the festivities. Some of the masks and costumes are worked on all year; the display is unforgettable. Of course, as my guests I'd offer you some masks and costumes to wear during the festival from my private collection.. but that damnable Oni destroyed them all."
He grumbles about that bad fortune, but his jovial attitude reasserts itself soon enough.
"You'll of course want to take part in the Grand Procession later tonight. I'd hazard a guess to say you've never seen anything like it at all.. the parade is simply legendary. It takes place during the Hour of the Ox and weaves through the entire city, gathering citizens dressed as spirits of their ancestors as it goes!
The climax of the entire Bon Festival is the culmination of that parade: it ends at the Temple of the Sun Goddess. The great crystal Dragon Globe there will be lit by Lady Sun's own fire at the break of dawn! Oh, it is a grand moment my friends when Lady Amaterasu's blessings are given to all the citizens of Ryoko Owari Toshi!"
He sets down his tea cup and leans forward conspiratorially, as if sharing a great secret.
"They say that the Dragon Globe contains a spark of the soul of the Fire Dragon! When the sun ignites the Globe at dawn, it is not merely spectactular... it is said that the annual ceremony is more than symbolic: if the Dragon Globe is not lit, Lady Sun will look down on our city in disfavor and we will all suffer without her favor for the coming year!"
He lets that sink in for a long moment, then suddenly breaks out in gales of laughter, rocking back and holding his sides. He wipes a tear from an eye:
"Oh, that's just a childrens' tale! Why would anyone even want to anger Lady Sun? It's all just peasant superstition, nothing more!"
Meanwhile, over in the corner at the Go board:
14+8+5=27
Ukidanu-san thanks you for indulging an old man's wishes, and sits across the board from you, happily plunking down his stones alternate to yours.
He occasionally addresses you familiarly, speaking to you as if you were a daughter or granddaughter. He compliments you on your grace and beauty, as well as things you know you never did or said. He appears to be confusing you for someone else at times.
Still, during the game, you realize that the little old man has a remarkable ability to anticipate your moves, and rather than ruthlessly defeating you he's manipulating the game to some unfathomable outcome.
Xiaoxing is ever intent on both the game and the elderly Crane, not pandering to him exactly, but remaining polite and engaging the entire time. She smiles to openly as he treats her so fondly, and politely remains quiet, ignoring the times he mentions things she has not done or said.
Her head cocks slightly to the side as she realises that he so far outclasses her, and yet is manipulating the game to some other end. Curiosity piqued, she redoubles her efforts to understand what is going on in the game, whether these are the moves of a famous game or if the moves themselves are called a specific name that might shed some light on what Ukidanu-sama is trying to tell her in his own way.
At the Go table:
Ukidanu's ramblings provoke Xiaoxing into remembering many of the Go metaphors used by her sensei to instruct her in the art of battle prior to her gempukku. She starts to recognize that she never fully realized that so many strategies and gambits have their names originating from Go. You can't overpower his position with a direct attack, every probe or thrust ends up being turned against you. You even rule out a Broken Wing gambit; your position is simply too precarious to open any additional vulnerabilities.
Then in a great moment of clarity, she realizes her drawn-out game of inevitable defeat now only has one playable move remaining that might salvage the game: a stylized gambit called "The Tattooed Friend". It is a strategy that relies upon an opponent to outsmart himself.
Ukidanu is finally silent, smiling patiently at Xiaoxing... awaiting her stone placement.
Lost in the remembrance of her training, Xiaoxing is shocked back to the present as things fall in to place before her, and her mouth opens in surprise for a brief moment as she stares at Ukidanu in wonder.
What a sharp mind! she marvels.
Looking her opponent right in the eyes, she plucks a stone from her bowl, and slowly, deliberately places it down to complete the 'tattooed friend' gambit, cocking her head to the side as if expecting everything to fall in to place. She watches Ukidanu like a hawk, wondering what he will do next.
At the Go table:
Ukidanu-san chortles at Xiaoxing's move and claps his hands once with appreciation before conceding defeat.
"You play well! We should play again.... but later, later. Not now. Too much for samurai to do this night, neh?"
The old man mumbles to himself in a senile haze and gathers himself up to stand.
"You win the game, and you should have a prize. Wait, wait.. I have something."
The old man fumbles about in his obi for a few moments, then he checks his sleeves one after the other. Finally he finds what he's looking for inside the folds of his clothing when he produces a thin silver netsuke in the shape of an hourglass. The token is broken and a few grains of sand remain one of the globes. Ukidanu smiles broadly, showing off his tremendous amount of missing teeth.
"Found that outside the house for you. You won it; you keep it. But be careful.. don't sleep your life away!"
He cackles uproariously and waves to Xiaoxing after bowing. He begins singing a nursery rhyme to himself as heads back upstairs.
When you hold the silver netsuke in your hand, a few of the last grains of sand spill out into your palm and you feel strangely and powerfully sleepy again, but the weariness washes away quickly.
At the tea table:
Arigato Ukidanu-sama, thank you for showing me your skill, I am honored to say I learned something from our play
Xiaoxing calmly meets the elder Crane's gaze and smiles at him.
After accepting her prize, she holds the silver hourglass, weighing it in her hand as the grains tumble to the floor, what magic they had now spent like a cherry blossom's flower.
She approaches the tea table and sits, nodding deeply as Doji Tsumetsu pours her a cup, then sipping from it quickly so she has the same level of liquid as everyone else, and so ready to leave immediately without impolitely leaving her tea undrunk.
Doji Oruku finally gets Tsumetsu-sama on-topic after polite chit-chat that seemed to drag on. The hatamoto explains his absence from the estate at the time of your arrival:
"I had been called away. Actually, Oruku-san, I was looking for you. It seemed a job more suited to a magistrate than a hatamoto, but in your absence I was forced to accept the duty."
Tsumetsu-sama sips from his tea, seemingly unknowing or uncaring of the interest that hangs on his explanation that is finally forthcoming.
"You see, one of the Unicorn warehouses in the Merchant Quarter was attacked, and their trade stock destroyed. It's a bitter day indeed when criminals of this City take to robbing party favors for the Bon Festival."
Doji Tsumetsu shakes his head sadly and sets down his tea cup before continuing.
"What's stranger still is that the criminals went to all the trouble of breaking into the warehouse and tearing open the crates, but they didn't appear to actually steal anything."
Ah Tsumetsu-sama, I am sorry that the trouble of my clan have reached out to ensnare you and take your valuable time. Please excuse my curiosity, you said the criminals did not steal anything? How curious! I wonder which one it was?
Xiaoxing asks after the address so she can compare the streets mentioned in the receipt she found earlier, trying to make a connection between the bandit's goal and the oni's raids, after all they both appear to be searching for a sword...
A sword that apparently is now in the hands of a tattooed Dragon it seems...
She sips her tea politely
I hope that you were not put to too much trouble with your investigation, I can only hope we can lend some assistance to you as it seems likely the same band of criminals is who we are chasing!
Hideyoshi listens carefully to all the hatamoto has to say, trying to piece together information from what his associates have told him about the days events.
"Very strange goings on in the city this day, Tsumetsu-sama. It appears that we have a very complex puzzle placed before us."
The Lion goes silent. Having seen the effects of too much speech, he does not want to make the same mistake.
there are some trials, little Lion, that cannot be solved at the sharp edge of a katana...
Katsuyoshi attempts to avoid further issue by pouring himself in to the conversation with the kami he found, as he was asked to do.
"Humble apologies my Hatamoto-sama, it seems the kami are too agitated to take any of my questions."
A sword that apparently is now in the hands of a tattooed Dragon it seems...
Shinjo Xiaoxing: Tsumetsu-sama clarifies that the Unicorn warehouse in question is the Four Winds Trading House. Its address does match the buyer annotated on the receipt you discovered.
"The incident was most curious. The Thunder Guard thought at first it might have been vandals, but before I heard word of the trouble back here at my own estate I noticed that the crates and boxes ripped open were done so as if by giant claws.. and I saw most disturbing webbed footprints in the straw on the floor."
Akodo Hideyoshi: The Crane hatamoto agrees with your assessment that the events of the evening are most curious. In comparing details with Tsumetsu-sama you deduce that the attack on the Unicorn warehouse must have occurred around a quarter past the Hour of the Rooster (6:30 PM).
Mirumoto Katsuyoshi: Doji Oruku sighs with disappointment when the air kami prove to be reticent.
"Ah, I suppose it can't be helped. The crises of mortal men must seem so irrelevant to the spirits, I suppose."
A sword that apparently is now in the hands of a tattooed man it seems..
Hmm, might he be one of the Tattooed monks belonging of the Dragon!?
That's Yoshifusa-sama's warehouse!
As Doji Tsumetsu describes the damage to the crates, more pieces of the puzzle begin falling in to place and her experience as a yoriki tells her to watch the magistrate, so she pays attention to Oruku-sama in the hopes this will prompt him to action.
Hideyoshi nods at the hatamoto's words. "So and so. Oruku-sama, what is the connection between all of these incidents? The attack on the inn, the crematorium, the warehouse, and the Crane house? Could these be potential locations of the sword, and our enemies were covering all possibilities? Or is it something more sinister that we cannot yet see..."
17
24
No regain. :(
You know that the tattooed monks of the Dragon Clan are unique in the celestial order; they are neither samurai nor monk but yet both at once. They all take the family name Togashi when they receive their tattooes, and noone is born into the Togashi family. They are called the Ise Zumi and achieve their status only after completing an epic quest for enlightenment by scaling the mountains and reaching the High House of Light.
Where most samurai of the Dragon Clan never leave their provinces to interact with the rest of the Empire, occasionally Ise Zumi are given quests that bring them down from the mountains and out into the Empire at large. It is a shameful secret that occasionally that the wisdom found in the High House of Light drives mortal men mad, and sometimes insane Ise Zumi manage to escape the castle and plague the Empire. Either way, the motives of the strange tattooed men are difficult to know for sure.
It remains to be seen in which category the man you saw ascending the stairs might belong. Either way, you believe it quite unlikely that he's involved with the Oni.
Doji Oruku furrows his brow as he hears Tsumetsu-sama's description of the damage at the Four Winds Trading House.
"It is possible that there are multiple shadowlands beasts on the loose tonight. If someone can summon one Oni, perhaps they can summon several. Yet, as Akodo Hideyoshi-san noticed, the attacks were staged sequentially. I believe that until we have proof of there being several Oni on the loose, we shall presume there is only one at play.
With that being said, the motivations of that one Oni seem difficult to understand. There would be little reason to expect that Daidoji Anitano-san's sword would be at the Unicorn warehouse."
Doji Oruku continues talking with Doji Tsumetsu, and you hear that the hatamoto hadn't really poked around the Unicorn warehouse for long before word came that the Crane estate was under attack. Tsumetsu-sama has no idea what the current situation is at the Four Winds Trading house; he and his bodyguards rushed back here.
The magistrate informs the hatamoto that you all must return to the Unicorn warehouse; he cannot pass by the chance to find clues that might be used to track down the Oni. Doji Tsumetsu dismisses you, and reiterates his offer of hospitality in the event you solve the mystery in time to enjoy the rest of the night's festivities.
You're brand new to the City of Lies and have never heard of most of the people and places you're encountering tonight. I'm going to save giving you benefit on this raise for after you arrive at the Unicorn warehouse and begin looking around.
It is just past the beginning of the Hour of the Dog as you travel the streets, sensibly heading out of the Nobles' Quarter through the wide Pious Gate (location 8). Going through the Temple District on your way to the Merchants' Quarter you pass by several pockets of celebration.
You get good glimpses of the teams of dancers still going at it in the streets.. people portraying evil spirits by wearing porcelain masks or "ghostly" white trailing kimonos and begging for treats from citizens gamely pretending to be frightened.. and of course a seemingly endless supply of fireworks exploding both overhead and (smaller ones) in the streets themselves.
Your destination is a warehouse at the intersection of Onyx Street and Silver Avenue. It took you about 15 minutes to walk there, and when you finally arrive you see that the Thunder Guard have established a security perimiter around the building. There are voices audible from inside, but two kaisatsukan outside are barring entry.
"The trading house is closed. What is your business here?"
Doji Oruku smiles lightly to himself, but doesn't speak up. He observes how you handle the situation.
Hideyoshi begins quietly, but firmly. "We are here on the order of the magistrate Doji Oruku-sama, to investigate the break-in of the Unicorn warehouse."
Himeko steps forward and gestures to the samurai behind her. "Please stand aside." she adds to Hideyoshi's statement. The courtier puts some measure of steel behind her voice. To allow an argument now would waste more time.
As the samurai leave the Crane embassy, Xiaoxing swiftly assigns the tsangusuri, handing the fan to Himeko, the Pomegranate to Katsuyoshi, the Sun to Hideyoshi and retaining the key herself.
The Unicorn samurai-ko hangs back as her Lion and Crane companions address the scorpion, then adds
This Trading House belongs to the Unicorn, it would be most impolite to stop a Unicorn yoriki and her colleagues from investigating a crime here...
she stares at the Scorpion calmly.
If you want to further discuss who has which token, may be better to do it in the discussion thread. We've missed the chance to do that in-character by now :(
The low-ranking Thunder Guard look from each of you in turn as you speak. They finally look to Doji Oruku, whos reply is just raised eyebrows and an expression that seems to ask "Well, are you going to step aside or not?"
The kaisatsukan both bow appropriately low, causing their crimson plumes to bob and sway. After straightening they pull open a sliding cargo door without further delay.
Once inside you learn that like most warehouses the Four Winds Trading House is tall enough to be two stories, but is just a large open structure with a floorplan interrupted only by stout load-bearing columns and stacks of crated goods. Off to the side is a stairwell so steep it might better be called a ladder leading up to a catwalk running along the interior walls. Reachable from those catwalks are more complex rope-and-pulley arrangements than most of you have ever seen.. apparently intended for hoisting and moving crates on the floor below.
Many of the crate stacks are a mess. Boxes have been overturned, several bear the scars of huge claw marks, and damaged costumes and fireworks are strewn across the straw-covered floor.
Of more immediate interest, however, are the samurai inside the warehouse. You caught a conversation midway through when you come into the warehouse.
"... but you don't understand, Dokiu-san. My father's merchandise for the festival were in these crates! Look at them.. LOOK AT THEM! They're ruined! How will we sell these now?"
You come around tall stacks of crates to see the parties involved in the exchange. A handful of more Thunder Guard and a Unicorn Magistrate are enduring a tirade from a Unicorn lord identifiable as Shinjo Sanefusa. The lord is 68 years old but still powerful and fit, and as son to Shinjo Yoshifusa (who is in turn one of the most powerful samurai in the city, not to mention the owner of this warehouse) his status overshadows everyone present. There is nothing to do but endure his rants until they are complete.
Sanefusa-sama's anger has worked him up into a sweaty mess, and he finally takes a break from lecturing the shoddy law enforcement in Ryoko Owari Toshi. You have an opening to get a word in edgewise, but you might want to tread carefully if you do. The lord is still angry.
Himeko keeps her face even for the duration of Sanefusa's rant. It is unseemly for any samurai to concern himself with profit and sales, but the Unicorn was nobility, so certain allowances could be made.
"My lords," she interjects. "My name is Doji Himeko, yoriki in service to Doji Oruku, and these," she gestures to the rest of the samurai present, "Are my companions. We came as soon as we had heard of the trouble here. How can we be of assistance?"
Hideyoshi does not betray his distaste at the display over such a common thing as mercantile affairs. Yet he knows that this is important, and these persons are not to be trifled with. He also knows that this is better handled by Xiaoxing than himself.
'a Unicorn for Unicorn business...'
Xiaoxing bows deeply to Sanefusa-sama once it is clear he has finished ranting, at least for now. She then turns to Shinjo Dokiu and bows again, albeit slightly shallower.
Please excuse the interruption my lord, if we could beg your indulgence for a few moments I hope we might be able to assist both your and our causes this night.
she bows again and sweeps a hand to indicate her companions
May I present Doji Oruku, Akodo Hideyoshi, Doji Himeko and Mirumoto Katsuyoshi. This night we have been seeking a creature terrorizing the city, and it would seem it has also visited this warehouse. If it please you, might we investigate the area to see if we can find anything that might assist with tracking it down and stopping its rampage?
she bows once more.
Keep your mouth shut and don't antagonize the unicorns. Let the Shinjo do the talking.
Katsuyoshi bows to the unicorn in sequence as his name is mentioned.
Shinjo Sanefusa mops sweat from his brow as you speak, looking at each of you with increasing incredulity. After the last of you speak he looks to Shinjo Dokiu and asks,
"Who in Jigoku are these people?"
That magistrate smiles feebly and reminds the lord:
"Sanefusa-sama, Doji Oruku-san and his assistants were my first recommendation to look into this break-in. The Crane are our strong allies and Oruku-san's reputation is beyond reproach. Judging by what we heard from the guardsman who saw the break-in, I thought his existing investigation into the very strange death of his kinsmen may be linked."
Shinjo Dokiu proves to know the Unicorn lord well and manages to calm him down. Sanefusa-sama thrusts a broken porcelain mask into Doji Oruku's hands and asks how the city proposes to reimburse his losses. Doju Oruku and the Unicorn Magistrate bear the brunt of Sanefusa-sama's attention. You catch glimpses from those magistrates, subtly encouraging you to slip away and take the chance to look around.
Xiaoxing takes the hint and steps away as the magistrates deflect Sanefusa-sama's attention.
Walking up one of the aisles she starts checking off the crates and contents against the docket she found earlier, looking for correlations of goods, buyers, sellers or anything else that could indicate a next possible target for the Oni. Tapping her lip she also continues to muse about what the shadowlands beast could possibly be looking for, there were no swords amongst these crates, only party favors and costumes. The whole picture did not make sense to her, but rather than struggle to understand the whole, she instead redoubles her effort on the small piece of the puzzle she can help with.
She beckons to her fellow samurai
From what I have been able to check, the docket the bandit had on him earlier referenced the Crimson Sunset Cartel, who own these broken boxes that have been broken. Perhaps it is worth checking out their warehouse?
Xiaoxing also takes a leaf from her own earlier experiences this evening, trying to think in the alien mindset of the Kitsuki, and following the tracks around the warehouse floor to see if she discovers anything.
=10
Hideyoshi nods to Xiaoxing. "It would seem we need to follow up that lead. I cannot see what the Oni would possibly want here. The connection eludes me, I will look about as well, but first..." He gestures to the young guard. Taking him aside, he speaks in a low, firm voice.
"I am Akodo Hideyoshi, yoriki to Doji-Oruku. We are hunting the very creature you saw break in here. Twice we have encountered it, and twice it has eluded us with its supernatural powers. The description of what you saw will be very useful to us, and you may rest easy in the knowledge that your help will assist us in destroying this evil. Do not fear. Honor, Courage, these are our best defenses against such evil, and you have shown both in facing such a thing."
=22
5+4=9
6+3+2=11
Shinjo Xiaoxing: You're pretty sure that the footprints and claw marks could have come from the Oni you've seen earlier. The glops of tar clearly could be dead podlings, but you don't see what might have killed them. Unfortunately, the comings and goings of the Thunder Guard and Magistrates since the break in have obliterated most of the tracks. You cannot tell if any bandits or tattooed men may have been accompanying the Oni here. You imagine those Kitsuki must actually use magic because you can't see how anyone can possibly make heads or tails of such puzzles.
You compare crates with the invoice you found earlier and discover that there are still some undamaged crates bearing the setting sun emblem away from the mess.
Akodo Hideyoshi: The Thunder Guard partially inflates with renewed self-assurance as you share with him that you have seen the vandal earlier in the night as well. He's apparently been verbally battered down; listening to how the Unicorn Lord berates the Magistrates you can only imagine the abuse he dropped on the lowly city guard who "let the beast ransack the warehouse". Still, the kaisatsukan shakes his head rapidly when you ask him to describe the creature itself. He does, however, confirm that he didn't see anything or anyone else go in, for that matter. At least before he ran for help, anyway....