Daisuke quietly watches the conversation with the fox spirit, noting Azami and Kyras's lack of coordination in the interrogation, and the desperate tone of the defeated Vu.
"You have failed utterly, kitsune," he declares, "and you are you are truly useless to us."
Is it worth revealing privileged information in front of a betrayer and known enemy? Possibly, if it it leads to further insights. If not, this creature is truly useless, and it would be no loss to send it to a traitors' hell.
With a dismissive scoff at Vu, Daisuke returns his attention to Kyras, "Leave this pathetic creature, Warbanian, or slay her, and I will show you where we will pick up your sister's trail."
@Tokine:
Here's a bluff check, if you want one, but Daisuke believes that he does know more than he needs from Vu, so he's not really "bluffing".
BLUFF:
Silly time for a nat 20.
"Well just two little items today, but both very old and special. The first a jade and gold dragon with the finest of detail revealing the intricate scales. The second is not much on the eyes but is very old and a favorite of mine, this is a river dragon carved from opal. It was found in the back of a dried up river, yet the flow must have been strong once for most of the detail has been worn away, but what details are present suggest a very archaic style. I fine the opal; allows the eye to style imagine the water flowing over and around the creature."
"This is timely young Shoto. I am very much absorbed in art tonight to the point I can almost forget the reason for tonight's festivities. But yes, of course I have time. Always have time for art." She will walk with him to the alcove if that is his intention.
At the Temple: Something about the bland carelessness in Daisuke's voice sets Vu off. "OKAYOKAYOKAYOKAY!" She froths more and struggles against her bonds. "You can't kill me, you-you can't! Look, there's...there's two more things, but you gotta promise me you'll let me go. You gotta bring me to the door so I know you mean it. One of the things I know is about this war, about what's happening. The other is about your sister, Erodal, and where she might be right now. I, uh, I just remembered something..."
At the State Dinner:
Without hesitation, Azami's fist wraps around the collar of Vu's clothing, hauling the still-tied kitsune roughly towards the door. She practically throws the Vu to the ground, just at the threshhold, staring down at the fox-spirit with a stony expression. "Now that I've jostled your memory..."
Imuri stands away from the crowd and quickly produces the purple stone from his kimono. I took this, he whispers, from a small display near your artwork. It was arranged as a single flower. I do not know its significance, but purple flower might be plum blossom. Moreover, the workers who arranged it attend a man who looks exactly like a man who called himself Wong Tsai at my city house not two hours ago. Finally, your friend Kyras mentioned a Wong Tsai. I am concerned he is part of a conspiracy, and if so, that this purple flower display might mean dihonor or worse. Can you tell if it has magical properties? Does it mean anything beyond symbolism?.
Imuri remembers his teaching from before his gempukku. Yohuro taught him that politics and war are the same as swordplay. Deception, intuition, execution, the ancient sensei would say. Some swords have two edges, some have only one. Know the difference between a blade that is flat and one that is sharp.
Imuri adds, Also, could it be protective? Many things are going on, Tokine-san. We must know who is attacking us and who is supporting us. And we must know now.
Vu hits the ground with a thud, and the air whooshes out of her. "Hehheh, riiight. My m-memory. Okay look, this war in the west? It's all bogus. I mean it's not...it's real, but it doesn't matter. What matters is the red dragons are up to something while the black dragons are trying to conquer the Land. Bethany found something out when she visited Stonegard in her keep in the mountains that border The Empire and Enhathlad, to the north. I don't know what Stonegard told her, though, I swear! She wouldn't tell anybody, just said she had to talk to somebody named Kylara. I don't know who that is. At this point, uh, me and her, uh, we weren't talking much. But the black dragons, the paladins? They don't matter. They're pawns. The real game is being played way above that. It's about red dragons and Telestari paintings. Paintings that are supposed to have instructions on how to bring about the end of the world. if you believe that kind of crap."
"As for Bethany, she, uh, she was taken by someone -- a man, I'm sure of it -- from the palace, or from one of the Houses. I didn't know his scent, but he smelled rich, only aristos have those kinds of soaps and fabrics. He'd been in the City House District recently, too, whoever he was."
Vu gives a panicked look up the street, then stares back at Azami. "So you're gonna let me go now, right? C'mon, that was the deal!"
Chu retires early from the gathering, feigning a previous engagement with several old scrolls, as he makes his way to the most secluded entrance to the servants chambers. As he passes through the hall he watches to make sure he isn't being followed, or watched, before changing his features to that of a wizened old man. His robes slump as he becomes shorter and his stature becomes bent with age, making his disguise a little more complete. When he reaches the servants chamber entrance he stands off to the side and draws out an old looking tome.
*whistles innocently*
Azami nods. "Go." She turns her back on Vu, not making any effort to untie her, but still very aware of the kitsune's actions.
To Kyras, she takes a breath and mutters, "I think we know our disguised aristocrat who has your sister. We know where he will be - which is where we should be, now that we have the Princess." Then her head turns towards Daisuke. "Who are you again, and why should I trust you?"
Daisuke remains calm, addressing Azami matter of factly, "You shouldn't trust me, Azami-san."
With a resigned sigh, he continues, "Trust is a rare currency in these times, and we should not spend it liberally. I fear the Empire has grown complacent and the old ways have been lost without our attention and cultivation..."
He gestures at the treacherous fox spirit, "Honor is not what it once was."
"It is a fine piece, but defiantly did not come with my collection. This seems similar to the flowers San Pen found last night. Let's see if it holds a deeper secret."
Tokine looks at the stone in Imuri's hand but makes no move to take it. She does not ring a bell on her glaive not wishing to draw attention but instead concentrates on the sound a single chime would make. She then opens her senses to the stone to see what magical properties it may hold.
Imuri remembers his teaching from before his gempukku. Yohuro taught him that politics and war are the same as swordplay. Deception, intuition, execution, the ancient sensei would say. Some swords have two edges, some have only one. Know the difference between a blade that is flat and one that is sharp.
Tokine looks up from the stone with a hard look in her eyes that does not match her light airy tone. "This is faintly magical. Likely a charm to ensure its shine. Harmless. Leave it here. Come, I want to show you a delightful piece in this next alcove. It will be fine there, come."
One of these. Great. Perhaps he and Imuri will enjoy philosophizing at each other over tea while Kyras and I get the real work done.
A small shrug is almost lost in the layers of armor; her tone does nothing to hide her lack of interest in the meandering elegance of Daisuke's recitation on trust. "Works for me." Briefly, her grey gaze angles towards Vu, considering.
The samurai - also a ronin - casts a sideways glance to Daisuke, a hacked piece of red hair tucked behind her ear slipping to freedom only for a second before she roughly sweeps it back, tracing the scar on her face in the process. "It is not Honor that has changed."
Then Azami strides to Eru, silently offering her a hand to assist the elven woman to her feet. Her stance is stiff, as if she could hide the kindness of this rare gesture from her in the rigid formality of her posture.
Imuri deftly drops the purple stone next to another display and leaves it be. The word of someone more trained is good enough for him. He follows Tokine into the alcove.
At the next alcove. "Sorry about the dramatics. The stone is relatively harmless, weak in its own right. But it is similar to what San Pen found yesterday. There are likely many of them, each weak, but lending their power together toward some end. Depending how many of these objects are in the palace, their power could only grow. As to what they do?...divination. Listening, scrying, or something similar I would guess. Perhaps nothing overtly dangerous, but I do not need to explain to you the dangerous power of information. Not knowing their exact use, I thought it best to distance ourselves from it, but with a net of these, the power may radiate through the palace."
One of these. Great. Perhaps he and Imuri will enjoy philosophizing at each other over tea while Kyras and I get the real work done.
Imuri narrows his eyes. What can you tell me of this Wong Tsai, this functionary who came in with you. I will point him out, and you can see if there are more of these flowers. I found only the one, and I took one stone from it to show you.
He looks outside the alcove, checking for the advisor, for the Sera sisters, and for the sorceress. When he makes eye contact again, his look is very serious. The affected charm is gone. Tokine, most of the families of the Empire cannot maneuver against a clever gaijin opponent. Their ways are different. Their morality and honor are dofferent. A taisa who has studied the same battle plans his whole life will falter when he does not expect to be lied to. We are in a very grave situation, and loyalty will be the only virtue we can trust. We cannot allow the Black Dragonflight, or their masters, to bring further trouble, nor can we allow anyone to take advantage of their dishonor.
He watches her expression for a moment. All samurai have courage, he knows. But war is not what Tokine would have. He wonders if she is ready for her bushido to be tested.
The dragon advisor who spoke to your mind. Are you going to meet with him? He is watching us until we follow.
"The functionary? He was here when I arrived to set up. I know nothing of him, other than he was helpful."
He is so fierce. It is good to have him so devoted to the Emperor. Myself, I am scared, but resolved. It is the staring into the kiln or the forge awaiting the delicate moment amidst such power. Only through such violence can new beauty be born.
"Advisor Chujitsuna. I am to go see him presently. He had need to talk with me, but I have need....the matter Banad del Lino del Covas spoke of at tea within my temple...he has acquired the third. Why and at what cost I do not know...but I am at grave risk tonight and sought to make my discoveries known to the Emperor...amazing discoveries." The worry in gone from her face and her eyes seem to radiate excitement. But then that sense is gone.
"Without my friends both old and new tonight, I would feel best if you could arrange to come with me. As you say, I know the Advisor has the ear of the Emporer, but I have not the experience with him to know him from a spirit, and the staff hallways may not be entirely safe. Perhaps at least follow, in your private manner, if we want less eyes and lips to note our passing together."
Kyras stares at Vu, smoldering with hate for the pitiful creature. Slowly, probably because of the Dragon's violent indulgence, he draws back from his hate. Visions of her burning to death at the hands of his magic drift away from his thoughts, though he still doesn't take his eyes off her even while responding to Azami. "Yes, I suppose we do. I suppose that you should call the guard now to hand her over. That or we can just say she tried to escape without permission and we can enjoy cooked fox meat tonight. I wonder if the Emperor will appreciate a good piece of smoked fox as a present?"
Imuri nods at Tokine. You are safe so long as someone from my family is near you, Tokine-san. Go to the advisor. Do not doubt that I am behind you.
Imuri glides back into the room, looking for functionaries and courtiers to waste a few moments with. Setting his strategy, he moves in an orchestrated circle until his path takes him to this twin of Wong Tsai. Just a few more questions, he thinks to himself.
..and then the night can begin.
Shoto Imuri materializes in the hallway beside Tokine Nagano. As he does so, he postures himself to fade into view from the darkness of the palace corners, not wishing to startle the curator.
Time is very short, Chujitsuna-sama. It is my honor to lend my ear, but the enemy will take notice of my absence.
Imuri bows in the cold, traditional sense, indicating that his trust will be hard to gain. His eyes remain steady on the advisor, and his face is dark. It seems clear that depiste the ordinary matters of rank, today the Shoto samurai considers himself on the brink of very important events.
At the Temple: Vu hobbles and hops and half-jogs as fast as she can, eventually turning down an alley and out of sight. The three of you are standing together at the threshold of this holy place, the mists of the city twirling and spinning around your ankles in their endless wheeling dance.
At the State Dinner: Things are really getting into swing now. The crowd has swelled to nearly twice its original size and many more will be granted entry before the actual meal begins in the sacred chamber where only those with the correct types of invites will be permitted to dine and hear the message from Queen Llirrianna, and ask questions of the elegant elven sorceress, as was done last night with Princess Eru and Rhon Tai. In the meantime, however, there was a dance to be done amongst those with knowledge and power, the constant spinning trade of twirling words and lowered eyes.
|
When Tokine and Imuri arrived at the servants entrance he was marginally surprised and released his disguise as an old man. "Agreed Shoto, Imuri. I had hoped to avoid to much undue attention but come, I will try to keep this short." He quickly moved through the less used servants hallways of the palace, with such a large gathering to attend to, all the servants would be busy and they could move about with a marginal amount of stealth. It wasn't long before they moved from the more secluded servants halls and back into the side halls in the more frequented parts of the palace. Before long he was opening the door to the side chamber and ushering them both in.
he looked back down the halls, to make sure they hadn't been followed. Once they were both inside he locked the door and went about lighting a couple of the braziers to bring light to the dark counsel chamber.
"Apologies for my cryptic summons, but I have survived these long years through stealth alone. Now to business."
He kneels then before the Kotatsu in the center of the room and motion's politely for the others to sit. "I have much to speak to both of you about but first, Tokine you said you had a unique item to show me?" He didn't wish to be rude with the Curator, it was in his best interest to get them to trust him fully. But Shoto Imuri would prove to be a hard man to impress.
As Vu escapes, Azami mutters, "The city Police can find her tied up like that; never let them say I don't give them the opportunity to do their jobs." She pulls the sash from her waist and offers it to Kyras to wipe the drying blood from his mouth and chin, realizing that his appearance might be off-putting to those in the Temple, and certainly not welcome at the Palace--where they are likely headed next.
To Erudima, Azami asks, "Can you walk? Do you know where Rhon Tai may have gone to find you?” But staring into Eru’s face, it reminds her of all Rhon had said this day… what the professor said… what Banad had said…and now Vu’s words; her gaze slants towards the intern, Aikiko, but it is lost in thought. The dreams. The ship. Red dragons. Plum blossoms and moonstones. The whole world on fire. My hands do not bleed, do not burn. The Emperor. The paintings. Bethany. Kylara. The dragon statue. The dragon stone. The mark. The sunrise...
Then, she curses irritably, following it with “A ruse within a ruse within a ruse. This day is unending and yet there is no time. Kyras – the professor said that you needed to speak to Vu about the Telestari. And perhaps she can also explain Children of the Uniter and comment about the underworld.” Azami shakes her head tightly, gritting her teeth with frustration – she obviously had also forgotten that they needed Vu. Should they chase after her? The kitsune is unlikely to help Kyras after those threats – are there others who have seen a telestari?
Her words come plainly. “Recall that the real attack is supposed to come tonight, at the Palace, and we are not there. If Tokine-san is at the Palace, I hope she has alerted someone, or that Sifu San Pen did so. If it is Shoto that impersonated you and has Bethany…but Shoto would not miss the event at the Palace – where would he have put your sister then? We should decide where we go next: retrieve Vu? Find Rhon Tai? Find Bethany? Go to the Palace?”
She turns to Daisuke, “If you are here to assist, then you should know these things, and tell us what you know now. If you betray us, I will ensure that your ghost joins the mists."
"The Hoshi clan revealed to me the location of Erodal researcher's last dig, and instructed me to escort Kyras there in search of anwsers," Daisuke replies.
"I think it is unlikely that they intend a trap. In addition to their reputation for peace, it's easy enough for those with their resources to hire an assassin in Lanzhu without a wild goose chase, and they could have fed Kyras that information without adding a sword to his cause."
"You believe clan Shoto may have taken the woman?" Daisuke asks, somewhat incredulously, "She must be quite important if such a powerful clan would conspire against the Imperial court."
"Immuri, can you please look for any of the plum blossom decorations?"
When the all clear has been given.
"Sorry for that Advisor, but we have discovered that spies operate within these walls. And they place divination devices throughout the palace. That is an important matter but pales in comparison to other news we bring."
Tokine pulls a scroll tube from within her sleeve. "You have the ear of the Emperor. What I say...what I bring...all the misery that has been brought to the Empire, the secret deals, the illusions, the war, I think, is because of these...."
She carefully unrolls the the three crude drawings, each alive with their unique vibrant colors that seem to lift from the page. "They are Telestari in origin." She places the scroll tube caps next to the paintings, one shows a collection of plum blossoms, the other a crescent moon and seven stars. "Both represent organizations I probably do not need to tell you about, the Plum Blossom Crime Syndicate and the other, purported agents of the deceased Chan Dynasty. Working together or separate I am not sure, although I have suspicions it may be the later, which works in our favor. But they have killed to try and acquire these. But I feel I am putting too much paint on the canvas, without concern for the composition. Here, let me show you..then we can get to the questions."
She arranges them close to each other on the table. "The Telestari disappeared around 2500 years ago, around the time of the Chan Dynasty collapse. This is perhaps a log or a map of how, and why, and even perhaps, where, they went."
Pulling a hair pin from within the mound of tresses piled on her head, she nudges two of the paintings so that they touch the center piece. She then steps back, clearly expecting something "big" to happen.
If you want to make up a route that goes through a few ridiculous secret doors and tunnels down to a huge sewer system way beneath the ground, and then say something like; "it is this tunnel, we take it north for two days and it will lead us there", then I'll take over from there.
If you'd rather I do it, just lemme know, but I'm totally cool with you describing it; people make up details about Lanzhu all the time, I purposely leave parts of the city blank for that very purpose.
This isn't a ruse either, BTW; you really actually do know the location, and have verified the route is legitimate.
Azami glances outside, obviously thinking about following Vu. Her matter-of-fact tone cannot hide the sense that time is slipping away, and her words come quickly after one another.
"Vu's admission that someone disguised as Kyras took Bethany would likely mean Imuri Shoto - we know he had intentions of undertaking such a disguise and being kidnapped to learn who is after Kyras."
"This means that Bethany was at the same house that Erudima was brought to - a place connected with the Plum Blossom Syndicate. Imuri must have rescued Bethany from the situation; I'm certain he will have a self-aggrandizing story about his sacrifice and humility to tell us when we next see him."
"But Vu asserts that Erudima's kidnapping was unconnected to Bethany or Kyras, but as bait for the Tuathan. That's Rhon Tai, right?" Azami looks to Eru for confirmation. "I do not know where Rhon Tai went. The men in the blue robes with the moon and stars symbol that we killed in the alley were connected with that."
"I can only assume Imuri would take Bethany to House Shoto, or perhaps another favorite flophouse of his," she adds with a grim humor. "But finding either place without Imuri himself would be...difficult. Unless we grab Vu and leave her here, it looks as if our paths lead towards the Palace."
Daisuke looks puzzled, "Forgive my ignorance, but I have heard the Shoto daimyo is tall for a man of the Empire, but not a spellcaster. How could he convincingly impersonate a Warbanian?"
Azami shrugs, but her grey gaze narrows a bit on Daisuke. "I do not know how, but he did. It is hardly important. Damned Clans and Houses with their subterfuge, hidden motives and circular diplomacy - the whole Empire is a ruse within a ruse within a ruse.
"It seems a poor time to schedule a visit to a dig. I'm afraid we'll have to turn down the invitation. If you are connected with the Hoshi, do you know who the men in blue robes with a moon and stars symbol are? Or the Children of the Uniter?"
Also, I'm assuming it would be easy to find the House of Clan Shoto since they are well known in the city. Let me know if this is in error.
What in terms of assistance could one find in the city? Other guards? The constabulary? What resources are there that Azami would be aware of if she wanted to send someone after Vu?
Kyras nods, for Azami is right in her assessment. "We have to seek him out at the Palace, to find my sister. I'm sure that we will find infinitely more insight if we bring her with us. We can find Rhon Tai afterwards, the slippery bastard. And Bethany should help us find Vu easier if she doesn't know where to find the Telestari." Kyras sighs, exhausted from the day. It seems as if the last two days have each lasted an age apiece. He stretches an focuses on a more gentle spellcasting than the Dragon's. Through the use of magic, he cleanses the day's exertion from his body and clothes, mending their tears in the process. He holds his hands out, silently asking Azami if she wishes for the same treatment.
"Very well, the palace it is."
A pause; Azami's gaze holds on Kyras' hands in that space of silence. Then she nods, stepping closer to receive the spell he offers. "Thank you," spills from her lips in a clipped half-whisper before she rolls her shoulders, her eyes briefly lifting to meet with his before she turns away, towards the door.
The Fortunes have blessed Imuri, to have been right in his suspicions about the purple rocks. It occurs to him, though, that there could be several such floral displays around the palace.
Tokine-san, such an arrangement can be a powerful tool. Supposing we could hear what the enemy hears, and communicate false information to them. How would we usurp the ritual?
|
|
Chu waves off the Curator's apology. "You are more important then you realize Curator Nagano. Your words though are most disturbing because that would mean the Empire is weak enough for our enemies to infiltrate us..." He examined the scrolls before him utilizing what magic he had at his disposal to see if these objects were imbued or bare some type of hidden quality. He places the objects before him and begins focusing his Ki. "Huifiiech anyonhu lianmydrihuunimy eraty poi gorayzira..." With each word his eyes begin to glow more and more, becoming a pair of golden pools as he gazed down at the set of scrolls. His serpentine hands are not idle, they flex and bend in inhuman ways as he speaks and tries to summon forth his Hado. "Ziniedr chunimy niuntytyira unra drnii huistimymyimy yw drnii fiihumyi, ziniedr tyyimy drnii fiyunty styradreunra..."
Cast Identify, followed by Detect magic (which he will maintain for the full 3 rounds so that he is sure there are no aura's that were missed.
A minute passes before Chu came out of his momentary trance, he couldn't help but shake his head his focus was off. His thoughts clouding were disrupting his concentration and that was unacceptable. Perhaps the dragonflight Queen had enchanted him with something? With a quiet sigh he rubbed the base of his aching horns as his frill extended, beraying his slight irritation. He mumbled quietly to Imuri and Nagano as he tried to focus once more. "Avoid looking directly at the dragonflight Queen, if you can, her charms are... overwhelming. Whatever magic she is using, its powerful and potent." He began studying the three pieces, searching his knowledge. His many years of cataloging and reading the ancient scrolls of the imperial library may have mentioned something about these strange scrolls.
Azami exits the temple, assuming Kyras and Daisuke follow, looking for the local police - who must be on guard around here since there has been much activity of late. She proffers a respectful bow to them, speaking in low tones, "A foxspirit that attempted harm on myself and an emmissary to the Palace just escaped our grasp, turning down that alley. She may still be partially tied up. I must return the emmissary to the Palace, but if the you could retrieve this Vu and deliver her to the palace guard, to Captain Takagami, there would be significant gratitude." She speaks the truth, but Azami's unfamiliarity with the smooth subterfuge and diplomacy of the Empire likely makes the request seem odd and uncomfortable - given the rivalry between factions.
She will leave them her name, and continue to the Palace with Kyras and Daisuke, speaking along the way.
"Daisuke - need I know of anything that would cause my allowing you to accompany us into the Palace to be a problem?
@Chu, @Imuri, @Tokine: At first there is nothing. Advisor Kage is able to complete his spells, though all he gets from the three painting is an overwhelming magic aura whose arcane type he cannot identify. Then, as the serpentfolk steps back, a transformation begins.
Before your eyes, the frames of the paintings melt and move and merge. What were three become one; you are now looking at one giant painting. The scene moves and shifts. You are looking at the ocean, but it is not the ocean. A vast velvety blackness fills the canvases. Tall, thin figures clad in deepest blue, brightest crimson, most verdant green are on strange boats, floating at odd angles, dodging great, horrid tentacles. Something about the route they are taking, the weaving leaves traceries as they go past, there is a pattern there...
But it is gone. A hillside comes into view. It is summer, they are in the heart of the Land, the multi-colored denizens of the paintings. They are speaking with elves, the ones clad in green most prominent, and they tower over the fey creatures. There is music. You smell nightflowers and hear the call of birds. A dance begins. The brightly clad figures start the mesmerizing and powerfully fluid steps of the dance, and the elves do their best to join in.
There is a shout, and there is fire. Humans come in from the far left of the frame, all clad in blue, bearing the sign of the Crescent Moon banded by Seven Stars, the sign of the House of Chan, first emperor of Lanzhu.
The Uniter.
The painting shifts and the tall creatures that are clad in deepest blue are now fighting these other lapis-clothed humans, and it is brutal. Movements similar to the dance steps you just witnessed are embedded in the martial movements of these lethal and fluid warriors as they mow down an impossible number of interlopers.
The scene ends, and all the creatures who are clad in the bright colors gather, then move off the right side of the giant frame, and it all ends. A number appears: 1163. You are staring for a moment at the number, then simply the blood-soaked hillside. Then the frames slowly shift back to their normal proper shapes and positions, and you are once again looking at the paintings as they originally were.
You realize that all three of the "types" of tall creatures had their faces hidden; the tall blue ones wore bizarre masks like those worn by young fencers, the green ones had their mouths covered by fine cloth, and the red ones had their eyes hidden by a dark, bourqha-like mesh. All of this adds up and clicks in your heads; you have been watching the early history of the Telestari, those who were said to be the first travelers to the Explored Land, and its greatest warriors and magicians. They have also been extinct for over 2000 years.
I guess I don't have a sense of time here: is it still feasible for them to get to the Palace for the presentation of the Black Dragonflight to the Emperor?
Yup! You will be arriving rather late, but should be able to arrive around when the actual meal will begin.
Also, I'm assuming it would be easy to find the House of Clan Shoto since they are well known in the city. Let me know if this is in error.
You are correct. It is very well-known where each of the Great Clans keeps their City House.
What in terms of assistance could one find in the city? Other guards? The constabulary? What resources are there that Azami would be aware of if she wanted to send someone after Vu?
You've already handled this bit juuuuust fine. But for the future; yes, Azami would have the rank and right to ask things of the police.
Daisuke shrugs, "I am poorly dressed for it, but if I was unwelcome there I would have informed you."
Daisuke, Kyras, Azami: Azami asks Daisuke her question just as you are coming to the final parade route street that leads to the main entrance to the palace. There are still erinyes and black dragons performing aerial maneuvers up in the sky, much to the delight and amazement of the last few dozen stragglers who are just now arriving, mere minutes before the meal is supposed to begin.
In response to Azami's question, the gate guards notice the temporary mon of house Hoshi on Daisuke's belt and bow and welcome him inside just the same as they do Kyras, with his invite, and Azami, who of course is a member of the palace guard.
Once inside you are all three immediately overcome by the enormous crowd, far larger than what was there last night. The usual heady and sensual mix of delicately intoxicating perfumes, tea, music, and fine art swirls around you and through the room like an actual living thing.