Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 1: Atsumari/Gathering

[Agent Sinistra]

@Private Kyumi/Omi Shenanigans

Despite the relative privacy Kyumi had procured, the red haired shugenja would draw her attendant close to her. In little more than an urgent whisper, Kyumi would speak to the other girl.

"Omi... I don't know what to do..." Her anxiety was obvious in both her expression and tone. She would watch with a look of concern on her face as Omi closed her eyes and maintained a stoic look.

"Now, Kyumi... Be calm. Let's not put the peasant before the pony..." After taking a deep breath herself, she would continue. "Tell me what is troubling you now."

"Well, I..." Kyumi gulped before going on. "I think I made a big mistake..." The attendant let out a soft, almost strangled sounding groan, yet still managed to refrain from doing anything more drastic than that. Omi rubbed her forehead slightly, almost certain that she could begin to feel the familiar pulsing of one particular vein.

"Perhaps you might feel better if you told me?" She would offer as she attempted to extract an answer from her mistress' non-answers. Kyumi would look almost a bit shame-faced as she owned up to situation.

"IlostabettooneoftheunicornandIthinkhemightlikemeandnowIhavetospendtheeveningwithhim.ALONE." The torrent of words came rushing out of her mouth and they seemed to be unending "Ithinkhewantstodo... Strangeuntowardthingstome.BeforeIlefthedidsomegaijinthingtomyhand. And... AndIdon'tknowwhattodooo!" As she held onto her last, Omi would loudly clear her throat.

"Well... That... certainly sounds troublesome..." Omi's expression changed into a twitching, pained smile. "But there are worse things than unwanted suitors, and it is only for one evening, correct?"

"I guess so..."

"And this was..." Omi would pause to remember the name. "Ide-Sama? It was the man and not one of the two women, correct?"

"Yes..."

Omi thought for a moment before answering. "I'm surprised. He's attractive enough, and while he might be a bit different... I would have thought that would appeal to you." She would let out a short, almost harsh sounding laugh. "Considering how many of your stories you've read aloud to me, I would have thought that you'd be all over him... But I suppose you prefer your barbarian princes to remain in their scrolls..."

Kyumi couldn't help but blush furiously at the mention of that. "T-There's a difference between my stories and reality! Besides, I don't mind his looks... I'm just worried that he might do some strange and crazy Gaijin thing. I mean, what if he says something, and it doesn't mean what I thought it did and then it turns out that I've agreed to marry him and end up being dragged away to some strange country! What if he actually has a harem and just wants another wife to add to his collection?! I don't want to have to share my husband! I want a husband of my own!"

"Kyumi... I sincerely doubt that he is going to propose to you after talking to you once. You need to-"

"And then what about Kenichi-san? What if he sees us and misinterprets it?! He's so sweet and shy, but I know he'd never forgive me if he ran into the two of us! And after all he's done for me..."

"...He's only done one thing for y-"

"HE'S DONE SO MUCH FOR ME! I'd feel terrible if he were to hate me after having done me such a favor!"

Omi found herself balling her hand into a fist, and quickly tightening and untightening it. She'd soundlessly begin to mouth words and then take a deep breath before she spoke once more.

"This is ONLY for one night. If it bothers you so much, then tell him you can't come. It wouldn't be the first time you've played sick to get out of something..."

"But I promised to meet up with him when I made the bet!"

"Then make sure you don't run into Asahina-Sama. Or be cold to Ide-Sama and make it so that your evening is cut short."

"But what if I end up REALLY liking him?!"

"KYUMI!" Omi snapped back; the attendant had had enough and was unable to mask her frustration. "If you actually want help from me, THEN LET ME SPEAK!" At the very least, her angry response had been enough to silence her mistress for the time being.

"You are currently in Crane Territory as their guest. Even if Ide-Sama were to try to act violently towards you, so long as you are on the tournament grounds... You will be able to call guards to your aid. Even if they do not like you, they would help you. Why? Because, as a representative of your clan, an attack on you would be considered an attack on the Lion Clan. As your honored aunt can attest, your kinsmen would take any opportunity they are given to attack the Crane if they have been given the chance. Even if you were slain, you would ultimately be avenged."

Kyumi would continue to stare at her attendant's outburst, and would open her mouth as if to speak. However, no words would come out. Omi would continue to speak, appearing to ignore Kyumi's response.

"For now, why don't you just focus on behaving yourself and leaving a good impression on Ide-sama? If Asahina-sama becomes troubled by this, then find a way to explain what happened. If he is unreasonable about the situation, then you both would be better off finding alternative suitors."

Having ended her talk, Omi looked significantly less stressed than she had earlier. Kyumi, however, appeared to be still a little dumbfounded that she had just been lectured by her attendant. When the other woman saw that her mistress still wasn't responding, she held her head with one hand and let out a soft sigh. Then, she would lightly take hold of Kyumi's arm and begin to lead her away from their private spot and back into the public.

"... You look a little frazzled, Mistress. Perhaps we should try to fix your hair before Ide-Sama comes to see you?" Omi would quietly slip back into her role of dutiful servant as they came back into the view of the public.

"...All right..." Kyumi would meekly reply at first. However, she appeared to quickly revert back to her normal self. "Did you pack my purple kanzashi? I should wear that one."She would then quietly muse to herself, "It isn't my favorite but... Unicorns like that color, don't they?"

Omi would respond with a light smile."I'm sure he would like anything you wore, even if it were nothing at all."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans:

Maru's Initiative: 24

Quote:

"Er...I" Kojiro bowed deeply to Kita."At the tea house, a servant girl spilled tea all over Maru-san and myself. I'm afraid my anger grew hot and-"

Maru would suddenly kick Kojiro's ankle before stepping in to finish the rest of the explanation. "He jumped up to protect my honor. You see, there were a bunch of older men that had been leering at me the whole time, and they looked like they were getting ideas. Kojiro-san leapt to my defense, and guided me safely out of the tea house. He did strike the girl though, who really did show us no respect." {Deceit of 20}

"I... see..." Kita responded, her smile fading to more of a blank expression.

Kojiro, you have socianitiative!  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Shenanigans

"Again, forgive me, Doji-sama! Rest assured that I will act with much greater care in your lands!" Kojiro would hold his bow for a moment. "With your leave, Doji-sama? This has been an exciting and exhausting day and I grow tired. I'm sure you magistrates have another set of interesting events for us tomorrow."

If Kojiro was given leave, he would escort Maru to the Scorpion Tent.

OOC:
Awareness/Etiquette
Results: 26
Wound Penalty: +3  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Hare Shenanigans:

"Interrogating the Bayushi, huh?" Makoto would repeat, crossing his arms over his chest and looking to Wazuka.

"That's... that's not what I'm doing! You wouldn't understand my master plan. Shut up." Wazuka responded, dragging the chest once more, putting more distance between herself and her tent. "And you!" she said to Denbe, shooting him a glare. "Stop helping already!"

"Do I even want to know what's going on?" Makoto would ask aloud, to whomever felt the obligation to answer him.

Wazuka pulled the chest right past Denbe's position, obviously not answering her Clanmate.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans:

"Wait." Kita would command as both Scorpion turned to leave.

Approaching the two of them, she would then ask, "What of the items I asked you to get, and the change from the trade?"  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Shenanigans

"They are in the saddlebags of the horse I used and here is your change." Kojiro handed all of the change he received.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans:

Kita would accept the change and nod, almost solemnly, before heading towards the stables without further conversation.

As soon as she was confident the two of them were out of earshot, Maru hissed quietly, "What are you doing?! Trying to get us expelled from the tournament?! Why were you about to tell her what happened?!" Maru seemed quite harsh in her words, clearly unamused.  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Shenanigans

Kojiro would wait until they were inside the scorpion tent before speaking further. "Perhaps the Magistrates' reputations are such that I could not think of a better way to present the situation? Thank you for your wit for seeing what I could not. As it stands, I am exhausted. I think I'll try to rest. We have much to do tomorrow.  

[Psychofish]

"Alright, alright," the Hare backed off, but didn't move more than a step or two. He was now getting curious what this secret plan she was so excited about was, though so far, Denbe did question her ability to curb her enthusiasm and act responsibly. Not her skill, however. He did rather hope this was a good plan.

Turning to the other Dragon, Denbe gave a questioning look to Makoto- not that he expected it to do much. He sounded as lost as he was.

"I am curious," he started, "that you thought a walk after dark implied a connection to your suspect," whom he wished she would slip up and give the name of. "Is there something untoward going on after dark that I should be forewarned of? If there is a danger to the samurai gathered..."

[1 Raise to fish for suspect's identity.]
[5k3 Awareness/Investigate: 38 after nature of suspected crimes.]  

[Psychofish]

[INTERROSPLOSION: 19 & 12]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Hare Shenanigans:

"Oh, this is about that old monk that's been hanging around the Lion," Makoto would tell Denbe, simple as that.

"MAKOTO!" Wazuka dropped the chest once more, and gestured wildly at the Hare. "We don't know if he'll inform him! You might have blown my only chance to catch him in the act and discover what he's up to!"

"You see, he's been snooping around the Training Grounds at the wee hours of the morning, and Sozen asked..."

Suddenly, Wazuka put her hands upon Denbe's ears from behind, trying to block out the exposition. "LA LA LA, HE CAN'T HEAR YOU MAKOTO!"  

[Psychofish]

"Kan-san?"

Now that was an interesting person to take an interest in. Wazuka panicked so wildly though, Denbe began to raise his hands as if in defense and started to try and interrupt her with assurances when the next little nugget came out.

And with the younger Dragon's response, the Hare couldn't help but split a grin, and laugh heartily.

"Not to worry, Kitsuki-san. I am familiar with the frustrations of an investigation, and more than capable of keeping a secret," he finally managed. "I shall not speak of it to anyone, so long as I can trust you to continue responsibly with the investigation."

Snooping he was uncertain of the dangers of, but it did sound suspicious. Grounds for him personally to take particular interest, no. Not unless he saw unexplained wounds on Kan, or found out about missing servants or the like around the area, of late. It would hardly be appropriate to flat out ask someone if they'd noticed such things, though.  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

@ Tea Ceremony:

"I'm sure it would be fine... but I will definitely think about it. However, keep in mind my Iaijutsu skills pale in comparison to the Crane's legendary technique. If Zanzen-san competes, and I'm sure he will, he will most likely defeat me. Not that I'm doubting my own skill, but one must accept the opponent's skill as well."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Ceremonial Competition, Round 5:

First check: Doji Koan gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Second check: Doji Koan gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Third check: Doji Koan gains a Free Raise for his final roll!

Koan would seem to be satisfied with this, and raise he tea cup high. "The fact that you are equally humble and aware is why you are still my first choice, Seichiro-san. With each passing moment, you do nothing but further confirm my opinions of you. Come, let us drink up, in celebration of a consideration of a beautiful partnership."

{Tea Ceremony roll of 13+15 = 28}  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

He would also raise his cup, joining Koan in his 'celebration'.

[3k2 Tea Ceremony=17]