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

[Plainsfox]

@ Taryu-Jiai Duels


"I'm sure that Maru-san appreciates the towel, Jiro-san. Say, I haven't seen Lady Horiuchi around lately. Perhaps she is still taking her loss in the archery contest badly? Maybe she needs your consideration more? Any loss is hard on a samurai, who do their utmost to be the best they can be for their lord."

Kojiro would then speak to Maru, averting his eyes as she dries herself. "You did well, Maru-san. You've drawn positive notice to the Scorpion's talents today.

OOC: Awareness/Etiquette Sincerity check. Last two are incase of explosions.

4k3; Result: 23  

[Psychofish]

Denbe was not familiar with the victor, nor the rather unhappy defeated, of the final rounds of the shugenja competition when he arrived, nor was he entirely certain of just what was taking place. Much as he loved to sample all the different challenges the world had to offer, it had decided that the one of magic he should never taste. He was no shugenja and knew little of them. And the thought of trying other magics... he was more than hare enough to find them repulsive.

So despite his lack of information, he clapped politely all the same and made sure to remember the faces of the two finalists. As this final competition of the day cleared out, he headed back to his tent meandering as he went. He was in no rush, and more than happy to see how the greater clans spent their night, be it feasting or training or simply going straight to their sleep.

He wasn't expecting any invitations. Greater clans did not pay minor clans such respect. But one should always keep their eyes open.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Taryu-Jiai Aftermath:

Jiro would raise an eyebrow at Kojiro's suggestion. "I thought we had covered that. Tell you what, Kojiro-san. Next time you get a chance to speak with Sayoko in private, ask her about her standing with her Lord." He didn't seem nearly as amused at the suggestion as he had with prior ones, for what its worth.

He would then bow, and turn to Soshi Maru. "I believe it is time for me to take my leave. We will continue our conversation another time, Maru-san. Good night, both of you." Ide Jiro would then vacate upon request.

"That better not have been a joke, Kojiro-san. If so, you have poor taste in timing. I'm not here to be 'positively noticed' by all the samurai bachelors here." Wiping at her hair, she would begin to walk away, and at a decent clip too. "Come," would all she would say to Kojiro, as she made her way back to her tent.

Kojiro, do you follow?

--------------------

Denbe, as you make your way back to your tent, you see some of the samurai do their various things, chatting and gathering and eventually settling down. Tamori Makoto and Shinjo Gemmei would be chatting over tea, discussing the events that transpired in the Shugenja duels. Elsewhere, Hida Hogai, Yoritomo Susumu, and Mirumoto Sozen seemed to be discussing theories of future events in the tournament. Finally, Denbe would see Isawa Toyoko trying to be incognito as she snuck off on her own.

Any of these you want to jump in on, or will Denbe call it a night?  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Hijinks

Kojiro would bow his head, chastened by Jiro's words. "Forgive me. Jiro-san. My reply was too harsh."

After the unicorn left, Kojiro would merely follow Maru. Maybe now isn't the best time to speak.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Tent:

Maru would make her way back to the tent, throwing open the flaps as she marched inside. Naizen would not be present.

She began to pace, obviously frustrated. When she finally 'noticed' Kojiro again, she would huff angrily. "It's not fair. I was clearly more trained AND more skilled than that Kitsu girl. My defeat was inexcusable today! Second place is unacceptable, when I should have taken first!"

Growling slightly, she would actually start to undress as she moved behind her shoji screen, giving Kojiro a good view of her exposed (and dangerously beautiful) back, but nothing more than that before it was blocked. "I will need to shape up in the future, especially around her. I don't know how many more opportunities my shugenja abilities will let me triumph in, but I can't have her mucking up my chances. Clearly, that little cheater is out to ruin our clan's chances of victory."

Pausing, she would seemingly turn and face Kojiro through the screen. "We're going to have to arrange a little... accident for our dear Kitsu Kyumi, before the tournament is over. We'll have to coordinate with Naizen, but we can't let such a wild card go unchecked."  

[Plainsfox]

@The Scorpion Tent

Kojiro put his hand to his chin as he regarded Maru...or at least where he thought her eyes were. Actually, I saw the match differently. Like the Shinjo woman, you extended a great mercy to the Kitsu by withholding your true strength from her. If she is as naive as she appears, then you should be able to over take her easily. She is no threat to you. Nor is she a threat to our clan...not yet. Besides, take your time with your revenge. Savor it, enjoy it! Make her draw her own tanto across her throat and make her know that you are the one who made her do it! Does that not appeal to you?"

Kojiro sat down at his cot and rummaged in his travelling pack for his set of dice. "Besides, we may have other problems. Ide Jiro told me things. I also know Ide Jiro told you things. I don't know if I should trust what he says." Kojiro would sit down and roll the dice several times, trying to divine the future from their results. "Furthermore, Doji Koan has won two events at this tournament. He is a threat to us...but one I'm not sure how to deal with yet."

The scorpion would let loose an exasperated sigh. "And finally, where is Naizen? Given the events of the other night, I hope he is being cautious. So, do you want to play Fortunes and Winds while we wait for him?"  

[Plainsfox]

OOC: Etiquette (Sincerity) On the safe side. 4k3. Last two dice are in case of explosions.

Result: 14 ><  

[Psychofish]

[Investigate(Notice): 4k2=26]
((Extra die is rolled in case I should have applied awareness or intelligence.))

On his stroll, Denbe noticed Hogai- the crab from earlier. He'd seemed like good company and from what he overheard of their conversation he expected that joining him would have meant plenty of good fun for the night, speculating at what was to come tomorrow. However, his interests were drawn a bit more to perhaps see if he might be accepted into the group discussing the events of the shugenja tournament. He wasn't sure that sort of information would wield him anything aside from more tales to remember, but you never knew when a bit of history or gossip about actual events could expose just the right thread to lead you to something important.

He had been debating going to hear what he could of the contestants of that competition and the events he'd come too late to see, when his mind caught on a face passing by. Because he had been thinking of the shugenja competition already.

He recognized her, which was strange considering she was trying to slip away discreetly, and full in disguise. Curious, but not anymore sure it would be likely to lead to dark plotting as a moonlit tryst, Denbe decided to alter the course of his stroll to keep her within sight, not bothering to hide himself, but not intending to pursue if she spotted him and ran either. Just to see if he could pick up on her direction, disguise, or manner enough to get an idea of what was going on.

And if it was worth pursuing or not.  

[Psychofish]

[Exploding Die: 7]  

[Mongooseh]

Kagae after being escorted back to camp would retreat to the crab tent for the night being robbed of what he was going to use as his past time. If anyone were to walk in he would be drinking some tea until it would become an appropriate time to sleep.  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

Seichiro would head back to the Lion tent, seeing as there wasn't much to do. Once inside, he would sigh, and began making tea.

((Using my experience points to buy the Armored emphasis from the Defense skill))  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Tent:

Maru would pause and think about Kojiro's suggestion, and shook her head as she put on a spare kimono. She would step out from behind her screen just as she was tying the obi. "Tempting words, but no, I'd still rather see it done my way."

Regarding some of the other names brought up, she would seem unimpressed as she sat upon her cot, crossing her legs and rested back upon her hands. "Doji Koan is of no concern of mine. If I wanted to, I could twist him around my little finger like the puppet that he is. Ide Jiro... I don't think we have anything to fear from. Unlike Koan, he means well. I think he just does a good job obscuring his true intentions through buffoonery."

Going through her things, she would produce a decorative comb as she would begin to run it through her incredibly long hair. "If Naizen's not here, he's off being productive. I won't question it. His specialty is spycraft, so I have no doubts that he's simply honing his trade right now. And no, I'm not in the mood for games."

--------------------

@ Hare Hijinks:

Isawa Toyoko would seemingly pay no heed to Denbe, as she made her way away from the Phoenix tent. Where was she going? She ended up leaving the immediate vicinity that had been set up for all the tents, towards the buildings of the Daidoji Training Grounds. From the darkness, would step a fair-haired man that Denbe would have seen earlier that day, meeting Toyoko.

The two would begin to chat quietly, and if they had noticed Denbe, they were ignoring him. What would he do?

--------------------

@ Crab Tent:

As Kagae was just settling in for the night, Kuni Kaori would enter. She would pause at the entrance to the tent, giving him a brief glance, before going to her own bunk. Removing and dropping her satchel of scrolls, she would effectively drop onto the cot, laying there still, as if exhausted.

--------------------

@ Lion Tent:

Seichiro would arrive at the tent uninterrupted, but that's as far as he would go. Upon arrival, the monk Kan would already be there, and tea already hot and ready to be served.

"Oh! Seichiro-san! I'm glad you're here. I was getting tea ready for celebration of Kyumi-san's victory. I was hoping you would arrive first, so you would be able to help me surprise her." There were even a few little pastry cakes, called Inaka Manju, set aside for the occasion.  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

Seichiro smiled at the monk, and sat across from him, giving him a small bow once he sat down. "And here I was, getting ready to make some tea, only to find it already made itself!" He would pick an empty cup, and let out a soft sigh. "I saw Kyumi-san's victory! A good bout, that was. I'm sure she's very proud of herself. Tell me, Kan-san, where did you get these Inaka Manju from?"  

[Plainsfox]

@ Scorpion Tent

Kojiro would shrug "As you wish. I suppose you don't want to learn what I learned during the Kyujutsu competition either. Nor do I take it, you want to know what Jiro told me?"

The Bayushi would flop in his cot and relax, awaiting Maru's response.  

[Psychofish]

((Roll to come if it needs one/once Rain advises me on what to roll.))

Denbe would strain his eyes for a moment to see if he could recognize the man, or make out any features that might give him a hint as to his identity or clan. But after that and taking a glance at their expressions to see if he could tell whether this seemed to be a business like meeting or a friendly meeting from his safe distance, he'd continue his stroll toward his tent. No reason to stick around and draw attention to himself as appearing to try to eavesdrop on strangers. Especially since if he'd stayed longer, it would have essentially been the truth.

He supposed he should just have joined a conversation, rather than chasing blindly after his first curiosity. It wasn't as though he had any reason to believe her of having any connection to any Bloodspeaker or Kolat activities, so he had no reason to investigate after her. That curiosity was simply his vice.