L5R - Unity - Chapter 1 - Winter Solstice

[Rain Yupa]

@ Gendo:

"Ah, I'm afraid I don't know this 'Naohiko' of yours," the man would reply, giving a jarring half-smile that seemed ill-timed for the situation. "And while I acknowledge you believe the truth of your own words, I suspect that your own talents are covered by a blanket of modesty. You must admit that you still are more experienced than probably any of us," Danjiro would say, gesturing once more to Setsuna, who let out a happy bark.

"Could you please at least come and observe us, and maybe at least tell us one or two things we may be doing wrong? Any guidance would be appreciated."

Gendo, he seems pretty insistent, and moves as if to lead you to the garden. You'll have to roll Awareness/Etiquette (Courtesy) against the courtier to politely withdraw from this situation; otherwise, you can relent without rolling.

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@ Naohiko - Your knowledge roll in the OOC thread tells you basic information you would have heard about the Hare Clan. Namely, that it's about 500 years old, the basics of how it was founded (and kind of destroyed then reforged), and the prominent members who helped in both instances. You don't get too much without raises. But what you probably mostly get out of your recollection, is the Hares' hatred for and dedication to hunting maho-tsukai. Which apparently you tried to have one befriend her? Or something? Hopefully there's someone who has more information about that you could ask.

And your roll... kind of succeeds. You definitely don't come off as very threatening you think, when she, with a bright red face, stomps towards you suddenly, snatching the origami from your hand with a lightning-quick motion, dropping it to the ground, viciously stomping on it, before marching away - and unless physically stopped, out of sight.

You suspect that the timing of your offering was a bit off.

@ Kyouya, Kaichiyo: You were present enough for that where no details of the exchange escaped you. Luckily, beyond some token Daidoji who were politely ignoring the scene lest they lose class features honor, you seem at least fortunate that no one else was around.

Which is curious in of itself: Where is everyone else? (Spoiler alert for Kyouya: Probably starting to gather for the Crafting competition starting soon!)  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"I did not attack her!" she declared vehemently, looking back up with pleading eyes. "She was hiding in my room, staying behind me like some ninja. I threw my shoe behind me expecting to disrupt an attacker or pervert. I did not know it was her when I threw it. I also still do not know what her intentions were, hiding unannounced in my room like that. I regret what has happened to her since, but our actions at the time were entirely justified."

She was far less vehement when addressing the second issue. "Shi was no friend, and hardly a companion. Just a monk that spent some time on our island, and happened to travel with us when we left for court. That he was a Maho-Tsukai sent to infiltrate our clan was quite obviously something I did not know."

She let out a little huff of distress and returned her face to the palms of her hands. "Is the mainland always like this?"  

[Raganui Minamoto]

Gendo just sighs, relenting to follow the man. He was certain he could feel the smug amusement coming from the fuzzy b*****d that got him into this trouble. Plus, he had the feeling he was forgetting something.  

[Plainsfox]

The Kraken origami crafter sighed as he collected the remains of Bunny-tan and headed towards Kaichiyo's room. Naohiko would then knock on the pane and wait to be allowed admittance or directed elsewhere.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Gendo:

As you near the garden area, the darndest thing happens. All the dogs, of assorted youthful ages and sizes, all immediately stop. Stop the noise, stop playing, they stop everything, and simultaneously turn their heads and lock eyes with you.

Danjiro seems to realize that it's unusual but didn't seem to expect this to happen, nor did any of the other potential dog trainers when they looked at you with confusion.

Gendo, the only sound that breaks the eerie silence is a happy lil' bark from Setsuna, and all the other dogs are simply staring at you. What do you do?  

[Glory Sieg]

"Good, stick to that story," Kyouya advised. "We certainly don't want people thinking or even hearing that you have any relation to a Mahou Tsukai. We're trying to avoid all the sharp beaks, yes?" She walked forward, sitting before the forlorn woman. "You have you stories, be sure to stick to them, truth or lies they may be. Any change of phrase would ruin everything. And yes, I suppose this is where I say 'Welcome to the Winter Court'."

At the knock, she rose, moving back to the door, opening it. "Ah! Naohiko! There you are, I was just coming to see if I had to rouse you as well!" She made no motion to mention what they had just overheard and seen, instead nodding to him.

"Are we all prepared?"  

[Plainsfox]

The Kraken bushi would bow politely, mostly to give himself time to regain composure. It was actually relief that Naohiko had to conceal. For some reason, the Kraken samurai doubted that a major clanswoman would wear a trinket gifted to her by a minor clan samurai. "There's always tomorrow, if Kyouya-san wishes..." Naohiko remarked in a cool, deadpan tone. "Kaichiyo-hime prefers the song "The Ningyo's Groom" if I fail to wake when she requires me." The song was one of the bawdy sailor tunes that Chiyo-chan had picked up during her education. It involved ALOT of shouting.

Passing on from that, Naohiko would respond to Kyouya. "I would like to say yes. Do you know what our hosts have in store for us?"  

[Raganui Minamoto]

Gendo just stares at the dogs. This wasn't good. Either they would be obedient and he'd have to deal with samurai wanting him to train dogs for them, or they were about to make him have a really bad day. Either way, things were going to get worse for him. Still... he had to do something.

Gulping lightly, he just raises a hand, though ready to run. "Ah, sit?"  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Gendo:

As you make that hand gesture, the dozen dogs gathered here suddenly arched their backs, hairs standing on end as they bared their teeth and emitting low growls. Over this sound, Gendo could hear all of them rolling initiative.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"It's not a story!" she declared, somewhere between desperate and insulted that Kyouya would even remotely imply she was not being truthful. Honesty was a core precept of bushido, after all. Likely fortunately, she didn't have much time to dwell on it before Naohiko was entering the room.

"Heh... well, it's not the sort of thing I would sing here. Jaunty tunes are one thing, but I would never... hmph..." she trailed off with a little huff, letting the conversation move on. Good thing too, for as soon as the event was mentioned she perked right back up again. "Oh! Right! It's late, we should really go. Don't want them starting without us."

Not waiting for any comments or objections, she quickly hopped up, grabbed the coat just in case, and headed out to the gathering area. Though if they followed well enough, she would pull Naohiko aside partway through and speak quietly to him. "Hiko-kun... we're done with the Hare, okay? This has gotten too far out of hand. We'll... have to do something if she starts going around talking about Shi, but for now we stay away. Understood?"  

[Plainsfox]

Naohiko would nod to Kaichiyo. Vengeance for Bertram would have to come later.As soon as he was bid to, he'd follow his childhood friend to the event.  

[Raganui Minamoto]

"Good day, Daigotsu-san." And then he turned, picking up Setsuna, and bolted.

Initiative - 3k2+5 - 25  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Gendo:

If you're not sticking around, initiative isn't needed. However, it does appear to be that you're fleeing from battle. If you agree to that, that's a 6-point honor hit; otherwise, you can argue to the contrary. You have a chance to change your mind, and change your action, if you'd like.  

[Raganui Minamoto]

Loss of Honor or attacked by a swarm of dogs. Tactical Retreat it is, even at the hit.  

[Rain Yupa]

Two thirds of the Kraken delegation, along with a Scorpion escort, arrived in the main hall with a large gathering of other samurai - apparently, the window of opportunity for breakfast had closed, and it seemed to be a announcement of the day's event. Don't worry, Kyouya, you've had time to eat.

"Good morning, everyone," Masanori would say aloud in greeting. "First off, I apologize on behalf of the Crane for the earlier start of this event than those of the past couple days. However, due to the circumstances of this event, those of you participating will surely understand." After his respectful bow to the crowd, he would continue.

"Today will be a Crafting competition. But due to the wide variety of crafts out there, it would be insulting to strictly regulate which will be permitted for the constraints of time. As such, we have no direct plans on running this, beyond giving ample time for the participants to complete their works. After all have been completed, our honorable princess Kioko-hime herself will judge the works, and she alone will pass judgement on the best three items, with special consideration given to the first place victor."

Doji Kioko stood nearby, and would smile politely as her subordinate explained in detail. Kaichiyo, Naohiko, you both spot on the far side of the chamber, Gendo running at top speed across the way as if he were being chased, but no one seemed to be following him. The (important) Crane did not notice, their backs turned, but you feel a good number of samurai gathered here did. No one made any indication about it though, because it's an easy honor gain.

"At this point, I ask that everyone interested to step forth, telling us both your intended crafting display and how long you estimate it will take you to complete. After these details are made known to us, we will determine the time when Kioko-hime will judge the entries, for those of you who wish to see what is created."

Not quite as many samurai stepped forward immediately, as some began to discuss things with peers and clanmates at first. There's time to go fetch Gendo, even, assuming he tires soon. No destination or duration was given, so I imagine he'll stop running when he runs out of steam.