L5R - Unity - Chapter 1 - Winter Solstice

[Glory Sieg]

Kyouya looked nonplussed... but that's mostly because the mask had no way to change it's expression. "Excuse me?" she said after a moment. "I only need to check on the Kraken Princess to let her know the location of some of her yojimbo. Allow me to deliver my message and I will be on my way."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Gendo:

Akira would put his cup down, moving his hand instead to the jitte. "First off, I am aware you made this for Doji-hime's competition yesterday. I have to admit that while the jitte is not perfect, per se, I also know that its creation was rushed, while you worked in an unfamiliar forge without all the resources you'd necessarily want available to you."

Picking up the weapon, he would turn it in his hand. "With the new year coming, we are going to have a new crop of fledgling magistrates out of their gempukku. Jitte will need to be forged for them. This will be an opportunity if you wish to seize it. Is this something that interests you, Himura-san?"

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@ Naohiko:

Ruri would laugh, covering her mouth with her fan as she did so.
"Oh my, Naohiko-san. You realize that it was me who presented it on your behalf, don't you? I hope you aren't actually this dense."

Smiling brightly at you as she moved her fan, she would comment,
"I wonder if this is the quality Kaichiyo-san sought when she chose you to protect her during court." Her smile would turn into a large grin, and she would bow her head. "That came out wrong. My apologies."

Her smile would wane, but not disappear completely, as she adjusted to sit more comfortably. Not addressing your question, she instead would continue. "It's been, what, four or five days since your arrival, hasn't it? Harrassing the Hare, strife with Satoko-san, discord with that Dragon fellow, Senzo... it seems you've been having some trouble, Naohiko-san. Is there anyone you've had good fortune to encounter yet, Naohiko-san?" Her voice would pique as she asked this final question, as if extremely curious about your response.

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@ Kyouya:

The same Daidoji who spoke before would shake his head. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. The affairs of another clan - a minor clan, of all things - is not important in this matter. We are trying to clear the halls before we begin a sweep to try and find someone of interest that needs to be brought in for questioning; having you wandering them will put yourself and a lot of others in danger. Tell me the message if you deem it so important, and I'll see it will eventually get to the Kraken. But I'm going to have to insist you return to your room, as requested." After a brief pause, he would add, "This should take less than an hour's time before the situation is resolved, if that is any comfort."

The guards seem adamant about you turning around, and you aren't getting by without a roll of some kind. But you can also turn away without any confrontation without rolling.

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@ Kaichiyo:

You can't quite get a bead on this woman, beyond the fact that she seems extremely anxious and worried. (Ties go to the defender)

The woman would tighten and loosen her fingers several times, as she glanced at the door. "More Daidoji, and Chikuma-san will be at our destination, and you will be safer there. But... but the man you brought with you declared he was going to come straight here if he got free. You aren't safe, Himura-san. But please, at least arm yourself," she would implore, gesturing to your daisho stand behind you.  

[Raganui Minamoto]

Gendo looked at the man. Why was he asking a foreign clan, especially a minor one, to do this? It could be a way to try to cut costs or such, but it could be very good to do so. Experience, some recognition, and some money for the clan. "It is. I would ask that you consult with Himura-hime about the lending of my services to you, Doji-san."  

[Plainsfox]

The Kraken samurai massaged Setsuna's neck as he pretended to ponder the Mantis question. "Well, I met a very nice couple that ran a tea house, and Shosuro Kyouya-san has been very helpful." Naohiko then adopted the expression of an idiot who just realized an obvious fact (An expression he uses far too often unintentionally). " I nearly forgot this very charming, intelligent, and beautiful priestess who has graciously allowed Setsuna-chan and myself into her presence despite what one might consider a bad first meeting.."

The bushi then patted Setsuna's head as he adopted a thoughtful expression. "What I know of the world tells me that such kharma may be furthered if it were repaid. I only wonder what a poor duelist of a minor clan may be able to do to balance the great debt put upon him."

OOC:
Awareness/Courtier
Purpose: To nudge Ruri-san along
Raises called: 1 to do so in a way that flatters her
Results:20-5 for raise =15
Roll is in the OOC Thread  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Kaichiyo listened with a furrowed brow, and nodded, turning to retrieve both her katanas and string them in her obi, markedly putting the second on her right hip. She had no actual skill in using two katanas, but it made for an intimidating feature, and if she was being defended by another it allowed for a greater deal of defense than just her wakizashi.

"Right... I suppose I wouldn't know where to even begin searching for them. There will be guards here to escort them when they come back?" she queried as she began gathering her things into her traveling pack - a task that didn't take long at all - and returned to the door prepared to leave.  

[Glory Sieg]

It would be a cold day in Jigoku before Kyouya let a Crane deliver a message for her. Instead, the Scorpion nodded in acquiescence and turned to return to her own room. Her somewhat peaceful departure was disrupted by a small sneeze as someone spoke about her.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Kyouya:

As you relented to the wishes of the Daidoji, they would appear relieved. "Thank you for your understanding, Shosuro-san. We appreciate your cooperation during this investigation."

As you part and start to head off, the guard would call out to you one last time before he and his partner were on their way.

"Oh, and if you see a lone female Daidoji, please, do not approach her. She should be considered highly dangerous."

After making sure you head off, they continue their sweep.

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@ Gendo:

Akira would nod. "Of course, I would go through the proper channels, and likely will petition to have Doji Sayuri-sama make the formal request in writing with your own daimyo. Any work that would need to be done, won't need to be started until the spring, so there's time yet to enjoy the winter court."

Examining you as he drank from his teacup, he would set his cup down. "I sense that there's something bothering you, Himura-san. Perhaps you do are not enjoying this blend of tea?" He seems to be scrutinizing you now, as if he senses something wrong.

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@ Naohiko:

Ruri's grin widened, her eyes narrowing what Naohiko might interpret as menacingly. "You are a coy one, Naohiko-san." Rolling her eyes up towards the ceiling, she would tap her cheek with her index finger. "Repayment... repayment..." The motion was exaggerated, before she smirked and re-established eye contact with Naohiko.

"I'll tell you what. If you answer my partner's question, then I'll consider the debt repaid in full." Reaching down to her waist, she would pull out a small cloth bag, and after loosening the silk string, she would dump the contents onto the table...

Sand.

She would shake the bag until the entirety of the granules were evacuated into a pile. Taking her hands, she would begin to smooth out the sand until it was flattened into a rough disc shape.

"What say you, Naohiko-san?"

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@ Kaichiyo:

Give me a Perception/Investigation (Notice) roll.  

[Plainsfox]

Naohiko would c**k his head at this. This visit to Kyuden Doji was really starting to play out like his visit to his grandmother's. Lots of shugenja doing weird things and spouting things at him that he could not understand.That trip had ended with his grandmother saying "I'm sorry, grandson. It's too late."

The bushi sighed deeply as he kept a squirming Setsuna in his arms and then....for reasons unknown to him he took his right thumb and drew a character in Ruri's sand disk with his thumb. Something about this situation was slightly beyond his ken. Doing this would either answer her partner or throw Ruri off. After he did so, he would answer "Very well, if it is within my power and honor to answer, I will."

OOC:
Void Roll to draw a character on the sand coming from his instinct.
2k2 w/ 1 die to handle explosions
Results: 11  

[Raganui Minamoto]

"While I am honored to have you ask me to do this work for you, I am confused as to why. I will admit that I did not think my work yesterday was enough quality to choose me instead of using your own smiths." He shrugged his shoulders lightly.  

[Glory Sieg]

Kyouya moved far enough to make it seem like she was departing, making sure the guards went along their way before stopping. Glancing about idly, the Scorpion would try her best to sneak back towards Kaichiyo's room.

Stealth Roll: 4k3 (dice for explosions) = 9  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Kyouya:

Sneak sneak sneak! You decide to sate your own indiscriminate attitude towards what the Crane do and don't want, and try to make your way around the castle anyways. You're pretty focused on trying to remain unseen and unheard, focusing intently on making sure you don't run into any Daidoji guards, when...

Shhwwwt!

A sliding door opens when you are stealthing right in front of it. A servant girl gasps at seeing you there, and drops the plate she was carrying, as it shatters onto the ground.

Almost immediately, you hear Daidoji plated footfalls making their way to your exact position.

"For kami's sake, Mei, you had one j- a Crane woman Kyouya would recognize would start approaching from around a corner. "Oh! Shosuro-san! What are you doing at this part of the castle?" Sawao would ask curiously.

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@ Gendo:

The Magistrate would frown slightly at Gendo's voiced concern. "Truthfully, you're a bit of a 'happy accident'. I wasn't expecting someone with your level of talent last night. I'm the one who normally places the order for smithed jitte and other tools for new magistrates. But some of the current smiths the Crane have available are, frankly, lazy. Decades of peace will do that to a industry that forges weapons of war."

Pausing, he would grab what looks like a weapon from his obi, wrapped in silk. At a glance, it appears to be another jitte, but when placed on the table and unwrapped, Gendo would see it messily sheered in twain. It wasn't even a clean cut. "I'm hoping your inclusion will be a positive infusion into our production, both by your own merits and by raising the bar for other smiths."

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@ Naohiko:

When Naohiko reaches for the sand circle, Ruri would scowl and whack at his hand with her folded fan. "No! Bad!" Setsuna would shrink back as he heard the scolding, even though it was not meant for him.

"Sorry," she would immediately apologize, her expression lightening. "That's for my partner, not for you. Now..." Ruri would clap both her hands together, and look slightly upward.

"Go ahead, Mi-kun. Show him what you showed me!" she said cheerfully to... what appeared to be no one.

Suddenly, Setsuna would begin barking, as dogs are apt to do, though he definitely didn't seem to be barking at anything, at least anything Naohiko could perceive.

Then, the sand would almost immediately begin to react. It was as if someone or something else was drawing it in, but it was more 'simultaneous' than what hands could accomplish. It was not drawing words or a character, but instead, seemed to be crafting a drawing. A face, so to speak.

As the seconds passed and the details became more fine, Naohiko would immediately recognize who the resemblance was. The mystery girl, from last night.

As the drawing 'finished' its creation and ceased, Ruri would turn and resting her cheeks in both hands, she would ask, "Who is she?" with utmost curiosity.

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@ Kaichiyo

Yeah, even if the armor penalty to stealth was ignored, you still beat her roll by 1. While your back was turned, the woman has drawn a concealed knife and lunges towards you; luckily, you hear her footfalls as she suddenly dashes, giving you appropriate time to react accordingly!

Kaichiyo, roll me initiative!

Mystery Girl's initiative - 14; Attack Stance  

[Plainsfox]

Naohiko would wince as Ruri rapped his hand with her fan. Being treated like a dog hurt more, though. Keeping Setsuna under control forestalled much of his response. Since no blood seemed to be involved, Naohiko was going to assume that whatever going on wasn't illegal. The bushi cocked his head at the sand etching of the girl. It looked like Ruri's spirit could etch a sketch. "That looks like a serving girl I ran across last night. If I may ask, why does she hold your interest?"

OOC:
1st roll: Awareness/Courtier to hide the fact that he knows more than he's letting on. 5k3 w/ 3 dice to handle explosion (first eight)
Results: 25

Intelligence 3k3 to recall Mystery Girl's name w/ 2 dice to handle explosions (Last five)
Results: 40  

[Raganui Minamoto]

Gendo would look at the broken jitte and frown. "Then I will make sure to encourage Himura-hime to look favorably upon your request. I cannot condone shoddy workmanship. Those who take up this craft should take it very seriously." He set his cup down carefully, nodding to himself. "If the request is accepted, I would ask that the man who assisted me yesterday be brought back to do so again. He handled himself well."  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Maybe it was the incident with the Hare that had left her on edge even in her own room. Or perhaps the big debacle with the Mantis girl yesterday, but the sound of rushing feet while she was securing her weapons to her obi sparked the warrior within her, clearly out of place. In an instant she spun and gave a little hop backwards, just in time to see the flash of steel slice through the air where she had once been.

"Honorless coward!" she cried out quite loudly, quickly assuming a trained defensive stance and drawing her daisho. She couldn't flash them out at her perfected iaijutsu speed with their awkward position not fully secured, and the sheath of her katana quickly fell to the ground without being tied in, but she was still a trained bushi, and her expert reflexes made sure she was ready for her foe's next strike before the assassin could follow up on the failed ambush. Of course, she couldn't imitate the Mirumoto all that well, but she at least knew how to make the two-weapon style a tiny bit more effective for defense.


[Defensive Stance, adjusted ATN: 27
Two simple actions to draw katana and wakizashi
Raw Willpower 2k2 vs. TN15 to avoid Performing under stress = 12]  

[Glory Sieg]

Kyouya blinked -even if it was hard to see behind the mask-, as she met gazes with Sawao. "This isn't the Kraken quarters at all," she said after a moment, looking about. She glanced to the sound of the steps before looking back at woman.

"Well, I'm trying to see Kaichiyo, but some Doji are saying it's dangerous and won't let me pass... which means I have to pass to make sure she's safe. Given our conversation last night, would you be inclined to help me getting there?" It was probably the most Sawao had heard the Scorpion say to her... or in general, but the look in her green eyes was awfully sincere.

Courtier: 6k4 (4 extra dice for explosions, plus all the free raises) = 39!