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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 5, 2014 10:50:02 GMT
Kousei stumbled away, somewhat perturbed by what he had heard from the ronin. A full scale riot would not be a good omen for the wedding either. Someone is doing their best to disrupt proceedings, he thought. Maybe it's a preliminary action from the kolat, or are there additional parties at work here? And what purpose does this serve?
Kousei ran his fingers through his hair, pulling it slightly in frustration. "I wasn't built for this kind of work" he muttered aloud. He made his way back into the castle, his bloody appearance drawing a series of horrified looks from some of the courtiers. He was heading back towards his own quarters, but it wasn't long before a delegation of attendants intercepted him and followed in his footsteps discussing which kimonos they should put him in.
"Would one of you make yourselves useful and find a shugenja? I need to wash and then purify myself." As one of the functionaries scurried off, a mocking tone came from down the corridor.
"What more should I expect? Covered in blood and bullying the attendants. You are a true paragon of the courtesy of the Crane." Kousei's heart sank as he saw Doji Aoshi advancing on him, immaculately turned out as always.
"I hear that there is a riot going on outside. Were you the cause of it? I expect that would truly delight our Champion. Here we are trying to put our past with the Yasuki behind us, and here are you causing trouble with our hosts."
"I was not the cause of it, Aoshi-san, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. In actual fact I was assisting our hosts with their problems. Now if you wouldn't mind getting out of the way, I have to get changed."
As he stalked past, a final comment drifted back to him. "You will never change Kousei-san. I don't think you know how."
Kousei strode into his bedroom and stripped off the bloodsoaked kimono, leaving it in a heap on the ground. By the time he had finished cleaning himself there was a knock at the door, signalling the arrival of an Asahina who conducted the purification ceremony for him. It wasn't too much longer before he was redressed, looking once again like a proper member of the Crane. As he placed his daisho back into his obi he wondered what else could go wrong today. At least there was the party this evening to look forward to.
Taking a deep breath, he left his quarters to go and see what had happened in his absence.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Mar 5, 2014 11:02:36 GMT
No Togashi-san. You won't. You are a guest in Crab lands. Satomi spoke clearly. Excuse me but I need to clean up this mess. The last thing she needed now was a massacre in a celebration day, topped by an Ize Zumi setting fire at Crab soldiers at Yasuki Yashiki gates. Anyone found culprit will pay for their … unnecessary violence.
Satomi used the time she thought the monk would need to calm himself down, to shoot orders to a pair of taisa, who hurried outside the castle to fix the issue as she commanded. They knew Satomi was talking very seriously about avoiding further violence against the crowd, as much as possible: Crab peasants were a precious asset, and their voluntary collaboration was essential for the duty in the Wall. Also, she never meant to incite violence, she demanded a search for the Bride.
Please, she turned to the monk. Tell me what happened. And… Who are you?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Mar 5, 2014 12:19:41 GMT
Attempting to control his anger, Te drops into a lotus position. After several minutes he answers who he assumes is the captain of the guards. "I am commonly known as Kurimuzon Te, last brother of the Mokusei Temple. And lately a wanderer who travels with the merchant Moshi Yoru". He glances up at the captain and continues "I was approached by the little sister who said she needed help getting to the palace. We had just started in this direction when the riot had broken out. Little sister started to panic after seeing the horseman behead a poor peasant because he could not move fast enough. In desperation to protect her I asked the earth to aid our travel and carried her here".
Smiling, Te looks the woman in the eye "Be assured, I have no desire to harm your guards or people, but I ask leave to be your instrument to punish any you find culprit". His smile turns dark "the horseman has abused the power he has that should be used to protect the people."
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 5, 2014 13:42:53 GMT
As Kousei stalks deeper into the keep, he comes across a room that has three Shiba warriors dressed for battle with naginata in hand standing in front of the door. Inside the open door to this room, that has been re-purposed from a simple parlor to a phoenix clan bunker, sits Chisato, who is wiping sweat from his brow as his karo shakily tries to pour him tea.
He sees Kousei looming over his guards on his way past, "Daidoji san! Is everything alright, whats going on? Has anyone of note perished?"
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 5, 2014 15:25:03 GMT
Snapped out of an inward facing reverie, Kousei looked round at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Chisato-sama, I am glad to see that you are all right. I..." He stopped and looked pointedly at the Shiba until they moved out of the way and he could enter the room to speak with the Asako daimyo at a more normal volume.
"I am not sure as to whether anyone of note has perished, to be honest Chisato-sama. It was extremely chaotic, and the Crab were in process of putting down a full blown riot when I was escorted back to the castle. I believe that Kaneka's bride was in that litter, but the Crab will have given their lives before any harm came to her."
He looked around, casually, and opened the fan that one of his attendants had been thoughtful enough to give him. It felt unnatural in his hand, but he held it up in front of his face nonetheless.
"I got close to one of the ronin during the initial conflict" he whispered. "He said that the Crab launched an unprovoked attack while they were peacefully waiting for Otomo Nihume to arrive. He seemed desperate enough that I believe him. Something sinister is going on here."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Mar 6, 2014 1:54:55 GMT
Satomi pondered, listening Kurizumon's explanation of the facts.
Dragon-san, I am Kaiu Satomi, general of the Crab Clan. I appreciate your sense of justice, and above else, your sense of compassion. Can I ask you to be into the castle at least while my secretary take notes of your testimony?
Looking him in the eye, she continued:
About your request, I have both the duty and the right to decide how to judge inappropriate behavior and what punishment is due, as long my decision conforms with the martial laws. Doing differently would be power abuse, the same thing you accuse this man. I'll make sure justice is applied, rest assured...
She issued some orders to have the monk hosted with the Dragon delegation, if any, and his testimony taken.
"Kurizumon Te"-san, did you come alone to Yasuki Yashiki?
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Mar 6, 2014 2:22:50 GMT
"I did, yes" he stated "I was to meet Yoru here. I apologize General Kaiu, I meant no disrespect". Bowing to Satomi he continues, "I would be happy to speak with your secretary. After which I hope one of your people could show me to an inn or temple where I may rest and reflect on what has happened".
After following the servant for a few steps Te stops and turns to Satomi once again. "Is there by chance a dojo in the city? I would like to work off some energy someplace that I know nobody would be hurt".
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Mar 6, 2014 2:44:34 GMT
Very well...
So... Yoru, my brother, is about to come to the city...? This, and other mental notes about the Dragon who saved Nozomi's life crossed her mind, then Satomi bowed to Kurizumon Te. The Crab clan owed this man a favor.
The Yasuki family will make sure to give you directions and access to both temple area, and to a dojo as well.
My clan will not forget you saved Lady Nozomi's life, Kurizumon Te-san.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 6, 2014 5:32:52 GMT
Watching the man who was likely sweating and had so recently shed blood raise a fan to his face actually made Chisato look at the tall bald man as if he was crazy. He slowly reaches a hand up as he doesn't even hide his incredulousness at the Crane's actions and lowers the fan away from his face with the tips of his fingers.
He was still paying attention, his mind flicks back to the scene right before the combat, thinking about the faces he saw in the crab contingent, "Are you sure the bride was with them? I didn't see any women of note other then the champion, Daidoji san..."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 6, 2014 12:02:50 GMT
Kousei was slightly perturbed by the daimyo pushing the fan away, but did his best to continue anyway. "There was a litter in the middle of the fray which the Crab were guarding. From the sound of it, they suddenly attacked the ronin to make it look as though the ronin were trying to capture or kill the bride. She would have been hidden rather than an obvious part of the contingent, Asako-sama."
The Crane gave up with the fan and stuck it back in his obi, slightly haphazardly. If anyone was attempting to lip read then so be it.
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 6, 2014 12:51:01 GMT
Chisato got to thinking about the word of law, and it being powered by testimony. "Which crab did you talk to, did any have a higher rank you you, Daidoji san?"
He had no idea what started all of this, but he did know that if Kousei was adamant enough, his testimony could really damage the crab's image even more then it already has this wedding.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 6, 2014 18:27:57 GMT
"I haven't spoken to any of the Crab yet, Chisato-sama. I was 'escorted' from the scene when the peasant riot started. I have yet to hear their side of the story, but when things are calmed down I would very much like to speak to some of those guards. Perhaps you would join me? Your formidable intellect would be much appreciated..."
As he was speaking, Kousei recalled Aoshi's comments about their hosts and their relations with the Crane. His speech tailed off, as he began to think about the implications. What happened if he made the accusation that the Crab were massacring innocent samurai, albeit ronin? In all likelihood that would strain diplomacy beyond breaking point. But if it was the right thing to do...?
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 6, 2014 20:46:07 GMT
He scratched his chin, puffing up his chest some, "I can be formidable at times, I suppose." He then remembers who he is and shrinks down some, "But I probably shouldn't... crab are rather imposing. You say they killed ronin? Technically there is no crime there... but the timing is what started this.... needless mayhem. Its appalling!"
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on Mar 6, 2014 22:22:32 GMT
The speech was drawn forth almost against the Crane's will.
"Technically there may be no crime in killing ronin, but inciting a riot? Surely there must be a way of accusing them of something?! If that were the correct thing to do, I mean."
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Post by Asako Chisato on Mar 7, 2014 4:58:30 GMT
He continues to scratch his chin, "Give me names of some of the crab, and I can gladly help you find a way to accuse them of improper breeding, and questionable stock of heritage... other then that I really am not much help to you, Daidoji san."
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