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Post by The Storyteller on Apr 5, 2014 13:29:43 GMT
OOC: This is a direct sequel of Kaneka's Wedding Part 2 Seventh Day of the Hare MonthThe day after the tragic Wedding went with the arrival of Imperial Legionaries assigned to guard the castle and, in the indirect words of Yasuki Hachi, make sure nobody would use their personal influence over individuals under their orders to alter the result of this investigation or cause yet more problems. The common mood into the walls of the Yasuki Yashiki was of paranoid and tension. Part of the noble guests were angered to be forced to stay until it was resolved in a sort of trial, while some were really interested in either help or be fed with the hottest news about the case. "Three Crab Queens" were involved; rumors of taint leaked. The messengers stumbled over each other in the corridors, running to deliver letters and gossips. Although some important names of the Rokugani nobility were direct involved, and thus, confined to their rooms until they could be listened, it won't prevent them to send and receive messages, or to receive visits (while it was discouraged). There's no doubt people were trying to manipulate the results whether out of compassion, or for political interests, lobbying in the right ears for the best result. Soon the sad new that Kuon's son didn't survive reached the ears of the rumor mongers. Reiha was said to be fully recovered by the arts of the shugenja, and was, as some others confined to her chambers. Emerald magistrates, aided by the Crab magistrates, arrived to interrogate those noble persons, and had a day to perform this delicate task before the gathering at the evening.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Apr 5, 2014 14:23:23 GMT
Tsuruchi Kasumi had been riding hard to get here from Toshi Ranbo, only stopping to sleep when there was no other option. She had requested new horses at emerald magistrate posts along the route. She had arrived late in the evening and after being given quarters, she took a bath and decided to go to sleep when she heard that the emerald champion had already retreated for the night. Also it would be better to start whatever investigation she needed to do freshly rested. But there was something strange when she arrived at the castle. There were soldiers of the imperial legion standing guard, which was strange even with Kaneka present.
The following morning she requested a meeting with the emerald champion.
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Post by The Storyteller on Apr 5, 2014 15:35:20 GMT
'Meeting the emerald champion'
Tsuruchi Kasumi had requested to be woken at first light and the servants had done so. Now she had sent a servant with a request to speak with the emerald champion. When she have word her request was approved, Kasumi was given directions to where to be to talk with the emerald Champion. In the corridor to reach the improvised office of the Emerald Champion was sort of crowded, a buzz of nobles, guards and important persons coming and going. A line of servants were delivering, one after other, requests of meetings with Yasuki Hachi, properly pre analyzed by one of his trusted secretaries.
After some waiting, a servant guided Tsuruchi Kasumi to the office of the Yasuki Daimyo. As expected of a person of such high ranking, he wasn't alone, but surrounded by his personal staff, scribes and guards. Yasuki Hachi had a well famous good looking, and even if the night before had temporarily stolen some of his vitality and good mood, he was still the perfect image of an Emerald Champion.
She entered the room and dropped on her knees as was normal when coming in the presence of one of the highest people in the empire. "Yasuki-sama," she said, "Tsuruchi Kasumi reporting as ordered. I'm here to investigate the problems with the riots."
Sure thing. He said, his voice hoarse and a bit tired. He eyed the Mantis magistrate, pondering how to use her abilities. This Tsuruchi woman had been indicated by a trusted advisor as very efficient and married with a former Hida, and that's why he was convinced she could help with the riot case. Deciding she would be best suited to a more delicate task, he said: Tsuruchi-san, unfortunately we have new and most urgent matters to investigate, and your help will be required for another task. In fact the Empire need your help to interrogate some important persons... As you may know by this time, last night a group of persons invaded the higher floor of Yasuki Yashiki, where General Kaneka and his bride were resting. Both Hida Reiha-sama and Yasumi Nozomi were severely injured. Unfortunately Reiha-sama indeed had a miscarriage. Kaneka-sama says he was attacked by Hida Reiha, and the involvement of some high ranked personalities makes the story even worse. General Kaiu Satomi, Asako Chisato, the new Asako daimyo, and a trusted Iron Cran called Daidoji Kousei, make part of this story and seems to know more than I could grasp from my brief talk with Kaneka-sama. The Shogun Hida Kuon-sama is quite angered, and talks about a plot to assassinate his spouse, while he seems a bit reticent about directly accusing someone. He took a deep breath, reaching a paper he consulted before handing it to Kasumi: I know we have some witnesses, as a monk called Kurimuzon Te, though his behavior was appointed as weird by some. I was alerted that, prior the wedding, Kaiu Satomi was confined by her champion Hida Reiha, but somehow she managed to escape and chased Reiha-sama through the upper floors, along the Daidoji. Not sure about the role of the Asako daimyo in this story, though, but some say he sent his clanners to talk to some persons in the party ith some urgency. You'll have all the names in this list. Do your best, and consider it's a very delicate job. We don't need to unnecessarily offend people more than we already did. By the evening I'd like to have your reports and your presence in the Daikoku's Hall, where we'd be holding a court. After a moment of silence, he reached another paper, read it carefully and stamped with his personal seal. You have my leave and my written permission in this Order of Appearance to interrogate even those rokugani of note, Tsuruchi-san. They'll understand I can't be everywhere. You can have an assistant, that you can use to interrogate the soldiers, but this document will make you my personal representative for this case to the most prominent figures. With the first smile of the meeting, Hachi nodded, showing a bit of his legendary charisma: I count on you to represent me well.
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Post by Shosuro Himitsu on Apr 5, 2014 15:38:15 GMT
The Shosuro governess had a quiet air about her, confined to her own space she seemed to emulate the grace of proper poise and conduct in the wake of these events. Her environment had been a mix of Crab practicality, but the subtle elegance of the Crane era within the space was not entirely lost as the luxurious and somewhat ornate cushions kept her from touching the floor. She owned this room and took the time to settle in for a much longer stay, layers of paper strewn about the room, a wet cup of ink with a brush beside it, a lantern close by that kept her company whether it was day or night. Which was just as well, she seemed to prefer to shut out the outside of the caste.
Her attire had somewhat relaxed as she was caged there, but she didn't mind it as she sunk into a slight girlhood tendency. Barefoot with loosened kimono robes, still effectively covered but certainly emanating that very trusting at home feeling, legs extended out to the side. She had no need to impress anyone here, she was not expecting an interrogation today.
For what she was doing it was clear she was still utilizing her time efficiently at least, arranging letters and documents to be signed and distributed for various individuals within the city. Building permits, trade agreements, it was all really quite dry work but she seemed content to busy herself in the proper affairs of her station even if she didn't feel like maintaining the guise of a proper governess in that quiet private moment.
She paused for a moment to take tea from a servant who dutifully provided it while she remained under house arrest, placing the tray to the side as the table was so occupied by her bureaucratic work. When she was alone once more she winced a bit, feeling another itch in her leg she could not ignore, after a less that satisfying scratch she did her best to remain composed. Outside the braying crow could be heard circling, by the Kami did she hate crows.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Apr 5, 2014 16:33:31 GMT
"I will, Yasuki-sama," she said, keeping her face bland while her mind raced. This was something quite different from investigating some riots which were annoying, but not much more than that. This was something of a completely different level and she almost wished that it was only the riots. But she had been given an order by her superior and that was that. Besides, Desire was one of the cardinal sins and she had no intention of falling prey to it for something she couldn't change. "With your permission, I will start immediately, Yasuki-sama," she said. He nodded and after bowing, she took the paper and left the room.
As it was still early, she decided to start with the monk Kurimuzon Te. He would probably be awake already and it wouldn't do for her to interupt higher ranking people. While she had a paper saying she could, it wouldn't be polite and she had understood that tact would be required. So the monk first, she decided, asking a servant where his quarters were. When she arrived there she knocked on the door.
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 5, 2014 16:43:02 GMT
Te knelt in front of the shrine at the Yasuki temple. He was stripped to the waist and covered in sweat from pushing his body through hours of kata. He had done what he could to tire his body, now he must calm his mind. He had failed in his vow to protect the young bride. He must not lose his temper. He must not let others suffer, at his hands, for his failure. He must keep control.
Ignoring the guards, Te starts to wash from the small bowl of water that he consecrated. He had felt the Taint on her. He needed to make sure it had not spread to him. This ritual would cleanse both mind and body, allowing him to search his inner self for any infestation. He could not afford to let the taint infect him and combine with his own inner darkness.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Apr 5, 2014 17:12:58 GMT
Apparently the monk wasn't in his room, while Kasumi was under the impression that everybody was confined to their rooms. Some questions later she was directed to the temple. Probably the monk was allowed there. So she went there and as she entered she spotted him. She waited a bit until he had finished his rituals. "Kurimuzon-san," she asked when he came out of the temple, "I'm Tsuruchi Kasumi and I'm an emerald magistrate tasked to find out what happened with Hida Reiha-sama and Yasumi Nozomi-sama. As you were there, would you please tell me what happened that night."
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 6, 2014 0:09:00 GMT
Sensing another presence at the door caused Te to stand. Putting on the top to his gi he turns and faces the newcomer. "Please, come in" he states "I've been asked to stay here in the temple, my room, for the duration. So, like the stone, I wait. I would be happy to help in any way that I can". Gesturing for her to have a seat on one of the front benches he slides to the floor in a lotus position and starts to speak. "I do not know how it had started. I was in front of the door to the bridal chamber finishing a cleansing ritual when Reiha came running up the stairs with her sword drawn. She made no attempt to slow, or acknowledge the guards around the door. There was a strange look to her eyes and I knew that she was not in her right mind. I had disarmed the woman when the Iron Crane came upon us. Reiha ran through a secret door and took him with her. At that time Satomi-san and Chisato-san came upon me. Satomi and the guards entered the bridal chamber and Chisato and I followed Reiha. I left Chisato to assist the fallen crane and continued to follow Reiha into the bridal chamber. I entered the room to see Keneka-sama defending himself from Reiha and... and then Reiha stabbed Little Sister. I did what I could to save Little Sisters life," he sighs, "I'm sorry, I lost much of what had happened after that". Te gives slight shudder at the end of his story. "Is there anything else you wish to know"?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Apr 6, 2014 7:45:25 GMT
"There are a couple of things, yes," Kasumi said, "first, you said that you had disarmed Reiha, but also that Kaneka was defending himself from her when you entered. So that means she had another weapon, right? And do you know where she might have gotten that? Secondly, can you tell me who was all in the room when you entered? thirdly, do you know who hit Reiha? Was it Kaneka or someone else? And lastly, what do you mean with 'lost what happened later? Did someone hit you?"
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Apr 6, 2014 9:35:21 GMT
Shiba Kaigen, on leave from the First Imperial Legion and hating it, grimaced and shifted his weight slightly. Normally, as a gunso, he avoided guard duty... but to judge by the stories he was picking up on, he could understand why he'd been stopped.
He just found the scrutiny he had to subject every passing servant to quite tiresome.
Should have traveled through the Crane lands. More ponces, fewer murders.
...
Well, actually...
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 6, 2014 13:25:12 GMT
"Of course" Te responds. "The weapon that I pulled from Little Sister was a tanto with a broken blade. I do not know where she got it from, such a small weapon could have been anywhere on her. Inside the room was Reiha fighting Kaneka-sama, with Little Sister at his side. Satomi-san had just entered the room with a few guards. I do not know who struck Reiha, after Nozomi was struck she was my focus. I concentrated on saving her life. There was little I could do other than staunch the flow of blood until the other woman arrived. I did not get a good look at her, I was too concerned at what my senses where showing me was wrong with Nozomi, it was like a stain, a darkness on her soul that had not been there before. No one had struck me Magistrate-san, like the bee, I could only concentrate on one thing"
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Post by Hiruma Kenshin on Apr 6, 2014 15:11:05 GMT
Kenshin let out a sigh as he resigned to put his investigation regarding the rising prices on hold. He was at least able to get his friend, Katsu, to check with his sources on the prices of cloth and pepper in various lands. As Crab magistrates have been called in to help in the investigation of the events after Kaneka's wedding Kenshin proceeded to Yasuki Yashiki and the senior Crab magistrate in charge to await his assignment. After missing the senior magistrate a few times he was finally able to catch him in the gardens. Waiting until the senior magistrate finished issuing orders he announced himself.
"Sir! Hiruma Kenshin reporting." He said with a bow.
"Ah! You're the new magistrate aren't you?" The senior magistrate asked. "The duelist Masagoro-sama mentioned. What brings you here?"
"Hai, sama. Today is my first day as a magistrate. As soon as I heard about the troubles here I wanted to help. Unfortunately I haven't spent much time in the palace and I am unfamiliar with the guests currently here for Kaneka-sama's wedding." He bows before continuing. "Please let me know how I can help the clan."
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Apr 6, 2014 15:44:17 GMT
Kasumi looked at Kurimuzon as if he was mad. "You mean like... taint," the last word was wispered, as if saying it out loud would bring it to be. She really hoped this wasn't the case, as that would complicate matters even more. One advantage she had was that she had been on the wall and she had seen the taint in action. And another was that there would be Kuni in the castle, who could help with that if necessary. She only hoped it wouldn't be necessary. "And that woman, any idea who it was? A description maybe, or at least an idea of the clan?"
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Post by Kurimuzon Te on Apr 6, 2014 15:53:03 GMT
" I believe it was", the answer causing Te to shudder. "I have never felt anything like it, but nothing else could be so dark. As to the woman, I have no idea, She wore no clan colors, just a dark outfit. Feeling the taint brush against my senses overwhelmed me."
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Post by Asako Chisato on Apr 6, 2014 16:19:10 GMT
Chisato began his day like he would any other, with a sneeze, a stretch, and a yawn. "Ow!"
He looked down to his bandaged arm, and suddenly recalled what was going on. He had been stabbed by a geisha. Memories of last night flooded into his thoughts. He looked about, he was in a spartan yet oddly elegant room of the castle. Small room. He went to a mirror and collected his appearance as best he could. His right kimono sleeve had been torn off so his wound could be dressed. His attire was in shambles. He huffed, he hated pomposity, but neither did he like feeling like discarded street trash, he was a samurai after all.
He went to the door to his room and tried to slide it open. It didn't budge. He tried harder. Still no give. Was he a prisoner?
He looked about again worried, what if the kolat had secured him? That would be very bad indeed. He resolved he needed to find out more. "Uh, hello... are there any guards out there?"
"Hai, Asako sama. Good morning." came the gruff reply of an imperial legion member, "I am with the legion, at Yasuki Hachi sama's behest. Is there anything you require?"
"I need to speak with Kaiu Satomi san as soon as possible, or Daidoji Kousei san, or maybe you can tell me... what happened? Is the shogun alive? And if you could, I would appreciate seeing my karo or any of my vassals and servants... I look like a wreck, I need a new kimono..." his stomach gurgled, "and some food would do as well. Tea, and if I could have my traveling pack brought to me, I can blend my own tea, its a very nice blend the empresses-"
"Sama," he cuts him off, "The Shogun is unharmed, as to the rest, I'll see what I can do." Chisato noted very clearly that the man did not leave his post. Chisato harumphed and sat back down on a cushion.
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