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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 10, 2014 7:00:10 GMT
"I don't think so at the moment," Kasumi said after some reflection, "I first want to check all the investigations done on this topic before I start running around in all directions at once. I think this subject can benefit from a more structured approach."
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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 Jun 10, 2014 15:11:43 GMT
Very well, Tsuruchi-san. My Lady's retinue will be travelling back to Kyuden Bayushi only in the end of week, but I'm going to leave by the morning, so if you wish…
They're interrupted by a brief scratch at the door, by the height of it in on the sliding door surface, probably a kneeling servant bearing an urgent message.
You may enter. Satomi spoke, intrigued.
The door slid and the servant kept kneeled and eyes low, delivering a folded paper to the Bayushi woman. The Scorpion reached the paper, and read it hastily.
How come…?! She mumbled. Then, recomposing herself from the absurd message, she turned to Kasumi. Dear Emerald Magistrate, this Empire is surely in need of some efforts regarding security. Can you name someone that can help me to help my clan? Seems an accident happened somehow to some of Sezaru-sama friends.
In fact, the message stated very clearly that Shosuro Mai, bride to Shosuro Sezaru, was found dead in her quarters at the castle. But what the heck, it was just impossible! They've got to be kidding! And what's more, it's quite an obsession with brides and marriages! She thought.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 10, 2014 18:27:01 GMT
"That's something either for the local magistrates or the Emerald magistrates, depending on what exactly has happened," Kasumi said, "attacks on the imperial family are always for the Emerald magistrates to investigate, but if it's something that happened to his friends, it's probably for the local magistrates. Unless the crime is imperial in scope, then it's our job again. So if you just got a letter, I assume that either of those groups is already on the case. But what is it exactly?"
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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 Jun 10, 2014 18:47:43 GMT
I still don't know _ of course I do, it's the first round of my testing _ but I need to check. Nobody wishes to have this lovely festival in the very home of the Empress to be spoiled as her older brother's wedding was, right?
Satomi stood, straightening her kimono. Tsuruchi-san, do you mind in accompany me? I don't wish to overstep any boundaries of law doing what is necessary to help the Scorpion in a dire time, neither I wish to have my clan's name into a scandal. So maybe you can advise me... Please?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 11, 2014 6:19:55 GMT
"I can always have a look," Kasumi said, standing as well, "but then I need to know what's going on, so I can see what we need." It wasn't an unreasonable request, but Kasumi wasn't sure how Satomi would react. She had been educated as a bushi, and a Crab at that, and not a courtier, like a lot of Bayushi. Well, if she needed advice, she would have to give more information, as it was impossible to tell anything she hadn't said already based on what she knew now.
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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 Jun 11, 2014 10:54:47 GMT
Seems someone breached the Seppun guard's security, aiming at the Scorpion retinue. Someone got hurt… maybe dead. That's all I know. I don't want to bring shame upon the Seppun guard, nor causing unnecessary panic. For what I know, right now, besides my Champion, I am the first person to be made aware about the crime. She spoke calmly, a bit curious on why this Emerald Magistrate could consider listening to her more important than witnessing by herself, and in first hand, a crime scene. May we go?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 11, 2014 12:36:00 GMT
"Okay, lead the way," Kasumi said, while her mind was racing. This was going to be another fun one, as the Seppun guards had the idea that everything that happened in their castle was their responsibility and theirs alone. She hoped her new status would help, but she would have to be quick to prove a connection to her field of investigation or she would, politely of course, be requested to take her business elsewhere. And as imperial family, the Seppun had a lot of political power if they wanted to. Most of the time they would stay in the shadows and let the Otomo take the lead, but in security matters they were supreme amongst the imperials. That also made her wonder who could pass people trained to find assassins everywhere.
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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 Jun 11, 2014 13:40:49 GMT
Both women headed to the Seppun Kyuden's wing reserved to the Scorpion retinue, and everything at the reach of the eye seemed part of a perfect calm and normal day at Imperial court. Courtiers passing by and bowing politely at their passage, guards in their positions and servants doing their jobs as expected.
Once they entered the Scorpion quarters, of course, they were in a world apart, chambers and corridors temporarily transformed to provide a shadow casting ambiencing properly fitting to the clan tastes. Yet, it was quiet and serene, not at all disturbed by uncommon events, or so it seemed at a first glance. A Scorpion servant was expecting for Satomi's arrival and led them to a finely decorated double door, which was opened at her request.
F………! By the hounds of Jigoku, why me?!
That was Satomi's inner reaction to the scene waiting for her. Externally, however, she just grimaced at the obscene view.
The luxurious chamber was impeccably arranged to host an important guest of the Imperial family, except for the dead corpse of a petite woman bent upon herself, in the middle of the room, glued to the exotic carpeting by a pool of dried blood. Her long undone hair covered partially the body.
Well well, Lady Mai is no more.
Though I'm sure it's not a novelty to some like me and Shiba Kaigen.
One of Shosuro Mai's servant pointed out some papers over a table. Satomi laid eyes upon them, but they're sealed letters, so she didn't touch them. Shosuro Mai's laced mask was resting by the side of the brush and ink set. Uhn, so it's supposed to be a jigai. Sezaru-sama's bride committing suicide…What a tragic happening... she managed to say.
Even the most obtuse of the servants could notice the absence of a rope around Mai's ankles, and strange black bruises in her wrists…
Certainly, Lady Mai's death would cause a problem to her clan...
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 11, 2014 18:53:40 GMT
What the hell was happening in this empire, Kasumi thought as she walked into the room. This was the second time she had to investigate a marriage gone wrong for one of the empire's brothers. Only this time it wasn't attempted murder, but they had succeeded. And the marriage ceremony hadn't been performed yet. "Looks like Jiigai," she concurred, "but where do those marks come from? This is going to be a tough one, Satomi-san." "Does Sezaru-dono already knows about this," she asked to no-one in particular. Unconsciously she had taken charge of the scene. Since the victim could be considered family of the Empress, even though they weren't married it, it had been close, this would be an investigation for the Emerald magistrates. She really needed some Yoriki to help her with this.
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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 Jun 11, 2014 20:42:52 GMT
Oh, you bet he does. Satomi glanced strangely to the Mantis woman for a moment, pondering this woman's role in this event. Both were now treading a very dangerous path, while dealing with whatever Sezaru and Mai related. Satomi remembered when she found out a battered Shiba Kaigen out in the Winter Court, and his strange report about a "clown"..., She finally said: No, he doesn't. My champion asked me to take care of it. So, how one address both the Seppun's duty and the Emerald Magistrates' jurisdiction, while dealing with the sentiments... and involvement, of the Imperial family? Shall I ask for a Magistrate to be nominated to this case?
Poor one.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 12, 2014 6:48:45 GMT
"Normally the Seppun and the Emerald magistrates work well together," Kasumi said, "there are even quite a number of Seppun who are part of the magistrates. As for jurisdiction, any crime against the empress or her family is under our jurisdiction. And since this is frighteningly similar to what happened to Kaneka-sama, I might even get away with calling it part of the same conspiracy and working on that angle. But we best get some additional people involved. Luckily we have a large number of magistrates in the capital. If you would excuse me for a second, I have to talk to some people."
She left the room and looked for a guard, quickly finding two. She sent one with a message to the chief Emerald magistrate of Kyuden Seppun with a request to come as quickly as possible for a case of the utmost importance. As he would have to appoint resources to the case, she wanted him to see things with his own eyes. The second was put in front of the room to guard the scene, so that nothing would be disturbed until they could investigate.
"Satomi-san," she asked when she re-entered the room, "where is the victim's yojimbo? At least, I assume a woman of her status had one, or even more."
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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 Jun 12, 2014 14:17:26 GMT
Yes, she does. In fact, both a Seppun and a Scorpion yojimbo. I'll find them… or what happened to them. I'll do it in a moment, yes?
She whispered something to a Scorpion servant, and the woman left, apparently glad to be allowed to leave the crime scene. Satomi wandered through the room before she was required to leave as well, obviously scanning the chamber for clues she could point out, and discreetly sniffing the air around. She reminded Kaigen's words about a choking smoke, and for her, only one person could fool two excellent yojimbo… A very skilled assassin, or someone they couldn't afford to face.
I can't think of a reason Lady Mai could have to commit jigai. She was very exultant about being bride to the Wolf, for what I remember. Lovely, lively person. She commented to no one in particular, tilting her head to a side while observing by a final time the dead body at the center of the room. Finally she sighed, straightening herself.
I'm leaving to find Lady Mai's yojimbo, Tsuruchi-san. I truly appreciate your disposition to help. She smiled at the Mantis woman.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 12, 2014 20:16:42 GMT
"I loath assassins," Kasumi said, "and every one I can take out is one less to worry about." She had to think back to her youth, when some killers had attacked her, her sister and some servants. She had been the only survivor of that raid and she had her sense of justice from there. No killer would escape her wrath, no matter how long it would take.
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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 Jun 13, 2014 2:02:58 GMT
Satomi nodded, understanding that her Kasumi's sense of justice resides in her core, wasn't something faked or shaped by bushido or education. Now, she was struggling with her own sense of justice. Not that she had any proof for her theories, but not everyone has means to play the Scorpion game against the Scorpion.
Not long ago, she tried to find out what happened after the events in the Winter Court, the attack against Shiba Kaigen and the ronin Sakura. This coincided with Shosuro Mai's mysterious retreat from the court. First, Satomi hired a Tsuruchi bounty hunter to find the ronin Sakura. All he discovered was that, not long after the Winter Court, Lion peasants found a dead body of a samurai-ko, in a well. The Lion law enforcers reported it as being from the ronin playwright Sakura. The astonishing resemblance between the Shosuro Lady and the ronin was noticed, but the Scorpion clan, when inquired, affirmed that Lady Mai was going very well, already in her estates, and alongside her family. Satomi tried to find a link between both women, even tried to gather help for it, but the events at Yasuki Yashiki overwhelmed her curiosity about the weird story Shiba Kaigen had told her. Of course she thought she could have some kind of political leverage uncovering any devious plot involving the wolf's marriage, but she had her own problems to deal and now… she was standing on the other side of the fence.
Loyalty was an important tenet for the Scorpion, but what the heck… Changing skin is not so easy... Right?
At the corridor, she met Bayushi Paneki. Both had similar functions to their Champion, however, Paneki was very skilled in the Scorpion ways, which was not Satomi's case. They bowed to each other, but her 'senpai' seemed to have something to say:
Lovely day, Satomi-san… I understand you are taking care of the practical things about the unfortunate decision of our cousin Shosuro Mai…?
Lovely indeed, Paneki-san…and I understand you are taking care of the most… uhn, social aspects of it? Like telling her new family we are striving to find another good wife for Sezaru-sama? And I got the "cleaning"?
Ohohoh… What I got here? A pouting? Lady Satomi… You always took wise decisions before… Besides, I live to serve. If my Champion wishes me talking to the Empress and Shosuro Sezaru-sama about a new bride… that's what I do. And you…
Satomi sighed, ignoring his ironic tone. Ok, then, I feel I wouldn’t like to swap, in fact. Tell me, Paneki-san… Her yojimbo…?
A problem, my dear Satomi-san. Ours, Bayushi Tonoko, got a night off and Seppun Seiichi… Will probably kill himself and tell everything in a cryptic and beautiful haiku, what else an honorable yojimbo would do to atone his failure? Nono, don't tap your foot impatiently at me, it's impolite. And childish. Nor do this GRRRR face at me. Uhn, this face I like. But this one you should reserve for your enemies only.
Are.You. Telling me or not. What happened? She spoke through her teeth.
How can I know? I'm just returning to my chamber to get properly dressed to give this sad news to the members of the Toturi family. I'm not interrogating any Seppun guard, nor do I talk to the dead… Do you? A wide smile ensued.
Thank you for your inestimable help, Paneki-san!
You're welcome, Satomi-san!
--- She soon discovered that Seppun Seiichi was waiting to be taken to a questioning in his room, under Bayushi Tonoko's guard. He was polite and stubbornly silent, probably because he was being "kept" by the Scorpion… Clearly ignoring it was for his own good. And to avoid him to kill himself before speaking what he knew.
I have one single question to you, Seppun-san. The man raised his eyes to her.
If you had either a sword to kill yourself right now, or tell with honesty everything what succeeded only to your daimyo, which one you'd prefer?
Seiichi's mind clearly raced, as he deeply breathed and glanced at both Scorpion women.
The sword. He said.
Satomi exchanged glances to the other Bayushi, and unsheathed her own blade. He was unarmed, his own daisho in a rack far from his hands.
Take it. She offered. Fall over it. One day your descendants will know you kept loyal until the end. I promise.
After a slight moment of hesitation, Seppun Seiichi did it.
----
It was an accident. He was faster than me, and got my sword before I could prevent it. Satomi told to the Seppun guard coming to attend Tonoko's call. What the problem with this little "white" lie? His hands were firmly grabbing the hilt of the sword buried in his belly, anyway.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jun 13, 2014 8:16:54 GMT
A bit after Satomi left, three magistrates arrived as well as some more Seppun guards. The head Emerald magistrate in Kyuden Seppun, Ikoma Haruki, had been an Ikoma warden before he became an emerald magistrate, so he knew about these kinds of investigations. And as an Ikoma, he also had some political feeling, which probably was why he had gotten this post. The two others were magistrates who had been assigned to her for her new group, Kitsuki Katsuo and Kakita Mitsuko. Haruki listened to her explanation, including the similarities between this and the attempt on Kaneka and his bride not too long ago. He told her to continue the investigation and to report to him. He would also take care of any Orders of Appearance she would need, as he could write those, being the head emerald magistrate in the city.
While she didn't believe in the Kistuki method, she did direct Katsuo to the body to see what he could discover. This was a high profile case, and everything they could find would be useful, even if it was only to know what questions to ask. She had Mistuko round up all the servants who had been in this room the last day and bring them into a seperate room where they could be questioned. While her fellow magistrates were doing that, she went in search of Satomi and the Yojimbo. She found them quickly. "That's unfortunate," she said to Satomi when she was informed of the death of the Seppun yojimbo, "he could have provided information we needed."
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