Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Jul 1, 2014 9:33:21 GMT
Moments later and both ladies would discern that the atmosphere became a bit more heavy. Since both of them were proficient in tracking and scanning they'd easily note that a Moto shugenja was sitting in the tea house, savoring his tea, troubled in thoughts. His right hand was missing and he had his dark hair worn in a ponytail. His kimono had a deep purple hue and he wore a finely trimmed long mustache. He coughed instinctively as he casually glanced a Mantis lady tagging along her Scorpion friend.
"Women...one cannot be so sure as of what does a lady's friendship bring...Mantis and Scorpion being friends....tsk!" he thought to himself.
And he resumed looking out of the tea house's window once again.
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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 Jul 1, 2014 13:08:20 GMT
Ha! Isn't funny? She thought, when Kasumi told part of their "misadventures" in the road.
Uhn, that's a man with a propensity to be a problem magnet, Tsuruchi-san. Things around him eventually will burn, collapse or wreck up, it seems. However, seems too he's loved by the Fortunes, as he always find a way to survive. She smiled. Is he around?
When Satomi noticed a somber Unicorn from the Moto family sat by a table not far from their own, although she could immediately recognize him due their positions in the room, the missing hand and his characteristic cough was enough clue. The Bayushi woman leaned forward her Mantis companion.
Tsuruchi-san, a mysterious item was found by our servants after the investigators left the crime scene. Satomi produced a small paper wrap from her obi but didn't unwrap it. It's a sort of trinklet or charm I've only seen before in Unicorn lands. Both things were half truths, but Satomi wasn't planning to explain further. I'm under impression Lady Mai could be involved in things that could scandalize some shugenja… All I know about this sort of item is a bit controversial, so I'd like to have a specialist's opinion.
I believe we could use help from a person I trust completely… as long as we can reach him, of course. Moto Arandaru-sama, Moto Chatagai's hatamoto. I already had been at the Unicorn Embassy seeking for him, but seems like Shinjo-kami is smiling upon my ventures. He's right now in this very teahouse. Do you mind if I invite him to our table? She surely was aware that he was a Champion's hatamoto and she wasn't General Kaiu Satomi anymore, so in the case he was interested in talk to them, he would invite them to his table instead of joining theirs.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jul 1, 2014 16:39:59 GMT
"If you think it can help the investigation, by all means," Kasumi said, while looking at the object. While she wasn't sure it had been taken after she and her assistants had been looking at the room, it was not something she could say without causing a political problem. But that was beside the point. If it was indeed something from Mai, it would be interesting to know what exactly it was.
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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 Jul 1, 2014 16:55:11 GMT
Minutes after having Kasumi's accordance, she sent one of the teahouse servants with a message from Bayushi Satomi, yojimbo to Bayushi Sunetra, and Tsuruchi Kasumi, Emerald Magistrate, asking the pleasure of the Unicorn hatamoto's honorable company. Satomi's unaltered personal mon showed, of course, that this Bayushi Satomi was indeed the same person responsible for severing Arandaru's hand off not long ago.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Jul 1, 2014 18:49:17 GMT
Arandaru glared at the servant..
"Bayushi Satomi? Sunetra's yojimbo" he'd merely think... "No way!" he thought as he rose from his table
He paced angrily over to their place with a murderous arrogance.
The magistrate assistants would merely experience an alarming feeling as Arandaru approached the ladies.
"Good morrow ladies.." as he glanced over their bosoms...or was it their mons?
"Thuruchi-san, Bayushi Satomi-san, now if this isn't a surprise..!" he said without any exclamation at all.
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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 Jul 1, 2014 19:52:07 GMT
I hope our invitation wasn't a sort of offense, Moto-sama… If it was, I deeply apologize. Not a drop of sincerity in her voice, however, as a bit surprised by his vigorous and somewhat aggressive acceptance as she was, she found a bit funny that his appetites remained the same. She always liked the Unicorn men's vigor, even if they're shugenja. Would be almost impossible to put an Asahina apart from their tea table with such hastiness.
Please, let me introduce Tsuruchi Kasumi-san, Emerald Magistrate and Personal Assistant to the Emerald champion.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jul 1, 2014 21:28:07 GMT
"Greetings, Moto-san," Kasumi said with a nod, as she was sitting down. Her status as personal assistant of the emerald champion made her equal to the hatamoto of a clan champion, so -san was possible. She hadn't seen many unicorn in her life, seeing they didn't often came into the mountains as it wasn't easy on the horses. She had the feeling there was some history between Arandaru and Satomi, but that would have to wait. "Some tea, moto-san," she asked.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Jul 2, 2014 7:09:35 GMT
Arandaru threw an angry glance at both Kasumi and Satomi which quickly became a slight grin.
"None taken Satomi-san. There has been some time and I've missed you so much my friend." his stern look still remained and if there weren't onlookers some serious hugging would've been involved.
He turned his attention towards the Emerald Champion's advisor. The -san issue mattered little to Arandaru, for position would only come with deeds with fame and worth accompanying it.
"Greetings Tsuruchi Kasumi-san." he sat with the ladies ordering some tea with an extra clay cup. This man would break all the facades and norms but not intentionally. Arandaru would only care for niceties and extravagances when needed. And right now he didn't feel like being in such a place.
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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 Jul 2, 2014 9:30:49 GMT
After recognizing that some of the angry looks was more part of a "macho" attempt to keep composure before strong emotions (she had seen it a lot when among Unicorn, and even Kuon was a bit like this), Satomi felt quite content and didn't hide a dimpled smile. I had been at the Unicorn Embassy looking for you, and then by chance found you here, my friend. Let me properly express my joy of finding you well and vigorous as ever, in a proper dinner at a posh place this evening… You are of course invited, Tsuruchi-san. Her tone indicated it wasn't just a nicety, but a precaution. A crowded teahouse wasn't a good place to start some detailed conversations about crimes involving Imperials, and of course some Crane present were fanning themselves too emphatically as wondering what exciting meeting was going on in that table. Going directly to the point, Satomi once again handed the magic object still wrapped in fine paper. If one could sense its magic, a paper probably wasn't enough coverage, but she believed it could still avoid one to have a glance of its form and "gaijini" carvings. Some matters I'd like to discuss with you are of the Empire's interest, Moto Arandaru-san. tsuruchi kasumi-san was trusted with a delicate matter that somehow involves a famous Scorpion personality. In fact, two of them. And we found a strange object that maybe a highly specialized shugenja as you can help identifying. If you accept to help, maybe you wish some time with the object…
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Jul 2, 2014 10:01:46 GMT
Arandaru nodded. He didn't like the sound of it. What could Satomi mean by "a famous Scorpion" personality? All in all he couldn't bear but nod, his heart trembling at the prospect that his vision was beginning to come to fruition.
"Tell me more Satomi-san" he dropped the formalities. "You have my assistance. Please explain further."
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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 Jul 2, 2014 10:48:06 GMT
Well, you surely remember Lady Shosuro Mai… It was found along her belongings… after we found out she was dead.
Of course, hiding that Sezaru's betrothed was dead was just nonsense in a city full of courtiers. By the noon probably all Kyuden Seppun had hear something about Mai's death, and by the end of the day every dinner would be filled with deviations of the original facts.
Remembering how Mai used to show a slight displeasure to "Unicorn barbarism" makes the possession of such one item even more suspicious. Finally she handed the talisman to the Moto Death Priest. Maybe it's just a misconception, Arandaru-san, Tsuruchi-san, but I'm under impression that she got this item from a Unicorn.
Satomi was aware that some Kolat used to have strange items originated from the Burning Sands as well, but due her friendship to some Horiuchi, she knew it was a meishodo talisman.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jul 2, 2014 17:12:39 GMT
Kasumi kept silent for now, sipping her tea and letting Satomi do the talking. She had the feeling she knew more about some things and for now she would listen and see what information she would let slip. In fact a way often used by Scorpion courtiers to get secrets. Sitting in a room and listening to conversations. She didn't know the object Satomi was showing either and the paper covered it, so she couldn't learn more. She hoped the Moto could and would tell something.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Jul 3, 2014 20:01:23 GMT
Arandaru's face was adorned with a grin.
"A meishodo.." he said. " It's an abjuring talisman crafted by the technique of the Horiuchi family. My mother had given me one as well."
He held the small amulet with the thin crafted thread to his hands. "Where did you get this from Satomi-san?"
A moment later he was waiting for her response but carried on with an fascinating realization. "But this one is crafted by the Moto, and specifically from a Death Priest."
His finger signified the craftsmanship. Underneath there were some differently shaped kanji, resembling more to serpents than letters. "And see these etchings underneath? That's ancient Moto." on his face formed a smile. "And by the opacity of the stone inside it, I am more than certain that this is intended to use as a guardian versus the forces of the rogue servants of death." and with that his eyes shifted from Satomi to Kasumi and backwards.
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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 Jul 3, 2014 21:16:18 GMT
At least, the Moto shugenja initial words carried away any suspicious she could have about a kolat involvement. She wasn't sure what a rogue servant of death could be, but knew that the Death Priests were a still small and restrict sect within the rokugani shugenja community.
It was in Lady Mai's possession, Arandaru-san… Unfortunately she was assassinated in very mysterious circumstances. But about this meishodo of Moto origins, I believe there should be not many of those in Rokugan… Nor many who can know how to craft such amulet... Maybe discovering who made it can led us to why Shosuro Mai had one in her possession. A woman like her, close to be married to a powerful shugenja, and having reasons to be afraid of whatever a rogue servant of death is... Of course Mai didn't share her concerns with her fiance.
A shiver crossed Satomi's spine, imagining the possibilities. And why the Seppun yojimbo preferred to die than give a testimony that could compromise Sezaru's honor.
Somehow, the initial picture she had about the crime reasons started to change.
In general lines, how does it work?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Jul 4, 2014 6:00:02 GMT
Kasumi wasn't happy with how things were turning out. An amulet to protect against rogue servants of death was not something she could be happy about. It looked that what had started as a difficult and very political investigation had become even more so. Well, times were never dull around Satomi. Maybe she would have to request an emerald magistrate to follow the Scorpion woman at all times. Although on second thought, maybe not, as it would probably be given to her and she'd rather not do that.
"And what is a rogue servant of death," she added to Satomi's question, "I mean, I've fought against the servants of Jigoku, but I assume you mean something different? It would help us if we have a general idea on what we're up against."
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