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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 13, 2014 12:26:10 GMT
After her conversation with Chisato, Kasumi had requested some paper and ink to start writing her report for the archives. It went well until the time where the 'mysterious heimin' arrived on scene. There she saw that she missed something, namely the testimonies of Yasuki Odai and Shiba Kaigen about that man. She had seen the body, but that was it. So she decided to visit Odai and Kaigen, starting with Odai. She didn't have any papers to force him to cooperate, but she had some influence after the trial and other than that, she had to be diplomatic. Besides, she still wanted to obtain some tea so that could give her an entry.
Going to his offices, she requested to see him. After some time she was admitted. "Yasuki-sama," she said as she bowed, "thank you for seeing me on such short notice."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 13, 2014 14:43:39 GMT
Odai was tired. His attendants may have done a fantastic job covering up any physical signs that the young Yasuki had spent all night in his office, but one who could see past the facade would see the exhaustion behind his eyes. Such was his lack of mental acuity that, upon his karo's introduction of Kasumi, he even had to be reminded who she was.
As she entered, he stood and gave a slight bow, attempting his most charming smile, though perhaps wondering what business the magistrate could still have with him. "Fortunes smile upon you this morning, Tsuruchi-san. Have you had rice today?"
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 13, 2014 18:05:30 GMT
"Inari has been good to me, Yasuki-sama," Kasumi said, before going to business, "my reason to come here is twofold. First I would like to obtain some tea for home, and I know the best tea comes from the Crab lands. And my second question is concerning the person you and Shiba Kaigen-san have been following yesterday. I've seen his body but to complete my report, I would like to know what he said, if anything and I was hoping you could help me with this."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 13, 2014 19:43:29 GMT
Odai nodded, motioning for Kasumi to join him at his table and gesturing to his attendant who quickly began laying out a tea set. Of course that's what she wants...
He took a seat across from the young magistrate, eyeing her carefully. While he doubted that she was here to investigate him, it did not hurt to be cautious, especially considering recent events. "Absolutely, honorable Tsuruchi-san, the events of yesterday were rather hectic and we were not able to properly collaborate our information. Rather regrettable, really, perhaps if we had we could have prevented Reiha-sama's death." He sighed, taking a sip of his tea before continuing.
"Alas, such thoughts do us no good now. All we can do is attempt to hunt down those responsible, and to such ends I shall be more than happy to assist you. What would you like to know?"
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 13, 2014 19:47:08 GMT
"Thank you, Yasuki-sama," Kasumi said, "I wanted to know if he was interrogated after he was caught and if so, what did he had to say."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 13, 2014 23:20:45 GMT
Direct and to the point, my dear Mantis... Very well. This could work in my favor, perhaps.
Odai sipped again from his cup, giving Kasumi a scrutinizing look for a moment, seeming to contemplate something, perhaps her allegiances before continuing. "Very well, Tsuruchi-san. Shiba-san and I apprehended the infiltrator who called himself Gempachi as he attempted to escape using the service tunnels beneath the palace. Upon capturing this man, after he very nearly took my life, he was escorted quickly away for interrogation before he died from the injuries he suffered."
The Yasuki's tone had changed, no longer filled with the charming, casual arrogance that seemed to constantly bubble to the surface of his demeanor. Instead it was replaced by an icy cold anger, one that barely came through his otherwise businesslike persona, yet to Kasumi it was very tangible indeed; almost a palpable hatred for the man of which he spoke.
"During questioning, I discerned that this Gempachi had been in the service of those called the Kolat for 10 years, the son of a heimen merchant whose name I was unfortunately unable to learn. He told me that Reiha-sama was indoctrinated when she was 17, an event that even she was unaware of until the unfortunate events at my new cousin's wedding. He also told me that not only is this despicable organization growing in influence since the death of the glorious Toturi I, but that these recent events were designed to drive the Yasuki family back to the Crane, as per the interests of these Kolat scum." This last part very clearly filled Odai with a great distaste, as though he had swallowed something unpleasant.
He took a moment to finish his tea, seeming to center himself and returning to the confident business man he normally attempted to portray, though there was hesitation in his voice at his next words. "There is one more thing, something that involves your Clan. Several months ago, before the Winter Courts, there was a trade dispute between Mantis and Crane. An Ide diplomat was called in to help mediate the issue, but the man was killed before the conflict could be resolved."
With these words, he looked Kasumi dead in the eye, a dark seriousness to his voice that few ever heard. "I discovered that this Gempachi was the assassin, and he killed the Ide on orders from someone very high up within the Crane when they discovered that the Ide's resolution was unfavorable to them."
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 14, 2014 6:53:30 GMT
This was not what she had expected, and to order her thoughts, Kasumi took her cup of tea and took some sips. She wasn't aware of the winter court trade disputes, as she had been at another court during that time and she also wasn't sure how this would help. It could provide some friction between the Crane and the Mantis or the Unicorn and the Crane, which might be the reason Odai just mentioned it. On the other hand, what could he have to gain to cause friction between the two clans. She would have to check if that trade dispute existed and if the Ide had indeed been murdered before she could make any decision on how to proceed with the information. It would also be something that would never stand up in a court, the word of a dead heimin against the word of a highly placed samourai. But it was definately worth to investigate more.
"I thank you for the information," she said with a nod, as she was sitting down, "Do you know by any chance where this Gempachi comes from? It might be easier to find back some family and trace the Kolat."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 14, 2014 15:25:57 GMT
"Unfortunately, he... expired before he surrendered any information about his family." Odai calmly poured himself another cup of tea, watching his companion closely as he did so. Under normal circumstances, he would blanch before willfully giving this much information freely and willingly, especially to a magistrate, but these were anything but normal circumstances. "And him being of such low birth, I fear that finding out more may prove difficult."
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 14, 2014 16:27:11 GMT
"Then I guess we'll never get to the heart of the case," Kasumi said. She really wanted to, but it would be next to impossible to get more information. And with 'someone high up in the crane clan' she couldn't do much. There were simply too many of such individuals. But it was clear that the Kolat had become a threat once more and that threat had to be neutralised. She made a decision.
"At least we can inform the Unicorn, the Crane and the Mantis that we have found the killer and that he confessed," she said, "as he is a known Kolat agent, proclaimed such by his own words and accepted in the trial by the Emerald champion himself, it is clear that the Kolat wanted to keep the relations between Mantis and Crane on a bad level, just as they wanted to do between the Crane and Crab. I will look into it to see if I can uproot more information about the Kolat. It is time we put and end to those people once and for all."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 14, 2014 16:39:50 GMT
"I couldn't agree more. In fact, Hachi-dono has tasked me with exactly that, in addition to my other duties, so perhaps our paths will cross again, Tsuruchi Kasumi-san." His mind raced, as it had been since last night. Odai had been presented with a unique opportunity, while avoiding what could easily have been political suicide, with the overall outcome playing out more or less how he had anticipated. He was not safe; he had no such delusions to that effect, but he was on far more stable ground than he would've thought before the previous night played out the way it did.
"Now, before we return to our respective duties, you wanted to discuss something else? Tea, I believe," he continued, his serious, cold demeanor melted away once more as he returned to his disarming, charismatic self.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 14, 2014 19:38:06 GMT
If she was surprised by the sudden change in subject, she didn't show it. Despite her current popularity, he was still higher in status. "Indeed, Yasuki-sama," Kasumi said, "Now I might have to entertain higher ranking people at home and while I have tea, I would like to have something with just that bit extra. Like what can be found in the Crab lands. I would consider it a personal favour if you can point me to some good places where I can obtain some."
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 14, 2014 20:24:02 GMT
"Of course, my dear, after your exemplary work investigating this unfortunate incident it would be my pleasure to acquire some fine teas for you. Perhaps a small variety of blends? I happen to have a stock of several of the most popular, including those favored by our glorious Empress and her esteemed brothers, if you would like."
The seamless transition between ruthless governor and suave merchant was his trademark, and as such he pulled it off with panache; in fact, there are some who might say that it was almost two completely different personas in one.
"This very blend is the one preferred by the honorable Han- excuse me, Kitsuki Naseru-sama, that I introduced to him several years ago," he continued, pouring himself another cup and offering the pot to Kasumi.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 15, 2014 6:11:27 GMT
She poured herself a cup as well and took a sip. "This is not bad," she said, "I personally like something a bit more sweet, but I can see how someone would like this. If possible, I would like some of this blend, something a bit more sweet and if you have it, the blend liked by Yasuki Hachi-sama." That way she would at least be able to offer her boss the tea he liked, should he visit her one day.
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Yasuki Odai
Rogue, Ruffian, Rapscalion
Crab Clan
Posts: 157| Likes: 91
Of course I have what you need...
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Post by Yasuki Odai on May 15, 2014 16:31:10 GMT
Odai nodded, smiling disarmingly as he did so. "Absolutely, Tsuruchi-san, Lord Hachi-dono's favorite it is, along with some of this, as well as something sweet... Perhaps Dawn's Blossom, from a tiny little village up in the mountains..." He seemed to drift off for a moment, lost in his own thoughts, before snapping back to the present.
"Anyway, my dear, I shall have the teas delivered to your quarters this evening. I wish not to be rude, but alas, I have much to do before tomorrow. I depart for Aiso ni Ryokosha Mura, my home, to attend to my duties there before beginning my task for Hachi-dono." He stood, bowing to Kasumi, his demeanor still warm and inviting, but it was clear he was very tired, and was doing his best to not be rude.
"May the Fortunes smile upon you, Tsuruchi Kasumi-san, and if I can ever aid you in this endeavor again, simply contact me."
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 15, 2014 17:44:39 GMT
"I understand, Yasuki-sama," Kasumi said as she stood up and bowed, "I do not want to keep you from your duties and you have been very helpfull. If I can do something for you, please let me know." With another bow she left his quarters, but instead of going to her own quarters, she went to a garden to think things over. She had gotten some extra information and she would have to see what to do with it.
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