It's early in the morning, just after you've finished your prayers and breakfasts. You are approached by Bayushi Kenzo, the Guntai's unofficial second in command. He bows to you.
"Akodo-sama has requested the two of you look into a murder for Miya Onako-sama. Tread carefully, as I understand it the young man was... rather brutally slain." he realizes the company he's in and changes his words.
"There's a Doshin waiting for your arrival. He has what little information has been found." he hands one of you a letter with a name and a location.
"Akodo-sama has requested the two of you look into a murder for Miya Onako-sama. Tread carefully, as I understand it the young man was... rather brutally slain." he realizes the company he's in and changes his words.
"There's a Doshin waiting for your arrival. He has what little information has been found." he hands one of you a letter with a name and a location.
Miho turned the letter over in her hands and waited for Kuni Makari to join her before going to meet with the deputy that was their contact. Part of her was a bit perturbed that she had been assigned to the task with only him to assist but she was also curious as he didn’t behave in the way most would describe a Crab. His performance during their last investigation was excellent, so she assumed that was why he was sent although she sincerely hoped they would not have to deal with any ghosts this time.
Once they had met up, Miho exchanged the necessary niceties and kept herself as professional as possible. The Doshin was waiting to receive them when they reached the Bay of Promise and he was keen to quickly escort them to the scene of the crime, she could only assume that had a lot of do with the family ties involved in the incident.
Once they had met up, Miho exchanged the necessary niceties and kept herself as professional as possible. The Doshin was waiting to receive them when they reached the Bay of Promise and he was keen to quickly escort them to the scene of the crime, she could only assume that had a lot of do with the family ties involved in the incident.
Makari walked in relative silence as they went to the scene, it was unusual to be assigned with only one other, but if Kakita-sama was included, there would likely be some flared tempers that would need soothing. He thanked the pale Doshin and pulled open the straw door. "This is likely an attempt at..." He fell silent as he looked on at the gory scene in front of him. The stench of the dead wafted out to them, making even Makari's gut clench. The sounds of the Doshin behind him retching could be heard as his practiced eyes began to take in the scene.
Makari swallowed down his apprehension before walking in with conviction. He had to observe first, see the story, and later the Eta would assist him in looking for additional signs. Cold, grey eyes took in the area, taking note of the broken table under the deceased samurai's body and the single rope looped around his neck, likely keeping him down against the hard surface judging from the lack of slack and the carvings against the hard grained wood. Swollen, dark bruises covered the entirety of the Mantis' neck, as if a monstrous hand had gripped him with superhuman strength. The rest of the room save this area was relatively intact, considering the sight set before him.
The large Kuni stepped to the side so that those who had followed behind could take a look for themselves at what was in front of them. "It looks like you were right to call us. I'll see what we can find out." Makari looked down to his Kakita companion, wondering what exactly would be going through her delicate mind at a scene that had even shaken him.
mild gore trigger alert
To say this was a massacre would be putting light the scenes of war the Samurai have waged. The walls were splattered with dried blood stains and strips of flesh lay hanging like patches on an unfinished quilt across the room. The body itself was folding into itself, the arms crushed against a broken ribcage, muscle glistening wetly in the exposing sunlight. His kimono had been roughly torn from his chest, his family Mon ripped in two, fresh springy greens fading into ugly browns as the stains took hold like a plague. What flesh wasn't stripped from the bone was opened like bright flowers greeting the morning. The Mantis' empty eyes stare fearfully at the space in front of him.
Makari swallowed down his apprehension before walking in with conviction. He had to observe first, see the story, and later the Eta would assist him in looking for additional signs. Cold, grey eyes took in the area, taking note of the broken table under the deceased samurai's body and the single rope looped around his neck, likely keeping him down against the hard surface judging from the lack of slack and the carvings against the hard grained wood. Swollen, dark bruises covered the entirety of the Mantis' neck, as if a monstrous hand had gripped him with superhuman strength. The rest of the room save this area was relatively intact, considering the sight set before him.
The large Kuni stepped to the side so that those who had followed behind could take a look for themselves at what was in front of them. "It looks like you were right to call us. I'll see what we can find out." Makari looked down to his Kakita companion, wondering what exactly would be going through her delicate mind at a scene that had even shaken him.
Miho found the silence rather peaceful, glad that the Kuni didn’t make any attempts at the frivolous small talk so many courtiers felt obligated to fill the empty air with. She was going over a mental list of any recent gossip she had heard about Yoritomo Toyozo, the young man named by the Doshin as the victim.
Stepping into the dark room, no amount of samurai or courtly training could have prepared her for the scene that unfolded before her. It wasn’t the ichor that clung to the walls like a canvas, nor the raw meat of the man openly displayed that was the worst part. No, it was the overwhelming mephitis only a mortal corpse could produce that caused the bile in her stomach to churn and every hair on the back of her neck to come to full attention.
The Crane pride implored her to keep face in front of the Crab and not immediately retreat from the sight in a display of cowardliness and prove her clan as delicate as some would rumor. She managed to keep her fortitude better than their guide but was unable to hold her eyes on sight, instead turning them downward as she followed him into the area, unable to summon faux indifference.
”Do you think the culprit had an accomplice?” She carefully spoke so her voice would remain level as took advantage of her gaze already on the floor to look for the answer to her own question. ”It is hard to believe a person could do such a thing.”
Stepping into the dark room, no amount of samurai or courtly training could have prepared her for the scene that unfolded before her. It wasn’t the ichor that clung to the walls like a canvas, nor the raw meat of the man openly displayed that was the worst part. No, it was the overwhelming mephitis only a mortal corpse could produce that caused the bile in her stomach to churn and every hair on the back of her neck to come to full attention.
The Crane pride implored her to keep face in front of the Crab and not immediately retreat from the sight in a display of cowardliness and prove her clan as delicate as some would rumor. She managed to keep her fortitude better than their guide but was unable to hold her eyes on sight, instead turning them downward as she followed him into the area, unable to summon faux indifference.
”Do you think the culprit had an accomplice?” She carefully spoke so her voice would remain level as took advantage of her gaze already on the floor to look for the answer to her own question. ”It is hard to believe a person could do such a thing.”
The eta Makari had brought along rolled the Yoritomo over, revealing a series of extensive bruises across the man's entire torso, like he had been caught in a vise. Makari eyed it with mild appreciation at the strength required at such a feat as he continued to look around. Outside of the violent damage in the area, there wasn't much of anything out of place, and no second victim anywhere, which was unusual.
A shrill scream pierced the air behind the samurai as a young woman appeared in the doorway. She bolted forward and amidst her wracking sobs she was yelling at anyone, everyone, and noone. Makari stood in her way, and without thinking, she struck his solid chest, trying to move around the bulky Crab. With a frown, he put his hand squarely between her shoulders and shoved her clear back to the entryway "What do you think you are doing here!" Makari roared at the interruption, perturbed at having to move her himself.
"That's my brother! I knew it! I knew that bastard would get to him! That's my brother! That's..my..." the woman broke down and collapsed as her world crashed down around her. Makari looked over at Kakita-sama and hoped she would go deal with the noisemaker as he continued looking around, hoping for something, the weapon would finish this up quickly.
A shrill scream pierced the air behind the samurai as a young woman appeared in the doorway. She bolted forward and amidst her wracking sobs she was yelling at anyone, everyone, and noone. Makari stood in her way, and without thinking, she struck his solid chest, trying to move around the bulky Crab. With a frown, he put his hand squarely between her shoulders and shoved her clear back to the entryway "What do you think you are doing here!" Makari roared at the interruption, perturbed at having to move her himself.
"That's my brother! I knew it! I knew that bastard would get to him! That's my brother! That's..my..." the woman broke down and collapsed as her world crashed down around her. Makari looked over at Kakita-sama and hoped she would go deal with the noisemaker as he continued looking around, hoping for something, the weapon would finish this up quickly.
The piercing noise that came in from behind made Miho flinch and what little training she had made her hand go directly to the handle of the small knife she hid in her sleeve. She relaxed seeing it was only a woman, who for some reason seemed unalarmed by the wall of the man that was standing between her and the corpse.
Miho shot the Crab’s actions a disapproving look. It would seem some of the rumors were true about the lack of compassion found in the clan and it would safe to assume in the future that they lacked in all the virtues not dealing with warfare.
She gingerly stepped over to where the woman was prone and spoke to her firmly, “Yoritomo-san, this is no place for your grief. Please step outside with me and I will hear what you have to say.” For a moment Miho was worried that she would have to request one of the doshin escort the woman out but she finally roused herself from her display and stood, struggling to put her emotions back in place as the hope of having her plea heard took root. Miho lead the way out of the room to the nearest empty one and held up a finger to the woman before she began another outburst, indicating that she should compose herself properly.
”I am Kakita Miho of Iwasaki, and am here to assist with the investigation of this tragic death. If you would explain to me who you are and the details you know of this man’s, whom I take to be your brother, death.”
Miho shot the Crab’s actions a disapproving look. It would seem some of the rumors were true about the lack of compassion found in the clan and it would safe to assume in the future that they lacked in all the virtues not dealing with warfare.
She gingerly stepped over to where the woman was prone and spoke to her firmly, “Yoritomo-san, this is no place for your grief. Please step outside with me and I will hear what you have to say.” For a moment Miho was worried that she would have to request one of the doshin escort the woman out but she finally roused herself from her display and stood, struggling to put her emotions back in place as the hope of having her plea heard took root. Miho lead the way out of the room to the nearest empty one and held up a finger to the woman before she began another outburst, indicating that she should compose herself properly.
”I am Kakita Miho of Iwasaki, and am here to assist with the investigation of this tragic death. If you would explain to me who you are and the details you know of this man’s, whom I take to be your brother, death.”
The Yoritomo woman stifled a sniffle as she stood up straighter around the proud Crane, trying to clean herself up as best she could, tears still streaming down her red cheeks. "Kakita-sama, thank you for your time here, I am Yoritomo Maemi, sister to Yoritomo Toyozo, and I know who did this to him." She sounded sure of herself, but a hint of doubt shaded her eyes as she looked over the well versed Crane at the scene behind them. "My brother was sent here as an emissary to broker peace between our clan and the Lion. There are factions in the Lion that would see our attempts fail, there is glory in warfare after all." She laughed, a short, derisive sound of contempt.
"There was a wicked looked Scorpion man walking about, big as can be...well, almost..." she glanced at the Crab looming in the background, obviously comparing the two. "There is no reason for someone like that to be around when a peace talk is happening, he had to have been hired to kill my brother by those evil Lion!" The Yoritomo's voice cracked and her manner crumbled away as she spat her claim, fresh anguish on her face.
"There was a wicked looked Scorpion man walking about, big as can be...well, almost..." she glanced at the Crab looming in the background, obviously comparing the two. "There is no reason for someone like that to be around when a peace talk is happening, he had to have been hired to kill my brother by those evil Lion!" The Yoritomo's voice cracked and her manner crumbled away as she spat her claim, fresh anguish on her face.
Miho listened patiently looking for clues the woman maybe speaking falsehoods or leaving out bits of truth. She was inclined to believe this woman about the Lion’s desire to continue warfare but such a brazen murder, and such brutally orchestrated, seemed a bit out of place for a clan that prized honor so much.
“Thank you for this information, Yoritomo-san. We will look into the matter thoroughly,” she said glancing back at the room where she hoped the Kuni was almost finished.
“Thank you for this information, Yoritomo-san. We will look into the matter thoroughly,” she said glancing back at the room where she hoped the Kuni was almost finished.
You're allowed into the Govenor's estate, a large and lavish building towards the center of the port town. You're told the Scorpion you're looking for, Yogo Nobu, is the yojimbo for the Secretary to the Ministry of Taxation for the Province (Status 2.8 to Aidan's 2, not sure about Chris's status but it's probably like 2.5 with her two different positions), Shosuro Shizuka.
It takes two hours of waiting before you are shown to her office. The Yojimbo is just a bit shorter than the Witch Hunter, and has a foreboding aura of menace about him and his crimson lacquered armor and snarling mempo (mask).
The Secretary sits behind her desk, not bothering to look up from whatever she's writing. He thin kimono is cut at just the right angles to make you uncomfortable.
It takes two hours of waiting before you are shown to her office. The Yojimbo is just a bit shorter than the Witch Hunter, and has a foreboding aura of menace about him and his crimson lacquered armor and snarling mempo (mask).
The Secretary sits behind her desk, not bothering to look up from whatever she's writing. He thin kimono is cut at just the right angles to make you uncomfortable.
As they were ushered into the room Miho tucked away the notebook she had been working in to pass the time. The appearance of the Scorpion did little to cow her, she did recognized how effective the use of their masks could be and found herself grateful for the presence of the large Crab at her side.
“Thank you for taking the time to see us Shosuro-sama,” she addressed the woman politely even though she was irritated at being made to wait as if their time was not important. Miho wanted to be done with this task so she could go back to her quarters and clear her head of the image of the victim that was now burned into it. “As I am sure you have heard, last night a samurai, Yoritomo Toyozo, was found slain. We were told that your yojimbo was seen in the vicinity and may be able to share with us anything that may aid us in finding the culprit.”
“Thank you for taking the time to see us Shosuro-sama,” she addressed the woman politely even though she was irritated at being made to wait as if their time was not important. Miho wanted to be done with this task so she could go back to her quarters and clear her head of the image of the victim that was now burned into it. “As I am sure you have heard, last night a samurai, Yoritomo Toyozo, was found slain. We were told that your yojimbo was seen in the vicinity and may be able to share with us anything that may aid us in finding the culprit.”
Makari's eyes bored into the Yogo's, hoping for some tell or give away as Kakita-sama addressed his ward. Unfortunately, the yojimbo barely broke face to so much as blink, staring off ahead at nothing in particular as he stood semi-tense, as if he has been expecting something for so long that it had become second nature to be on guard.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Kakita-san" The Shosuro scribe didn't so much as lift her head from her parchment. "Yogo-san has been with me for the entirety of my stay here, so unless you are implying that I had some part in this...unsanitary event, I do not think that we will be terribly helpful. I do apologize, but I am a busy woman, and need to see these missives completed." Shosuro dipped her pen back into the inkwell and began writing with deliberate emphasis on her concentration.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Kakita-san" The Shosuro scribe didn't so much as lift her head from her parchment. "Yogo-san has been with me for the entirety of my stay here, so unless you are implying that I had some part in this...unsanitary event, I do not think that we will be terribly helpful. I do apologize, but I am a busy woman, and need to see these missives completed." Shosuro dipped her pen back into the inkwell and began writing with deliberate emphasis on her concentration.
“I am sure the handling of finances is very busy work. You are lucky to have a yojimbo who is able to serve as your guardian with such dedication, but I suppose if he was in your bedchamber last night, no one could have possibly seen someone that closely resembled his description,” Miho sighed dismissively. Perhaps it was the large Kuni by her side that made her bold as she knew barbing a scorpion could be rather risky business, but the woman had clearly said herself that the Yogo was always with her.
A dangerous smile crept up onto the woman's face and she raised a hand to stop the Yogo from stepping between her and their less than amiable guests. She gently set down her brush and looked up in their direction for the first time, fixing them with a gaze filled with piqued curiosity.
"Who said they saw my Yojimbo at the scene of such... unpleasantness? Such slander will see them join poor Toyozo soon if they're not careful. It would be well within Yogo-san's rights to answer such a baseless accusation with steel." while her words speak of anger, her eyes seem to enjoy the idea someone has implicated her in this.
"Who said they saw my Yojimbo at the scene of such... unpleasantness? Such slander will see them join poor Toyozo soon if they're not careful. It would be well within Yogo-san's rights to answer such a baseless accusation with steel." while her words speak of anger, her eyes seem to enjoy the idea someone has implicated her in this.
Miho made a mental note at the quickness the yojimbo made to move to a more aggressive stance but merely smiled unleashed. Her own yojimbo and the Kuni were more than a match for one bushi, but that was inconsequential. She knew the Scorpion clan and direct attacks were just not their style.
“Oh, but I did not say he was at the scene did I? Merely that someone fitting his description was seen nearby. The Scorpion clan has keen eyes that are good at noticing things others may miss, so we had only thought to seek his wisdom and perhaps he could point us on the way to our villain,” she said quite seriously dipping her head a bit as she spoke the praise, even as she was amused to see the woman so quick to snap at the bait.
“Oh, but I did not say he was at the scene did I? Merely that someone fitting his description was seen nearby. The Scorpion clan has keen eyes that are good at noticing things others may miss, so we had only thought to seek his wisdom and perhaps he could point us on the way to our villain,” she said quite seriously dipping her head a bit as she spoke the praise, even as she was amused to see the woman so quick to snap at the bait.
The battle of words was clearly where Kakita-sama belonged, Makari stood defensively close as the room tensed up, but when it was made clear the Scorpion were not wanting an immediate confrontation, stood off to the side so that they could exchange blows more openly. Internally, he cringed at the insult the Crane threw out, but hoped that it would lead to something more interesting. They were here after all, solely on a grieving Samurai's testimony.
The Yogo was not only bland, but uninteresting. It was highly unlikely that he took a single step of his own accord, trained to react the way he did.
The Yogo was not only bland, but uninteresting. It was highly unlikely that he took a single step of his own accord, trained to react the way he did.
The Shosuro rolls her eyes at the Crane's "praise".
"Clearly the other clan's eyes miss much. And disturbingly, often see what isn't there. Perhaps it is their fear of the shadows that so often finds them "seeing" my kinsmen when tragedy strikes." she rises from her seat and walks up to the Kakita.
"I too hear rumors and accusations I cannot back up, Kakita-san." she says, reminding the woman of her station. "It would seem the poor Yoritomo made enemies of the very pirates he served. Whispers have him in a disagreement with the newcomer to their delegation. The Captain of Suitengu's Spear, Yoritomo Haruko, and Toyozo-san are rumored to have gotten into an argument about the Lion." she shrugs.
"I have to say, the death of the only Mantis truly trying to avoid conflict happened at such an unfortunate time. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already preparing her crew to strike back at the Lion." she stares at the trio of samurai for a moment, before returning to her desk. She begins working on her papers again.
"Clearly the other clan's eyes miss much. And disturbingly, often see what isn't there. Perhaps it is their fear of the shadows that so often finds them "seeing" my kinsmen when tragedy strikes." she rises from her seat and walks up to the Kakita.
"I too hear rumors and accusations I cannot back up, Kakita-san." she says, reminding the woman of her station. "It would seem the poor Yoritomo made enemies of the very pirates he served. Whispers have him in a disagreement with the newcomer to their delegation. The Captain of Suitengu's Spear, Yoritomo Haruko, and Toyozo-san are rumored to have gotten into an argument about the Lion." she shrugs.
"I have to say, the death of the only Mantis truly trying to avoid conflict happened at such an unfortunate time. I wouldn't be surprised if she's already preparing her crew to strike back at the Lion." she stares at the trio of samurai for a moment, before returning to her desk. She begins working on her papers again.
ooc
Haruko is the woman Chris found sneaking a pearl from the Castle
Miho didn’t let the woman’s petty jabs bother her, the Scorpions wasted entirely too much effort trying to be underhanded when they could be more productive. Perhaps that was why they needed to strike from the darkness, they didn’t have the energy left to stand toe to toe with a real enemy. The Soshuro was obviously done being “helpful” and they weren’t going to get much farther interrogating them openly, so Miho nodded to her companions and made her departure, unwilling to acknowledge the Scorpion's pettiness with any more wasted words.
When they were safely out of earshot, Miho allowed a small sigh slip out. “It is no mystery why dealing with poisonous insects are so difficult. All shells, barbs and hiding under shadowy rocks in fear of the a little bird pecking at them,” said Miho as she turned their direction towards where the Mantis had her ship docked. “Sometimes it is the things said without words that matter most. Did you learn anything from our visit Kuni-san?”
When they were safely out of earshot, Miho allowed a small sigh slip out. “It is no mystery why dealing with poisonous insects are so difficult. All shells, barbs and hiding under shadowy rocks in fear of the a little bird pecking at them,” said Miho as she turned their direction towards where the Mantis had her ship docked. “Sometimes it is the things said without words that matter most. Did you learn anything from our visit Kuni-san?”
Makari shook his head as they walked, "Only that the Scorpion likely have a stake to profit from this conflict, she wanting you to keep talking. She wanted me to step in, hell, she wanted you to name her accuser. I don't like this. It is bad enough that we fight against the rifts open here, but the clans too? It's too much. We should warn the Gunso"
Moderators: Kuni Makari (played by cyranax) Kistune Satsuna (played anonymously) Mirumoto Daigen (played by TheTwon) Akodo Kurotsuchi (played by Wastelander1138) The Storyteller (played by Gingerkid88)