After Hours in Otomo’s Winter Court- Mitsouko

[Zeure]

He paused for a moment, putting every thought together to form one construct about this mission. He considered her words and the tones that she had used. Everything.

"I think you've got a strong case. But I wonder why you haven't just pursued this Raiden in search of the information. If he says that he has information then we should get it from him. The other facts are very good at being supplementary, but if he has a definite lead then that is where the chase should be started. Although, if Agasha Shodai could be pressed to try again and give us more info that he had before that would be wonderful."

He unfolded his arms, which had been crossed while listening to her speak about these facts that she purported.

"And unfortunately, nothing you have said answers the other question that goes hand in hand with this. Why would he be in hiding? Shinoburo was a strong man, if there had been someone making an attempt on his life he would have simply killed them."

[Kakita Mitsouko]

A rightful question, and I only can reply why I didn’t asked Raiden to further his remarks about my father because I was fighting an oni at the given time. I hadn’t the time but…it’s said a Mantis delegation will come to the Winter court in order to finish the details of their surrender, so he will probably be among them.
About the Void Master… by now I do prefer to now ask him favors. Our betrothal was suspended due the …difficulties our clans had been with each other and how to deal with this war. Though I don’t keep personal resentment I rather deal with this issue by my own means. And it means you, my friend Battou-san. With a smirk she nodded to him, after consider his final remark.
And finally…Yes. He could kill any enemy, so I don’t think it’s out of fear he is hiding from. She sighed. I just wish not to discover he is now… a Lost himself.

[Zeure]

"Oh, well he is most certainly lost, but only until we find him."

He laughed.

"Seriously, don't concern yourself with anything from beyond the wall. You have enough pressing concerns on this side of it."

He sat there for a moment, and the decided that he was in fact, not done with the sake and poured himself another glass. He held it aloft.

"To our successful hunt."

He tossed it back and sat his cup down.

"I will, as I indicated earlier, do this thing that you ask. I want to speak with this raiden, but he is not here yet. Perhaps I can go to Agasha Shodai and ask him if his divining has changed while I wait for the mantis delegation. Earlier I saw that there was a Kitsune here, but nothing else and she seems to have come alone on purpose."

He smiled wryly and looked at her across the table. Perhaps the sake was emboldening him, or perhaps he was just this honest, but now he changed the subject.

"I have to ask, is this the only reason that you summoned me to your private chambers? I'll not mince words on the subject or insult your intelligence by playing a game; you are aware of my reputation and you know that I've wanted you from the moment I first laid eyes on you."

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Mitsouko's eyes narrowed.
It seems you cannot deal so well with drinking, despite you said otherwise. It's not sincerity, it's rudeness. I will not demand you seppuku, Battou, nor will I stain my robes with your blood tonight. We're done, you have my leave.
Tomorrow I expect your apologies.

[Zeure]

Much to his detriment, he was not phased, like he had expected this. His expression did not change.

"You'd be surprised at what I am capable of."

He stood and dusted himself off before reacquiring his daisho and walking towards the door. Before he left the 'office' area, he spoke again.

"You have changed a little bit. Unless you call for me, I won't appear before you again until I know where Shinoburo is."

He smiled again, this time the expression was markedly different. And he turned and left.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

In his exit, Battou find Mitsouko's aide in the corridor being pressed by a Seppun Guard and 3 Emerald Magistrates to grant audience with the Kakita daimyo. He was able to hear the words "crime" and... "her name..."
Kakita Mishima, though, was trying to make them return by the morning. The conversation stopped when the group noticed Battou leaving the chamber.

[Zeure]

His expression did not change from leaving her chambers to the hall. Battou looked at the guards for a moment before he decided to get involved. He was not happy, and hearing someone speaking about a crime and, he assumed, Mitsouko he had no choice.

"Tell me what this is all about? I would hear what you have to say about Mitsouko-sama."

His posture was relaxed, but his arms were loosely crossed such that his sword hand almost rested on his katana.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

The samurai in the group bowed at his arrival, but for a moment remained silent, this Kakita Mishima decide to expose the problem to his daimyo's friend.
Forgive us -Battou-sama, it's merely a misunderstanding. Seems that an unfortunate samurai of Lion, visiting Kyuden Otomo with their clan's delegation, was found murdered tonight. Somehow, there is this... confusion about a clue the honorable group of magistrates here found near the...poor victim. Somehow, a fan very ALIKE the one Lady Kakita-tono wore in the winter court this afternoon. So those gentleman wish to grant an interview with daimyo-tono. I had already alerted the esteemed Magistrates our Lady didn't leave her quarters tonight, even though I believe the simple assumption Mitsouko-tono can be involved in such rude act is just absurd! The man cannot help but let his scorn to transpire in the tone of his voice.
The Magistrates listened to it in silence, then one of then stood out and spoke to Kakita Battou. Forgive me, Kakita Battou-san, I am Mirumoto Shigeru, and these are Akodo Meiko and Iuchi Kanebo, Magistrates at service of Empire. What Mishima-san said is in fact correct, though we are acting to make it in the most discreet way possible, the speed of our actions can determine our success in arrest the true culprit as well to avoid any implications upon the delicate moment Lion and Crane are living by now. Can you help us, please? If only Kakita Mitsouko could see this -the man unfolded a silk wrapping to reveal an exquisite fan, worthy of a princess- belongs to hers, or not... we could preserve her name in this situation. We don't need much else, nor aren't trying to stain her honor... maybe you can explain lady Kakita the situation and even show her the fan; I am sure you can be loyal transmitter of her words to us. We also don't wish to cause a situation between her staff and Lady Kakita... If we come in inconvenient hours, is because we are trying to solve this before this rumors spread by the morning.

[Zeure]

Battou's expression remained the same fake smile that he had adopted. He listened patiently to their words with his arms folded in his sleeves. When they finished he shook his head.

"Unfortunately, I can not present it to her. I have sworn a journey and a service to Mitsouko-sama that I can not delay and I have further sworn that I will not be before her again until I have finished my task. Mishima-san, please, present it to her and ask her if it is hers. She will no doubt tell you everything you need to know about it, if anything.

I will however swear to you gentlemen that Mitsouko-sama has, in fact, not left winter court all evening. So there is no chance that she is guilty of any crime. My word as a samurai will back this. So, unless there is another samurai of higher status to testify against me, the laws of our empire render her blameless in this matter. Keep that in mind when you hear Mishima-san's answers to the question about the fan's origins."

Battou bowed, and then walked off to go find Shodai.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Sojiro walks down the hallway, passing Battou with a smile and a nod... and then encountering several magistrates. Politely ignoring them as he passes, he catches a bit of their conversation, and overhears Mitsouko's name being spoken.

This can't be good.

Picking up his pace, he arrives at her door and presents himself.

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Mitsouko was in the middle of the first chamber, accompanied by Kakita Mishima, her aide, and they were talking over a fan. Sojiro recognized the fan as one which had belonged to his own mother and was presented to Mitsouko in her gempukku.
Come in, Sojiro. Sorry for bothering you so late in the night. Mitsouko was being sincere, and what had been presented to her was indeed a problem. Though, she felt better in calling her hatamoto to take care of this issue. This decision would expose her in a lesser extent. Or so she thought.
Did you see the Magistrates at my door? They told Mishima-san my fan was found near a Lin corpse... a murdered Lion corpse!

[Alesha]

*Mishima look a little sleepless, perhaps due to stress of situation? He had slightly bloodshot eyes he listens to them...*

[Kakita Sojiro]

Sojiro fished one of his few remaining tobacco rolls out of an inner pocket and lit it.

"Where was the corpse found?"

[Kakita Mitsouko]

In an obscure street here in Kyuden Otomo. Hours ago. Seems someone his his head with a rock and slit his throat. Tha'ts right Mishima-san? It was the information Mitsouko had so far. She was panicked in having a group of Imperial Magistrates investigating a crime which her name was involved in.
In fact, the fan is mine. I started a game in the afternoon, the Fan exchange. I gave it to Quarim-san, the gaijin but I... I mean, what his reasons to do so? I am afraid that, if I admit this fan is mine, they will arrest the gaijin based solely in prejudices than in facts. Of course maybe he can be blamed but... I didn't think he will receive the same treatment a samurai would do in the same situation. They say they are trying to avoid further problems to both clans, tehy know how fragile our negotiations are right now. If someone think I demanded a Lion's assassination...
I don't think I can deal with this myself Sojiro-san. The Magistrates are waiting my reply. I need advice.

[Alesha]

Mishima eyes the light and smiles to Sojiro studying him for a moment sagely... As if trying to look into his soul...