Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Mar 22, 2011 10:40:40 GMT -5
Shizuyo had remained silent, lost in her own thoughts. The Daidoji, for his part, seemed to not care who spoke as long as someone did. His eyes were suspicious on Natsuki for a long time even after she finished speaking, but he was polite enough to look to Kinen as he spoke as well. Even then, his eyes kept darting to Kohaku instead, even though she seemed thoughtful as Shizuyo was.
Finally the man gave a nod, motioning to his peasant helpers to take the body. "I am satisfied for now that the matter was one of unprovoked attack and that his death was a result of his own dishonorable actions. However, I will need to take formal statements from each of you, as well as make sure there is no more to it than what was stated here. You will of course excuse my insisting that you stay in the Inn just down the road from here, or if you wish, in your respective clan's embassies in this city."
As soon as the man walked off with the body of the large Ox, Shizuyo bowed deeply to all present, keeping her voice steady, though she had to try to maintain it so. "I apologize on behalf of my family and clan samurai-sama's. Most any Scorpion or Crane would have surely left me to my own devices back there, or been angry at me now for involving them in the affairs of a minor clan. I... hope this is resolved soon, I do not wish to get any of you more tied up in this mystery than need be."
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Post by utakumoli on Mar 26, 2011 22:29:17 GMT -5
[OOC Sorry I've been out for so long!]
At the mention of mysteries, the hair on the back of Mo-Li's neck stood on end and she was grateful for the layers of kimono that hid her goosebumps from the world. It seems the world is riddled with them lately.... Certainly they're not - she paused, even in her own mind, struggling with the very notion itself. - related? Even the idea of 'conspiracy' was just barely within her grasp, as she couldn't imagine there would be any group of samurai who would work together to dishonorable and chaotic ends.
"It wouldn't have done to leave you alone there with a man so much larger than yourself who so clearly harbored ill will towards you, Morito-san." Mo-Li replied, a gentle, reassuring smile on her lips. "As for mysteries, it seems that we may have more in common than we could have imagined. Perhaps a more lengthy conversation is in order..."
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Kitsu Natsuki
Lion Clan
Lion Clan * Daimyo * Shugenja * Sodan-senzo * Loyal * Ambassador to the Dragon
Posts: 162
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Post by Kitsu Natsuki on Mar 28, 2011 21:25:55 GMT -5
Natsuki bowed once again to the magistrate as he finished speaking."Of course, magistrate-sama. I may be found at the inn you mentioned if you require my testimony once more."
As the man left, Natsuki turned to the little group of samurai once more, listening to Shizuyo speak. She then spoke up softly but clearly, turning golden eyes on the Ox.
"Think nothing of it, Morito-san. It is what any honourable samurai would have done, Minor Clan or not. Are we all not servants of the Son of Heaven in our own ways?"
As the Battle Maiden mentioned mysteries, Natsuki glanced at her. The look on her face plainly showed she was interested, but she remained silent, waiting to see what might come next.
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Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Mar 29, 2011 10:32:44 GMT -5
Shizuyo looked between Natsuki and Mo-Li. She could see the Isawa was still tending to his wife, though there was no apparent wound on her. She gave another formal bow. "Even if it is what most samurai would do Kitsu-sama, it is still an inconvienece I am certain." She paused to glance at Mo-Li. "As for that, it appears we will be delayed at least a night together at the Inn for formal testimony on the matter. I would assume that would be enough time for a conversation of some length?"((ooc: One or two more replies and, with Momo's permission, going to do a time jump to that night ))
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Isawa Kinen
Phoenix Clan
All is equal before the Void.
Posts: 117
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Post by Isawa Kinen on Mar 29, 2011 10:43:35 GMT -5
Kinen was a little nervous about making the formal statement, as it would require he state his formal position...something he really did not want to make a big deal of but everyone else would because of his powerful status. And still Kohaku was uneasy about the attack because she let herself go and killed another. At the very least she would likely stay in control at this rate.
"I'll have to make that formal statement early in the morning, as I cannot be delayed here for too long, I have important duties elsewhere. However, Shizuyo-san, I would feel terrible to leave it like such. If you wish, I can arrange for one of my clansmen to assist in this matter." Kamiya was itching to get out of the estate for some time now, perhaps this would be a good opportunity for her.
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Post by utakumoli on Mar 29, 2011 16:41:38 GMT -5
Certainly Mo-Li couldn't shirk her duty by leaving before she could give her testimony, though it was unfortunate that she'd be delayed reaching Kyuden Doji. The Crane Champion didn't know she was coming, and she made excellent time... Even so, she had a duty to inform him of the goings-on at Mountain Watch Keep.
"Indeed, it seems we'll be delayed," she replied. "I think that will be enough time."
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Kasuga Shinobu
Tortoise Clan
Tortoise Clan ? Courtier ? Smuggler ? (S)he ? Taihan Boss
Posts: 250
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Post by Kasuga Shinobu on Apr 1, 2011 15:32:36 GMT -5
That night in the Cherry Blossom Inn...
Shizuyo was usually the sort to go right into her cups. Not that she was a drunkard, but she was used to sake to warm her on the cold plains, and clans mates that rarely saw tea except formal occasions. She drank tea now however, served alongside plain rice. It was as close as one could get to a boring meal at the Cherry Blossom Inn, and it suited her mood just fine.
She sat at a table alongside the 4 samurai that had been asked to stay there with her so that they could testify in the morning. She had tried to make polite conversation as she could, but she was too lost in thought at the moment to give it all much thought.
She lifted her tea cup and tipped it back only to find it empty. She wondered when it had gotten that way as she slowly lowered it back down, slightly embarrassed at missing such a simple thing. A serving girl moved over to refill her cup as she looked at the rest of the people still talking at the table.
~~~~~~~~~~
The man closed the door on the storage room. He knew he would have to dispose of the body later, but he had other business for now. The Innkeeper had been an old man, dignified for a peasant, which made him all the easier to kill. The serving girl had been a little more difficult, but Hanako had slit her throat quickly before she could give out a scream.
He looked over at her as she stood at the door, peering out at the table where their targets were. It seemed cups were getting low again, so the time was ripe. He thanks his ancestors that the fool he'd killed had plenty of tea ready as he took a cloth bag out of his kimono and opened it up. He shook a few flakes out into the tea pot, being sure to get none on the tips of his fingers. He stirred up the pot to make sure the leaves fully dissolved and gave it a sniff, ever though he knew it was odorless.
Hanako had watched as he did his part of the work before she took the pot from his hand and placed it on the tray, taking it out into the main room. Her accomplice did not know that she was a samurai, unlike him, and she detested having to work with such a common thug. She made sure her short hair was neat and tied back as she approached the table humbly, pouring tea into the empty cups around the table as every peasant had unnoticed under the gaze of samurai for ages...
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