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Matsu Mayumi She's spent much of this time looking around, all the while quietly contemplating what terrible sins she must have committed in a past life to end up in such a situation. She looks to the more politically savvy for a bit of sanity in what has quickly become an irrational situation. "Soshi-san, this is far from my area of expertise, what should we do next?"
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Feb 18, 2014 22:58
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| # ? Apr 26, 2024 01:00 |
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Double Post 
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Feb 18, 2014 23:24
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Kaiu Ginzo "And assuming we were to take your advice, then, do you have any suggestions for 'a way out'? It seems to me, rather, that the proper course according to Chugo would be to take these revelations about Hirosato-san's betrayal of the trust placed in him by the Emperor to one with even greater stature. But to get such a one to provide testimony against Hirosato would be...challenging, to say the least. Perhaps that course of action would indeed lead to a 'beautiful death'."
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Feb 19, 2014 05:26
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"Your best course of action, if you ask me, is to look to the lessons of Bayushi Tangen." Nana smiles. "There you will find all the evidence you need, and the instructions you desire."
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Feb 20, 2014 05:24
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Hayuma "Bayushi Tangen?", Hamuma frowns. "He was that Scorpion Champion who wrote a parody of Akodo's book, isn't he? It caused a stir. The head monk of the Four Temples condemned him for impiety and he died just after, some say struck dead by the Kami themselves. But how can the book help us?"
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Feb 21, 2014 01:29
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Utaku Natsumi "Well, if the Kami strike us dead, this would no longer be our problem," Natsumi says tartly. "And where would we get such a book, hmm? Is that even appropriate for a samurai?" She glances at Soshi-san expectantly. "This is outside my area of expertise as well, unless a shugenja could be useful here."
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Mar 1, 2014 06:34
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Kaiu Ginzo "Perhaps you yourself have a copy of Tangen-sama's writings? If they are as instructive as you claim, it would be a great honor to receive them from your hand."
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Mar 1, 2014 11:15
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Nana shrugs. "Somewhere. I'm sure my servants can find it. I'm sure anywhere in town, you can find a copy, in fact--if Soshi-san does not have a copy already. Do you, Soshi-san?" Nana looks curiously at Masami. In response to Hayuma's question, she gives him a look as if he's a child. "By telling you how to deal with him, of course. Bayushi Tangen's lessons are the key to defeating an ambitious man...or any man."
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Mar 4, 2014 05:52
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Kaiu Ginzo "We will certainly take your advice under consideration," Ginzo says. "But you have already confessed to your role in disseminating information that was later used by the enemies of the Empire...or at least the enemies of Hirosato-sama. And you even told us to whom the information was given. But what you have not told us is the most relevant information that we seek: which of those who received the information made use of it for their own agenda? While yours is not the 'crime' we were ordered to investigate, you have admitted to being a party -- willing or otherwise -- to that unfortunate situation. Thus you are the only one, it appears, who can provide the testimony necessary for us to conclude our investigation." Leaving out the threats for now; those can come next, if she refuses to play ball. The way I see it, Hirosato may be a complete d-bag, and we should certainly look into that possibility, but I'd sooner commit seppuku than change my loyalties on the spot -- and on the word of a Scorpion, no less. That has much less to do with who Hirosato is (a loyal subject or a traitorous villain?) than with who I am (a Crab who follows orders; otherwise people die). So what I propose is: if Nana doesn't provide sufficient testimony as to the identity of the author(s) of the play right now, then take her in for further questioning -- and maybe the other two, for good measure. We don't even have to torture a confession out of her (or any of them), necessarily. If we get the information we need at some point -- or even if we just hold onto one or more of the three Scorpion so that we can look like we're leaning on them for the information we need -- that can buy us time to do a proper investigation of our superior and/or read through Tangen's magnum opus, if that's really what we want to do. But Nana in particular almost seems resigned to her fate already, so we might as well take advantage of her relative cooperativeness to give ourselves some breathing room vis-a-vis our superior and his expectations of us. To me, it is fortuitous that the best way at the moment to get at the ultimate motivations of our boss is to continue to just do our assigned job, but in any case, we really should do something.
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Mar 4, 2014 07:29
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Soshi Masami Masami shrugs. "Of course I have a copy, in my baggage. That being said, our duty is still to carry out the man's orders, and whatever decisions we make in how to enact that are perhaps not best hashed out in front of those whom they potentially pertain to."
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Mar 9, 2014 06:03
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Nana shrugs again, shaking her head. "I'm not sure where you got the impression that it was just one of them."
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Mar 9, 2014 06:19
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Kaiu Ginzo "So both of them are behind that seditious crime against artistry that we witnessed earlier? Did they simply fund it, or actually participate in its creation? And what is their personal stake in the matter? Why would they seek to make an enemy of Hirosato?" We have sufficient testimony now, I thnk; I say we arrest all three of them!
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Mar 10, 2014 03:47
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Hayuma Hayuma pulls Kaiu aside. "Don't you see she's just toying with us at this point?", he asks. "You're not going to get a straight answer against her. Not here and now. All she's doing is trying to get us to turn on Lord Hirosato! Lets arrest her and be done with it. Torture will get true answers out of her. Not more of this...verbal dueling." It was unthinkable. For his cousin and her husband to die because of her husband's treason was bad enough. But for their deaths to have happened to fulfill some great man's personal grudge. . .well, it wasn't something to be borne.
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Mar 10, 2014 04:28
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'Yes, both of them. They conspired together, not to make an enemy of Hirosato, but because he was already their enemy. Did you not notice?'
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Mar 10, 2014 05:28
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Kaiu Ginzo Like Hayuma, Ginzo is rapidly losing patience with Nana, but is not yet ready to end the discussion, especially when she is still providing information to them, albeit in hints and innuendoes. Still, a cooperative witness was more likely to eventually lead them to the full picture of the truth than one that they were deliberately antagonizing. So he continues with his current line of questioning. "The Scorpion are nothing if not masters of hiding their true intent. It would not be above these men to be motivated by base jealousy of Hirosato's power and influence, but I suspect you refer to other, more significant reasons why they have set themselves against one who serves as the Underhand of the Underhanded Emperor."
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Mar 11, 2014 02:13
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"I think you should be able to put together the story for yourself, as far as Bayushi Roku is concerned at least. I understand that he was quite forthcoming with you in regards to his circumstances...and despite his apparent good fortune as a merchant patron, he was once a bushi, and never forgave the man who cost him his position." Nana shrugs. "As for Yogo Hachiman, well, he's a far cannier sort--supplied only funds, trying to keep his hands clean. I'm sure he told you nothing useful despite telling you an awful lot, correct? He likes to do that. In his case...well, it's tragic, really. The Lion bards would weep, if they could be given to care about a story involving so many of my clan. There was a woman, you see..." Nana trails off.
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Mar 20, 2014 16:32
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Soshi Masami Masami shrugs. "I think we have what we came for, at any rate," she says. "I hardly think torture is the tool for the job here, but of course if you must indulge yourself..."
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Mar 22, 2014 13:49
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Utaku Natsumi Natsumi coughs. "I don't believe that is necessary."
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Mar 22, 2014 14:27
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Matsu Mayumi She begins to massage the bridge of her nose, clearly frustrated with all these politics. "Just tell me who we need to arrest, I hate all these games you courtiers insist on playing."
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Mar 25, 2014 07:33
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Kaiu Ginzo "We have the confession of one conspirator, as well as testimony against two others. Our course of action is clear -- for the moment, at least. Since Nana's admitted role in the affair is a less significant one, and since she has been far more helpful than the others," Ginzo says with a nod toward the woman, "I likewise see no need for the application of severe measures in her questioning. Whether it will be needful for the others remains to be seen. "I suspect it will be some time until we have all the responsibility apportioned appropriately with respect to the crime we are investigating; that should also give us time to explore some of the more...troubling aspects of the testimony we have heard just now." Turning to their hostess, he adds with what passes for a bow. "Nana-san, we do not wish to make a dramatic scene here, especially since that would likely impair our ability to swiftly bring the others to justice -- they no doubt have eyes and ears everywhere, even as you do. Will you consent to come with us now, without a formal arrest being ordered at this moment?" Since she's been the most cooperative, she gets the choice of whether we do things the hard way or the easy way. I'd prefer to take her into custody quietly so the other two don't get wind that we're coming for them too. Or we could split up and take the other two down immediately, while one of us (or just our doshin or whoever) deal with the more compliant Nana. Do we in fact have doshin or other resources we can call on to handle the actual prisoner escort and incarceration parts of the job? With the arrests I think we have mostly done the job for which we were officially sent. But what interests me most right now is what our suspects might know about any treasonous activity our boss has engaged in. For that I think we will need to personally oversee the questioning that is to come.
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Mar 25, 2014 11:38
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Nana frowns. "Telling someone the truth is hardly treasonous," Nana objects. "You would accuse me of what treason, precisely?"
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Apr 7, 2014 05:25
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Kaiu Ginzo "Well," Ginzo begins, talking as he would to a young child, "Hirosato-sama has declared that the play spreads seditious ideas among the populace, and evinces an opposition to the will of the Emperor. Those who contributed to the play are therefore party to treason. As has been established, your own role in the affair was minimal, and perhaps unintentional, and thus may perhaps be overlooked, depending on the circumstances. Apparently, you contest this assessment, as is your right as a samurai of high station. But the matter will not be resolved here and now; we must see that the proper formalities are observed -- especially if you wish to lodge a counter-accusation against Hirosato-sama. "But the sooner we can receive the testimony of the others, the sooner the matter can be resolved, in satisfaction of the tenets of Justice."
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Apr 8, 2014 07:45
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Utaku Natsumi "Or we can talk in circles for a few hours," Natsumi says. She clearly wants to go arrest the others.
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Apr 13, 2014 15:39
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Sorry this game has fallen so silent. Are we all still here?
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May 11, 2014 18:26
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I'm game if you are.
TychoBrahesNose fucked around with this message at 08:09 on May 12, 2014 |
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May 12, 2014 03:26
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urp. yeah.
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May 12, 2014 07:55
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"If that is what you truly feel is best," Nana replies. "I will submit to being placed under house arrest - though I wonder how this will all end..." Where are you heading from here...?
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May 14, 2014 01:35
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Soshi Masami "Before we do anything else, we should go back to the inn," says Masami. "There's something there I want to get." Specifically, their orders.
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May 14, 2014 01:38
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Kaiu Ginzo "As do I, Nana-san; as do I. But we thank you for your cooperation nevertheless." Now let's go get the other guys -- quietly -- so all three of them can point fingers at each other and we can get all the dirt on each of them -- and our boss, while we're at it. In the meantime, do we trust Nana to stay put?
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May 14, 2014 02:12
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Utaku Natsumi Natsumi nods and falls into step behind Ginzo. I do, but I can watch her if you like!
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May 21, 2014 16:15
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Kaiu Ginzo Presuming that the others are accompanying him, Ginzo retraces his steps to Roku's estate, where he collars the nearest servant and orders him to announce their (re-)arrival to the Bayushi. Somebody should maybe stake out the back door too, in case he attempts a getaway!
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May 28, 2014 14:48
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The orders having been swiftly retrieved, you now arrive at the home of Bayushi Roku. The corpulent samurai is pleased, though slightly surprised, to receive you once again. "Please, join me - I was about to dine. Have you ever tried Unicorn fare? Utaku-san aside, of course. I spent a few years in the City of Green Walls, and I must admit that I became enamored of the stuff while I was there. I hired a cook away from the Unicorn, in fact, to keep on retainer for those times when I craved it. Please, there is more than even I can eat!" The man laughs, gesturing to the food laid out before him - somewhat disgusting to traditional Rokugani tastes, though Natsumi can tell from the smell alone that it is both authentic and prepared by a very talented cook. If the man suspects that you are here to arrest him, it doesn't show. If anything, he looks supremely confident. And supremely hungry, as he has not bothered to wait for any of you to join him before tucking in to his meal. "It's the spices, you see," he adds, between gulps. "Clears the sinuses. Less wonderful coming out the other side, but that's a worry for later!"
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Jun 1, 2014 16:13
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Utaku Natsumi Natsumi has already made it pretty clear that this isn't her strong suit, so she has no problems with joining Roku. She sticks some food in her mouth, then looks at the others expectantly. "Mm?"
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Jun 3, 2014 11:06
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Soshi Masami Masami remains hesitant-- with the die now cast, there would be so much trouble ensuring this be done without making a scene. And the circumstances here hardly allow her to arrange for anyone's sudden illness (or worse). Best to be as bland as possible here and let someone else be apparently at fault for this. So, she politely disregards the rather disgusting comment, and says, "Ah. I've had the occasion to, but not recently. I must thank you for raising the pleasant memory."
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Jun 6, 2014 08:36
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"Speaking of pleasant memories," Roku comments, punctuating it with a small belch, "I would have thought you would be well on your way by now."
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Jun 11, 2014 04:27
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Roku continues to eat. It's terrifying.
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Jun 19, 2014 01:54
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Kaiu Ginzo The Crab is not amused at Roku's display of wanton gluttony and his utter lack of self-control. "We have received disturbing reports," Ginzo begins, "in regard to the treasonous performance about which you were... less than forthcoming during our earlier visit. Specifically, we have received testimony that you were in fact instrumental in the development and production of that performance. Of course, such could very well be a lie to discredit you, but it is our duty to investigate the matter, even if only to ensure that your reputation remains... unsullied."" Ginzo tries hard not to let his true opinions of the man's reputation creep into his voice, but he is used to shouting orders and being obeyed, not mincing words and mollifying egos. The man would take it as he would; Ginzo and his companions had a job to do. "That we might fulfill our duties then, it will be required that you accompany us from this place to a more... suitable location for our official questions."
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Jun 20, 2014 11:09
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Roku smiles. "No." Wiping his face, he rises, still smiling, and walks over to regard his armor from his days as a warrior. His back is to you. "What treason is it I have performed? You refer of course to the play you took in before visiting me. Yes, I'll admit, it was not one of my finer works, but writing a clumsy play is hardly treason." He turns to regard you, quirking an eyebrow. "Did you know that Hachiman, that insipid fool, owns the theatre? He hates Kabuki, despises it in fact, yet he owns the greatest Kabuki theatre in town." Roku starts to chuckle. "He claims that he puts the money he earns from it into supporting Noh, and laughs at the thought of those who love Kabuki supporting his beloved Noh. The fool hardly realizes that he's barely bringing in a profit after he pays the actors and maintains the theatre!" The chuckle turns into raucous laughter. A moment or two later, Roku calms down and eyes you, cannily. "But again, I wonder, where is the treason? No mention of the Emperor or his servants is anywhere to be found in the play. Just what will you tell the judge? Help, saibankan-sama, this man wrote a play that makes me look foolish! I think not."
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Jun 20, 2014 14:27
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Otomo Hayuma Hayuma had been silent all this time, but watching the glutton Roku not only defy them, but also openly mock the tragic events led to the death of his cousin, and laugh at them is too much to bear. His face starts to go red. In almost a haze, he storms over to Roku. Grabbing him by the front of his kimono, he puts his face against the other man's and spits out, "Listen you fucker! Shut the hell up before I take that food and force it down your fat face! Do you know how much trouble you're in? Do you realize that if we don't like your answers, we'll not just have you killed, but we'll have your entire family, your mistresses, all your friends, and every single person you've ever met tortured to death in front of you before we do it? You're coming with us, and you're answering our questions, and then you're going to do what we tell you from now on, and you're going to report on any other traitors in this kami forsaken city, or I swear that I will burn this house down around you along with all your traitorous and sacrilegious plays!" First, spending banked XP...increasing awareness to 4. Awareness/Intimidation, specialty Control, 7k4, reroll 1s
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Jun 22, 2014 05:06
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| # ? Apr 26, 2024 01:00 |
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Roku's eyes widen and he goes pale. "That...that I believe," he manages.
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Jun 22, 2014 05:09
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