L5R - Cartographers - Crane Lands, Ezura Province

[Rain Yupa]

While Ayame and Tsuyoshi mulled over how to respond, the Crane-masked Scorpion would give a shifty look before slipping away from his bow into a chair next to Chiharu.

"Hey there. My name's Soshi Mokuami. You come here often, koibito-san?" the young man would say, smiling mischievously at her.  

[Psychofish]

--!

Scorpions! Tsuyoshi had been sure that the kind of dishonorable creeping, blackmail, assassination plots, and clear framing of his clan for incompetence, if not worse, had to be the doing of the worst sort of villains, and now here they appeared. He didn't reach for his weapon or anything, but he did give a sideways look across them all, expecting some manner of trouble for a moment until none became clear.

Which was obviously even MORE concerning, these were Scorpion after all.

He would take a moment to not respond before being certain if Miya-chan-sama was politely forgiving their manners or taking offence. Assuming she was generous and let them stand straight again, he'd put on his best smile and gesture across the tables with an upward palm. It wouldn't do for the Crane to be rude until they gave him cause, after all. "I'm sorry if I have proved distracting, Scorpion-san, but I dare say I am not the one casting a shadow now. Please, if Miya-sama does not object, I would invite you all to take a seat."

He'd much rather them sitting too than standing around them, whether or not they had any malicious intent. If nothing else it'd make it that much harder for anyone to take any aggressive motions at the Miya before he could interject, even if one was already cozying up beside Chiharu-san.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Fwip

Out came the fan. She didn't block her face just yet 'lest her return smile not be seen, but that gentle wave started. "That you would endeavor to apologize for it speaks well of you." She nodded imperiously to indicate they could stop bowing, before glancing askance at Tsuyoshi and nodding again. "Well since you're staying for a drink you're certainly welcome to share company."  

[Rain Yupa]

The tall woman would nod, and she and her other compatriot would take a seat as well, making the table somewhat crowded. Even sitting, the woman's height would be evident.

"My name is Bayushi Michiko. This is my brother-in-law, Bayushi Sugimoto," she would indicate to the one wearing the feline mask. "And this incorrigible scamp," she would say, looking to Mokuami. There would be a thump under the table.

"Yeow!" the young man would yelp out suddenly.

"... is my cousin. We are on our way to Kyuden Doji with a missive from our lord. We decided to take the road less traveled, but overestimated how much time it would take us. Frankly, I'm surprised to see one of imperial blood all the way out here." She would cast a curious look to the entire party. Sugimoto would remain stoically unmoving, while Mokuami gave Chiharu another cheesy smile, perhaps to mask his pained foot.  

[GustyFox]

Chiharu bow again in a polite, yet brief, manner.

—I'm glad to meet Soshi-san but I believe Soshi-san is mistaking me for someone else. To avoid any further misunderstanding, I'm Doji Chiharu, shugenja of the Asahina school. How is Soshi's-san stay in Crane lands going?

The shugenja only made sure to stay at a respectable distance of the scorpion, but the conversation didn't seem to affect her mood.  

[Psychofish]

"Doji Tsuyoshi," he said, bowing his head as he was already seated. He half glanced aside at the Imperial, between the fan coming out and questioning for a moment if someone headed to the city was an opportunity- perhaps they could deliver the messages for them and save their having to return to the city and cause further trouble by delaying Miya-sama's work.

He might have asked too, if they weren't Scorpion. Given that, he wasn't even sure trying to give them a sealed scroll, had he a way to place a seal, would have been entirely safe.  

[Rain Yupa]

"Oh, don't be like that, koibito-san Chiharu," Soshi Mokuami would say, lifting a hand from beneath the table to wave dismissively. "And it's definitely better since I bumped into you like this. You surely feel the same way, right? Maybe if we play our cards right, we can tra-OW!" Turning towards the large woman, he would loudly state, "Well, if this keeps up we aren't going to be traveling anywhere since I won't be able to walk!"

About this time, the peasant would come over with a small bottle of sake, and a half-dozen small blue porcelain cups on a tray.

"Thank you, my good man," Michiko would say, her voice slightly friendlier than her expression. The man would bow and retreat. "Well, let me be frank, Miya-sama," she would then start, ignoring the Soshi lad who puffed his cheeks out in annoyance. "If you are traveling, be it either to or from the castle, we would be more than honored to accompany you on your travels. In addition to your shugenja - who comes from a pacifistic dojo - it appears your other companion is a mere magistrate. With the Destroyer War still fresh in everyone's minds, I have absolutely no doubts that the current state of their homeland is in their thoughts, since the Crane were hit relatively hard. If freed of any current obligations, they would no doubt immediately refocus their efforts towards the Crane's recovery." Michiko would look to Tsuyoshi. "Of course, you are free to correct me if I'm wrong."

Looking back to Ayame, she would continue. "We, on the other hand, are doing our duty by traveling, as directed by our daimyo. If you were to accept us as your entourage in place of the Crane, they would be free to turn their attention back to the needs of their clansmen and their peasantry. Plus, beyond the fact that we are greater and number, we are three trained bushi, which would do better at maintaining your safety. Mind you, I am not trying to imply any level of lawlessness within Crane borders, but all it takes is a lone, wandering, starving ronin to slip through the border. I'd hate to think of some ill fate befalling you if you were attacked."

She would then look to Chiharu and Tsuyoshi. "Surely, you would not be against such a proposition. And if something did happen to Miya-sama, the shame would be on us, and not the Crane. But you can't argue that we warriors would be better suited to providing her safety than a priest and a magistrate could."  

[GustyFox]

Chiharu heard the Soshi insist in his "less than respectable" approach, which was unfortunate. She nodded with disapprovement but once the Scorpion was hit by his superior she had nothing else to add.
The shugenja was fine to simply ignore the man who was, certainly, taking her for some one else.

After Mokuami, Michiko went on talking and her words were making Chiharu more and more unconfortable. She accepted her cup with both hands hoping for some warmth from the pottery.
Not intending to cut the Imperial or Tsuyoshi, se made only a brief remark, in a friendly tone:

—Your's is the most kind offer, Bayushi-sama, but unlike the Scorpion, I don't think Miya-sama is heading to Kyuden Doji at this time.Thanks to the Fortunes the war is over and there seem to be no need for pull the Scorpion out of the task they were assigned before traveling.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"Miya Ayame. Tis a pleasure." she began by way of introduction, but paused when their new companion got straight down to business. And a curious business indeed. "My, that's an interesting proposition. While I can't deny you pose some valid points, and I can certainly admire the quick initiative, I find myself curious as to why you would make such an offer without knowing the contents, location, or duration of my mission. It may also help if I knew the duration of yours. May I see your travel papers?"  

[Rain Yupa]

"Of course," Michiko would respond, looking to each of her traveling companions briefly to ensure their compliance. She, and the cat-masked Scorpion Sugimoto, promptly produced their papers.

"Hold on... Where in Jigoku?" Mokuami would start going through his things, searching for it. "Friggin' traveling pack... what did I do with it?" he muttered to himself.

If Ayame were to examine the papers, they definitely seems legitimate. In fact, they were dated a couple days prior to your own journey starting. Even though, technically, you started farther away, you were traveling on horseback. All told, they still made somewhat good time; it seems within reason that they'd get as far as they have in the stated amount of time.

The papers were signed documents for the trio to travel into Crane Lands to deliver a sealed letter to Clan Champion Doji Domotai at Kyuden Doji, then return with her written response back to Kyuden Bayushi.

"Found it!" Mokuami would proclaim, slamming his rather crumpled copy of his own papers on the table as Ayame (and whomever else) finished. The bottle and cups would rattle slightly from the force of his enthusiasm.

"Careful, dolt. You almost spilled the sake," she reprimanded him. Sugimoto would sigh. Filling her own cup with sake, she would drink from it, tilting her head back. "As you can see, my reasons are as I've stated. Hopefully you'll find my other words as equally truthful. And as for why? Well, you're not here alone nor with any Seppun escorts, which I surmised easily enough. No, I don't know about your 'mission', as you've put it. Wouldn't it be more suspect if I did? If anything, consider it an opportunity for the Scorpion to repay the Miya for some of the outstanding debt owed, on behalf of the great work the Imperials have done to shape and maintain this great Emerald Empire - even if such a deed would be considered only a drop in the bucket for what is owed."

Michiko would turn to address Chiharu. "I won't force the issue. This is simply an offer that can be beneficial for all parties involved. This is an opportunity to fulfill our Chugo. It would do Miya-sama a dishonor by not offering our services... when it is apparent she could be in need of them." Michiko would offer Chiharu the slightest little sly smile, which vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"May I fill your cup for you, Miya-sama?"  

[Psychofish]

Tsuyoshi watched the Scorpion- he was trying not to stare them down like suspects, but he was trying to measure them carefully, at least until the implications began. Of course, he didn't need to guess that they'd be up to something, but running on his current theory that their clan had been behind the assassination attempt this was odd.

Either way, he was having none of it. This was his duty, his opportunity, and it was his responsibility to keep her safe from whatever they were playing at.

"Naturally, one must always act for the sake of clan and empire. But accompanying Miya-sama IS not only our duty, but our honor as well. There is no task I would sooner attend to." It was true after all- if he walked away now, it was as a failure.

He wasn't sure what they were playing at, but had to stop himself arguing any further while the Miya posed a question of her own. He listend to the response, trying not to react shamefully to the slight slipped in. "A noble cause, attending to that debt we all share. Though I am unclear- are you proposing that you travel with us in the stead of delivering your missive, or that Miya-sama wait to attend to her own task while you go to Kyuden Doji and return?"

He tried to frame that as inoffensively as possible, careful not to even allow the suggestion that they leave- after all, he didn't trust them here, nor with Miya-sama unsupervised, and he certainly couldn't leave his task without being bade to do so by Miya-sama or his lord, even if they offered to act in his stead.  

[Rain Yupa]

"I will reiterate that I don't know the reason for your travels," Michiko would respond, leaning forward and resting an elbow on the table, resting her horned chin on a clenched fist, while she used her left hand to maneuver her sake cup within her fingers. She continued while Ayame perused the documents. "The fair Doji-san mentioned that Miya-sama is not likely returning in the direction of Kyuden Doji. Although, of course, that is Miya-sama's decision rather than any of ours, on if she returns or not. But if she is keen on my offer and bade us to go there and return with haste, it is likely little waiting would be had. Yonder fellow over there indicated that you plan to stay here overnight," Michiko would say, gesturing with a slight turn of her head to indicate the peasant shopkeep. From across the room, he would reflexively shrink back a bit.

"If your 'mission' prevents such an exchange of responsibility, then of course there's no hard feelings, and we will be on our way, simple as that. Undoubtedly, your ability to offer her satisfactory protection would meet the highest standards, and we would not wish to deny Miya-sama that level of security that she rightly deserves. As such, our own contributions would pale in comparison, and we wouldn't want to hinder you by traveling alongside. We would just continue on our own journey."

Bayushi Michiko would lean a bit forward, making sure to catch Chiharu's then Tsuyoshi's gazes. "Tell me, Crane-sans... do you honestly believe you can protect Miya-sama better than we could?" Her eyebrows would narrow, and the corner of her lips would upturn ever so slightly.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Divine inspiration! Or... literary inspiration, at least. The display reminded her of some espionage novels. Sleight of hand and distractions being used to trick a mark into looking away from the real intentions. So instead of watching the man clearly trying to draw her attention, she made sure to watch the other two. Unfortunately, literary knowledge did not translate to actual experience, so she had to rely far more on that divine inspiration than she would have liked.

Regardless of what she saw, when she finally got the documents they did indeed look to be in order. If not necessarily fitting with a 'travel the land casually' mentality.

"Hm. As it happens, both Tsuyoshi-san and myself have reason to return to Kyuden Doji, and I'd every intention of doing so tomorrow after covering a bit more ground so as not to make the day be a complete waste. Ah, and by way of explanation then, my mission is simple enough in execution, if a bit grand in scope. I have been tasked with updating our Imperial maps of the realm. There is no inherent time limit, though the longer this takes the longer those in need of them will have to rely on information from before the war, so make no mistake of the task's importance. I um... well, ever since my first journey upon the Emperor's Blessing such a task has been my life's dream, so when it was finally granted I may have been a bit... enthusiastic and left before remembering to request an escort." she interjected, all too happy to explain her task to anyone who wished to know. It was hardly a secret, and a benefit to everyone after all, so there seemed very little risk to such an admittance. If anything she hoped it would dissuade any further assassination attempts if these were indeed the sponsors.

"Tis true, these papers would not suggest that you have cause to wander the lands on your way back, but I imagine that simply means your daimyo has tasked you with a secondary unwritten mission, yes? Travel papers can be far more straightforward than the actual task, especially where there are Clan politics involved." With a sage nod, she handed the papers back. "Still. I don't want to hinder you, and trying to fit all six of us into this humble establishment would be uncomfortable to say the least. Perhaps we should conclude this discussion at Kyuden Doji tomorrow."


[Perception/Investigation (Notice) 3k2 w/ 1 VP for trained wishful thinking vs opposed slight of hand
Roll: 2, 4, 10+2 = 16]  

[GustyFox]

I don't see why noble samurai would want to harm Miya-sama. It Bayushi-sama's retinue wishes no harm upon Miya-sama, then, yes, sure, I believe we can protect her withing our borders, I believe Doji-sama holds good knowledg of our roads and terrain. But your concern is much appreciated.  

[Psychofish]

Tsuyoshi tried not to frown, struggling to think of a polite riposte- it was true they were a group of bushi, and even though that made no difference in whether he'd do this job or not he wouldn't put it past them to use his words as some way to try and remove it from him. Besides that he didn't entirely trust them, both of which were points their cointinued interest in taking over made him feel more certain of.

He was spared replying immediately as the Imperial spoke, but his sense of relief only lasted shortly. Returning to Kyuden Doji- he highly doubted that they would hear of an Imperial being escorted through Crane lands with guards that were neither Imperial nor Crane, but he had other worries. Assuming he wasn't found lacking for his lapse in judgement as Miya-sama had there was.... another reason he didn't care to return there.

"I still believe sending a letter would be sufficient, but defer to your judgement of course, Miya-sama," he said bowing his head at the table. As Chiharu spoke he shot her an appreciative glance, and slowly straightened again.

After all, he had no reason to fret about convincing the Scorpions of anything now. He simply had to ensure Miya-sama was safe from them, give them nothing to use against him, and if possible be in her good graces when they returned to the city.