L5R - Cartographers - Crane Lands, Ezura Province

[Rain Yupa]

@ Ayame's roll: You don't think that they're trying to divert attention. You get the sense that Bayushi Michiko and Sugimoto are just more composed than Soshi Mokuami, who's probably just a bit... overzealous. Without a raise, you can't tell more than that.

--------------------

"No secondary objective, and no sense of urgency with our mission - unless Doji Domotai-tono indicates there is. We're not privy to the contents of the letter we are delivering. I was originally tasked with delivering it alone, but through a stroke of bad luck, I was saddled with Moku-kun. To stay my hand from strangling him to death while he slept, I took Sugimoto with me - also, a good opportunity to get to know the man turning me into an aunt."

Michiko would drink once more from her sake cup - apparently, the only one partaking of the rice wine. "Very well put, Miya-sama," Michiko would respond to Ayame, when she brought up how not all of them would fit in the rooms. She would then turn to Chiharu.

GustyFox

"If Bayushi-sama's retinue wishes no harm upon Miya-sama, then, yes, sure, I believe we can protect her withing our borders."

"We accept your challenge," Michiko would say after Tsuyoshi didn't interject against Chiharu's claim. "My own competency is undoubtedly unquestionable, since I am a veteran of the Destroyer War. But my companions here will be the ones to accept the challenge set forth by the Crane," Setting the cup down, she would gesture towards her companions. "The method will be by blade and bow - iaijutsu and kyujutsu. The winner of each duel will have shown themselves better able to serve as protectors. And, fortunes willing, Miya-sama will consider the worth of the victors as her traveling companions."

Turning to face Ayame, Michiko would bow politely. "With your blessing, of course."  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Ayame tilted her head curiously at the response, and events that unfolded after it. To say it was suspicious was a bit of an understatement, but she had to respect the maneuvering. It was a clever manipulation of words, even if it left her in a bit of an awkward situation. The idea of samurai fighting for the privilege of protecting her would have been appealing in a girlish sort of way... haaad this not coincided so closely with an attempt on her life. But at the same time, the honor and ability of her guards was in question.

"Hm hmm... well, that could be interesting. Very well, if you have the supplies, I can approve of the contest. I... don't think I've seen a bow among out supplies. Which... feels like another oversight." She pursed her lips in mild embarrassment. Perhaps this was for the best after all. "Yes... I really do need to deliver my letter in person. We aren't even a full day away from the city. If there was any time to make such a detour, it is now."  

[Rain Yupa]

Michiko would smile as the Miya contemplated the challenge. "Oh, all of us have a yumi. I'd lend one for use in this challenge without hesitation; it would be pointless to measure prowess merely to win by technicality, after all. Likewise, iaijutsu would be to first blood; maiming one another would serve no purpose in regards to your protection."

Michiko look to the Crane, then back to Ayame. "We are also ready immediately, as to not waste Miya-sama's time. So it sounds like permission is granted?"

Ayame (and anyone else), if you're super paranoid about the Scorpion's connection to your attack earlier in the week, you are free to give an Awareness/Investigation (Interrogation) roll to try to get a read off of them. Only a single roll; if any of them have any tells, your TN would be the lowest of the three, rather than rolling against each. This roll is completely optional.

Also, as a courtesy reminder, you are always free to give Awareness/Lore: Bushido to gauge honor levels (this would require a roll against each target).  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Ayame is still in investigation mode, even if she no longer had a void point to spend on it.

[Awareness/Investigation (Interrogation) 3k3 untrained vs. TN ??
Roll: 5, 9, 7 = 21
Awareness/Lore: Bushido 4k3 vs. Ringleader Michiko
Roll: 4, 4, 10+4, 3 = 22]  

[GustyFox]

—I don't see how Bayushi-san heard of a challenge in my words. But surelly now, if we can't protect Miya-sama is because the Scorpion wishes to harm her. That makes everything clear.

With the Miya seemly favoring the contest, Chiharu would make no effort to avoid it.

(And I rolling to check the Michiko's honor: 20)  

[Psychofish]

The Crane paused, taken aback at the sudden pronunciation from the Scorpion, looking over at Chiharu and then back to them for a moment before he could piece together how she had constructed her words to claim some kind of challenge in the Doji's statement of ability. Of course, if they had staked the claim, there was no arguing it or backing out now- it would be inappropriate if they actually had, and appear cowardly even in this case.

Well, if it was going to be a challenge, a challenge it would be! He only wished he'd gotten to declare the terms. No matter who won the duel he already knew where he stood on honor beside a Scorpion. A contest of both might and bravery might have been more appropriate, but he supposed not everyone could be capable enough in such to trust their fate to sumai.

He nods appreciatively at the offer of the bow, even as he considers that it might be good to inspect it before using it, before he hears what Chiharu says next.

"Yes- as my clanmate says, we are certain there is no possible threat in these lands we could not certainly protect Miya-sama against successfully, given the knowledge that yourselves wish her no ill. As such the contest seems superfluous on that front, but we will gladly accept as a friendly contest of arms, and if it should ease your minds."

[5k3 Awareness/Investigation (Interrogation): 9+9+2=20]

[4k3 Awareness/Lore Bushido (Michiko): 7+7+2=16]
[4k3 Awareness/Lore Bushido (Sugimoto): 12+8+7=27]
[4k3 Awareness/Lore Bushido (Mokuami): 17+8+4=29]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Everyone's TN 30 Honor determination rolls: No one passes.

@ Ayame's and Tsuyoshi's interrogation rolls:
Michiko - Pass
Mokuami - Fail
Sugimoto - Pass

From your interrogation roll vs Michiko's Sincerity, she definitely has a secret ulterior motive... but you think it's probably more about personal gain, than one of harm to any of you.

From your interrogation roll vs Sugimoto's Etiquette (since he hasn't expressed himself enough to utilize Sincerity), you gauge that he's ultimately disapproving of this exchange, but you get the sense that his hands are tried and he really can't do anything about it.

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"True, we don't wish any harm, but the way I see it, the honorable Miya-sama wouldn't have been given a Crane escort if your lord truly believed she would not befall any harm if left to travel on her own," Michiko would say with a smirk. "Shall we take this outside?"

Shortly...

After the six samurai would gather outside, Michiko would bow her head slightly to Chiharu, of all things. "My apologies if it seemed like I'm trying to take advantage of your party's training with your respective schools, by the terms I set. During the war, there were... many opportunities for field promotions. Though only Gunso in rank, I did find myself forced to learn the strengths of troops. As such, I have learned to tell who has handled a bow. Without seeing someone wielding one to gauge aptitude, one can usually tell by an archer's fingertips."

Sugimoto and Mokuami both turned to look up at Michiko, apparently neither of them realizing this. "Oh wow, really, cuz?" the latter would ask.

"Sugimoto, your bow please. I know how archery isn't your strong suit," Michiko would ask, ignoring the question. Without responding, Sugimoto would remove his yumi bow and his quiver of arrows, handing them to Michiko, would would in turn offer them to Chiharu. "For your use. We will paint a target upon a tree, and start at... say, a hundred feet. You and Mokuami will fire upon the target, and keep backing up until you miss." Turning to Ayame, Michiko would ask, "Does this sound like a fair assessment?"  

[GustyFox]

—Or maybe my lord only wanted to ensure Miya-sama would travel in good company and not be bored on her long journey? Maybe we should compete in poetry and tea ceremony then.

There was a lack of seriousness on Chiharu's voice but she got the bow without hesitation. Yet, she didn't believed she could outperform a bushi on kyuujutsu:

—I believe Miya-sama's retinue is about to increase and become more... interesting.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Ayame continued to watch the situation unfold in quiet contemplation, curious, but too late to turn back now.

"Mm, you're quite observant. And correct on both counts." she nodded, having been able to make similar observations during her time as a battlefield medic. She held up two fingers, though it was a poor demonstration as she didn't possess either example she was trying to make; merely ink stains, "A bowstring will create callouses on an archer's fingertips, with the amount of practice it takes to become proficient in the art. Much the same as practice in iaijutsu will inevitably create scars on a duelist's thumb, or the side of a writer's hand marked by ink. You can tell a great deal about a person's abilities just by looking at their hands."

To the second question, she nodded again, and walked over to the nearest tree, pulling out part of her mapmaking kit to draw a very neat, perfectly proportioned bullseye target. She also made sure to count out a perfect 100 paces and mark the ground. She was the one who got these two into this little mess in the first place, after all, it wouldn't do to allow the Scorpions any chance to cheat.  

[Rain Yupa]

At this point, Mokuami in his avian eye-mask would approach Chiharu. "Well, koibito-san Chiharu, it looks like I'll be your opponent for this duel," he's say, grinning broadly and rubbing his index finger between his upper lip and nose. "Though I suppose I should formally introduce myself. I am Mokuami of the Eight Masks. I still kind of need to practice with my Mantis one, but yeah, that's my title!"

"That he gave himself," Michiko would say as an aside to Ayame.

"I suppose I might have to make it 'Nine Masks' now, because of this whole Spider business. I'm still not sure if that's really a thing now, or not... ANYWAYS! Let's get to it, koibito-san Chiharu!"

Rules:

Hitting the target at 100 feet will be TN 5. Backing up 30 feet will increase the TN by 5 (130' = TN 10, 160' = TN 15, 190' = TN 20, 220' = TN 25, and finally, 250' = TN 30). 1 raise will be a bulls-eye, but you still hit the target without raising.

Taking aim with his bow, Mokuami looses an arrow, and pegs the target in the bullseye. Result: 19 vs TN 5+5.

Chiharu, it's your shot.  

[GustyFox]

Chiharu could not avoid a mild, somewhat condescending smile, while Mokuami was talking about his masks. And yet her plan was to just to ignore the miss-behaviours of the Scorpion by that point she could not resist joining the "play":

—Is is jut the crane mask that is flirty or Soshi-san behaves like that all the time? I'm just wondering if I would like to see Soshi-san wearing the other ones... eight sound like a lot, we would be spending quite some time together.

She became silent watching he shot, and offered a respectful bow after his turn.

The shugenja would place herself to shot in a zen manner. Taking longer than a bushi would to shot. To Chiharu kyuujutsu was about having a clear mind, a calm heart, it was about the air flowing, but it was also about precision and sharpness, like the air is.

(calling one raise. TN is now 10. Rolled 13 razz )  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"Hm. Well, it is a thing. I can understand misgivings, and only time will tell if this new clan is as honorable as they claim, but... well Empress Iweko, Light of Heaven, was granted the spark of the Divine. Her will is the will of the Kami, so... I trust her completely. If nothing else comes out of this arrangement, at least we are now safe from unwillingly contracting maho taint. Seems like a pretty big win in my book." she commented as she watched, trying to appear impartial but smiling a little as both managed a clean bullseye. This was going to be an interesting competition!  

[Rain Yupa]

"Only when I meet pretty girls," Mokuami would respond to Chiharu, smiling broadly. "Although I admit that when I take on the mask of the Crane, I find myself more receptive to the whispers of Benten herself."

Stepping back another 30 feet, he would lift his bow again, taking aim. "Don't showboat, Moku. Just hit the target," Michiko would say sternly.

"Yes, cuz," he would say, taking careful aim... and going for the bullseye anyway, hitting it dead center once more. Result: 15 vs TN 10+5... phew!

Chiharu, it's your shot.  

[GustyFox]

—Ow, "Moku", that is cute. - Chiharu would giggle briefly.

The shugenja would follow Mokuami's steps walking away from the target. Once again she bowed after his shot, his precision was admirable anyway.

And once again she would shot in a very zen style, letting the arrow fly towards the center of the target.

(Raise for bullseye, TN15, rolled: 22)  

[Rain Yupa]

"Y-yeah... cute..." Mokuami would mutter, seemingly a bit put off, his gaze averting downward toward the ground.

"Hey, koibito-san, how about a wager?" Mokuami would say to the priestess, his tone uplifting. "How about if I win, you have to have dinner with me. I feel my hands would be better guided if they knew they were winning the attentions of one such as yourself. What do you say?" the young man asked, beaming broadly.