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In the near dead bar the suspicious talk coasted right over everything, carrying about as easily as the sight of his fellows did, and he noted that he might as well keep an eye on them-

About the time when they went pale at the sight of his companions- the Scorpions of all people, which raised a few more questions and suspicions in Denbe's mind.

As if they hadn't been suspicious in the first place, fleeing so had done the job. And now Denbe had two reasons to get moving- to find out what was going on, and to catch them before the Scorpions did, just in case there was something afoot that would have had the two slice their throats. If they were guilty of serious crimes, there would be a cost, but until he knew what was going on they were information on legs- possibly information with an expiration date.

The Hare bolted out the door after them, stifling the urge to curse under his breath.

"Halt!"

...he didn't really expect that to work, but it worth a shot. If they didn't stop for him, at least he was betting he was the faster in a footrace.

[2 Raises to run faster]
[7k4+3 Agility/Athletics(Running): 31 vs TN ??+10 to run the suspects down.]

@Kuda Mura and Husk and Shell Inn

Zanzen made his way to the inn after taking a moment to assess the town and see what shops were around. Entering, he'd ignore the others, heading towards the counter where he could get a room and food.

Penalties:
One koku spent on traveling supplies/lodging.
One koku spent on traveling supplies/lodging.
One koku spent on traveling supplies/lodging.
One koku spent on traveling supplies/lodging.
Exhausted: -1k0 and dice cannot explode for all earth-based rolls until you spend a full day resting (cumulative)*.
Sluggish: -1k0 and dice cannot explode for all water-based rolls until you spend a full day resting (cumulative)*.

@The Husk and Shell Inn

Kojiro was shocked for a moment as he noticed his two companions launch off after them. "What in the....." He regained his composure though and launched after them, drawing his Kusari-gama and attempting to use the chain portion to knockdown the one that started fleeing first.

OOC:
Agility/Athletics w/ 2 raises to keep up with Denbe (4k3 w/2 additional dice; first six)
Results: 23
Agility/Kusarigama w/3 raises;spending a void roll to increase it by 1k1+3 (7k4+6+2(Are these lawbreakers, Rain? ) w/ 3 additional dice, second ten)
Total Raises: 2 Free Raises from using a Chain weapon for knockdown. 1 called raise to use a chain weapon for a knockdown. Two raises called to assist on the contested knockdown roll.
Results: 27 (29 if Kojiro gets the ancestral hunt lawbreaker bonus)

GM's notes:
Kojiro: -1k0 earth/water.
Denbe: -1k0 earth/void.
Kagae: -1k0 fire.
Seichiro: -1k0 earth/void.
Zanzen: -1k0 earth/water.
Kyumi: ??
Hisashi: ??
Miyako: None
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@ Kagae's Residence:

Hana's Raw Perception Roll: 24

"... Kagae-kun? Kagae-kun, is that you, honey?" Hana would ask, rushing down the stairs as the servants scattered like roaches away from ground zero. As soon as she saw him, her eyes would go wide with excitement. "Kagae-kun! You're back!"

The former Kuni would rush over to him and hugged him in a fierce Water 3 grip in such a way that would probably begin to explain Antisocial disadvantages. "Oh, Kagae-kun, you came all the way here wearing armor? You're just as obtuse as your father! Oh, look at you..." she would say, stepping back and eyeing him up and down. "You're filthy. It's probably a furnace in there too. You have to tell me everything about the tournament, but not until you get cleaned up first." As she said that, servants began to appear to assist Kagae in removing the armor.

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

@ Yakety Sax:

((@ Plainsfox: You don't know if they've broken any laws, so you can't apply the bonus. They could just be fearful or very paranoid for all you know, which is not a crime in of itself.))

"Halt!" Denbe would call out as he waited a moment... but the ashigaru did not come back. Did they ever come back when he shouted 'Halt'? Probably not, if he stopped and think about itBUTTHEY'REGETTINGAWAY!

Ashigaru 1: 25 athletics (35 to Kojiro and Denbe).
Ashigaru 2: 16 athletics (26 to Kojiro and Denbe).

Miyako would hurry out the door to survey the scene. The Ashigaru were running down the main street, one outpacing the other. Denbe pushed past her to take up chase, and Kojiro shortly thereafter, waving his chain weapon around menacingly. Which was funny, since he was so busy attempting to not hit himself with it, he wasn't able to catch up to either peasant soldier. PROBABLY not the best weapon to give chase with.

Here is where your raises come in. Denbe, you can catch the slower ashigaru, or not let the faster one get away. Kojiro, if you wanted to keep up with Denbe, you would have to roll the same thing he got. But if Denbe chooses to pursue the faster one, you can keep pace with the slower one.

Miyako! The boys are being boys! Since you didn't immediately take up chase after them (and with your small stature, that would be difficult), but you've been here a couple days and know the general layout of the village, if you wanted to do something more clever.

Just then, a Crane bushi takes stock of the situation, shrugs, and walks into the inn!

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@ Husk and Shell Inn:

"Of course, noble samurai! I'll get you a meal at once!" the peasant on staff behind the counter would say, bowing his head and disappearing into the back to prepare a full meal of anything the Kakita asked for, as long as it wasn't too exotic (it would be unavailable to them). About this time, a younger child, not even in his teenage years, came and delivered a small tray with two pitchers, one of water, one of sake, to Seichiro's table. The boy would bow deeply as he would back away thereafter.

"Bayushi-san," Denbe called as he started to pass the slower of the two now-suspects, making his intentions clear. "Stop him! Don't harm him!"

If weapons were drawn by these two then it was only fair the Scorpion would protect himself... but Denbe didn't like how they'd gone pale at the sight of the Scorpions, and now one of them had his weapon out already. Was Kojiro a part of something? What if these "deliveries" weren't even anything illegal?

He wanted answers first- so the Hare pressed himself full-tilt after the second, aiming to run him down and bring this chase to a close before things had a chance to get dicey.

[1 Raise to initiate a jiujutsu attack. 1 Raise to close the distance this round.]
[7k4+3 Agility/Athletics(Running): 38 to catch the faster Ashigaru]

Miyako wasn't nearly as quick as the hare or even the other Scorpion. But what she lacked in speed or strength, she made up for in cleverness. Running over what she knew of the city in her explorations of the past few days, she'd decide which way would be the best way to find a short cut to perhaps cut the runners off, her hand on her weapon, but not drawn. She only had a few questions.

}1 VP + 2k2 = 3k3 = 14{

Seichiro bowed back, then grabbed the water pitcher and poured it into the cup. While he wanted to give chase to those Ashigaru, he knew he wasn't as fast as the Hare was. He took a sip of the water, sighing with a smile.

[Explosion: 17]