Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 2 Chapter 2: Shuuki/Cycle

[Tei Kae]

She shook her head, "Sadly, no. Just a Hida who liked to follow me around." Another small shudder. "I think we should just give up for the night and turn in for the night. It might be our last chance to rest for a while."

But she did also turn back his words in her mind, almost unbelieving...

"Wait...a Yasuki outdid a Scorpion Bayushi in word play?"  

[Plainsfox]

Kojiro would let out a deep sigh. "There is a time for witty banter and word play. When an irate Crab is throwing daggers at you, it might not be that time. Especially when our duty is before us."  

[Tei Kae]

Miyako just laughed slyly. "If you think I'm forgetting this...you're crazier than anyone I've met tonight" But she patted his arm all friendly like. "How about you escort me to my room and find me some dinner and we'll just relax for tonight, hmm?"  

[Plainsfox]

The bushi nodded to the actress. "I would like that. A peaceful dinner before the real part of our mission.I will warn you. Crab meals can be really ....dull."

With that, Kojiro escorted Miyako to her room and set about finding food for them.  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Miyako & Kojiro:

"Wait, frend Meeyako! Wait!" the portly Hida would call out, running up the hall after her, which was a sight in amongst itself. He didn't look concerned per se; or rather, concerned in the same way a puppy would when its owner was trying to leave.

Whether or not you let him catch up is up to you both.  

[Mongooseh]

<5k5 Raw intelligence to notice clan features, 1 void used to receive +1k1. vs tn?? Result:47 >  

[Psychofish]

Denbe was officially unsettled now.

Trying not to twitch in his seat like the nervous Hare he should not be so literally representing at the moment, he thought himself through it, and while he supposed coming in and making loud stories could have gotten a Crab or two irate with him, there was no way he should have any actual enemies here, or anyone should have come to have real ill will against him. It was probably just a strange Crab devoted to his duty to the point of such suspicion, rather than any actual hostility.

...still, he'd keep an eye out for if he rose.

In the meanwhile, Denbe didn't necessarily care to discuss the last village, and didn't think he had it in him to really wow the audience again, so instead of bragging on his own personal achievements anymore, he'd make one last attempt- going back to the tournament, he'd describe all of the contests he'd attended or been able to watch that had "Crab like excitement" in them; the combat one, the dueling, jiujutsu, athletics, shugenja duels, any of the sort that were open for public viewing- in a more relaxed tone, and with a focus on the Crabs who were there. Hopefully as long as he made a decent story of it, the subject matter would keep them interested but maybe not leave them... begging for another.

[1 Raise to keep it interesting for the Crabs.]
[4k3 Awareness/Storytelling(Oratory): 34 vs TN 20]  

[Psychofish]

[Explosion: 17]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Kagae:

Actually, from a few locks of hair jutting out from beneath his helmet, you see some hair that was dyed a golden blond color, slowly fading back to its original black. Odds are, this man was formally of the Lion, and married into the Crab.

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

@ Denbe:

You mean, how Kaori didn't win or place in any event, and Hogai only placed in one?

It seemed most of the Crabs were delighted with this turn of story, that fellow suddenly stood up. "Okay, that's it." He would suddenly start pulling off pieces of his armor, one piece at a time, snorting furiously.

The chatter seemed to die down quickly, and after a few moments, all the other Crabs backed away from Denbe.  

[Tei Kae]

Miyako sighed, as much as she was cruel she was also trained to be polite and as the crab caught up to them almost as they reached her room, she sighed again and shooed Kojiro away. "Go get food. Rescue me in a few."

Turning, she put a hand up to her mouth, stifling a yawn. "Yes, Hida-san? My friend is okay, but I find I'm now exhausted. I hope you'll forgive me for turning in now. It's been a long day."  

[Mongooseh]

"I'm not here to man the wall but I guessed from his appearance that he probably wanted to see to my wounds." Kagae said climbing back up, "I'm Kaiu Kagae, here on magisterial business."

"You do know it's easier to appear as a hida if you lose the habit of dying your hair? I understand wanting to keep part of your family nearby." Stated Kagae as he stood back upon the battlements and opened his umbrella again.  

[Psychofish]

Denbe recognized the motions that were suddenly going on, quickly looked to one of the Crabs near him. "...if I accept a martial contest, would any injuries interfere with his duties?" He wasn't worried about the whole mess hall ending up shut down because of a fight. It was big and sturdy enough. He stood and made to guard himself, ready even if this fellow rushed him before he got an answer.

Unless he got a distinct no... he'd watch the other Crab carefully, but move to remove his own armor. Because unless he was mistaken, he was about to relive his match with Hogai.

[Full Defense Stance]
[6k4+3 Agility/Defense: TNtbH 34 (29 without armor if he's given time to remove it)]
[3k3 Intelligence/Lore(Crab): 13 to determine if this would be OK with the boss-Crabs.]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Kagae:

"Huh?" Reaching up to his helmet, he would smile. "Oh, that. No, the dye is coming out. It's not done yet though. I've only been married a few months, after all. I'm a Hida now, and if I want to fit in with my new family, I realize certain traditions must be forgotten."

Tilting his head, and resting the tip of his tetsubo on the ground as a brace, he would ask, "Magistrate? You look a little young for it. Nasty scar though, so I guess you've seen your share." 14 on his etiquette to mean no offense by his comments.

"So, you tracking down some sort of criminal? Yours is the first new face I've seen all summer, so I'm surprised you'd think there was someone here hiding out."

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

@ Denbe:

The Hida across the room had more armor to discard, so despite his head start, Denbe would have time to get his off.

"Pffft. That's never stopped Noriyori before, man. You're on your own," a random Hida would say to Denbe as they all cleared room.

Suddenly...

"Cousin Hogai-san can't even be conquered by death itself; there's no way he would be so easily defeated by a liar like you!" he would announce, before moving to rush Denbe!

Denbe, initiative!

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

@ Miyako:

Huffing and puffing and huffing and puffing and huffing and puffing, Miyako's new friend would gulp heavily as sweat exuded off him like a fountain. "Who zat, frend Meeyako? He purdy." Daisetsu would say to her, seemingly genuinely curious.  

[Mongooseh]

"Criminal? No..." Mused Kagae wondering what he could tell the man of the mission, "I... We're here to investigate strange occurrences in the twilight mountains. Also me and my travelling..." Kagae pretty much spat the next word, "companions are not magistrates just agents of a group of them."

"Though on the topic of criminals the scar is from an encounter I had with a bandit leader generally taking a katana to the face while wounded and caught without your armour on is inadvisable."

Kagae reached into his obi and pulled out his finger of jade and begun twirling it.

"So this hida family you married into... They must live in kaiu lands for you to be this far up the wall?"  

[Tei Kae]

She couldn't decide if the man was crazy or just slow. But there was nothing to delight in the cruelty to either. There was just no one to appreciate it. If they had their wits and were just stupid, sure....

"He is one of my companions, Hida-san. We are looking for a man and he keeps me safe. A very noble occupation, is it not?" Just testing the waters to see if there was any intelligence in the man. It was just then she had a very fun idea and turned her voice very sweet. "You know, Bayushi-san is a very admirable man. I've learned many things since meeting him." mentally, she laughed like what to avoid and how not to behave.

[Courtier/Awareness + Manipulation emphasis + Free raise for voice to redirect his attentions to Kojiro.

7k4 + 3=30 ]