Remove ads

Blood and Secrets (Legend of the Five Rings)

Kimiko laughs along with her new friend, her laughter ringing out like silver bells. She's not quite sure what's so funny, but Saori's laughter is so infectious that she can't help but join in.

And then the servant returns, with Kimikos food.

After seeing him off with a cheerful "Thank you~!" Kimiko turns back to Saori. "I thank you for the praise, Saori-san," she says with a nervous smile, "But I don't think I'm very, um..." Kimiko snaps her wandering eyes back to Saori, "Very wise. I've never been able to write poetry very well, and..." The Matsu shakes her head roughly, having noticed her attention wavering again. "And...um...what was I saying?"

It's clear that the Matsu is torn between not offending her brand new friend and her hunger.
 
Having collected herself, Saori merely allows a tsk to escape her lips. "Nonsense." She notices Kimiko's admirable attempt at dividing her small mental faculties between conversation and food, and takes mercy on the poor thing, picking up her own chopsticks as her appetite comes back. "But now, we should finish our meals, no?" With that,she begins to eat.
 
Saburou walks in, feeling refreshed after some warm-up done in his room. His On breaks momentarily to show a warm smile on his face when glancing at Kimiko, her laughter feeling like a blessing of some sort, but it disappears without a trace once the bushi switches to Saori. "I hope this morning finds you both well, Asahina-san. Matsu-san." He greets the two girls with a bow, making a tiny pause to allow his brain to catch up. They're in public now, and Kimiko probably won't appreciate being called by her name in front of others.
 
Last edited:
It takes most of his willpower to Saburou to not laugh at Kimiko, clearing up his throat to hide a couple giggles instead. She's being adorable again, just like yesterday, and like before. He can't help but smile at the berserker, the happiness she irradiates is so contagious it can't simply be ignored. "Thanks to the fortunes I had." A dreamless night, which is good enough. "How was your night?"

He then glances at the table, full with many delicacies the region has to offer, and glances back at the girls.

"If you please pardon my impertinence, is it okay for you if I join in their table?"
 
Last edited:
Shizuka rises with the sun, as she has since before her training began. She quietly washes her face and gathers her things, donning her armor in ritual fashion. After securing the last piece she takes her massive axe and lays it across her back with her daisho taking their place on her left hip. Ready for the day, she heads to the common hall.

@EtchedSteel
Laughter? What is going on. As she steps inside she can hear the Asahina and the Matsu conversing and laughing and "...being amiable to each other. What sort of sorcery has the shugenja wrought." The tall Hida merely arches an eyebrow for a moment before looking at Saburou and his smile. "It seems that there is something in the air, Saburou-san. We should leave before we catch it," Shizuka quips with a slight smirk on her face. "Or we can stay, it doesn't seem to bode our companions ill."
 
@Dirtnap

Looking up at the Crab samurai-ko, Saburou thinks his answer for a brief moment... Only to be beaten by Kimiko. Again. "We should stay, Hida-san." He nods, returning a smirk at the tall warrior. "With their permition, that is. What does not kill you only strengthen you after all, right?"

Finally taking a seat, the Lion calls for a servant and orders a bowl of rice and some more vegetables. No beets amongs them, shamefully, but it hardly matters.
 
"Good morning," Saori greets with a nod, opting to merely continue her meal.
 
@GilliamYaeger @EtchedSteel
Shizuka sits next to the Akodo and looks over at Kimiko, "Well, I suppose it shouldn't be too bad then. Far be it from me to miss a meal, especially one held in such high regards." She smiles tightly and orders her own breakfast, fish and rice.
@Rook
"Good morning, Asahina-san." Shizuka bows her head to the shugenja, "I take it you are an early riser?"
 
"I am indeed," Saori answers simply. "I do so love the peace of the predawn, before Lord Sun continues from Lady Moon. There's nothing quite like it, I have found."
 
"Um..." Having finished eating, Kimiko looks around at the others. "I've forgotten what we were supposed to be doing. Today, I mean. Other than investigating the killings. Or rather how are we going to do that. Or, um..."

Kimiko has managed to confuse herself.
 
"I think there's nothing else but continuing with the investigation, Matsu-san." Saburou says, leaning back on his seat after letting out a satified sigh. He strokes his chin, recalling Miya Anshou's scroll and its contents. "I suggest starting with the sake brewery, since its the most recent incident."
 
Last edited:
"Very well. Then that is what we shall do," Saori defers.
 
Shizuka wipes her mouth after finishing her breakfast. "Excellent, with luck, perhaps we can ease the troubles of the town."
 
The morning that greeted the four Samurai was one covered in an overcast sky, though meager and only distantly threatening rain. However, that subtle blocking of the light was enough to affect the general mood of the town. Shadows seemed a little longer for all that there was daylight, and there was a slight chill to the air that was at odds with the warmth of the season.

The brewery was not difficult to find, for it was easily the largest building in the entire town. Or, rather, the largest collection of buildings. The smallest appeared to be an office, though there was enough space near the roof to possibly house some small living quarters. Behind that was the storage area where the sake waited to be shipped all across the region. Dozens of barrels would be placed there daily, awaiting transport from either merchants or other individuals with enough coin to purchase the drink.

And greater than them both was the actual sake works itself. It towered over the other buildings, easily two stories tall. Even more, it sprawled across the ground such that it took up as much room as four houses put together. The sound of shouting came from inside, but they were not cries of anger. Instead, it seemed like people were bellowing directions of the din of metal clanging together and fire roaring.

A low, shoulder high wall surrounded all the buildings, connecting at the office. There was a single gate near the storage building that led into the works entire, large enough for a wagon to be pulled through. It was made of thick wood and bound with a heavy chain, but with the height of the wall it seemed more designed to ensure no one could easily steal the sake rather than actually keeping anyone out.

Despite all the space the brewery took up on the street, however, everyone was giving it a wide berth. What few peasants weren't in the fields would take the time to walk on the other side of the street, and winced should their gaze come across the buildings. Combined with the clouds overhead keeping a bit of night's darkness lingering, it cast the entire establishment in a gloomy light.
 
Last edited:
"I should hope not," Saori says, mouth a flat line. It's never good to see the heimin in such a state, but 'doom and gloom' seems to be the overarching tone of the Naishou province. The Asahina lets out a little sigh. Work, work, work to be done. "But we shall see. Here's hoping that we can make something of this visit."
 
"Hmm, they do seem to be going out of their way to avoid this place." Shizuka shifts as she studies the group of buildings. The wall is tall enough to discourage theft but not much else. The gate seems fairly sturdy, though I don't it would stop a truly determined individual. "Perhaps we should announce ourselves."
 
@Rook

"One can hope, of course, but better is to try our best." Saburou comments, observing the passing peasants and the look on their faces. Which how much is at stake, we better make this count.

@Dirtnap

Nodding in silent agreedment, Saburou lets out a sigh and walks inside the smallest building.
 
Inside the office a pudgy man sat at a desk looking over papers, grumbling to himself as he ran a hand over his receding hairline. He was clad in a finely made brown kimono, though it didn't hold any impressive designs. In that way he matched the office itself, crafted of fine wood and well put together while lacking any ostentatious decoration. It was plain room, all too fitting for what seemed like a plain man.

To some degree it spoke of humility, but more likely the merchant did not wish to imply thoughts above his station. It would not do to have his surroundings cause offense, and thus attract the attention of his betters. No amount of wealth would protect a peasant from a Samurai who believed him reaching outside the bounds of propriety. Those were bonds more powerful than the shine of gold, for they were backed with the strength of steel.

"If you're here for an order, then you need to wait outside the gate," he said as he took out a page and began to write, distracted by whatever response he was making to the reports he had been reading earlier. "We've just completed a new batch, and..." The man looked up, finally noticing the Samurai as they walked into the room. His face paled, standing immediately to bow low at the waist. "My most humble apologies, honored Lords! Please forgive me for not acknowledging you properly as you came in."
 
Last edited:
"It's quite alright. Be at ease, now." Saori silently studies the man for a moment. Then she continues, voice soft, "We are here to try and find anything we may about the one called Joufu. His fate, and the misfortune to befall others of the common people is of interest to the august Miya Anshou-dono."
 
"Joufu, great Samurai?" the man asked, grimacing in remembrance. His shoulders relaxed, however, at Saori's words and tone. The merchant's tension faded as he stood straighter, his posture more at ease even as he avoided making eye contact with the Samurai. "That was nasty business, very nasty. But I assure you I wasted no expense having the brewery cleansed and purified to rid it of the defilement his murder caused." He grimaced again. "Yes, no small expense... Ah, please forgive me, honored Lords. I do so tend to ramble. How may I help you?"
 
Last edited:
"I'm afraid that we must ask you to recall the... details, as it were, of the affair." Saori purses her lips in distaste. So wasteful, so unpleasant a business. The shugenja-ko motions gently with a hand, then continues, "We are trying to ascertain all we can about each case - as I said, anything you can tell us about Joufu-san will be of great use."
 
Last edited:
"What I know, Samurai-sama?" the man asked incredulously, his eyes widening. "Why... I can assure you I didn't get anywhere close to something so unclean!" He wrung his hands, almost as if he were washing them. "I left that matter with the Doshin, as is proper, and the Eta carried Joufu's corpse away after he was finished. It was..." His brow scrunched up as he considered past events, though from his expression he truly did not wish to. "Shin-san, yes! It was the Doshin Shin-san who looked into the incident. I think he might have discovered something about the whole ordeal, but I can't be sure. I didn't want to be so close to such nasty business, you see. A man has to be careful of such things lest he bring ill fortune upon himself."
 
Last edited:
You must login or register to reply here.
Remove ads
Back
Top