[X] Find a way to contact Bayushi Mataru.
You weigh your options. As it stands, you could wait for however long it shall take Yasuki Goro to be finished with his dealings and inform him of what has happened. However, that uses up valuable time that might be better spent easing the way for your Lord. After all, the plan isn't for your group to remain long in Crane Lands.
With that in mind, seeking out Bayushi Mataru seems the best course of action. The Scorpion delegation seems to have already been laying groundwork to overcoming this diplomatic hurdle with Doji Noboru. If you could arrange contact with them before Yasuki Goro finishes with the port authority then it will help expedite matters dramatically.
You set aside your plate, pleasantly sated with tempura and fried vegetables, and nod to yourself. Perhaps you are being presumptuous, but it is with the best of intentions. This is all to limit the inconvenience to your superior. Surely there cannot be anything wrong with that.
"I believe it's time to seek out our friend Bayushi Mataru, Shirou-san," you say, turning to face the monk. "He has likely been in the city for weeks now, and it would be good to coordinate how we may prove our good intentions to the Daidoji."
"That seems a wise course of action, Sosuke-sama," Shirou replies, still holding his empty cup. He drums his fingers on it in thought. "I am unsure how we might begin our search, however. Mura Sabishii Toshi is not a large city, but it isn't a small one either. We could spend hours walking these streets before we locate them."
A frown graces your lips at Shirou's words, but cannot deny your friend's wisdom. Yasuki Goro will be in discussions for some time yet, but you cannot spend the entire day searching for Bayushi Mataru and the other Scorpion Samurai. Your duty is, first and foremost, to be his Yojimbo and assistant. Your Lord has given you a great deal of leeway, but you doubt it extends so far as to wander about aimlessly until the sun goes down.
"I believe that is easy enough to resolve," Himawari says, smiling. She raises her hand, beckoning the serving woman from before. The woman approaches, giving a bow Himawari returns with a nod. "I have a question. Have any Scorpion Samurai dined here in the last few weeks?"
The woman, eyes downcast as is proper for a peasant, nods. "Yes, Samurai-sama. Just four days ago they came in for lunch."
"And would you, perhaps, know where they came from?" Himawari asks. "We have important matters to discuss with them."
"It is not my place to inquire into the business of Samurai, honored Lord," the woman replies, her posture growing tense. A quick glance reveals her knuckles growing white as she clutches her apron. "It would be improper of me to speak of such things."
"It is all right, good woman," Himawari says, her voice soft. "As I said, we have business with these Scorpion Samurai. You won't be doing anything wrong by helping us."
"As you say, Samurai-sama," the woman replies, unclenching her hands. She still seems nervous, but has at the very least calmed down somewhat. "They mentioned in conversation they were staying at The Golden Fan. It is an… Inn, near the docks."
"I see," you interject, your eyes narrowing. "And you simply overheard this?"
"All I can say is that they spoke loudly, Samurai-sama," the peasant woman replies. "They made no attempt at hiding their conversation from the room."
"That should suffice, thank you," Himawari says, nodding toward the woman again. "Your help is appreciated."
"My thanks, Samurai-sama," the woman says, bowing and taking her leave with obvious relief.
"I suppose we have a destination now," Shirou says, drawing everyone's eyes to him. "Should we head that way?"
"Yes," you say, standing up. "I would meet with Mataru-san again to discuss important matters, and it would be good just to see him again."
"I would enjoy that as well," Shirou replies, smiling broadly. "I remember him as a respectable Samurai and a fine warrior. I'm curious as to how he's managed this last month."
You make your way from Hayaku's Walk and back the way you came, for the most part. Directions to The Golden Fan are easy enough to find, though people give your party strange looks as you ask. There is no time to ask as to why, however, as the people you query quickly move on after giving you the answer you seek.
It quickly becomes apparent that 'near the docks' is a relative description. The path you take is certainly in the same direction as the harbor, but it does not lead directly there or to the storage areas located near it. You can guess it would not be a long walk between the two areas, however, but where you head now is definitely separated from the port.
After all, it is doubtful there would be the sound of music on the wind among the docks, after all, or at least none so fine as what you hear now. Nor would there be so many fine perfumes, overwhelming even among the fragrances of this city…
As you spot the red lanterns hanging from storefronts, you begin to understand just why the people you asked directions from were giving you such queer looks. It certainly explains why they moved on as swiftly as possible afterward.
"This is a geisha house," Hanabi says with narrowed eyes, lips drawn tight as you all stand before your destination. "Sosuke-san, your friend has taken lodging within a geisha house."
"That does appear to be the case," Himawari mutters, frowning. "They seem to have rooms for people to stay, but it's certainly… bold, of them."
The Golden Fan is a sizable compound surrounded by a low wall that reaches up just above your head, ensuring privacy and showing off a fair degree of wealth. Above those walls you can see the tops of trees, their branches laden with flowers. No doubt there's a small garden inside, along with several other amenities. These places are supposed to be relaxing, though you only know this from hearsay as you've never been to one.
Now you only need to decide just how you're going to proceed. The direct approach could be useful, but you'll likely need to inform the Oka-san that you're not here to… relax. It might save you and everyone else a great deal of embarrassment to just have a letter delivered.
[] Walk right inside the geisha house, asking for Mataru.
[] Have a letter delivered inside, asking Mataru to meet you elsewhere.
[] Write in.
