[x] Sirrocco
Investigation Roll: 4k2=13
"This is Hiruma Shasa-san," you say, motioning with one hand to your fellow Yojimbo. "I am Hiruma Sosuke." You bow in your seat. "A pleasure to meet you, Bayushi Mataru-san."
"And to you, Hiruma Sosuke-san," Mataru says, bowing first to you and then to Shasa. "And to you as well, Hiruma Shasa-san." He straightens and smiles. "Are you all enjoying the play so far?"
You glance back to the stage, where to see a man in green armor instructing a woman in pale blue. This is no doubt Mirumoto and Doji Konishiko, the Dragon and Crane Thunders. They appear to be training while their group advances into the Shadowlands. Or, rather, Mirumoto seems to be training Konishiko. The Crane Thunder is going through forms, all under the watchful eye of the older Dragon Samurai.
"No," Mirumoto says sharply, waving a hand to call for Konishiko to stop. "Too much weight on your leading foot. You have no balance. An enemy will exploit that." He goes through a swift, agile motion with both hands. "And your counterstrike is too slow. No form or control. Control the blade; do not chop with it. It is a katana, not a tetsubo."
You look down at your own tetsubo. Now what exactly was wrong with hitting hard and fast with blunt, heavy objects? Though… You must admit there is a difference between how you use your tetsubo and how you wield your katana.
Konishiko gives Mirumoto a frustrated look and begins her forms again. "I defeated Matsu, Mirumoto-sama," she says.
"You did not defeat Matsu, you disarmed her," Mirumoto corrects. "Matsu saw you as a child, not an enemy. Had she truly meant to kill you, you would have perished."
"My brother's soul guides me," Konishiko says, holding the blade high again. "I will be fine."
Mirumoto nods, and then bows deeply to Konishiko. The Crane Thunder returns the gesture. It seems for all the world like a peaceful, respectful gesture of acknowledgement.
"Kill me if you can," Mirumoto says.
"The play is fascinating," you say as Mirumoto proceeds to slam Konishiko into the floor. "Very moving. I suppose that, living here, you must have opportunity to see plays like this all the time, but I've never seen anything like it in the Crab lands. Do you take in such plays often?"
"Living so close to the Shosuro, the theater houses always have something going on," Mataru says. "But I'm a little surprised. Don't the Crab have their own form of plays? I believe I'd heard something about that."
You blink, confused at Mataru's words, before you realize what exactly he's talking about. You chuckle a little bit, and Shasa joins in with you. Your fellow Yojimbo is the one who answers the Scorpion Samurai.
"Ah, you must be speaking of Draw Lots Plays," Shasa says. "Though those are really just for short, humorous distraction." She waves a hand at the stage. "It's certainly not a large production like this."
"I see," Mataru says, nodding to her. "I thank you for correcting me." He grins. "It's always nice to know more about your neighbors."
"On that subject," you say. "I'm hoping to see more plays in Shiro no Shosuro, if we have time. Would you happen to know anything of the place?"
"I can definitely say you won't lack for good performances," Mataru says. "Very likely the Shosuro will ask that you sit in on a few of them, just so their students have a chance to perform for someone not of the Clan."
"That might be interesting," Shirou says, setting down a bowl that had once been full of rice. "Depending on the play, of course."
"I'm sure you'll find something that suits your interest," Mataru says. He turns to you, still smiling. You get the impression he does that a lot. "So, what brings you to our fair city, if you don't mind my asking? Are you with the group I heard going up to the castle?"
"Shasa-san and I are Yojimbo for Yasuki Goro-sama, as we make our way to Dragon Lands," you admit. "With the recent troubles with the Shadowlands, the rich Jade seams they have discovered could be of use."
"I'm just out to see the world," Shirou says, leaning on the table with one elbow and support his head with his hand. "Though I will gladly give whatever aid I can to Sosuke-sama and Shasa-sama's mission. It is always troubling when the Shadowlands stir."
"We've been hearing a little about that," Mataru says, his grin fading to a thoughtful frown. "Is it true, then? Are the Shadowlands mobilizing again?"
"Yes," you say empathically. "Without a doubt. The creatures there getting more directed now, operating with true intelligence rather than bestial instinct. It's only a matter of time before there's another huge assault on the Wall."
"Very troubling," Mataru says. He leans forward, speaking softly. "I take it since Yasuki-sama is not with you that he remained at the castle. Might he be speaking with my lady Bayushi Chisata-sama on this matter?"
"I would not know what they are discussing," you say. "And wouldn't dare presume such. All I know is that it was said the honorable Daimyo wished for a private discussion."
"Of course," Mataru says, bowing to you. "I apologize if I am prying. It is just that your words have left me feeling ill at ease. It has been so long since the last incursions from the Shadowlands." He smiles again as he straightens. "But I am glad that the Crab are diligent as always in fending them off. Truly, the Empire is lucky to have such warriors as you there to hold the line against the forces of Jigoku."
You relax a little, hearing those words. At first you thought that Mataru was just someone intruding on your night, but it seems he's genuinely interested in your concerns. At the very least he's not dismissing them out of hand or trying to change the subject like so many in the other Clans do when the topic of the Shadowlands comes up. It's not a bad change of pace, all told.
It makes you feel good, actually, for your Clan to be getting some recognition. You will do your duty whether it is properly recognized or not, but you can't deny some gratitude for all the Crab have suffered on behalf of the Empire is a welcome thing. If there are more like Mataru, who take your words seriously, then perhaps there is hope.
Especially if the issue of the Shadowlands is indeed what Yasuki Goro and Bayushi Chisata are discussing. If that is the case, then this journey might yield unexpected benefit aside from just the Jade. Another Great Clan adding its voice to the Crab's concerns could have great weight in the Courts.
Something takes you away from your thoughts, though, and you hardly listen as Shasa and Shirou continue to speak with Mataru. There, over the Scorpion Samurai's shoulder, you see seven people in plain robes approaching. Three women and four men… But something is odd about them. You're not sure if it is the way they move, or perhaps just how their skin looks in the lantern light, but something is definitely off.
They've gotten awfully close to you by this point, and you realize that you've been so distracted by the conversation that you missed most of their approach. Something niggles at the back of your mind as you observe them, a sense of danger. But what could it be?
The answer to that becomes apparent when the leading man draws a foot long blade from his sleeve.
"They have knives!" you shout, standing and grabbing your chair. You toss it at the group, but they disperse quickly and dodge the soaring furniture before rushing toward you. The distance is closing fast, and the other members of your party are still getting up to respond to this sudden assault. You have, at most, a few bare moments before the battle is joined.
What will you do?
[] Counter their charge with your own, and give your comrades time to ready themselves.
[] Throw the table at them, and hopefully stall the attack for a few seconds.
[] Stand in front of your allies and blunt the initial assault to give them time to get ready.
[] Write in.
) but unimaginative Yojimbo? A bit scorpionish, but shouldn't be too problematic.
