In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
- Location
- Earth
[X] Relax your body and speak coldly, leaving your voice completely flat:"I see. My Lord, your guest during Winter Court, was murdered. And the assassin who attacked Otomo-sama, who I stopped, was never caught, was he Lion-san? So, on the order and representing the honor of your lord Matsu Ketsui-dono, did you then, as Bushido and Courtesy teach, order me to surrender to her lawful order? Or did you attack me unprovoked? Are you afraid that a single Scorpion at the very gates of Shiro Matsu was a threat to you or all the honorable Lion samurai surrounding you? You then further demonstrated your Lords teachings by kicking said Scorpion while on the ground and held imoblile after the ambush. Tell me Lion-san, when I face Kesui-dono before the entire Court and deny these heinous accusations, whose name should I tell her represented her orders and honor so well?"
Because appreances matter. We do not want to get dragged into court gaged and bound to have our head loped off. They are breaking all the rules of Bushido. We are not condemned, merely accused. Best to walk in, head held high and under escort then to let them dictate terms. They are Matsu. With Matsu, you do not submit. They only see it as weakness.
Because appreances matter. We do not want to get dragged into court gaged and bound to have our head loped off. They are breaking all the rules of Bushido. We are not condemned, merely accused. Best to walk in, head held high and under escort then to let them dictate terms. They are Matsu. With Matsu, you do not submit. They only see it as weakness.
- Location
- Leeds
Erm is threatening the guy really the best choice here?
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
And we don't want to get carried into Court because Naoto fell down every set of stairs between the front gate and the Court proper. Which is the most likely outcome if he starts smarting off to the grumpy Matsu bushi who would like him to stop resisting arrest and come along quietly, criminal scum.
[X] storybookknight
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- Location
- Connecticut
- Pronouns
- He/Him
If we really want to, we can find the berk who kicked us later and invite them to a friendly spar in which we give them a few new bruises.
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Or some other method of payback that's more classically Scorpion. I'm not saying we have to let this stand, I'm saying pick your battles, time and place for everything.
Course, this is Rokugan police work, the fact that the gate guards didn't begin the arrest by shooting Naoto's legs full of arrows probably counts as an almost un-Matsu like exercise of the virtue of Compassion.
Actually...we could roll Lore: Magistrates to know for sure if this guy's out of line or not, couldn't we?
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Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Bruh, got a couple of questions.
A) We're on the ground, face in dirt. Do you think we can really say all of this?
B) Do you think the Lion will care?
C) Do you think we want to portray ourselves as the talky Scorpion to a bunch of totally not talky people? I doubt they're trust what we say, especially if we get wordy
D) Do you really want to express absolutely zero surprise at the murder of our boss?
Also, I'm really regretting that Honour loss right now. It would have been nice to have.
- Location
- London, England
Yup! Avoid taking the fall for this, and you are the de facto Scorpion ambassador to Shiro Matsu! Congratulations!
Also, Vote Called. Looks like you're going with storybookknight's write-in.
[X] "Kimiko-sama is dead? What? I- What reason would I have possibly had to -" pause, collect yourself. "I had nothing to do with any such thing, but I will be happy to come along to prove my innocence."
Edit:
Vote called? VOTE CALLED? Do you know who I am?
No.
OK then. *Slips vote into middle of the pile*
Edit:
Vote called? VOTE CALLED? Do you know who I am?
No.
OK then. *Slips vote into middle of the pile*
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- Location
- Earth
Well, now we get to share another thing with Daidoji Chen. And the full weight of dealing with the Matsu will fall on us. Assuming we survive this cluster-fuck both wounded and tired.
6.7 - The Magistrate arrives
- Location
- London, England
For a moment all you can do is blink in surprise. Of all the possible events you had considered and planned for, this was not on any of the lists. It is perhaps just as well that you are already pinned to the floor, for if you were standing you suspect your legs might well have just given way from utter shock.
"Kimoko-sama is dead? What? I... What possible reason would I have possibly had to..." You force yourself to stop talking with an effort of will. You do not know what is going on here, and until you have a clearer view of the picture babbling incoherently is unlikely to solve anything. The fact that anything you say could be taken as testimony is just another reason to think carefully before opening your mouth.
"I had nothing to do with any such thing." You say firmly, raising your voice so that all of the gathered samurai can hear it. "Take me to your lord or the magistrates and I will prove my innocence."
The Lion holding you down growls. "Of course you would claim that." He says, voice thick with contempt. "You Scorpion are all the same..."
"Samurai." The voice cuts across the courtyard like a knife, causing all those gathered to start in surprise. Twisting your head, you can see Kitsu Ami striding towards you, her expression thunderous. "What do you think you are doing?"
The Lion holding you down shifts his weight slightly but does not release it. "Securing a suspect, Magistrate-sama. I thought it best not to take chances."
"Suspect or not he remains our guest, samurai." The Shugenja says coldly. "Release him. I will take custody, and present him to Matsu Ketsui-dono."
The Lion does not look happy at such an order, but there is no denying the authority of the magistrate in a situation like this, and after a moment's pause he releases the mancatchers and steps away. Grunting slightly as the pressure is released, you climb back to your feet and brush the worst of the snow and dust from your kimono.
"My apologies to you as well, Asako-sama, but for the moment we are having to relocate all of our guests." Kitsu Ami says politely to your companion. "Please, allow my yoriki to escort you there. I will visit later to explain and collect your testimony."
Asako Tani looks uncertain, but eventually just nods and allows herself to be led away. You remain silent, not trusting yourself to speak just yet, and when the magistrate gestures for you to follow her you do so without protest. Only once you are out of the hearing range of those who stopped you do you speak.
"My thanks, Kitsu-sama." You say cautiously, as the two of you walk through the falling snow. "If I might ask... what has happened?"
Kitsu Ami sighs. "It is likely better if I show you, Soshi-san." She says calmly. "It would take too long to explain otherwise. But first, I will need your testimony. In here."
She gestures to one of the small barracks lining the edges of the parade grounds outside your normal accomodation. Judging by the number of Lion samurai you can see standing guard in the distance, the crime in question took place in the guest quarters themselves. Shaking your head, you follow the magistrate inside... and stop dead.
Matsu Ketsui stands in the centre of the room, conferring with her subordinates and directing what you expect are likely patrol sweeps, and while her face is a mask of professional detachment she is undeniably furious. Wrath radiates from her like heat from a fire, and you rather strongly suspect that she is taking this whole thing rather personally. Then she turns her eyes on you, and you have to supress the urge to flinch.
"Soshi-san." She says flatly, turning to face you. "I require your testimony. Where have you been all day?"
Something tells you that you won't be walking out of here alive if she doesn't like what she hears.
What do you tell her?
[ ] Write in
Note - A sincerity roll will be made regardless of whether you tell the truth or lie, in order to model just how convincing you are.
"Kimoko-sama is dead? What? I... What possible reason would I have possibly had to..." You force yourself to stop talking with an effort of will. You do not know what is going on here, and until you have a clearer view of the picture babbling incoherently is unlikely to solve anything. The fact that anything you say could be taken as testimony is just another reason to think carefully before opening your mouth.
"I had nothing to do with any such thing." You say firmly, raising your voice so that all of the gathered samurai can hear it. "Take me to your lord or the magistrates and I will prove my innocence."
The Lion holding you down growls. "Of course you would claim that." He says, voice thick with contempt. "You Scorpion are all the same..."
"Samurai." The voice cuts across the courtyard like a knife, causing all those gathered to start in surprise. Twisting your head, you can see Kitsu Ami striding towards you, her expression thunderous. "What do you think you are doing?"
The Lion holding you down shifts his weight slightly but does not release it. "Securing a suspect, Magistrate-sama. I thought it best not to take chances."
"Suspect or not he remains our guest, samurai." The Shugenja says coldly. "Release him. I will take custody, and present him to Matsu Ketsui-dono."
The Lion does not look happy at such an order, but there is no denying the authority of the magistrate in a situation like this, and after a moment's pause he releases the mancatchers and steps away. Grunting slightly as the pressure is released, you climb back to your feet and brush the worst of the snow and dust from your kimono.
"My apologies to you as well, Asako-sama, but for the moment we are having to relocate all of our guests." Kitsu Ami says politely to your companion. "Please, allow my yoriki to escort you there. I will visit later to explain and collect your testimony."
Asako Tani looks uncertain, but eventually just nods and allows herself to be led away. You remain silent, not trusting yourself to speak just yet, and when the magistrate gestures for you to follow her you do so without protest. Only once you are out of the hearing range of those who stopped you do you speak.
"My thanks, Kitsu-sama." You say cautiously, as the two of you walk through the falling snow. "If I might ask... what has happened?"
Kitsu Ami sighs. "It is likely better if I show you, Soshi-san." She says calmly. "It would take too long to explain otherwise. But first, I will need your testimony. In here."
She gestures to one of the small barracks lining the edges of the parade grounds outside your normal accomodation. Judging by the number of Lion samurai you can see standing guard in the distance, the crime in question took place in the guest quarters themselves. Shaking your head, you follow the magistrate inside... and stop dead.
Matsu Ketsui stands in the centre of the room, conferring with her subordinates and directing what you expect are likely patrol sweeps, and while her face is a mask of professional detachment she is undeniably furious. Wrath radiates from her like heat from a fire, and you rather strongly suspect that she is taking this whole thing rather personally. Then she turns her eyes on you, and you have to supress the urge to flinch.
"Soshi-san." She says flatly, turning to face you. "I require your testimony. Where have you been all day?"
Something tells you that you won't be walking out of here alive if she doesn't like what she hears.
What do you tell her?
[ ] Write in
Note - A sincerity roll will be made regardless of whether you tell the truth or lie, in order to model just how convincing you are.
mothematics
How wide is the concept of "you"?
- Location
- the bottom of a coffee cup
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Well. Best keep it simple.
[X] I was with Asako Tani-san, Matsu-dono. We left Shiro Matsu early in the day and have just now returned.
I almost want to Void this just so we're like, 200% sure that we don't RUIN EVERYTHING EVER AND FUCKING DIE OH GOD SHE'S MAD
[X] I was with Asako Tani-san, Matsu-dono. We left Shiro Matsu early in the day and have just now returned.
I almost want to Void this just so we're like, 200% sure that we don't RUIN EVERYTHING EVER AND FUCKING DIE OH GOD SHE'S MAD
[X] With Asako Tani-san, of the Phoenix, Ketsui-sama. We had intended to venture to Bishamon Seido, but were waylaid upon the way and had to return to the castle.
Shosuro'd.
Shosuro'd.
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- Pronouns
- They/Them
Should I use my last free raise? And yeah, I think as close as we can get to the truth is needed.
Also, maybe add if asked by what 'An Ice Kami.' Like, we should be willing to tell them what waylaid us, and if we just say we 'went out' then they'll check if we went where we said we did...and we didn't, so yeah.
[X]With Asako Tani-san, of the Phoenix, Ketsui-sama. We had intended to venture to Bishamon Seido, but were waylaid upon the way and had to return to the castle.
-[Q] If pressed/asked as to what waylaid you, say truthfully that it was an Ice Kami.
-[Q] Do we have a void left? If so, void it.
-[Q] Maybe I'll even use my free raise...
Does that work?
Also, @Maugan Ra , are their modifiers for how convincing a story we tell? I mean, like, no matter how well we roll, "I was just sleeping in my bed all day" is less convincing than, you know, an actual explanation.
Also, maybe add if asked by what 'An Ice Kami.' Like, we should be willing to tell them what waylaid us, and if we just say we 'went out' then they'll check if we went where we said we did...and we didn't, so yeah.
[X]With Asako Tani-san, of the Phoenix, Ketsui-sama. We had intended to venture to Bishamon Seido, but were waylaid upon the way and had to return to the castle.
-[Q] If pressed/asked as to what waylaid you, say truthfully that it was an Ice Kami.
-[Q] Do we have a void left? If so, void it.
-[Q] Maybe I'll even use my free raise...
Does that work?
Also, @Maugan Ra , are their modifiers for how convincing a story we tell? I mean, like, no matter how well we roll, "I was just sleeping in my bed all day" is less convincing than, you know, an actual explanation.
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mothematics
How wide is the concept of "you"?
- Location
- the bottom of a coffee cup
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I certainly wouldn't be averse to you using it. Honestly if ever there was a time to use it, it'd be when we're in danger; and Matsu Ketsui can quite literally tear us limb from limb and nobody can stop her, and likely will if we don't satisfy her so this more than qualifies imo.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
True, I'm just wondering, how vital is convincing her. Like, @Maugan Ra , can we do some sort of Lore/something check? If we actually manage to convince her that we're not lying and we have an alibi, how far would that go in clearing us of the charges? I mean, she's really powerful and really in charge, but I'm not sure HOW in charge.