[Rokugan] Blood and Cherry Blossoms

[Dark Nemesis]

Itarabi

When Itarabi emerges from the facilities, he notices that his Scorpion escort had vanished. By the time he returned to the banquet hall, he saw that the feast was nearly over. Their Scorpion hosts had already risen from their table, and were conversing with a few of the guests.

Mitsumi was still sitting at her place at the table, a scowl on her face. “Where the hell have you been?” she demanded, upon seeing him.



Zhiko

Shosuro-sama listened intently to her words, occasionally nodding slightly as she spoke. “Perhaps, perhaps not. I am told that we are entertaining some… most interesting guests.” He paused then, as he busied himself at the task of rolling up the scroll. “In fact, Bayushi-sama and Soshi-sama intend to meet with one of the guests this evening. One Tamori Kuroi. Bayushi-sama wishes for you to attend this meeting.”



Kaji

It takes Kaji some time to navigate the maze-like hallways of Kyuden Bayushi, but he is finally able to find Kaiten-sama’s rooms. Upon gaining entrance into the rooms, he finds Kaiten-sama sitting at a low table with a series of bowls in front of him. “Ah, Kaji-san. Come in, have a seat,” he greeted his yojimbo with a serious expression on his face.



Ai

Ayame raised her eyebrows as she regarded her daughter over her teacup. “I had heard that the shugenja competition is to take place tomorrow, Ai. But I am not sure how it will be.”



Hyota

“Ah,” Satsume replied with a knowing grin. “Sometimes, that is the best way to handle things, Hyota-san.



All

After about fifteen more minutes of socializing, their hosts will take their leave, allowing the guests to spend the evening as they saw fit. It soon became apparent that there were only a few samurai who planned to spend the evening quietly in their rooms. The occupants of the room soon gathered into groups as they made their plans for the evening.

A member of the Sparrow clan had gathered one group together with the intention of retiring to the great room for an evening of story telling. Another group, lead by a Phoenix samurai and a Crane courtier planned to spend the evening exploring the town. Tsurushi Seiyo, a Mantis courtier, had returned to the room and now endeavored to get a game of Sadane going.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Kaji was relieved to have finally found his way. He wouldn't have been surprised if the apparent maze had guided him into some kind of alternate dimension. He had ultimately found what he wanted though so he bowed low and found a spot opposite Kaiten-sama.

"Kaiten-sama, I just wanted to apologize for any delays on my part in getting here. My sincerest apologies," he said, bowing low again.

 

[Pyske]

"Of course, Shosuro-san. Bayushi-sama honors me by allowing me to attend this meeting. Is Tamori-san to be aware of my presence?"

Zhiko did not express her regret at missing the opportunity to observe the guests more easily at the banquet. Instead, she made a mental note to speak to some of the courtiers who had been at the banquet, to learn more of Tamori and any others in attendance who Shosuro-san might find "interesting."

 

[Scotley]

Itarabi Human Rogue/Courtier

Itarabi grabs an extra dessert off a tray as he returns to the table and presents it to Mitsumi. "My dear, you missed me. I am so pleased to know that my charms are starting to work on you. I bring you a piece offering. I must say that this place is rather dull away from your beauty." He looks at her with all the charm he can bring to bare and uses the power of his voice to placate her. "I am yours once again, what would you have me do now that you have me. I am yours to command."

 

[Dark Nemesis]

Kaji
Kaiten-sama raised his eyebrows as he regarded Kaji over the rim of his teacup. “There is no need to apologize, Kaji-san. Delays are an unfortunate part of traveling, and they get worse as the season draws to a close. In fact, I am rather glad you were there to help defend against those bandits.” He sipped his tea, before continuing. “There is something I wanted to discuss with you, regarding our time here.”


Zhiko

“Yes, he is. Bayushi-sama wishes for you to be nearby so that you may see the item that Tamori-sama is keeping for us. It is a statue that is to be the prize for one of the tournaments. It is quite valuable, and he wishes for you to help in making sure nothing happens to it before the tournament.”



Itarabi

Mitsumi accepts the dessert grudgingly, and seems to calm down a bit as Itarabi speaks. She then grins. “Well, if you are mine to command, then how about some sparring practice?”

 

[Pyske]

Zhiko inclines her head in silent acquiescence to the wishes of her daimyo, and begins to walk backward, still on her knees, to exit the room.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Kaji could remember the bandits, they had underestimated him. It had become a regular occurance after his leg had been injured. Kaji's mind was put at ease though, having found that Kaiten-sama's annoyance was not caused by him. He decided to leave the matter at that, since Kaiten-sama had brought up a new subject.

"What is it you wished to discuss, my lord?" he asked.

 

[Scotley]

Itarabi Human Rogue/Courtier

Itarabi feels a sting of fear inside, but as a trained courtier he conceals it well. "If that is your wish lady, then lead me to the sparing grounds. But, are you sure you want to spar after the rich food and wine?" He rises and tries to look eager.

 

[Guest 11456]

Hyota : Male Human Shugenja 8

Hyota nods. As different groups began heading in different directions, Hyota followed after the group heading out to explore the town. He began to dream about what wonders the tour would behold.

 

[Dark Nemesis]

Zhiko

As she began to make her way back toward the door, Shosuro-sama returned to his studies in the darkness. Just outside the door, Goro waited to escort her to the designated meeting place. He regarded her from behind his mask, sizing her up. Then, without a word, he turned and made his way down the hallway.



Kaji

“I wanted to speak with you regarding my schedule for the festival. I have a meeting set up for tonight, and one for tomorrow evening, but other than that my schedule is not terribly strenuous. As such, if you wanted to compete in any of the tournaments or take some time to spend with your wife, then you may.” Kaiten-sama set down his teacup, and looked to Kaji again, noting his reaction.



Itarabi

Mitsumi offers him a bloodthirsty grin. “I think it is a perfect time to spar, to get the blood flowing after a heavy meal. But do not worry, Itarabi-san. I shall have you back before Seiyo begins his game of Sadane.”

As they spoke, Itarabi noticed that a few people had taken interest in their plans for the evening. A young man with his hair dyed white, bearing the Crane mon, and a wild-haired Unicorn samurai both approached.

“Sparring sounds like a wonderful idea, if you don’t mind some extra company,” the Unicorn offered, and the Crane nodded in agreement.



Hyota

The large group soon split into groups of two and three as they emerged from the gates of the opulent Kyuden Bayushi into the city that surrounded it. In the early evening hour, the city was still alive with activity, but it was a different sort. The market had closed for the evening but the geisha houses had opened, such as the House of the Red Lotus and the House of the White Swan. The colorful lanterns outside the gambling houses were quick to draw the attention, and it appeared the tea houses were quite busy. Also, the theatre was open, and the poster outside the door advertised that the famous Shosuro acting troupe was scheduled to perform that evening.