Togashi Udon: k, back
Togashi Udon: 'ello?
Hantei Dave: hey
Hantei Dave: hows it going?
Togashi Udon: good good, u?
Hantei Dave: not bad
Hantei Dave: never boring
Togashi Udon: cool thats good
Hantei Dave: so whats the plan tonight?
Togashi Udon: i figured i would ruin your game
Hantei Dave: heheh
Togashi Udon: no biggie :-)
Hantei Dave: where to?
Togashi Udon: To Habbikki please
Hantei Dave: she isn't home
Togashi Udon: doh!
Togashi Udon: can I go back to where we found her finger
Togashi Udon: found=given
Hantei Dave: Otosan Uchi I beleive. It was some random restaurant.
Hantei Dave: a long ride
Hantei Dave: i htink it was otosan uchi anyway
Togashi Udon: now, do i recall if i am supposed to present myself to the emperess or not?
Hantei Dave: (goes to check)
Togashi Udon: i think it was
Hantei Dave: maybe it wsa in the doji lands
Hantei Dave: nope. Uchi
Hantei Dave: sure, you can do that.
Togashi Udon: i think it was in otosan uchi. we got in trouble for killing the imperial guards
Togashi Udon: i can go there?
Hantei Dave: Did you want to ask the Kitsuki for help (not the Agasha...my mistake)
Togashi Udon: am i suppossed to present myself?
Togashi Udon: yes i do
Hantei Dave: I don't think you need to present yourself to Kachiko
Togashi Udon: good, cause i didnt want to ;-)
Togashi Udon: i want to talk with the Kitsuki repersentative.
Togashi Udon: in otosan uchi
Hantei Dave: I'll let you go see the Kitsuki, but your horse would never make it that hard way. You need to go through the main gates near Mirimoto Castle
Hantei Dave: through the Dragonfly Clan like before
Togashi Udon: wouldnt the Kitsuki rep in otosan uchi know what was going on better then those up in the mnts?
Hantei Dave: ah. I see what you mean. Well, technically, to start an investigation, they would need permission
Togashi Udon: cant a tanto bearer give them permission? geez what is this thing good for?
Hantei Dave: you can try. Remember, samurai serve their lords first
Togashi Udon: let me roll to see if Udon even realizes that there is a protocal... he has no diplomacy...
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: (pokes Skip. This way would be easiest anyway for my purposes)
Hantei Dave: (poke poke poke nudge)
Hantei Dave: ^_-
Togashi Udon: well... i guess i'll take the hint... and go to the shadowlands...
Hantei Dave: :P
Togashi Udon: :P
Hantei Dave: (Well, I had to start this adventure somewhere hehehe)
Togashi Udon: Ok to the Dragonfly...Udon got a burst of diplomatic clarity...
Hantei Dave: please make a perception roll
Togashi Udon: "Of course they have made rules for an investigation! They have rules for everything else!" Udon proclaims outloud. (21)
Hantei Dave: thanks
Hantei Dave: Udon spends the next 3 days on the road
Togashi Udon: oblivious, eh?
Hantei Dave: I imagine it feels good to be on your own again for awhile
Togashi Udon: My everything is calm all of the sudden...
Hantei Dave: (and I like the proclamation)
Hantei Dave: you arrive at the Tonbo gates
Togashi Udon: So how are those Dragonflies?
Hantei Dave: the magistrate from last time awaits your request ofr entrance onto the mountain
Hantei Dave: the population has now increased here since your last time through
Hantei Dave: many people waiting entrance through the gates
Hantei Dave: almost all denied
Hantei Dave: if not all
Togashi Udon: "Greetings nobel gatekeeper. I wish an audiance with a Kitsuki Repersentative who can help me start an investigation." (smile)
Hantei Dave: request?
Hantei Dave: oops
Togashi Udon: wht i do?
Hantei Dave: (nevermind)
Togashi Udon: (uh oh)
Hantei Dave: (does Udon have any communication skills?)
Hantei Dave: (like Diplomacy?)
Togashi Udon: (NO DIPLOMACY!!!)
Hantei Dave: (anything else?)
Togashi Udon: (only communication skills in story telling and the Tao)
Hantei Dave: ok
Togashi Udon: and a very high PRE
Togashi Udon: and PIE
Hantei Dave: (make a roll anyway at -4 using PRE)
Togashi Udon: 23
Hantei Dave: The magistrate doesn't seem to recognize you.
Hantei Dave: "For what purposes do you wish to meet with the Kitsuki?"
Togashi Udon: "Shall I wait in the same tea room?" (smile)
Hantei Dave: "WHat is the details that the local authorities cannot do themselves?"
Togashi Udon: "I wish to find my friend. Her life is in danger."
Hantei Dave: "Did you contact the local authorities? What village is she with?"
Togashi Udon: "Uhm... the details are as follows." (smile)
Togashi Udon: "I received a the Ki Rin tanto and was sent to Otosan Uchi in order to meet with the other tanto bearers..."
Hantei Dave: His face changes
Hantei Dave: (puzzlement, realization, etc)
Togashi Udon: "We met and were ordered by His Magasty Lord Hantei the 38th to seek out the other Tanto Bearers.."
Togashi Udon: "As we began to find one an other, a coup erupted that we were torn into..."
Hantei Dave: "I see. Forgive my failure of memory on this matter. You do not need to be so in depth."
Hantei Dave: "Who is missing?"
Togashi Udon: "After the coup, we me with Togashi Yokuni sama (Udon doesnt want to stop, this is fun)
Hantei Dave: (go crazy)
Togashi Udon: And he told us that we were to gather the Thunders for the Second Day of Thunder is almost upon us.
Togashi Udon: We began that task, but we are not whole. While we have gathered some into our ranks, one, possibly 2, were taken from us.
Togashi Udon: I wish to seek an audiance with a Kitsuki Rep who can help me start an investigation.
Hantei Dave: "Ahem." (coughs to interupt) "Are you saying a tanto bearer is missing?"
Togashi Udon: Or perhaps she does not want to be found yet
Togashi Udon: I wish to try (smile)
Hantei Dave: "Well, under the circumstance, I think we can arrange your travel papers then."
Togashi Udon: Thank you (smile)
Hantei Dave: "You will need escorts up the mountain."
Hantei Dave: "The Tondo faimly will provide."
Togashi Udon: Thank you. (smile, bow)
Hantei Dave: "At no time can you leave their presense either up or down the mountain without further orders from a Dragon representative.
Hantei Dave: "
Togashi Udon: I am a Ise Zumi.
Hantei Dave: "An official representative."
Togashi Udon: I can not walk the mountain?
Hantei Dave: "The mountain has become off limits to all except for official usages."
Hantei Dave: "Including a large majority of the Ise Zumi."
Hantei Dave: "By orders of Lord Togashi Yokuni."
Hantei Dave: "Your papers and escort will be ready within the hour."
Togashi Udon: I officially represent, Togashi Yokuni-sama and I and the cousin of Murimoto Hitomi-sama... though I may not understand, I will do as you wish.
Togashi Udon: Uhm... Thnak you?
Togashi Udon: thank
Hantei Dave: He nods and waves you to the side with his fan to speak with the next person.
Togashi Udon: I wait...
Hantei Dave: (one hour later)
Hantei Dave: your 2 Dragonfly escorts are ready to go up
Togashi Udon: Hai
Hantei Dave: their armor is a lighter green with blue inlays
Togashi Udon: Nice
Hantei Dave: they have ponies to make the ride quicker
Hantei Dave: you cn take your horse
Hantei Dave: it is a different experience going up like this
Togashi Udon: ok
Hantei Dave: no meaning in the hike
Togashi Udon: how odd
Hantei Dave: it is straitforward...and strait
Hantei Dave: most of the day passes as you reach Shiro Kitsuki, the last palace before Kyuden Togashi
Hantei Dave: you have never been here before
Hantei Dave: let alone seen it except at a distance
Togashi Udon: ok
Hantei Dave: your path was never quite so strait
Togashi Udon: heh
Togashi Udon: udon only kissed oku once
Hantei Dave: hehe
Hantei Dave: roll perception again
Togashi Udon: 24
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: the Dragonfly announce your purp6se
Hantei Dave: erg
Hantei Dave: 6ne sec
Togashi Udon: k
Hantei Dave: ca11ng yew
Hantei Dave: there
Hantei Dave: aeiou
Togashi Udon: where?
Hantei Dave: and sometimes y
Togashi Udon: who?
Hantei Dave: ok. Your escorts anounce you to speak with Lord Kitsuki Yasu
Togashi Udon: (smile)
Hantei Dave: long story short, he agrees to meet with you in the morning]
Togashi Udon: how nice of him!
Togashi Udon: (smile)
Hantei Dave: you are given quarters as are the Tonbo dragonfly
Togashi Udon: Great! (smile)
Hantei Dave: did you have any plans for tonight?
Hantei Dave: some ladies bring you food in your room
Togashi Udon: Tend to my plant... pray and meditate
Hantei Dave: (and of cours your horse is taken care of)
Togashi Udon: practice some forms
Hantei Dave: by now your hits are full, and your prayers have been answered
Togashi Udon: Wow, food! Thank you very much! (smile)
Togashi Udon: prayers = ladies w/food???
Hantei Dave: your little tree enjoys the rest as well
Hantei Dave: (that and your spells are full)
Togashi Udon: thnx
Hantei Dave: (as is your tummy)
Togashi Udon: hehe
Hantei Dave: next morning, a courtier comes to bring you to his lord
Togashi Udon: (smile)
Hantei Dave: you are brought into a room of 20 samurai all sitting in 2 rows like at a table
Hantei Dave: (kneeling anyway)
Hantei Dave: the courtier brings you to your seat
Togashi Udon: (smile & sit)
Hantei Dave: there is a breakfast bowl for everyone here
Hantei Dave: and a large pot of rice on the side. Everyone is served
Togashi Udon: (how nice! smile)
Hantei Dave: the courtier goes to the large gong on the end of the room and gongs it once. All the samurai prostrate
Hantei Dave: action?
Togashi Udon: (i will follow, after looking around couriously)
Hantei Dave: an elegant man walks in and sits at the head. The others lift their heads back up.
Hantei Dave: The man at the head begins eating. The others follow.
Togashi Udon: (follow alittle slower then everyone else, alla yohei)
Hantei Dave: tea and vegitables are also served
Hantei Dave: (noone speaks for 5 minutes now)
Hantei Dave: action?
Togashi Udon: (Udon is not speaking 1st, nice try)
Togashi Udon: I eat
Hantei Dave: 10 minutes...
Hantei Dave: nothing to say?
Togashi Udon: ...looking around...
Togashi Udon: ...munchmunch...
Hantei Dave: finally the man at the head puts his bowl to the side. "It is odd, I must say, that an Ise Zumi has so little to say when he comes with a purpose."
Hantei Dave: (barely looks at Udon)
Togashi Udon: "I am sorry, sama. I thought there was a contest to see who could stay silent the longest." (weak smile)
Hantei Dave: raises eyebrows. The others look back and forth.
Hantei Dave: He cracks a smile.
Hantei Dave: "And, what have you learned?"
Togashi Udon: "I humbly request your help, sama."
Hantei Dave: "Please, humor my question first."
Togashi Udon: "I have learned that a silent tanto bearer is a very interesting puzzle, sama. I have also learned that the Kitsuki have both the curiosity and the courage to seek the answer."
Togashi Udon: (my E key keeps locking)
Togashi Udon: eeeee
Togashi Udon: eee
Togashi Udon: there
Hantei Dave: "It is a common Rokugani belief that all actions have a logical recourse. If you see this as a test to yourself or a game, you are mistaken. I was mearly proving a point to those around you. What have the students learned from Udon-san's actions?"
Hantei Dave: (now that Udon looks, they are all fairly young samurai)
Togashi Udon: doh!
Hantei Dave: Samarai 1: "That it is nature to jump to a conclusion."
Hantei Dave: Samurai 2: "That even my own conclusion about Udon-san's answer was incorrect, Sama."
Hantei Dave: He nods
Hantei Dave: "We study the ways of nature here. Human and otherwise. I am Kitsuki Yasu, Lord of the Kitsuki. Now, please, what is your question?"
Togashi Udon: "A friend has gone missing. I believe she is in danger."
Hantei Dave: "Students?"
Hantei Dave: samurai 5: "Someone linked to his mission perhaps, Sama."
Hantei Dave: 6: "Or he himself may be lying."
Togashi Udon: (smile)
Hantei Dave: 7: "He may be asking for assistance in finding her."
Hantei Dave: 3: "Or leads that we may already have."
Hantei Dave: 5: "Or he may be suggestion we performed an dishonorable action."
Hantei Dave: Yasu smiles. "Udon?"
Togashi Udon: Yes, sama. I am here to ask for help in finding her.
Hantei Dave: "You must tell us from the beginning." (skip ahead)
Togashi Udon: Or for any leads or information you may have about her or her captors.
Hantei Dave: (does Udon tell anything different than what he told the Dragonfly?)
Togashi Udon: (Udon tells the story-in detail)
Hantei Dave: Yasu crosses his arms
Hantei Dave: "An interesting problem."
Hantei Dave: "It is one I wish we could assist with...but without further leads, I am afraid that I cannot spend the manpower."
Togashi Udon: (I mentioned the finger, right?)
Hantei Dave: "...assuming all you have told me is true and complete." (yes, you did)
Hantei Dave: (I assumed)
Togashi Udon: (Complete?)
Hantei Dave: (as complete as you want to...i assumed TO the finger part)
Hantei Dave: (leaving out parts about togaashi and such)
Togashi Udon: hrm... should I tell you about how she left us? Shall I tell you of our whole quest and travels?
Togashi Udon: even then, it would not be complete.
Hantei Dave: "Unless you have reason to believe it is someone or some group that has reason to take her."
Hantei Dave: "...Sama" young samurai bows
Hantei Dave: "I humbly request acting as Udon's assistant in this matter."
Hantei Dave: he prostrates
Hantei Dave: Yasu: "hmmmm."
Hantei Dave: tugs at mustache
Hantei Dave: "I will allow you 2 weeks to find a lead. If you can find her, I will promote you to full investigator. Udon, please meet Kitsuki Miroshu."
Togashi Udon: Domo, Miroshu-sama. (Bow)
Hantei Dave: "He is young but has an encouraging spirit."
Hantei Dave: "Miroshu will be fine Udon-san."
Hantei Dave: says Miroshu
Togashi Udon: "I believe Miroshu will, too." (smile)
Hantei Dave: (end breakfast scene)
Hantei Dave: (curtain opens. Udon and Miroshu are being escorted down the mountain again).
Hantei Dave: Miroshu gives input
Togashi Udon: Udon receives data
Hantei Dave: "It is a disturbing story Udon-san."
Hantei Dave: "To be honest, I can only suspect a few."
Togashi Udon: "Even more disturbing to Habbikki."
Togashi Udon: "What are your thoughts?"
Hantei Dave: "If it were bandits, or direputable ronin, then money would have been of importance."
Hantei Dave: "Same with hinin or eta."
Togashi Udon: And they would have come after us
Hantei Dave: "Yet, nothing has been asked for."
Hantei Dave: "Furthermore, this 'brainwashed man' you told me about."
Hantei Dave: "Who could manage something such as this?"
Hantei Dave: "One of the clans perhaps?"
Hantei Dave: "To point fingers at a Clan would be dangerous in itself....or so I was taught."
Hantei Dave: "There are three logical choices."
Hantei Dave: "...i think...."
Togashi Udon: Perhaps. But it doesn't feel like that. It makes not sense. Just like those Unicorn who covered their mons, then cut their hair before they died."
Togashi Udon: no sense
Hantei Dave: "Lucky for us, they weren't unicorn."
Togashi Udon: Huh?
Hantei Dave: "As you said, they renounced their Clan."
Hantei Dave: he smiles
Hantei Dave: "They are under investigation therefore."
Hantei Dave: "I like to here who you suspect."
Hantei Dave: "Before I tell you my recommendations."
Hantei Dave: he waits while Udon thinks
Hantei Dave: ...
Togashi Udon: I think Fe Lung took her. Or Matsu Hinagi, but that doesnt make sense. Or maybe it was related to that Pheonix undead samurai that attacked us at otosan uchi...maybe it has something to do with that sunken boat with another tanto missing that Kesh told us about...maybe it was shinobi or her own past catching up to her...
Togashi Udon: I see to many paths
Hantei Dave: He smiles
Hantei Dave: "We cannot investigate the Matsu directly. And even if it was an old rival, he would have made a play by now unless he was capable of turning Habikki into a brainwashed zombie. From what you say, he is not smart enough."
Togashi Udon: I was not trained in the straight path as you. Point A often leads to door 2, but to me the path to get there is wanering. To you it is a straight line.
Hantei Dave: "The shadowlands? Nothing to be done about such a thing I am afraid but alert the Kuni Witch Hunters. They will hardly take it seriously."
Hantei Dave: "but always a possiblity of course."
Togashi Udon: Fe Lung has the most to gain if we were killed. But then why warn us.
Hantei Dave: "I think a maho tsukai might be your likely candidate...a blood speaker."
Hantei Dave: "But if that is true, it is a matter to be handed to the Isawa Inquisitors."
Togashi Udon: I dont know him.
Hantei Dave: "they have more jurisdiction then we would."
Hantei Dave: A Maho Tsukai is one who practices blood magic....forbidden in these lands
Hantei Dave: (udon would know that)
Togashi Udon: Inquisitors? I do not have a strong relationship with them.
Hantei Dave: "I see."
Hantei Dave: " I still have 2 other theories."
Hantei Dave: "One of the Minor Clans making a power play."
Hantei Dave: "Or the Scorpion..."
Togashi Udon: Hrm...
Hantei Dave: "SInce they are not a Clan, they are suspects."
Hantei Dave: "It is the logical course."
Hantei Dave: "And I doubt highly we will find a Scorpion hiding in Otosan Uchi."
Togashi Udon: No, they are not. Logic is only the course if logic is present. In my experiance, the Scorpions logic is nothing like your own.
Hantei Dave: "Then who else has the resources to create a servant? An assasin with no mind? Perhaps one who does not know they are even a servant?"
Togashi Udon: Oni?
Hantei Dave: "Then what would you have us do against an Oni? Where should we look?"
Hantei Dave: "There is only one place for sure, where we can question an Oni."
Togashi Udon: The Brotherhood of Shinsei might be able to do something that foul, though I do not belive they ever would.
Hantei Dave: "Unfortunatly, the Crab have closed all borders. We would not make a 2 week deadline anyway."
Hantei Dave: "Hmmmm...the brotherhood of shinsei? How strange."
Hantei Dave: "I had not considered that."
Hantei Dave: "How odd that you would point towards one of your own."
Hantei Dave: "It might be worth investigating."
Togashi Udon: Something I have learned, is that there is danger even if one feels safe. For example, the shinobi that attacked Doji Hoturi-sama in his own home.
Hantei Dave: "You have a keen mind Udon."
Hantei Dave: He smiles
Togashi Udon: Look everywhere, not just in front of you
Hantei Dave: "Where shall we start? Left to my wits, I would suggest the remaining Scorpion. I do not know where the Brotherhood of Shinsei is. Can you bring me there?"
Togashi Udon: It would take too long
Hantei Dave: "hmmm. Perhaps the City of Lies then?"
Togashi Udon: I would imagine that if I went back to Otosan Uchi that the same group, if they are still there, would come after a lone tanto bearer. They did it before...
Togashi Udon: I am bait
Togashi Udon: You are the hook
Hantei Dave: "Then lets do that. We must hurry though."
Togashi Udon: Hai
Hantei Dave: "We can ride harder in the morning. Let us stay with the Tonbo tonight."
Togashi Udon: Hai
Hantei Dave: roll perception Udon
Togashi Udon: rolled a 17!!!
Togashi Udon: 26!
Hantei Dave: (dave rolls)
Hantei Dave: ok ^_^
Togashi Udon: :-(
Hantei Dave: Udon, you feel as if you are being followed
Togashi Udon: :-)
Hantei Dave: heheh
Hantei Dave: somewhere behind you
Hantei Dave: from the mountain
Togashi Udon: I mean o_O
Togashi Udon: Is it menecing?
Hantei Dave: no idea
Togashi Udon: or comforting... like togashi
Hantei Dave: not like Togashi. Perhaps more like Hoshi
Hantei Dave: heheh
Hantei Dave: like, you can be pounced on at any time ^_-
Togashi Udon: So brooding and moody it is
Hantei Dave: action?
Togashi Udon: "Are you now an Officail Representative?"
Hantei Dave: "i am"
Hantei Dave: shows you traveling papers
Togashi Udon: "Good, we have to leave the path."
Togashi Udon: (smile)
Hantei Dave: "Oh, I am afraid, those are not part of my papers."
Togashi Udon: "But the man at the gate said I needed an official Representative if I had to leave the path?"
Togashi Udon: You just said that you were one
Hantei Dave: "The mountain is off limits...even those with papers need an escort."
Hantei Dave: "It was a specific order."
Togashi Udon: But we are being... (Mouth-FOLLOWED)
Hantei Dave: "SHould we (mouth - outrun) it?"
Hantei Dave: he has a horse too
Togashi Udon: (Are you crazy-look?)
Hantei Dave: heheh
Hantei Dave: whisper "lets tell the guards."
Togashi Udon: (Dave-2 escorts and us 2 right?)
Hantei Dave: yep
Togashi Udon: (shake head)
Togashi Udon: (how much gold do i have?)
Hantei Dave: enough
Togashi Udon: (Udon is about to do something that the book of lies taught him)
Hantei Dave: ( I remind you the others are on ponies)
Hantei Dave: ...
Togashi Udon: Whisper-"These are 2 very important coins to me (handing each guard a gold coin). Nature calls, so I am going to go behind that rock over there. I need you two to watch these for me."
Togashi Udon: "Put them somewhere safe."
Hantei Dave: guards make rolls
Togashi Udon: "If I need help I will call. Sometimes nature gets the best of me." (smile)
Hantei Dave: "Duty forbids" says one. "You have 5 minutes."
Hantei Dave: he pockets it
Togashi Udon: (Udon hopes he did it right)
Togashi Udon: (he had such a hard time listening to that book)
Hantei Dave: Miroshu: "Ummm...me too."
Togashi Udon: Udon goes in search of what has been following him, with Miroshu....
Togashi Udon: (do we go on foot, no horse can walk that right?
Hantei Dave: right
Hantei Dave: don't take a horse to pee
Togashi Udon: hehehe
Hantei Dave: you can lead a horse to a urinal, but you can't make him pee
Hantei Dave: make a new perception roll
Togashi Udon: "I'll need my walking stick." goes to the rock
Hantei Dave: +2
Togashi Udon: 24
Togashi Udon: oh 26 sorry!
Togashi Udon: didnt see the +2
Hantei Dave: ok, you hear a thunder cloud in the distance....a swallow...a breeze hitting the leaves
Hantei Dave: nothing too strange
Hantei Dave: make a DEX roll please
Togashi Udon: evade?
Hantei Dave: yes
Hantei Dave: thanks
Togashi Udon: 25
Hantei Dave: ok, the mountain nicks you...not with any damage
Hantei Dave: but you've felt this before
Hantei Dave: Miroshu: "you ok?"
Togashi Udon: I try an focus on the eyes watching me, not Miroshu
Hantei Dave: you can try reaching out with the MU
Togashi Udon: I need a target dont I?
Hantei Dave: you are right...worry
Hantei Dave: sorry
Hantei Dave: do you have danger sense or something?
Togashi Udon: Sense Disruption of Wa
Togashi Udon: :-)
Togashi Udon: never tried it on this MNT though, might kill me :-)
Hantei Dave: try it then...time?
Togashi Udon: 1 min
Togashi Udon: can I use my Peacock tatt to boost the score?
Hantei Dave: what is normal?
Hantei Dave: and yes, you can
Hantei Dave: roll focus
Togashi Udon: roll for tatt-24
Hantei Dave: ok, peacock boosts you
Hantei Dave: roll a 20 on wa
Togashi Udon: 28
Hantei Dave: good roll.
Hantei Dave: but everything seems in place. Whatever it is, can't be that bad.
Hantei Dave: actually, the wa feels better here than most other places
Hantei Dave: like the air in a morning forest
Togashi Udon: "Who is there? Show yourself, please."
Hantei Dave: thunder
Hantei Dave: in the distance
Hantei Dave: swallow becomes silent
Hantei Dave: "I think we should move on"
Hantei Dave: "Perhaps it was a trick. This mountain does that."
Togashi Udon: is the breeze still hitting the trees?
Hantei Dave: faintly ^_^
Hantei Dave: looks like a storm is coming
Togashi Udon: "Please go back and stall the guards.(hands 2 more gold) I think this is important."
Hantei Dave: "I cannot risk this Udon. I will try but please hurry." hands back the money
Hantei Dave: He goes to the guards
Hantei Dave: you are alone now
Togashi Udon: after he leaves- "come out, I know you are here."
Hantei Dave: ...
Hantei Dave: moment passes
Togashi Udon: Sit on a rock. Look around.
Hantei Dave: seems peaceful here
Hantei Dave: again, nice to be alone
Togashi Udon: Sigh.
Togashi Udon: I go back, since I am alone.
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: Udon zips up his pants
Togashi Udon: hehe
Hantei Dave: The Dragonfly continue
Hantei Dave: Miroshu looks at you briefly with a worried face
Togashi Udon: "ever get the feeling that something happened, but you missed it?"
Hantei Dave: He smiles. "All the time."
Hantei Dave: "...all the time"
Togashi Udon: (smile)"Heh. Me too."
Hantei Dave: you reach the town again
Togashi Udon: ok
Hantei Dave: i assume you get rooms
Togashi Udon: yes
Hantei Dave: Miroshu gets one as well
Hantei Dave: ^_^
Togashi Udon: we can bunk
Togashi Udon: if he wants
Hantei Dave: "Perhaps, it is safer tonight." (gulp)
Togashi Udon: unless he is aiming for some geishas!
Hantei Dave: (he isn't
Togashi Udon: did he blush?
Hantei Dave: "Oh, I do need some privacy though to construct a letter for a progress report."
Hantei Dave: "Would you mind?"
Hantei Dave: "Just for about half an hour."
Togashi Udon: not at all
Hantei Dave: you made it to the tea house/inn just in time. The rain starts up hard.
Togashi Udon: "hrm, maybe that was what was following us..."
Hantei Dave: "Can you wait down here please? I will tell you when I am finished writing."
Hantei Dave: He leaves you in the tea house section with some other dragonfly and ronin
Togashi Udon: (cock head questioningly)
Togashi Udon: ok then
Hantei Dave: some samurai-ko are playing a dice game against some fellow dragonfly's. The weather isn't keeping peoples spirits down
Hantei Dave: it is welcome to escape your miseries
Togashi Udon: (smile at the revelry)
Hantei Dave: half hour later, Miroshu invites you up
Togashi Udon: (all the samurai ko's have all their fingers right? if they are wearing gloves, all the fingers move?)
Hantei Dave: no gloves...all fingers
Hantei Dave: "Do you want the top or bottom bunk Udon?"
Togashi Udon: (udon is going to be doing this a lot, so if you have a finlermissing ronin with a glove I want a ROLL!)
Hantei Dave: hehehe...all fingers
Hantei Dave: accounted for
Togashi Udon: We'll figure it out Upstairs
Hantei Dave: you go up
Hantei Dave: it is a simple room. four beds, 2 bunks
Hantei Dave: noone else is here
Hantei Dave: it is really dark \
Togashi Udon: 1 sec phone
Hantei Dave: clouds brought it early
Hantei Dave: ok
Togashi Udon: back
Togashi Udon: hungup
Hantei Dave: np
Togashi Udon: Any candles?
Hantei Dave: one on the desk

Togashi Udon: Is it lit?
Hantei Dave: yes, provides some light
Hantei Dave: the thunder is going strong
Togashi Udon: hehe, better be, he was just "writing"
Hantei Dave: the room lights up every few minutes
Hantei Dave: "Top or bottom?"
Togashi Udon: I'll take the bottom
Hantei Dave: he hands you a piece of paper folded up
Hantei Dave: it says "bottom"
Hantei Dave: (yes, it was dave's guess too)
Hantei Dave: Miroshu climbs up
Hantei Dave: lying down now?
Togashi Udon: What am I supposed to do with this?
Hantei Dave: "hmmm? nothing. Just practicing...and showing off."
Togashi Udon: Showing off? Your calligraphy skills?
Togashi Udon: Or Climbing skills? (smile)
Hantei Dave: "My keen insight to human nature."
Togashi Udon: HAHAHAHA!!!
Hantei Dave: "Something told me you wanted to be closer to the earth."
Hantei Dave: "Grounded so to speak."
Hantei Dave: He adjusts in the bed with his arms behind him
Hantei Dave: are you lying down Udon?
Hantei Dave: Thunder cracks
Togashi Udon: And here I was worried that youd stick a knife in my back if I chose the top!
Togashi Udon: This is too much fun!
Hantei Dave: (what is udon doing?)
Togashi Udon: Perhaps I am grounded. (lays down)
Hantei Dave: roll perception
Togashi Udon: 23
Hantei Dave: ok
Togashi Udon: :-)
Hantei Dave: "What is the top of the mountain like, Udon?"
Togashi Udon: "It is like the top of the world. Worth the scars to get there. And worth the scars to leave."
Hantei Dave: "perhaps you can bring me one day."
Togashi Udon: It would be my pleasure to bring an Investigator there.
Hantei Dave: THe lightning flashes and Miroshu lets out a blood chilling scream
Togashi Udon: huh?
Togashi Udon: jump up
Hantei Dave: a moment later a blade sticks through his bunk
Togashi Udon: Whats ontop of the bunk?
Hantei Dave: a demon with glowing eyes looks at you, a blade in his hands through the chest of Miroshu
Hantei Dave: he sits on top
Hantei Dave: the thunder cracks
Togashi Udon: (Oh, thats all)
Hantei Dave: roll inits
Hantei Dave: 28
Togashi Udon: (can I get more water 1 sec?)
Hantei Dave: water?
Togashi Udon: init-26
Togashi Udon: brb
Hantei Dave: sure...then declare
Togashi Udon: Buddhas palm
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: you gonna jump up there?
Togashi Udon: i figured i'd drag him down actually
Hantei Dave: so a grab then buddhas palm?
Hantei Dave: he is on top of Miroshu's body
Hantei Dave: sword through the bunk
Togashi Udon: How about, Bear tatt then grab, Buddhas palm if you let me
Hantei Dave: too many ^_^
Togashi Udon: grab and palm
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: the demon lets go of the weapon and jumps off the wall, directly over your head to the other side, while drawing a chain
Hantei Dave: he rolls
Togashi Udon: (i have chain skill)
Hantei Dave: k
Hantei Dave: 1 sec
Hantei Dave: he jumps like a monkey to the other side and pulls his chain tight. He no longer looks like a demon....like a man in black uniform now. "Wait." he says
Togashi Udon: "Why?"
Hantei Dave: do you delay your action?
Togashi Udon: (can I change it--use a tatt instead?)
Togashi Udon: if not I delay
Hantei Dave: I'll let you drop 2 actions to declare a new one
Hantei Dave: (a new rule)
Togashi Udon: kewl
Togashi Udon: Bear
Hantei Dave: roll
Togashi Udon: 22
Hantei Dave: you activate bear
Hantei Dave: lighting again
Hantei Dave: He pulls off his mask. "Because I killed your enemy."
Togashi Udon: "Speak while you still have a throat."
Hantei Dave: it is Bayushi Hisa...from the ronin camp
Hantei Dave: Keshijo was talking with him
Togashi Udon: "Speak."
Hantei Dave: "I do not need words. Only the tools of the Kitsuni." He side steps in his attack posture towards the bunk bed again, circling the door side
Hantei Dave: "I will show you."
Hantei Dave: do you let him walk that far?
Hantei Dave: you will have to move out of the way a bit
Togashi Udon: I block him from going to the door
Hantei Dave: "Its either this way or the window. Let me show you his body."
Togashi Udon: Nod.
Hantei Dave: He passes near you, not breaking eye contact
Hantei Dave: still holding his chain with one hand, he reaches up on his tows and pulls the ninjagatana from the body
Hantei Dave: he sheaths it again under his arm of robe
Hantei Dave: stop me if you want to do something
Togashi Udon: (Dave--activate dragon)
Hantei Dave: roll
Togashi Udon: 21
Hantei Dave: ok
Togashi Udon: (smoke comes from mouth as warning)
Hantei Dave: he reaches up again grbbing Miroshu's body and dragging it off the side. A blood stain has dripped through to your bunk now
Hantei Dave: he reaches into Miroshu's kimono pulling a letter
Hantei Dave: "I was in the room while he wrote it." He drops it at your feet
Hantei Dave: it is sealed with wax...no seal
Togashi Udon: I go to the candle, bring it close to the body, to the letter and to the Scorp.
Togashi Udon: So I can see all 3
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: thunder roars
Hantei Dave: opening it?
Togashi Udon: Anything about the body besides that its dead?
Hantei Dave: do you ask?
Hantei Dave: or look?
Togashi Udon: look, soory
Hantei Dave: a face of fear on Miroshu
Hantei Dave: nothing else abnormal
Togashi Udon: boold is red or blk?
Hantei Dave: red
Togashi Udon: ok, read the letter
Hantei Dave: you break the wax
Hantei Dave: there is another wax mark on the inside
Hantei Dave: this one has a symbol on it
Togashi Udon: Of?
Hantei Dave: you can't tell
Hantei Dave: and words of the letter are:
Hantei Dave: "Udon searches for Nabikko. I will point him to the Scorpion Clan."
Hantei Dave: "-Miroshu"
Togashi Udon: "What symbol is this?"
Togashi Udon: and you mean Habbikki
Hantei Dave: He reaches into the kimono's chest of the body and pulls out a small medallion from around his neck
Hantei Dave: Hisa breaks the chain off
Hantei Dave: he throws Udon the medallion
Togashi Udon: catch it
Hantei Dave: "I cannot read it. It is in a gaijin language."
Hantei Dave: (looks like the symbol on the letter)
Hantei Dave: strange words circle it
Hantei Dave: not Rokugani
Togashi Udon: How do you have one then?
Hantei Dave: (he pulled it off Miroshu's body just now)
Togashi Udon: oh,
Togashi Udon: sorry
Hantei Dave: np
Togashi Udon: release the tatts
Hantei Dave: "I followed you Udon. Across the border...up the mountain. and back down."
Togashi Udon: Why?
Hantei Dave: "Because I need purpose. And you have given it to me."
Togashi Udon: (sit on floor against the wall)
Hantei Dave: Hisa balls up his chain and tucks it into his sleeve
Togashi Udon: Me? Why? How?
Hantei Dave: "I saw you leave Toturi's army. And I followed."
Hantei Dave: "I have much to answer for."
Togashi Udon: "So do I."
Hantei Dave: "I was at Otosan Uchi when the Coup fell."
Hantei Dave: "I was in charge of the west wall when it fell."

Hantei Dave: "I was there as my men were slaughtered."
Hantei Dave: "And I told myself I need to live for Shoju's sake...for the CLan's sake. But I lied."
Hantei Dave: "I was scared."
Hantei Dave: "and I hid under the bodies."
Hantei Dave: "and ran when I had the chance."
Togashi Udon: "Do not believe that you lied to yourself."
Hantei Dave: "and I need purpose to redeem myself....in my Lady Kachiko's eyes..."
Hantei Dave: he falls to knees.
Togashi Udon: "I think you told yourself the truth. I think you are living for Shoju and for the Clan."
Hantei Dave: "I lived as a bandit...as a ronin."
Hantei Dave: "When Toturi took charge, I could not face him."
Hantei Dave: "But you, you had a purpose. I had to know."
Hantei Dave: "and now so do I. There are forces here that Kachiko needs to know of."
Hantei Dave: He takes the medalion from you
Hantei Dave: "This."
Hantei Dave: he holds it up
Hantei Dave: "I can help you."
Togashi Udon: "You will be able to face them one day. If Keshijo has faith in the strength of his clan then, so do I."
Hantei Dave: "Allow me to help. This Kitsuki carries only lies. He is involved."
Togashi Udon: "I think I am about to try my second thing that I learned from the book of lies..."
Hantei Dave: he sits back on his foot
Togashi Udon: Did you harm anyone else getting here?
Hantei Dave: shakes his head slowly
Togashi Udon: Ok then. We need to make it look like there was a big fight in this room
Hantei Dave: he slams fist on the floor "hai!"
Togashi Udon: and that I was taken.
Hantei Dave: bows his head
Togashi Udon: And he was killed
Togashi Udon: "Can you reseal this letter?"
Hantei Dave: "hai."
Hantei Dave: he takes the letter and begins resealing it
Hantei Dave: with the candle and wax and medallion
Hantei Dave: (no medallion. He gives it back to you)
Togashi Udon: "Good then we will leave it on him so whoever it was intended for gets it and thinks we are none the wiser.)
Hantei Dave: "Hai. and Udon..."
Togashi Udon: Hai?
Hantei Dave: he extends his hand and the chain comes flying out at you
Hantei Dave: roll dodge
Hantei Dave: 22 attack
Togashi Udon: 23 dodge
Hantei Dave: it slams into the wall smashing a piece of wood
Hantei Dave: roll inits
Togashi Udon: "I kinda thought we should be quiet?"
Hantei Dave: 27 the best lie is the truth
Hantei Dave: he says
Togashi Udon: 26
Hantei Dave: declare
Togashi Udon: bear tatt & punch out bunk support
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: it smashes (no roll needed and it tips over)
Hantei Dave: he swings the chain in an arc
Hantei Dave: knocking over chairs and scaping the wall
Togashi Udon: break the window
Hantei Dave: he balls it up again
Togashi Udon: and the desk
Hantei Dave: "lets keep it real." he draws his blade again and points it at your arm.
Hantei Dave: "Just in case."
Hantei Dave: he brings it to your shoulder
Togashi Udon: "Keep it real? What part of the Empire are you from?"
Togashi Udon: "Sorry then."
Hantei Dave: and slices you flinging your blood onto the wall.
Hantei Dave: He climbs out the window sheathing the blade again
Hantei Dave: 4 damage Udon
Togashi Udon: Oh, a couple of more things...hold on
Hantei Dave: he smiles form one side of his mouth
Hantei Dave: as he turns back
Hantei Dave: "go ahead."
Togashi Udon: Position the body correctly
Togashi Udon: with letter intact
Hantei Dave: "I was expecting you to cut me. Heheheh. We need to go."
Togashi Udon: and this...
Togashi Udon: nah, just kiddin
Hantei Dave: he climbs out the window
Hantei Dave: "We'll take your horse."
Togashi Udon: I gather my things
Togashi Udon: leave some Bodhi leaves
Hantei Dave: (good thinking...I was gonna get you on that one too)
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: you can be sure the Kitsuni will be here
Togashi Udon: "You should carry me incase we are seen"
Hantei Dave: He carries you like a sack of potatoes
Hantei Dave: and jumps down the roof (rolls)
Togashi Udon: Hit me sholder into the wall
Togashi Udon: more blod is always good
Hantei Dave: he does that
Hantei Dave: he successfully jumps
Hantei Dave: and runs to the stable, throwing you over the back of the horse and hopping on and riding into the pouring rain
Hantei Dave: the thunder shakes the houses
Hantei Dave: END SECTION
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