Welcoming Party (Day 5 Mid Morning, Sea Fox.)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji had asked one of his crew to let Ikeda Ishi know he was waiting for her in his cabin when she had finished settling in. There were a few questions that he needed to ask and she was likely the only one who could answer them.

He began to move around his cabin brewing a pot of tea, waiting for her arrival.

[Ikeda Ishi]

She entered and said, "You requested my presence, Tsuruchi-sama?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Yes." He replied with an easy smile, gesturing for the woman to take a seat at the table. "My apologies for calling on you so shortly after your arrival, did you get settled in?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"I brought only what I needed. I should be fine," she said in reply and waited for the questions.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Well, I suppose you know we aren't here for just pleasant conversation. " shoujj offered with a soft sigh, placing a cup of black tea with ginger and lemon in front of the young woman, before placing one in front of himself and taking a seat at the table.

"As I understand it you were asked to take the life of the Ronin Sutorenja, who is also Oturi Yuahime?" He said after a moment. "Then failing in this Otomo Yusuke has sought your life?" He hadn't heard the exact account there.

"In a way that is a bit round about, which makes me believe this was more intended as an Assassination then a righteous action. Do you think he was seeking your life as well with this? Or do you believe you were just a pawn in his plan?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"I was tasked with a service to the Imperial family, it was under apparent false pretense. It would not have mattered if the deed were done," she said honestly.

"This situation is unique in that no only is my failing repeated but we somehow both know about it. When this... if this ends, that will have to be dealt with. I do not think he expected me to discover the truth of the deception and Sutorenja-san would have just been another dead ronin, regardless of her true nature."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I wouldn't say that not acting on false orders is a failing." IT seemed a success to him, but then he wasn't an imperial. "Though I do wonder what you mean by repeated failings." Perhaps there was something else there that he didn't know. Not that he intended to pry if she didn't want to share.

"You are right though, th esituation does need to be dealt with..." He paused a moment. "I was wonder what outcome you were hoping for. "Survival I assume is obvious. Do you wish to see Otomo-sama brought to justice as well? Or would it be something you could live with if this was all a bad dream?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"My only goal is honored service to the Imperial family, whatever outcome best suits that is all that matters," she said.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"So to serve in any way possible." That did give him a bit of leeway in any negotiations. "A fine answer suitable of a samurai."

"I don't think i need to ask. But would that include being sent to some far away outpost, or being married into another clan?" He looked to her eyes. "Otomo-sama may not want you close, with the knowledge you hold."

[Ikeda Ishi]

"If that is what must be done," she said honestly. "I leave my fate in the hands of Sutorenja-sama, and those aiding her."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

That however complicated things drastically. Apparently he would need to seek out that princess before proceeding. "I will attempt to consult with her then."

[Ikeda Ishi]

That however complicated things drastically. Apparently he would need to seek out that princess before proceeding. "I will attempt to consult with her then."

"She may not remember her involvement in all of this," she said lightly.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I was thinking that might be a possibility." Shouji replied with a grimace. "In which case she may be little help until this is all explained again."

He sighed softly. "What are your thoughts on me approaching Otomo-sama?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"It's complicated, if the day has reset then he is starting from scratch again but aware of what happened yesterday. At this point we need to make sure Sutorenja is safe and then Ikeda Hiro as well, that would give us an edge in this conflict," she responded.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"If his goal is Sutorenja's life it makes sense that he would try again." Aiding her would put him directly into conflict with the Otomo though.

"I suppose could bring her to my ship though and this Ikeda Hiro as well. Though it likely would only be a temporary measure." He frowned a moment. "Though I admit to never having met the second. I can send some of my crew to try and find them."

[Ikeda Ishi]

"I can find him," she said confidently.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Risky to a degree." Shouji replied thoughtfully. Though if you can find him and bring him here, it would be worthwhile."

He nodded to himself. "I hold no leash on you Ikeda-san, so if that's what you want to do i won't stop you. Just be careful, you may consider wearing less flashy clothing. Or maybe brining Yoko or one of my crew with you."

[Ikeda Ishi]

"I will not go alone then," she said in reply.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He nodded at that. "No reason not to be cautious." The young man replied with a soft smile. "Though it would be nice if this Ikeda Hiro at least remembered."

"Would save time on some explanation."

[Ikeda Ishi]

"We can hope but if he is here to protect Sutorenja, as he said then it should not matter," she said.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Quite true." It made sense as well, an Ikeda following around an errant princess as she tried to fulfill some girlhood fantasy. Not that he would ever let those thoughts be heard aloud.

"Sutorenja said this man the Monkey saw in her vision might be her brother. She said it made no sense for them to be in conflict though as he is the heir. It does make a bit of sense though, to a Mantis. Our own founder once was a Crab after all."

He paused. "I know it's impossible to truly know the mind of the Empress. Would you say a change of heir was in the realm of possibility though?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

"If she so decided then it would make sense that he removes competition," she said honestly.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Would that change how you view things?" Shouji asked with a raised eyebrow. "If the orders you were given were both false and true?"

[Ikeda Ishi]

“I am unsure, if they were from the throne then I would be bound to act but they were found to be false. They were doctored to have come from his younger brother, Oturi Toturi, and not the heir. Perhaps he wished to frame him for the act in a larger plan,” she said in reply.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"That makes too much sense to be far from the truth." Unless the were wrong entirely. "Especially if his plan is to take the throne." Removing two from the path was better then one.

"It least gives us an idea of where to work from, and what steps we may need to take."