[Day 8 - EA] Alas...

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"A few days ago, a spirit cursed the area, causing everyone to experience the same day over and over." she explained. "This coincided with the culmination of a plot against the heir to the throne, who was here anonymously and was not yet aware that she was the heir. She likely suspected as much, however, based on the visions I had had. Regardless, the threat to her life was averted and the curse was resolved. I was not directly involved in either, unfortunately, so I cannot give you the details. Additionally, there are many who do not remember events that occurred during the curse. Witnesses may be difficult to find. I would recommend speaking with Kakita Konohamaru, magistrate of the Crane."

[Dapper Dog]

"A few days ago, a spirit cursed the area, causing everyone to experience the same day over and over." she explained. "This coincided with the culmination of a plot against the heir to the throne, who was here anonymously and was not yet aware that she was the heir. She likely suspected as much, however, based on the visions I had had. Regardless, the threat to her life was averted and the curse was resolved. I was not directly involved in either, unfortunately, so I cannot give you the details. Additionally, there are many who do not remember events that occurred during the curse. Witnesses may be difficult to find. I would recommend speaking with Kakita Konohamaru, magistrate of the Crane."

"Kakita Konohamaru, consider him summoned. Crab, send word to this Blue Bird House," she responded. The Crab get to work to find the Crane magistrate.

"You had visions?" she asked of the Monkey.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

"I have had two within the past two weeks." she nodded. "The first was when I met the heir in Sparrow lands. The vision implied that she would be killed here and that the Empire would face catastrophe afterwards. The second, experienced during the curse, alluded to the death of the Empress and the naming of her heir. It also suggested that the Empire would become divided, between the heir and her brother."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Kakita Konohamaru, consider him summoned. Crab, send word to this Blue Bird House," she responded. The Crab get to work to find the Crane magistrate.

The search was not a long one, as Konohamaru was moving to speak with Hiruma Jinzo to report his findings from the previous day. Seeing the corpse of Otomo Yusuke, he says nothing - he would almost have seen the man executed himself, were it not for the events of yesterday's court.

As appropriate for the Emerald champion, he offers her a deep bow.

"Kakita Konohamaru, reporting. What is it you require?"

[Dapper Dog]

"Useful," she said in reply.

The search was not a long one, as Konohamaru was moving to speak with Hiruma Jinzo to report his findings from the previous day. Seeing the corpse of Otomo Yusuke, he says nothing - he would almost have seen the man executed himself, were it not for the events of yesterday's court.

"Kakita Konohamaru, reporting. What is it you require?"

"Tell me of the events that have happened here since your arrival," she said to the Crane.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

The magistrate nodded.

"There have been two main lines of events of note which have happened since my arrival: A plot against Oturi Yuahime, and a curse which caused days to repeat."

"I first stumbled into the plot when an Imperial bushi was about to draw their sword on the then ronin Sutorenja. The Imperial demanded I help her due to an Imperial writ with the Empress' seal on it to take Oturi-denka's life, naming her specifically."
"Having my doubts, I demanded to check the writ - it was falsified. Well, mind, but falsified nontheless. The bushi immediately ceased her aggression upon learning this. The first sword, who was disguised as a ronin, and another ronin by the name of Yoko then discussed a plan over Sake - we decided that as we could not prove to outsiders who Oturi-denka was, and the First sword seemed unable to either, it would be better she be protected - before the announcement, we planned to send one of the Mantis Kobunes back to the capital once the threats in the water were taken care of."
"Due to the curse and a seeming end to plots against her, we divided into two groups: Yoko and Ikeda Hiro-sama worked to shielding Oturi-denka from harm, while I had to deal with the curse."

"In my discussion with Tsuruchi Shouji-san, head of the Sea Fox and asylum granter to Oturi-denka and her aide two nights prior, it had come to light that the man had forged the Imperial writ himself. He would know more about the investigation process itself."

"Two days ago, an Imperial herald arrived to announce that Oturi-denka was named Oturi II in the last will of Oturi I, may Tengoku grant her peace. He spoke of the ronin Sutorenja, Oturi-denka's alias, by name."

"Yesterday, in her Majesty's first court, she spoke with Otomo Saisei about whether or not such a betrayal could be forgived, referring to the incident without mentioning names - she agreed with his calls for compassion and forgiveness. And, well..."

He said no more on the matter.

"The curse was caused by a ghost called Hitomi, who was an illegitimate child to be sworn in to the Hida family, should she come of age. The curse caused a day to repeat, and from what I hear, people to hear voices which lead them into the sea and drown. Thanks to the effort of several individuals here many lives were saved, including my own. To break the curse, Torikata Hanatsuko, a nearby monk by the name of Aji and I spearheaded an investigation and worked out how to break the curse. When we were released, five days had passed. We only experienced three."

He awaited further instruction or inquiry without any sign of emotion.

[Dapper Dog]

"Well shit, that is... more than expected," she responded.

"Alas poor Yusuke, I knew him well... well not really. Consider the crown's mercy delivered and remember this if ever you sniff at the idea of betrayal. I am always watching."

She flicked the last of the blood and then gave it one last wipe before brushing past the Crane towards the castle.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

The magistrate moves aside as the Champion passes, bowing as she leaves.

He turns to the others.

"Everyone alright?"

[Fuzake Hifumi]

Hifumi gave a shrug. "She certainly is... efficient. I don't care for how things were done, but her methods are not mine to judge."

[Ichiro Taiki]

The Crab lower the weapons as the woman looked at Taiki and said, “Do that.”

As the Emerald Champion spoke to Taiki, he nodded, head still close to the ground, then slowly raised, asking for permission to leave, and went to the Castle to ask that the Empress be alerted of the Emerald Champion's arrival.

He sees the other Otomo arriving just before he left and heard the first of his words, but the only sign of emotion that could be seen before he leaves for the Castle is his head lowering slightly.

As it looked... it is possible that that needed doing. Peace was best, but not always easy to achieve...

/Exit for some time at least before the Empress is called

[Otomo Saisei]

Having watched from the shadows, Bayushi Ijihime helped the poor Otomo as well as he got closer.

Matching name (that was in his mind) to face, the Otomo provides a gentle bow to Ijihime, thanking her, "I appreciate the help."

If she could well read, there was vengeance hidden behind his eyes.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"He was a friend to me as well," she said softly to Saisei.

[Otomo Saisei]

"He was a friend to me as well," she said softly to Saisei.

"My apologies. I wasn't able to come sooner." He says, heads down, reminding that he should have called out the lady in dark when they were at the Inn. She failed to comply to honor and present herself while there.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"I do not think you would have made much difference," she said honestly.

"Not for lack of trying but due to her nature and position, that was an uphill battle. But his will was done, even in death he never failed."

[Otomo Saisei]

"I am relieved. His path to Yomi will shine brighter." The young man says, recognizing now, for some reason, "He was the nearest thing to a father I had since my own passed years ago."

With a shake of his head, he dismisses those thoughts and gets back into action to make sure the place was clean.

[Bayushi Ijihime]

"Then do not despair, he thought highly of you and saw the future in your actions," she responded.

[Fuzake Hifumi]

Moving away from the Otomo and the Bayushi to give them space and to allow for the proper rites to be performed, Hifumi returned to the spot she had selected to perform a reading with the yarrow sticks. She sat down and began the ritual again. Such a death before the wedding made it more important to divine what might come of it all.

Dango sat down beside her, quietly watching everything around them.


- - -
[Day 8 - EA] Alas..., Divination regarding the Wedding: 6d10o10k3 22

[Otomo Saisei]

"Then do not despair, he thought highly of you and saw the future in your actions," she responded.

Saisei nods, confirming to her suggestion. He also stays there for a moment, looking at the Bayushi empty minded. Something on her soothed his thoughts. Then, he resumes working.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Unsure as to what to do, he looks towards the castle and to Saisei.

It would wound his pride if he stepped in, he imagined. Walking on ahead with purpose, he entered the castle to deliver his report.

/exit