The Song and Dance (Day 6 Early Evening)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Yes, I was wondering as to what your knowledge of the Heiress is? If you knew anything of the occurrences of the last few days regarding her?"

He wasn't certain who knew what. "I should likely add in the events that followed shortly after the declaration as well."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Yes, I was wondering as to what your knowledge of the Heiress is? If you knew anything of the occurrences of the last few days regarding her?"

He wasn't certain who knew what. "I should likely add in the events that followed shortly after the declaration as well."

...Hmmm.

"Not too much. First I met her was here, where we shared sake. She was on a musha shugyo prior to being here. I haven't seen her since. What about yourself?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Ah, so you knew she was on a Musha Shugyo." He nodded, that at least meant that the Magistrate had met the heriess once before. "I've met her on several occasions. She has sheltered on my ship for a bit as well. Because of certain inncidents that made such a step nessacary." He didn't go into exactly what they were though.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Ah, so you knew she was on a Musha Shugyo." He nodded, that at least meant that the Magistrate had met the heriess once before. "I've met her on several occasions. She has sheltered on my ship for a bit as well. Because of certain inncidents that made such a step nessacary." He didn't go into exactly what they were though.

"Oh, so they did decide on that course of action, then? Interesting. It would be rude of me to pry further, but if she has spoken of my involvement in events then she has spoken correctly."

It was a 'if you know, you know' statement. He had a feeling they were Cranestepping around the truth, neither wanting to be the one to reveal too much...

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It hadn't been exactly mentioned." Shouji admitted. "Though knowing that you may know some of it. Let's me speak a bit further."

"I was pursuing things related to that matter when I had an unfortunate interaction with two of your cousins earlier this day."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Unfortunately the curse interfere with events - what I know that's relevant would likely be lost or changed, but if we can help each other we should. What were you pursuing about the incident, specifically?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"The next step." Shouji replied with a smile. "Which we managed to accomplish. Though anything further is far out of my hands now."

"Still knowing some things that were lost in the curse could help me paint a picture that is not fully complete and maybe I can help answer some of your questions as well."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

It appeared he would have to make the first move.

"One question I had is who was truly behind the writ. Perhaps if I recall a tale of times past, we could go from there."

With a sip of tea, he began.

"Do understand that such fanciful tales speak of blasphemy today so while they are truthful, they should be kept between ourselves. I trust on the sea you have heard many a similar tale, so you know what to do."

"On the first night of the curse, by happenstance the Ronin Yoko and I stumbled upon Oturi-Denka, then going by the name Soturenja, and Ikeda Isha. Ikeda-san had been given a writ for her life, written to her true name, which she received from Otomo Yusuke. She demanded my help, so I looked it over - the writ had been faked. Very well, mind, but faked nonetheless. I informed her as such, and the Ikeda was less than pleased."

"From the shadows, the first sword appeared, disguised as a ronin. With the preliminary issue resolved, we shared sake and thought of what to do - my suggestion was to wait until whatever was taking lives in the sea was resolved, then shore her to safety on one of your ships. We discussed what to do, but some troubles arose - it would be hard to prove that she was Oturi-denka and that Otomo Yusuke, as opposed to an aide, definitely knew it was him. Second, the first sword for whatever reason, had no means or refused to identify himself to verify the testimony. Thirdly, we had no idea if this was from Otomo Yusuke, or from somewhere else."

Another sip.

"Of course now, it is but a fanciful tale beyond those who were there."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Well you answered your question as to who was behind the writ in this fanciful tale. He who presented it was he who wrote it." Shouji replied before taking a moment to eat.

"As for these things remaining between us, on that you have my word. I have no wish to have this information scattered on the winds."

"My own part in events start on the day that followed. It was an odd day, one that seemed the same as the day before and yet strangely doesn't seem to exist. I approached Otomo Yusuke as he had sailed south with me, and seemed a man well versed in strange events."

"We chatted a bit and determined we both found something was off. He then asked me to seek out Ikeda Ishi who he thought remembered events too and he thought may be unsettled. I seem to be merely a pawn in his plans though. As as soon as I found the young woman she was confronted by local magistrates who wished to arrest her on charges that I knew were false. Though someone had crafted evidence to say otherwise."

"I ended up taking the young Ikeda under my protection that day. It seemed the best choice at the time. Though if the day hadn't been a dream I might of gained the ire of several people. It was the next day that things proceeded to me taking the ronin Sutorenja onto my ship."

"Which leads to today and the less fanciful incidents that I mentioned. Unkind words to your clanmates when they seemed to move to protect Otomo Yusuke when I moved on behalf of others. Though I am sure they are unaware of where that could of led if the continued on that course."

He sighed softly. "Of course that's if all of such a fanciful tale coukd be believed."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"A wonderful tale, I must say - but as you say, the winds will hear none of this."

A mutual understanding, at least.

"Without hindsight, it was smart of you to house the Ikeda. The law is the law, and as magistrates we strive to be strictly honest, just and righteous. But, obedience to knowingly false charges dishonours both yourself and the magistrates."

"As for my clanmates... I cannot say if they moved to protect him or not. In my earlier luncheon it appeared that some had their own lines of inquiry. Perhaps, unwittingly, you had both chased the same goal from opposite ends? In any case, I am glad that the issue seems to be rested. Now that sh has been named Empress, I believe our writer will put down his brush."

EDIT notes: swapped "but"[down his brush] to the appropriate "put"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji dipped his head at the man's words. "I merely used Judgement to dictate my path. It's a pleasure to see it went so well."

The topic changed and Shouji nodded. "Something tells me that may not of been the case. Even if it's just words that Kakita Yuuwaku offered me about the younger Otomo here." Shouji replied with a wry smile before shaking his head.

"Either way it's not something I intend to pursue, there are some of your clan that may dislike me." He shrugged. "But it's what it is, and I wouldn't change my actions. So their feelings on the matter is not something I intend to concern myself with."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"There are indeed more pressing concerns, like the capital. How will they respond to all this, I wonder?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I'm not expecting things to go well." Shouji admitted. "It on course won't stop me from heading in that direction though."

He pursed his lips. "I think we are in for a return to tumultuous times."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"And just like last time, it begins with the attempted assassination of the royal lineage - Yogo's Yakuta, are the Scorpion involved this time as well?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Not that I've seen." Shouji admitted, unless you counted the one attached to Otomo Yusuke. "But I'm sure more will be unveiled in time."

There was things to look into in that direction. Even if he wasn't involved.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Indeed - though the Scorpion and Otomo have strong ties."

He offers to pour shouji another cup.

"Forgive me - for all this business I've neglected this meal. Shall we enjoy?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"A valid point." Shouji agreed thoughtfully. One he'd need to take into account moving forward.

Shouji nods, accepting the pour, offering to do the same for the Kakita afterwards.

"That sounds like an excellent plan, Kakita-sama."