Day 3 EA - A serious banquet (Cranes only)

[Kakita Konohamaru]

A wonderful little feast was laid out in one of the private rooms while Konohamaru went over the agenda he had planned.

At least, while he waited, the birdsong was nice.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

The artist often had to be the first to arrive to everything. With precision again, here was Sanaharu. He entered the room with a very deep bow sustained for several seconds.

[Hitomi]

A whisper fills the magistrate's ear, "Why did you kill me... daddy?"

There is no one there when he looks.

[Kakita Masao]

Kakita Masao reports as bidden, nodding in greeting to Sanaharu and giving a respectful if slightly quick bow to the magistrate.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

A whisper fills the magistrate's ear, "Why did you kill me... daddy?"

"Can we speak later? Tonight, perhaps."

He whispers under his breath.

As the first of his guests arrive, he offers them a bow.

"Thank you both for coming. Please feel free to enjoy the food. Understand I wouldn't do this unless absolutely vital."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He thought it was the casual thing. That it was vital caught him off guard on his seat. He looks to Masao, worried, but would not ask what it was as it would be explained later.

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma entered the room, bowed and sat silently, waiting to know what this mysterious convocation was about before committing further.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku enters, bowing.

"This one was bidden come and so has come, Kakita-bugyo."

She finds a seat.

[Doji Kintaro]

Doji Kintaro arrived but Yushoko and Kio are absent.

[Daidoji Kaneko]

Kaneko too was present.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

((OOC:To anyone else who arrives, assume I wait until after you arrive in order to begin.))

Konohamaru bows to each participant as they arrive, offering them a seat. He notices the absence of the Bride and Kio,

"Thank you all for coming. This is a security brief of the highest importance - Kintaro-san, I hope you will be willing to pass this information onto the Bride and Groom for her safety."

He looks over his notes.

"There are three items to discuss - the docks, the rumour and a general status report. After each item, I will open up the floor for questions and inquiries."

He shuffles his papers and sips some tea, bringing up the first item on the itenary.

The Docks

"Yesterday, as you know, there was rumours someone was taken from the docks. These rumours were true. There were claw marks on the side of a fishing boat, as if something climbed up the boat. Something inhuman."

He let the words sink in before continuing.

"I'm no expert on supernatural creatures, but I remember Kappa reside in water and have claws. The area does not have a bandit problem. It attacked at night, and attacked an unarmed woman. While some of us are martially trained, those who aren't should do their best to avoid the docks at night. If you must go out, do so in pairs and do so armed. Kama, knives, whatever you have. If you see something abnormal, shout and run. Don't try and be a hero, be a survivor."

"The Hida Kitusuchi-sama or Hiruma Jinzo-san has also been told about this, though I have not heard back from them yet."

The Rumour
"One rumour which is of direct concern to us is the one of Hida Yoji being threatened by a witch, for two reasons. One, the exact wording he heard is 'the mountain will fall to the Crane.' Said, and I quote, 'in the style of a Crane or Scorpion'. This directly makes us suspects."

Another sip of tea.

"If anyone knows who said that or why, let me know. In addition, this is everyone's last chance to come out and claim any conspiracies or plots against the wedding and still have a modicum of protection. I have spoken to Kakita Nikutai and there is nothing militarily planned. We also need to be on our best behaviour until our name is cleared."

"There has also been talk by Torikata Hatsunoko-san, so I've heard from Ichiro Taiki-san, of the presence of Toshigoku and Gaki-do spirits in this village. I trust our spiritual experts can warn us on the exact dangers of that, but in general avoid being unsafe and alone at night."

He again opened up the floor to questions.

General status

"Finally, congratulations to Daidoji Kaineko-san, Doji Soon-ji Obaa-san and Kakita Masao-Nikutai for their exceptional performances last night. To have earned the good graces of the Crab shows not only our talent but commitment to good relations between the two. In addition to the work by Doji Yuma-san and Kakita Masao-Nikutai with the peppers festival, we have been doing very well so far.

"I encourage everyone to kee-" He sputtered and coughed. He wasn't used to speaking for so long, and he usually spoke in shorter sentences. "Keep up the good work. In addition, if anyone has any interesting pieces of information they would like to share, now is the time."

Again, the floor was opened up.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Well, that was direct, thinks Yuuwaku. But she nods along to the magistrate's words without comment.

There's nothing for her to share in regards to Konohamaru's comments, other than to accept the dicta and comply.

And I imagine time with Daichi will be safe enough, she thinks.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Don't go to the docks at night. Don't go to dangerous places at night. Don't be alone at night. Those were things he could understand and usually did. Not a lifestyle change, other than the fact that he now felt restricted. "Do you think it means that this place will be... spiritually attacked... somehow, and it would fall to us to shield it? That the mountain would fall to us?"

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Do you think it means that this place will be... spiritually attacked... somehow, and it would fall to us to shield it? That the mountain would fall to us?"

"Until we find out who said it originally, we don't know. Whatever happens, do not let it surprise you. 'strike with no thought' as Lord Kakita once said."

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma raised both eyebrows at the announcement:

"So. Monsters trying to kill us. Charming. I know we are in Crab lands but I guess this is not a regular occurrence so far from the Wall? Or is it? And if not, do we know the cause of this sudden assault of the dangerous realms? That witch that Hida Yoji would heard? Do we have any information about her except for the fact that she seems to be trying to pin the problem on us?

Most importantly, what measures did the Crab authorities decree to fight back this issue? Seems to me like it should be within their area of expertise no? Cannot think of a more Crab problem than this one."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao's looks incredulous at some of the magistrate's report, but. I was clearly right to feel unsettled. Witches and ghosts and demons. The fertility festival is actually one of the few normal things about this place. Masao is surprised to hear only his own thoughts inside his head. Grandmother?

He looks more concerned about the silence in his head than potential monsters in real life.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"So. Monsters trying to kill us. Charming. I know we are in Crab lands but I guess this is not a regular occurrence so far from the Wall? Or is it? And if not, do we know the cause of this sudden assault of the dangerous realms? That witch that Hida Yoji would heard? Do we have any information about her except for the fact that she seems to be trying to pin the problem on us?"

"We don't know why. I will try and contact Torikata-san later today to find out what is going on. We also don't know who - all we know is what I've told you. Could you tell us a little about Toshigoku or Gaki-do, Yuma-san?"

Most importantly, what measures did the Crab authorities decree to fight back this issue? Seems to me like it should be within their area of expertise no? Cannot think of a more Crab problem than this one."

"I have not heard anything yet, but I doubt they will do nothing. Most likely we'll see a unified plan on the fourth day."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Do you think it means that this place will be... spiritually attacked... somehow, and it would fall to us to shield it? That the mountain would fall to us?"

"Until we find out who said it originally, we don't know. Whatever happens, do not let it surprise you. 'strike with no thought' as Lord Kakita once said."

"Can't the shugenja here test spiritually who is doing this or something? I know there is one that resides here as a court physician. He is a Kuni, on the top of all."

[Doji Yuma]

"We don't know why. I will try and contact Torikata-san later today to find out what is going on. We also don't know who - all we know is what I've told you. Could you tell us a little about Toshigoku or Gaki-do, Yuma-san?"

"Only the basics I fear. Gaki-do is a hell where the sinners devour each other for all eternity. Toshigoku is a similar place where those who enjoy killing wave an endless battle. The worst thing is that sometimes they find back their previous victims in these afterlife, for they have managed to entrap them in so much hate in life they chose vengeance over peace in death.

These realms do not naturally communicate with our own, hence my surprise. And as such these creatures are not something a samurai is usually trained to fight, no matter their courage. I would advise to avoid going out at night indeed, and to ask the Kuni to ward the inn."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"Can't the shugenja here test spiritually who is doing this or something? I know there is one that resides here as a court physician. He is a Kuni, on the top of all."

"At the time. Now, especially as the Hole is closed, I imagine not. Doji-san would know more than I would on the specifics."

Speaking of, he turned to Yuma.

"Thank you for the advice. I admit, I am not trained for spiritual matters. I will write to Kitusuchi-san to do as you instructed."

And so he did while being open to further questions, writing a request to ward all the currently used guest residencies - the castle, blue bird, Inn and maybe the Mantis Kobunes, unless they wished to do it themselves.

Once done, he handed them to some servants to send to the Carp Castle.

[Kakita Masao]

Masao, remembering a conversation that now seems potentially relevant, relates what he heard from Daidoji Kio that morning.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Konohamaru pauses, nods, and alters his correspondence to reflect this.

"Thank you, Kakita-Nikutai. That should be very useful, and should help explain things. Everyone, please keep an eye on Daidoji-sama, just in case."

[Doji Soon-ja]

Doji Soon-ja listened gravely as Konohamaru explained his concerns.

“These sound like very serious issues, Magistrate Kakita,” she said in a quavering voice. “I must admit there have been troubling portents leading up to our arrival here. I will certainly take your advice on exercising caution near the docks. Furthermore, if you will not object, I will consult my divining sticks for advice.”

Assuming it was not forbidden, the old woman threw a handful of yarrow stalks to the ground before her, then bent over to peer at the random arrangements into which the sticks had fallen. “Oh, my,” she murmured, sounding concerned.

—
3EA Serious banquet, ask yarrow sticks for advice, INT/Divination +Void Point +Status unknown TN: 7d10o10k5+2 49

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"By all means."

[Dapper Dog]

Doji Soon-ja listened gravely as Konohamaru explained his concerns.

“These sound like very serious issues, Magistrate Kakita,” she said in a quavering voice. “I must admit there have been troubling portents leading up to our arrival here. I will certainly take your advice on exercising caution near the docks. Furthermore, if you will not object, I will consult my divining sticks for advice.”

Assuming it was not forbidden, the old woman threw a handful of yarrow stalks to the ground before her, then bent over to peer at the random arrangements into which the sticks had fallen. “Oh, my,” she murmured, sounding concerned.

—
3EA Serious banquet, ask yarrow sticks for advice, INT/Divination +Void Point +Status unknown TN: 7d10o10k5+2 49

The sticks show a darkness, they are in a moment where there is only darkness and it will continue and the youngest of the Birds will suffer if the darkness is sated. But you will repeat this pain many times… before it will pass.

OOC: Status bonus is for High social skills.