Where the Streets Yield No Fame [LE2]

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

"Stop that hooded one! Don't let them get away!" Chinatsu yelled as she started after Kogyoku. She was not nearly as prepared for the run though, quickly falling behind. At the very least the refugees might disperse before the hooded figure could lose themselves in the crowd.

Athletics: 10

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

Matsu Kōgyoku catches up with the cloaked figure and grabs it by the arm, spinning it around to reveal...

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

...the Imperial Advisor.

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu came to a halt, blinking. This seemed... off.

"Samurai-san, are you alright?" Chinatsu asked as she approached, not recognizing the woman.

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

LE2. Do I even know this woomun? TN30.: 3d10k3+3 20

Kōgyoku had no idea who this woman was, beyond being a Crane. She stepped back and bowed, erring on the side of politeness.

"I am Matsu Kōgyoku, magistrate. Is there a reason you've chosen to wander the streets in this particular way at this particular hour, Crane-sama?"

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"I am quite alright, thank you." The woman lowers her hood and offers them a warm smile. "My apologies if I seemed suspicious. I was merely attempting to avoid drawing too much attention to myself. A defenseless young woman such as myself, alone at night in a large city that is brimming with desperate refugees... surely you can understand my caution?"

She nodded to them both. "I should have known that the Lion would ensure their cities are well-patrolled and as safe as Otosan Uchi at midday. You should both be commended for your vigilance."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

"Duty is its own reward, Crane-sama." Kōgyoku replied in her usual mode, still having no clue who she was speaking with even though she was getting the vibe of possible importance. "Speaking of safety, we're in the process of restoring full order after the influx of refugees. As you're defenceless, we shall escort you to the safety of the castle."

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"That will not be necessary," the woman explains. She reaches into her cloak and pulls out a set of travel papers, offering them to Kōgyoku. "I am certain that you will find everything in order."

(The travel papers note Suiminko by name and position, give her free travel throughout the empire in perpetuity, and are signed by the late Hantei XXII.)

Kitsu Shukei · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:01 pm **Posts:** 115

Shukei caught up to the women, he left his scroll back in the bag and had picked up the lantern as well. He reached on time to see the travel papers and to hear out the main topic of their conversation. The shugenja was still one doubting the women who he did not even know or recognize.

His brows dug towards his eyes, unsure of who this was and what her intentions were. "Could you please present yourself, Crane-sama?" He asked with as much politeness as his unable ways were.

(she still didn't present herself, and we didn't recognize her, right?)

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

Kōgyoku accepted and investigated the papers. It was hard for her to maintain composure, so she bowed deeper. "Gomen nasai for the incident, Doji Suiminko-sama. I've been ignorant of your presence of the city. I am too uncouth to have been able to recognise you in person." She took it all on herself before Chisatsu or Shukei could be called out for any reason. The papers were humbly returned.

Protection had been offered and rejected; Kōgyoku wouldn't impose again on the itinerary of the Imperial Advisor if she didn't want their company. "We can all breathe easier knowing you have survived. I'd have a question about your Champion though. There are testimonies that he can still be alive, holding out beyond the city walls. Would you happen to have any advice with regard to our intention to organise an expedition to come to his aid?"

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu raised an eyebrow at the mention this was none other than the Imperial Advisor. This doesn't make any sense. The Lion Omoidasu thought to herself as she bowed low to the woman.

"As Doji-sama has stated, this is a city brimming with desperate refugees. Given the current state of things, I feel it is our duty to see to the protection of a surviving member of the Court."

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

Suiminko returns the traveling papers to her cloak. "There is no need for apology, Matsu-san. I have always preferred to keep a low profile, so it is not surprising that you did not recognize me." She gives the three samurai a warm smile. "I do not require an escort, for your Clan is doing a remarkable job of keeping the streets safe. It is to be commended."

She pulls the hood back up over her white hair. "I still have matters of great importance to attend to, and I cannot do that if my presence in the city is known. I trust that the three of you can keep this meeting - and my presence in the city - a secret?" Another friendly smile. "I would consider it a personal favor."

(Gift of the Lady Technique: Everyone can make an Etiquette (Courtesy)/Willpower roll against TN 58 to avoid having their emotions shifted in a favorable direction with regards to Suiminko, generally going along with whatever she says that doesn't conflict with your basic loyalties.)

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu watched the Doji carefully, something about this still felt off. But if the Imperial Advisor said it was important, it probably was. Plus even a minor favor with the Imperial Advisor was worth it's weight in gold.

"Hai, of course, Doji-sama." She bowed low to the Imperial Advisor once again.

Etiquette resist: Fail

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

LE2. Why should I like you? Etiquette. TN58.: 4d10o10k3+3 24

Kōgyoku had no interest in persona favours, no matter how high-up they might be coming. However, she respected authority, and the right of those who held it do things their inferiors wouldn't understand. She would yet have to decide whether she could or should keep it secret from her superiors, but for now she had no further intentions to disturb the Imperial Advisor.

"We're honoured by the regard you show our Clan, Doji-sama. Good night." The magistrate maintained the bow.

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

Suiminko inclines her head in a respectful gesture. "Thank you. Pleasant dreams."

Lifting her hood, she leaves the two of them and slips away into the crowd.

Kitsu Shukei · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:01 pm **Posts:** 115

The samurai Kitsu just nodded (not gonna even try that roll) and watched her go while he thought that he should do as much as he could to keep her pure soul and the city safe.

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

Kōgyoku frowned as the Crane woman had departed. She looked back at Chinatsu and Shukei. "Any observations I might have missed, mina-san?"

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu watched the Imperial Advisor walk away and her frown deepened. She glanced at Kogyoku as she spoke then.

"She had no reason to play the part of the scared maiden to us when we first stopped her. That was odd," Chinatsu shrugged a little then. "But if her mission is as secret and important as she says, we should leave her to it."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

"However, if she has trusted us with the information of its secretive nature, it's as good as entrusting it to our superiors. Hence, the Governor has to be informed about this incident." Kōgyoku reasoned with her honour-logic.

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

Chinatsu shook her head. "The Imperial Advisor outranks the Governor and has requested we keep this meeting,and her presence, a secret. We are honor-bound to keep that secret."

Where the Streets Yield No Fame [LE2]

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