Wedding at Fire Shrimp Village an L5R PbP

Shirotu had met with his clan mate and invited the mirror-masked man out for a walk. He had trained already and was pleased with how things were shaping up. Win or lose there is always much to ,learn. Yet there was another matter to attend then, and it required conversation, assessment, perhaps advice. Shitoru was no expert on matters such as these, and though he was uncertain as to Ushi's practical knowledge in divination just the same, mysterious men know mysterious things.

They walked along the farmland, where though they would be noticed, perhaps none who had a care for their conversation would spy upon them.

"Thank you for coming all this way, cousin", Shitoru said gratefully. "Did you enjoy the party last night?"

The mask nods, "I enjoyed myself, yes, though it did seem the groom may not have. I noticed he left early - a little odd for a party in his honor."

"I found such strange, perhaps he went to find his bride for an early honeymoon", the Scorpion chuckled. "One can only hope, would be troubling for those birds, neh?"

"More troubling if he found another, I imagine. Few may love their match but it is wholly another matter to be caught loving another especially during the festivities of marriage."

"Aye, and surprising still to me, I spoke with a pretty maid of the inn who had few words on the man", he scoffed. "A young woman paying little heed to that handsome ox? And likely one who grew of age with him in this village besides." he shook his head. "Perhaps not her, could be she was merely wary of a strange man asking questions, but someone for a certain, cousin."

He kept walking along the path, watching the farmers toil.

A soft, light laugh from beneath the mask, "The reputation of our clan does tend to proceed us. Though whether truth or not is little matter if people believe it to be true. Rumors may well have killed more men than the truth ever will."

"And thus, it is the second day of this matter, too soon i think to make merry in our way. Too much time for our hosts and their esteemed guests to sort it out." He thought a moment. "Might you have a method of flushing these truths to light? For future use."

The mask cocks for a moment before nodding, "I suppose I could do our hosts the favor of seeing that such truths be found whichever way they may lie. Though have you spoken to our clanmate? I suspect her talents may be better suited even than my own."

"I have", a nod. "Shosuro-san is quite adept indeed, though her skills also make her more prone to being sought with the eye."

This time a chuckle, "Well I can't say I want for attracting attention at times. But we shall see."

His hat tipped with a nod. "Very well. There was one other matter, cousin. Something that I am uncertain of greatly", he admitted. "Two women this one met upon the road, Fuzake Hifumi of the Monkey clan and one women of the waves calling herself Sutorenja", he mentioned them both with a positive and kind voice. "They walk a path that leads to trouble, Fuzake-san, if she is to be believed, has been chosen by the fortunes to tell the future, though what her visions mean in full none can say as yet. Sutorenja...well, the vision is of this woman, being killed by some noble and my guess is by one here at this wedding by the vision revealing the livery of both Crab and Crane..."

He took a breath and stopped along a farmer's fence, leaning on it and scowling a bit.

"Worse still, the vision did not end with the ronin's death, but a man upon a cracked throne sat among the dead...either in rulership or as some other portend, that I cannot be of a certain. Do you know much of divination yourself?" he asked after a beat or two.

A moment of silence as the mask digests the information, "In theory only, not practice. Though that theory does say things are often not literal and may have deeper meanings. Still it will bear keeping it in mind and keeping an eye on this ronin."

A group of four samurai approach the du of Scorpion, two burly Hida women, a lean man with a white paint on his face. The fourth led them was in light armor atop a mighty Rokugani pony. Once in speaking distance the rider approached astride his steed and said, “Scorpions, I am Hiruma Jinzo, retainer to Lord Hida Kitusuchi of Bronze Carp Castle. I speak with her authority.”

“I have questions and... I know that you have... answers.”

The cloaked figure knew Crab rarely cared about decorum but, just in case, offered a bow of proper politeness to the Hiruma.

"Of course, Hiruma-sama. Though it was not our intended gift to our host, that is for this evening, we shall provide what we can."

"So why would you wish to kill Hida Yoji? Or threaten the house of Hida Fuboshi?" he asked casually as his pony paced back and forth.

The pony's reflection paces back and forth in turn though the mask stays still and steady, "I would wish no such thing. I understand our reputation but that would be a little... cliche... for my taste. Tightening of bonds between Crane and Crab is a risk, I suppose, but not so grave as one to require such a response."

The figure turns slightly towards their clanmate, "And you, Bayushi-san?"

(Sincerity = 33: They honestly do mean what they say.)

"And you," he said looking at Shitori. He did love his job.

"More importantly is it true that you were at the Hole last night?" he added.

OOC: Hiruma Jinzo Investigation: 6d10o10k3 21

"Aye, I was at the Hole, Hiruma-sama, along with all else seeking to cheer on Hida Yoji-san", he answered. "What matter had come? Is the man safe? I had noted he left a bit early."

"Someone threatened the life of the Hida Yoji," he responded.

"I am hoping that someone is not a Scorpion. I have yet to be convinced though."

"Begging your pardon on that, good Hiruma-sama, but I'm afraid we Scorpion have more of an allergy to death than tales of our clan seem to let on. I don't believe there is ought else that awaits us should we do something so foolish, and that would be from a confrontation with Hida-san himself, who simply put...would be enough." He bowed slightly. You'd have to be foolish indeed to start a fight with that one, young and naive or not.

"Then give me a name of someone you suspect could be involved, and I shall be on my way," the Hiruma offered.

He thought about it, head tilted in consideration.

"Most harm in these matters come from those who are closest to us, not from strangers", he said. "Not his family, but perhaps the man has a jealous type he's yet to rid himself of. I know I've had that problem before, nothing like a jilted lover to cause harm thinking they do Benten's own work."

"I will be on my way once I have a name or we can take a trip and you can plead your case before Fuboshi-dono," he replied.

He tried to think of who, in their right mind, might be foolish enough to harm the groom while his mother was in tetsubo range. No one he'd met, but he'd heard things.

"Ikoma Ren."

The man asks for a name, he gets a name. For whatever that is worth. Sticking up for a ronin at the border as well, maybe it was fate.

"I see, thank you, and may your ancestors bless you," he said with smile.

He turned and his team followed.