[Day 2 - Late Morning] Keeping Out of Trouble

[Yue]

Yue, like many of the guests here, were treated to a rather rude awakening when they were hassled by Crab. She was admittedly shocked at first, although reminded herself that she got off pretty easily when she crossed the border. It seemed only fair that sort of treatment would come eventually. Thankfully, she was able to go on her day without enduring torture and keeping all of her digits. She had heard of tales that the Kuni were a fan of practicing anatomy and removing body parts.

She was a bit rattled but decided to go on with her day like normal. After all, only a troublemaker would make themselves scarce after being interrogated like that and she wanted to prove that she was anything but one. She didn't really get a chance to get a good look around the village and meandered the streets to get a feel of the settlement.

[Ikoma Ren]

It might seem like an odd sight, an Ikoma walking along, shamisen in hand as he plucked our notes. He raises his head as he approaches Yue and calls out "Hail! How are you this fine morning?"

[Yue]

Yue had her eye around the streets, perhaps ready for another surprise inspection from the Crab, when she was approached by a Lion and his instrument. She blinked and gave a glance around before realizing that she was being addressed. After straightening her posture, she greeted him with a bow.

"Good morning, Lion-sama...I'm doing okay, keeping out of trouble. How about you?" she asked in return as she glanced to his instrument and to him after.

[Ikoma Ren]

"Well that's good, it means that there is trouble enough for me." Ren grins at his own joke. "I will say, I have seen a surprising amount of your type in one spot here. It seems that the tales of Crab being a friendly place for those adrift were true...well, as friendly as Crab get to outsiders. I think it's required for them to inform you that they will find new insertion points along your body if you give them cause. It just means that we don't give them that cause"

[Yue]

Yue gave the Ikoma a long blink at that and shifted her body language to appear a bit more squeamish. ""...I see? Sorry, I guess I haven't really been paying attention of the rumours or the reputation of the Crab about anyone. I merely noticed a large amount of travelling making their way south and I was following the traffic in hopes of getting some work out of it. It turns out that there was a wedding here, so...I lucked out a bit."

[Ikoma Ren]

"Well, you're not the only one." Ren nods sagely. "It seems that there are plenty of your brethren making the trip here. It seems you're not the only one who was unaware of the wedding. The wedding made an excellent reason to pay a visit to a land I may never see otherwise."

[Yue]

"Is it your first time to the Crab lands too? It has given me a reason to cross the border at the very least. I've honestly never considered visiting the Crab lands until now. I do hope that our hosts don't take too much offence that I don't know much about their arrangement. However, I'll celebrate it easily enough if they offer their generosity."

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren chuckles and shoots over a wry smile. "Oh, I don't think they were happy about a Lion traveling in their lands, even if I did have my paperwork in order. I think they expect Lion visitors to come as part of an invading army."

"Any luck on the work front?"

[Yue]

"What has caused the Crab to be suspicious of the Lion?" she asked curiously, almost needing a refresher at what was happening in the world politically at the moment. "But at least you have the support of your kinsman, I would imagine."

She shook her head, "Nothing too solid, I might have some chores with the Mantis here but that's about it. I'm mostly a hunter."

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren blinks for a moment.

Does she not know? I guess as a Ronin she just might not know the history.

"We backed opposite factions in the bid for the Emperor. Neither side is particularly fond of each other at the moment, which is likely why I'm the only Lion here so far."

"That's interesting, it wouldn't surprise me that the Mantis are hiring...but you would prefer hunting and scout work"

[Yue]

"Oh..." she murmured with a wide blink in realization on the current events, "Sorry, and thank you Ikoma-sama. I figured that you would know best between your Clans. In that case, that's rather daring of you to find yourself among the Crab by yourself, how has that faired for you so far?"

"I wouldn't say prefer but I would say it's what I know best. People often like to get results that meet their expectations but I am willing to do other things as well. As a sole ronin, I have to keep my horizons open, so to speak," she nodded.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren offers a genial smile. "I've done alright for myself so far. I have a knack for making friends and leaving good impressions wherever I go. As to the other point, it's good to have open horizons, but one would think that your employer would try to have you work on what you're best at. And, well, if you're looking for something..."

Ren lets is trail off. "I hear there is a call for wave men on the beach tomorrow night. Just gossip on the streets, you know"

[Yue]

"I've had a different perspective when it comes to the Crab so far but it seems that they are more celebratory at the moment than antagonistic. I would imagine that Ikoma-sama would do very well here, even with he relationship of his Clan if they are more focused on the festival."

She gave a shrug of her shoulder, "I can't help what people want or what ideas that have. I heard of the gathering but I can't guess what's that about. Often when that many ronin gather in one place, I get pretty wary of that, even as a ronin."

[Dapper Dog]

Four samurai approach, one atop a horse in light armor. He called out, “Hello ronin… I hope you have had your rice today. We need to have a chat. This is not a request.”

He chuckled and said, “Just in case you… thought… it… might be.”

[Yue]

Yue gave a blink at the gathering of samurai who approached them. It seems a bit silly to run of on them when one of them was on a horse to. "...my apologies, Ikoma-sama, it looks like I'll have to go with thes upstanding samurai her. Please excuse me."

She gave Ren a bow and stepped aside to see what the samurai wanted of her.

[Dapper Dog]

"Were you at the Hole last night?" he asked looking down at her.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren bows respectfulky to the leader of the approaching samursi. "Ikoma Ren at your service Crab-san. Teller of tales, traveler of lands, recorder of things. Do you require me as well? I was indeed at the Hole last night and may be able to help in what you seek."

While it is a respectful request, Ren does not look to bolt away at the sight of the men.

[Dapper Dog]

Ren bows respectfulky to the leader of the approaching samursi. "Ikoma Ren at your service Crab-san. Teller of tales, traveler of lands, recorder of things. Do you require me as well? I was indeed at the Hole last night and may be able to help in what you seek."

While it is a respectful request, Ren does not look to bolt away at the sight of the men.

He added raising a hand, "In one moment, Ikoma-san, I'm old I need to... focus... one at a time."

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren bows again. "Ahhh, I see. In that case I will let you work." Ren takes a side step, leaving the frame for a moment but not straying.

[Yue]

Yue nodded curtly at the question, "Yes...I was there for the public celebration. My entry was paid for by a Mantis. Is there a problem there?"

[Dapper Dog]

Yue nodded curtly at the question, "Yes...I was there for the public celebration. My entry was paid for by a Mantis. Is there a problem there?"

"Good, have you ever tried to kill, hurt, or maim Hida Yoji? Have you at any time ever threatened him with harm? Do you dabble in the dark arts? Do you enjoy the taste of blood and flesh?" he asked in rapid barrage of questions.

[Yue]

"No..." she answered with narrowing eyes, feeling rather awkward to be interrogated once again. While she could feel offended, she was merely a ronin and had no real say in the matter. "I've never met him nor gotten close enough to do anything. I don't dabble in those things...any of those things."

[Dapper Dog]

"Well I am glad you don't, and you Lion same questions," he said.

OOC: Sincerity checks the both of you. Hiruma Jinzo Investigation: 6d10o10k3 19

[Yue]

Yue was very sincere about her intentions, which would have made her more dangerous if she actually had intended or practised the previously mentioned things.

Day 2, Late Morning: Sincerity/Awareness check, void used: 6d10o10k4 35

[Ikoma Ren]

"Absolutely not! To any of them!" Ren doesn't need to pantomime the shock and horror at the idea that he would be some kind of blood drinker. "In fact, I made a point of expressing my admiration for Hida-san! Neither I, nor anyone I heard said such thing!"


Responding to Investigation- Sincerity (Honesty)-,TN 19: 5d10ro1o10k4 34