[Day 6 - LM] What had Happened Was...

[Dapper Dog]

The Otomo led the way to his chambers to have a further and deeper discussion.

OOC: GM Permission to join this thread for Yoko and Tsuruchi Shouji.

[Yoko]

Walking in company like this might make others think Yoko would feel small. A leaf on the wind as compared to mighty trees. But that was never her style, and she knew the real situation better too.

So, she kept to her steel, and remained by Shouji's side as they'd inevitably continue onward. Wary, as she ought to be.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Shouji entered the room taking a few moments to glance around. He wasn't sure where this conversation might lead exactly.

It needed to happen though, and he would attend to it as best he could.

[Otomo Yusuke]

Once everyone was inside the well-appointed room the Otomo continued, “Now before we get too far down a rabbit hole of grievances, what happened between myself, Ishi-chan and the Princess was simply a movement of pieces on a board of Go put into motion by powers far greater than myself.”

“Now that debacle ended poorly for nearly all involved and then the day started repeating, which I believe has been remedied. This gave me time to consider my options and more importantly deterred the plots of my betters. Which brings us to the now, she is the announced heir, but her brother controls the Capitol and will most likely assume she is dead.”

“We can work together to dismantle the shadow infrastructure in place and expose her kin for the villain they have become and make sure we have a smooth transition with minimal public upheaval. I can offer you this path and even a few suggestions at how to solidify her position in court and mend the rift between those that adhere to tradition and those sword to the future,” Yusuke finished.

[Dapper Dog]

Hiro was quiet, as much as he had his role here he also knew the least of what actually happened at least from experience.

So he waited to see what the others said first.

[Ikeda Ishi]

Ishi frowned and said with a wave of her hand, "Is this you bargaining now?"

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"This was always only going to go one of two ways, Ikeda-san. Bargaining or bloodshed." He studied the older man for a few moments, he was a snake but could maybe be useful.

"Though we should be wary when dealing with you shouldn't we, Otomo-sama? Though I would say it may go far if you explain more of what you know about these moving of pieces."

[Yoko]

"Careful Tsuruchi-sama," she says, but not so harshly as to be admonishing, just careful. Glaring at the Otomo she crossed her arms over her chest tightly. As if she wasn't of a mind to let him out of her sight, like the words themselves might very well change, "Swallow too many of his words and you might not see the poison for what it is."

[Otomo Yusuke]

“Oh Yoko-san, you wound me with such venomous words. Wary, not at all, I am but a servant of my betters. If they wish for me to be the arbiter of death then that Duty demands that I play as Emma-O; if my betters demand that I aid them in securing the future of the Empire then I will be as a Thunder facing the Darkest Lord of the realm. Though my days of playing swordsman have long since passed, in case you had any ideas,” he said with a smile.

“I know of the members within the family that have sworn themselves to seeing her brother on the Throne and what lines can be cut to undermine that plot. I have a most curious letter that would be of value to Oturi-dono, and other correspondence that would illuminate some of the more subtle movements of this play. Some is more incriminating than others but nothing direct, but enough that if applied properly should bend her brother in the right direction,” he said calmly.

“Assuming she seeks a peaceful outcome, and if not, well I am excellent at cleaning up the blood. Well I am excellent at finding eta to do such lowly things.”

[Dapper Dog]

"A peaceful or at least a path that minimizes bloodshed is preferred, but again it seems we come back to trust," he said looking to the others.

[Yoko]

Good, may easily have been implied from the look she gave Yusuke when he started to speak.

Still, with all said she looked to Shouji, "Ask my opinion, when you can't trust a dog you leash it. Not sure how you go about leashing an Otomo though. Think this one has a tendency to bite when it suits it."

[Otomo Yusuke]

Good, may easily have been implied from the look she gave Yusuke when he started to speak.

Still, with all said she looked to Shouji, "Ask my opinion, when you can't trust a dog you leash it. Not sure how you go about leashing an Otomo though. Think this one has a tendency to bite when it suits it."

"I only do what I am commanded to do, do you blame the sword for the lives it has taken or the one who wields it?" he responded.

[Yoko]

"A samurai is to take responsibility for their actions, aren't they?" she looked from Shouji to Yusuke with the response. A little fire in her belly. Nudging the blade at her hip as to call reference to it. "A proper blade has no voice or mind, can't accept responsibility. A samurai is a different story altogether. Limit yourself by that logic and you only create the road for the worst of us to do as they please."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"We know your feelings on the matter, Yoko-san." Shouji offered with a glance towards the young woman. "Thank you. This path will just lead us in circles though won't it?"

Turning towards the Otomo he smiled. "We find it hard to trust you, Otomo-sama. Even if all you give us will help prevent blood shed in the matter we will have to take time and effort to verify it before acting on it."

He raised an eyebrow. "Then there is the matter what what you would wish for from all this? Or is it your way of pointing out that you are more then willing to serve?"

[Yoko]

Yoko looked back to Shouji, glanced down a little and nodded. Looking back up to him she gave a short smile, settled herself a bit, and another nod.

[Otomo Yusuke]

“Ambitions? I am merely a servant but if I had some small role to play in the future of the Empire and mend a possible rift to bring the Empire together then I feel compelled to act for the good of the Empress and her realm. One step at a time though, I have nowhere to be and would gladly travel under your protection as servant or hostage if you prefer,” he offered.

“You can leave here with the letters but rest assured that my usefulness goes beyond mere letters. I have a keen insight and many friends that could be your friends with a polite whisper,” he offered.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"No intention to go into a quiet retirement then after the success of this union between the Crab and the Crane?" Shouji asked raising a curious eyebrow. "It would be quite the end note to an illustrious career."

"Either way, that is much to think on." Shouji said after a moment. These were of course not his decisions to make. He did however look towards the Ikeda and Yoko for their opinions.

[Otomo Yusuke]

"If she wishes for me to retire then I will gladly shave my head," he said warmly.

[Dapper Dog]

"Hand over the letters Otomo-san, Ishi-san, make sure our friend here is kept safe. I will arrange for the Crab to provide him secure escort if he decides to leave these chambers. Nothing overt but until I have conferred with her highness, watch your step," he commanded.

[Otomo Yusuke]

The Otomo nakodo complied and handed over the letters.


Hiro then said to Mantis, "We might be taking this one with us, it's in the hands of the her highness now."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"As you say, Ikeda-sama." Shouji replied dipping his head respectively. "I will make the proper preparations for whatever may come to pass."

[Yoko]

"Sounds like a good enough plan to me, not that what I think matters too much," she smirked, adding some levity to the statement.

"Speaking of watching steps though-" Yoko said, looking between the two Ikeda. Focusing on Ishi with a small half-smile, a shrug. Then, looking to Yusuke, "I'd feel much better leaving this room knowing Otomo-sama here was removed of his drink additive. If it's even still around. "

[Ikeda Ishi]

Ishi agreed and went over and removed the offending bottle of sake. She added, “It’s for the best.”

“Yoko-san will you assist me with a more thorough examination?”

[Yoko]

"Happily," she said with her cocky smirk, letting Yusuke see it before she turned to Ishi.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Perhaps things would turn out better for Yoko and Ishi then he first anticipated. It seemed at the least they would be friends. He didn't let his inner smile show though as he turned towards Hiro.

It seemed the task they came here for was done.