Doji Kusanagi's room is almost exactly as you remember it:  small, unadorned, frugal--excepting, of course, the blood spattered across the room and his corpse.  The slain Crane commander lays flat on his back--eyes closed--behind the far side of his table from the doorway, his bloodied blade lain across his chest.  Kusanagi was stabbed twice, once through his throat and once to his chest, piercing his heart.  It would have been a quick, merciful death.

OOC:  Investigation/Notice checks for further information
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Wed 11 June 2008.

When she arrived, Sakura wasted no time in looking over the scene. She didn't seem to be particularly concerned with the presence of death in the room; rather she seemed consumed by her duty to uncover the murder.

"Don't disturb anything" she said almost absentmindedly, "We'll be bringing others here later."

Unknown to the others, she was looking for signs of the Lying Darkness' involvement. She would also look for signs of Scorpion involvement, however that would evoke a different reaction from her.

[Perception/Investigation(Notice) 36. (I mis-toggled the die-roller, adding 3 for the emphasis instead of 4).

12:51, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 35 using 7d10+3, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4,9,4,2,7,(10+6)16. Perception/Investigation(Notice)+Void.]

 Kedo has no idea why his ward is going to the private chambers of Crane commander of course, but his reaction when they step through the threshold is all that could be asked for, a slight widening of his eyes and the dropping of an impassive expression over his features that suggests a measure of distaste for the initial impressions his sense provide.

 But it would seem wise to learn what can be learned and so he steps away from the door and takes up station beside it, musing already over the positioning of the body and the wounds that mark it...

 ...For either thrust would have been certain to be lethal, yet to strike whilst he was still at his table suggests that the assailant was not noticed, or not noticed as a threat.
 It could therefore be that the blood on the blade is his own, wiped there by a loyal servitor determined that he should not go into the afterlife without blood upon his sword, or there might be more to this scene than meets the eye.

 Somewhere in the midst of these musings his eyes cease to see objects alone and start to perceive events, seeking not the signs of the involvement of anyone in particular, but rather to unlock the shape of things that unfolded here.

 ---

 18:04, Today: Kedo rolled 29 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max. Perception & Investigation, with Void.

[Private to GM: I've assumed that I've managed to meditate or perform a tea ceremony at some point in the long empty hours fo the day. Either way I'd not be out of void, but it saves me having to keep track, if that's alright? ^_^]

Doji Minako stood outside the room, not to disturb Sakura and Kedo with their investigation. Crime scenes were not her area of expertise, she wanted to help but decided to just follow the flow until her skills were needed.

There are some things that can be observed even without investigative training, but given the context of the murder, they make no sense.  The corpse has obviously been straightened with care, laying, not as it fell, but as one prepared for a funeral pyre.  The teapot is out, filled with leaves and water and still warm from what you can only assume was his final preparation, but the cups have been returned to their places.
[Private to Daidoji Sakura; Kedo: the stab wounds to Kusanagi's body were made with a short blade, like a tanto or aiguchi; despite the blood spatter across the room, there is none visible on the table; the blood on Kusanagi's sword has not simply been smeared there, it was clearly used to cut someone]
[Private to Daidoji Sakura: there are droplets of blood on two of the tea cups, indicating that they were in use at the time of Kusanagi's death; there is no sign of poison or shadow magic present, indicating that the element of surprise was enough to do him in]
[Private to Kedo: that makes sense ^_^ full void then, minus what you've just spent]

 The evidence makes perfect sense - evidence always does, the trick for the mind seeking to determine it is to work out what that sense is, to relate it to the events that have taken place, and from that to refine little gleaming nuggets of truth.
 It's a lot easier said than done of course.

 Kedo moves a little to the side to shift his perspective, but carefully avoids touching anything other than the floor in the process as he remarks, "It would appear as though the honoured Crane was slain with a short stabbing blade, one seemingly designed for the purpose. Not all of the blood is his - although he was struck twice, lethally it seems he was nonetheless able to draw and strike - and perhaps, from the volume of blood, to kill."

 And this said, he does move forwards just a little, carefully picking his way between bloodstains with his eyes upon where his feet fall to press the back of one hand very lightly against the teapot... "Warm." he muses before carefully tilting back the lid to look inside.

 Tea enough for one... or tea enough for two?

 ---

 01:29, Today: Kedo rolled 24 using 4d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max. Perception and... Tea Ceremony?.

"Two" Sakura replied, "There are blood spatters on two of the teacups, indicating that they were in use at the time Kusanagi was killed. I suspected the same type of magic we saw on the road, however I suspect that surprise was the primary element here ..."

Sakura looked around the room briefly and noticed that Minako stayed outside the room.

"Minako-San" Sakura told the courtier, "would you please go the the Dragon and ask Kitsuki Ryoma and his associates for assistance."

"Someone else was here" she said to no one else in particular, "that means that, somewhere, there is testimony available."

"Satoru-San*" Sakura asked respectfully, "What do you make of this."

This message was deleted by the player at 08:55, Mon 16 June 2008.

It takes little time for Minako to find the Dragon representatives of Toshi Ranbo and she quickly returns.  [Private to Doji Minako: unless you'd like to roleplay that bit, I figured we'd fast foreward and get back to the meat of the investigation ^_^][Private to Kedo: whoops, I should've told you earlier, Kitsuki Fuji, Kitsuki Ryoma, and Mirumoto Yamada are known to you as students of Kitsuki Moritomo--it really is a small, small world ^_^]
"How may we be of service, Daidoji-san," Kitsuki Fuji bows, his eyes flickering briefly in surprise to Kedo, "all of Toshi Ranbo has heard of the Crane's loss and we will serve in what ways we can."

 Who Sakura is replying to is a puzzle to Kedo, who looks up and glances around for a moment at the words, then returns to studying the pot for just a moment, presumably determining in the process that the amount of tea within is correct for one person and a guest - cups after all are obvious, and may be cleaned or taken away... Or even not struck with blood to begin with. They are evidence yes, but evidence is accumulative.

 "Someone who may have been very seriously wounded indeed. It may be of worth to inquire after healers, both spiritual and humble." the Ronin remarks, studying the remainder of the tea-set, trying to determine the rank of the guest from the implements used - for of course, there are as many Ways of tea as there are schools of the blade or of the mind, and much can be gained by one who knows them...

 In this way he does not initially notice the arrival of Kitsuki Fuji until he speaks, prompting the 'Ronin' to start slightly and half-turn to meet the Dragons eyes, whereupon he bows ritually and formally.

 It would seem that the world is a small world indeed.

"Thank you for coming, Kitsuki-San" Sakura replies pleasantly as she returns the bow. She noticed the surprise, however there was nothing but a feint smile to show it.

"Doji Akibieden speaks highly of you and your comrades. Of course I, along with the rest of the Empire, have heard tales of Kitsuki prowess and we seem to be in need of such now."

"Would you and your comrades be willing to assist us in this investigation?"

"Of course, Daidoji-san," Kitsuki Fuji bows, though Kituski Ryoma is already examining the room, "though, as you know, what we discover may not necessarily be admissible in our system of justice.  Kitsuki's Method may provide answers, but not solutions."

"Oi, Fuji-san," Kitsuki Ryoma says from where he is kneeling by the corpse, "I need to check some thing, is there an empty room about this size anywhere near by?  I'll need the ronin and Crane," he says, nodding his head at Kedo and Doji Minako.

"Please forgive Ryoma-kun," Kitsuki Fuji bows, "he's still young and hasn't quite adapted to the niceties of court outside of the Dragon Lands.  He's incomparable, however, when reasoning out the circumstances of a crime.  With your permission?"

[Private to Kedo: whoops, for got about the Tea Ceremony question.  Perception/Tea Ceremony works.  There was definitely tea brewed for two, based on the quantity of tea leaves in the pot and the amount of water remaining.]

 "I would be honoured to assist the noble Magistrate in any fashion that I can, though I am afraid that I may not travel far from my ward." Kedo replies as he rises from studying the tea implements, stroking his chin slightly.

 "Whilst this is discussed however, may I ask if someone better versed in the way of Tea than I myself endeavour to determine the rank and station of the one the victim seemed to be guesting from the choice of implements lain out and used for the ceremony?" he asks softly, trying to make it seem as though this is merely a suggestion to be considered by more courtly-wise minds than his.

"I can try if you wish, although tea ceremony wasn't at my priorities of learning"
Minako starts looking at the scene closer trying to picture in her mind the tea ceremony perfomed before the murder.

09:31, Today: Doji Minako rolled 20 using 4d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls with rolls of 3,4,7,9. Tea/ceremony (awareness)

"Whatever you need" Sakura replied, the hint of a humorous chuckle in her voice. "and think nothing of it. I'm not as unflappable as Kedo-Kun*, but I'm not easy to offend either."

"Minako-San" Sakura said, moving toward the door, "we should return shortly."

She then stopped and looked to the Dragon, awaiting his movement.

[context: endearing, but not romantic. (Romantic would have been "chan"). E.G. a beloved retainer.]

Satoru says nothing as he takes in the murder scene. The arrival of the Kitsuki does not bring him to speak but draws a frown to his features.

After a moment he will clear his throat. "My apologies for taking so long to speak up Sakura-sama. I wished to have my thoughts collected before speaking. I have no skill in the method that our honorable friends in the Dragon excel at. Knowing this and wishing to put myself to best use, perhaps I could speak with those who discovered our Lord?"

"Of course" Sakura replied confidently. She had noticed the frown, however she did not show it ... yet.

"Ah, Daidoji-san," Kitsuki Ryoma says, "I was speaking to Doji Minako.  I need her expertise in iaijutsu to accurately analyze the scenario.  You can come too, if you'd like," he says, almost as an afterthought.

The servants who discovered the body are waiting in an adjacent room for their interrogation.  There are two Daidoji guards with them.

"Ah, Satoru-san," Daidoji Manta says as the monk enters, "these are Takakura and Tsuruno who serve in the Tsume Palace as serving staff.  They were the ones who discovered Doji Kusanagi's corpse."

[Private to Doji Minako: you can tell that both of the participants of the tea ceremony were members of the kuge caste, but nothing else]
OOC:  did that cover everyone?  I've been losing track of stuff lately so I'm checking to make sure I caught everyone's questions and actions.

"Both the participants were of the Kuge caste and knew the procedures of the Tea Ceremony..."

When Kitsuki Ryoma mentions her and her skills in Iaijutsu she startles, never expecting someone not a seasoned duelist, to notice her skills with just a look even though she had her family sword with her.

"Yes Ryoma-san how can I be of service?"

[Private to Kaze no Kage: what kind of roll do you want me to roll, Iaijutsu/awareness?]

"Oh, I see" Sakura said, somewhat surprised at the revelation, "well, if you need Kedo-Kun's help I'm afraid I shall have to as his Honor will not allow him to travel far from my side. But I shall do my best to stay out of your way."

 "My duty." Kedo almost absently corrects as he muses over the scanty details ascertained so far, then pauses for a moment more as he's struck by a few stray thoughts on the links between duty and honour which intertwine them so thoroughly before recollecting himself and bowing to each of the Clan Samurai present and moving to accompany Sakura and Minako, adding "My thanks." to the latter, "I know little of the fine detail of the ceremony as the Crane perform it, but had believed many fine shadings of meaning could be divined from the choice of implement and their cleansing."

Satoru smiled. "You have my thanks, Daidoji-sama.

But, if you do not mind I would like to speak to each individually. So if...
Tsuruno? I believe that was your name, yes? Forgive me I grow older by the day, if Tsuruno could be taken outside, Daidoji-sama, while I speak with... Takakura, yes, Takakura is your name. I would very much appreciate it."

The Monk strolled about the room, appearing it would seem to dotter a bit, a vacant smile traveling across his face.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Tue 24 June 2008.

Kitsuki Ryoma takes Daidoji Sakura, Doji Minako, and Kedo into the other room--a near copy of Doji Kusanagi's room, down to the table.  From various places upon his person he pulls a wide selection of sharp implements--aiguchi, tanto, skewers, and other weapons of various styles--several of each.

"Please choose the weapons with which you are most comfortable, Daidoji-san, Doji-san, Ronin-san," he says, indicating the knives, "and demonstrate the strikes you would make if you were attempting to kill a person sitting across from you."

"Of course, Satoru-san," Daidoji Manta bows, "come Tsuruno."  The servant bows and follows the Daidoji guard from the room, while Takakura watches, his eyes looking nervously from the door to Satoru.

 Kedo inclines his head in agreement to the instructions offered once he's placed in the room in question and studies the implements offered for a few moments, selecting (in due course) an aiguchi (which after a few moments movement in his hand it seems that he's selected for the versatility of grip that the mounting offers) before he turns away and moves to stand beside the table in question, obviously deferring to the other two 'true' Samurai in the room should they wish to make their strikes first, in the meantime cudgelling his brain for what he can recall of The Method.

[I'm the only Daidoji in the room, right? If not, we'll delete this message ...]
Sakura chuckled at the Dragon's request. She then withdrew a scroll from her pouch and displayed it to the investigator.

"That would depend on the whims of the Kami" she finally said, "nothing that I could reproduce I'm afraid. If I had that kind of skill with the blade, I would not have needed to hire Kedo-Kun, ne?"

 "That is rather the point Sakura-san." interjects Kedo softly, indicating himself and the other selected Samurai with one hand, "How would a blow be struck by one who is trained to the blade, untrained to the blade but trained to war, and untrained to both the blade and war?." - for him it's a long explanation, but as ever it has the virtue of clarity.

Minako reached for the last blade. "Well I'm not accustomed to war, I learned Iaijutsu as an art not as a way to kill someone, in fact I've never even sparred with my sword except on Iaijutsu lessons."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Sun 29 June 2008.

"Takakura, I would like you to tell me everything that happened to you, when you discovered our Lord's body. If I am to help solve his murder your testimon will be pivotal so be as honest and clear as you can. Understood?" Satoru kept his voice even almost to the point of friendliness.

Sakura shrugged and approached the table with the various weapons on it.

'Sometimes telling the truth is the best way to lie, Kasumi-Chan.'

The voice of her instructor rang in her ears as she examined the dizzying array of weapons. The truth was that she could use none of them properly, and that was a truth that would serve her well.

Finally Sakura picked up a tanto and moved to a place by the wall. She said nothing, choosing to bow lightly to the Kitsuki instead.

"Certainly, Satoru-sama," Takakura says, relaxing a bit, "Tsuruno and I never served Doji Kusanagi before, but we were told that he takes his midday meal late and shouldn't go to clear his dishes until after everyone else was done.  We went in...and...and...th-there was so-so much b-blood," the servant shudders, tensing up again, "and we screamed.  Then the guards brought us here, asked us what happened, and then we waited until you came in..."

***

"Kedo-san's right," Kitsuki Ryoma replies with a shrug, "our instincts tell us much about ourselves, and if I can tell what instincts our target does not have, I'm that much closer to figuring out who our target is.  Kedo-san, if you will begin?"

"You are not the Lord's usual servants?" Satoru asked with little more pretense.

 "If you prefer, honoured magistrate." replies the Ronin, moving forwards to approach the guest mat, pausing only to study the blade in his hand for a few moments and, with a little thought tuck it through his belt, the handle angled slightly forwards, presenting a ready grip in the event of need.

 He bows to the empty position opposite himself and moves to assume the posture of one entering the ceremony interupted by the murder, sliding through the opening of the ritual and visibly 'grounding' his mind in the slow and elegent movements, though the school of tea to which he subscribes is uncertain at first, small hints of several styles suggesting that he has learned more of the art on his travels than in his home or in the lands of the Crane.

 The attack, when it comes is swift - Kedo's arms are moving through a gesture of centering and come level, whereupon he lunges forwards, legs uncurling as his left hand seizes the knife-grip in a blade-down fashion, his right arm darting in to stay a drawn sword as his left comes up to draw the knife, then tilts to level the blade and thrust it underhand and up in a fashion that would enter below the ribcage of a target seated opposite the guest mat.

 In the process it's revealed that he is fast, agile and plainly a tactical thinker in a fight - but obviously the dagger is a shorter blade than he would favour for the attempt. The parry of the drawing sword however is, for all its utility, mostly an empty-hand technique.

Seeking to aide the magistrate however she may, Sakura did as requested. She returned the scroll to its pouch and concentrated on the task at hand.

Sakura took the dagger and hid it in one of her sleeves. Gracefully she approached the table and, during an appropriate part of the ceremony, gracefully reached into her sleeve and thrust toward her invisible opponents head. It was apparent, however, that battle was not her forte', for while her strike was graceful it carried the grace of a dancer or artist and not that of a warrior. Still, had they not been watching when she hid the dagger it would have been a rude surprise.

Sakura stepped back and withdrew the scroll once again and began to sing, calling to the Kami in a way that very few knew. Shortly her mind was filled with their wisdom and, once again, she took her position. Once again the knife was hidden in her sleeve. This time, however, she carried the skill of a warrior who had a couple seasons behind her.

Not so many seasons as Kedo had practiced, but much more than her true self.

Retaking her place, Sakura bowed slightly to Minako.

"Satoru-san before I assume my position how was Doji Kusanagi-sama stricken by the blade, it is paramount for my performance."

"No, Sama," Takakura replies to Satoru, "usually Koiichi and Shinichi serve Doji Kusanagi-sama, but they were called away for a family emergency yesterday evening."

***

Kitsuki Ryoma's eyes miss nothing as he watches Kedo and Daidoji Sakura's strikes to where Doji Kusanagi would have been seated.  When Doji Minako requests more information, he raises an eyebrow:  "Not really, Doji-san," he disagrees, "the purpose here is to examine how different styles will achieve the same result--namely, the death of Doji Kusanagi--through different means.  But, if it's important to you," he shrugs, "Doji Kusanagi was stabbed once in the throat and once in the heart.  Both injuries were fatal and contributed the blood spatter in the room."

"Well then Iaijutsu was certainly not used, in my assumptions the killer must have used a small blade, well hidden near his thighs for quick drawing and quick recovery almost as fast as an Iaijutsu strike."

She kneels where the killer should be, having the knife she got attached on her right hip. "Since the ceremony requires both hands, the weapon must have been strapped on his hip."
Then she takes the knife and makes half a step forward with her right foot, drawing in one fluid motion the knife and stabbing where Doji Kusanagi's neck should be, then instantly recovering and striking again at the heart.

She sighs and stands up, "Somehow like that the assault must have happened. It required a precise strike so it must have took the assailant some time to predict the movements of Kusanagi-sama, the first strike must have been at the neck to avoid having Kusanagi-sama calling for help and then instantly a repeated strike at the heart for the final blow."

Minako grasped her mouth, as if in disbelief. What happened to her, she was cold and calculating as she performed and explained the crime scene.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Sun 06 July 2008.

 Kedo watches without comment as both of the others go through their motions, being particularly interested in the second strike made by Sakura - his eyes almot hungrily devouring the motions that are 'recommended' by the intervention of the Kami, looking for insight and weakness in the imparted skills...

 He lightly folds his hands behind his back after returning the blade to the table, fingers clasping over fingers in a way that prevents uneccessary fidgetting... "With sufficient speed the question of prediction becomes moot, particularly since the victim was an Iajutsu master himself." he comments thoughtfully, "It was not necessary to predict his motion, since he himself would become complicit in the dance when he reacted to being attacked." - in other words you know precisely how a Crane will move every time, because their training quite literally ingrains their reactions faster than thought.

 "The neck strike was most likely the first" he allows, then expanding upon his reasoning aloud, "It is easier and as certain, but slower than a blow to the heart, which would allow for the wound the attacker apparently received if the visible evidence is to be believed. But how that attacker survived to strike a second time and left the chamber without a trail of blood... Puzzles me."

Sakura watched the goings on with some interest, both those of the Samurai assigned to her and those of the Kitsuki with their method.

"Actually" Sakura interjected, "since there was a tea ceremony going on at the time, I believe that the actions of the fallen Lord would have been almost trivial to predict."

"I, myself, am unskilled in Tea Ceremony so it would be difficult to predict my actions during one. But it seems to me, as an unskilled observer, that it would be easy -- almost trivial -- to predict the actions of someone that is skilled in tea ceremony. Does that seem right to you, Minako-San?"

"One is thus left only with the element of surprise. A sufficiently skilled warrior can easily strike twice in the space of a heartbeat, or so I've been told. Of course it helps if one knows how to use two blades at once, however such knowledge is not required."

"It seems I am back to you, Minako-San" Sakura added with a smile. "Isn't there a saying in Iaijutsu, 'Draw once, strike twice' ... or something like that? ... With surprise the first strike is gained. With skill the second is gained."

"But you do have a point, Kedo-Kun ... and I shall do my best to check into that little detail momentarily."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:33, Mon 07 July 2008.

"Yes Sakura-san tea ceremony demands strict actions so it wouldn't be difficult to predict them, but not in Kusanagi-sama's case who was well versed in the art of Iaijutsu."

She looks around for a while all those bloodstains causing her nausea.

"I suppose you refer to the technique of the Kakita School. I have heard of it also but I have never witnessed it."

Sakura did her best to absorb this new information, but a few questions still remained.

"Tell me, you three" Sakura mused inquiringly, "Just how familiar with Iaijustu and the Kakita school would this person need to be to be confident in predicting his actions?"

"I could be way off" she said, looking toward the Dragon in the room, "but I don't think many warriors would be confident facing an Iai master without knowing quite a bit about Iai and the style ...."

Sakura's mind was already working overtime. Right now the list of suspects was getting very short indeed, but there was still the chance that someone else -- or several someones -- were aiding the killer behind the scenes.

[Satoru-San, I suspect that your questioning will provide a critical clue ...]

"Not there yet," Kitsuki Ryoma mutters, shaking his head before speaking, "while I agree that you have described a likely scenario, there are two variations and one alternate scenario to be considered.

"First," he says, taking the proper position, "there is the possiblity that our killer wielded two blades." So saying, the Kitsuki Investigator quickly draws two knives out of the sleeves of his kimono and strikes.

"Second," he says, placing the knives onto the table, "there is the possiblity that our killer was skilled at throwing knives." With that, Ryoma flicks two more weapons from the sleeves of his kimono and throws them with reasonable accuracy.

"Third," he sighs, "there is the possiblity that there was more than one killer.  One who distracted Kusanagi-sama with tea and another--possibly positioned as a yojimbo--who struck.

"Finally, it is possible that there was no Tea Ceremony at all--simply a man sharing tea with an associate."

OOC:  just waiting for you Satoru ^_^

 "Despite my training, two blades I had not considered because they are more unusual, though my skill in concealing such things is minimal at best." Kedo admits as he watches the Kitsuki go throught the motions of demonstration, "That the weapons were thrown is possible, but an eta of sufficient skill may be able to tell us this from examination of the body." - his voice carries an audible patina of distaste at the notion, but at the end of the day, that's what eta are for.

 "A second killer would explain how the one who was struck was able to leave, and a Yojimbo may not have been part of a ceremony of tea - but it is unlikely that there was no ceremony honoured Magistrate, for appropriate implements have recently been cleaned and set back in their places..." again, he pauses for a moment, "Though this could have been for a legitimate meeting before his murder, of which there will be a record, or it could be a deception on the part of the killer, as could the blood."

Sakura nodded at the Kitsuki's analysis. She stopped for a moment, deep in thought or meditation. Her hands slowly mimicked the motions of throwing blades, something obviously going through her head as she did so.

"Yes, of course" she said aloud, "that would have given our killer several advantages, even sitting across the table having tea."

"Speaking of which" Sakura said, coming back to the present, "we need to figure out what happened to the blood trail and how many people actually died. If you'll pardon me, gentlemen, I need to check out a few things next door."

Hurried footsteps heralded a new arrival; a moment later Daidoji Tsukiko stood at the open door, the colour draining from her face as she was confronted by the sight of so much blood.  Her very bearing betrayed her reluctance to enter a room that was awash with uncleanliness.

"Can I," she took in a deep breath to steady her roiling stomach, "can I be of any assistance?"  Now that she had reached the goal she had set off to achieve, the courtier could now turn her mind to aiding with the investigation at hand.

Satoru's face creases. Turning to the nearest guard, "Send word, I wish for this Koiichi & Shinichi to be brought here, now. No matter what emergencies they may have." Turning back to Takakura, "Where do you typically work since this is not your usual post?"

OOC: APOlogies all for my absence.

Sakura nodded to the recent arrival.

"Yes, of course" she said politely, "I am about to take another look around the scene myself and I would appreciate knowing if you can find anything that we missed."

[Private to Kaze no Kage: If left otherwise uninterrupted, Saskura will first cast By the Light of Lord Moon.]
[Private to Daidoji Tsukiko; Kedo: Is/Was Tsukiko at the Daidoji war council (of the evening)?]

Tsukiko bowed to Sakura, accepting the invitation, and then stepped into the room.  She took special care not to allow any part of her body or clothing touch the now darkened Crane blood.  Her eyes focused on the trappings of a tea ceremony, positioned in such a way that Tsukiko knew the ceremony had not come to its conclusion before Kusanagi had met his untimely demise.

OOC: Looking for information of thr particulars of the tea ceremony - point in the ceremony reached, anything misplaced in such a way to give more information on Kusanagi's last movements,any information about his guest (even if it's small stuff like whether he/she was right or left handed etc.

Daidoji Tsukiko rolled 24 using 6d10, keeping the 2 highest rolls, rerolling max. Awareness + tea ceremony.

[Private to Daidoji Sakura, Kedo: No.  She was off after the Miya Herald as far as I know - that is how her absence due to my going AWOL is going to be explained]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:07, Thu 17 July 2008.

"Hai, Satoru-sama," the Daidoji guard replies, before departing.

"We serve among the lesser courtiers and on the cleaning staff, Sama," Takakura replies.

***

The rest of the investigation team returns to the scene of the crime.  Waiting for them are Kitsuki Fuji and Mirumoto Yamada.  Most of the room remains untouched, however, Fuji and Yamada wait beside Kusanagi's writing desk, which has been opened to reveal a small hidden compartment holding a message scroll bearing the imperial seal--broken.

"I found something interesting which you may wish to examine, Daidoji-san," Kitsuki Fuji bows, "once we found the scroll with the broken seal, we left it untouched for your investigation."

[Private to Daidoji Tsukiko: the perpetrator cleaned up too well to be entirely certain much about the participants in the ceremony; however, they were far enough along in the ceremony to pour the tea]
[Private to Daidoji Sakura: the hidden compartment revealed by Fuji, along with the scroll, and the cups are all illuminated by the spell]

Tsukiko's eyes made quick work of examining tea ceremony.  Three lines, the creases of a frown, appeared on her brow.  The tea ceremony equipment had been tampered with, and by someone who at least knew the information the placement of the items could offer.  The tea had, however, been poured it seemed.  Whether it had been done during the ceremony or after, to confuse any resulting investigation, Tsukiko had no idea, but if it were the former, she might be able to garner some information.

"Mirumoto-san," Tsukiko speaks quietly to the other Dragon, "is it known how much time passed between the last time Kusanagi-sama was seen and his murder was discovered?"

Sakura picked the scroll up, weighing it in her hands for a moment. She had always wanted this, to be a magistrate ... no, to be a great magistrate. But now, she wasn't so sure ...

None of which mattered. She had her duty, and Shosuro Kasumi always completed her Duty.

Daidoji Sakura opened the scroll and began to read its contents ...

"Who told you of the change in duties?  And who told you how to serve the Lord?  Have you seen the two regular servants since this incident?" Satoru found himself losing a bit of his control and tried to reign himself in, it was difficult as the questions raced into his head quicker than he could ask him.

"Not by me, Daidoji-san," the Dragon yojimbo rumbles in response to Daidoji Tsukiko's question, before falling silent.  It could not have been terribly long ago, however, as you met with Doji Kusanagi only a couple of hours ago--scant minutes before opening negotiations with the Clan of Secrets.

***

"H-heikichi, S-sama," Takakura replies, clearly frightened by the sudden intensity of the questioning, "the head of the serving staff.  He told us our new duties and how were to serve Doji Kusanagi-sama.  N-no, Sama, I haven't seen either of them since yesterday."

[Private to Daidoji Sakura:
Haikei Doji Kusanagi,

As you have no doubt already heard from my letter to Doji Kasarugi, the Lion are preparing to attack the city which you so successfully defended during the Clan War.  I am writing to warn you of a more subtle attack on the Crane by the Lion in the Courts.  They have accused the Crane of using certain dishonorable and illegal tactics and, should those techniques be used in defense of Toshi Ranbo so close to Winter Court, the Emperor would have no choice but to act against the Crane.

Otomo Hatsuharu

OOC:  make an Awareness/Courtier check TN 15 to read between the lines]

"Hmmm.  Thank you, Mirumoto-san." she said no more, her eyes taking on a slightly glazed look as her mind ran through the scant evidence she had seen.  It may have been useful to have a more precise timing.

OOC: The length of tea ceremony can indicate the importance of the person the tea is being served to.  If it's difficult to tell, I'll make a roll.

Heikichi, another name to be remembered... Satoru held up a hand, to calm both himself and the servant. "I need clarity, Takakura. When you came in to the Lord's chambers, were you coming in to serve the midday meal or clear it away?"

"Neither, Sama," Takakura replies, "Doji Kusanagi-sama ordered a snack between meals.  It was this small repast which we were delivering."

"Sama," the Daidoji guard bows before reporting, "of the two servants whose presence you requested, there is no sign.  Their families believed that they would be arriving later today, after the evening meal."

Further questioning of the other servant reveals the same story.  Left now with more questions than answers, the investigation closes for the day.

Sakura's face revealed little as she put the scroll into her scroll pouc, but her mind was running quickly. There was so much to consider ...

"Pardon me" she said to the other assembled Samurai. Then she turned to the Dragon. "Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If you find anything else, please let me know."

As Sakura turned to leave she idly wondered how many of the Samurai, outside of the Kitsuki trained, knew that she was secretly quite concerned ...

"Of course, Daidoji-san," Kitsuki Fuji bows.