After several days of constantly dodging Lion patrols, you emerge from the dangers of Lion Lands into dubious safety of the most contested city in the history of the Empire.  The crowning military achievement of the Crane--with its high walls lined with Crab seige engines--is a starkly impressive sight, worthy of its reputation as the bloodiest property in Rokugan.

"Well, my friends," Miya Shiko smiles wanly, "we seem to have made it to our destination.  I would like to thank you now for your aid, without which I doubt I would have reached Toshi Ranbo with such celerity.  It was an honor to travel with you," the Shisha's expression becomes grim, "once we enter the city, however, things will be different.  You will become vassals of the Crane and I will stand as the representative of the Emperor, unable to show partiality in any way."

 Kedo has moved smoothly across the miles that the journey demanded, his lean but obviously resilient body quite able to keep up with the horses so long as a gentle pace is maintained, any if the Ronin has complaints they are, characteristically kept to himself until they are forgotten.

 And so at last when the walls of The City (for few others deserve such capitalisation) appear in sight and Miya Shiko speaks her thanks and her warning, it's perhaps a little surprising that the gray-clad man looks up at her with slight surprise and a tilt of the head that smoothly turns into the half-bow of someone showing respectful appreciation to a person of greater station mounted on a horse.

 Unsurprisingly, he doesn't say much of anything - speak when spoken too, after all, is the best rule for a grayclad man to live by.

It was rare that Daidoji Sakura's duty matched Shosuro Kasumi's duty. There were exceptions, however rare they might have been, and one of those was on Sakura's mind. She had been debating for days -- long before they entered Lion territory -- how to handle her dilemma. She had considered assassinating the Imperial Messenger, however she doubted that would do any good. The message that she was concerned about would, undoubtedly, get to it's intended recipient anyway. And to destroy, in a single act, so many of her honorable Clanmates -- both Scorpion and Crane would need a much stronger justification. She had also considered stealing or replacing the messages, however once again that would do nothing. Finally she considered reading them all, trying to figure out what they said, but that also would do nothing.

She was left with only one alternative.

"Shiko-Chama*" she began in a sincere tone, "I cannot say how much this particular opportunity for me to be of service to the Empire means to me." She followed this with a sincere bow.

This was, ironically enough, the truth. She couldn't say, for to do so would reveal here hand. All she would be able to do for now would be to hold off for long enough to talk to the Scorpion and attempt to enlist some aid. Ironically enough, the Crane Clan Champion had provided her with the perfect excuse ...

[Chama -- a variation of Chan, used only for those in a superior position.]

Your entrance into the most contested City in the Empire is remarkably uneventful.  You are only briefly questioned at the gates and your papers are accepted without question.  [Private to Daidoji Sakura: you recognize all of the gate guards as Harriers]

Miya Shiko makes a graceful exit, and the rest of you are ushered into see Doji Kusanagi.

Kusanagi is young for his position, recently appointed after being the only surviving officer of the last Crane assult on Toshi Ranbo.  His offices are stark, as if he expects at any moment to evacuate the City, with only a few personal touches -- a poem scroll on one wall and a shrine to a deceased relative in one corner.

"Sit, please," he says, "things are a bit busy here in Toshi Ranbo as you may have noticed, and I do not currently have time to show you around.  However, Asahina Jiro, Dadoji Tsukiko, and Satoru can answer all of your questions.  I must leave to inspect the walls, please feel free to stay as long as you like."

Kneeling by the right hand edge of a small table, a young woman watched the new arrivals with veiled interest.  She was as refined and alert as the travellers were dust covered and tired.  She looked across at the two men who had been waiting for the newcomers with Doji Kusanagi, before turning back and beginning to speak.

"We shall, of course, make our guests welcome and notify them of the latest circumstances," the courtier assured Kusanagi with a slight inclination of her head before she turned her attention back to the newly arrived samurai.  "I hope that your journey was not too arduous?" Tsukiko asked, her voice rising and falling in melodious tones.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: What is the gist of recent events that Tsukiko would know regarding the taking of Toshi Ranbo and current military/diplomatic activities, please?  I'm just trying to work out what she would be able to say.]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:35, Sat 19 Jan 2008.

Sakura bowed to the Crane Lord, and listened patiently as he made his explanations. She could wait a bit more before moving on her assignment, however not much longer ...

 As the flunky of a flunky, Kedo is of course expected to remain silent in this sort of meeting, and indeed he does, even meeting the usual poor courtesy accorded to a Ronin (even one in good company) without comment or complaint - it is after all, quite rightly below notice.

 Instead, the gray-clad man simply moves where Daidoji Sakura moves, flanking her where the chambers allow, following where they do not, silent and as attentive as his sometimes dreamlike perceptions allow, though even he starts slightly and looks with mild surprise at his companion when she so blatently ignores the polite overtures of Daidoji Tsukiko.

 A family matter, perhaps?

[Sakura is defering to the Bushi at the moment. She's not trying to be rude, though I suppose it could appear that way ...]

Though Tsukiko maintained a dignified silence as she waited for one of the three travellers to speak, she found her eyes drifting to the young shugenja.

Daidoji Sakura... Tsukiko mentally waded through the lists of family members she had committed to memory and it was only a few minutes later that she was able to recall what she had learned of the young Crane.

Ah, the sole survivor of the Yagyu family.  I wonder why Kuwanan-sama would have sent her here to Toshi Ranbo, and with a Ronin bushi as escort, no less.  Surely the Kakita Academy is not so lacking in skilled swordsmen and women that they could not spare a proper yojimbo to bring her here safely?  Her contempt for the daimyo-less samurai was locked inside; it would not be proper to insult a guest even if he did not fit into the proper place of samurai within the Celestial Order of Rokugan.

Sakura waited for a moment or two. This was not simply to be polite, but rather she needed to remember her place. Still, she could not wait for too long ...

"Tsukiko-San" Sakura finally interrupted the silence, "your Lord is aware of the Lion Army camped not far from here, ne?" She waited only a heartbeat before continuing; there simply wasn't enough time for the usual pleasantries. "I'm sure that Kedo-Kun would be happy to provide you with any information we have that may be relevant."

Sakura subtly repositioned herself so that the Daidoji tattoo peeked out from under her sleeves.

"I have urgent business with the Captain of the local Daidoji guard, and after that I have business with the Scorpion. Doji Kuwanan-Sama authorized me to speak with them, though I'm certain that they will wish to speak with Your Lord's representative once they have heard the message I bear."

The look in Sakura's eyes made it clear to any Daidoji watching that whatever she had to say must be said to Harriers and Harriers alone -- and should not be heard by any non-Daidoji. Whatever Tsukiko needed to know she would be told by those "in the know".

The other young woman's movement was not lost on the courtier, not the flash of a familiar tattoo which Tsukiko also held upon her skin.  The message was clear; this was a matter for family, and family alone.  It would not do, however, to make the other assembled persons feel as though they were being excluded due to their bloodlines and Tsukiko was more than capable of smoothing the matter over so that no one would be offended.

"I am afraid I have no head for the intricacies of war," Tsukiko replied, not catching Satoru's eye lest he respond to the half truth.  Tsukiko was more than capable of understanding most of what would be said but she never spoke of military activities if she had the choice; the pain of her brother's death was still too raw and the association between battle and his loss too close.  "Satoru-san and Jiro-san are far better versed in such matters.  Perhaps if your companions would be willing to speak with them then I shall escort you to the Taisa and wait until you are ready to return?"

Sakura politely nodded her assent.

"Kedo-Kun is both observant and quiet" Sakura replied, "admirable traits in a Yojimbo. But one of the reasons that I requested him."

Sakura rose before turning to her two companions. She knew that Kedo's honor would not allow him to remain so easily.

"Kedo-Kun, I'm sorry but I must order you to remain here for now. Tsukiko-San and the Taisa will see to my safety."

 And yet it is a difficult thing to insult a Ronin who is at peace with his station - after all, theirs is not the touchy pride of the great clans, nor the need for the intensely personal awareness of possible insult that marks - and marrs - so many of the unfolding exchanges of power and influence in the great land of Rokugan.

 His face is swiftly schooled to impassivity once the conversation between cranes begins, and though he seems to... pause... when he is informed that he is not trusted to accompany his companion further, he at least understands - family is, and remains family after all, and it can only be a matter of time before he is a simple wave-man once more.

 "From your family I took the charge of seeing to your safety, to your family I now return it." he murmurs without any noticable sign of discontent, any that may exist hidden in that most useful of all courtly gestures, the face-concealing bow of assent.

 Of course, that could equally be read as a retirement speech - it all depends on what's going on in that mysticism-addled mind of his, after all - Shugenja deal with nice, sensible spirits and politicians deal with nice, predictable human beings. Spending too much time grappling with the lore of Shinsei is just asking for trouble.

"It is settled then," Tsukiko pronounced, her voice carrying clearly across the room.  "Sakura-san, if you would follow me, I shall present you to the Taisa.  If you will excuse us both," she said, turning to each of those who were to stay behind before bowing.  She paused for a moment by the sliding doors before they were opened by a servant, waiting in the corridor for such a purpose.  Tsukiko stepped out of the room, the silk of her kimono rustling as she moved, the tiny steps she took making her seem as though she were gliding rather than walking.

Kenji rose from his kneeling position, and bowed to those that had been waiting with Doji Kusanagi.
"I apologize for my rudeness, but I wish to clean the road from myself, and perhaps familiarize myself with the city," he says, straightening.  "If you will excuse me."  He bows again, before leaving the room.

Sakura looked at Kedo for a moment. She wanted to say something, but what could she say? Deciding that this was a case where saying nothing was better than saying something, she merely bowed too him. Not too deep a bow, lest he be treated above his station; neither too shallow a bow, lest he take insult.

Daidoji Sakura turned and followed her cousin to the Taisa. Sakura seemed to be lost in thought, though it was apparent that she was paying attention to her surroundings as well.

 The bow is of course returned to the appropriate degree - if his manners are not as perfectly polished as those of a Crane courtier (and whose are?) they are at least adequate to the task of showing respect where respect is deserved.

 But that leaves the gray-clad swordsman stood by himself in the middle of the room and somewhat at a loss for the first few moments, until the suggestion of Bayushi Kenji takes route and he is reminded once more, as he should not need to have been, that the road grime stains his skin and he can, when he thinks of it, smell himself and the hard travel he has undertaken.

 "I also should seek to undo what the road has done to body and spirit, lest I offend without intending." he states before looking to the senior remaining host in the room, "If I may?"

In silence, the two Daidoji moved through the corridors.  Tsuri-andon, hanging from the ceilings, provided a little extra light in the inner corridors which were otherwise devoid of decoration.  As they reached the top of one flight of stairs, Daidoji Tsukiko turned unexpectedly and leaned forward so that her lips were close to Sakura's ear.

"I think that perhaps it may be best not to mention the... situation of the Lion to anyone other than those who need to know, Sakura-san," Tsukiko advised in hushed tones that carried to the Daidoji shugenja's ears alone, an implication hidden in the words that she might be considered one of those favoured few.  "Panic caused by less restrained tongues can have unimaginable consequences.  I am certain that you, clever Sakura-san, understand this."  The admonishment was spoken in deceptively calm tones and in such a way that no offense could be called against the courtier, but it was present none the same.

With as much suddenness as she had begun to address her younger cousin, Tsukiko turned away once more, leading Sakura to the doorway which led to the compound's battlements.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Mon 21 Jan 2008.

Sakura smiled. It was an understanding smile, but one that was not too gentle.

"If you think those revelations would cause panic" she whispered in reply "then wait until you hear what I have to tell the Taisa."

Sakura followed her escort to the battlements, keeping her silence as was her place. It would be understood, of course, that whatever Sakura had to say could not be reported properly on the battlements.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Tue 22 Jan 2008.

"Then I am certain, wise Sakura-san, that you will think better than to speak of either matter within earshot of those who might have less resilient dispositions than ourselves." Tsukiko in an equally polite manner, the force behind her words thinly veiled with pretty words.

By the Fortunes!  This girl has less sense than Saboru-kun!  Is she so oblivious to the harm she might cause? Tsukiko thought to herself, whilst maintaining so calm a visage upon her face that none might know the truth of the thoughts which raced through her mind.  She is young yet, though.  Perhaps it is inexperience rather than lack of forethough which allows such words to pour from her lips?  The courtier reasoned charitably, trying to give Sakura at least some benefit of the doubt.

Reaching the doorway, Tsukiko knelt and slid it open in one fluid movement before standing once more and passing over the runners and out onto the sheltered porch.  She paused, removing the indoor slippers from her feet and selecting some spare outdoor shoes that had been left on the engawa for those who had travelled through the house to get to the battlements.

"If you would follow me, Sakura-san, then we shall see if Taisa Daidoji Ryu is inspecting today's drills.


[OOC: Yes, Tsukiko is a little bit full of herself when it comes to courtly behaviour.  Oh, and Saboru is her younger brother]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Tue 22 Jan 2008.

Kenji followed the ladies for a short time before his own path took him out of the house and into the streets beyond.  The crowds made it easy enough to disappear, even for one such as him.  Kenji made his way to the trade quarter, looking for a shop owned by a friend of his uncle.  It had been some time since he had heard from his family, and he wanted to send a letter to his uncle.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: He's moving through the crowds as unobtrusively as possible, but with out making it look like he's making an effort to do so.
Agi/Stealth-29
Agi/Deceit-33
Int/Underworld to remember where his "uncle's" friend's shop is-14]

"I do what I must, Tsukiko-san."

Sakura followed wordlessly, considering her options and plans once again. Sometimes she wished that she had the tactical foresight of a Battlemaster, but such was not her calling. So when she found herself without the proper knowledge she was forced to rely on others ... even when others would rather not be relied on.

She slipped on the shoes provided for her and followed Tsukiko outside to the battlements. Sakura looked around, taking in the battlements.