Normally, such a large and distinguished group could not have snuck out of a Winter Court -- but the Son of Heaven was present and, as far as most attendees were concerned, having the Otomo Daimyo missing meant more chance for them to shine.

The group was not small consisting of Otomo Hoshi, Otomo Urako, little Yuki, Kitsu Akio, Kitsune Sorano, Shosuro Yumiko, and Shosuro Masaki. Oh, and Otomo Rina and Kitsu Nana. And about a dozen Seppun Miharu.

Tiny, really.

Shosuro Masaki seemed preoccupied by the shrubbery and other sights that encompassed the short walk from Kyuden Otomo to Kyuden Seppun, while little Yuki was enthralled. This was the first time for her being in such surroundings, and while she did her best to maintain her mask of civility she was still  a four-year-old. Kitsu Nana was a bit nervous at being outside, seemingly wondering what bush the invisible ninja would strike from this time, and Otomo Rina ... well, Otomo Rina was relaxing a bit now.

It would seem that her reputation for not liking social events was not unwarranted.

As the small group approached the main gates, the Seppun guards there shifted their position from "waiting" to "attention".

"How may we help you, dono?"

[OOC: Quick reminder. Otomo Rina is an unknown quantity. The only thing anyone really knows about her is that she went through a lot of trouble to arrange a marriage in the remotest parts of Phoenix territory -- someplace with a grand library.

Well, that and that she's the new Otomo daimyo through ... "mysterious" circumstances.]

The group wasn't small, and though she hadn't shown herself in a little while Kitsu Akio suspected it was even larger if you counted the presence of a certain venerable ancestor.

Sensing her understandable discomfort, Kitsu Akio tried to keep close to Kitsu Nana.  While he was martially inferior to the herd of Miharu accompanying them he knew that he could offer more emotional security to the young Kitsu daimyo.  That said, he worked to keep Otomo Rina engaged and close as well if only to satisfy is curiosity at the sudden rise of the new Otomo daimyo.

"Do you think we'll all fit?" he asked, the thought left unanswered before faced with the guard's question.

He cast an eye to the other Otomo before risking to answer, "We are here to access the Imperial library."

OOC: Is Otomo Rina married? Or was that a wedding for someone else?

Court had passed in a blur.  In the moment she had knew Lady Doji's Fan, the day unrolled like a fallen scroll.  The intricate complexities of court unspooled out to the horizon; each moment pulled so taught it sang.

The conversations with courtiers, the formations of bushi, even the Son of Heaven's grand oration - their paths all became known to her, as did hers; she had already walked it.  The merest step from the Path, the thread would snap.  She took one step, then another, until it was done.  She did not misstep.  She was Kitsune.

A lifetime of steps and some few hours later, she exhaled; her lungs burning from the exertion.  As suddenly as the Path had ensnared her, it had fled.

Sorano looked down and noticed Yuki-chan staring at her.  She smiled and drew the child closer, watching the others deal with the guards, eager to watch the simple mystery of the conversation reveal itself one moment at a time.

[OOC: Pay no attention to the Fox behaving oddly.  Everything Is Fine.  Say Nothing, and Drink to Forget.]
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:55, Wed 27 June 2018.

[OOC: So, yeah ... there is definitely a bit more I can give you on Otomo Rina.

Otomo Rina is just barely older than the twins. She is the youngest child of the youngest child of the previous Otomo Daimyo, and had basically zero possibility of becoming the second-most powerful person in Rokugan. Unlike the twins, she was raised in full view of the courts.

In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- being raised in the courts, she has no desire for courtly life. She is technically engaged to a Phoenix who is about as far away from court life as one can get (one with a great library), though a couple of hours ago that probably changed.

She seems to be taking her new role seriously, and a bit cautiously.]

Yumiko took the opportunity to limp along beside her sister. It had been some time since they had had an opportunity to visit (and this wasn't exactly an ideal time or place to have a sisterly heart to heart), but it was nice to be in the presence of family again. Yoshiyuki most definitely didn't count.

She didn't press Misaki on the details of what she was watching out for, this was also not the time or place--and it was probably privileged information anyway. Yumiko just kept an extra eye out for surprises of the unpleasant variety.

"I'm sorry I missed your latest performance at the Minami-za, will your troupe be performing in the Capitol, since you're here?"

Entertainment was always a safe topic with Misaki, and her answers might provide some information...obliquely, as it were.

Hoshi and her sister were enjoying their first court when word came by a whisper carried the summons of their lord.  Reasons for this could be numerous, but not expected on the list was to quit the court and head off someplace else.

  Yet, here she is, walking with her sister in their young lord's cortege.  More strangely still was the lack of the rest of Rina's staff.  This then is not clan business.  Perhaps it is relating to the new championship of her and her sister.

  Yuki may not wander too far without being brought back, but in coming to the gate, Hoshi reels the girl in and keeps her firmly within possession of her and her sister.  Since the child can not be expected to comport herself on her own, she must be guided.

  The library.  There goes that tool for manipulation.  Oh well, oh well.  Time to pay attention and learn something ... that her sister will need to explain later.

---

Fixed name
This message was last edited by the player at 06:16, Sat 30 June 2018.

The guards looked for a moment from person to person before finally saying "Of course. Someone will be here to escort you shortly."

"Well" Masaki replied, "we were planning on a tragic love story involving the Lion, but now -- with events and all -- I suspect it will be a mystery of some sort. Probably something involving a Phoenix since they're not involved in the ... unusual events."


A moment later a young woman arrives. A Seppun Shugenja through and through, this young woman is impeccably dressed, immaculately groomed, and quite stylish. And young. Very young. The type of person that would be sent to detain visitors (although it would naturally be called "entertain" or "tea" or some such).

She bowed fairly low to the Otomo Daimyo before inviting them to follow her into a small, but well appointed room. "Our librarian has been detained, but I will be your host in the meantime. Would you all care for some tea?"

"I shall pass" Rina said. "We left the Emperor's side, so we're in quite a hurry to complete our business."

Or "access the libraries and be among books". Something like that.

Upon the offer of tea, Akio's massive shoulders could be seen to slump.  To be so close to the library and then distracted with tea?  He would have to accept...

Unless he didn't.

Rina's navigated the exchange with authority and direction.  Despite the oddity of finding this unknown and unexpected woman running the Otomo family, it was obvious that the woman knew that this was her library.

Massive Kitsu shoulders then rose again, confident that they'd get into the library with haste.

Akio risked limited personal space with Rina, leaning in for a small, whispered request, "Perhaps she can show us to the library.  I think we will be able to find our way around?  Sometimes its best to explore." The Kitsu shugenja was confident in his ability to navigate a library... and was somewhat relishing the idea of taking his sweet time in doing so.  Professional fantasies don't present themselves often.

Sorano's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she noticed a scroll sitting to one side on a table.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Fri 06 July 2018.

[OOC: Everyone (except Sorano) may make a PER/Investigation (Notice) should they so desire.]

"Ne, Akio-Sama?" Masaki said, pointing over to a low table on the left "What about that scroll over there? It looks ... weird ..." If there was one thing a storyteller knew it was old scrolls. Well, maybe not quite as well as a historian, perhaps ...

Urako's eyes narrowed and she gently grabbed Yuki and brought her closer. She said nothing, but spared a glance to her sister before looking back at that scroll. .

The Fox sighed and rolled her eyes, quietly waiting for the situation to resolve itself.  She had long since learned there was little to be gained intervening in such matters.

[OOC: updated previous post]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Fri 06 July 2018.

Perception/Inv: 35

There were many types of scrolls, but Akio didn't claim to know them all.  That one looked weird?  It caught his attention.

Everything seems to be going well.  There are many reasons for the delay than some kind of deception.  An unexpected arrival of the Daimyo may simply had come at moment when something is embarrassingly unprepared. Suddenly appearing scrolls is not normally on this list.

The twins exchange glances.  Then Hoshi moves forward and takes up the scroll.  If no one stops her, she looks for a tag; or opens it enough to find the title.

At the mention of the scroll, their host looks to the low table it's on and pales. "Go get Sensei" she tells one of the servants, anxiety clearly in her voice. When Hoshi goes to pick it up, the young woman tenses but says nothing. She opens the scroll and reads.

She doesn't read long before an eerie voice starts to intone "... the Tale of Nabiki, Daughter of Seppun, heir to ..." and the scroll seemed to fade from reality. The young host panicked and (loosing face) screamed.

"SENSEI!!!"

Moments later footsteps could be heard running toward the room.

OOC:
18:29, Today: Shosuro Yumiko rolled 32 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,7,(10+7)17,2,1,1,8.  Perception/Investigation.

Yumiko was an old hand at keeping an eye out for...unusual situations. Her association with Kamewahru (now Hoshi, she had to remember that) had been mostly in the arena of mundane trouble, but occasionally her sister was involved in things that were...less mundane.

Hoshi may not understand much about the greater mysteries of the world, but being the twin of a Shugenja has made her accustomed to some strange things.  Even still, this is more than the amount of peculiar normal to the arrangement.

  Yet, it seems the host, and the library, has some experience with this.  Hoshi turns to the host.

  "I think your owe our lord an explanation."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Wed 11 July 2018.

They hadn't even made it into the library.

Akio wasn't sure what had happened - an illusion, he suspected.  Supposing didn't help explain why.

"The scroll wasn't here when we entered," the observant Kitsu sighed.  He didn't want to dive into the situation and risk embarrassment for the Otomo being Rina's guest.  Instead, he tried to move forward.  "I'll have to discuss this Nabiki with Seppun when next week speak."

The shugenja waited for the footsteps to arrive, intent on moving further into the library.

The door slid open and a middle-aged man dressed in the robes of a Seppun Shugenja stepped into the room.  He proffered a quick bow to the assembled dignitaries before turning to the host.

"Sakura-Kun, what's the matter?"

"It ... it happened again! This time, it was a ghost scroll. It spoke and disappeared and .. and ..."

He stepped forward with a gentle smile.

"Well, this time you have witnesses. And no one is going to tell the Lord of the Otomo that she was imagining things, especially with so many well trained magistrates here." He then turned to the rest of the group, focusing naturally on Otomo Rina and bowed low.

"Pardon the rudeness, I am called Zenzen."

...until the arrival of the Seppun shugenja blew his theories of illusion out of the water.

"Does this happen often?" Akio asked incredulously.  Speaking to ancestors in other realms?  Normal.  Ghost scrolls?  Surprising.

Akio searched his memory for anything he remembered about Seppun's family tree.
Lore: Ancestors -- 59
Seppun had a daughter?

The young Shugenja -- Sakura, apparently -- nodded vigorously. "Yes, but before this, no one else has seen it. The others tell me ..."</Gray > Her face faded to embarrassment, as she tries to regain face, and Zen-Zen continued for her.

<Gray>"The others seem to have convinced her that she's ... 'touched'. I keep telling them that it's probably someone playing a prank, but ... well, you know how it is."

"So, what is it our guests require?" he asked Sakura.

"They need access to the libraries ...." She spoke aloud, while her eyes pleaded for direction.

"Well, I hear it's the Emperor's orders" he said softly. "Here's a helpful hint -- never say 'no' to the one man who can command the Celestial Dragon to devour you."

He then turned to the others and bowed once again and said  "Please, follow us ..." before turning to slide the door he came through back open.

As the group rises to follow Zenzen, Hoshi leans over to her sister and speaks quietly, "Can one touch an illusion?"

Sorano frowned.

"Convincing the poor girl she's going mad would seem a somewhat cruel 'prank', would it not?"

Urako rose with the group, little Yuki close beside her, and listened as her sister whispered a question. "No. I could conceive of such a spell, but I've never heard of it and it wouldn't be properly an illusion."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Sat 21 July 2018.

Otomo Rina rose and followed close behind the twins, figuring that was probably the safest place to be at the moment, but said nothing. Zenzen, however, was still quite talkative. "It would indeed" Zenzen replied as he led the way, "if that were the miscreants intention."

"Sakura-Chan, why don't you give your report to Otomo-Dono and Otomo Hoshi-San? The same ones you gave Sensei, but as if no one had heard it before."

Seppun Sakura turned a light shade of crimson before complying. "The first time I saw something unusual was my chopsticks at dinner, almost a year ago. The others were standard wood and identical, however mine appeared to be made of a fancy wood I'd never seen before -- the wood was black and well polished, appearing to be Mantis in origin. I later discovered they were made of Ebony. I asked the others near me if they noticed anything different, but they said they did not. Shortly after that, the chopsticks began to dance and then disappeared. My real chopsticks were actually under my plate."

"The second time, I thought I saw Yokuken-Sensei -- my first sensei -- walking the halls. He has been dead for several years, so I called out to him. He winked at me and then told me I was doing a good job and to keep it up ... and then vanished."

She hesitated and looked to Zenzen for permission before continuing.

"The third time, I found a very old sword. It was well taken care of, but the style was different. I took it to Seppun Kenichi-Sensei and he took it from me. Asked me many questions ... where it came from and such -- but I had no answers. I found it in my room. Much later, while perusing the library I discovered that it was of a pre-Kami design."

"The sword kept showing up in my room, and each time I took it to Kenichi-Sensei. He was progressively more irritated, eventually telling me that I needed to stop taking it from the hidden chamber."

"Then, right before the Kirin showed up, I saw a large ... creature roaming the halls. It was two or three times the size of a human, had the body of a snake and the torso, head and arms of a human. It told me that the Kirin were coming and we should be prepared, and then vanished. I told Sensei, but but he told me I shouldn't make up such stories."

"And then -- just now -- there was the floating, talking scroll. But you saw that."

To Hoshi's reasoning, it is proper for the daimyo to go first in her own domain.  And so Rina's deference to her inferiors is an awkward circumstance with only clan eyes around, but there are others.  Sakura's testimony provides a chance at sweeping away the confusion, and Hoshi takes it in pressing herself aside, so that Rina might pass, while she listens intently to the girl.

  "Such a creature ... here, and no one else has seen it."  Hoshi looks to her sister.  It sounds like a monster. Certainly the elder twin can imagine it no other way, and so it concerns her.  At very least, it has not been hostile, if it is real.  "Yet, the Kirin are here.  Perhaps we should see this sword as well."