Even without knowing the background, it was clear that Kitsune Sorano was not welcome here.

Technically, this was her home. Her husband was here. Her children were here (except, of course, for the missing child). But only Sorano could tell you when she was last there.

Servants milled about, nervous at having Imperial Magistrates as guests. But even with all the stress of having the Emperor's Diamonds as their guests, it was clear that serving Kitsune Sorano was even more stressful. There was tea and traditional tea snacks. There was entertainment. There was the mandatory wait for the Master of the house.

Otherwise, things were rather quiet -- especially on the "spirit" front.

Perhaps it was too quiet, or perhaps these ancestors had no reason to stick around and watch over their descendants. But, for whatever reason, there were none of the mandatory "spirits annoying the Kitsu Karo" yet.

Yet.

Shiba Kimiko was not more relaxed, as one would expect of a Yojimbo visiting her ward's home. In fact, she seemed to be even more on guard here than at any time previously. Not for assassins, however.

For words.

Servants were at hand for whatever the small party needed, but they stayed a discrete distance away so that the Samurai could feel free to talk without "mere peasants" overhearing. This was one of those ubiquitous pauses that nearly every Imperial was used to.

[OOC: Insert yourselves here.]

[a day prior to the arrival at Kitsune Sorano’s residence]

When most people considered Shosuro Yumiko, the two things they typically remembered about her was that she was a Scorpion--automatically making her a target for suspicion--and a courtier--meaning that she could probably talk one’s ear off about inconsequential things such as the weather. One of Yumiko’s frequently overlooked roles however--even though it was right there in her official title--was secretary. Probably because her main function as a secretary was writing letters.

Haikei Kitsune Sorano,

I have no wish to disturb you during this difficult time, but given that we will be visiting your residence tomorrow, I will best be able to support this investigation with at least some rudimentary context surrounding the situation. I understand that you may not wish to commit any potentially damaging or embarrassing information to paper, so I will put myself at your disposal as your schedule permits.

Keigu,
Shosuro Yumiko

It wasn't the first time Kitsu Akio had been in Sorano's residence.  There was that time a few years back that they were tasked with finding a certain Tonbo's family painting.  Rather embarrassing for that Tonbo it was discovered that the painting hadn't been maliciously purloined as he had thought, but rather he had simply consumed too much sake at a Kitsune family dinner party and failed to bring it home with him.  Akio still wasn't clear why the Tonbo was travelling with a painting of his 3rd cousin twice removed, but these were not questions that the magistrates asked.  It was enough to get the portrait back.

Pleased to have a moment of silence, the Kitsu helped himself to a cup of tea and stepped aside Shiba Kimiko.

With a little bit of the awkwardness born by trying to start a conversation with someone that you've been travelling with - a lot - Akio attempted to engage in small talk.  "So... how long has it been since you've been to your home?"

It is a sudden and fresh wind when the twins find themselves not the pivot of the social scene.  Moreover, there is a tension in the air, which has the Shiba high strung.  In some ways, it reminds Hoshi of when she and her sister reunited with their clan, and n one know what to do with the near-sunburned teens sitting in the audience halls.  The main difference is that someone here must know of what to do, and that is undesirable.  Hence the yojimbo.

  Curious.  Very curious.  And, it provides distraction from how distastefully woodsy these parts are.  The forest will surely make Urako pleased, so Hoshi will tolerate it, clinging tightly to a cup of tea and a veranda, like a tossed boater hanging from a gunwale.

At some length, the Master of the home entered and sat across from the party. He bowed appropriately, and smiled pleasantly.

"Shiba Nakateru. I hope your journey has been uneventful?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:48, Fri 17 May 2019.

[Awareness/Courtier ... I'm pretty sure.

Also, I can't remember (or find in my notes) how old Sorano's son is. Or his name. ]

Sorano's husband opens his mouth to speak once again, when the doors slide open quietly. At the entrance stood a young child -- a boy -- and a servant. He walked into the room, pointedly ignoring his mother (children are not very good at subtlety) and sat in front of the two imperils, across from little Yuki. He bowed, but said nothing.

That was not his place.

Yumiko waited for her mistress to respond. It was not her place to answer for her, and to do so might cause offense to the master of the house. Not that she would hesitate to do so if the situation warranted it, but such options were best used deliberately.

Sorano was notably silent in the face of the Lion's query; perhaps unaware of the increasing awkwardness.  She straightened her sleeve nervously, hiding her hands within. [*]

"Three years."

It was clear that this home was many things to her; it was not welcoming.

She waited politely for her husband to arrive, never glancing at the servants, nor even her travelling companions.

Naketeru's entrance was the only thing that drew her attention; her gaze was already on the door as it opened.

As he bowed, she slipped too easily into the appropriate formalities.

"Little transpired of any import.  How fares the harvest?".

Her expression was polite and controlled, as if this were a play.



[*Aside, for the uncommonly observant]

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Sorano was quietly counting the days on her fingers, but she clearly already knew the answer.

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This message was last edited by the player at 05:41, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

[Ah, two boys -- my bad.]

The second son shuffles in shortly after and, just like the first son, sits and remains quiet. He remained quiet, and at first he was intimidated by the Imperials in his house,  but his little face lit up when he saw Yuki.

They clearly didn't get visitors of their own age very often.

Their father gave him a glaring glance (lest it might appear that they were happy -- gasp -- to see their mother, and returned his attention to their visitors.

"The harvest goes well" Nakateru said, keeping things "close to the vest". "We should be able to send the Emperor even more this year than last."

Was this bombast? Or was it true?

"We appreciate" he said to the Imperials with a deep bow, "the Rays of Heaven coming to shine their light on this ... disturbing subject."

In their travels, Hoshi and her sister witnessed all manner of life in kingdom.  Martial unhappiness was not uncommon for two snipes to spy.  This member of that member of a family becomes unwelcome.  But, this is extreme, especial when hosting company, when hosting imperial company.  What can Sarano have done to deserve this shame but not to absolve herself of it as a woman should is not exactly imaginable.  And as such, she determines this mess is a group effort.

Hoshi's bow is curt, even respective to her position.  With a few cracks of her fan into her hand, Hoshi bargess into the conversation.  He has little patience for strained pleasantries.  Her haughty gaze remains on this Shiba, pinning him as the origin of her annoyance. "Arriving is the event itself. Especially when there is a disturbing subject, which can not be kept appropriately contained."

[I have forgotten nearly entirely what brings the group here.  An investigation or something.  Is it related to the assassination?]

"Yuki-Chan, it's been a long trip. Why don't you go play with the boys."

That she was up to something would not be obvious, not to those outside of the party at any rate. Yuki-Chan, being raised in a monastery that the group now knew* was more like an Imperial Magic Detective School, was more likely to get clues out of these boys than the adults.

Assuming, of course, that a four year-old could recognize said clues. That was far from obvious.

Yuki lit up and, after glancing at her aunt, took the boys (who would not disobey an Imperial -- they knew that much) outside. Once they were out of earshot, Urako spoke again.

"Please tell us of the circumstances surrounding your daughter's disappearance."

She then glanced at her sister before looking back to Sorano's husband. She was finished with her little ... scheme. For now.

[OOC: One of the disadvantages of simultaneous mysteries. You probably haven't realized it yet in the other thread, but the clues are already adding up so I'll put it here anyway.

Reminder: Sorano's daughter is missing, assumed kidnapped, and Sorano is the chief suspect. Of course Sorano is both minor clan (major clans cannot be seen as picking on minor clans!) and an Imperial Magistrate, so that complicates matters. As does the fact that Sorano is innocent, but what does a little thing like innocence mean to the Rokugani justice system?
]