Left to her own devices, Soshi Manami attempts to gather rumors--even false ones--on the idea that knowing what your enemies want you to think that they are thinking is just as important as knowing what they are really thinking.  But, while contemplating the rumors she has gathered in a secluded garden, she is approached by a samurai dressed in the armor of a clan-less ashigaru and masked by an iron mempo.

"Soshi-san," he bows, his voice muffled and unrecognizable by his concealment, "I have heard it said that the Scorpion will sometimes take commissions that other Clans, more concerned by the appearance of honor, rather than its substance, will not.  Have I been misadvised on this point?"

"Sometimes... this is true.  It depends greatly on the task to be undertaken, who would make such a request, the reasons behind such a request, and of course how such a request would further the good will of the empire .", Manami recites with a smile.  In truth she is appraising the ashigaru standing before her.

"But please, sit with me a moment and let us ease our minds a while. Tell me your concerns"

[Private to GM: I'm not sure if there is a reverse of the spell I used earlier, I am not at home atm.  But I would like to entreat the air spirits to prevent our voices from carrying past the two of us to prevent spying/eavesdropping/etc.

Also, how do you scrutinize someone for hidden meanings, motives, etc ?  Investigation ?  Courtier ? ]

The masked man bows and sits opposite you, drawing a Go board over to provide an excuse for your conversation.  "As I am masked," the man's eyes glitter with amusement, "it is clear that I will not be telling you who I am.  I believe that you will need to solve the mystery of why the request comes yourself.  But, as for how it will benefit the Empire, well, I can answer that.

"As you well know, the Empire is like a many layered ko threat," he says, placing stones on the board, "Every stone in careful balance.  Eliminating or supporting the wrong group of stones will cause the board to devolve into chaos and turn the carefully ordered structure into a game of chance.  My request is like a single well placed stone," he shrugs, "to maintain the balance until a more advantageous position may be found."

[Private to Soshi Manami: either Banish or Quiescence of Air will accomplish that
Awareness/Investigation (interrogation) or Awareness/Courtier (manipulation); note that you don't need the emphases to make the roll, but they apply if you've got them]

"Ah, this true.  So many things can be done ... or undone... with one well placed action.  So few people understand the value of well placed actions.  Rushing off headlong into trouble unheedfull of the ripple they cause, like an ill-shapen rock hurled into a pond.  It is difficult to be mindful of all the ripples that are cause by others as well as one's self.  Yet, also easier to make few or no ripples if hidden in wake of other's less graceful splashings.  But I am just a humble priestess, I do not wish to insult you with my musings on delicate proceedings.  How may I be of service to you ? "



17:24, Today: Soshi Manami rolled 25 using 8d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max. 8k3 aware/investigation.

"There is an investigation going on into the death of Doji Kusanagi," the masked man says, "I wish it to be...unsuccessful for a period of at least seven days.  I leave it up to your...creativity to determine how that might best be accomplished."

OOC:  he really does want the investigation to be unsuccessful, but there's something else behind his request.

"Hmm... the death of Doji-sama was a terrible blow to morale of the troops here.  But I must ask ... what does prolonging the discovery of his murderer do to serve the Empire ?  Surely the Crane will unite behind a new leader, but the open sore of Kusanagi's unsolved death will hinder their performance.  An subtle stone indeed, but one that could be crucial to the possible upcoming conflict, no ? Forgive my prying, Ashigaru-san, but for a relationship as young and budding as ours... I must be reasonably careful in the tasks that I agree to undertake."



ooc:
You rolled 30 using 8d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls of 10, 10 & 10 ((10,8,10,3,7,3,3,10)).

Forgot to reroll max
You rolled 13 using 3d10, rerolling max ((3,5,5)).

Total of 43 !!!  Yay for me!

"Of course, of course," the man replies, "what is important to remember is that the fortunes of the Crane are not the fortunes of the Empire.  The Empire thrives on chaos, because that is what keeps the Clans balanced against one another.  This is, in your words, a subtle stone, but it is yet to be seen whether it will hinder the Crane's performance or drive them to greater glory."

[Private to Soshi Manami: He's motivated to affect the Empire through the Crane, and he seems to believe that the Crane will benefit from this intervention]

"A very interesting experiment; to see if the Crane will respond with tenacity or with despair.  I am indeed intrigued by your request.  But it will take much effort and time on my part .  What shall be the payment for this service ?  A boon in return ? A service ? A secret ?  What say we wait until the seventh day, and then if I am successful we can discuss what such a service is worth.  A gesture of good faith, yes ? "

"An acceptable agreement," the masked samurai replies, "I will meet you here on the seventh day, regardless of your success or failure and we can discuss the terms our agreement."

[Sorry, I got busy with the holiday]

Manami continues to speak with the "Ashigaru" at length until he excuses himself, playing go all the while.  Once they part ways , she waits until after dinner to speak with the Scorpion leadership here in the city about her proposed activity.



ooc: I'm not sure where everyone else is in the timestream.  Should we procede or should I wait ?

OOC:  different people are at different points in their discussions (most of them are pretty much done though) but we can continue if you'd like

"So why have you called this meeting, Manami-san?" Shosuro Shinobu asks in the company of Shosuro Rei, once Soshi Manami calls upon them.

"I thank you for this indulgence.  I have two oppurtunites to discuss with you; I value your insight into these matters, and also wish to seek your permission to proceed with them.  I'd hate to accidently blunder into disturbing our own efforts here.

First, I have been approached by Daidoju Kumi, a young Crane bushi who apparantly wishes to help our cause.  More to the point, she claims to be a lost child of the Scorpion raised, by political consequences, among the Crane .  She says that she is the daughter of Bayushi Icho and expresses a desire to discreetly aide her true Clan in matters here at the castle.  She is near my age, so her father is unknown to me.  Regardless, I bring this oppurtunity to you.  I am unsure of her truthfulness, but if you believe the risk is worth the possible gain, I will extend my efforts to cultivating her as a resource.

Second, I have also been approached by an individual masked as an ashigaru.  He wishes me to prolong the current investigation of the Lord's murder to at least 7 days.  He gave a veiled reason for doing so, but regarded the experience as necessary for strengthening the Crane for the trials to come.  I do believe he spoke truly of his intentions in this, but I can only speculate the outcome.  Typically I don't take requests from masked strangers, but this intrigued me enough to bring it to your attention.  Payment is pending until after the deed, though I am more interested in trading favors with what I am beginning to believe is a moderately placed advisor in the Crane camp.  Once again, I have no indication other than a hunch of what his station may be.  He could be just another well spoken Crane, but I sense there is something more to him.  Since our own is in place regarding the investigation, delaying the outcome by 7 days is laughably easy.  But again, I would be a fool not to seek your guidance ... not to mention your permission regarding something like this.  I am but a humble shugenja, we study the court and its machinations ... but it is not our strong point."

Manami bows, "I seek your wise council in these matters."

"Now that is...interesting..." Shosuro Shinobu says slowly, "however, I believe we should leave that decision up to Kasumi-chan."

"More pressing...and distressing," Shosuro Rei interrupts, "is the fact that Bayushi Tenma has already moblized the Scorpion to come to the Crane's aid--without any sort of agreement in place!"