[Kitsune Line | Kitsune Shoji, Yoritomo Hashimoto (NPC)]

"My apologies, Yoritomo-san," Shoji recoiled.  "I hadn't heard of the Matsu's shame.  A fault of my own, I'm sure... I often spend too much time in Kitsune Mori and too little time hearing the news in court."  While it was the truth of his superiors, it was a matter of opinion.  Shoji felt that any time spent in was useless.  Still, he was horribly curious.

"Could you tell me the story?  If there's something I could do to help..."  He cut himself, forgetting his place.  He didn't mean to insinuate that a member of the Fox could do things better than a member of a Great Clan, but he was worried it might come across like that.

He tried to change the subject, or at least cover up for any slight.  "I noticed the Mantis are flying the flags of the Mantis, the Wasp and the Centipede.  I expected to see only one camp this year."  An idle comment, but one aimed at satisfying a second curiosity.

Hajime smiled indulgently as the Ikoma began a length run down on all the historical ronin who had gone by the name of Kedo.  Unless the current Kedo was "immortal", it was highly unlikely that the events being recounted by Ikoma of the distant past were attributable to the Kedo who now stood before him.  Still, one risk interrupting an Ikoma bard during a retelling of tales at one's own risk no matter what one's social position might be.

Hajime was taken slightly by surprise by the arrival of a Miya requesting his assistance.  Refocusing his attention on the Miya and away from the Ikoma, Hajime bowed politely as he responded in a cordial tone, "Certainly you may make your request Miya-san, though until I know the nature of the request I cannot promise unconditionally that I shall be free & able to honor your request.  Nevertheless, if it is within my power to lend aid to a fellow member of the Imperial Family, I shall gladly do so."

Hajime paused for a moment before adding in a softer, more cautious tone, "Miya-san, is this the type of discrete request that perhaps needs greater privacy in which to make it so as to maintain confidentiality?  If so, I would be willing to accompany you to a quieter location where we may discuss the matter in private."

"Of course you would not be able to commit until you know what I ask. And, no, it is not a matter that requires privacy.
There is an Asako trained samurai, here at these games, that wishes to have some time to interview an emerald magistrate. I'm lead to believe that she wishes to learn more about the history of the magistrates. Would you have the time to speak to her?"

Hajime raised an eyebrow slightly in response to the request before nodding his head in assent as he said, "I am sure there will be sufficient time in between the specific events I will be participating in, when I will be available to converse with this Asako regarding the Emerald Magistrateship.

What is the name of this Asako who wishes to speak to me?  If she is currently present, perhaps you could introduce her to me?

And speaking of introductions, perhaps now would be a could time to start.  I am Otomo Hajime.  May I know your name Miya-san?"

Hajime wondered why the Miya had made this request of him rather than the Asako making the request directly, perhaps the Asako was "shy" or did the Miya know the Asako personally and was doing a "favor" for her?

"Her name is Ikaji; I believe she married a Shiba and has taken on that family name. And I am aware of her face" Shishako looks around, then points out Shiba Ikaji. "That is her, over there. My name is Miya Shishako, and I am please to meet you." Miya bows again as part of her introduction. "I suppose I could introduce you to her, but she does not know me either; as I said I am seeking your assistance at the behest of an associate of mine."

Hajime raised an eyebrow as he had assumed the "associate" whom the Miya was assisting was the Asako herself.

Hajime said in a curious tone, "I am glad that I can be of assistance Shishako-san.  As Shiba Ikaji-san is not known to you, I will make my own introduction to her soon enough.

If you are not making this request on Ikaji-san's behest, might I know the identity of your associate on whose behest you are making this request of me?"

Shishako looks around once again. "My associate's name is Asahina Byako. She is around somewhere, but I cannot see her face at this moment. I'm sure you will meet her during the tournament sometime."

"As I said" Kenshin replied sadly, "my story is the same as other Scorpion my age. I lost my family when the others did, was fostered when the others did, and regained my name when the others did."

"About the only difference was that I was fostered by Kakita Keiko, the famous Kenshinzen. Where other Crane sought to minimize the damage Scorpion children could do to their house, she sought to maximize honor. Every Samurai from her House was to be proficient in Iai, and I was no exception."

"As far as my marriage ... I defended the honor of the Imperial family."

As if that was all there was to it ...

[Dragonfly Camp | Tonbo Courtier (NPC), Daidoji Sakura, Daidoji Kasumi]

"What ... type of help would be of most interest to the Tonbo?"

"A broad range of introductions would be most appreciated, Daidoji-san," the Tonbo courtier replied politely, "it would be remiss of us to believe that our interests naturally coincide with any of the Great Clans without a more complete interview, and we would not like to be seen as unappreciative of the kindness shown by our traditional patrons among the Dragon."

It was a delicate line the Tonbo were walking. On the one hand, they had their traditional alliance with the Dragon.  But the sudden change in leadership and subsequent strange(r) behavior made that alliance less stable than it ought to have been. On the other hand, their closest neighbors were the Lion, who had a large armed force at their doorstep that had not been used in the recent siege of Toshi Ranbo--and a traditional grudge to settle with the Minor Clan.

[Kitsune Line | Kitsune Shoji, Yoritomo Hashimoto (NPC)]

Hashimoto failed to notice Shoji’s potential misstep, though whether by accident or design wasn’t clear.  Of course it was possible that Shoji’s attempt to pry into his business had gone unnoticed in the flow of conversation, but it was equally possible that he simply chose to overlook a line of discussion that would do noone any good.

”The Tsuruchi, the Mochi, and the Yoritomo were integral in establishing the Tournament,” Hashimoto shrugged, ”of course each of the Mantis families would want the opportunity to continue our legacy.”

[the registration line | Kedo, Bayushi Kenshin, Isawa Shima, Shiba Sitatsu, Shiba Ikaji, Otomo Hajime, Miya Shishako, Ikoma Hitori (NPC)]

Ikoma Hitori listened to Kenshin speak, what might have been a carefully blank expression on her face.  It was an expression Kedo had become relatively familiar with in their travels.  Possibly it meant that the Ikoma Omoidasu was putting together some hitherto unconnected information, possibly it meant that she was composing another poetic epic, or possibly she was considering how best to extract further information.  Whatever it possibly meant, it was definitely a sign that words would be spilling out of her mouth like water from a broken dam in three, two, one…

”Ah ha!  Bayushi Shinobu, formerly Seppun Shinobu, niece of Seppun Tatewaki,” she declared, ”I knew your story sounded familiar!  Plus, I know who to ask to get some of the details.  And Kakita Keiko!  She fought my sister’s father-in-law’s brother, Matsu Chourei, in the siege of Kyuden Doji under the command of Matsu Agetoki.  I don’t suppose, Kakita Keiko-sensei is here?  I still haven’t completed the tale of their battle, and her perspective would add some very necessary detail to the text.”

Left unspoken was the fact that Matsu Chourei was perhaps not the most reliable of witnesses to his own exploits.  Also, Ikoma Hitori’s sister didn’t like him very much, and, depending on Kakita Keiko’s potential response, his tale had every chance of becoming a satirical tale of woe.

But Kenshin’s answer was delayed as the group had reached the front of the line.

”A moment please, ladies and gentlemen,” the Sparrow functionary bowed, ”if you could please give me your name and which contests you will be entering, that would be most helpful.”

[Kitsune Line | Kitsune Shoji, Yoritomo Hashimoto (NPC)]
The Fox cringed.  What the Yoritomo offered didn't make sense: tradition was one thing, but denying one's status was another.  It looked to Shoji that either the Mantis were afraid to punch up to their weight, or their components still held greater loyalty to their past than their present.

Rumor held that the tournament had been scheduled for the Mantis isles, but Toturi himself ordered the change.  Was this some sort of protest?  Would they have shown disunity otherwise?

The Yoritomo had little interest in discussing the other line of inquiry, and Shoji could only scold himself for not leaving himself a way to continue that line.  There was another way, though.  The Matsu.

"That makes sense.  Thank you, Yoritomo-san."

With all due pleasantries, Shoji headed off into the crowd searching for the Matsu.

 The opportunity to see that razor mind and steel-jawed memory working upon someone other than himself for a change is an unexpected delight to Kedo, whose lips move silently through the countdown as he watches Hitori thinking, coming within a half-beat of correctly determining the beginnings of her exposition... And as a result causing him to take on a rare smile of equal parts relief and amusement as he waits to see how the master swordsman will wriggle free of a hook who's sting he's been wriggling to escape about twice a day for the last sore-footed month...

 ...but of registration, he of course demures until the end of the line - to offer an insult to any Samurai wearing the symbol of clan and family while he himself stands a house less wave-man by putting himself before them would be utterly unthinkable, be he ever so notorious...

Hajime's attention was drawn away from the ongoing conversation with the arrival of the Sparrow.  With a nod of his head, Hajime replied in a polite tone, "Certainly Suzume-san, my name is Otomo Hajime.

I am registered to participate in the Sumai Event sponsored by the Badger Clan, the Hunting Event sponsored by the Falcon Clan, the Athletics Event sponsored by the Hare Clan, the Personal Combat Event sponsored by the Mantis Clan, the Kenjutsu Event sponsored by the Monkey Clan, the Kyujutsu Event sponsored by the Wasp Clan, and finally but certainly not least the Iaijutsu Event sponsored by your own clan, the Sparrow Clan.

I have also offered my services to help officiate and/or organize those events that I have not entered.  If there is any way that I may help facilitate the smooth operation of the Tournament, please let me know."

"I don’t suppose, Kakita Keiko-sensei is here?"

"Not to my knowledge" the Mask of Honor replied, "but it would not surprise me if she were. This is, after all, an important dueling competition."


”if you could please give me your name and which contests you will be entering, that would be most helpful.”

The masked Scorpion turned, the golden character on his mask almost jumping out in the shadow of the tent. He waited a moment, to make sure he didn't step on other toes, before answering.

"Bayushi Kenshin, I will be entering all of them."

He was trying for the title.

"A broad range of introductions would be most appreciated, Daidoji-san,"

Kasumi and Sakura bowed in unison, an odd effect that they didn't even need to practice (as "in sync" as they always were).

"We shall arrange it. Discretely, of course ..."

"If you'll pardon us."

[OOC: Okay, so Kenshin is here but going straight to him would be a bad idea. Kedo does not represent a Great Clan -- and would represent the Dragon if he did. Other than Doji Kuwanan,I don't see anybody else on the list that they actually know.

What sorts of contacts do the pair have?]

Miya bows to the Sparrow; "Miya Shishako. My apologies; I will not be entering any of the events."

[the registration line | Kedo, Bayushi Kenshin, Isawa Shima, Shiba Sitatsu, Shiba Ikaji, Otomo Hajime, Miya Shishako, Ikoma Hitori (NPC)]

"Oh, I won't be entering any of the contests," Hitori bowed politely, "I'm just here to record how everyone does."

 Kedo remains after the others register of course - there are Clan samurai to make their mark and offer up their names, a steady stream of the great and the good, of the famous and of course, also the new for the tournament is not necessarily about seeking victory but rather about bringing together those from different Clans and schools to test one another, to learn from one another and, ultimately to recall that those with Names less honoured than their own are yet worthy of their measure of respect.

 But at last, Kedo rises and pads forwards upon humble feet (that damn' sandal strap chafing the outside of his foot again) to bow before the clerk and politely reply "I have been called Kedo, and it is my intention to participate in all of the events. It is my hope that I shall learn much in doing so."

The Opening Ceremonies were short, as befit the humble and practical nature of the Minor Clans.  Representatives of the Minor Clans (which did not include any members of the Mantis Clan or the former Wasp and Centipede Clans)  gave short speeches about the honor being shown their Clans before a Sparrow Functionary stepped up to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for this blessed event.  The tournament will begin on the morrow with the Test of the Badger two hours after the morning meal.  Please enjoy the entertainments the town has to offer."

OOC:  please give me some idea about what you're going to be doing with your evening.  A few of you have politicking to do, some of you might want to party it up (well, in a dignified style anyway), and some of you want to find a place to sleep.

 To meditate, to sleep... Even perhaps, if the opportunity arises to eat - although if nothing else the common practice in the mountains of sitting on an uncomfortable spur of rock for days on end staring at waterfalls and clouds (they don't get many strolling players) has long inured Kedo to such petty hardships as scant commons and rough bedding.

 But first, he has someone to be very sure is safe with her kin and so he sets out in search of Ikoma Hitori, to ensure that she's escorted to the Lion encampment before he finds his own spot for the night - which given Kedo's recent relationship with Akodos Children might just not be the safest place for him to start out...

OOC: I think there were a few things for the evening, from Shoji's perspective:

• Last post, he was going to try ot track down the Matsu, curious to hear the other side of the Yoritomo/Matsu conflict.
• He also had a training session (date?) set up with Asahina Byako.  An herbalism lesson.
• I believe Kenshin also offered an Iaijutsu lesson, though that could wait.

I suppose the herbalism lesson could happen near the Lion camp, with Shoji trying to kill two birds with one stone.

Daichi?  Not much of a partier.  He might pass the time in one of two ways: heading out and finding a stone and passing the time beginning a sculpture (we will be here a while), and/or spending the evening preparing himself for the following day's competition... purification and all, yo.

Byako meets up with Shoji for her lesson in herbalism. Later she begins her search for a Crab, a Unicorn, and a Dragon, to try to convince to allow an interview with Ikaji. Other than that, she's always on the lookout for anyone who is involved in any sort of conflict; social or otherwise, so she can observe.

[OOC: Kenshin and Shinobu will be schmoozing most of the evening, though he will take time out for an Iaijutsu lesson.]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:46, Tue 28 July 2015.

[OOC: Kasumi & Sakura will be looking for Courtiers from several of the Great Clans. First from the Crane, then an Imperial Courtier (if available), and finally Lion. Unicorn if one is available. Crab would be nice, though that one makes the least sense. Oh, and Scorpion. Though it would be best if that one was ... "overheard".]

OOC: Well Hajime wants to meet 2 samurai, Asahina Byako (Shishako's associate who asked her to make the request of Hajime) and Shiba (Asako) Ikaji who wants to speak to Hajime about the Emerald Magistrateship.

If Kenshin is putting on a display or teaching a lesson in Iaijutsu, Hajime would like to at least observe (though if it is a private lesson, Hajime will not intrude).

In general, as the Imperial representative to the tournament, Hajime will mix & mingle and try to check in on each of the Minor Clans who are hosting an event to make sure they are well ("show the flag" as it were, display the Emperor's interest & concern for the Minor Clans).

Ikaji will want to talk to Hajime and generally make connections with other courtiers.

Shema will be out and about, trying not to be obvious about keeping an eye on the Moshi contingent.

Sitatsu will be stoically trying to keep an eye on both of the other two.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Thu 13 Aug 2015.