The elderly eye beyond the gaped doorway looks intently at the vial, and the human also now standing nearby, and then back at the Nezumi. Suddenly the door slams shut---but not before Kasumi saw the glaring eye soften....

A half-moment later the door opens wide to reveal an elderly Korobokuru about 4'tall. Her face is well-lined and her hair a dull gray but the eyes are still a bright and vivid blue. She is wearing a simple, thigh-length cotton happi (robe) and pants. "Come in, come in." she says with a slight weariness in her voice that is not completely full of welcoming grace, but it is far removed from the gruff and nearly rude tone used before the door was fully opened.

"Staff room is through there," she motions with one hand toward a hallway off to the left. Another hallway continues straight ahead and the sounds of children can be heard easily enough from that direction."We been using it for all the questionings."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:27, Tue 25 Jan 2011.

For Chizuru and Kuuhaku

The alleyway between buildings on the north side is short and empty, but at the northwest corner it opens unto a small grove of trees; chances are it serves as a bit of a play area during the semi-tropical summer.

Immediately on the west side (backside) of the orphanage is the lowest of the four major avenues that encircle the city. Across the street and sitting right next to the lake is another grove of trees (about four times larger) than the one right next to the orphanage.

The nezumi monk and human female turn their attention to the windows at the northwest corner of the building when a low, rumbling growl from behind them reaches their ears....
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:25, Tue 25 Jan 2011.

Kuuhaku whips around towards the potential threat, placing himself to protect his companion.  He takes up a defensive posture, half expecting a guard dog for the orphanage.

For Chizuru and Kuuhaku
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:01, Tue 25 Jan 2011.

"Actually, perhaps you can take us to the children at play? They may be more inclined to comfortably answer questions among peers. It is easier to spot suspicious activity this way, you see.. If not, I thank you for allowing us in."he bows deeply to the woman.

The elderly Korobokuru returns the bow respectfully, her tone is not rude but a bit of the matronly gruffness returns to her voice, "The children have had many disruptions in the past few days. It's good to know the Winter Sect is taking action; they are dedicated and loyal. But I'm not inclined to let just anyone start getting their minds a-flutter one more time." She then quickly adds, "I hope you understand, sir."

Chizuru whirls around, surprised at the noise.  'Please let it be a small dog,' she prayed to herself as she turned.

The wu jen pauses at the door and gives an excited but respectful bow. "Domo arigato"  He barely avoids interrupting the matron as she spoke to Ichiro-san. He glances quickly behind him and then moves toward the side-room she had indicated.

Private to GM

Smiling broadly, displaying white teeth, he speaks:
"Of course madame. It is far from our intent to disrupt your natural order of business. Whatever assistance you can offer is graciously accepted, however. To start, do you think that you could provide us with a list of your staff?"

Kasumi bowed respectfully to the korobokuru when she finally allowed them in. He scratched at one of his ears as she talked them.

“What can you tell us of the missing children and what do you think happened?” he enquired, sure that the staff of the orphanage must have theories of their own as to why the children had disappeared.

The korobokuru matron offers you seats around what is obviously an eating/meeting table for the adult staff. Once situated, a more polite tone is in her voice but it is easy to feel her underlying determination and dedication in regards to the children's safety. Their disappearance (and the possible lack of security for her orphanage) obviously troubles the elder korobokuru.



"I have 5 members on staff.  Each has worked with me for several years, and I must say I trust them completely.

The longest serving is Akagane, the gardner. He is originally of my same tribe, but we are not related.

Yuki is our nurse. She has such a kind touch and knows more herbs and remedies than even I do. If we receive any older children, she usually helps them adjust. They like seeing someone of their own race.

Yashi is the other human on staff. He's a great cook and can get those picky little ones to eat just about anything.

Sunnari teaches the children. Like most Spirit folk, she is so graceful and sweet but there's that....something, kind of like nobility or formality I guess, within her that makes even the most rambunctious ones want to please her.

And lastly is Houtai," and here, although all of her words have been kind, is the first sign of a small smile at the corner of the Matron's lip. "He is the janitor and generally handyman, I guess. Helps with security also, so he is feeling pretty guilty, like it's his fault.  Houtai has been here basically his whole life. Like almost all my staff, the children love him."

I'll pause so anyone can ask questions and then (after those posts, if any) move on to give her recap of the students and the night of the kidnapping.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:09, Tue 08 Feb 2011.

O' stands half in the door, just enough to be attached to the adventurers that have entered the building. Not one to speak first, he listens carefully, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
Quietly, he sniffs around, hoping to smell, see or hear something interesting, maybe even magikul.
O' really wishes he could read at times like this. He feels as though something important must be hidden behind the signs on the doors.

"Do they all live here? The Winter Sect Temple says entry wasn't forced. Does everyone have a key?" Although he is in human form, the hengeyokai's nose twitches as if sniffing for some secret scent.

Kasumi rubbed his hairy snout thoughtfully. If the korobokuru was to be believed they should discount any possibility that the disappearances had anything to do with the staff at the orphanage. The ratling however did not let himself be so easily swayed, he taught himself resistance and strength of mind. He must maintain his alertness.

“Did anything odd occur here before the disappearances or did any of the staff act strangely before hand?”

Although still very business-like, the Matron continues to answer questions with politeness and apparent open-ness.

Her finger strokes a few prickles of stubble on her left cheek. "I've been thinking about our routine ever since the first investigators asked me that question...but still nothing comes to mind.  Nothing out of the ordinary, no new children or visitors, no guests, Houtai noticed no one lingering around the area. Sometimes Houtai stays up through the night; usually he stays inside but sometimes he patrols outside. He's done that more in the last few days." A shadow of weariness slips across her face and then vanishes. "I honestly know of nothing unusual.  Every night I lock the front and back doors, and lock the doors to the boys' room and the girls' room upstairs. I have the only key, and there is no copy.

"Sunnai is the only one who does not live here.  We have four rooms for the staff: Yuki and myself each have a room, Houtai and Yashi share a room, and Akagane has his own room."


_{OOC: I haven't forgotten the question about recapping the info about the missing students; that'll come soon. Good questions so far, everyone.}

"Perhaps the reason this puzzle can't be put together is because someone isn't collecting all of the pieces. If you aren't allowing investigators to interview the staff or the children, I have to wonder if and how you honestly expect us to find them." says the human, seeming to choose his words carefully, but still coming across as less-than-graceful in intent.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Thu 17 Feb 2011.

O's eyes widen a little bit at the effrontery of the question, but O' judges the inquiry valid and has nothing better to offer, so he stands quietly and LOOMS.

The korobokuru sits notably straighter in the chair and her chest puffs out slightly and the furrow in her brow reappears, "Yes, someone should put something together," she says with a shadow of anger "but the city watch has found nothing---these children aren't the first disappearences, just the first ones that have shocked the public outcry. But the watch has no clues, the Daimyo's investigators asked questions but I hear nothing, and now a third group comes?  It's a locked puzzle, but so far no one seems smart enough to figure out the key. You can forgive me bladesman if I don't parade the minds of my little ones out to just anyone thinking they can help."

Kasumi scratched his hairy chin, perplexed by the mystery. They still had discovered no trail to follow.

“So there is apparently no reason or suspicion for the children to go missing at all? No connections?” he shook his head “Perhaps we should begin by speaking with the other staff then discuss whether we should talk to the children.” he says diplomatically.

Perhaps sensing the nezumi's calm spirit, the Matron looks away from Ichiro-san and answers Kasumi-san, "No, we know of no connections between the four children. Their names were Migoto, Ukiyo, Heiki, and Houbi. [two girls, two boys] Migoto and Heiki have been here since infancy. Ukiyo and Houbi since their parents died. Ukiyo about 4 years ago, and Houbi 2 years ago.

"Yuki [the nurse] won't be coming in today. Yashi is around the corner in the kitchen. Akagane [gardener] is probably down below in the cellar. Sunnari [the teacher] is upstairs waking the boys after prepping the girls. Houtai...should be retur--"

She stops speaking and cocks her head slightly, "Ahh, there he is now coming in the back door." and you can hear the sound of entry. The door slams somewhat unexpectedly...
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:53, Fri 18 Feb 2011.

A figure almost darts into the small room from the adjoining kitchen "Takara-san, there were---" but stops short in the doorway upon seeing unfamiliar faces.

The apparently human male is of average height and build but looks athletic and well-toned. He wears a common, sleeveless shirt and loose, knee-length, cotton breeches with a simple rope drawstring and simple sandals. However, his most striking appearance is the simple, leather patch that covers his left eye.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:16, Sat 19 Feb 2011.

Knocking politely, Kuuhaku enters, "Ah, sorry we" (here he pauses to indicate Chizuru) "thought to check the alley way while our compatriots spoke to you.  We ran into a rather...defensive dog.  Has it always been there?"

Takara, the matronly Korobokuru, looks from the ratling and the human female who just politely slipped in...over to the man in the kitchen doorway, obviously Houtai. "Yes, go ahead, it sounded urgent.."

Houtai's whole body has noticeably tensed and his upper lip quavers slightly..."These strangers," he points at Kuuhaku and Ishikawa Chizuru, "were snooping around back. The, uhhh, the dog alerted me."

"Ahh, the dog" she says looking back at the two latecomers, "Yes, he has been around the Orphanage for many years. Quite protective. Care to explain why you were snooping out back? Perhaps trying to sneak in the back while I'm distracted?" Her gaze begins and stops with Kuuhaku and Chizuru, but her eyes sweep once over everyone and it's obvious she believes the group had some sort of plan.

"No.  As you see, our group is rather large, so we can afford to split up and cover more ground.  Chizuru though (quite wisely) to check the alleyway and I accompanied her.  Based upon how quickly the dog objected to our presence and your confirmation of it's longstanding presence, I guess we can rule out the alleyway as a means of entry or egress," Kuuhaku explains.  He looks to the others, "So that leaves the front door and magic, unless I've forgotten another means?"

OOC: Hmm, speaking of which, anyone capable of checking the rooms for traces of magic residue (indication of teleportation <sp?> or something else...)