A group of henin men were sitting in front of the building, talking loudly and drinking. All of the commoners were on the other side of the street, trying to avoid them.

Hanako approached the group stopping a few paces from them "Who is in charge here?" she asked them.

"Now why don't you...," one of them started, not looking at you before falling out of his seat once he looked. "I'll get him right away!"

The man came back with a rather tall man with a shaved head.

"Can I help ya?"

"Yes, am I to understand that you are in charge of this group?" Hanako asked "Did you hear about the murder in this area today?"

"I can't say that I have," the man said.

"A Merchant was murdered," Hanako said "Cut down, I have been told by several witnesses that there have been altercations between the local merchants and your guild. Would you care to explain?"

"I don't know nothin' about that. Lots of non-fire fighters case problems," the man said.

"Yes, that is why we have Emerald legion after all, but these witnesses were quite specific. They said you were collecting protection money," Hanako said watching the man closely.

"Some guys like to offer protection beyond what the guard offers," the man said.

Hanako doesn't quite scowl at that but her eyes do narrow slightly "And what happens to those that don't partake in your offer?"

"Why, nothing at all. They just must face risks without our help," the man said. "Outside of fires, of course."

"Is that so," Hanako said "Well thank you for your assistance," Hanako said and led Haruna to a quieter area nearby.

"I think he is lying through his teeth," Hanako said.

"Yes, but at this point it is just our word on that and nothing actually connecting him to the murder," Haruna said.

Hanako sighed pinching the bridge of her nose "And you would like to have some.. 'Evidence'," she said.

"We could find somewhere to observe them from," she suggested "A nearby building I mean, skulking in  shadows is more Scorpion-like."

"We should probably get a hold of one of their knives," Haruna said.

Hanako nodded "Okay, so that as well," she said.

"Any ideas?" Haruna asked.

Hanako thought for a moment, "We could just demand they hand a blade over," she said "but that would tip our hand."

"Yes, but you do abhor being more stealthy," Haruna said.

"It's not the Samurai way to sneak about," Haruna said not quite pouting "Why don't we see if can catch some of them in the act?" she suggested "Then we can disarm them, perhaps without entirely tipping our hand."

"We can try, they might be careful now that we're suspecting them," Haruna said.

Hanako nodded "Let's see how it goes, if it fails we can try another way," she said.

"Should we just patrol around or do you want to follow one of them?" Haruna asked.

Bamako rubbed at the tip of her nose as she thought "Let's patrol around, we might hear something useful while we go," she said.

"Right then," Haruna said and you two began to walk.

(OOC: Investigation check)

(OOC: Mirumoto Hanako rolled 13 using 3d10, keeping the 2 highest rolls of 10 & 3 ((3,10,1)).)

You spot a swaggering firefighter who hasn't spotted you two yet.

"There," Hanko said pointing at the fireman.

The man spots an elderly couple walking together and walks over to them and starts harassing them.

Hanako smiles ruthlessly and walks up behind the Fireman and then barks "What do you think you are doing?"

"Just who do you think...," the man started before turning around and going white as a sheet. He dropped to the ground, bowing down as hard as he could. "F-forgive me, please!"

Hanako looks down at the man suppressing a wave of growing anger, "That will depend on your actions now," she said coldly "First, you will tell me and Kitsuki-san exactly what you are doing. Second you will give me the blade that you Firemen carry."

"I was just asking if the could donate some money to the cause," the fireman said, head still on the ground, holding out his dagger.

Hananko took the dagger and passed it to Kasumi, "Donate was it?" she turned and addressed the elderly couple "Please tell me, what happened in your own words," she asked them.

The couple looked very nervous and fearful.

Hanako tried to smile reassuringly, "Haruna-san could you take our new friend away?" she asked indicating the fireman "I think he's intimidating the folk here."

"Ah, certainly," Haruna said, dragging the fire fighter away by the ear.

"There, he can't here you now," Hanako said "can you please tell me what happened?" she asked the elderly couple.

"He was demanding money from us, samurai-san," the old man said, bowing deeply.

"Did he say why?" Hanako asked.

"He-he wanted us to cover his gambling loses," the old woman said.

"Very, well," Hanao said "He will not bother you ago, please go about your business."

The old couple quickly left.

Hanako joined Haruna "Let's hand this one over to the local guards," she said "They can deal with him."

"What?! No, please...," the man begged.

"You've terrorized the innocent, why should you not attone for your crime?" Hanako asked.

"But every fire fighter does it!" the man said.

"They might, but you are the one I saw doing it." Hanako said, "Tell me then, how often does it end in murder?"

"I don't know anything about murder!" the fire fighter said quickly.

"Then I see no reason to not hand you over," Hanako said "Do you Kitsuki-san?"

"No," she said.

"Look, look, this could get me killed," the man said. "If I help you out, can you get me out of the city?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:41, Mon 24 Apr 2023.

Hanako ground her teeth but nodded "Yes, you have my word if you give us information that helps to solve the murder. Then we will get you out of the city."

"It was Junpei! He did it! He told us all about it! He said the guy didn't pay up!" the man said.

"And where would we find this Junpei?" Hanako asked.

"He's got a big scar under his eye and is really tall!" the man said.

"Right, first we are going to take you to the Barracks," Hanako said "And then we are going to find this Junpei."

"Fine, fine," the man said.

Hanako led the way towards the barracks so they could confine the firefighter.

You arrive back at the base.

Hanako strides towards the entrance looking for a firefighter.

There are several ones hanging around outside.

Hanako pointed at one of the firemen "You bring me the one called Junpei, now."

The one you pointed at seemed surprise, pointing at himself before hurriedly running inside and bringing the man out.

"Are you Junpei?" Hanako asked the man.

"Yeah, that's me," the man said.

"Good, you will come with us," Hanako said.

"What do you want?" Junpei asked.

Hanako quirks an eyebrow at the man, "You will be helping us with something," she said "Now you will come with us."

"Sure," Junpei said.

"Good," Hanako said "This way," indicating the way towards the barracks.

"Where are you taking me? The Legion barracks are this way...," Junpei said.

"Indeed they are," Hanako said "As we said you will be helping us with something that has come to the Legion's attention."

Junpei looked around wearily.

Hanako stopped any smile appearing on her lips "You look concerned," she said "Are you unwell?"

"No, no, of course not," Junpei said.

"Good," Hanako said "So tell me, Junpei how long have you been a fire fighter?"

"About five years now," Junpei said.

"What do you do for them?" Hanako asked.

"Keeping an eye out for fires is a big thing here," Junpei said. "Like any other city."

"Is that so," Hanako said "I've heard some unfortunate rumours, that some of your kindred have been taking protection money."

"That would be very unfortunate," Junpei said.

"It would, even more so if anyone was hurt during such an attempt," Hanako said watching Junpei for any reaction.

You can see Junpei's eyes narrow at that.

Hanako's hand moved carefully towards her blade "I wouldn't do anything foolish," she said warningly.

"Then tell me what is really going on, samurai-san," Junpei said.

"You are not in a position to demand anything," Hanako warned "But very well you are being investigated for the murder of a merchant," she said.

(OOC: Give me a good perception/notice roll)

(OOC: Mirumoto Hanako rolled 10 using 3d10, keeping the 2 highest rolls of 7 & 3 ((1,7,3)))

Jumpei took off running.

Hanako chased the fireman.

(OOC: Give me an Athletics roll)

(OOC: The Formless Shadow rolled 26 using 5d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls of 10, 9 & 7 ((7,1,9,6,10)).
)

You manage to catch up with JUnpei, but he's clearly not going to stop.

Bamako tries to trip Junpei.

(OOC: Mirumoto Hanako rolled 30 using 6d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls of 10, 10 & 10 ((10,7,10,9,10,8)).)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Fri 02 June 2023.

(OOC: Actually 38, I rolled your exploding dice for you.)

You tackle Junpei, knocking him to the ground.

"That was foolish," Hanako said as she pinned Junpei "Kitsuki-san, lets bind him," she said.

"Right," Haruna said, taking out some rope.

"You should have just co-operated," Hanako said to Junpei "Stay still, and this will not be too unpleasant."

Junpei fought and trashed.

Bamako twisted his arm "Enough of that," she said.

Junpei stopped fighting.

Once he was bound Hanako hauled him to his feet, and hurried Junpei to the barracks.