Matsu Masumi wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 2:45 am
Masumi might have been insulted if she didn't know it was true.
What even is illegal? Most things to her were just common sense. Oh dear, she should have studied more instead of punched things.
"You have a shugenja among your ranks, yes?" She frowned. "Are any of your fellows under suspicion? I would offer some among my Clan, of course, but you do want to keep it to as few people as possible." Not that she would ever expect any of the Lion to do anything of the sort! That they had failed to provide ample security for the Crane House was another concern entirely.
Her brow furrowed. "Yes, I don't think the Scorpion would bring along a note with them that would implicate themselves. It must be a ruse... Unless this is them trying to make us think that. Would they do that?"
"A double bluff...Matsu-san, perhaps you learnt more from
Lies than you let on."
Sae's eyes light up in mirth.
"Indeed, such a cunning plan is not impossible, but you are already on the right path, why would they do such a thing? Surely if they sort our enmity and suspicion their are better ways? Or perhaps it is something more mysterious."
Calmly. "I would start elsewhere perhaps, consider among all the gathered Clans who has the capacity and the desire to infiltrate Crane House and implicate the Crane?
The Crane ourselves? Someone high enough in the Clan to risk their own subordinates? I will not lie, across the empire these things have happened. But the risk is great indeed should they be caught, too great I would hope.
The Lion? Maybe...don't look at me like that, I would never deny a Lion's capacity for effective scouting. But it is hardly the Lion way, and in Kyuden Ikoma? It would hardly seem to do the Clan any favours.
The Scorpion? Certainly they have the availability, but to be so sloppy and to incriminate themselves intentionally or unintentionally...mmmhm, unlikely but possible.
The Crab have the Hiruma, and have not always seen eye to eye with the Crane. Perhaps an attempt to turn us against another foe? It's not impossible, but I see little chance in it, it would be unusual.
The Dragon?...Well who knows with the Dragon, but given what I know it seems very unlikely. That may become more clear in time.
The Phoenix? Mmmhm...maybe they have the means? And there are many in that clan who distrust my own, they are a possibility.
But, once I saw a pack of wild dogs who had lane on an ant colony. The ants swarmed out and bit the dogs who were driven wild with fear and pain, biting at one another and running in all directions. I see this, and I think of the ants. The Mantis and the Tortoise are...well, their methods are known to be unorthodox, their understand of Bushido is different to ours. I can see means and motive with either of those clans."
Sae by now seemed to be rather enjoying herself.
"It is an exciting case indeed, although perhaps you will have limited opportunities to crush evil doers until the very end."