[D5, MN] Event VII: The Hinge of Fate

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I see" Honoka nodded "to be expected I suppose. Forgive me, I did not mean to bring up bad memories but it is important to why we are here. You see, we have travelled from Kyuden Ikoma, where the most prestigious court is currently in session, to find you and bring you back with us."

She moved her hand into her sleeve to take out her travel paper, turning it so the man and the child could see the Imperial seal on the papers.

"This is because of your lineage, Tatsuya-san. I am wary of giving too much information until we are safely travelling back but I understand that my tale sounds impossible so I will answer any and all questions you have, both here and on the journey back. Time is of the essence however."

Her words were honest and truthful.

(ooc: D5 MN Mission from god event. Sincerity (Honesty)/Awareness. Bentens, ILS2 | 8k5 ⇒ 54. If Bentens wouldn't count then it's 46 so still pretty high!)

[Tatsuya]

Tatsuya purses his lips in thought for a moment, "My lineage?" Then the penny drops. "Oh. Oh! Oh..." he looks over at his son, then back to this young girl that has his future in her hand. He takes a deep breath. "Alright."

[Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke's jaw drops. "Alright? They'll kill us there! Dad, I know Washio's angry, but this is suicide! It's a big nest of clan samurai, no offense Ikoma-sama, and no one is going to want us around. Dad, you know how they solve their problems!"

You have successfully passed a Sincerity(Honesty)/Awareness at 25 to convince Tatsuya of your claims. Ryunosuke, however, does not care if you're telling the truth. His position is that going to Winter Court is suicidal. In order to convince Tatsuya to overrule Ryunosuke's misgivings, you will need to use some form of persuasion at TN 30.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"No offense taken" Honoka gave the boy a nod "and you are wise to be concerned. It is indeed a melting pot of clan samurai great and small, all looking for advantages and jockeying for position. However, it is also filled with honourable samurai. Ones who listen when words come from above, and these words come from the highest voice in all of the lands. You have all of our words that you will be safe and unharmed, both travelling there and during court itself. We would not have travelled without stopping to find you if this was not the case. Any that wish any ill upon you while you're there will have to answer to Imperial authority. Or worse, they'll have to answer to me, and I'm known as the smiling blade for a reason" there was a grin at that "you will be safe, looked after and welcomed."


D5 MN Mission from god event. Courtier/awareness+ILS2+ILS3+bentens. TN30 | 10k6 ⇒ 56 (TN: 30)

[Tatsuya]

Tatsuya considered that for a moment, then nodded. "I'm not sure we have any choice, Ryunosuke. And I would rather put my trust in the Smiling Blade" he couldn't help but smirk a little, "than in Washio. Come on, let's pack up."

[Cearnach]

It was strange that Tatsuya had said that, because the samurai hanging out in the alley could just make it out: Washio had showed up.

Him and his five best friends.

All of them are armed--four guys with katana, two with masakari.

They are moving relatively quickly in the direction of the warehouse, and seem not to have noticed you just yet. But it won't be long.

[Daidoji Sae]

Moving calmly but with the faintest aura of murderous purpose, Sae simply walks forward and places herself directly in front of the warehouse, blocking the advancing ronin before they could get anywhere near those within.

"Samurai-san, you are out for a walk?"
It...doesn't actually sound like a question as she rests a hand on the hilt of her blade.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

A Crab samurai in heavy armor stepped out to stand beside Sae. "You might want to come back another night," he said apologetically. "She," and he tilted his head toward the Crane "....isn't someone you want to cross."

[Cearnach]

Washio frowns. "Look. You're between me and the bastard who murdered my boss. You can get out of my way, or I can walk right over you."

His guys start to fan out.

[Daidoji Sae]

Washio frowns. "Look. You're between me and the bastard who murdered my boss. You can get out of my way, or I can walk right over you."

His guys start to fan out.

"No, you can't. You can walk back home, have a drink, thank the fortunes your timing was so lucky and the Emerald Magistrate was so generous and the matter is at an end. A good story to tell.

Or you don't finish that walk, and I tell the story in a short report to the Emerald Champion which doesn't even mention your name."

When heavily armoured Crab and Crane stood together against enemies of the empire...the foes were usually a little more intimidating.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi steeled herself, letting the bigger and tougher ones do the talking to the low-lives as she move up to visibly support Sae and Ryoichi. She waved for some nearby heimin to keep their distance - this could get messy.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"The Magistrate is here to bring a man in," the Crab explained patiently. He was the nice cop, apparently? "The guy you're after is about to have bigger problems. You might not want to get involved."

[Cearnach]

Okay, so that's an Intimidation/Awareness roll from Sae and a Sincerity/Awareness roll from Ryoichi. We'll see how this works out!

[Daidoji Sae]

In that moment Sae was Death.

-----
Day 5, The Hinge of Fate, Intimidation/Awareness on the ronin, spending VP, unknown TN | 5k4 ⇒ 46

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi's face bore an apologetic expression as he tilted his head in the Emerald Magistrate's direction. Did the ronin really want to be killed by an angry Daidoji tonight? They still had so much to live for!

-
5MN Persuade ronin that they don't want to mess with us, Sincerity/Awareness +Void Point +Benten's unknown TN | 6k6 ⇒ 32 (TN: 30)

[Cearnach]

Well, Death is pretty scary. The concerted effort of Crab and Crane heroically (we say heroically because it was witnessed by the honorable Kitsu) turns back the gang of desperadoes and toughs. They skulk back to whatever watering hole they came from, leaving the field to the glorious heroes!

Though the team split the party, yet all was not lost. Tatsuya and Ryunosuke accompany the heroes to Event VIII: Escape Upriver