It wasn't even the end of the first day (really, night court?) but Sae was already feeling bone weary.

Still, one could hardly show it. When she found a small hole in her schedule the Daidoji headed for the Emerald Office, hoping it would be a routine paying of respects (she had heard the local magistrate was quite well regarded) and perhaps some quiet reading.

Taking a moment to ensure she was presentable and that her Magistrate's robe hadn't become worn through use, she stepped into the building.

The office is pristine, but dark. Emerging from a hallway leading into the rear of the building, a young man wearing Crab mons stops short upon seeing Sae, nearly fumbling the lantern he is holding.

"Oh!" he exclaims. "Who's there?" The lantern cocks back for a throw, you know, in case.

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 12:14 am

The office is pristine, but dark. Emerging from a hallway leading into the rear of the building, a young man wearing Crab mons stops short upon seeing Sae, nearly fumbling the lantern he is holding.

"Oh!" he exclaims. "Who's there?" The lantern cocks back for a throw, you know, in case.

"Sae of the Daidoji, Emerald Magistrate." She holds her chop up in the light.

"While I appreciate the instincts, setting me on fire would make our subsequent interactions somewhat heated."

Cocking her head slightly. "To whom am I speaking?"

Daidoji Sae wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 12:20 am

"Sae of the Daidoji, Emerald Magistrate." She holds her chop up in the light.

"While I appreciate the instincts, setting me on fire would make our subsequent interactions somewhat heated."

Cocking her head slightly. "To whom am I speaking?"

He lowers the lantern slightly, but only after getting a good look at the badge.

"Hida Benkei. 'm a Yoriki. I keep the archives, here. And such. 'm sorry to report Agasha-sama's out on business, so you'll have to come back later if you wanted to talk with her."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 1:23 am

He lowers the lantern slightly, but only after getting a good look at the badge.

"Hida Benkei. 'm a Yoriki. I keep the archives, here. And such. 'm sorry to report Agasha-sama's out on business, so you'll have to come back later if you wanted to talk with her."

Sae's polite expression gave absolutely no hint about her view of any Crab stereotypes.

"Blessings upon you, Hida-san. I'm sure I will be utilizing your expertise over the winter."
She bows politely, but definitely as their superior, her expression hardening slightly.

"It is late to be out of the Castle on business. Can I ask what has taken her away on the opening day of the court?"

"Agasha-sama was called away to deal with a revolt in Drunk Warbler Village. Little revolt. No huge deal. But the Emerald Magistrate up there needed some support before the climax. You know the story."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 1:53 am

"Agasha-sama was called away to deal with a revolt in Drunk Warbler Village. Little revolt. No huge deal. But the Emerald Magistrate up there needed some support before the climax. You know the story."

Her tone turns cold. “I do.”

It usually ended in far too much blood. Too many samurai would rather double their tax and let the heimin starve instead of tightening their own obi.

“I am surprised a little revolt, ‘no huge deal’, would require two emerald magistrates. But I do not have the background and Agasha-sama is my senior, I defer to her wisdom.

Pleased send any news of further developments to me at the Crane House. I would be remiss if I did not offer my own assistance.

Should, fortunes forbid, this issue escalate in such close proximity to the daughter of heaven and Kakita-dono I will be forced to convey these facts up the chain. Given I will repeat and cite what you have stated verbatim, is there anything you would like to add? Perhaps forgotten after a long day of ceaseless effort?”

The Crab is treated to a long look.

The Crab meets Sae's look easily, completely unimpressed.

"My reports also go to the Emerald Champion in the absence of Agasha-sama, Doji-sama. You may request a copy from him."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 2:28 am

The Crab meets Sae's look easily, completely unimpressed.

"My reports also go to the Emerald Champion in the absence of Agasha-sama, Doji-sama. You may request a copy from him."

It was a true unimpressed-off. "I shall do so."

Sae maintains eye contact for a long while.

"You must be very tired from the day. I shall see myself to the archives.

"Not so tired that I cannot do my duty, Doji-sama. Let me show you the way."

And he does, leading you down a hall and to the right, the down some steps into a sub-level of the office. "We keep the archives down here in case of fire. The siege did a number on the previous office. 'Course, that was a few decades ago."

He takes out a key to open a sold-looking door, revealing the precious scrolls on their shelves.

"Nothing leaves, of course. Regulations. But Agasha-sama wouldn't begrudge you taking notes. Anything within the regs for a Magistrate."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 2:57 am

"Not so tired that I cannot do my duty, Doji-sama. Let me show you the way."

And he does, leading you down a hall and to the right, the down some steps into a sub-level of the office. "We keep the archives down here in case of fire. The siege did a number on the previous office. 'Course, that was a few decades ago."

He takes out a key to open a sold-looking door, revealing the precious scrolls on their shelves.

"Nothing leaves, of course. Regulations. But Agasha-sama wouldn't begrudge you taking notes. Anything within the regs for a Magistrate."

"Of course, you have my word."
She nods politely and then takes a breath. Be generous, assume the Crab's stubbornness was loyalty, she'd had to stonewall many a time as a yoriki.

"Thank you for showing me the way."

The Crab bowed in reply, then handed over the lantern. "You'll need the light. I'll leave you to it."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 3:08 am

The Crab bowed in reply, then handed over the lantern. "You'll need the light. I'll leave you to it."

Another nod of thanks. "Please be careful in the dark."

She stifles a sigh, turning back to the records. It was time to see if she could penetrate the record keeping in the archives. Sae gave it a coinflip.

Day 1 LE, Etiquette (Bureaucracy)/Intelligence check against a TN of 25 in the Emerald Magistrate Archives.

Looking up any recent work on record by the esteemed Emerald Champion. | 8k3 ⇒ 37 (TN: 25)

To her surprise, she did. (Checking if there are records on recent cases or decisions by the esteemed Emerald Champion).

40 years of semi-residence here had left a great deal of material decided by the Emerald Champion, all easily found and reviewed.

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 04, 2025 3:34 am

40 years of semi-residence here had left a great deal of material decided by the Emerald Champion, all easily found and reviewed.

Sae keeps an eye out for anything cases that stand out as unusual or strange in the last few years, but will spend the new few hours reading before the reception.

((Thank you for the scene! ))