The rumour had come around that the Eye's local Emerald Magistrate had returned from her no good very bad peasant's revolt. While the same rumour indicated she was also in a poor mood things would only get more awkward the longer Sae waited to pay her respects.

It wouldn't do to just continue operating without at least stopping by, and besides, maybe she could finally get to the bottom of what had actually happened?

And so, dressed in her Magistrate's finest the Daidoji made her way to the office and clapped to announce her arrival (stepping inside if nobody responded, 50/50 they were down in the library anyway).

The door is opened by a yoriki--not her Crab friend from the other day--this young lady was wearing a Phoenix mon.

"Good morning, Daidoji-sama," she says. "You are here to see Mirumoto-sama, I take it? Please, come this way..."

..and Sae is led to the office where she had the unfortunate confrontation with the young Hida. Standing behind her desk, Mirumoto Ayano has all of the presence a senior magistrate ought to, with that bullish, pissed-off expression of someone who has been stung and feels it.

"What is..." she barks furiously, but as she looks up, she sees Sae's clothing and chokes back her harsh words. "Daidoji-san," she offers a professional bow. "Custom bids we welcome you to Ikoma's Eye, if belatedly."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 11:00 pm

Snip

"Mirumoto-sama." Sae enters and bows respectfully to her senior.

"I thank you for the welcome, I regret I have arrived at such a busy time. But I understand we have both been on pressing business."
Straightening.

"Please allow me to offer any assistance if I can. I received a short briefing from a Hida I believe was in your service, but he kept your counsel very well."

"It is just as well, the information we had that sent me to Drunk Warbler was false. Someone's wanted me out of town for a few days."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 11:16 pm

"It is just as well, the information we had that sent me to Drunk Warbler was false. Someone's wanted me out of town for a few days."

Stiffening slightly.

"That is...significant, Mirumoto-sama."
Her irritation made a lot more sense now, Sae would have been similarly aggrieved.

"Much occurred during those crucial days, but this means some or-" frowning "-all of it may have been preplanned."

Hopefully this did not mean that the Empress' death was more than it appeared.

"My thoughts also turned to that. I am taking some comfort in that the business in the castle is more likely to come under my jurisdiction by report, and that people there are more likely to report to the Emerald Champion, who is assiduous in his approach to these matters. Put short, getting me out of the way would not save someone doing wrong in the Kyuden. Ikoma's Eye is another matter."

She frowned. "But I have sent a yoriki out to inquire at the local magistrate's office to see what disturbances they have encountered. I have heard tell of a fire. Nothing suspicious about it so far, though.

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:21 am

Snip

"Other than the timing, Mirumoto-sama. But with the earthquake..."
Well coincidences did happen, sometimes, maybe.

"While this may not strictly be within the purview of our office, I would sleep more soundly if I had made an effort to help. And it may prove useful training for my new yoriki. With your permission I may have a look around myself. Fortunes willing it was just an accident."

"Hai, perhaps. You may get some guff over jurisdiction; it was a peasant household, but feel free to look around circumspectly."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:06 am

"Hai, perhaps. You may get some guff over jurisdiction; it was a peasant household, but feel free to look around circumspectly."

"Of course, I shall do my best to not cause offense. And I will relay anything I learn."

Bowing again.

"It was nice to make your introduction. I look forward to supporting you in your duties, for however brief a time it may be."

"It's appreciated. I have the oddest feeling that this will not be the last issue that brings us together."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:11 am

"It's appreciated. I have the oddest feeling that this will not be the last issue that brings us together."

"I shall ensure to keep space in my diary for Mirumoto-sama. Hopefully the next issue is at the very least straightforward?"

Little was Sae to know that this may or may not have been foreshadowing.

With another bow and spoken thanks for her time, the Daidoji headed down to check the records before leaving with yet more questions...

Day 7 LM, Etiquette (Bureaucracy)/Intelligence check against a TN of 25 to look through the Emerald Magistrate records, void point. | 9k4 ⇒ 29 (TN: 25)