[D6, ME] Event IX: Bittersweet Reunion

[Cearnach]

Your vessel, powered by your tired crew, has arrived at last at the docks of Ikoma's Eye. Only...the town seems nearly deserted. White drapery is everywhere, and a pair of grim-looking Seppun are waiting at the docks for you.

It would appear that something has gone horribly wrong.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Well.... that's not a good sign," Ryoichi commented to his companions as he saw the white banners everywhere. He poled the barge towards the docks.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka, who had made sure to answer anything that Tatsuya and Ryunosuke had to ask, fell into silence as they got close.

"I've never seen Ikoma's Eye this quiet" she commented quietly.

[Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke, who had spent much of the trip north quiet and reserved (not to say sullen), looks up at the castle and then at the Seppun.

"Told you."

[Tatsuya]

Tatsuya winces, but on the trip he has shown a comforting tendency toward conciliation. He motions for Ryunosuke to cut it out, then looks toward the young samurai.

"Well, nothing to be gained standing around here," and it is he who steps off the boat first.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi had a bad feeling about this, and was quick to disembark after Tatsuya.

"Seppun-sama," she greeted them. "What... has happened?"

Things were too quiet. And the presence of Imperial guardsmen instead of Lion ones set her nerves on edge.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka had also stepped off, and made sure to place herself close to Tatsuya and Ryunosuke while Sayomi spoke. She made sure to bow to the guards though.

[Cearnach]

Sayomi had a bad feeling about this, and was quick to disembark after Tatsuya.

"Seppun-sama," she greeted them. "What... has happened?"

Things were too quiet. And the presence of Imperial guardsmen instead of Lion ones set her nerves on edge.

The Seppun grimaces. "Lady Seppun has bidden that we are to conduct you to her presence immediately. You are not to speak with others as we go. You are not to stop for any reason. Are you all prepared?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The Yasuki nodded solemnly. "Best we get to Lady Seppun quickly," Ryoichi agreed. "Let's go."

-
Ooc: does this mean we can’t change out of armor?

[Seppun Sadako]

The journey up to the castle takes the long way, Honoka's way, skirting Ikoma's Eye almost entirely. Throughout the journey, Ryunosuke continues to look down at the river, while Tatsuya keeps his eye on the path ahead.

Before long, they are being ushered past surprised Imperials in mourning garb within the Tenshu and into Seppun Sadako's apartment. There, in a receiving room which has at last a semblance of order (though the trunk full of shoes still sits open near the door into her bedroom), Seppun Sadako waits.

She rises as you enter.

"Tatsuya," she says, looking him and his teenage son over for a moment, then turns to the four. "You have brought him here safely, something that I imagine was not an easy task, you have my thanks. Unfortunately, the Empress has been called to join her ancestors. I have called Lord Ikoma in to discuss formal invitations for Tatsuya and Ryunosuke, but have as yet heard nothing. As a result, I have been able to prevail upon the Temple of Tengen to offer you two lodging for the time being."

She runs through the bad news as though she does not wish to dwell on it, her voice brisk and businesslike, her knuckles white where she clutches the edge of the table.

"So, you are here as a guest of Seppun Sadako and the Brotherhood of Shinsei. I hope that you will find your stay comfortable." She paused, considering. "The friendliest ones are the ones you need to look out for. I am sure you know that."

[Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke nods, slowly, once. His eyes are wide and dark.

[Seppun Sadako]

"I imagine that the monk Bokushi will want to speak with you," Sadako continues, still businesslike. "As for you four," she says, turning her attention to the clan samurai. "As I say, it was a job well done. I will write a letter of commendation to each of your superiors, and despite our best efforts, I am certain word of your heroics will get out eventually."

[+.5 Glory for each of the four for completing a quest and +Honor for protecting a Lord's interest in spite of great risk].

She took a deep breath. "I suppose you have questions?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I know this must be a challenging time," Ryoichi said. "And I don't wish to overstep - but can we offer any further assistance to Seppun-sama... or to Tatsuya-san?" The Yasuki glanced from one to the other.

[Daidoji Sae]

"It as our honour Seppun-sama." Bowing deeply.

"This is a good team, I was proud to serve with such samurai. We each had our role to play."

She pauses for a moment, offering a slight as to Ryoichi's offer of further assistance. The ronin would be out of their depth and probably in danger after all.

"Forgive the directness of our question, but the day is late and all here have had to content with difficult duties of one kind of another. But I must ask."

Raising her eyes to meet Sadako's.

"Did the Empress name an heir before she passed?"

[Seppun Sadako]

"I know this must be a challenging time," Ryoichi said. "And I don't wish to overstep - but can we offer any further assistance to Seppun-sama... or to Tatsuya-san?" The Yasuki glanced from one to the other.

"These next few days will be some of the most challenging in the Empire's history. I imagine that many people will try to get near to all of the Winds, but Tatsuya, well, Tatsuya, you are the least well-known and the least able to ward off the curious. You will need help from somewhere, and soon. And I am afraid that it cannot be me. If I am to keep this court from dissolving overnight, then I cannot be seen to be partial."

"Forgive the directness of our question, but the day is late and all here have had to content with difficult duties of one kind of another. But I must ask."

Raising her eyes to meet Sadako's.

"Did the Empress name an heir before she passed?"

"She did not. And she left no instructions as to how the heir was to be determined. Likely, the final crisis came upon her unexpectedly. These things happen, and Hantei Retsuhime was not overfond of sharing her reasoning in the best of times. We all have a difficult road to walk from here."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Seppun-sama" Honoka spoke up "I gave Tatsuya-san and Ryunosuke-san my word that I would be there for them, and I mean to continue that. I volunteer to stay with them, so that none can get to them without some manner of protection."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"These next few days will be some of the most challenging in the Empire's history. I imagine that many people will try to get near to all of the Winds, but Tatsuya, well, Tatsuya, you are the least well-known and the least able to ward off the curious. You will need help from somewhere, and soon. And I am afraid that it cannot be me. If I am to keep this court from dissolving overnight, then I cannot be seen to be partial."

"I see," the Yasuki said, pausing a moment to absorb how much had changed over the few days they had been away. "I don't envy your task, Seppun-sama. It is a worthy effort, though, and hope the Fortunes will grant you success." He bowed.

Turning to the (former?) ronin, Ryoichi said, "I'm afraid we've dropped you into deep waters, Tatsuya-san. But if you need help - or even just a friend - please do not hesitate to ask." He offered a small smile and a bow.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

How terrible... the Empress was dead. It made Tatsuya's position now even more precarious.

"If no Heir had been named, what has happened in the court while we were gone? Have any of the possible heirs made a move?"

[Seppun Sadako]

"Court has been suspended for the past two days out of respect for the Empress' passing. We will resume tomorrow. So far, only Otomo Keihime has made a gesture toward power. I suppose we shall see what develops in the next few days."

[Tatsuya]

"Seppun-sama" Honoka spoke up "I gave Tatsuya-san and Ryunosuke-san my word that I would be there for them, and I mean to continue that. I volunteer to stay with them, so that none can get to them without some manner of protection."

"That's kind of you, Ikoma-san, thank you. Do you think the clan samurai would attack the temple?"