D2 MM: Catching up the Librarians

[Ikoma Tanji]

A quick trip to the library first thing upon waking up is in order with the amount of work this samurai has ahead of him. He starts by looking around and getting reacquainted with the set up. There's a few things Ikoma Tanji needs, a quiet corner to read, a table large enough to hold the various scrolls, and to get in touch with some of the skilled, but overlooked assistant.

D2 MM, Etiquette (bureaucracy)/Awareness TN 25, polite maneuvering in the big library | 8k4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 25)

[Fukurokujin]

A boy, clearly still a boy and clearly not for much longer, is soon present.

"How may this one assist you, sempai?"

Ah, the eagerness of chipper youth!

[Ikoma Tanji]

"Good morning young scribe, this one is Ikoma Tanji no Suitai. I was hoping to find information about recent going-ons along the river, preferably from the north if possible."

[Fukurokujin]

"Of course, Suitai-sempai!" chirrups the boy. "How recent?"

[Ikoma Tanji]

"Within the past year. Might I inquire as to what your name is while I'm at it?"

[Fukurokujin]

"This one is called Kamoshita Taro, Suitai-sempai! And the most recent year's reports will be this way!"

He makes to lead the way, a youthful pep in his lanky step.

[Ikoma Tanji]

Tanji follows in kind, but takes a moment to ask a quick question. "Have you had a chance to read over them already? You never know what little details get overlooked."

[Fukurokujin]

"Not in any great detail, Suitai-sempai," replies Taro. "Today has me on the inquiries desk, but I've mostly been working in cataloguing, and with the volume coming in, getting enough for classification is challenge enough for the staff."

He suddenly claps his hands to his mouth.

"Oh, no!"

[Ikoma Tanji]

"What's wrong? Is there anything I can do to help?"

[Fukurokujin]

Taro's face reddens.

"Please don't tell anyone I said that about the challenge," he says in a quiet rush. "Please, please, please, please, please, Suitai-sempai!"

[Ikoma Tanji]

"I won't say anything. I understand the importance of discretion. However, the difference between challenge and crisis is not easily known in the moment. Getting a little help to avoid a crisis is preferable to permitting the proverbial dam to break. This is precisely what I am trained for in the Embassy. Perhaps letting an extra hand to help with the cataloging while you take care of the inquiries would be a way to show you have the foresight while allowing the troubles to pass."

[Fukurokujin]

"Well..."

Taro is clearly considering it.

"The Librarians might be mad, though, if I just do that," he says.

"But they might also be mad if I don't."

[Ikoma Tanji]

"I am a member of the family, an Imperial Scribe, and will practice discretion. Better for me to help now than to have others help themselves without asking."

[Fukurokujin]

"An Imperial Scribe, Suitai-sempai? Wow!"

Taro almost bounces from foot to foot, almost claps his hands.

Then, remembering he is supposed to be dignified, he stills himself and bows deeply.

"Your guidance is appreciated, then," he says, "Please, allow me to escort you the rest of the way!"

[Ikoma Tanji]

He returns the bow in kind, politely ignoring the exuberance. "Who is your supervisor, if I may ask? How many people usually are in the area?"

[Fukurokujin]

"Today, it's Librarian Sorai," Taro says. "Cataloging staff changes. Usually, there're fifteen to twenty of us there at a time."

He proceeds along.

"Now, there're more. Maybe thirty? New faces are hard to track."

[Ikoma Tanji]

"Alright, I'll keep my eyes peeled. Let's do our best."

[Fukurokujin]

"Yes, Suitai-sempai!"

Taro leads Tanji the rest of the way in, indicating the door to cataloging.

"It's in there, Suitai-sempai," he says, opening the door.

"Good luck!"

[Ikoma Tanji]

(Any sort of rolls I can make to see how good a job I do? Additional information to glean?)

[Fukurokujin]

(Depends on the approach. Go in openly, it becomes Courter and similar Skills. Go in...quietly, and other Skills come into play.

The Lore roll still is available.)