L5R - Unity - Chapter 1 - Winter Solstice

[Rain Yupa]

@ Naohiko:

"I cannot tell if you've merely been left out of the loop by your clanmates, or you're playing hard to get. I hope it's the former, because I hate hard-to-get." Sighing a bit, Ruri would pick up the small bag of coin, weighing it in her hand with some satisfying clinking, before returning it to her obi, seemingly disinterested in Naohiko's suggestion of gemstones.

"Let me tell you three things I've noticed. Case the first: The Crane and Lion have increased tension because, in a lack of a better descriptor, the Kioko is holding Ami hostage. From what I heard, your hime left with Kioko as well, but came back. Something doesn't add up."

"Case the second: Your party arrived with a monk who apparently went rogue and from what I heard, made an attempt on your princess's life. I know that was the reason for the lockdown yesterday, but that seems extremely peculiar for a monk, of all things. Again, very bizarre."

"Case the third: That peasant girl seems to keep bumping into you. Did you know she went to visit you early this morning? You might want to talk to your clanmate about that. I'm sure he'll be asking you."

Ruri looked Naohiko straight in the eye. "Mi-kun told me you were here when it followed that girl here. The only reason I knew something went down between you and the Crab is because the Daidoji outside let it slip when I showed up. I don't actually know what happened, but I'm clever enough to get in here with you alone to ask. I frankly do not believe you that you haven't discovered anything because you seem to be caught up in one - or more - webs. Natsumi was telling me about her visit with you earlier when Mi-kun showed up, and if I know her, she's already maneuvering. I do not have much time to run interference."

She would place both hands on the table, leaning closer. "Give me something useful and I can help you out. Please, Naohiko-san. This can benefit us both."  

[Plainsfox]

Seeing there was very little room, Naohiko would tell Ruri about Shi. "Our friend was replaced by a sorcerer. We didn't even realize it until he went berserk. The Crane have him captive but he's escaped before.…Needless to say our hosts don't like it being talked about."


The Kraken bushi sighed. "As far this goes, I was introduced to Hiruma-san by Morito Denbe. Hiruma-san struck me. I do not know what I did. Perhaps Hiruma-san does not like the color green. Someone showed up and laid Hiruma-san down with a bokken blow. Someone that Daidoji-san says it cannot have been." Naohiko would shrug Toku Seiichi. He's apparently a saint or some such."  

[Raganui Minamoto]

He just waves for Denbe to take the lead, bowing his head to the Crab in respect before taking his own leave. Once away from them, he'd sigh. "And I thought today was going so nicely too."