[It's two days after you fought the tengu and saved all the priests. They've been extremely grateful, allowing you to stay as long as you like, though you collectively decided to leave on this fine morning. Your injuries healed wonderfully under their attention and prayers, and everyone save Tairan is feeling good as new. (Tairan's still quite sore, but he did shoot himself in the foot.)] [You're currently eating a simple breakfast of rice and vegetables in the dining room. Kneeling or not, you crazy Teckians. Oddly enough, Millie isn't here with the rest of you, gabbing things up.] [Session Start.] * Suzunosuke expertly pokepokes at the food with his chopsticks. * Mikoto chews thoughtfully on a mouthful of rice, putting his hand under his chin and glancing out whatever wall has a window on it distractedly. ( Wow. Too many adverbs. ) (When was the last time we saw Millie and has she indicated going somewhere?) (Last night.) (And nope.) * Jinx seems rather happy to be fully rested again and turns over to Mikoto to whisper a quick question. "Think the priests might be able to identify any of the stuff we found in the cave, or would that break some sort of taboo about taking things from the dead." * Tairan eats his food slowly but steadily. He looks better than he did before, but still like hell; his arm is still bandaged where he was burnt, and he was limping pretty good when he came to the table. (Considering we probably looted right in front of the captives, I think it's a bit late to worry about that ^^;) * MaryAnne asks "Has anyone seen Miss Reinhart recently?" Mmm. Thank you for the meal, and your hospitality. * Suzunosuke bows politely to the priests. ( No, from the caves under the mountains. ) * Mikoto blinks, showing he's not totally an easterner by spearing a pepper on one chopstick and munching on it, responding quietly. "Well... what they don't know won't hurt them, so to speak. Most priests are fairly practical about such things anyway." (Ah) * John eats his food slowly with the chopsticks, keeping an eye on the window/door. He looks very well rested, but then again, he never looks like he *hasn't* been well-rested. (Might be an exception for Tengu.) ...hmm. I have not. * Jinx nods and goes on to slowly trying to master chopsticks. I've been out cold pretty much since we got back. * MaryAnne says "How unusual. She usually has something to say." * Mikoto continues eating. "She seems like the early morning type. Perhaps she went for a walk." * John puts down his bowl of rice. Seems he's adapted easily to the new way of eating... except for the kneeling part. * MaryAnne says "Well, she didn't even sleep in our room last night, so I am starting to get a bit concerned as to her whereabouts." * Jinx shrugs. "If she doesn't show up in a few minutes... oh, not last night?" [Kazue walks in! She's carrying a fresh pot of tea and smiles brightly at you all. "I hope you had a good night's sleep?"] Something tells me she just needed to get some fresh air. ( Is Ryouichi actually here, or just Random Q. Shinotist? Aha. ) * MaryAnne says politely to Kazue "Yes, thank you for your hosbitality." * Tairan nods. "A desperately needed one at that." * Jinx takes out a small metal tube little bigger than is finger and a small, paper scroll wrapped in a red ribbon. * Millie heads in behind, her hair done up in a small bun, and she looks...different. Stunning actually. She's wearing a long flowing light blue kimono that has a beautiful picture of the sunset on the back. Her shoulders are slightly barred, showing off her perfect skin. The whole effect is rather jaw- dropping. "Hi fellas.." She has a wide grin on her face. Thank you for allowing us lodgin'. * Jinx smiles at Kazue. "We had a lovely....Mille. Oh. Hello. Good morning." *twitch* * John smiles at Kazue. *ting* * Millie smirks and adjusts her position a little to pose. "What do y'all think? Miss Kazue picked it out for me." * John glances over at Millie and smirks. "Woah, someone's trying to blend in." * Tairan waves to Millie, takes a sip of soup, pauses, looks at Millie again, then spittakes, spraying John a bit. * Mikoto smiles at Kazue also. "We appreciate your generous hospitality." He raises an eyebrow slightly at Millie, but says nothing. * Kazue giggles. Yes, giggles. She goes about refilling tea. I would say that she has very good taste. * MaryAnne sees Millie and says with a smile "Oh, there you are Miss Reinhart. You look absolutely smashing." she claps her hands politely. * Jinx seems rather impressed. "Yes, it works quite well." * Millie shifts her hips slightly, trying to pull a bit at the garment. "Seems a little weird though..." * Tairan coughs. "Looks nice. Unexpected, though." *coughcoughcough* * John frowns as the soup sprays on him. "Oh, sure, spray me with the soup." He grabs one of the towels and wipes himself with it. * Millie grins slightly. "Unexpected's mah middle name, ain't it?" She loses her grin and goes back to fiddling with the cloth. "Thing's hard ta walk in though..." So, who'd ya bribe to get that? Sorry John. Millie managed to surprise me... not an easy thing to do, I assure you. *grin* * Millie looks up from her half-bent over fixing position to glare evil daggers at John. * Jinx shakes his head for a moment and gets back with it and looks back at Kazue. "Pardon me priestess, do you happen to recognize either of these two items I found in the East." * John nods. "I know what you mean, Tairan." Hmm? * Jinx holds out the small tube and the scroll for Kazue's inspection. * Kazue takes the tube and the scroll, looking them over. Tube first. Unfortunately, formal garb in the east leaves a lot to be desired in the maneuverability area. Is it the same back West? * Millie sidles over to the table. Carefully. And tries to adjust herself to the task of sitting down. It doesn't look entirely easy. * Kazue peers at the tube, then grins. She hands it back to Jinx. "Put your fingers in it." (snicker) * Millie gestures over to Mary. "That's pretty much formal garb right there." * Jinx does so. * Mikoto chews on more pepper thoughtfully. "Well, kimonos are ceremonial garb more than travelling clothes, but it fits rather well." Yes, particularly when one wants to ride. * MaryAnne smiles as she is referenced and says "Somewhat worse for wear." * Kazue nods satisfactorily at Jinx, then opens the scroll and reads. * Millie smiles at Mikoto widely. "Why thank ya, Mikky. Didn't know ya cared." Oh. This is a fire protection spell. It's pretty powerful. I do not believe "fit" quite does it justice. * Kazue rolls it back up and puts it on Jinx's lap. * Jinx nods, thanks. * John shrugs. "I don't know how that stuff's supposed to fit, so I'm not gonna bother tryin' ta say what I think of it." * John goes back to eating. * Jinx idly plays with the tube and glances back over at Millie. [Millie finds she more or less has to kneel. Sitting crosslegged isn't working.] * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "'Mikky'?" He coughs. "At any rate, the saying goes 'if you see a wrong no matter how slight, avenge it. If you can do a good turn, no matter how small, do it.'" He stands up and walks toward Kazue. "If you don't mind, I also have something I'd like you to inspect." * Tairan leans over and grins sheepishly at Kazue. "Not to treat you like an appraiser, but I found a couple of things if you wouldn't mind taking a look..." ( *snerk* ) * Millie grins at John and leans forward just slightly, not enough to tip over, mind you. "It's s'posed ta fit like this..least that's what Kazue says..ya wouldn't insult our hosts, wouldja Johnny boy?" * Kazue nods. "Of course. I'm not an expert, however." * Millie smirks at Mikoto too but doesn't reply. * Jinx absentmindely tries to pull one of his fingers out of the tube to little effect. But for now he doesn't seem to notice. * John puts the food down. "Of course not. That's why I didn't comment." * Millie pats John on the head. "Good boy." * Tairan nods, pulling out his three scrolls (red, white, and blue. How patriotic!) and the throwing dagger. * Millie sits back up straight. * Mikoto nods. "Your opinion is certainly more educated than mine, so I'd welcome it. I'll return in a second." ANd with that, he dashes out. * John smirks. "It does look a bit... exotic on you, though." * Kazue blinks as Mikoto runs off. She laughs. "When did I become so popular?" Ever since they found out you could tell what the stuff is. * Millie smiles at Kazue. "It's your charmin' personality, that's what." * Kazue snickers. "There wasn't anything to the tube. And you can just read the scrolls." * Jinx tries to pull his fingers out of the tube with more effort, he looks down and frowns for a moment. All you need to do is read them to get the effect. There's even instructions. * Millie glances over at John. "Well, people've always said that ol' Millie Reinhart looks very exotic." * Mikoto returns with the staff in one hand and the naginata in the other, walking sort of awkwardly considering how short he is. * Jinx puts a little strength into pulling a finger out of the ube, and frowns again as his fingers hurt. ... instructions. That's helpful. * John looks over at the staff. "I tell ya that thing isn't magical." * Millie gestures to her semi-dark skin in response, flourishing her hand down alongside her cheek. * Jinx glances up at Kazue. "There seems to be something to it." Of course there's something to it. * Kazue blinks at what Mikoto returns with. "Weapons?" Well, you're probably the first rifle-toting, kimono-wearing woman, Millie. That count as exotic? * John returns his attention to Millie. "So, are you actually going to be shooting people in a... A... What do you call that?" Ah, right. Kimono. * Millie chuckles and her eyes twinkle a bit. "Maybe. They wouldn't expect that, would they?" * John smirks. "Neither would we." * Mikoto clears his throat. "A sad necessity in our trade. My apologies." He tilts his head at the naginata. "This is clearly magical in some way, but I can't sense anything but that. The staff doesn't appear to be special, but it was the property of the tengu." * Millie leans forward on the table, trying not to let the tightness pull on her as she flicks her fingers towards her chin, resting against them. That would be something to see. * Kazue frowns slightly. "Well, I don't know anything about the tengu..." She takes the staff anyway. "I'll ask the spirits for guidance." And she walks off with it. Try kneeling, Mill. Hmm...John, what 'bout that white bullet ya got? Don't know if they'd know much 'bout bullets but... * Mikoto smiles embarrasedly. "My thanks." * Jinx attempts to scratch his head, its rather trickey with his fingers stuck together. "Strange..." An' since when do you know 'bout wearin' these things, eh John? Ya dress in wimmin's clothes often? * John shakes his head. "I bet it's light. If yellow was lightnin', light's the only thing you can use." What 'bout Ice? Never have, Millie. Just had to kneel at that lunch with Yae. * Millie sighs and shifts to kneel. It looks slightly more comfortable. * Mikoto turns to the bullet conversation. "It's possible a 'light'-type bullet might... glow, wouldn't you think?" * Tairan puts the scrolls back into his pack, and eyes the throwing knife. "Guess I'll hafta figure out what you are myself..." *idly twirls it* * John pulls out the glowin' white bullet. I'm sure she'll be back...but what are we gonna do 'bout Jan? I'd think ice would be a bit... blue-er. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "That shoots down that theory, pardon the pun." Nah..might get mixed up with water if it was blue. * Tairan blinks, then pulls the scrolls back out, and takes a look at them. "Better check what they are, and howta use 'em..." *mutterread* * Kazue returns, staff in hand. She looks to Mikoto, probably waiting for a break in the conversation. * Jinx glances around at all the loot and then grins at Millie. "Calamity Jan? I say we capture or kill her, take her stuff, collect the bounty." * Millie digs through her pockets, then realizes she has no pockets in this thing. "Aw shoot...I got mah pack back in the room.." * John packs it away again. "Likewise." * Mikoto nods, then blinks and turns a bit to face Kazue, curious look but not saying anything. * Millie looks at Jinx and rolls her eyes. "I MEANT how we're goin' ta find 'er from now on...do we have any idea where our next step is?" * John faces Kazue expectantly. * Millie looks up at Kazue and quiets. * Tairan eyes the scrolls s'more. (Whenever you get the chance, GMs. =P) I'm sorry, but I sense nothing odd about this staff. * MaryAnne comments "Yes, that is a bit of an issue. How can we 'pick up their trail', as it were?" (Alright, form a queue in front of Kazue! Don't be shy now.) * Mikoto smiles. "Then please keep it. Perhaps you can find a use for it, or can make a gift of it to another traveller." * Millie smirks and gazes at Mikoto's eyes. "Awful generous of ya..." * Kazue looks to the staff. "Well, it was weilded by a tengu. Perhaps someone will take a fancy to it." * Tairan looks up from the scrolls. "We know which direction they went from the town. If they're looting as they go, they shouldn't be hard to track." I'll ask Ryoichi when he returns. If you don't want it, though, we'll take it off your hands. Yeah, just follow the trail of destruction. Yeah..we can only hope they're so stupid. That would certainly make it easy. * Mikoto nods. "Feel free. It is the least I can do in thanks for your help." He glances back at Millie curiously, but says nothing. * Suzunosuke sits patiently. He's pulled out a book he found last night and is reading while the others decide that it's time to move on. * Kazue smiles. "No, it's we who should be thanking you." Except for the outraged locals, that would complicate matters. * Millie keeps her look on Mikoto for a while more, then turns to Kazue, smiling. "Really, we both helped each other out. Let's jus' call it even." As you like. Ryoichi 'round? Maybe he saw Calamity. * Mikoto turns back to Kazue and nods in agreement. "A good suggestion." He then turns his gaze to Tairan. "You probably know the Ki territory better than any of us. They'd likely go somewhere where Westerners are most welcome." [Right on cue, Ryoichi comes rushing in! He looks frantic.] * Suzunosuke looks up. * Jinx turns to go back to his finishing up his meal and then realizes his fingers still are stuck. He tugs again and looks flummoxed. ( We are out of maple syrup! ) ( Having flashbacks to that TNG ep where Data had his fingers stuck in a Chinese finger puzzle for hours. ) * Millie looks up at Ryoichi, turning towards him. (Hee.) * John faces Ryoichi. ["Travelers!" He pauses for a moment to gasp for breath while Kazue helps him keep his balance with her free arm. "Travelers, there's someone... a lot of someones outside to see you."] ... * John squints his eyes and gets up. "Don't wanna keep'em waitin'." * Suzunosuke puts the book away, and rises to his feet. * Millie blinks at that and starts to get to her feet. "What do they look like?" ... or maybe we just got lucky. *adjusts his hat* Shall we meet and greet? * Jinx tugs again. "Uh.. if there's trouble..." Tug tug. "I could use a little help." * MaryAnne says "I say. I wonder who it could possibly be." * Jinx looks down at the metal tube. "Or a very sharp knife." * Mikoto frowns. "I somehow doubt it's Jan..." He glances at Ryouichi. "It might be safer to withdraw your brothers and sisters into the temple, though. Just to be safe." * MaryAnne stands up. * John looks at Jinx. "What're you doin' now?" ["If you want, we can try to stall them while you leave out front. But-" He looks to Millie. "Oh, it's troops. And someone who identified herself as Captain Kaede Iwase." He frowns slightly. "Of the Arita clan." He nods.] ( FOr it would be safer! Safer it would be! Safety is paramount! For I am mooooooooooooooooooojo jojo! ) * Millie shakes her head and goes over to Jinx. "Honestly, Jinxy..ya think ya'd know better..." She grabs onto his elbow and tries to pull it free." * John shakes his head as he sees the thing get tighter when Millie pulls. "No, no no." * Jinx tries to bare it for a few seconds but fails. "Owww. Stop. That just makes it tighter" Mmm. Well why didn't ya say so? * Millie lets go. * John thinks for a little... "Push them together all the way, then pull them apart." Might be crazy 'nuff ta work. ... right. Going out guns a-blazin' would be a bad idea... Mikoto, wanna come see what they want? * Mikoto glances at Suzunosuke. "Maybe it would be better if you stayed inside for now..." He then turns to Tairan and nods. "Probably for the best." * MaryAnne gets ready to great the company. * Suzunosuke shrugs. * Jinx glances over at John. "Could work." He pushes his fingers together. Shout if ya need anything. If you need help, I should be there. * Millie nods. "Call if there's trouble..I'll get Greenpeace ready jus' in case..but ai don't wanna use it.." * Tairan eyes the others. "Get anything you'd need for a fight together, but don't come unless we call. Don't want the troops getting antsy." ...but I understand your concern. * MaryAnne goes outside to great the compnay. * Mikoto breathes out and leans the naginata against the wall, stepping out the door and looking back. "Hopefully we can settle this without violence, especially in a sacred place. My hope is the Artia troops will feel the same." * Kazue looks concerned. "Good luck." Ryoichi nods with a troubled expression. * Millie bows, and almost trips, scowling and shifting the kimono as she hikes to the room. * Tairan stops MaryAnne. "Me'n Mikoto. I think it'd be best if Easterners went out to talk to them." * John blinks at Millie. "Maybe ya should change. That thing doesn't look very comfortable." * Jinx manages to lose the tube via the John's suggestion. He then quickly snatches up the tube and scroll. "That could come in handy later." He then goes to grab his guns. * John nods. He walks off to grab his bigger guns. * There's a call from outside the dining room, yelling back. "I'll be fine! Millie Reinhart can handle anything!" * Suzunosuke follows Tairan and Mikoto to the front door, but does not go out with them. * MaryAnne answers Tairan "Hmmm? Why is that?" * Mikoto didn't hear Tairan or Mary Anne and has gone on ahead. Dunno their intentions. If they're hostile, they might not be too keen on Westerners. Besides, if things get ugly, it'd be better if you're not out in the middle of it, right? * Tairan jogs out after Mikoto. "Trust me on this one. We'll call if we need ya." * MaryAnne considers "Well, maybe so. Well, I'll wait here then. Please let me know the situation when you can." * John returns to the dining room with his shotgun in his pack, his rifle slung over his shoulder, and all the other weapons where they normally are. "They're goin' to talk shop with our 'visitors'?" * MaryAnne says "It seems they would like first communication options." * Jinx comes back in with his shotguun at the ready and his pistol under his jacket. * Millie comes back, pack slung over one shoulder and Greenpeace over the other. Her boots are laced together and slung over one shoulder too. She hasn't changed out of the kimono though. (There are as many people in here as #BESM. @_@) [Mikoto and Tairan walk outside... and are greated by six people, all on horses. Four of them are rather standard looking troops in armor and carrying a spear each; the fifth is a younger girl, also wearing armor, but carrying a bow. Each has a wakizashi at their side. (Hold for more.)] ( This is #BESM. ) (We're a hit ^_^_v) (No, this is #RSP :P) ( It's a #BESM game. ) (BH doesn't generate as many people watching the game.) [The one that really stands out is likely the leader, though. She's wearing armor that's a bit more ornamental: dark red, spiked, no helmet. Her hair is dark and messy, and she has an eyepatch over one eye with a thin scar trailing from underneath. She's also carrying a spear, though no wakizashi.] (It's the day to choose a new character though. I gather next week won't be as crowded.) * Mikoto slows his pace to wait for Tairan before stepping outside. "They can't mean anything good. I don't think Yae would send them to 'check' on us." * Tairan shakes his head. "Prolly not, no. Shall we?" * Mikoto nods. * Mikoto also steps outside. :P * Tairan steps outside, and signals to the leader lady. "What can we do for you?" * Kaede (the one who stands out) looks Tairan and Mikoto over, settling on Mikoto a bit longer before speaking. "I am Kaede Iwase, of the Arita clan. We have come to arrest the Takame traitor. Where is he?" * Tairan blinks. "Traitor?" *looks over at Mikoto* What's she talkin' 'bout? ( Traitor? ** ) * Mikoto winces internally, but contrary to past expression actually has a fairly decent poker face. "Lady Kaede, you must be mistaken. There's nobody by that name in our party." He glances at Tairan. "The Iwahara and Takame clans are feuding," he explains. * Kaede scowls. "I know he's here. There's no point in trying to hide him." * Suzunosuke has been listening from just inside the doorway, and takes the opportunity to step out. His sword is not drawn, but his hands are at his belt. I am no traitor. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow, then glances back at Suzunosuke and sucks a breath in through his teeth. * Kaede lifts her head and looks down at Suzu. "You and your clan are traitors to the Emperor." * Tairan looks back at Suz, winces ever so slightly, then turns back. "What are the charges?" How so? Has not my father supported the Emperor with his sword and his mind and his clan? * Mikoto glances back at Kaede skeptically. "Do you carry some sort of edict? Considering we were in the company of Lady Yae not four days ago, this sudden development seems incredulous." ( ... I keep parsing that as Lady Jay, and wondering where Flint is. ) ( ...*snerk* Man who defeat Amazon woman... ) ( Maybe "Javezon" would be more accurate for Lady Jay. Now I'm babbling. Someone say something! ) (No!) * Kaede glares at Suzu. "Your father claims that we're the traitors, and is using that as an excuse to attack us. The Emperor would never endorse this!" I have just returned from the West, and know not what the current state of affairs is. I do know that he would not betray the Emperor's trust. * Kaede smirks. "Of course not. And my father's the king of Teck." * Mikoto frowns at Kaede. "It's unseemly and irresponsible to flaunt imperial edict over egotistical assumptions, my lady. We are leaving these lands shortly and wish no trouble." Neither do we. We'll take Lord Takame and be on our way. ( BEsides, Teck doesn't have a king, so NYAH. ) What are your intentions, Lady Kaede? Will you come peacefully? And, again, what are the charges, aside from existing? * Suzunosuke puts a hand on Tairan's shoulder. * Mikoto turns and looks at Suzunosuke. "You realize she'll simply kill you once she's away from here, for a crime you know nothing about and didn't commit, and which she has no authority to punish!" * Tairan shrugs it off. "I'm not getting hostile. Just curious. Generally, when you arrest someone, they're accused of some specific crime." If she were to kill me, it would trigger an all-out war. * Suzunosuke turns back to Kaede. Am I to be a guest, prisoner, or hostage? * Mikoto closes his eyes for a moment, then sighs. You will be kept until an... understanding, can be reached between our clans, and then you will be freed. * Suzunosuke sighs. That may take some time. Ah, so you're taking him hostage, not arresting him. Glad we cleared that up. Suzunosuke, you don't have to do this. We'll protect you. ...no. * Suzunosuke bows to Lady Kaede. I will join you in a minute, my lady. If I might be permitted to bid farewell to my travelling companions? Suzunosuke! * Kaede nods. "We will wait." Mikoto, it has to be done. I'd always heard good things about the Arita clan. Sad to see you've descended to kidnapping. * Suzunosuke walks back inside. * Tairan shakes his head. * Mikoto narrows his eyes at Kaede. "I hope that when you grow up, you can learn the type of understanding and wisdom that Yae showed to me, and become worthy of your peers' respect." (And honor!) * Kaede scowls at Mikoto. "I am finding a peaceful solution to this stupid war. If you can't understand that, then begone. Oh, of course. Because kidnapping the son of the opposing leader always smooths things out. Silly me. I must have missed that in my tactics lessons. You are forcing the hand of the Takame. Do you think that holding Suzunosuke will change the clan lord's mind? He wouldn't dare attack us while we have his son. Maybe, maybe not. But it'll sure piss him off. * Mikoto raises an eyebrow. "You think not? Lord Takame has many sons and he knows that Suzunosuke is a man of upstanding honor and discipline who would gladly sacrifice his life for the honor of the clan. Your 'peaceful solution' may simply be the spark the lights the inferno." And don't forget that kidnapping his son gives Lord Takame justification to attack. He'd claim the moral high ground. And have it. That would work if he had such justification before actually attacking. ... I thought you were trying to prevent all out war. Now you're saying that it doesn't matter if it provokes him, because the fighting has already begun. This won't end it. It will simply make it worse. And what would you know? What clan do you hail from? * Tairan adjusts his hat. "See, now if you were smart, you'd send Suzunosuke back to his father with a message saying you want to meet at some neutral site to discuss your differences diplomatically. But, then, that would make sense." Yeah, that would work. Let's let our advantage go and watch him not care. * Mikoto glances at Kaede, then at Tairan, then at Kaede again. "This 'advantage' is a creation in your mind to rationalize this foolish choice." You still haven't told me what clan you hail from. Or show that your side has no interest in aggression, and claim the moral high ground by showing that clan Iwahara did everything it could to prevent a foolish war. Iwahara didn't start the war. * Mikoto shrugs his shoulders. "Ryuugen, who have a proud and long history of service to the throne. ANd you might find that 'fact' contested in Takame land." ... your response in the face of overwhelming logic and reason is "They started it"? * Tairan snorts. Is that what you call logic? I call it foolishly placing your hopes on someone's good will and watching as your people are destroyed when it doesn't work out. * Suzunosuke emerges from the temple with his rucksack. Mikoto. Tairan. * Mikoto frowns. "Taking custody of an innocent to alleviate your fears of losing is the height of dishonor!" Good journeys, good luck. Yeah, you're a perfect example of honor. Blondie. That's honor for ya. Gotta always stay true to it, except when you don't feel like it. * Suzunosuke bows to his former companions. * Mikoto ignores Kaede and grabs Suzunosuke's arm. "Don't do this. It's only going to make the conflict worse!" * Suzunosuke smiles faintly. * Tairan turns to Suz, bows, and whispers. "Say the word, and we'll wipe the floor with these losers." Don't follow MaryAnne off a cliff, okay? No, no, this must be. * Mikoto takes his hand back, but shakes his head. "Nothing 'has to be'. Don't be blind." Fear not. There are always options within inevitabilities. * Suzunosuke mounts a horse. Shall we go? * Mikoto sighs and closes his eyes. "Keep yourself safe, Suzunosuke. I expect to see you again someday." * Kaede nods to Suzunosuke. "I'm glad you see it our way." She starts forward. And you as well. * Tairan pats Suz on the shoulder. "If you say so." *turns to Kaede* "And please treat him with the utmost care and respect, lest I have to teach you a few more lessons on tactics." * Suzunosuke rides off into the distance. As he rounds a bend, you hear him ask, "Do the Iwahara have a good library?" (*snicker*) [And off they go.] * Mikoto sighs. "Idiots..." He glances at Tairan. "We might as well go inside." * Millie leans on the frame of the entrance to the temple. "Ain't never lost a partner yet...don't intend ta keep it like that..." Guess so. See, this is why I'm almost glad I was exiled... don't have to deal with bullshit clan politics. * John cracks his knuckles. "I still think it's just a bunch of bullshit." * Jinx shrugs. "Well... I'd say the rest of breakfest is ruined.. Shall we get tracking?" * Mikoto glances at Millie as he and Tairan approach. "I think your way would have been to tell Kaede what a foolish little girl she was being, take Suzunosuke, and to hell with the clans." He smiles bitterly. "I'm jealous, for I wanted very much to do just that." Actually, my way would have been to shoot Kaede in the face. But that would've worked too. Kaede? * Jinx snickers. The lady with the naginata up her ass back there. * Millie smirks slightly. "Actually, I didn't hear it. But if she's takin' him for war, then yeah, she's a damned fool." A samurai of the Arita clan, like Yae. She thinks holding Suzunosuke captive will bring an end to the conflict between the Iwahara and Takame clans. * MaryAnne goes somewhere else, such as back to the eatting room. * John nods. "When someone comes to take you away, you don't say 'please do!' Ya kick their ass." d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ardweden (d6) and gets 1. Yeah, I've heard of the conflict, and I'm sure you all know what I think of it. * Mikoto grins faintly at John. "Quite so. Kaede's mistaken. It's only going to make things worse. But Suzunosuke seems to think it'll help, so nothing can be done. I think it was foolish, but..." * Millie stretches her arms overhead, then realizes she's still in the kimono and grabs it before it slips. "Let's get back in an' find out what ta do 'bout Jan. We can't let this kinda setback slow us. Otherwise what he jus' did won't matter." [Someone pokes John on the shoulder. "Whatcha think of it?"] * John looks over his shoulder to see who's poking him... * Jinx nods at Millie. "So, you keeping that?" * Millie spreads out her arms a little, looking over to see who John's looking at with a casual interest. "Well, what do you think? If ya think it looks good, I don't see why not." (Why me? ;_;) (Because you're John.) [Behind John is a pretty cute girl in a blue ninja outfit, sans hood and mask. Her her eyes are brown, as well as her hair, which is long and unbound. She smiles and waves when he turns.] * Mikoto laughs. "I think i--" He blinks and looks in John's direction, startled. * Tairan blinks at the newcomer. * John sighs. "Didn't see you there before, but anyways, I think it's a bunch of bullshit. Now if you don't mind, don't do that again." * Jinx seems vaguely nonplused at Millie's response, but he quickly changes his attention over to the girl behind John. * Millie looks over at who John's talking to over her shoulder..then blinks..and turns towards her, staring. "Why are ya wearin' night clothes?" * Ninja pouts. "That's not very nice." (I hope she doesn't flip out and kill me. ;_;) (Nope. That's my job.) * John shrugs. "Ya asked, why should I lie?" * Ninja grins at Millie. "They're not night clothes! They're sneaky clothes! For sneaking." ... those aren't night clothes, Millie. She's a ninja. * Millie rubs the back of her head oddly. "Well, ya don't look like yer sneakin' now." An' it's daytime. If you'll excuse my paranoia and irritability, Miss Shinobi, who are you and what do you want? * Jinx looks confused. "Ninja... that something like Rocky?" I was until a few seconds ago, though! * John scratches his head. "I'd guess so. So, what do you want?" Well, ain't the point of sneakin' not ta give yourself away? Ninja's a warrior class. Specialize in stealth, recon, espionage, assassination... anything that requires more subtlety than the average grunt can provide. * Ninja turns to Mikoto. "Well, I found out a bunch of Westerners were here at the shrine, and they were travelling with Lord Takame's son, so I came to escort him home. Where is he? ( Ninja specialize in everything :P ) ... (Ninja are badass.) * Mikoto actually manages to vocalize an ellipse. ... your timing is truly awful. Aw shit. * Ninja tilts her head. "What?" (Kaede does it all the time, it's not that special Mikoto ^_^;) (Arcana Kaede not this Kaede) * Mikoto takes a deep breath. "He's CURRENTLY on the back of a horse, heading toward the Iwahara capital escorted by Arita clan guardsmen." ( This Kaede's more interesting :P ) ( ;_; ) * Ninja blinks. Twice. "Oh." So... he's not here? * Jinx nods at Tairan and then looks back at the Ninja, he doesn't really react to the unfortunnate timing. They're kidnapping him on the theory that doing that will somehow calm tensions. Wait...why is someone in jammies tryin' ta take Suz home? ( THIS is his rescue party? ) (The rest is hidden.) (Like the ninja.) Well, that sucks. Which way did he go? ... ninja, Millie. Trained warriors. * Millie looks at Tairan, and blank stares at him as she points to the ninja. "...she look trained to ya?" * Mikoto points north. "That way." He glances between Millie and Jinx. "Ninja are stealth experts, spies, and sometimes assassins." * Tairan points. "Feel free to go rescue him. Be sure to kick Kaede in the face a coupla times for me." * John shrugs. "What better way to be trained than to look in-offensive, then catch them off guard?" * Ninja looks north, then to Mikoto. "'Kay! Thanks!" Then she runs off in that direction, really fast. * John blinks. "Impressive." ... yeah, that's gonna work out well. ... * Jinx nods at Mikoto and then turns his attention back to the ninja. "Huh, wow. So.. Let's get going before the war starts." I s'pose... Uh... * Mikoto nods at Jinx. "I'm for that. The quicker we leave Iwahara territory, the better." Well, course ya could run that fast if yer not wearin' one o' these things... * Millie tugs at the kimono again. I agree as well. And Millie? Ya might want to change out of that when we actually start goin' somewhere. ( Actually, you'd probably have to have a horse to move that fast. ) * Millie pouts at John, putting her fists on her hips. "But come onnn! I look good in it! Admit it!" * Mikoto grins. "Maybe we can get you a sneaking suit to go with the kimono." ( I have a ninja?!? @@; ) ... of course, Kai territory is not likely to be much friendlier. I hope my memory of which clans won't shoot Westerners on sight isn't out of date. * Jinx bows to the priests. "Thanks for your hospitality." He then walks outside, pointedly ignoring the Millie and John discussion. (It's Suzu's very own ninja! He gets to feed it and pet it and take care of it and take it to the vet...) * Mikoto turns to Tairan with a grim smile. "Don't be silly. The ones who'd kill Westerners on sight won't have guns." ( More like the other way around :P ) ... point. [Ryoichi's not there anymore. Kazue smiles apologetically.] * John smirks. "Yes you do. Now let's get going before we lose more ground." ["I'm sorry," she says, "But he was put out. He's composing a letter to the leader of the Iwahara clan now."] * Millie blinks and holds up her finger to argue, then puffs out her cheeks and hikes up the kimono to walk inside. We apologize for bringing this trouble to your doorstep. Hopefully our departure will keep further problems from arriving. [She nods. "It's not a problem. If it weren't for you..." She trails off for a moment, then frowns and shakes her head. "Well, if you like, I can provide directions to the nearest town."] ( Actually, Mikoto sounds very Japanese when he talks like that :P ) ( *starts ending every sentence with 'de gozaru'* ) We'd appreciate it. I don't suppose the temple has heard any rumors of a bandit gang passing through nearby towns? * Mikoto heads inside to retrieve his things after bowing his thanks to Kaede. ( Kozue. Kazue. Miki. Utena! ) [She frowns. "Millie actually asked me that last night. Let me get Ryoichi." She ducks back into the temple, and before long returns with the old priest, who looks almost... angry.] * Jinx slips back in to grab his saddlebag from the room, then returns outside again. ["What?" He blinks, then bows. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just in the middle of composing a letter in an effort to-" He stops himself. "What can I do for you?"] * John already has his saddlebag. ^_^ We were wondering if you'd heard any reports of a bandit gang passing through nearby towns. We're trying to pick up the trail of one such gang. * Millie heads back out, her hair flowing to her shoulder as she's braiding it. She's back in her ordinary garb. She still looks good in that, but it's just not the same. ;_; [Ryoichi considers. "Well, there were some travelers who passed by a day or two before you appeared. They were talking rather loudly about a group of mixed ancestry, much as yourself - in fact, when you first appeared, I thought it was you they referred to." He smiles faintly. "Though you don't seem to have Kojiro in your ranks."] (Tairan, give me a mind roll, -4.) * Mikoto follows Millie out, armed again and looking irritated, which immediately changes to concilitory as he catches Ryouichi's comment. "Kojiro?" 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Tairan (2d6-4) and gets 0. (I hope he makes that. :P) * The kimono is folded neatly over her shoulder as she braids her hair, sighing as she leans her cheek almost against her shoulder, Greenpeace strapped behind her. ( Made it. I sure hope I did. =P ) [He nods. "I just brushed it off as a rumor. One of those wild tales travelers make up."] Who's this now? Buncha people passin' thru. Mixed group, like us. Sounds like Janny an' friends. * Jinx realizes no one followed him outside, and comes back to listen to the conversation. That's what I'm hopin'. * Mikoto looks puzzled. "This is getting somewhat suspicious. The west's most notorious bandit? The east's most storied ronin?" * Millie gets out one of her ribbons to tie one of the braids and goes to work on the other one. ... Kojiro. Cool. Wait...so we've got a famous group on BOTH sides of the fence? * Mikoto nods. "Kojiro is... well, his exploits get a little wilder with every story attached to him, but it's fairly certain he *is* a very real and very skilled warrior." He's prolly the most famous ronin out east. Damn good with a sword, supposedly some kinda ladies man. * Millie loses her expression into one of a faint manic grin as she rubs her hands together. "Jus' perfect...." ( Yeah, but can he do this? *ting!*) ( *sparkles and roses*) Could be that he's Jan's Eastern contact. ( ...oh, I can't wait until John and Kojiro meet now. ) ( An' he don't wear a kimono as good as I do.) * Jinx glances up. "Huh, don't suppose there's a bounty on him?" (That's what Millie thinks.) In which case our job just got a wee bit tougher. ( does too :P ) * John shrugs. "It doesn't matter who she's got with him. We're takin' them in." (Now that's just worrisome :P) * Mikoto shrugs. "Actually, it makes our immediate job a little easier. Kojiro is very high profile. He should be easy to track." * Jinx nods at Mikoto. "Good. So shall we get back on that then?" * Tairan chuckles. "Taking down the most feared ronin in Shomura... that'd sure help my rep." [Ryoichi blinks. "You're going after Kojiro?"] * Millie finishes tying her second braid and walks over to Kazue with the folded kimono in her hands. "Didja want this back? Actually I think it looks pretty nice..if ya want anythin' for it..." * Mikoto nods. "We think he and the rest of his group stole something of historical interest from Teck." Not really. We're after a Western bandit, but it's possible they have contacts here in the East. [Kazue smiles. "Keep it." She pushes it back into Millie's arms. "Think of it as a going away present."] * Millie smiles, her eyes twinkling as she hugs it to her chest. "Reaallly? Thanks, Kazue!" She gives her a big hug. [Ryoichi ahs. "Well... good luck to you. The travelers who came this way were going down that path." He points to a trail winding southeast.] ( ... misparsed that as Kazoo, and now I'm picturing a small green floating Shinto priestess. x_X ) * John chuckles, then looks in that direction. ( ...now that's obscure. Have 5 points. ) [Kazue oofs, then giggles and hugs her back. "You're welcome. Try not to get it dirty, okay?"] * Mikoto looks around. "Where's Miss Pippins?" * Millie slowly releases that. "I'll do my best. She smirks and sets her hat on her head, tipping it forward a bit then digging through her pack for the map, heading over to Ryoichi. "Say...which village is it on here?" She unravels it near him. [In that direction is a fire-breathing dragon! Actually, it's a pleasant forest trail.] ( Flintstones are *not* obscure. ) ( Points! w00t. ) [Ryoichi looks. "It would be right about here." He points. "If you're going the way the travelers came, anyway. I'd say half a day's journey, at most."] * Millie nods. "Anywhere we can rent some horses or somethin'?" * Millie looks at the rest of them. "If we split the cost, it shouldn't be that bad..an' it'll make catchin' up a LOT easier..." (Sure - There is a local Crazy Feathers right over by the hot springs.) [Ryoichi shakes his head. "I don't know."] Well...here's ta hopin'. * Jinx shrugs. "I suppose we'll find out when we get there." He takes a few tenative steps towards the trail and glances back for followers. We might be able to find mounts once we reach the city. And we should sound out which parts of Ki territory are hostile to Westerners. * Millie gives Ryoichi a faint smile and looks for a safe spot for the beautiful kimono. I should be able to help with that... but again, my information may be somewhat out of date. [And then, they said their goodbyes and went on their way! Session End.]