Gatac
You *will* believe a man can fly.
Shinobi 19 - The eagle's flight
Gatac
Gatac
You don't even recognize the place! And by "you", we mean Toshiba, who's not actually been to Adler's hangout. It probably does seem like an ordinary little tavern, when it's not guarded by a ring of teenagers in battle rags hefting gonnes of all descriptions, branching from the familiar longgonnes and a few bandoleers filled with the shortgonnes Holger favors. No, in what just has to be a fundamental misapprehension of military theory, the smallest - let's just go ahead and call them "kids" - are carrying the rare and expensive minigonnes. Someone's going to put an eye out with those!
The longer Toshiba surveys the scene, the clearer it becomes he does recognize this place. Has he strayed here before, or is the Blue Oni's influence growing even with the armor apart from the man?
---
When you're a classically-trained ninja like Kagemaru, you learn to appreciate rooftops. All the myriad roofs! There are roofs with shingles, thatched roofs, overlapping wooden boards, stone roofs, sometimes even leather roofs! Straight roofs, angled roofs, square roofs, round roofs, pointed roofs, sturdy roofs and roofs that punish every wrong move with falling through.
Oh, Kagemaru could write a damn book. About roofs.
He clambers up a chimney to reach a wooden truss hanging out into nothingness (presumably for hanging a lantern or something like that) and perches on top of it to get a better idea of his surroundings. With this bird's eye view, he sees that the tavern is not actually a separate building at all, though it may appear so at a glance; the alleys around it are narrow and winding, more like a labyrinth, and with the help of the suit's view-enhancing mask, he can spot the connections between the buildings, the thin wires strung up between their roofs, the many hatches, even sturdy waist-high walls on top of the roofs whose decorative flourishes double as gonne-ports! This is no mere tavern - it's a fort, and the masses of Adler's runners manning the battlements reveals its purpose as such. No wonder Kagemaru had an easy time skipping from roof to roof on his first entry here - the buildings are designed for such, though no doubt they hold nasty surprises when the defenders man them.
And what of that nearby church and its tower that, well, towers over the entire quarter of the city? Kagemaru paid it little mind last time, but it does stand awfully close to the "fort". Kagemaru sees no obvious way it connects to the defenses, but then again, that's probably the point.
---
Aiko and the Informant are waved through the defenses rather swiftly, which sets the security-minded investigator on edge. Do a few friendly visits to Adler really rate not even being searched, let alone suspected? Then again, this road is taking her straight into the Adler's den - perhaps that's exactly where he wants her.
"Adler will know what to do," the Informant says. "He always does."
The longer Toshiba surveys the scene, the clearer it becomes he does recognize this place. Has he strayed here before, or is the Blue Oni's influence growing even with the armor apart from the man?
---
When you're a classically-trained ninja like Kagemaru, you learn to appreciate rooftops. All the myriad roofs! There are roofs with shingles, thatched roofs, overlapping wooden boards, stone roofs, sometimes even leather roofs! Straight roofs, angled roofs, square roofs, round roofs, pointed roofs, sturdy roofs and roofs that punish every wrong move with falling through.
Oh, Kagemaru could write a damn book. About roofs.
He clambers up a chimney to reach a wooden truss hanging out into nothingness (presumably for hanging a lantern or something like that) and perches on top of it to get a better idea of his surroundings. With this bird's eye view, he sees that the tavern is not actually a separate building at all, though it may appear so at a glance; the alleys around it are narrow and winding, more like a labyrinth, and with the help of the suit's view-enhancing mask, he can spot the connections between the buildings, the thin wires strung up between their roofs, the many hatches, even sturdy waist-high walls on top of the roofs whose decorative flourishes double as gonne-ports! This is no mere tavern - it's a fort, and the masses of Adler's runners manning the battlements reveals its purpose as such. No wonder Kagemaru had an easy time skipping from roof to roof on his first entry here - the buildings are designed for such, though no doubt they hold nasty surprises when the defenders man them.
And what of that nearby church and its tower that, well, towers over the entire quarter of the city? Kagemaru paid it little mind last time, but it does stand awfully close to the "fort". Kagemaru sees no obvious way it connects to the defenses, but then again, that's probably the point.
---
Aiko and the Informant are waved through the defenses rather swiftly, which sets the security-minded investigator on edge. Do a few friendly visits to Adler really rate not even being searched, let alone suspected? Then again, this road is taking her straight into the Adler's den - perhaps that's exactly where he wants her.
"Adler will know what to do," the Informant says. "He always does."
Admiral Duck Sauce
"Gonnes, gonnes, gonnes," Toshiba mutters to himself. He relaxes and tries to let the vague haunting memory of the fort seep into him before cautiously meandering around the perimeter, casing the place.
Gatac
(Toshiba's Investigate: 1d20+11 = 30)
The - memories? visions? hallucinations? - come easily to Toshiba as he walks in the footsteps of the man who used to be the Blue Oni.
---
The streets of Kargbeck stink. Demons all around, a defensive bubble around their master. This is just business.
---
Cellars under the tavern. Tunnels. Those foreigners build high and low. A pitiful place for a pitiful man. Adler's form is shrouded under his cloak.
"I have the gonnes and the gliders," Adler says.
"Kira!" Toshiba barks. "Pay unto our ally his bounty."
"Oh, no need, no need!" Adler says, folding his hands in a gesture of supplication. Toshiba feels the rage welling up inside him. "We serve the same master, after all -"
"The Blue Oni serves neither master nor gods," Toshiba says. "The Blue Oni deals squarely in all matters, so you will have my coin or I will have your tongue, you honorless swine!"
"Of course, if you insist..."
---
The way out. More disgust. Is there not one man in this crooked city who stands tall?
---
Toshiba barely stops himself from wandering into the light. The front door - is not the front door at all! But Toshiba knows the hidden entrance to the side that leads down to the cellars, the true refuge of the man they call Adler!
The - memories? visions? hallucinations? - come easily to Toshiba as he walks in the footsteps of the man who used to be the Blue Oni.
---
The streets of Kargbeck stink. Demons all around, a defensive bubble around their master. This is just business.
---
Cellars under the tavern. Tunnels. Those foreigners build high and low. A pitiful place for a pitiful man. Adler's form is shrouded under his cloak.
"I have the gonnes and the gliders," Adler says.
"Kira!" Toshiba barks. "Pay unto our ally his bounty."
"Oh, no need, no need!" Adler says, folding his hands in a gesture of supplication. Toshiba feels the rage welling up inside him. "We serve the same master, after all -"
"The Blue Oni serves neither master nor gods," Toshiba says. "The Blue Oni deals squarely in all matters, so you will have my coin or I will have your tongue, you honorless swine!"
"Of course, if you insist..."
---
The way out. More disgust. Is there not one man in this crooked city who stands tall?
---
Toshiba barely stops himself from wandering into the light. The front door - is not the front door at all! But Toshiba knows the hidden entrance to the side that leads down to the cellars, the true refuge of the man they call Adler!
Admiral Duck Sauce
"Whoa," Toshiba keanus to himself. He continues his slow circuit towards the revelated secret entrance. As he walks, he looks for Kagemaru, hoping to signal him to watch the front.
Toshiba enters the hidden entrance and looks for a good place to skulk where he could ideally intercept anyone coming or going, but also be able to eavesdrop or at least discern the gist of the proceedings.
Toshiba enters the hidden entrance and looks for a good place to skulk where he could ideally intercept anyone coming or going, but also be able to eavesdrop or at least discern the gist of the proceedings.
Mister Andersen
"Adler will know what to do," the Informant says. "He always does."
"He certainly knew how to piss the Oni off," Aiko mutters grimly.
"He certainly knew how to piss the Oni off," Aiko mutters grimly.
Gatac
The thieves on lookout relax slightly at the sight of the Informant, who Aiko quickly realizes has a few years on most of them. Adler must have recalled his runners from all over the city for his quote-unquote "last stand". If Aiko knows anything about how these things tend to go down, he will surely throw his loyals to the city guard while he makes good on his own escape. Despicable.
The gaggle of people quickly moves into the tavern proper. Aiko's in the middle of the crowd, hearing stray bits of conversation in Hanse bouncing all around her. The thieves - you know what? Let's be clear about it. The children chatter amongst themselves about how they're scared, but the older ones keep reassuring them. Adler will know what to do. Adler will take care of it.
---
The rapid disappearance of the crowd makes approaching the secret entrance almost like a stroll in a noble's private gardens for Toshiba. (The idea of a "park" having yet to be invented.) For a bunch of people who are actually fairly good at sneaking and running on rooftops, Adler's thieves show a critical lack of one very important ninja skill: keeping your eyes open. You could just walk in. Well, if you timed it right, knew their innermost secrets and were able to run across a field of gravel without making a sound, a surprisingly broad demographic in clan to clan warfare. Either way, a shameful showing. In Toshiba's mind, anybody worth a damn could stroll in and assassinate their kage while he was lying in bed blissfully unaware.
(Thus the old ninja curse: "May you die in your sleep.")
Inside, it's just how Toshiba - or the Blue Oni, at this rate - remembers. Rough stonework, flickering torches that leave soot stains on the low ceilings, and a cold and dank air that is more fit for a tomb than a proper hideout. Heck, the Red Dragon clan's cave/treasure vault had a better climate. Don't these foreigners know anything?
Voices echo from the maze of twisty little passages. Toshiba ducks into a dark corner and listens in. Adler's voice! If only he could make out what the thief is saying...
---
Holger, Kasumi, Yukio and the small team of heavily-armed guards arrive in the alley opposite the hideout's tavern front, Kasumi having posted two messages with one of the few runners still willing to make money tonight. The streets around the hideout are empty as the city quarter holds its collective breath. Holger risks a few peeks at the tavern, then produces a metal whistle from his coat. He blows once. In the next few seconds, five more calls from all over the quarter answer.
"My crews are rolling up," Holger says. "You want to get in before shit goes heavy, it's now, chica."
The gaggle of people quickly moves into the tavern proper. Aiko's in the middle of the crowd, hearing stray bits of conversation in Hanse bouncing all around her. The thieves - you know what? Let's be clear about it. The children chatter amongst themselves about how they're scared, but the older ones keep reassuring them. Adler will know what to do. Adler will take care of it.
---
The rapid disappearance of the crowd makes approaching the secret entrance almost like a stroll in a noble's private gardens for Toshiba. (The idea of a "park" having yet to be invented.) For a bunch of people who are actually fairly good at sneaking and running on rooftops, Adler's thieves show a critical lack of one very important ninja skill: keeping your eyes open. You could just walk in. Well, if you timed it right, knew their innermost secrets and were able to run across a field of gravel without making a sound, a surprisingly broad demographic in clan to clan warfare. Either way, a shameful showing. In Toshiba's mind, anybody worth a damn could stroll in and assassinate their kage while he was lying in bed blissfully unaware.
(Thus the old ninja curse: "May you die in your sleep.")
Inside, it's just how Toshiba - or the Blue Oni, at this rate - remembers. Rough stonework, flickering torches that leave soot stains on the low ceilings, and a cold and dank air that is more fit for a tomb than a proper hideout. Heck, the Red Dragon clan's cave/treasure vault had a better climate. Don't these foreigners know anything?
Voices echo from the maze of twisty little passages. Toshiba ducks into a dark corner and listens in. Adler's voice! If only he could make out what the thief is saying...
---
Holger, Kasumi, Yukio and the small team of heavily-armed guards arrive in the alley opposite the hideout's tavern front, Kasumi having posted two messages with one of the few runners still willing to make money tonight. The streets around the hideout are empty as the city quarter holds its collective breath. Holger risks a few peeks at the tavern, then produces a metal whistle from his coat. He blows once. In the next few seconds, five more calls from all over the quarter answer.
"My crews are rolling up," Holger says. "You want to get in before shit goes heavy, it's now, chica."
Mister Andersen
Aiko surveys the gaijin children, trying her best to be analytical about the situation, to let her head rule her heart as the Manual declares befits an Inquisitor.
She does not kid herself that Hanse notions of honour are much different from Imperial ones. While it is expected that a person would at least look out for the offspring of fallen comrades, most people are going to put the needs of their own blood first. There will always be children who have no home, or who have for whatever reason chosen to leave it. They will always learn that the notion of 'childhood' is... negotiable. There will always be people to... negotiate it with.
She catches sight of familiar features. A boy, like her: the offspring of two cultures, probably not entirely welcome in either. How many people refused her and her mother because she'd borne the child of a gaijin?
When it comes down to it, is service to Adler any worse than indenture to a monastary, or the army, or the household of a noble, or any other crime family? At least here the boy has people who -- more or less -- care for him. Would the 'good and the worthy' of this city have offered such succor?
Death will come when it comes, and is not laying your life down for your master the greatest of honours?
Kami-Aiko, wearing her regal kimono, whispers authoratively: [color=blue:12add488c3]We must work out how to get Adler to divulge his connection to the pirate lord.[/color]
[color=red:12add488c3]What we must do,[/color] Oni-Aiko counters contemptuously in her brazenly abreviated armour, [color=red:12add488c3]is kill the bastard before the slaughter starts and he flees.[/color]
She does not kid herself that Hanse notions of honour are much different from Imperial ones. While it is expected that a person would at least look out for the offspring of fallen comrades, most people are going to put the needs of their own blood first. There will always be children who have no home, or who have for whatever reason chosen to leave it. They will always learn that the notion of 'childhood' is... negotiable. There will always be people to... negotiate it with.
She catches sight of familiar features. A boy, like her: the offspring of two cultures, probably not entirely welcome in either. How many people refused her and her mother because she'd borne the child of a gaijin?
When it comes down to it, is service to Adler any worse than indenture to a monastary, or the army, or the household of a noble, or any other crime family? At least here the boy has people who -- more or less -- care for him. Would the 'good and the worthy' of this city have offered such succor?
Death will come when it comes, and is not laying your life down for your master the greatest of honours?
Kami-Aiko, wearing her regal kimono, whispers authoratively: [color=blue:12add488c3]We must work out how to get Adler to divulge his connection to the pirate lord.[/color]
[color=red:12add488c3]What we must do,[/color] Oni-Aiko counters contemptuously in her brazenly abreviated armour, [color=red:12add488c3]is kill the bastard before the slaughter starts and he flees.[/color]
punkey
Kasumi nods to Holger. "Wait here. Give me whatever time you have. I'm not interested in a bloodbath today."
She and Yukio both step out of the alley and into the view of the guards - My Gods, they can't be any older than 16, Kasumi thinks - and stands her ground next to Yukio in the middle of the square in front of the inn.
"Take me in to see Adler!" she shouts in the most authoritative voice she can muster.
She and Yukio both step out of the alley and into the view of the guards - My Gods, they can't be any older than 16, Kasumi thinks - and stands her ground next to Yukio in the middle of the square in front of the inn.
"Take me in to see Adler!" she shouts in the most authoritative voice she can muster.
Gatac
(Kasumi's Impress: 1d20+13+6 = 33)
Well, Kasumi certainly gets their attention - three barely visible gonnes swivel in their firing ports as the thieves take aim at her and Yukio. Yukio does her best to look determined in the face of getting filled with lead.
A few seconds pass where the thieves seem to be unsure how to proceed, until one answers in sloppy Imperial.
"Who you are?" he shouts.
"Someone with an important message for Adler!" Kasumi shouts back. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, now would I?"
"Nobody come inside!" the thief shouts back. "You have message, then you give me!"
"Given the current situation, I think that it's in Adler's best interest to decide what's important, and what's not!" Kasumi continues. "You bring us in, to Adler, and we talk! Believe me, he's going to want to hear what I have to say!"
"You talk big but say nothing!" the thief replies. "Nobody come inside. You leave now or we shoot."
"Why don't you ask Adler if he wants that to happen!" Kasumi replies. She pulls a folded paper crane from her pocket, but one not of the typical folds. When Kasumi flips it towards the inn, it spins and carries itself nearly onto the steps. "And show him that!"
That produces silence. A few moments later, a young thief comes running around the corner, snatches up the paper crane and sprints back into the darkness. "You wait!" the loud thief cries. "You move, we shoot."
Yukio speaks up without taking her eyes off the fortress. "I assume that secret wasn't meant for me to see."
"I would have preferred to have told you when we are not at gunpoint," Kasumi says, keeping her own eyes forward and her voice firm, "but I have been clear about it from the beginning. I am not a hero. I am a thief."
"I am under no illusions about your past, my dear Kasumi," Yukio answers, "as I well recall the day your friends showed up at my doorstep with orders to kill me. I am merely - surprised that you were a criminal of such renown that I recognize your sign. I expected a crooked geisha, but clearly I have made a habit of underestimating you."
"All part of the idea, love," Kasumi says. "And I am still a criminal. Not were." She sighs. "Now, let's see if Adler's heard of me as well."
A short while later (just as having gonnes pointed at you is somehow becoming boring) the loud thief calls out again. "You go in, all two. Herr Adler has a message for you."
Kasumi looks at Yukio. "Finally. Watch our back. And keep an eye out for Aiko."
"Consider it done," Yukio says. She grasps her sword tightly, clearly going over a few battōjutsu drills in her head.
Kasumi's thoughts fill with contingency plans and escape routes, not to mention thinking of a way to let Aiko know that the situation has changed for the dire, and that Adler leaving is a very bad idea. She consciously forces her hands away from her sword, trying to appear aware, but not ready to attack.
Well, Kasumi certainly gets their attention - three barely visible gonnes swivel in their firing ports as the thieves take aim at her and Yukio. Yukio does her best to look determined in the face of getting filled with lead.
A few seconds pass where the thieves seem to be unsure how to proceed, until one answers in sloppy Imperial.
"Who you are?" he shouts.
"Someone with an important message for Adler!" Kasumi shouts back. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, now would I?"
"Nobody come inside!" the thief shouts back. "You have message, then you give me!"
"Given the current situation, I think that it's in Adler's best interest to decide what's important, and what's not!" Kasumi continues. "You bring us in, to Adler, and we talk! Believe me, he's going to want to hear what I have to say!"
"You talk big but say nothing!" the thief replies. "Nobody come inside. You leave now or we shoot."
"Why don't you ask Adler if he wants that to happen!" Kasumi replies. She pulls a folded paper crane from her pocket, but one not of the typical folds. When Kasumi flips it towards the inn, it spins and carries itself nearly onto the steps. "And show him that!"
That produces silence. A few moments later, a young thief comes running around the corner, snatches up the paper crane and sprints back into the darkness. "You wait!" the loud thief cries. "You move, we shoot."
Yukio speaks up without taking her eyes off the fortress. "I assume that secret wasn't meant for me to see."
"I would have preferred to have told you when we are not at gunpoint," Kasumi says, keeping her own eyes forward and her voice firm, "but I have been clear about it from the beginning. I am not a hero. I am a thief."
"I am under no illusions about your past, my dear Kasumi," Yukio answers, "as I well recall the day your friends showed up at my doorstep with orders to kill me. I am merely - surprised that you were a criminal of such renown that I recognize your sign. I expected a crooked geisha, but clearly I have made a habit of underestimating you."
"All part of the idea, love," Kasumi says. "And I am still a criminal. Not were." She sighs. "Now, let's see if Adler's heard of me as well."
A short while later (just as having gonnes pointed at you is somehow becoming boring) the loud thief calls out again. "You go in, all two. Herr Adler has a message for you."
Kasumi looks at Yukio. "Finally. Watch our back. And keep an eye out for Aiko."
"Consider it done," Yukio says. She grasps her sword tightly, clearly going over a few battōjutsu drills in her head.
Kasumi's thoughts fill with contingency plans and escape routes, not to mention thinking of a way to let Aiko know that the situation has changed for the dire, and that Adler leaving is a very bad idea. She consciously forces her hands away from her sword, trying to appear aware, but not ready to attack.
Admiral Duck Sauce
Quote:Voices echo from the maze of twisty little passages. Toshiba ducks into a dark corner and listens in. Adler's voice! If only he could make out what the thief is saying...
Toshiba grimaces. It was not his intention to stray too far inside but Adler could be revealing any manner of vital secrets; his orders to his orphan would-be soldiers, contingency plans for his capture, machinations to see Toshiba's friends killed...
The ex-Ayami skulks closer, trying to find a vantage point within earshot of the thiefmaker.
Gatac
Aiko's meeting with Adler is...unspectacular. His room in the tunnels underneath the tavern is sparse, cold grey bricks with only a few tapestries to trap the heat a little. He sits on a simple wooden chair, elbow on the armrest and face sunk into his hand as if in the throes of deep sorrow. In the middle of the children and teenagers that serve him, Adler looks old - especially with his hood down, showing his graying hair and sharp features.
"Hello, Aiko," he says without looking up. "Please wait for just a minute. I have more guests and I think it will be best if I deal with all of you at once."
Uh oh. That doesn't sound so friendly.
The Informant crouches down next to him and whispers a few words into his ear; Adler simply nods weakly every few seconds. Their chat is disturbed when a few of the kids escort the other "guests" into the room - Kasumi and Yukio. Adler dismisses the kids who escorted them in with a handwave; there's still more than enough of his thieves in the room to make a fight difficult, and he needs as many bodies on the ramparts as possible.
"Allow me," Adler says. "Aiko, before you stand the Crane and her consort. The Crane is one of your Imperial criminals - though given their number I can hardly expect you to have heard of all of them. Crane, this is Aiko, and she would have you in chains before a court were the situation more favorable. You, of course, both know me - though we've not met, Crane, I have seen your handiwork in this city. Now, Aiko, you are here to offer your aid and I commend that. Crane, you've a message for me. Might you be so good as to share it with me now?"
"Hello, Aiko," he says without looking up. "Please wait for just a minute. I have more guests and I think it will be best if I deal with all of you at once."
Uh oh. That doesn't sound so friendly.
The Informant crouches down next to him and whispers a few words into his ear; Adler simply nods weakly every few seconds. Their chat is disturbed when a few of the kids escort the other "guests" into the room - Kasumi and Yukio. Adler dismisses the kids who escorted them in with a handwave; there's still more than enough of his thieves in the room to make a fight difficult, and he needs as many bodies on the ramparts as possible.
"Allow me," Adler says. "Aiko, before you stand the Crane and her consort. The Crane is one of your Imperial criminals - though given their number I can hardly expect you to have heard of all of them. Crane, this is Aiko, and she would have you in chains before a court were the situation more favorable. You, of course, both know me - though we've not met, Crane, I have seen your handiwork in this city. Now, Aiko, you are here to offer your aid and I commend that. Crane, you've a message for me. Might you be so good as to share it with me now?"
punkey
"Van Synt has sent his city guard to finish the job the Blue Oni started," Kasumi says. "They have the building surrounded, and will strike in minutes. They are armed, and even if you somehow manage to escape, it will spell doom for the little family you have built here."
Kasumi gives Adler a coy smile as the rather disturbing news breaks over Adler's head. "Now that I have provided my bit of information, I believe it is your turn to answer one of my questions. That is your game, is it not?" She drops the smile and takes a step towards Adler. "And believe me, Adler, the answer to this question could very well save more lives than just your own."
Kasumi bends over and lifts Adler's chin with her hand, so the thief "king" is looking her in the eyes. "The lives of your flock quite possibly depend on you answering truthfully." She pauses for effect, and for Adler to focus on her eyes. "Who was the one who ordered you and that ninja to participate in the assassination of Tingarson? Who was the one that was pulling your strings?"
Kasumi gives Adler a coy smile as the rather disturbing news breaks over Adler's head. "Now that I have provided my bit of information, I believe it is your turn to answer one of my questions. That is your game, is it not?" She drops the smile and takes a step towards Adler. "And believe me, Adler, the answer to this question could very well save more lives than just your own."
Kasumi bends over and lifts Adler's chin with her hand, so the thief "king" is looking her in the eyes. "The lives of your flock quite possibly depend on you answering truthfully." She pauses for effect, and for Adler to focus on her eyes. "Who was the one who ordered you and that ninja to participate in the assassination of Tingarson? Who was the one that was pulling your strings?"
Gatac
Adler's face wears the slightest smirk as Kasumi lifts it.
"Olafsen," he says. "It was Olafsen who ordered the Magistrate's death. I gave that ninja the information on Tingarson's...preferences."
He brushes Kasumi's hand off and turns to Aiko.
"A precious question, Aiko: knowing all that you have just heard, what will you do now?"
He turns back to Kasumi.
"And since you play my game so well, Crane, a question for you, too: do you know how dangerous it is for you to bring Yukio Matsumoto into my home?"
"Olafsen," he says. "It was Olafsen who ordered the Magistrate's death. I gave that ninja the information on Tingarson's...preferences."
He brushes Kasumi's hand off and turns to Aiko.
"A precious question, Aiko: knowing all that you have just heard, what will you do now?"
He turns back to Kasumi.
"And since you play my game so well, Crane, a question for you, too: do you know how dangerous it is for you to bring Yukio Matsumoto into my home?"
Mister Andersen
"That thrice damed bandit has destroyed you here," Aiko indicates the city without. "Probably as a distraction for some malfeasance he could not hope to accomplish otherwise.
"You have committed no crime against the Empire that I know of, Herr Adler," she continues, "though you may well be able to set me on the trail of those who have and in doing so allow me to collect the debt of blood and honour they sorely owe. Neither do I owe service to the powers here set against you. If we escape this rat trap, where will we go?"
"You have committed no crime against the Empire that I know of, Herr Adler," she continues, "though you may well be able to set me on the trail of those who have and in doing so allow me to collect the debt of blood and honour they sorely owe. Neither do I owe service to the powers here set against you. If we escape this rat trap, where will we go?"
punkey
"Given that you are at least affiliated with Olafsen, one of the men behind the conspiracy to kill Yukio, and are probably affiliated with others in the conspiracy, under most circumstances, I would say very much so," Kasumi says. She studies his face for any response as she rattles off what little she knows about the plot to kill Yukio for any response that could tell her if she's on the right track or not. "However, seeing as you're facing down both the Blue Oni and the city guard - and it is hard to tell who is more interested in seeing you cease to breathe - I would say that you need our help."
Kasumi looks around the room, and back to Adler. "The way I see things, Adler, you have two options without our aid. Either stay behind and try to save your flock, or cut and run, leaving them to their probably nasty fates at the hands of the Blue Oni and the city guard. And since you do not strike me as a monster who abandons his family, I think it is safe to say that the second option is off the table, yes?"
Kasumi looks around the room, and back to Adler. "The way I see things, Adler, you have two options without our aid. Either stay behind and try to save your flock, or cut and run, leaving them to their probably nasty fates at the hands of the Blue Oni and the city guard. And since you do not strike me as a monster who abandons his family, I think it is safe to say that the second option is off the table, yes?"
Gatac
(Kasumi's Sense Motive: 1d20+10 = 12)
(Adler's Bluff: 1d20+10 = 26)
Adler's pokerface proves tough for Kasumi to decrypt, given that she's never even seen him before. She can't discern any reaction either way to her words from his expression.
"As you can see, my dear Aiko, the Crane certainly holds me to be a criminal," Adler says, and laughs. "Listen to that! I'm a member of a conspiracy to kill this young woman" - he indicates Yukio - "how could you not be intent on capturing me and bringing me to a fair trial - ah, but then, Imperial justice is far away from here, is it not? Perhaps you could simply take the law into your own hands. I know your people take a harsh view of thieves and murderers - you could put me to the blade right here. I'm sure Yukio over there would gladly provide the edge to bring down another of the men who wish to harm her."
He turns to Kasumi.
"But then again, maybe Aiko's not so lawful anymore - she's picked another criminal over me, it seems. Oh, Crane, I would know little of your plans here without that vital piece of the puzzle you gave me in your carelessness. You and Yukio, working together with my Aiko at the Count's reception? Did you really not know my men were watching, or were you so arrogant as to think they would not report two Imperial women they did not know alongside one they did? You had the courtesy of telling me your name, so that I could be sure it was you - and your friends - who have already made so much trouble for Olafsen's Imperial stooges. And of course, fair Yukio, I would recognize the face of the woman Olafsen wants dead so badly."
A glance at Yukio shows her barely contained anger.
"Hie thy story, villain," she says, digging into her High Imperial upbringing. "I would hear the end of it and then be the end of you."
"Please, Yukio, let us not fight in here," Adler replies. "There are children present, you know."
(Adler's Bluff: 1d20+10 = 26)
Adler's pokerface proves tough for Kasumi to decrypt, given that she's never even seen him before. She can't discern any reaction either way to her words from his expression.
"As you can see, my dear Aiko, the Crane certainly holds me to be a criminal," Adler says, and laughs. "Listen to that! I'm a member of a conspiracy to kill this young woman" - he indicates Yukio - "how could you not be intent on capturing me and bringing me to a fair trial - ah, but then, Imperial justice is far away from here, is it not? Perhaps you could simply take the law into your own hands. I know your people take a harsh view of thieves and murderers - you could put me to the blade right here. I'm sure Yukio over there would gladly provide the edge to bring down another of the men who wish to harm her."
He turns to Kasumi.
"But then again, maybe Aiko's not so lawful anymore - she's picked another criminal over me, it seems. Oh, Crane, I would know little of your plans here without that vital piece of the puzzle you gave me in your carelessness. You and Yukio, working together with my Aiko at the Count's reception? Did you really not know my men were watching, or were you so arrogant as to think they would not report two Imperial women they did not know alongside one they did? You had the courtesy of telling me your name, so that I could be sure it was you - and your friends - who have already made so much trouble for Olafsen's Imperial stooges. And of course, fair Yukio, I would recognize the face of the woman Olafsen wants dead so badly."
A glance at Yukio shows her barely contained anger.
"Hie thy story, villain," she says, digging into her High Imperial upbringing. "I would hear the end of it and then be the end of you."
"Please, Yukio, let us not fight in here," Adler replies. "There are children present, you know."
punkey
"And greater matters besides," Kasumi says, putting herself between Yukio and Adler, her hand on Yukio's sword hand, but her gaze on Adler. "If you are done attempting to end your life prematurely, perhaps we can discuss the matter of preventing the waste of so many lives?" She cocks an eyebrow. "There is a time when one must guard one's back against shadows in the dark -" Kasumi gives Yukio's hand an nearly imperceptible squeeze to remind her to watch their backs, "- and a time when the only friends you have are those who were your enemies. Do not doubt that Yukio and I will be walking out of here, one way or another, but it does not have to be soaked in young blood."
She turns fully back to Adler. "Your usefulness to Olafsen and his ilk is at an end. The Kargbeck guards are out to end your life, and your presence here has already been compromised enough for them to easily justify slitting your throat to save them any trouble. Help us save the lives of your flock, tell us what you know, and we will ensure that Olafsen will never look for you again."
She turns fully back to Adler. "Your usefulness to Olafsen and his ilk is at an end. The Kargbeck guards are out to end your life, and your presence here has already been compromised enough for them to easily justify slitting your throat to save them any trouble. Help us save the lives of your flock, tell us what you know, and we will ensure that Olafsen will never look for you again."
Mister Andersen
(Aiko's Sense Motive: 1d20+13+5 = 30)
(Adler's Bluff should be adusted down by 3 or Aiko's Sense Motive up by 3 due to Skeptical if that makes nay difference)
Aiko's eyebrow quirks upwards as Adler refers to her in the possessive like some sort of kindly uncle. "Dear Herr Adler, it was you who introduced me to, ah, the Crane's retuine under the claim that they would help me find those responsible for my Lord's murder. I'm here because you have -- by my reckoning -- acted fairly by me in this matter, and we have a common enemy in the damned Oni.
"Do I have reason to escort you to your freedom or leave you to your death, my... friend?"
(Adler's Bluff should be adusted down by 3 or Aiko's Sense Motive up by 3 due to Skeptical if that makes nay difference)
Aiko's eyebrow quirks upwards as Adler refers to her in the possessive like some sort of kindly uncle. "Dear Herr Adler, it was you who introduced me to, ah, the Crane's retuine under the claim that they would help me find those responsible for my Lord's murder. I'm here because you have -- by my reckoning -- acted fairly by me in this matter, and we have a common enemy in the damned Oni.
"Do I have reason to escort you to your freedom or leave you to your death, my... friend?"
Gatac
(Since Aiko is responding to the same Bluff as Kasumi, I'll let Adler's last result stand. Not like he could really actually beat Aiko's roll in any realistic way, either.)
Adler's face darkens as Aiko picks his lie apart.
"Yes, to find the murderer of your lord!" he barks. "Not to conspire with the Crane against me!"
---
Toshiba's memories of the Blue Oni's last visit prove their mettle again in navigating the tunnels - not that it's too complicated, but it's good to have a gut feeling that he's going the right way, to the chamber where he - no, the Blue Oni - last met with Adler.
It's easy to go unheard when the conversation inside the chamber turns up the volume and masks Toshiba's footsteps, a technique developed to perfection by the Ayami master Samino Fisshā. Toshiba presses his back against the wall next to the entrance; certain that nobody is watching, he darts across the doorway to the other side, where a wooden shelf (that surely must be rotted through and through in this wet climate) provides shadow from the flickers of a nearby torch. From here, the rest of the conversation becomes comprehensible - and anyone who wishes to exit through this doorway will surely make a fine target for Toshiba's blade.
---
Adler's angry tirade does not abate.
"What is your game in this, Crane?" he accuses Kasumi. "We both know that you are in league with the Blue Oni! He took Olafsen's money and my gonnes, but did he deliver unto us the deed we contracted him for? No, he turned around and took your money to work against us, knowing our operation and that we could scarcely speak against his accusations in public! Is it not convenient how silver can make his goals align so neatly with yours?"
---
Kagemaru's memories of his passage are a little more - well, his own, to begin with - but they do take him into the tavern front from the roof entrance. He spies a few thieves guarding the extinguished fireplace - which Kagemaru cannot see very well, but (accurately) deduces to be a hidden passage, perhaps to where Adler is now. There are no signs of Aiko, Yukio and Kasumi, either, so presumably they have gone with Adler. Kagemaru watches the two thieves standing next to the fireplace carefully. They seem like drilled soldiers, stances rigid and eyes fixed forward.
Adler's face darkens as Aiko picks his lie apart.
"Yes, to find the murderer of your lord!" he barks. "Not to conspire with the Crane against me!"
---
Toshiba's memories of the Blue Oni's last visit prove their mettle again in navigating the tunnels - not that it's too complicated, but it's good to have a gut feeling that he's going the right way, to the chamber where he - no, the Blue Oni - last met with Adler.
It's easy to go unheard when the conversation inside the chamber turns up the volume and masks Toshiba's footsteps, a technique developed to perfection by the Ayami master Samino Fisshā. Toshiba presses his back against the wall next to the entrance; certain that nobody is watching, he darts across the doorway to the other side, where a wooden shelf (that surely must be rotted through and through in this wet climate) provides shadow from the flickers of a nearby torch. From here, the rest of the conversation becomes comprehensible - and anyone who wishes to exit through this doorway will surely make a fine target for Toshiba's blade.
---
Adler's angry tirade does not abate.
"What is your game in this, Crane?" he accuses Kasumi. "We both know that you are in league with the Blue Oni! He took Olafsen's money and my gonnes, but did he deliver unto us the deed we contracted him for? No, he turned around and took your money to work against us, knowing our operation and that we could scarcely speak against his accusations in public! Is it not convenient how silver can make his goals align so neatly with yours?"
---
Kagemaru's memories of his passage are a little more - well, his own, to begin with - but they do take him into the tavern front from the roof entrance. He spies a few thieves guarding the extinguished fireplace - which Kagemaru cannot see very well, but (accurately) deduces to be a hidden passage, perhaps to where Adler is now. There are no signs of Aiko, Yukio and Kasumi, either, so presumably they have gone with Adler. Kagemaru watches the two thieves standing next to the fireplace carefully. They seem like drilled soldiers, stances rigid and eyes fixed forward.
Mister Andersen
Aiko sighs. "Herr Adler, I came here on my own. The presence of the Blue Oni and his decision to come after you, or the two lovers over there deciding to force their way in here is as big a surprise to me as it is to you. I have not threatened you, delivered an ultimatum or attempted to extort you cooperation. I have only asked if you have acted honourably towards me."