"Oh, do not let me keep you then," the Comte says. "Go and explore my humble little shrine to the arts; I shall send Francois for you when dinner is served, if that is agreeable to Madame and her lovely friends."

Kasumi bows again. "Thank you very much, Count."

Kasumi and Yukio look around the theater. All the discussions are in foreign languages she can't understand, so after taking in the decadently decorated interior, they take a metal plate of food each and wander around near the Count and his entourage. Kasumi keeps her eyes on the Count, while Yukio both keeps her eyes open for any guards or guests following them too closely, and absorbs the fashions and the artwork. It's been a while since the noble woman has been in such company.

Yukio is enamored with the colorful artworks hanging from the walls, colored oils brushed onto lengths of fabric. Kasumi has seen one or two of these works before, and the two women entertain each other by comparing the technique and aesthetic of this new foreign art, so rich with color and blended details, with the wood cuts and ink-on-paper art that they are both more used to. Yukio doesn't quite like the way that people in the paintings are rendered as plump, immaculately-dressed caricatures - "This is supposed to be more realistic?" she comments at one in particular - but she likes the subtle colors and shading on the landscapes. For her part, Kasumi much prefers the stark, austere balance and grace of Imperial art. She compares the hard-to-discern balance of some of the paintings with her favorite art: simple words, brushed onto paper by master calligraphers. The balance and composition is so stark in those works, that it's inconceivable that they could have been composed any other way.

Yukio is reveling in the opportunity to be among such fine works of art, and as the two women walk about arm-in-arm, she's practically dragging Kasumi from place to place in the theater, trying to see as much as possible. Having missed the opening trickle of foreigner art into the Imperial realms, she enthusiastically analyzes and comments on everything, from the subtle links in composition between the foreigner art and Imperial art, analyzing the combat stances in some of the paintings ("We learned something very similar to this in the Academy!"), to being both shocked and curious at the perceived lewdness of some of the statues in the room. Kasumi is equally effusive about the arts, having observed some of the foreigner's art up close before. She volleys back a few questions to Yukio, points out compositional techniques that Yukio's eyes missed, and generally guides her through some of the finer points of the foreigners' art.

As they walk arm-in-arm, Yukio and Kasumi hold each other close, hand-in-hand over their elbows as they keep each other tight. True to her word and her upbringing, Yukio is affectionate to Kasumi, leaning slightly against her, pressing cheek-to-cheek when they both lean in to examine a painting or a sculpture, but not flirty. However, when examining a small statue in the corner of the room, when she thinks that no one is watching, Yukio reaches her hand up and slowly strokes the side of Kasumi's cheek with the back of her hand. Kasumi smiles, and reaches up and slides a bit of wayward hair from Yukio's strong cheeks to behind her ear, the tips of her fingers gliding across her face from chin to ear.

After working their way around the room, Kasumi leans over to whisper in Yukio's ear. "I think it's about time we got down to business, yes?"
"If the Count is still wandering the premises, his private quarters might be empty right now. His staff seems to have their hands full just taking care of the guests."
"We could collect one half of what is needed from in there, yes." Kasumi looks around the room for guards. "If the way is clear enough, we might be able to find our way inside." She motions forward with her free hand. "Shall we, my lady?"
Yukio smiles and nods slightly. "Let's."

Aiko, Yukio and Kasumi set off to locate the count's private quarters. Occidental architecture isn't your forte, but you've been around enough nobles to finger the ostentatious double door at the North side of the main hall as a likely point of entry. It sits above the first floor, but lower than the mezzanine galleries that line the edges of the room. Broad stairs built from polished stone lead to the door from both levels. Above the door, a private box leans forward from the brickwork, shadowing almost the entire staircase below it in a way that seems to defy all common sense in structural engineering yet still holds. Quite enlightening what those foreigners task their best and brightest with.

More to the matter at hand, two guards are posted next to the double door.

---

Takao's little shpiel with the disguised Killer Bee seems to be heating up, as several other 'dock workers' emerge from the shadows, forming an informal circle around him. Nobody's going for their hidden weapons, but they don't seem to be averse to a little bit of the old ultra-violence to get rid of nosy trespassers.

After a minute of heated conversation within the boathouse, a man with finer clothes and a craggier face exits the building, granting Takao a brief glimpse of a small sloop with furled sails inside the building. Must be how they entered the city.

"You cut a right dashing figure, mate," the old man says. "Now would you get to the bloody point? What do you want?"

Just a few meters away, Toshiba's and Kagemaru's quiet approach reaches its end as they surface close to the stilts that hold the boathouse above water. The house's undercarriage offers more than enough purchase to climb inside, though that would mean abandoning the shadows.

Aiko surruptitiously indicates the balcony above the door. "I'm no ninja," she whispers in Imperial, "but if those guards had their attention elsewhere, and it wasn't so bright, I could get in there with little trouble by jumping from the mezzanine. However, I suspect that by the time those two conditions remedy themselves, the balcony will be occupied by our quarry."

The only way Takao's distraction can get better is if he starts slaying ninja, Toshiba thinks. He nods to Kagemaru and climbs as carefully as he can into the warehouse, looking for some cover to skulk behind.

"Neither am I," Kasumi whispers back. "You know how a conwoman gets into places she's not supposed to get into?" She adjusts the shoulders of her kimono to be a bit more revealing, carefully inspects the Count and his entourage to gauge their disposition, then turns back to Aiko. "Someone opens the door for us," she says with a wink.
Yukio thinks for a moment. "Not to spoil your acrobatic and erotic approaches, but perhaps his quarters have another entry outside of the theater? Even nobles who love mingling with the masses need a little privacy every now and then, and his servants surely need some way to enter and leave without disturbing events in the main hall."
"Hmm. Maybe splitting up is the best tactic here, then. Yukio and I try our hand here with the Count, Aiko tries the outside entrance?" Kasumi asks.

Takao keeps track of the 'dock worker's' position as they emerge without turning his head, or even moving his eyes. Is anyone that he saw go into the building still in there when the old man comes out, or do they come out with him?

Takao musters the old man, keenly aware that a fight, should it come to one, would be decided before blades are drawn. He tries to gauge the man's interest, and he is looking for the secret sign that would tell his men that the conversation is over and the guest needs to be removed.

Takao begins: "You have heard of a man named Adler?"
He briefly waits for the nod, then continues: "Adler is unhappy about recent altercations between your men and his. A meeting to resolve your differences would be beneficial to both sides."

Takao winces inwardly. He hasn't lied yet, but his implication is bending the truth more than he is normally comfortable with.

"What do you say?"

Aiko nods. "Sounds workable. During the play, I assume?"

"No, before," Kasumi says. "The guards are focused on the wandering crowds of foreigners, less so on us. During the play, we won't have that distraction. Besides, the quicker we get the signature and seal to Kagemaru, Toshiba and Takao, the better."

(Takao's Notice: 1d20+13 = 23)

Takao's eyes quickly flick between the ninja around him. He counts three, two he can see, one whose breath is audible behind him. And there's the "greeter" who went in for the boss, standing behind the man as if to take cover...so everybody who went in came back out. Chances are good that's all of them outside, then.

"Adler?" the ninja leader scoffs. "That the soppy wanker who sends kids to do his business? Tell him we'll have a chat with bloody tea and cake if he wants to, but I'm right tired of dealing with his runners and toadies, not the man himself.'"

"I will never be gaijin filth's toady!" The anger is real, and Takao's response is so loud that some of the ninja are startled briefly into reaching for their weapons. Tension is high for a moment, then the situation relaxes a bit. "A broke swordsman must repay his debts somehow. And in this cursed city he has to watch out doubly into whose debt he is getting in the first place. Delivering a message is simple enough."

"Tomorrow night, when the gong in the gaijin temple rings ten times. An abandoned warehouse in the city." Takao describes the directions to the warehouse where they met with Nagani.

(OOC: I'm assuming that's not an important location to us that I'm compromising right now. If it is, then I'll pick a different place.)

Takao awaits the response of the old man, seeing if he will respond to the implication that Takao is for hire.

"Yeah, sunshine, that's not happening," the ninja leader replies. "You think I'm simple or something? Tell that cunt to get over here. I'm not walking into whatever soddin' ambush he's trying to pull with that pack of runts, and frankly I'm a tiny bit disappointed in you that you'd try to pull that over me."

Takao shrugs.

"I have no stake in this. I will let him know that you are not interested."

Takao turns to leave.

Kagemaru follows Toshiba quickly out of the water, before the guards remember, that they spend too much attention on a single guy.

Punkey wrote:

"No, before," Kasumi says. "The guards are focused on the wandering crowds of foreigners, less so on us. During the play, we won't have that distraction. Besides, the quicker we get the signature and seal to Kagemaru, Toshiba and Takao, the better."

"Well," Aiko shrugs semi-defferentially, "I'm open to suggestions about what approach we take."

(This commercial paid for by the People Against Reserving the Throne for Yoshihiro)

Hey, you! Are you a citizen of the Empire? Well, it all seems a little dire and pointless without an Emperor, right?

Aren't you tired of not knowing whose name to invoke when you pledge your fealty? Do you find your children growing defiant and willful without the prospect of punishment sent down from the very ambassador of the gods' will in the realms? Isn't it time someone - anyone, really - became our head of state?

That's why we, the PARTY, need your support! There's no need to publicly renounce your loyalty to Emperor Yoshihiro, but we can all help by spreading rumors that he's probably dead by now! With your help, the wise and good-looking Council of Lords that, honestly, pretty much already runs the Empire will receive the public sanction to declare the throne vacant and choose one of their own to lead us!

So, remember, support the PARTY! It's not like you can stop them, either.

(This commercial brought to you by the People Against Reserving the Throne for Yoshihiro. No ninjas were harmed in the course of this production, though not for lack of trying.)

---

Previously, on Shinobi...

Thrilling ninja action! (An empty bedroom. Nothing happens for fifteen seconds, then four corpses appear on the floor.)

Electric ninja intrigue! (A flowchart that attempts to explain how the various characters are connected slowly turns into a whirlpool.)

Fiery ninja passion! (70s porn music plays while a female ninja shows some skin - by pulling off her climbing gloves.)

And now, Shinobi continues...freaking finally...

---

"Oi, sunshine," the Killer Bee leader calls out as Takao turns to leave. Two of the Killer Bees move to block the way back down the pier. "Just one lovely minute. What's a samurai, like yours truly, doing workin' off a debt to that Adler character? If you're that close to the mangy cunt that's got you by the bollocks, then maybe that blade of yours is interested in - let's call it a counter-offer. What do say, lad?"

---

(Since both Toshiba and Kagemaru are sneaking into the boathouse and both need to stay undetected, it's rolling against the lower Sneak between them, which is Kagemaru's. Kagemaru's Sneak: 1d20+13 = 23 Passed!)

The two ninjas - soaking wet, but successfully hidden for it - ascend the stilts and reinforcements beneath the boathouse into the building's interior. The discussion between the Killer Bees and Takao is clearly audible outside, and the two of them find the interior of the house devoid of further ninja - insofar as you can even be really sure that there's not a ninja in a room that you just can't see. However, it also appears devoid of personal belongings, or really anything that would belong to the Killer Bees. If it wasn't for the docked sloop and the guards outside, you'd think the place was not in use at all.

---

With Aiko on the way to locate a back entrance, Yukio turns a skeptical eye to Kasumi. "Forgive me, dear, but I'm a little new to this seduction approach. Do you really believe that a bit of skin will open that door?"
"No, but it won't hurt," Kasumi says. She nods towards the Count's entourage. "Look at what he surrounds himself with. All of those women are falling out of their foreign clothes, practically shoving their busoms in his face. It's obvious what he likes to see, and if I add a bit of that into my persona, not enough for him to discount me entirely but enough for him to underestimate me, it makes my job that much easier. If he was more reserved with his tastes, I would make myself more reserved to match his exterior, but this is obviously a man who responds best to the hint of flesh. Understand, love?"
"I trust your knowledge of men's hearts," Yukio says, then losens her kimono slightly. It's blatantly obvious - at least, to Kasumi - that she'd rather have a knife to her neck than pretend to be some pretty thing just begging to be invited into a noble's chambers.

Kasumi puts her hand on Yukio's as she moves to slightly reveal herself. "There's no need for you to debase yourself for me or anyone else, Yukio," she says. "I need you to look the part of my lover and protector, not to lower yourself to my level. The contrast between you and me will help sell that despite my flirtatious behavior, I am still an important official that deserves to be taken seriously." She smiles. "After all, who would mess with Kyo Tanaka in front of Miki Yotsuma, lover and bodyguard?"
Yukio smiles and straightens her kimono. "That's a relief," she says. "I think the Count's over there..."

The comte is, indeed, over there, chatting with a sampler of the richest and most respected (read: fattest and oldest) men of Kargbeck. When he sees you approach, he makes a delicate hand movement that manages to quiet the discussion and beckon you closer at the same time.

"Ah, mesdemoiselles!" he says. "I trust the amusements are to your liking? The show will start in but twenty minutes, and we shall have dinner after that, if that is agreeable to you."
"Yes, of course," Kasumi says, offering a slight bow. "But of course, we did not travel all this way for simple pleasures."
"Of course not," the count says. "Oh, but where are my manners? When did you arrive in town, pray tell, and where are you staying? I consign you to this showcase of vanities and make promises fo relaxation in the future, when I have not even made sure you are rested from your long trip!"
"We arrived the previous day and are well-rested, thank you for asking," Kasumi replies. "And your showcase, as it were, is stunning. Miki has never seen such fine examples of your countrymen's art before, we had a wonderful time exploring your collection."
"Yes, I suppose this must impress you quite a bit," the Comte says, throwing Yukio a - wink? Is he flirting with her? "I dearly wish to visit your capital, when circumstances align to match my desires. I hear the Emperor's collection is a treasure that desperately seeks its equal in artistic value. Ah, so much to see, so little time on this our Earth! Now, Mademoiselle Tanaka, have you sought me out for further sparkling conversation, or is there a pleasure I can provide you to make this evening more enjoyable?"
"An opportunity for some time alone is all that we request," Kasumi says. "There are some matters of import to be discussed, and afterwords..." Kasumi puffs her chest out a bit and leans towards Yukio. "You and we can discuss other things, as well."
"Can this not wait until after the performance?" the Count replies, slightly impatient. "I fear I am - how do you say - indisposable? - at this moment."

(Kasumi's Sense Motive 1d20+10 = 28 versus the Count's Bluff [url=]1d20+15 = 26[/url])

Kasumi watches where the Count's eyes go, which isn't trivial in a man who combines grandiose gestures with subtle movements, but on balance his eyes find far more to see in Yukio than her.

"Indisposed," Kasumi says, adding a flirty frown to her face. "Of course, if you are otherwise occupied, we will wait, but not for long out here." Kasumi pats Yukio's arm. "Miki was so...enthused by what she saw of your collection out here, she is desperate to see what might be in your private quarters. She finds your foreign art so very...sensual. Would it be acceptable if we...prepared ourselves for our talk in your quarters?" She places her other hand on Yukio's shoulder and grins at the Count.

"I'm afraid that the only art in my quarters is moi, and as such it does not open to guests," the comte replies with a laugh. "My private gallery, on the other hand...tell Claude that you wish to see the horse paintings. But, s'il vous plait, do not...disturb the paintings."
"We would not dream of it," Kasumi replies, giving the count a deep bow of gratitude. "A simple matter remains, we will send Aichiko your way to collect a signature on some preliminary matters while we paruse your gallery. A thousand thanks, count." Kasumi bows again and leads Yukio away.
"It is my distinct pleasure," the Count replies.

A few steps away from him, Yukio finally finds her voice. "If my father knew a word of what this man just said to me, he would ride down here and demand satisfaction at the tip of his blade."
Kasumi's coy smile is gone. "Believe me, appealing to such base creatures as this Count is possibly the least appealing part of what I do. Extracting revenge through causing his associates to murder him goes a long way towards soothing the burn."
"That's what keeps my blade at bay." Yukio grins. "Also, I happen to like paintings of horses."
"Well, we shall have to make time to actually tour his gallery before breaking into his quarters, then." Kasumi grins and bumps her hip into Yukio's, but in a friendly, not flirty way. Being gawked at by such a despicable man tends to turn her off fairly quickly. She looks around for Aiko. "But first, we need to find our mysterious new friend and get her going on her part in this."
"Do you have papers for the Count to sign, then?" Yukio asks.
Kasumi pulls a small scroll out of her waistband. "I borrowed this from the blacksmith's last night. It's just a general work owed contract, but there's nothing specific anywhere on it, and it could be a warrant for arrest or a Imperial authorization to build a road, for all anyone can tell." She smiles. "If this Aiko woman is as good as she thinks she is, selling this shouldn't be that big of a problem."
"I suppose she'll have to keep him from reading it," Yukio says. "But I don't think that'll be a problem."
"Not that he's all good and wound up," Kasumi says, and smiles at Yukio.

Yukio blushes. "This will be...interesting to explain to my Toshi."
"Oh, hush," Kasumi says, and puts her arm through Yukio's again. "It just means that we are both the luckiest people in the world for being the ones you really love."

Takao stops, and peers over his shoulder. "I'm listening."

Toshiba points to the sloop and uses hand signals to indicate that he's going to eat a puppy and head off to find a hat. When he realizes his hand signals are no good, he just points at the boat again and nods before skulking towards the sloop, aiming to board and investigate. Hopefully these ninjas have something of use inside.

Just as Toshiba turns around, he feels a hand on his shoulder. Kagemaru tries to signal him, that he'll climb into the pediment to ambush anyone who tries to disturb Toshiba's search.

(Kagemaru's Tactics: 1d20+8 = 27)

Ah, skulking about and finding places to hide! Kagemaru's trained eyes fly over the boathouse's wall mere seconds before the ninja follows the route upwards, coming to rest in the shadows up on a beam, perched like a hawk - and ready to get the drop (hehe) on anyone entering the boathouse.

Toshiba hauls himself into the sloop, slipping under the heavy fabric tarp that covers the boat's interior. It looks like the Killer Bees do store all their gear here: bedrolls, piles of weapons and several sacks and boxes, undoubtedly filled with something interesting. Most interesting of all, however, is a stack of scrolls. Toshiba gets to taking a look.

(Toshiba's Investigate: 1d20+11 = 19)

Okay, so this is the second small library of technique scrolls with fruity names Toshiba's taken a gander at. Somebody at Killer Bees HQ must fancy themselves a comedian, as Toshiba finds no less than three Ayami techniques illustrated with mocking sketches and given new names that don't rise above "The Buzz Killer" in originality or wit.

Future Trivia: it would take another two decades for the foreigners to spread the concept of "copyright infringement".

Having the basis of your master's teachings mocked aside, Toshiba can't seem to come up with an actual contract. What he does find is plenty of the foreigner coinage. Now, this one might be explained in all sorts of ways, and Toshiba's more than aware that ninjas would carry target currency to pay their way - but given that this handily fills an entire chest with precious metals, it's far from inconceivable that this constitutes a payment. One wonders whether Toshiba could stand to, ahem, "secure" some "evidence" for himself.

---

The Killer Bee boss smiles to Takao. "There's a clever lad. Y'see, we're after Adler ourselves - the man had one of our friends' friends killed, and that just won't do, so we're looking to get a bit of the old payback. Wouldya mind stepping into our office to talk details, then?"

---

On the way to the gallery (and boy are we looking forward to those horse paintings!), Kasumi spots Aiko in the crowd. Between two women of subterfuge, a few glances and small signs quickly relay the new plan, and one brush pass later, Aiko's on her way to the count, hoping to gather the signature that will allow you to forge a contract between the Count and the Killer Bees.

"Mademoiselle!" the Count greets her, grasping slightly more tighter around the petite waste of one of the floozies that has now grouped around him. "I've just seen your companions off to my private gallery, if you are seeking them. I would, of course, extend that invitation to you. Your two friends do seem to be great lovers of the finer arts, I do wonder if you feel likewise."