posted 12-08-2003 06:39 PM            

-----

IC: Bayushi Oseru was sat in a private room in the Broken Bokkun, sipping tea as he allowed his thoughts to wander – a luxury that he afforded himself every few days. Much had happened within Shiro Gemu recently and the Scorpion Ambassador had had little time to relax.

There was a timid tap at the door to the room, one that came every time Oseru visited the inn. There was no need to answer and the door slid open to reveal the innkeeper, bowing almost too deeply as he entered the room, clutching scrolls in his hands.

Oseru put down his cup. “Is something wrong, Jinkai-san.”

The innkeeper was almost cowering. “Th..the records, Oseru-sama.”

Oseru took the scrolls and placed them to his side without unrolling them.

“Jinkai-san, you know better than to avoid my questions. Tell me what troubles you.”

Trembling, the innkeeper spoke. “There has been an occurrence, Oseru-sama. Men came demanding money. They made threats, Oseru-sama. I am not a fighting man. I am just a simple innkeeper. I could do nothing, Oseru-sama. I beg for your forgiveness and mercy.”

Oseru sighed. “Sit up, Jinkai-san, and tell me what has happened. You have known me for more than five years and you know that I will not lop off your head like some enraged Lion. Not until I know why I am doing it, at the very least.”

Jinkai relaxed a little, sat up and recounted the events of the day before.

--------

Jinkai had been in the rooms that served as his sleeping chambers and, for want of a better word, office when the door had slid open sharply. He heard the cry of a geisha who was pushed aside as four rough looking men barged into the room. They were unshaven and unkempt, as if they had been travelling for days from a recently fought battle. At their sides were crude swords, with the exception of one man, who held a tetsubo over his shoulder.

The innkeeper stood, half bowing as he did so; “Samas! What is this intrusion? Have we displeased you in some way? I am sure that this can be resolved without such roughness.”

One of the sword carriers pushed the man down to his knees as Tetsubo spoke.

“Yes, I think that you have displeased us, innkeeper. You have been greedy and keeping all of your profits to yourself.” He almost laughed. As he continued. “My friends and I find this most displeasing. In fact, we think that you should share some of that profit with us.”

Jinkai’s eyes widened with disbelief. “You are robbing me?”

Tetsubo laughed in earnest this time. “Robbing you, old man. By the Fortunes, no! We are here to offer our services to you in exchange for fair ….. well, in exchange for pay. It seems to us that your security leaves much to be desired. The two guards in the inn were hardly difficult to dispose of and ..” a smile crossed his lips – the rogue seemed to take enjoyment from this, “.. you do not seem to have the protection of any of the samurai of the city.”

Jinkai was astonished. Since Oseru gave him the Brokun Bokkun to run a little over five years ago, no such thing had happened. Whilst few knew with certainty that the Scorpion lord was the true owner of the inn, most suspected as much. But Jinkai had sworn that he would never reveal the truth.

“But the city guard protect us, sama.”

Tetsubo laughed again, “And where are they now, old man? Really, you would do well to have a …private guard. After all, you have the welfare of your patrons to think of. How many of them would keep coming here if there was trouble every day and every night?”

“There is never trouble here, sama. I do not see …”

He stopped speaking as he found two swords at his throat.

Tetsubo’s voice took on a more threatening tone. “Not yet, old man, not yet. But I have visions, old man. I think that I may have some Phoenix or Dragon in me, you know, with the visions that I have. And the vision that I’m having right now is that, unless you hire my friends to watch over your inn, there will be a lot of trouble happening. And if the city guard were to get involved, my vision says that a nasty fire might break out.”

Jinkai slumped. “How much would your services cost?”

Tetsubo smiled. “Half of your profits.”

“HALF! I cannot afford that! I have taxes and improvements and…”

“How much would it cost to rebuild this place? Of course, it wouldn’t matter if you were trapped in the fire that my vision showed me.”

The innkeeper bowed, unable to argue. “Hai, sama.”

Tetsubo clapped the small man on the shoulder. “Good. We will return in four days for our first payment, and every four days after. I am sure that you keep good records so that we can be sure that you aren’t cheating us.”

With that, the four men left, and Jinkai slumped to the floor, his body racked with sobs.

------

Oseru had a little more tea and spoke. “You know, Jinkai-san. I would like you to flavor my tea with a root that I have found. It is called leek-o-rees, I think. I shall have some sent to you. I have taken quite a liking to it.”

Jinkai was baffled. Had his patron not been listening?

“But the men, Oseru-sama. What should I do about them.”

Oseru looked into Jinkai’s eyes. “Is what you told me true, Jinkai-san?”

“Of course, Oseru-sama. I would not dare lie to you!”

Oseru nodded. “Then I suggest that you pay them, Jinkai-san. I have grown to like the Broken Bokkun and would be most upset if it were razed to the ground.”

Jinkai sat, dumbfounded and Oseru spoke once more. “Jinkai-san. I swear that if your eyes became any wider, you could pass as a geijin! I shall ensure that your personal income shall not suffer as a result of this … incident. Beyond that, treat it as a business transaction and keep a separate record of it for me. If that is all that you have for me ….”

Jinkai bowed, accepting his dismissal from Oseru’s presence. “Hai, Oseru-sama.”

As the innkeeper stood, Oseru addressed him; “Jinkai-san.”

“Hai, sama?”

“Did it ever occur to you that I do not keep the Broken Bokkun to make money?”

A light dawned in Jinkai’s eyes. “Ah, yes.”

And the small man bowed and left the room.

As he finished his tea, Oseru considered what the old man had told him. Of course, the incident could not go without retribution, but Jinkai did not need to know that yet.

-----

to be continued ...

------------------
Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-10-2003 03:18 PM            

Oseru took the scroll to a trader that traveled often between Shiro Gemu and Kyuden Bayushi and asked that he deliver it to his brother upon his next visit to the Scorpion capital, giving him a few zeni for his trouble and telling him that his brother would pay a similar amount when he received the scroll. The merchant simply bowed and accepted the task – Oseru had sent small, unimportant items for transport with him before.

------

A little over three weeks later an old, crouched peasant made his was to the gates of the Scorpion Embassy, clutching a scroll in his hand. He was covered in dust from the road and appeared to have been travelling for some time.

The Bayushi guard stood before him. “What do you want, ancient one?

The old man bowed, although his stoop made him permanently bent over, “Sama, I have a message for Bayushi Oseru-sama. It was passed to me by a merchant who came to my …”

The guard cut the old man short; “I have no desire to hear your life story! Give me the message and I will pass it on to the Ambassador.”

The old man handed the scroll to the guard; “The merchant said that I would be paid to deliver it, sama. I am but a poor man …”

The guard threw a couple of zeni to the old man, who bent to pick them up with considerable difficulty. The guard felt some pity for him and spoke again; “You know, old one, I think that the kitchen may have some leftover scraps that you could make a meal of. Why don’t you head over there and see what they have.”

The old man bowed profusely; “Thank you , sama, thank you. You are so kind. May the fortunes bless …”

The guard rolled his eyes skywards, “Yes, yes. Now go before I change my mind!”

The old man left, still bowing, and made his way across the courtyard, pausing only to ask a low servant for directions.

He entered the kitchen door and closed it behind him, and then the man straightened, shrugging off the threadbare blanket that he had been using as a cloak. As he did so it seemed that he transformed from a small, wizened old man with a stoop into a lean, muscled man of medium height. As he removed his hat and shook down shoulder length hair that was completely grey, he looked around and saw Oseru waiting for him.

“Oseru-chan! You’ve done well for yourself, boy! Or is it ‘sama’ now?”

The Scorpion Ambassador smiled genuinely at the older man’s greeting. He remembered sitting on this old rogue’s knee when his mother was still alive. Thinking about it, his hair was grey even then. Oseru had held him in some awe back then, and had loved the man dearly, although that may have been closely related to the fact that he never failed to bring a toy or trinket for the boy when he visited!

“Owantari-san, you never have had any sense of propriety, my old friend.”

“Propriety? What use would I be to the Clan – or your family – if I had any sense of propriety? We would not be talking here and now if I knew my place and never set a foot out of it!”

Oseru nodded; “True, my friend, very true. I am glad that my brother sent you to help. I had thought that you had retired and taken on the life of an innkeeper.”

Owantari chuckled, “I did. After years of loyal service to your father, he granted me lands and an inn and the opportunity for a peaceful life. And no sooner does he do so than his eldest sends me a message saying that his little brother is in need of assistance!”

Oseru had no chance to object before the older man continued. “So, tell me what the problem is that my men and I are the solution to.”

The Scorpion Ambassador indicated two seats by a low table, upon which sat two cups and a bottle of very good sake. He began to speak “There has been a recent incident where a group of four men came to an inn that I own, albeit discreetly, and extorted money in exchange for ‘security’. It would seem that this has happened in many businesses and to many merchants within the city. The Broken Bokkun is one of dozens of establishments that is paying these people.”

Owantari sipped his sake and then spoke seriously; “If it was simply four men, then they would be dead by now and their bodies would have vanished from the city. You would have taken care of that, even if no one else had the nerve for it. So they must be part of a larger organization. Now I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be directly – or obviously – involved in cleaning up the problem, but there’s just myself and a dozen of my men, so we can’t handle more than twenty or twenty five of them without some back-up. But you’d be able to provide that, I’m supposing.”

“Of course …..”

The older man interrupted, “I don’t mean to be rude, Oseru-chan, but you know that I think out loud when looking at situations, so if you can keep your agreement, disagreement or observations until I’m done.”

Oseru’s eyebrows raised slightly, but he knew that this man, of all men, knew his business. He also knew that Owantari had given his loyalty and service to him.

“Now, unless you have something else in mind, what we’ll need to do is trap the four that we know the faces of and ... persuade ... them to tell us who their bosses are. I seriously doubt that the man in charge goes around doing the leg work. Once we know who’s running the show, then we make their lives very interesting and considerably shorter. And the same with their cohorts. Do you agree, Oseru-chan?”

A pause before Oseru spoke, “For the most part, yes. However ....”

The two men sat and talked, sipping sake and discussing options for many hours. When the old man that had entered the kitchen finally left it, he was stooped a little lower and had a definite sway and stagger to his gait.

-------

to be continued

------------------
Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-11-2003 05:25 PM            

IC: Jinkai looked at the newcomer with amazement. But then he considered that, during times of trouble, the fortunes sometimes sent help in the guise of wandering madmen. Who knew, maybe this was help from the fortunes themselves.

"I think that I may be able to put you to use, young man. Go to the kitchens and see the cook. She will give you duties and tell you where you will be sleeping. You won't be allowed to use your skills as a chef without proving yourself first, but there are always floors to be swept and bowls to be cleaned. We'll discuss your pay when we see what you are worth."

He paused for a second before continuing. "There are a few rules that you need to know about. You don't go near the private rooms and you never go upstairs. Anything that you see here and anything that you hear here, stays here. Keep your nose clean and firmly in your own business. Break those rules and losing your job will be the least of your worries."

posted 12-13-2003 09:50 PM            

IC: Owantari and his men lodged separately in various inns throughout the city, never coming together as a whole but occasionally meeting in small groups to discuss their plans. As far as anyone knew, they were no more than visitors, there to try their luck and build their fortunes at the gambling houses that the city was famous for.

They followed the group of men that were 'protecting' the Broken Bokkun as they made their rounds, collecting money from numerous inns and merchants. The one thing that their victims had in common was that they had no Clan affiliation or a patron from the samurai class. After a little over a week of this, Owantari decided that it was time for the action that he and Oseru had planned.

-------

Tetsubo and his companions followed their normal route to the Broken Bokkun, stopping here and there to collect payments from other merchants. When they entered the inn, Jinkai was in his usual place, greeting his customers. He bowed to them and led them to his office, as he had on all of their visits bar the first. Once in his office, the innkeeper took his locked chest from behind a shoji screen and presented them with his records for the week and half of the profits. Almost as soon as Tetsubo had counted the money and secreted it about his person, a tap came on the door to the room. A serving girl entered, carrying a tray with fresh fruit, rice and sake for the group.

Tetsubo grinned; "I'll say this for you, Jinkai-san, you are certainly the most hospitable of all of our customers, and your food is always excellent. That is why we always take our lunch here, old man."

The four waited for the innkeeper to sample the dishes first and then devoured their food with a relish. They then filled their cups with sake. Tetsubo handed a cup to Jinkai and, as had happened on each of their visits nodded to him, indicating that he should drink first. Jinkai sipped his sake, after which, the four men drained their cups and refilled them from the bottle. As they did so, the door to the room slid open once more and Owantari entered, smiling.

"You know, friends, having someone taste food before you tends to lose its meaning when the taster is willing to take the poison. I have to say, though, it is most considerate of you to eat and drink here every single time that you visit. It has saved me from having to clean a bloody sword."

The men tried to move, but found that they couldn't. Jinkai slumped to the ground only moments before they lost consciousness.

----------

They awoke later, naked and bound to firm wooden tables in a room with no windows. There was no indication as to how long they slept, but they could all see Owantari sat on a chair before them, grinning.

"Men of routine are such a blessing in my line of work. Predictability makes things so much easier."

He stood and made his way to one of the swordsman, drawing a knife as he did so.

"Now you can tell me who it is that sends you on your errands."

The man spat in Owantari's face, the spittle trailing off of the captor's cheek; "I would rather die than tell you anything, you ..." His voice trailed off as the knife sliced across his throat.

Owantari shrugged "Well, I suppose that forthrightness always saves time." he said, as he walked to the second man.

The second man started to speak immediately; "You will never get away with this. Our masters will know where our last stop was and will torture the old man until he tells them everything. Then ..." Another sliced throat.

Owantari sighed. "He may have been right, if it wasn't for the fact that four men with a noticeable resemblance to you four and, strangely, wearing exactly the same garb, had not spent the afternoon finishing off your collections before leaving the city through the main gate. It was kind of him, however, to confirm that you do have masters and that they will undoubtedly try to locate their missing servants. I probably won't have to wait too long before I find that someone comes asking after you. I would think that they will be most upset when they find that you turned traitor and left with their money."

He walked to the third man and noticed that the bound man had soiled himself. "Tell me who your masters are and we can forego this unpleasantness. I will have you clothed and released .. far from the city."

The man was shaking with fear; "I do not know, sama, I am just a hired sword. I was told that I would.."

Tetsubo shouted; "Tell him nothing. What he can do is nothing compared to the fury of those above us."

The third man died as quickly as the others and Owantari came to stand before the last man, their tetsubo carrying leader.

"I will tell you nothing."

A shrug from his captor.

"Release me now and my masters may be lenient with you. If you do not, then you will feel their full wrath."

A voice came from the shadows; "I seriously doubt that."

Bayushi Oseru stepped forward. At his side was a small man, carrying a tray of torturer's tools.

Oseru continued; "This man is very capable at his work. He can ensure that you will live for a long time and be filled with the most exquisite pain for every moment. I also have a healer on hand - in case my servant's ministrations prove to be more than you can bear. Once healed, the whole process can begin again. Eventually, you will tell us what we wish to know, even if the only reason is so that you can finally die."

Tetsubo looked into the Scorpions eyes and saw only a supreme indifference.

"I was doing my job, sama. I did not know that you had an interest in any of these businesses."

"Perhaps not. That is entirely irrelevant." He nodded to the torturer, who began laying his tools out on the table next to the bound man.

"As you can see, yours is the only place at which we have allowed a work space for my servant. This should tell you that the fate of your colleagues was sealed before they opened their eyes."

Owantari drew up a chair for Oseru as the torturer began his work, piercing the skin on his victims forearm with a needle.

Oseru sat and continued, "My servant has just administered a drug which has the effect of heightening ones senses. Some people use this to enhance pleasure. In this case, it will make you ever more aware of your pain."

Tetsubo could feel the ache of his muscles become, in a way, deeper. It was the same ache, but felt all the more clearly. As a needle slid under his fingernail, he screamed in agony.

"Gag him. I want him to hear all that I have to say without such interruptions."

Once the man was gagged, the torturer continued his work and, while he was doing so, Oseru told the man of Traitor's Grove. Over the next two hours, with the torturer making small, precise incisions and applying pressure in just the right places, the Scorpion Ambassador recounted, in minute detail, the process of punishment for traitors to his Clan. He spoke of them being taken to the place known as Traitor's Grove and being made part of a living tree. He expounded on the meticulous care that was taken to ensure that the trees were always well cared for, pruned and trimmed, with the living soul inside able to feel every snip and every cut. He told his captive of the annual festivities when the Scorpion took their families to the Grove to throw stones at the trees and cut their bark. Finally, after he was done with his descriptive tale, he told the torturer to ungag the man and take a small break.

Oseru stood and spoke again, "This punishment is normally reserved for those of our own Clan. But I have made arrangements for a special exception to be made. You have a choice. If you tell me what I wish to know, you will die. If not, then you will live forever, feeling pain for every moment of your immortality."

Tetsubo sobbed; "But if I tell you, they ..."

"You will be far beyond their reach."

Silence.

Oseru sighed and nodded to the torturer. As he lifted his tools once more, the captive cried out; "NO! I will tell you what I know! Please, just kill me cleanly once I am done."

The Scorpion nodded.

He told them everything. The names by which he knew his masters, the locations of their meeting places, the names of others within their group. Once he was done, he asked to be killed and Owantari obliged him.

As the torturer packed away his instruments, Owantari addressed Oseru.

"Oseru-sama. You actually managed to persuade our Clan to allow this man to be interred in Traitor's Grove?"

Oseru looked shocked; "By the Fortunes, no! I would have to be insane to even suggest it!"

"Ah. Yes." The older man bowed.

Oseru returned the bow and departed.

------------------
Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
*Minister of the Left*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-15-2003 10:52 AM            

The soft sound of a sliding panel and the whisper of silk robes was the only indicator of the arrival of the Oyabun. From the shadows two androgynous individuals in dark blue robes and Noh masks appeared. The only clues as to their identity and indeed the only traits the separated two shadowed beings was that one wore a daisho and the other held a sheathed katana in his left hand. The Night Flowers fell as one to floor in difference.

The figure baring the daisho spoke. “As I look upon the assembly here I count fewer heads than I should. Either my arithmetic is failing or someone has done something very foolish. So please will someone tell me which is the case?” Silence answered the waiting Oyabun. When he spoke again anger was evident in his voice. “So now disobedience is added to the list of problems here tonight. Either someone speak up now or I promise you there will be even more heads missing tonight.”

A shiver of fear ran through assembled Night Flowers before the wrath of their lord. Finally Toke a mid rank boss spoke up. “Great Boss, so sorry, please be patient with us. We have been trying to locate our missing brothers but have not found any trace of what happened to them. I do not believe that they would have just run out on you Great Boss. Please forgive your ignorant servants!” Toke’s voice shook as if on the verge of tears.

The Oyabun grunted. “You don’t think they ran off with my money? I must say you place a great deal of trust in men who steal for a living. What happened to them then? Are you saying that someone killed or kidnapped them? Who would do that? There is only one other gang in this city and they know better than to move into our turf. We’ve had a truce with them for years and they have never once moved into our territory.” The Oyabun paused for a moment and when he spoke again his voice was full of menace. “Did your errant brothers make a move into rival territory?”

A pool of sweat was forming beneath Toke’s face. “Um…er…no, Great Boss they didn’t…”

“You’re hiding something from me!” The Oyabun sprang forward and grabbing Toke by the hair lifted him to his feet. “What are you not telling me!”

Toke was sobbing now. “Great Boss! Tetsubo was trying to earn more money in order to impress you so he expanded his collection territory that is all! The territory was controlled by anyone it…”

The boss cut Toke off. “Who was it? Who was Tetsubo trying to muscle?”

“The Broken Boken Sama.”

The Oyabun released Toke and let him crumple to the floor. The Great Boss was silent a long while. This time when he spoke his voice held a serene calmness. “Tell me Toke in what part of town is the Broken Boken located?”

“W…w…well it is near the…”

“That would be the Scorpion area correct?” Still the Oyabun spoke with complete calm. “Did I or did I not specifically state that no businesses in Scorpion territory were to be extorted.”

“Yes Sama but Tetsubo thought…”

The soft chime of steel on wood drifted through the room that sound was followed by the noise of gushing liquid hitting the floor. A slight smell of copper filled the air. None of the Night Flowers needed to lift their heads from the floor to understand the implications of these strange sounds and smells.

Toke was no longer a boss.

posted 12-15-2003 12:02 PM            

I apologize for interrupting this post, but I am curious as to who Night Flower is? Would the poster please respond?
It would be easier for the people involved to continue the story if all parties were aware of each other. Especially for something as important as the Yakuza. They will be quite detailed and hold import in the city and I know that Bobby, myself, Randall, adn Jason would like to see others handle them with care before they are introduced.

Thank you
Chris

posted 12-15-2003 12:33 PM            

IC: As the Oyabun settled in his room and began to remove his apparel, he noticed a scroll sat on the low table beside his futon.

He glanced around quickly, but saw neither a person nor any sign that his room had been disturbed in any way.

Unrolling the scroll, he read it;

“I wish to extend an invitation to you, the leader of the Night Flowers Troupe, to join me for breakfast in the gardens of the Scorpion Embassy in the morning.

Your recent performances have been of great interest to me and I would enjoy the opportunity to show my appreciation for your arts.”

At the bottom was Bayushi Oseru’s personal chop.

------------------
Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
*Minister of the Left*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-22-2003 03:19 PM            

IC:
The masked samurai looked at the missive and grunted angrily. Those peasant fools below him had started something indeed. The taste of blood filled the oyabun’s mouth as his anger built. He didn’t know who he was most angry with his men or this presumptuous Scorpion. No doubt Tetsubo or his cronies talked and had given the location of the Floral Palace away. It was good that they were dead. He should thank for the Scorpion for removing the dross from the Night Flowers organization.

Well there was no helping things now. The oyabun would have to play along for now. Of course this Scorpion would make mistake eventually and then this would be resolved finally, until the...

The oyabun was unlikely to get any sleep this evening or be able to return to his home so he began to prepare for the following day. All in all though he was glad they followed him to this place.

***

The next morning a tall slender figure exited from a humble house on the outer edge of Diakoku’s Playground. The willowy woman was dressed in in white under kimono, a light brown yukata, and an outer robe that was golden in color and embroidered with patterns of cotton plants in bronze and white. A wide rimmed ladies jingasa covered with a flowing gossamer vail partially obscured a white face and ruby lips. A delicate hand gently held the edge of the bamboo hat keeping it in place against a random wind. White socked feet in sandals slowly made their way to the Scorpion Embassy.

***

posted 12-22-2003 09:33 PM            

Oseru gave a slight bow to the lady and indicated for her sit. She knelt facing him, her jingasa still covering part of her face, and bowed. Oseru indicated for the servant to depart, leaving the two alone.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation. You should know that I consider you an honored guest and none of my household shall mention our meeting. I hope that you enjoy this humble meal; I have prepared all of the food myself, so I would be most pleased if it meets with your approval."

Oseru poured tea for his guest before continuing;

"I am sure that you find this meeting irksome but hope that you will also find it to be fruitful. From the information that your servant has so thoughtfully provided, it would seem that we of the City should thank you for maintaining admirable control over crime in the area. As I understand it, you help to maintain a certain order within the areas that you frequent."

His guest remained silent, and so the Scorpion went on;

"I do not seek to undermine your activities. I do, however, feel that, for the good of the City and its inhabitants, we should reach some accord as to the guidelines within which those activities take place. I am sure that you are a very busy person with many demands upon your time and that incidents such as these are as bothersome to you as they are to me. Before we continue, though, I must ask if you feel that an arrangement may be reached or if we must become enemies."

Oseru lifted his teacup and sipped at his tea while he awaited the ladies response.

------------------
Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
*Minister of the Left*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-23-2003 02:52 PM            

“You of course honor me Bayushi-sama with this unexpected attention to my theater. Yes as artists and artisans we have a vested interest in the community around us. We like things to be orderly and in its proper place so as to encourage safety and prosperity. I thank you for taking note of these things.” The lady took another sip of tea. “You mentioned having suggestions for running our organization even more efficiently I believe. I of course would be quiet honored to have the advice and endorsement of such an august figure as yourself.”

posted 12-23-2003 11:59 PM            

"The tranquility that is found about your theatre is admirable and there should be no reason to disturb it. In fact, I would be happy to see that tranquility extended to all corners of the city, and would be glad to help you achieve that goal with the actors of my own clan. I am sure that you know of the renown of the Shosuro. I am certain that the peace that would surround your troupe would allow those that police the city greater freedom to see to more important duties, without the need to worry about small matters. I know that you would, on occasion, encounter some that would prevent your from extending your influence into other areas of Shiro Gemu. Perhaps I can assist in helping these other troupes see wisdom."

The Scorpion paused, sipping at his tea, knowing that his guest was wanting to know the cost;

"You know, as well as I, that the donations by your benefactors is hard to trace. This provides something of a quandary for the tax collectors. May I suggest that you make a contribution to the city's welfare. Let us say, for the sake of argument, one tenth of your revenue would be donated. I am sure that our tax collectors would gladly forgo the arduous task of inspecting your records if they knew that appropriate contributions to the city were being made. And to help them assuage their suspicions, I would be glad to audit your accounts myself."

Another pause;

"Is this acceptable to you, my honored guest?"

------------------
Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
*Minister of the Left*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-29-2003 04:27 PM            

"Perhaps not *full* artistic license. I am sure, after all, that you would not wish your performances to incur the wrath of the samurai of the city. However, I am certain that you know the boundaries within which your performances may reasonably take place and am also certain that you are more than capable of keeping your troupe within those boundaries. Of course, transgressions must be punished by the proper authorities and, to that end, your assistance in apprehending an occasional transgressor would be most appreciated. I am sure that you would agree that justice must be seen to be done and you would be in an excellent position to determine who should be punished. Other than that, you troupe would go, for the most part, undisturbed."

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Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
*Minister of the Left*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-30-2003 08:09 PM            

With that Oseru continue to breakfast with his guest.

After talking over a few items of no moment, Oseru spoke once more; "Your company is most pleasurable, my lady, but I must, regrettably, attend to other duties. Unless there is more that you wish to discuss, I must ask you to excuse me. If you should need to call on me in future, you will be most welcome."

With this, Oseru bowed and then stood, straightening his kimono as he did so.

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Bayushi Oseru
Scorpion Clan Courtier
*Scorpion Ambassador*
*Minister of the Left*
Master Cook
Master Storyteller

posted 12-30-2003 09:17 PM            

With that the lady bowed once more and backed away. After moving a respectable distance she began to turn away as she did so she spoke once more.

"I shall ask your servants to see me on my way. I hope that you will feel free to contact me if you need entertainments or crafts of any sort that my company can provide. It will of course be our honor."