01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6Every year, the village of Tsuma in the Crane lands is host to the greatest gempukku ceremony in Rokugan. The person who proves himself or herself as the worthiest samurai becomes Topaz Champion for that year.
01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6Like many, many others, you journeyed to Tsuma for the competition, hoping to win honor and glory for your Clan, your families and yourself. It was not to be, however. A Crane by the name of Kakita Ryunosuke swept the competition, soundly defeating all in his path and achieving the title of Topaz Champion.
01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6Sometime during that competition you crossed Ryunosuke. Perhaps it was during the iaijutsu duels, or the artistry competition. Perhaps it was nothing more than a rumor that you would pose a threat to him. Perhaps all it was was a glance across a room that he mistook as a challenge.
01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6No matter the manner, your disgrace was orchestrated from the shadows, and you were dishonored enough to be cast out of your family and your Clan, disqualified from the competition and not even granted permission to commit seupukku by your daiymo.
01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6You are Ronin now, the lowest of the low. Will you seek atonement in an honourable, glorious death? Will you seek revenge against Kakita Ryunosuke and his scheming and beautiful wife, Shosuro Mai? Will you disgregard honor and aquire Crane bitches? The choice is yours.
01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6This is... LEGEND OF THE FIVE(ish) RONIN.
01[20:53] <@KingGheedorah> 6*cue dramatic music*
01[20:55] <@KingGheedorah> 6After your dishonor at the Topaz Championship, you were tossed aboard the first ship out of Tsuma and sent away, to put as much distance between your disgrace and your family. You've spent the last two weeks aboard the Lady Doji's Fan, a small Crane cutter headed south, with the intent of dropping you off at Kyuden Hida to serve on the Kaiu Wall and perhaps find atonement in your death.
01[20:58] <@KingGheedorah> 6When the Lady Doji's Fan arrives at the smallish coastal town of Umoeru Mura, however, things change, once again for the worst. It is past sunset, and you have just arrived at port when you are brought from belowdecks by pairs of grim-faced Crane marines and marched onto the top deck, where the now-familiar appearance of the smallish, middle-aged white-haired Captain Miku awaits.
01[20:59] <@KingGheedorah> "I've grown tired of the /Fan/ being tainted by the likes of you. You can /walk/ to Kyuden Hida for all I care. Now get off my ship, before I throw you off and see how well you can swim."
01[21:00] <@KingGheedorah> 6The ramp has been lowered to the docks, and there are a few dozen armed crewmen backing the captain up.
06[21:01] * Hiroshi sighs. "Fine.  Allow me to gather my things."
06[21:03] * Imako stands brushing herself off, muttering something lost to the wind and walking towards the door, indifferent to the situation.
[21:04] <Isamu> Isamu scowls but averts his gaze to the deck of the ship. He silently gathers his belongings, fighting to carry it all in his one remaining arm. He follows one of the others.
[21:06] <Hiroshi> (With my scant posessions gathered, I head down the ramp to the town.  After giving the captain a final glare take stock of my new surroundings.)
[21:06] <Sanji> Sanji adjusts his travelling pack and silently  starts down the ramp, avoiding the disaprovving looks of his former clanmates
[21:07] <Jun> "Feh," Jun says in barely disguised disgust. She grabs her backpack and scoll case and goes down the ramp.
01[21:08] <@KingGheedorah> 6It is just past sunset, and fairly dark, though you can see fairly well thanks to the many torches illuminating the pier. Nearby crewmen from the /Fan/ are unloading some supplies onto the dock, watched over by a few Crane marines who shoot you dark glances. There isn't much other activity about.
01[21:08] <@KingGheedorah> 6You can make out a few other ships docked along the piers. The town of Umoeru Mura lies at the other end of the piers, between you and some empty stalls and large crates.
[21:09] <Isamu> "I suppose we should seek shelter..." Isamu muses to the others, as he lags behind still adjusting to carrying his belongings.
[21:10] <Hiroshi> "There's bound to be a place to stay somewhere in town."
[21:10] <Jun> "Perhaps. Hopefully our reputation doesn't proceed us."
[21:10] <Sanji> "Then we should move before we are left in the darkness"
[21:11] <Imako> "Probably smart, the sailors have too much honor to do something, but i'm sure they know unsavory types who do not.."
06[21:12] * Imako checking he pack once clear of the sailors prying eyes, assuring her things are safe before throwing it over her shoulder and heading towards town
[21:12] <Isamu> "With our luck as it is, I wouldn't be surpised if it is known, Jun."
06[21:12] * Hiroshi looks back, taking stock of his five-ish companions. "You never know when you'll find someone that stupid. But you're right, let's get moving."
06[21:13] * Sanji siletly follows Imako
01[21:15] <@KingGheedorah> 6The pier is fairly long, and it takes you a few minutes to cross it and reach the darkness of the far side and the market stalls, now empty.
06[21:20] * Imako glances around for an inn, pub, anywhere with shelter ".. and this would be the kind of place you'd run into said unsavory types.."
[21:20] <Hiroshi> "All things considered, many would consider *us* to be unsavory types."
[21:21] <Isamu> "But I've never so much as sneezed wrong at someone!" Isamu protested. "How can I even be considered unsavory."
[21:22] <Hiroshi> "We're ronin now.  That is what it is."
[21:22] <Imako> "Word and action are two differen things, they may consider us unsavory types.. but we still have our honor, even if it is dirtied by lack of title."
[21:23] <Hiroshi> (Glancing around, shift my hands to my daisho.)
01[21:25] <@KingGheedorah> 6A figure dressed in dark clothing with a wide-brimmed straw hat obscuring their face steps out of the shadows to your left, his hand on the hilt of a short-bladed sword. To your right, another pair dressed and armed similarly step out.
[21:25] <Isamu> * Narrows his eyes and tenses up. "We're not alone here. Show yourselves."
01[21:25] <@KingGheedorah> 6Several more emerge from the shadows at your words.
[21:25] <Imako> "See, THESE are examples of what I was talking about."
01[21:25] <@KingGheedorah> 6The first to emerge takes a step forward.1 "Which one of you is Ryouichi?"
[21:27] <Hiroshi> "Ryouichi?  As far as I know none of us go by that name."
01[21:27] <@KingGheedorah> "Don't lie to me."
01[21:28] <@KingGheedorah> "Give up Ryouichi and we'll go easy on the rest of you."
06[21:28] * Imako raises her hands passively "He's being honest. None of us hold that name."
[21:28] <Hiroshi> "I speak the truth, any could tell you their name and you wouldn't hear the one you want."
[21:29] <Isamu> "What does this Ryouichi fellow look like. Perhaps we've seen him." Isamu offers.
[21:30] <Sanji> "We speak the truth"
01[21:30] <@KingGheedorah> 6One of the others coughs.1 "I think e's tellin' the truth, boss. 'Sides, 'ain't Ryouichi supposed to be a geezer? These 'ain't nothin' but babies."
01[21:31] <@KingGheedorah> 6He seems to consider this.1 "Babies with swords. Where'd you get them, anyways?"6 He laughs cruelly.1 "Steal them from some samurai, babies?"
[21:32] <Imako> "We earned them, last I checked."
01[21:32] <@KingGheedorah> 6You count eight of them in total, including the leader. He takes another step forward.1 "'Last time you checked'. And when was that, kid?"
01[21:33] <@KingGheedorah> "Looks like you'll cut yourself with that. You should hand it over before someone gets hurt."
06[21:33] * Sanji says "I hardly think we could be called babiES" raising himself to his full height
[21:33] <Hiroshi> "*Feh* These are mine, and mine alone.  If you wish to dispute it I can show you this to be the case.  Otherwise I suggest you take your leave."
[21:33] <Imako> "My Gempukku. and Afraid I won't just hand it over because you asked nicely."
01[21:34] <@KingGheedorah> 6A few of them tense up.1 "Samurai,"6 one breathes. Sanji's height causes a few more to stand a little more aggressively.
[21:35] <Isamu> "Why am I not surprised by this turn..." Isamu rolls his eyes.
06[21:36] * Imako holds her hands up signaling a stop "No reason to fight. Unless of course, you really ARE bandits come to rob us of our worldly posessions?"
01[21:37] <@KingGheedorah> "Oh, quit'cher whinin',"6 the leader snarls.1 "They ain't samurai, they're just babies playin' dress-up."6 He points his blade toward Hiroshi.1 "Drop your swords, and anything of value you might have, and we'll let you run home to your mommies."
06[21:37] * Sanji attempts to hold back a grin
[21:38] <Hiroshi> "I'm afraid I cannot allow that.  You would rob me of the wakizashi I would need to commit seppuku, if ever it was learned I handed it over out of fear of local dock rats.  I truly suggest leave this place, or you *will* regret it."
[21:39] <Hiroshi> (I draw my katana&wakizashi)
06[21:39] * Sanji takes center stance, hand lightly resting on his katana
01[21:40] <@KingGheedorah> "'Or we /will/ regret it,'"6 the leader croons mockingly. A few of the bandits nervously guffaw.
[21:40] <Isamu> *Sighs visibly annoyed. "Well, we tried to be diplomatic."
06[21:41] * Imako cuts Jun a glance.
[21:41] <Imako> "Children playing samurai you say?"
03[21:41] * Merkatz (Merkatz@sux-23F3F167.woh.res.rr.com) has joined #L5Rgame
[21:45] <Hiroshi> "You clearly don't recognize the symbols of a samurai when you see one.  Come, and I will show them to you."
06[21:45] * Imako stretches a bit, walking forward "THat's fine, i'll give you the stretch that we may be a bunch of kids who somehow got our hands on five samurai's daishou.." waiting for jun's display "But I don't think i've ever heard of a kid playing samurai who could speak with the kami.. much less summon them."
06[21:45] * Jun mumbles some prayers to the fire kami that follow her and creates  a large plume of flame in front of the bandits. "Please, stand down."
[21:45] <Imako> "If it's a fight you wish for, it can be arranged, or we could all simply put our shiny toys away and go our seperate ways, choice is yours."
02[21:47] * Merkatz (Merkatz@sux-23F3F167.woh.res.rr.com) Quit (Quit: Merkatz)
06[21:49] * Isamu idly watches the unfolding scene, his hand resting lazily on his Daisho. "Tch, a pain."
01[22:02] <@KingGheedorah> 6Jun's conjured fire blooms like a blazing red flower in the night, creating a blinding flash that leaves a burning afterimage in your vision. The bandits gasp and startle, clutching their weapons more tighly and taking a few steps back.
01[22:06] <@KingGheedorah> 6A couple of them start backing up, clearly afraid. The leader curses loudly.1 "It's a trick, you morons! Kill them!"
06[22:08] * Imako slids beside Sanji, slightly less in front of the swords being pointed "A trick? I was trying to save your lives because we wanted to to lay low.. it's your funeral."
03[22:11] * UboaServ sets mode: +ntr
03[22:11] * UboaServ sets mode: +q KingGheedorah
[22:25] <Sanji> "slow"
06[22:26] * Sanji draws his blade, his Iaijustsu training taking over. He whips his blade forwards, gouging a line across the leaders chest
01[22:27] <~KingGheedorah> 6The leader coughs once and slumps to the ground, his face frozen in a shocked expression.
06[22:28] * Imako manuevers so she has distance between her and the nearest person with a sword, extending one hand and bracing herself, offering a prayer to the air kami as a burst of air fires towards the bandits hanging on the fringes of the battle
01[22:29] <~KingGheedorah> 6The bandits reel at the burst of air but manage to maintain their footing. They shout in confusion at the sudden weather change.
[22:38] <Jun> .me makes a quick prayer to the Fortune of Fire and Earth and a bolt of lightning flows down from the sky, shocking one of the bandits.
01[22:39] <~KingGheedorah> 
01[22:40] <~KingGheedorah> 6The poor slob doesn't even get a chance to scream. His companion, however, more than makes up for it, terrified at the gusts of wind and bolts of lightning suddenly assailing them.
[22:45] <Hiroshi> (weapons already drawn, and the leader already down, I charge the nearest group of two.  In a flash the katana slashes across the hapless bandit's torso in a mighty strike that fells him instantly.)
06[22:47] * Isamu draws his blade somewhat casually. "What a mess..." He steps up close to Imako, assuming a defensive posture.
06[22:51] * Imako "I tried to avoid bloodshed, but.. didn't work." quickly stepping out of Isamu's reach, extending her arm and repeating the former manuever as a blast of wind shoots towards the bandits remaining standing. then quickly ducking behind her guardian once again
06[22:52] * Sanji flicks the blood off his sword before sliding it into the sheath. Whipping it out again directed at a bandits arm
01[22:53] <~KingGheedorah> 6The blade slices the bandit's arm cleanly off and he crumples to the ground, screaming and holding the bloody stump as it sprays everywhere. Imako's prayers fail to contact the Kami this time, and seem to fall on deaf ears.
[22:56] <Jun> Another bolt of lightning descends from Heaven to strike the fools that dared to attack Jun. And her friends, cannot forget about them.
01[22:57] <~KingGheedorah> 6The lightningbolt slams into the terrified bandit screaming over the smoldering corpse of his companion, ending his screams forever.
03[22:58] * Aku-Away (pie@sux-A30218C7.phnx.qwest.net) has joined #L5Rgame
03[22:58] * Aku-Away is now known as Ginko
06[23:00] * Hiroshi doesn't allow the second bandit near him to prepare.  After cutting into the first one, he spins around, slicing from the side at the middle of the second bandit.
01[23:01] <~KingGheedorah> 6The bandit lets out a howl as Hiroshi cuts a deep gash across his chest, yet somehow retains his footing.
[23:02] <Isamu> "Tried." Ismau muses. "Well at least our friends seem to be enjoying the workout." He swings his sword at the remaining bandits, his tip dips to a guarded stance.
01[23:02] <~KingGheedorah> 6The remaining three bandits surge to a desperate attack.
01[23:06] <~KingGheedorah> 6Their attacks are panicked and unskilled and fail to penetrate your defenses.
06[23:15] * Sanji avoids the bandits reckless strikes, once again whipping his sword through the Iai motions, this time directed at the bandits leg
03[23:16] * Anonymoo-san is now known as Yogo
06[23:18] * Imako holds her hands up, peering cautiously around her defender "You know, it's not too late to lay your weapons down and surrender before you join the corpses.."
03[23:19] * Yogo is now known as Hakumei
01[23:25] <~KingGheedorah> 6The bandits don't hesitate to take you up on your offer, throwing down their short blades and running in opposite directions, away from you.
[23:31] <Sanji> "Bah, rabid dogs" Sanji says, flicking the blood from his blade\
02[23:34] * Hakumei (Anonymoo-s@sux-13EB3095.hsd1.mi.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: Hakumei)
06[23:35] * Hiroshi rushes forth and swings low, taking out the legs of the fleeing bandit.
01[23:36] <~KingGheedorah> 6The cut slashes out the hamstring of the fleeing bandit, who crumples to the ground with a shriek.
01[23:36] <~KingGheedorah> 6The second bandit flees in the opposite direction, trying to escape into the empty market stalls.
[23:37] <Hiroshi> (I quickly grab the rope from my pack, dropped in the center of that intersection.)
[23:38] <Hiroshi> (With it I bind the guy's hands.)
[23:38] <Isamu> "Hoo..." Isamu slowly sheathes his katana and relaxes. "Quite the town welcome. You all work out some of that anger?" He joked.
[23:40] <Hiroshi> "I'll admit, what happened at the Topaz Champion competition still stings a bit.  That's neither here nor there though."
01[23:40] <~KingGheedorah> 6The fleeing bandit makes it about six yards before there is a flash of steel. He lets out a shocked gurgle and twitches once, suspended in mid-air by the length of a katana that seems to have spontaneously appeared from behind a market stall and into his chest.
06[23:40] * Sanji pauses staring at the body in shock
01[23:42] <~KingGheedorah> 6The katana withdraws and the man crumples. After a moment a second man steps out from the market - this one tall and dressed in a grey, high-collared kimono spotted with blood flecks. Smoke from a pipe wafts up from underneath the brim of his straw hat. He sheaths his sword calmly, ignoring the dead man, and addresses you in a calm, polite tone.1 "Good evening."
[23:43] <Hiroshi> (I finish tying up the bandit.) "Good evening.  And to who do we own the honor?"
[23:44] <Imako> "Let me guess.. Ryouichi?"
01[23:44] <~KingGheedorah> 6He gestures to the man you are tying up.1 "Dark days, when a group of travellers cannot even make it down the pier of Umoera Mura before being assailed. This was a great city, once, before the Crab destroyed it."
06[23:45] * Sanji rests his hand upon his blade, staring intently at the man
06[23:45] * Jun laughs a little bit at the mention of the word "honor."
01[23:45] <~KingGheedorah> "Ryouichi?"6 His voice sounds slightly amused.1 "No. I am called Shunsen."
06[23:46] * Imako nods her head "Appologies, just making an assumption, seems I was mistaken."
[23:46] <Sanji> "Why would tEH Crab need to destroy this plaCE? It hardly seems imporTant"
[23:48] <Hiroshi> "Wait... Shunsen?  Just Shunsen?"
01[23:49] <~KingGheedorah> "Once, it was a thriving port community, one of the few between Kayuden Hida and the Northern cities."6 He merely smiles a little at Hiroshi's question.
01[23:51] <~KingGheedorah> "If you are looking for lodgings, the House of Blue Lotus Petals is a fairly reputable geisha house, nearby. If you follow the path you are on west, you cannot miss it."
01[23:52] <~KingGheedorah> "I believe you may even find a man named Ryouichi there, if you are so inclined."
[23:52] <Isamu> "Well seems suitable the Crane would dump us here then." Isamu sighs. "Thank you for the suggestion Shunsen."
[23:52] <Hiroshi> "Ah, thank you, we have suddenly found ourselves in need of lodging.  As far as Ryouichi goes, it's a name we are new to, but it appears these bandits were not."
[23:53] <Imako> "We could always take our friend here with us and ask why?
[23:53] <Imako> "I can patch up that wound without issue."
06[23:53] * Sanji bristles a little at the mention of his old clan
01[23:54] <~KingGheedorah> 6He tips his hat to you.1 "Whatever you are searching for, I am sure Umoera Mura is as good a place as any to begin searching. Good evening to you."
01[23:54] <~KingGheedorah> 6He turns and walks back around the corner he first appeared from.
[23:54] <Hiroshi> "Good evening." (to Imako:) "Between this guy and Ryouichi himself I'm sure we'll have all the answers we could hope for."
[23:55] <Sanji> "...This place is messed up"
06[23:55] * Jun goes to look where this mysterious Shunsen fellow goes.
[23:56] <Imako> "If you say so"
06[23:56] * Sanji slides on his travel pack and walks off towards the geisha house
06[23:56] * Imako turning to Sanji "Sometimes you ahve to roll in the mud a bit before you find a diamond."
01[23:56] <~KingGheedorah> 6The lane is empty, but you can smell pipe-smoke where he once stood.
06[23:56] * Isamu bows to Shunsen, then picks up his dropped belongings. "Geisha house, huh? Never seen the inside of one those places before."
06[23:56] * Jun frowns.
[23:56] <Sanji> *grunt*
[23:57] <Hiroshi> "As for Shunsen, if we stick around we'll almost surely see more of him.  I'm guessing we'll start finding fellow ronin more easily."
[23:57] <Jun> "A geisha house? This man is so vulgar in his lodging suggestions."
[23:58] <Imako> "I'm not fond of it either, but given our situation.. we can't afford to be picky."
Session Time: Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 2011
02[00:01] * Sanji (Anonymous@D39E7530.201B13C1.508CA455.IP) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
[00:01] <Hiroshi> "Well, no need to linger here.  Let's get going."
[00:02] <Jun> "It is true that beggars can't be choosers."
01[00:03] <~KingGheedorah> 6The walk down the west lane is blissfully uneventful. There are few people on the streets at this hour, though the few that there are give you a wide berth. The captured bandit limps along in frightened silence.
[00:03] <Hiroshi> "Well, if you get to 'choose' a decent geisha house you're still doing pretty well.  I brought a blanket, if you want we could all sleep outside."
[00:04] <Isamu> "I'd rather eat dirt." Isamu scoffs.
01[00:04] <~KingGheedorah> 6Soon enough you come across a large, well-lit building with a sign reading 'HOUSE OF BLUE LOTUS PETALS'. A large but sleepy-looking bouncer sits on a stool next to the door.
[00:04] <Imako> "I'll take the geisha house. So long as they don't make me wear makeup or something."
[00:04] <Hiroshi> "Well, there you have it."
03[00:05] * Sanji (Anonymous@D39E7530.201B13C1.508CA455.IP) has joined #L5Rgame
[00:06] <Isamu> "Oh, what makes you think they'll force you to wear make-up? Perhaps because..." Isamu leaves his last statement open, a sly grin spread across his face.
[00:06] <Hiroshi> (To the bouncer:) "Excuse me, we would like to enter."
01[00:07] <~KingGheedorah> "Five zeni each,"6 he grunts without opening his eyes.
06[00:08] * Imako shrugs to Isamu "Geisha wear makeup."
[00:08] <Hiroshi> "Okay.  Can you all cover yourselves, or do any of you need assistance?"
[00:08] <Jun> "It'd be the perfect cover, you'd think."
06[00:09] * Hiroshi sighs
02[00:09] * Kal (Kal@sux-5F7D428.hsd1.nj.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: Leaving.)
06[00:10] * Sanji reaches into his purse and pulls out 1 koku
[00:10] <Sanji> "I better get some damn good service for me and my friends
[00:12] <Isamu> "Eh?" Isamu blinks surprised at his blunted joke. "Sheesh, well I've got my fee." He drops 5 zeni into the waiting receptical. "Come on Sanji, loosen up. New experience right?"
06[00:13] * Jun lets the kind gentleman pay for her.
01[00:14] <~KingGheedorah> "Yeah, yeah."6 He opens his eyes... and guffaws at the group of you.1 "More kids? Here to make men out of yourselves, huh."6 He guffaws again.1 "Alright, alright. Go on in, the lady will be there to put your weapons somewhere safe. Welcome to the House of Blue Lotus Petals."6 He takes your money and moves aside a little, allowing you entry.
06[00:14] * Imako grabs some money from her bag, pocketing it for easier access
06[00:15] * Imako but naturally lets the gents pay
01[00:16] <~KingGheedorah> 6He squints suddenly.1 "Hey, your friend is, uh, bleedin'. You kids aren't drunk, are ya? You better not cause trouble, else I break your heads."
06[00:16] * Sanji steps inside, taking a cursory glanse around teh room
[00:16] <Hiroshi> "Eh, I guess standard protocol's out of the picture. Still geting used to that." (With that I enter.)  "We're entirely sober, I assure you.  Though we may not aim to keep it that way, who knows."
06[00:17] * Imako shakes her head "Just a scrape, got into a bit of a scuffle earlier, though we'd take him out to help him forget"
01[00:17] <~KingGheedorah> 6He roars at Hiroshi's comment.1 "Ha ha ha! That's the spirit, kid!"
[00:17] <Isamu> "Make men? You hear that you two. We're gonna make men of you." Isamu laughs toward the girls as he walks in.
[00:17] <Ginko> "My, my, so the rest of the lost children have arrived."
06[00:17] * Jun frowns.
06[00:20] * Ginko sits at a table off to the side; divested of armor, she retains her mask, pure white but for a chrysanthemum painted on the left cheek. She appears to be slightly damp.
[00:20] <Hiroshi> "Eh? You were expecting us?  That makes one of us.  Well met, in any case; I'm Hiroshi."
[00:21] <Imako> "Fell off of a boat and ended up in a geisha house? .. how.... expected"
06[00:21] * Sanji grins at Imakos comment
[00:22] <Ginko> "When I was marked, it was fairly easy to determine who else would end up in my situation."
01[00:22] <~KingGheedorah> 6The room you walk into is large, well-lit and filled with drinking and gambling merchants, being attended to by attractive geisha of both genders. Jun immediately plops herself down in the lap of a burly man-geisha and seems content to be fed cups of sake by him for the time being.
[00:22] <Ginko> "Although you seem to have not been thrown overboard."  She pauses for a moment.  "Perhaps it was something I said to his wife."
01[00:23] <~KingGheedorah> 6A smiling woman comes and collects your weapons, promising they will be kept in a safe spot and returned when you leave.
[00:24] <Hiroshi> (Redact previous statement.)
[00:24] <Sanji> "Never liked her" Sanji says, plopping down next to Ginko
02[00:24] * Jun (chatzilla@sux-2231B257.hsd1.mi.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout)
[00:24] <Imako> "Can't say I liked any of the crew."
[00:24] <Isamu> "Who wouldn't say something to her." Ismau comments as he hands over his katana. "Come on Sanji, what's not to like about her?"
06[00:25] * Imako takes a seat, idly looking around
[00:25] <Hiroshi> (I look around for an elderly man that might be Ryouichi)
[00:25] <Sanji> "That she serpent?" He begins, idly taking a bottle of sake
01[00:26] <~KingGheedorah> 6There is food and drink freely available for any who wish to partake. A large, grizzled old man with a Phoenix mon sits at the bar, drinking. At the other end of the bar is a small, youngish, fairly attractive woman with a long, single braid and a Lion mon, also drinking. She appears to be drinking a great deal more than the older man, and there are about half a dozen empty bottles of sake lying about.
[00:27] <Hiroshi> (I approach the man at the bar.) "Excuse me, might you be the one they call Ryouichi?"
06[00:27] * Imako drops her head a bit "an Ikoma, of all places, with him of all people."
[00:27] <Sanji> "I would plunge into the depths of teh underworld before spending more that ten seconds in her persence"
06[00:27] * Isamu looks around the room in wonder, absorbing the new setting. "She serpent? How cold, even with those fruitful... uhm fruits. Yeah she's got quite the barbed tongue though, but still."
[00:29] <Imako> "Your innuendo is pretty bad, Isamu."
06[00:29] * Ginko directs her eyes at the Lion woman, though she keeps her attention on the conversation. "She's a..." She starts, but then falters. "She is good at what she does, and that's why we're all where we are."
01[00:29] <~KingGheedorah> 6The grizzled old Phoenix turns. He looks to be in his mid 50s, with an impressive though well-trimmed beard and a bald head.1 "Who wants to know?"6 He sizes you up.
[00:30] <Hiroshi> "Well, my name's Hiroshi, although it seems this man and his dock-thug friends were more interested."
[00:30] <Imako> "She's an Ikoma, They tell tales of glroy.. 'fraid we're fresh out of those at the moment.."
06[00:31] * Sanji follows Ginkos gaze.
[00:31] <Hiroshi> "I can't say I was invested at all in the question before they decided (rather foolishly) to attack us."
[00:32] <Isamu> "Eh, I tried." He shrugs and plops down into a free spot. "Glory, hah. Shoulda seen you guys start that fight. There's some recent glory for us."
01[00:32] <~KingGheedorah> 6The Lion woman belches loudly and calls for another round. Clearly she is well into her cups.
[00:33] <Ginko> "Ah, so you fought the dogs at the dock?"
[00:33] <Hiroshi> "If you want to call it a fight you can, though that's being a bit generous."
06[00:33] * Sanji wrinkles his nose in disgust and turns back towards his mhopefully more cultured companion
06[00:34] * Imako nods "Tried to tell them it was a bad idea.. next thing I know they're drawing swords and we're decimating them"
[00:34] <Isamu> "Well its certainly wasn't a tea ceremony."
[00:34] <Imako> "Well, they decimated them, I just kind of stood there."
01[00:34] <~KingGheedorah> 6The older man seems to finally notice the bandit. His face darkens.1 "This lot isn't much good for anything but pestering shopkeeps and getting my spear dirty."6 He stands and prods the wounded bandit in the chest with a thick finger.1 "So. You think slinking around at night in black clothes makes you some kind of tough guy, huh?"
[00:35] <Sanji> "Bah, nothing more than rabid dogs barking at the moon"
01[00:35] <~KingGheedorah> 6The bandit stays silent. Under better light, you can see he's about your age, if that.
[00:36] <Imako> "Been meaning to say something, but shouldn't I patch that wound up? Would be kind of bad if he just.. died here
[00:36] <Hiroshi> "That the all of it?  How many of these guys are there?  Minus seven given the last half hour.
06[00:37] * Ginko glances at Imako. "You'd waste time and energy saving the life of a bandit? How..." She searches for a word. "Compassionate."
01[00:37] <~KingGheedorah> 6The old man grabs the bandit by the neck and pulls away something - an amulet on a string. He chuckles and tosses it to Hiroshi.1 "If you take that to the magistrate there's a bounty on these pondscum. One koku per amulet, for proof of death. They've been plaguing this town for six weeks now. Robbing merchants, raiding ships, preying on people at night."
[00:37] <Isamu> "Dogs will be dogs. Besides I like the guy, he kinda reminds me of someone."
01[00:38] <~KingGheedorah> 6He pokes the bandit in the chest again.1 "What does the symbol on the amulet mean? Who do you work for?"
[00:38] <Hiroshi> "You don't say." (To the rest of the party:) "If you want, there's still at least 6 others if you want to run back."
06[00:39] * Imako eyes Ginko "Compassion for the enemy, honor for those who surrender, those ARE tenets of bushido, last I checked."
[00:39] <Imako> "We could definitely use the money.."
06[00:41] * Ginko turns to face Imako, though her expression is concealed. "Indeed they are."
01[00:41] <~KingGheedorah> 6The bandit looks on the verge of soiling himself. "D-D-D-Daisuke. T-t-t-they k-k-killed him. I d-don't know what the s-symbol means, I s-swear, I just wanted to make some m-m-money on the s-s-side..."6 The old man barks a harsh laugh.1 "See? He don't know anything. They take these bastards, puff them up with self-importance, and then send them out on the town. I keep telling Hanzo that but he don't listen, keeps trying to do things 'by the book'. Only way to get rid of a plague of weeds is to /cut them all down/."6 His last statement elicits a whimper from the bandit.
[00:41] <Isamu> "Sanji, you seemed to enjoy that little not-tea ceremony. Why don't you run back for those?"
[00:42] <Hiroshi> "Well, you took his amulet, right?  Proof of his death."  (to the bandit:) "Or death as a bandit at least, right? Tell me you're smart enough to know when you should be done with that."
06[00:43] * Imako holds her hand up to the man "Even flower seedlings look like weeds when they first begin growing."
01[00:43] <~KingGheedorah> "I'll n-n-never touch a weapon again, p-p-p-please just don't kill me!"6 The front of his trousers darken.
[00:44] <Isamu> "Oi, oi. At least let the dog out for its business."
06[00:44] * Sanji turns away from Ginko and rises to his feet
[00:44] <Sanji> "This place sucks anyway
[00:44] <Hiroshi> (I undo his bindings.)  "Go, back to your mother.  If I EVER see you with what looks like the wrong crowd again, it'll be the last."
06[00:45] * Sanji signals to tHE Geisha for his equipment, still cradling the bottle of untouched sake
01[00:45] <~KingGheedorah> 6The grateful bandit flees as fast as his chest wound and unstrung hamstring can take him, raising more than a few eyebrows in the attending patrons. He is swiftly ignored, however.
01[00:46] <~KingGheedorah> 6Sanji, the smiling woman returns and leads you to a small side-room filled with weapons. She returns yours and tells you to return soon.
[00:46] <Imako> "You know I could have patched those wounds up for him first.."
06[00:47] * Isamu laughs as the bandit flees the room. "Look at the dog run, hah! Hiroshi, you crack me up."
06[00:47] * Sanji smiles at teh geisha and wlaks out the door, telling the guard that he will soon return
[00:47] <Hiroshi> "It was much a courtesy to the establishment as compassion for him."  (to Imako:) "He'll be fine.  Besides, he was leaking in a less serious but equally disgusting manner."
[00:47] <Imako> ".. true."
01[00:48] <~KingGheedorah> 6The old man turns to Hiroshi.1 "So you cut up him and his friends? Not too shabby."6 He bows slightly.1 "Shiba Ryouichi. Pleased to meet you."
[00:48] <Ginko> "My, I'm meeting all kinds of people today."
06[00:48] * Hiroshi bows, slightly further. "Hiroshi.  Just Hiroshi."
06[00:49] * Sanji moves back towards the scene of the battle, singing a drinking tune
01[00:49] <~KingGheedorah> 6He arches an eyebrow at the 'just Hiroshi' part, but says nothing.
01[00:49] <~KingGheedorah> 6Sanji, the streets are empty. You find the scene of the battle quickly enough. The bodies are still there, including the amulets.
01[00:49] <~KingGheedorah> 6There are seven in total.
06[00:49] * Imako just giggles and shakes her head at 'Hiroshi'
01[00:50] <~KingGheedorah> "So they jumped you, thinking you were me?"6 He guffaws.1 "Isn't that somethin'."
06[00:50] * Hiroshi shoots Imako a glance as he pockets the amulet.
[00:50] <Imako> "You were the one who said it, not me."
[00:51] <Hiroshi> "Pretty much.  They figured out quickly enough that we weren't, but their leader was awfully thick-skulled."
06[00:51] * Sanji collects teh amulets and pauses to search the leader for anything interesting
[00:51] <Hiroshi> "'Hand over your weapons and valuables' and that sort of thing."
01[00:52] <~KingGheedorah> 6Aside from a few zeni, there is nothing of interest.
[00:52] <Imako> "tried to convince him it was a bad idea, But he convinced himself that we were just kids playing samurai... and well, that ended badly for him"
[00:52] <Isamu> "Then our amulet fetcher decided it was high time for him to stop talking." Isamu made a chop with this one hand. "Yep, was somethin."
[00:53] <Hiroshi> "Well, since I'm no longer on prisoner escort duty, I think I'll take to enjoying myself, as fitting of the establishment."
06[00:53] * Sanji pockets the zeni "Might as well, he won't be using it anymore", then proceeds to leave the scene, whistling the drinking tune
01[00:54] <~KingGheedorah> 6He nods.1 "Yeah. Bastards appeared out of nowhere, six weeks ago. Started roughing up people at night near the docks and such. Gotten worse ever since; they even attacked the magistrate's precinct. Watch yourself, sure as sure he's going back to tell his friends about you and yours."
01[00:54] <~KingGheedorah> "Don't forget to swing by the precinct to collect your reward."
[00:55] <Imako> "We were a bit.. flashy. I doubt they'll be too direct."
06[00:55] * Ginko goes back to gazing at the Ikoma, "If he goes back, these gardeners here will cull the weed when the time comes."
01[00:55] <~KingGheedorah> 6He arches an eyebrow.1 "Exactly. They aren't /all/ dumb wharf rats. Else there'd be no problem."
[00:56] <Hiroshi> "Thanks for the heads up.  Best of luck to you, seems they're a bit more interested in you for now."
[00:57] <Isamu> "I doubt it'll stay that way." Isamu idly looks around to the other groups gather, taking in the sounds.
06[00:57] * Sanji approaches the Blue Lotus and nods at the guard
06[00:58] * Hiroshi takes a seat at the bar. "I'll have a drink please. Some food might be nice, too."
01[00:58] <~KingGheedorah> 6He smiles a little and gestures to the Lion woman, now working on what looks like her eighth bottle of sake.1 "Watch out for the Matsu, she's a man-eater. The other bouncer is nursing a black eye from trying to cut her off the other night."6 He grunts.1 "Don't worry about me, I'm old. No young warf-rat is going to knife me in the dark. Not without a fight at any rate."
01[00:59] <~KingGheedorah> 6Hiroshi, a pretty young geisha is happy to accomodate your food and drink requests. Sanji, the bouncer waves you back inside with a nod, where the smiling woman once again relieves you of your weapons.
[01:00] <Hiroshi> "Well, they're not all young warf-rats right?  Even then, you never know when some amateur's gonna get lucky.  Anyways, I'm not one to cut other people off from their drinks."
06[01:00] * Ginko sighs and turns away from the woman and back to the group. "Alas, another prospect gone. No luck in this place, I swear."
06[01:00] * Hiroshi thanks the geisha, and digs in.
02[01:02] * Isamu (Fragskull@sux-FA749AB3.openport.buffalo.edu) Quit (Quit: Isamu)
06[01:02] * Sanji walks in and sits beside Hiroshi, waving over a geisha to serve him the same
[01:03] <Hiroshi> "Welcome back.  You find your bounty?"
01[01:03] <~KingGheedorah> 6Sanji, you are likewise served by pretty young women.
06[01:03] * Imako smiles and nods to the geisha, taking a drink
[01:04] <Sanji> "Indeed, though nothing else of interest" Sanji says as he prepares to eat
[01:04] <Hiroshi> "Ahh, after the slop that bastard captain fed us this is a welcome reprieve."
06[01:05] * Sanji nods but says nothing
[01:06] <Ginko> "So, Lord Shiba, might I inquire as to your presence here?  Is it simply to deal with this bandit problem?"
01[01:09] <~KingGheedorah> 6He laughs and tosses back a shot of shochou.1 "I'm /supposed/ to be retired. Just never worked that way for me. Hanzo's an old friend of mine, tryin' to do a hard job. I s'pose I could have become a Monk, but meditating on the true nature of the Tao never appealed to me much."
[01:11] <Hiroshi> "Fair enough.  What did you do before you retired?  Or tried to."
06[01:12] * Hiroshi orders another cup after asking
01[01:13] <~KingGheedorah> "Same thing I do now."6 He reaches into his kimono and reveals a small medallion, marked with the emblem of the Emerald Champion.
06[01:14] * Ginko pauses, directing her entire attention on the emblem.
[01:14] <Ginko> "I...see."
01[01:15] <~KingGheedorah> 6He laughs.1 "Whassamatter, kid, never seen a Magistrate's badge before?"
01[01:15] <~KingGheedorah> "You aren't up to no good, are you?"
06[01:15] * Ginko positions herself appropriately and bows.
06[01:16] * Sanji stiffens and bows
01[01:16] <~KingGheedorah> 6He chuckles again and tucks the medallion away.1 "Oh, cut that out. I'm supposed to be retired, remember?"
[01:16] <Hiroshi> "Well, if you suddenly think cleaning up wharf-rats is no good, then sure."
03[01:17] * Jun (chatzilla@sux-6C5F9F3F.hsd1.mi.comcast.net) has joined #L5Rgame
[01:19] <Hiroshi> "To answer your question, I don't know that I have seen a magistrate's badge before.  But if it's your preference I can do my best to ignore it."
[01:19] <Ginko> "Retired or not, it is only proper that you be accorded due respect.  Pardon my earlier rudeness."
06[01:19] * Imako simply silently bows her head
01[01:19] <~KingGheedorah> 6He waves.1 "Don't matter to me, everyone here knows who I am and what I do."
[01:21] <Hiroshi> "Well, we do now as well now.  Glad to have made your acquantance."
01[01:22] <~KingGheedorah> 6He grins.1 "You're alright, kid. Just, ah..."
01[01:22] <~KingGheedorah> 6He lowers his voice a little.1 "Try to keep any fighting to at night, and outside the view of the town watch."
[01:23] <Sanji> "Indeed. I must beg your pardon however as I am spent and must retire for the night"
[01:23] <Hiroshi> "Will do.  I can't make any promises, if things happen like today, but I'll try to keep it down."
06[01:24] * Hiroshi downs the remains of his drink and orders another.
01[01:24] <~KingGheedorah> "I don't what you kids are doing carrying samurai weapons, but I can guess. I don't have anything against ronin, and nor does Hanzo, but the local Daidoji lord is a right bastard, and he don't feel the same say we do, you catch my drift?"
[01:25] <Hiroshi> "Thanks for the warning, we're a bit new at this.  Now that you mention it, do you happen to know a fellow by the name of Shunsen?"
06[01:25] * Sanji silently rises and leaves teh conversation before moving towards the sleeping areas
01[01:27] <~KingGheedorah> "Shunsen."6 He frowns.1 "He give you any trouble?"
[01:28] <Hiroshi> "Quite the opposite.  It seems he has it out for those bandits pretty bad, judging by the one he stabbed.  He's the one who pointed us here."
02[01:29] * Sanji (Anonymous@D39E7530.201B13C1.508CA455.IP) Quit (Quit: Sanji)
01[01:29] <~KingGheedorah> 6He sighs in relief.1 "Good."
[01:30] <Hiroshi> "Has he been causing his own brand of trouble?"
01[01:30] <~KingGheedorah> "Bit of an odd one, that one. Arrived about the same time as the bandits, but I've had nothing to tie him to them or them to him. He's got a room here, apparently, but I've never seen him come in or go out. Never seen him drink or eat, either, just smoke that pipe and talk in riddles."
[01:31] <Ginko> "Sounds like a mystic."
[01:31] <Hiroshi> "Heh, I could believe it.  If there is a connection between them it looks to me like he's probably hunting them."
01[01:31] <~KingGheedorah> "I'm glad he didn't try and cause any trouble. There's something... odd about him. Something not quite right. Like if he wanted to cause trouble, we'd have no end of it."
06[01:33] * Jun stumbles in towards the bar, her arms wrapped around some strange geisha-man and using him as support. "Hey, hey guyesh," she slurs. It seems like she's had one to many to drink. "I take back everyschin I shed about this placsh. Sch pretty nish."
06[01:33] * Hiroshi chuckles
[01:34] <Hiroshi> "Take care.  See you tomorrow, we need to talk about moving forward."
01[01:34] <~KingGheedorah> 6Ryouichi howls with laughter.
01[01:34] <~KingGheedorah> "Have a good night, kids,"6 he laughs, wiping tears of mirth out of his eyes.1 "Looks like the rest of you have some catching up to do."
[01:35] <Jun> "Hehehe. Whash he laughin bout?"
[01:35] <Hiroshi> "I told a funny joke, you must not have heard it.  I'll tell you tomorrow."
06[01:36] * Hiroshi whispers to Ryouichi: "No kidding.  I'm a few bottles back in this race."
06[01:38] * Hiroshi orders another drink. "Well, no need to race, but it's nice to jog once in a while."
[01:38] <Jun> "You- you better. You say wha happen in the crossin plasch."
[01:39] <Jun> "KABOOM! Thunder everywhere!"
[01:39] <Hiroshi> "We'll see what you remember tomorrow, though I'll be happy to fill in the blanks you're likely to have at this rate."
[01:40] <Hiroshi> "There were fireballs too, but thats sort of an aside."
01[01:40] <~KingGheedorah> 6Ryouichi arches an eyebrow, still laughing a little.1 "You should probably put your friend to bed, before she embarasses herself."
06[01:40] * Ginko shakes her head in amusement. "I suppose for some, propriety is more easily cast aside. Wouldn't you agree, miss Lion?"
[01:41] <Jun> "You'd do that? Fer me? Hiroshi, yer a pal, ya are."
[01:41] <Hiroshi> "Of course.  Now now, you heard the man!  Magistrate's orders, off to bed with you!"
[01:42] <Hiroshi> "Or at least pull up a seat."
[01:42] <Hiroshi> "They're geisha's, not furniture."
[01:43] <Jun> "Gescha-san, could you help me inta a chair plesch? I canna walk sa good er feel mah legsch."
01[01:44] <~KingGheedorah> 6The volume at the other end of the bar has increased considerably. A pack of sailors have joined the Matsu woman in what appears to be a drinking competition. She appears to be winning.
01[01:45] <~KingGheedorah> 6Jun's new geisha friend gently helps her sit down on a barstool, standing behind her so she doesn't simply slide off.
06[01:45] * Jun slumps forward a tad resting her arms on the bar.
[01:45] <Hiroshi> "I'm guessing that scene down there is a common one?"
03[01:46] * Isamu (Fragskull@sux-8F59B650.buffalo.res.rr.com) has joined #L5Rgame
01[01:49] <~KingGheedorah> 6Ever since she showed up, yeah. 'Bout the same time as that Shunsen fella, matter of fact. Apparently she's stranded here trying to get to Kyuden Hida by ship. Hers was the one attacked by the bandits the other night."
[01:49] <Hiroshi> "They attacked a ship?"
01[01:50] <~KingGheedorah> "Three nights ago, yeah. Mantis merchant vessel, the /Seven Fortune's Blessing/. Bold bastards, raided it with the escort vessel right next to it."
[01:50] <Jun> "Banditsch onna lucky streak can get pretty ballschy sometimesch."
06[01:51] * Imako looks at Jun ".. Do you need me to sober you up?"
[01:51] <Hiroshi> "Heh, that goes a bit beyon ballsy."
[01:52] <Hiroshi> "Whoops, I'm startin to slip too it...seems."
[01:52] <Jun> "I'm good. All ya scheem ta do is blow a lotta air around."
[01:53] <Imako> "Because I'm more suited for patching wounds than making them, but keep the insults up, I'll make sure you can empty the bar and not get the least bit tipsy :|"
06[01:53] * Ginko winces at the increased racket. "Well, my day has certainly been eventful enough. It is...helpful to know that I am not alone in my plight. Much as I regret it, I too will adjourn. I have a bit of business to attend to before bed."
[01:53] <Hiroshi> "Hehehe!  Is that where you pulled those fireballs from?"
[01:54] <Hiroshi> "Hot air?  Eh?"
[01:54] <Jun> "Thunder and fire from the great Fortune Oschano-Woah!"
[01:56] <Jun> "Buah really, wait till tomorrah to do that. I might learn my lesschon the first tiem."
[01:56] <Hiroshi> "Careful now, this here's" -hic- "a fine establishment, it's fine without , you know, the burning."
06[01:57] * Ginko rises, turns to the magistrate, and bows again. "Lord Shiba, it has been an honor." She smiles, and makes her way toward the sleeping quarters, gesturing to one of the geisha to follow her as she does.
[01:58] <Hiroshi> "Another drink, honored Geishas!"
[01:58] <Jun> "Woo! More schake!"
[01:58] <Hiroshi> "And some sushi, if you have any!"
06[01:59] * Imako sighs, taking a sip from her own glass
[01:59] <Isamu> "Urghhhh, if I sea food I'm gonna be sick." Isamu groans.
[01:59] <Hiroshi> "Even your puns can't bring me down now!"
[02:00] <Jun> "Tat wasch funny cause we were onna boat for weeksch."