Sapphire Ambassadors

He'd gotten more of the chatter during his walk over, and had gone from amused to appalled to... amused again.

These Crane are even bigger fools than I am.

So he was walking with a buoyant spring in his step, whistling happily to himself, smiling to the guards, and wishing he'd taken up juggling when Ayame had offered to teach him.

Because if these idiots wanted a spectacle, he was more than happy to give them one. He bopped along to where he had been told he could find Doji Takei, still moving downright jauntily.

The magistrate is in his office, pacing as he reviews documents--reports, from the look of them--and looking almost harried.

He gives a nod to Choudai as the Scorpion enters. "It'll have to be brief, Bayushi-san," he says, tersely but not impolitely.

"I assumed it might have to be, Doji-sama. I know the demands on your time are great."

He bowed and held out the itemized lists the guards had just given him.

"So great that it took two days for this to arrive, and somehow no one ever thought to request my testimony on the matter- where I had been, where the presumably offending substance had been kept."

Takei looks over the lists briefly, nods.

"I'll be happy to have any testimony recorded that you'd like to offer, Bayushi-san," he says, "though I'll note there aren't any charges in place at present. No, we received--what, yesterday?--reports of concerns about spiritual matters, and we're going through and attending to possible...attractants. And you did cook...meat...recently."

"I cooked it outside, in Unicorn fashion, over an open flame, on wooden skewers that I have since burned.,"

His expression was perfectly bland.

"Something I would have been happy to tell anyone who saw fit to ask. I will also note that while I have used the kitchen of the Jinabori on occasion, i did so days before the actions that have everyone so concerned. And I have never made use of the kitchens in the Sunseat Leaves."

He bowed.

"As, again, I would have happily told anyone who thought to ask, since this is apparently a matter of such grave spiritual import."

He paused.

"Quite ironic, really, that all of this came out of a display on Courtesy, neh? Still. Dreadfully sorry to have been a bother. I presume I will need to secure other tools for today's competition, if this is simply a matter of spiritual concern."

"Details of that would be handled by event staff," Takei replies, "although I cannot think reasonable accommodation would be denied you, given the situation. Although you might also, to allay any lingering concerns, visit the shrine."

He sets aside the report he had been reviewing.

"Your account is noted, Bayushi-san, with thanks. And your things will be returned to you once their safety has been ascertained. Was there anything further?"

"Nothing of anything but purely personal import, Doji-sama."

He bowed low.

"And I thank you for your time."

Takei returns the bow.

"Carry the Fortunes, Bayushi-san, and good luck in the contest."

Luck. Right.

He bowed again and made his [/exit]

(good scene)

[Danke!]