Sapphire Ambassadors

(Open to Bayushi Choudai)

As the first rays of dawn caressed the sleepy little town, a squad of six city guards marched with purpose towards the Jinbaori. Their weapons were not drawn, but their leader carried a very official looking scroll with him that bore the weight of the law.

As one they made their way to Bayushi Choudai's room, and gave it a very serious, 'It's-=-the-police!' knock.

BY ORDER OF THE MAGISTRATE:

The Kitchens of the Jinbaori and The Sunset Leaves Tea Room are CLOSED for deep cleaning and spiritual purification all day today. Trail rations will be provided for those participating in the sapphire tournament.

"I heard the Scorpions confronted Mikan."
"Oh? Had they eaten cabbages the night before?"

"So the one with the bird mask went into the makeup one's room."
"Yeah?"
"And then that pretty Crane joined them."
"Oh?"
"I know, right? And she's supposed to be married!"

She is gone, and I may not be far behind her.

"That one Otomo and the Legionnaire evidently went camping together."
"Huh. Wouldn't've figured the one to pitch a tent like that."

Isn't Kakita Hyoukasha going to the gallery for the judging?
I heard that he woke up terribly ill this morning.
What about his wife?
Nursed him all day, but she'll still be in attendance.

Why are we eating rations today? I wanted sukiyaki.
Apparently we have Bayushi Choudai to thank for that.
Huh? What do you mean?
Apparently not only did he cook a whole bunch of spiritually impure food, he didn't follow any of the purification rituals afterwardsP.
Oh no!
Oh yes and then he stuck his dirty, nasty filthy tools all about the kitchens in the Jinbaori and the Sunset Leaves Tea Room.
The monster! No wonder I felt so sick yesterday!
Pretty sure that was because you ate ten dangos in one sitting.
No, clearly the Scorpion is at fault.

Hey first person to get the second pick of the judges is Doji Nadeshiko!
Yep, another win for the Crane, how shocking. This is my shocked face.
Well, ok, sure, but....um...also first win for the Scorpion!
So on the day devoted to Duty, you're saying the one Scorpion who was picked was the former Crane wearing Crane colored makeup?

I cannot believe the judges slighted Horiuchi Sriyani like that! Have they no eyes? That presentation was beyond brilliant!
I mean, yeah it was really really good, but different art speaks to different people you know?
Preposterous! I bet Shosuro Hatsuki blackmailed the judges to get her win!
Hey not so loud...um....you might disturb the birds.

Really? He sent word for the Isawa?
I know right? I thought Utemaro-sama made it pretty clear he didn't want that Isawa in town.
Yeah, but remember that haughty look on the Isawa's face? Like he knew that it was only a matter of time before Utemaro sent for him.
Ugh, the man is as arrogant as two Isawas stacked on top of a Yoritomo. It must be really bad to send for him.

Hey so a certain sculpting Mantis and a certain foxy shugenja were getting pretty close at the sake bar last night.
No way! What about my Phoenix-Mantis ship? I even had the perfect name for it! Aqidachi! Like a nodachi of love!
Doesn't the Phoenix only have eyes for the Scorpion and the Scorpion for the Mantis?
Yes, that's why it's a perfect love triangle! Throwing in a cute fox shugenja totally unbalances it!
Maybe she'll win them all over and they'll all fight over her instead?
....nah, she's cute but not THAT cute.

Geez, did you see that demonsration by the shuegenja?
See it? No, but I sure felt it a block away.
The lesson is clear: do not insult shugenjas.

Assuming that the vast pile of rumors in his room was a cosmic oversight, Choudai simply donned his mask, went to the door and opened it.

"Can I be of some assistance?"

Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 22, 2022 7:04 am

Assuming that the vast pile of rumors in his room was a cosmic oversight, Choudai simply donned his mask, went to the door and opened it.

"Can I be of some assistance?"

With a well-practiced flick of the wrist, the lead guard unfurled the scroll.

"By Order of the Magistrate:

Bayushi Choudai, under the provinces of the spiritual defense of the surrounding lands, you are hereby instructed and compelled to surrender all cooking devices, implements, tools, utensils, vessels (et cetera) to agents of the magistrate for deep cleaning and spiritual purification. Furthermore, the agents of the magistrate are instructed to complete a full search of Bayushi Choudai's quarters and person to ensure none of the above items are missed. Bayushi Choudai will be issued a full account of the items seized and they will be returned to him once the spiritual purification is completed"

the magistrate's seal is displayed upon the document for Choudai to see the order.

He cocked his head to the side, reading it, then shrugged.

"I presume this isn't about the fugu fish I killed in front of everyone, so if you want to know where the worst of it is, the skewers I used over an open flame have already been burned. Nothing else except the platter- which belongs to the Crane- and a borrowed knife actually touched the stuff, but I see you have your orders. Everything's wrapped up in that light blue furoshiki over there. The rest of my belongings shouldn't be hard to find. And whoever wants to search my person might as well get started."

He started unbinding his obi.

"Wouldn't want me smuggling a mortar and pestle out in my fundoshi, would you?"

Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 22, 2022 7:30 am

He cocked his head to the side, reading it, then shrugged.

"I presume this isn't about the fugu fish I killed in front of everyone, so if you want to know where the worst of it is, the skewers I used over an open flame have already been burned. Nothing else except the platter- which belongs to the Crane- and a borrowed knife actually touched the stuff, but I see you have your orders. Everything's wrapped up in that light blue furoshiki over there. The rest of my belongings shouldn't be hard to find. And whoever wants to search my person might as well get started."

He started unbinding his obi.

"Wouldn't want me smuggling a mortar and pestle out in my fundoshi, would you?"

This actually earned a bow of respect from the Crane.

"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, Bayushi-san. Our work, while through, will be as quick as we can so you can proceed with your day."

And true to the Crane's word is was. There was no undue mishandling of items, no ransacking, no theft, every item was handled with the utmost care. Every piece of cookery was accounted for, and he was presented with a fully itemized list of the confiscated items.

Saibankan wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 22, 2022 7:45 am

This actually earned a bow of respect from the Crane.

"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, Bayushi-san. Our work, while through, will be as quick as we can so you can proceed with your day."

And true to the Crane's word is was. There was no undue mishandling of items, no ransacking, no theft, every item was handled with the utmost care. Every piece of cookery was accounted for, and he was presented with a fully itemized list of the confiscated items.

"If testimony about locations is required, I would be pleased to offer it."

Orders were orders. Choudai knew that better than most.

"Wouldn't want to give any misapprehensions about having used, say, the manor's own kitchens for the purpose...."

The guard nod's.

"Your cooperation is appreciated Bayushi-san. If you have additional testimony to provide, I would suggest visiting the magistrate so it can be taken and assessed properly." the guard offered politely.


Orders WERE orders after all, and Guard A wasn't going to get pulled into Scorpion hijinks if he could all avoid it while executing his orders.

"Oh, but of course, I simply thought that he must be so very busy, since it took two days for these orders to be issued."

He bowed to the guard.

"I'll go right along."

Which the guards were totally fine with, though they did hand him his itemized seizure list before he left.

[Feels like /scene to me!]