The New Winds

Haruki just had a thought: if we're all participating in the Topaz Championship and are the first in an experiment for all of Rokugan, does that mean we all will be attending the Imperial Courts? Well, he better find a sensei and ask; Shosuro-sensei isn't too busy is she?

Shiso came to learn how to lie better i.e. how to accomplish 95% of truthful message while still misleading the listener. That appealed to them. Blame a scratch by bakeneko in childhood or something.

"Konbanwa, Kaito-san! Is the Sensei already around?" Shiso looked to the ceiling just in case she was hovering there.

"I am everywhere, Soshi-san"

Came an ominous voice before Tomoe stepped out of the shadows.

Bowing to the sensei "greetings, could I ask a request from you?"

"What is it you need, child?"

"I am aware that we are part of a test for the entirety of Rokugan; does that mean we will be attending this year's Winter Court? And if so, can I ask for advice on how to keep face to the level expected of an attending member of the court?"

"To be invited to the Emperor's Winter Court before you are deemed an adult would be quite the spectacle, Isawa-san. I do not think that would happen. Perhaps after you are deemed ready to enter the world you can find an invitation. Gaining the Topaz Champion title for example would be one way to gain the invitation. As far as your request, I m happy to teach even if you are not attending."

"Thank you sensei. Will you be joining us Shiso-san?"

Shiso nodded, though he hadn't recalled when he switched to first-name basis with that one.

"I'd like a lesson on veracity in everything."

(Whoops used the wrong part of your name, head was elsewhere would have addressed you by family name. I don't know if we actually met yet.)

"Let us begin then. Why don't you two perform a game called two truths and a lie with each other. Isawa-san, you will tell two truths and one lie to Soshi-san. Soshi-san, you will need to decipher what is the lie."

"Very well. So: my mother is dead, I never visited the Shrine of the Ki-rin, and I have an ancestor that speaks to me."

Shiso was looking for emotional reactions, if any, that would come with each statement.

D9 Rooster: Sincerity (honesty)/Awareness: 3d10o10k2 29
D9 Rooster: Sincerity (deception)/Awareness: 3d10o10k2 28

[What should I counter this with? Investigation? Then it's double fail since I can't beat those two rolls.]

"I can't tell for sure but I think the last one is a lie." Shiso had no grounds to tell, they used some plausibility calculation, but ultimately decided on a hunch.

(Countered with investigation, yes)

"Nope, but that is a logical choice. My mother is actually still alive."

“You must try to analyze the words being told to you to every minuscule detail, using everything you know of that person. Building a reputation with them beforehand is important for this. Soshi-San, you tell the truths and lie, Isawa-Sam, you determine what is what”