(Day 7, LA) The Aftermath ((CW: Ritual Suicide Potential))

[Bayushi Jiro]

"Understood, Kakita-dono." Jiro bowed a third time.

[Vutall]

"Very well then, we shall not allow this matter to disturb the sanctity and sacred history of this Topaz Championship any longer. Once everyone has been seen to by the healers, we shall return to the tournament as scheduled"

He bows to Jiro and looks over the group.

"Are there any further details I should be made aware of before we go back to our planned activity?"

[Matsu Qiang]

Qiang cleared his throat.

"If you will excuse me, Kakita-sensei," he said. "It would appear the criminals particularly attempted to discredit one of the other competitors - Hitoshi of the Mantis. May I suggest you consider whether something could be done to address that situation? The matter is, of course, up to your judgement."

[Vutall]

"The matter has been made clear to me, Matsu-san. In fact, it helped me to see something I was unaware of until this took place. Kakita-san did defeat Hitoshi-san in their duel, however it was tampered with, with her skill though, so his elimination from the contest stands."

Behind Toshimoko, the translucent ghost of Satsume comes into existence for a brief moment and he smiles, giving a bow to all who assisted in fulfilling his request.

[Mai]

Mai steps forward. Ready to speak after Toshi is down with the Mantis. Mai blinks in surprise and Satsume's ghost. But gives no other reaction.

[Matsu Qiang]

The Matsu bowed in acknowledgement of Toshimoko's decree, and stepped back to allow Mai to speak.

[Vutall]

Toshimoko looks to Mai and what she carries.

"Yes, Mantis-san?"

[Mai]

"We have the ship captain's journal. There appears to be some clues of what was going on." Mai holds up the journal

[Kaito Haruki]

Haruki stops his constant (but respectfully silent) prayers to the fortune Tsugumu to reveal that which would prove Kakita Riku did not intend to murder Hitoshi. This was far too obviously a set up, one which should have been caught immediately if she took a second to ensure her weapon was of the proper sharpness (or bluntness in this case). However that was not the case, and once Riku-San took her own life, the matter would be resolved according to the law. Thinking on those past events, he pauses to think of what he would say out loud, if anything.

[Iuchi Prashant]

Prashant arrives late along with Nesrin, having helped care for and take the ponies back, as well as praying to their spirits in thanks for their essential help in solving the matters and keeping everyone alive (having already said a heartfelt thanks with a low bow to Mai, although the player has been rushed and hasn't added that to the other thread yet). Shugenja or not, he is as bloodied and wet as the others.

He halts with a start on seeing the sequence of events, and even more on hearing Jiro's testimony and Toshimoko's answer to it.

He couldn't help but hope this had no relation to Scorpion machinations - even though his eyes let on at least some doubt. Sharing trust in a Scorpion in personal matters was one thing - a dangerous thing, perhaps, but he felt it was right. Trusting all the words of a very skilled Scorpion courtier in his element, on public matters, was another.

He smiled a bit at the thought... And decided to shrug off any worry.

His close friend was walking his own path. It's what he had said, wasn't it? Each finding their own path and threading it without doubt.

He smiled at him, from a distance, then warmly at Nesrin again, as he and the Battle Maiden waited for a chance to be healed, and to give their testimony.

[Otomo Nobuko]

Nobuko bows to Doji Satsume's apparition, though for any who cannot see it, it would look like she was bowing to Toshimoko.

[Utaku Nesrin]

Nesrin had only vaguely been aware of the scandal dogging Hitoshi and those who marked him down so severely. So the entire recitation was a revelation. Whatever was going on, this wasn't an at all normal year, and it seemed to stretch well beyond the tournament. She's thankful that there's healing available, or the duels ahead would hardly be fair.

[Kakita Kenji]

Kenji arrived with the others but remaind silent for most of the time. The only testimony he could deliver was about the fight.
He looked after his fellow Kakita, he was glad Riku was alive.
When the Healers arrived he let himself get bandaged up and waited if there was anything Kakita-dono wanted from him.

[Bayushi Kaidan]

Kaidan continued to eat edamame and now peanuts. He was here in case Jiro needed him but it seemed that he had it under control.

[Kitsuki Asahi]

Asahi glanced around. An interesting crowd was gathering. From what the Scorpion had said, most everyone present was now involved in all of this in some way. He had investigated a few things himself, but not nearly to the depth that the Bayushi had. Participating in the battle, however, and what he and the Mantis had found on the boat definitely encouraged the Kitsuki to investigate more.

webs within webs

Best not to investigate alone.

[Kaito Haruki]

(Can I roll Lore:nature to see if there is a way to counteract the ink erasing properties of tsu fish eggs [thinking like how invisible ink can be read with lemon juice I think])

[Vutall]

((There is not a way to remove the property. Once the ink has been removed, it's essentially been "burned" off, leaving no trace))