[D11 EA] The Mystery of the Bureaucratic Machine

[Togashi Shinko]

Shinko was a tad surprised to hear that she was to report to the administrative center, Shinko didn't mind. She'd meant what she said about wishing those who had bested her well, but it still left a bitter taste in her mouth. She was still nicely dressed, having expected to go to the ceremony when she is at the government center.

[Asahina Tenshin]

Asahina Tenshin was standing, waiting for the young scooby gang to arrive. There was a pleasant smile on his features. His trusty yojimbo waited by him as well.

[Kitsu Masaru]

Masaru arrived dressed ready for the ceremony later so he was in his traditional Kitsu robes of Fine quality.

He enteredbthe room and bowed to those present curious if this was simply a status update or of the Asahina had more in store for them.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Kasumi had, against her better judgment and very much against her inclinations, donned her finest kimono for the day's events, and had even refrained from day-drinking during the twilight of her time in Tsuma.

Truly, the Mantis was sacrificing greatly.

Still, even her foul humor of late perked up a bit at the familiar faces. People she'd done a job with.

[Shosuro Kaoru]

Shosuro Kaoru was of course there. Though a meeting involving half a dozen persons from about as many clans, each with their own objectives, had close to a zero percent chance of being politically productive, skipping said meeting would likely be politically damaging, and zero was still greater than a negative number.

[Kitsuki Jun]

Jun is likewise neatly dressed in his best clothing. The heavily starched kamishimo and hakama have actually turned out to be a surprisingly good clothing choice for today; they bind his movement a little bit, which is usually a minor irritation, but right now serves as a subtle reminder not to bend or twist too fast in any direction that would tweak his battered ribs.

"Good afternoon, Asahina-sama," he says, making a confidently courteous (if rather stiff) bow. The other Scoobies get a slightly less polished quick smile.

[Togashi Shinko]

Shinko tries to discreetly pat Jun and Kasumi on the back, beaming at them.

[Asahina Tenshin]

"Thank you all for coming." He bows to them all in turn. "I will cut straight to the chase. Thanks to your efforts, we were able to put a stop to the opium smuggling here in Tsuma." His smile shrank back slightly, looking away for a moment.

"However Kasuga Touji-san was no where to be found. We were able to capture those in his employ, and they did divulge that he was indeed the mastermind." The Asahina sighed, then brightened somewhat.

"Still, were it not for you all, I fear we may not have gotten the position where we were able to root out the cause. And for that, you have my thanks."

He bowed again. "And... my recommendation. Seeing how effectively you all worked as unofficial yoriki, I have sent letters to the central office, and to your Lords. Petitioning you all to be accepted into the ranks of the Emerald Magistrates."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Holy.
Shit.

Kasumi kept her composure only because she was normally so laid-back that there wasn't much reserve to shatter.

Talk about moving up in the world...

[Shosuro Kaoru]

Kaoru respectfully bowed in gratitude.

Her brain cogs were turning.

Beware of the Crane bearing gifts.

What would the Crane earn from such move? The idea the magistrate could actually want justice to be served better or something like that didn't even cross her mind. It was a political position, and it shall be envisioned as such.

The Emerald magistrature was a half-Crane half-Scorpion institution with the other clans as the rounding error so Kaoru felt like she wouldn't need the Asahina's attention to get in if her clan wanted her to. She honestly wasn't sure he had enough influence to grant more than a paltry recommendation in all cases, as but one of the many magistrates of the office. To a low rank samurai an Emerald Magistrate was close to all powerful but to his fellows he was just that guy.

Anyway, the decision was just not hers to make. The clan would decide where she will serve best, as always.

[Togashi Shinko]

So, traveling throughout the Empire, dispensing justice and kicking ass? It's... it's perfect!

Shinko bows deeply. "My thanks Asahina-sama, but is it too much for the service we provided? "

A first refusal, for dealing with a Crane.

Don't you dare take that back!

[Kitsu Masaru]

Masaru outwardly kept a reserved air of pleasant neutrality and bowed deeply "Many thanks Asahina-sama, it is heartening to see that you think so highly of us. It sounds like an exciting and honorable opportunity should our lords agree."

He shot a look over to Kasumi and gave her a small smile. This might be something good to come from this trip at least.

[Kitsuki Jun]

Jun... glows. A break like this could shave at least two years off his carefully calculated five-year plan. Great-uncle, I might just catch up to you sooner than I thought!

"You honor us greatly, Asahina-sama," he says with another polite bow that just barely masks his glee. "I hoped I might earn a chance at Emeral d service eventually, but not this soon."

He sobers a bit. "It's a shame the mastermind escaped. He can't have hoped to stay hidden much longer, though, not with the kind of shameless behavior we saw. Maybe he knew you were on to him, and meant to go big and get out."

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

"Might be he wanted t'make a pile 'fore he lit out for foreign shores."

[Shosuro Kaoru]

"Overthinker" was neither Kaoru's old or new name but it was her heart one.

Maybe it was yet another gift for the Mantis and the other recipients were but a decoy.

Could even be spiced with a more in-depth plan. Like, indeed send recommendations for half a dozen people, but have some technically-Imperial-but-actually-very-much Doji bureaucrat reject all but the Mantis girl and mine, because they couldn't care less about one more or one less Scorpion Emerald Magistrate, and that would let them blame a Scorpion ploy for the others' downfall. One stone, several birds.

[Asahina Tenshin]

"The honor is mine. I was very glad to see the way you all worked, and as I said, your works brought good results, even if the full outcome isn't as tidy as I would like." He nodded, smiling genuinely at the group. "Having a group of Topaz contenders, who did what was right for the Empire, would be a boon to the Emerald Office. I know it." He looked to all four, not settling his gaze on any particular one longer than the others.

"I did want to tell you all that I had sent the letters, before you all received word from your Lords. As a matter of courtesy and... yeah." He beamed.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Well, no way is Yoritomo turning this down. An Imperial office with a position of legitimacy...

Did this mean she wouldn't get a shipboard posting?

Oh shit oh shit oh shit...