(D0, EM) Trouble at the Gates

[Saibankan]

No surprise there, and that is why you are destined to be a glorified doorman. She mused as she placed her documents away in her bag. "It does not surprise me, it is quite out of the way from common eye."

She bowed respectfully, and glanced around. "May the kami bless you today."

The bow was returned properly at least.

"And you as well Kaikoga-san." he offered in return.

[Kaikoga Koi]

Koi resisted correcting Gate bushi as he made the same mistake previously but she was just to damn tired. She didnt have a herd of hard working people carry my two-faced ass around.

She sighed, and headed into the city.

/exit

[Kakita Akihiro]

Akihiro watched the Kaikoga leave with a single eye flick. At least she was nice to look at.

The guard gets a less appraising look, as Akihiro merely put the papers in his general direction. "Kakita Akihiro, for the miai."

[Saibankan]

Akihiro watched the Kaikoga leave with a single eye flick. At least she was nice to look at.

The guard gets a less appraising look, as Akihiro merely put the papers in his general direction. "Kakita Akihiro, for the miai."

The guard scanned the papers quickly before handing them back with a bow.

"All seems to be in order, Kakita-san. Welcome to Kyuden Shika. If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask." he offered.

[Kakita Akihiro]

"I require only that my palanquin be taken to the Sleepy Fox Inn. I will make my way through the city on foot." Akihiro said with an air of disinterest.

"Have a good day." He bows shortly and takes long strides to go inside the walls of the city.

[Usogawa Emiko]

"Oh really Shika-sama, there is no need to.."

"I insist Utogawa-sama, come with. It would not do to leave you waiting out here."

Emiko was being lead by one of the guards past the queue to the main board guards. After a bow, Emikos travel papers (stamped by her father himself) were handed to the guard to be checked.

[Saibankan]

The guard bowed, and recieved the papers. They didn't need more than a cursory check, and were handed back swiftly.

"Welcome to Kyuden Shika, Usogawa-sama. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." he offered politely.

[Usogawa Emiko]

The guard bowed, and recieved the papers. They didn't need more than a cursory check, and were handed back swiftly.

"Welcome to Kyuden Shika, Usogawa-sama. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." he offered politely.

"Thank you, I will. Have a lovely day and may the Fortunes watch over you" Emiko accepted her papers back with a bow before moving onwards, trying not to pay attention to the stares.

[Kakita Sakura]

“I have. I shall not keep you, Hiroto-san, I merely wished to offer my aid if you wish it when dealing with Doji-san.”

Sakura tilts her head gently, not missing his reaction as she bows as well- the tap from Nanami on the arm telling her what to react to, but Sakura also catches the noise from Hiroto's clothing.

As she sees it… he did receive injury on the watch of her Clan. So, she considers this her effort to give a bit of compensation.

The problem with being angry and pushing forward all the time was it made you terribly predictable. The gentle verbal sidestep of the Crane left the Mantis well off balance.

"Uh..well....yes, Kakita-san. It would probably be best if you were there when I met with the Emerald Magistrate." he allowed, his voice shifting to a much more wary tone after some initial confusion. "Your testimony will likely be necessary, and I don't really want to keep an emerald magistrate waiting."

He especially did not think keeping a Crane Emerald magistrate waiting, and that unspoken Crane was definitely on his 'emerald magistrate'.

“Might we accompany you, then, Hiroto-San? I may not be able to vouch for the pass itself, but I can vouch that by reputation I believe you have acted in good faith and therefore should not be penalised.”

The peasant- Nanami- guiding her has a perfectly neutral expression, only letting our her breath a tiny amount.

[Hiroto]

“Might we accompany you, then, Hiroto-San? I may not be able to vouch for the pass itself, but I can vouch that by reputation I believe you have acted in good faith and therefore should not be penalised.”

The peasant- Nanami- guiding her has a perfectly neutral expression, only letting our her breath a tiny amount.

It was really hard for Hiroto to keep his anger up when the Kakita kept acting with such grace and deference. It was a testament to how the Crane so defitly dealt with the Lion in happier times. He wasn't friendly, yet, but his tone was definitely cooled down from when she first heard him.

And with having to walk slower to the emerald magistrate's yashiki to not overburden the blind Kakita, Hiroto eventually felt pressured to say something to break the silence.

"Um. Kakita-san, not that I'm complaining that you did but....why exactly did you vouch for me at the gate?" he asked, trying to get a better sense of the kakita.