Knight Of Cups

Inaba watched blood drip down knobby fingers, pool around frosted mugs, run in rivulets off warped bartop planks. He could hardly remember the last time he’d seen so much, let alone a bit of his own. Strange. Flutters in my chest and drumming in my ears. The barman tensed up as Inaba wrenched free his tanto. The Lightning-lander watched with a tilted head as the man fell back into neatly lined-up bottles, sending them spinning and clattering. Lilac eyes peeked over the bar, scanning left to right, spying for a crossbow or some hidden weapon. Relax. Control your breathing. Wiping the blade on his slacks, Inaba fingered at a breast pocket for smokes.

The two kids exchanged pensive glances as Ayato finished speaking. One was scraping the floor with his heel while the other fiddled with his apron, both kept their gazes lowered to avoid the Hogokage’s. As one made to speak the matronly woman cut him off,

“They’re my boys,” She admitted, “They’ve been influenced by their elder brother, ya see, he got some foolish notion of joining up with the Reds. Never did I think it would come back on us.”

She turned her head to the whimpering barman as he writhed in pain on the ground, clutching at a wounded paw.

“My oldest– I don’t know where he’s gone, but he’ll stop in from time to time. Brings the kids gifts, toys. He got a hold of some Ryo, more than we’ve ever seen. I’ve never heard him say where he gets it. But the damn fools got more than we would earn in a lifetime.”

“That’s not good enough,” Inaba broke in, “Two of the city watch are dead, another is bedridden. Poison–poisoned from dining at your fine establishment. We need locations and names.”

“It wasn’t us m’lord, I swear it on the Gods,”

The kids exchanged worried looks, a subtle gesture, but enough to rouse suspicion. They were hiding something, Inaba knew.

WC: 327
TWC: 2360

Ayato's eyes remained steady, observing the tense atmosphere within the pub as Inaba took control of the situation. Dark and ominous blood dripped from Inaba's tanto, a stark reminder of the violence unfolding. The bartender, now wounded and sprawled amongst shattered bottles, looked fearful. Ayato knew that maintaining control over this volatile situation was essential.

Inaba's quick and efficient handling of the situation had left the pub's patrons subdued, a mix of fear and curiosity in their eyes. Ayato could sense the tension, the anticipation of what would come next. He knew it was time to steer the conversation toward their goal: gathering information about the Reds.

As Ayato spoke, his voice carried the weight of authority. He offered a chance for cooperation, for those within the pub to assist them willingly. He also issued a warning: resistance would not be tolerated. It was a delicate balance between intimidation and diplomacy that he had learned through years of leadership.

The two young kitchen workers, who had emerged from the back, exchanged glances, their expressions revealing the inner turmoil they were experiencing. The matronly woman, who had initially spoken, provided some insight into the situation. Her words painted a picture of a family influenced by an elder brother with misguided ambitions to join the Reds.

Inaba, however, was not satisfied with this partial revelation, pressing for more information. He demanded names and locations, the urgency in his voice evident.

The matronly woman denied direct involvement, swearing on the Gods that her establishment wasn't responsible for the poisonings. Ayato observed her closely, noting the subtle exchange of glances between the two young kitchen workers.

His lilac eyes narrowed slightly as he addressed the woman, "We need the truth, not oaths. Now is the time to speak if you know anything about these poisonings or the Reds."

Ayato's gaze shifted to the two young men, his voice taking on a softer tone, offering them a chance to unburden themselves. "Your cooperation could help save lives, including your own. Tell us what you know, and we will do what we can to protect you and your family."

The pub remained tense, the answers still elusive. But Ayato knew that patience and persistence would be their allies as they sought to unravel the mysteries of Tsukiakari and the menace of the Reds.

[WC: 387]

“Our older brother Parou poisoned those guards drinks,” The younger of the two blurted out,

“Idiot! We promised him we wouldn’t rat.”

“I don’t care, we have to protect mom,” The younger boy's head fell in shame. He scratched at his face and looked around anxiously.

The older brother muttered something under his breath, upset they broke their promise, but he soon reached the same realization as the younger.

“He serves Lady Otsu,” He coughed, patting at flour on his apron, “they stay underground at the Yamaguchi crypt with her soldiers. It's on the edge of Tsukiakari.”

“The widow Otsu,” The younger broke in, “Parou says she bathes in blood of little boys, and has killed all her husbands.”

The older looked between their mother then back to the Hogokage’s intense gaze,

“We’ll take you there if you wish.”

Inaba took a pull from his cigarette, wrinkling his nose. Lady Otsu?

[Sorry, I have been busy lately, excuse the short post. I wasn't able to convey that Lady Otsu is the former Lord Governor of Tsukiakari, but that isn't something Inaba would know. So I'll leave you to clarify that she was deposed during the Hoshimura rebellion.]

WC: 142
TWC: 2502

Ayato maintained his composed demeanor as the two brothers, pressured by the dire situation, finally revealed critical information. The younger boy's outburst, despite breaking a promise to their brother, brought to light a crucial detail - Parou had poisoned the drinks of the city guards. It was a damning revelation that could exonerate the unjustly accused city watch members.

The older brother hesitated but ultimately confirmed the younger one's statement, adding another vital piece to the puzzle. Parou served Lady Otsu, and they both stayed underground at the Yamaguchi crypt on the outskirts of Tsukiakari.

"The widow Otsu," the younger brother whispered, his voice trembling with fear, "Parou says she bathes in the blood of little boys, and she's killed all her husbands."

Ayato's lilac eyes shifted between the two brothers, gauging their sincerity and fear. They had decided to cooperate out of concern for their mother's safety and perhaps out of guilt for their indirect involvement in poisoning the city guards.

"We appreciate your cooperation," Ayato replied, his tone softening slightly as he addressed the two young men. "You've done the right thing, and it may help clear the names of the city watch members who were wrongly accused."

As he spoke, Ayato noted the mention of Lady Otsu. However, it was clear that Inaba lacked information about her. With a subtle nod to Inaba, Ayato added, "Lady Otsu is the former Lord Governor of Tsukiakari, deposed during the Hoshimura Rebellion."

This information provided the necessary context. The widow Otsu was a crucial figure in Tsukiakari's recent history, and her association with Parou and the Reds suggested much more to uncover about their activities. 

The Kage turned his attention back to the two brothers. "You've done your part," Ayato said, his tone reassuring. "We'll take it from here. Return to your mother and stay out of harm's way. We'll know where to find you if we require further information."

With that, Ayato subtly signaled the Nova Corps to exit the pub. The Hoshi shinobi -and hopefully Inaba- taking their cue from Ayato, began to withdraw from the establishment, their presence having served its purpose. The room gradually returned to normalcy, although the tension lingered. 

With the immediate mission in mind and the information about Lady Otsu's involvement, Ayato was ready to proceed to the Yamaguchi crypt and confront the looming threat posed by the Reds.

---

[EXIT]

[WC: 395]
[TWC: 2390]

Mission Rewards: 

8,000 Ryo 
40 AP to Ryo Conversion [Ratio 1:50] 2,000 ryo
15,000 ryo from Kage Bonus

WC Claims with 25% discount from max stats
2062 to World's Fury [2062/2062]

Ayato wrote:Mission Rewards:

8,000 Ryo
40 AP to Ryo Conversion [Ratio 1:50] 2,000 ryo
15,000 ryo from Kage Bonus

WC Claims with 25% discount from max stats
2062 to World's Fury [2062/2062]

Approved

And the truth finally comes out.

Questions always had a way of leading to more questions. Bathing in blood? Murdering her husbands? Surely, they're old wives tales. And Parou had only involved himself for financial gain... Inaba raised an eyebrow. It was obvious the boys were hiding something, but not something this big. Strange. The Hogokage had referenced the Hoshimura rebellion earlier, and it seemed a stroke of luck the topic resurfaced in their investigation–luck? Inaba didn’t believe in luck. Ayato’s probing had paid off. Their little game had as well: the old good cop bad cop routine. It usually worked well; Inaba’s mentor had taught him as such in the slums of minor countries.

Inaba nodded to the woman and her boys as the Nova Corps filed out the doorway. Sidling his way towards the exit, only turning his back on the crowd once, he caught a glance of Ayato in the midday light. A great Lord knows when to be firm but fair with his subjects. He had shown them mercy when none was warranted. Smoke seeped from Inaba's nostrils as he exhaled. He joined the shinobi, ducking once more through the doorway and out into the summer heat.

[Exit]

WC: 199
TWC: 2701

Missions Rewards:
8,000 Ryo / 40 AP

Claims:
2700 WC & 94 AP [54 from WC, 40 from Rewards]
8k Ryo

-1500 to Learn Immaterial Tools B-Rank
-1200 towards Space Time Amp B-Rank  [1200/1500]