Ring of Air - Magistrates at Midnight

[Vardaen]

The Yoriki nods, "Of course I do. I can not allow you to bring poison in to the presence of the Magistrate." He almost is scoffing at the Crab as if to suggest that the idea of any other option is foolish. "Remain here, we will come for you when the Magistrate is ready." He then takes up the two bottles, and exits the chamber leaving Umeko alone with the basin for some time.

OOC

I'm gone on vacation, feel free to just post hanging around in this room until I get back.

[mackaber]

Umeko carefully washes the cut and wraps it with a red piece of cloth she usually used to keep her hair up in battles. From her travelling pack she retrieved her last remaining kimono a simple grey piece, more deemed for travelling than meeting with a magistrate but it would surely serve her better than the bloodstained one she was wearing. She slid behind the Shoji screen and quickly changed and returned the ragged garb to her traveling pack. She reminded herself that perhaps it was time to purchase a new Kimono soon. Then again seated heself waiting for the Magistrate hoping that her bandage would prevent any blood from leaking form the wound.

[Vardaen]

Umeko is forced to wait a long while, almost and insulting amount of time, if not for the late hour of the day. Dressed, and cleaned, the Crab muses about some new clothing when one of the Shiba arrives through the sliding rice paper door. "The Magistrate is ready. Come with me."

[mackaber]

Umeko rises a polite smile of perfect contenounce painted on her pretty face. She rises gracefully and with measured steps follows the Yoriki.

[Vardaen]

The Shiba escorts the Hiruma into the main chamber of the Magistrate Station. There seated on the floor, kneeling to face the doorway is a grizzled old man, Shiba Dorimutsu, must be easily in his late fifties, and perhaps is beyond that age as well. Seated on the floor infront of the magistrate is the bottle of poision that Umeko brought with her into the building. Dorimutsu's daisho rests on a rack to his right, placed slightly behind him, clearly the old magistrate doesn't fear you as a threat by this show. His head is bald, both naturally and shaved, and the light of the paper lamps of the chamber dances on his skull. "Enter Hiruma Umeko-san, come and sit." He offers with his left hand a nearby tatami mat for Umeko to sit at infront of him.

[mackaber]

Umeko remains silent and does as her host asks of her. Having taken her place on thtatami mat Umeko moves to gracefully bow before the grizzled Magistrate and with her head lowered speaks: "Kon-ban-wa Shiba Dorimutsu-Sama. Please excuse my disturbance." she remains bowed on her knees awaitng the response of the Phoenix.

[Vardaen]

The old magsitrate nods back, not as deeply, for your status of course does not demand it. "Konban-wa Hiruma Umeko-san. I have been woken up by my yorikki and presented with a bottle of deadly poison. I am old, and I am tired. Speak." He turns the floor over to you.

Outside there is some conversation, the noise of horses, and the guards in conversation with others. Whatever may be happening outside the building may or may not concern you here.

[mackaber]

Umeko remains in a low bow her voice timid at first, but as she continues her retelling, it gains momentum and strength. "I woke tonight blurred from poison and my Daisho stolen in the House of Lost Ambition, where I sought shelter for the night. As I woke the other Samurai retyring there were doing battle with robbers, their weapons stolen as well. One of the criminals was captured while the others escaped. The captured criminal confesed to where the others had escaped to and so myself and the other 4 Samurai sought out the warehouse and dispatched the thieves and their leader a Ronin by the name of Fusawa. After the battle we found many more Samurai weapons as well as additional doses of the poison of which my companion Bayushi Sirei crafted an antidote to save all our lives." she rises slightly indicating the bottle with the antidote. "Such a matter would normally not require your attention at this time of night, but it is our fear that other Samurai were likewise poisoned and their weapons stolen as the weapons in the warehouse would indicate. If so then their lives are at stake and this antidote could save them."

[Vardaen]

The Crab, Umeko is more fluent in speach than many would give a Crab credti for. Yet there is more to Umeko's history than her current Clan affliation. Her story is sort and to the point, and just what the old Magistrate wanted at this hour. He looks down at the bottle of poison, and the smaller bit of antidote. "I have heard no other tales of such troubles this night, or any other night. The Phoenix keep the peace in Toshi Rando, and the peace is kept because of it. Your tale is worrisome to me, and I can see you are sincere in your statements." He reaches up and rubs his bald head thinking on the matter. "I shall destory this poison, and keep the antidote, putting it to use if needed. In the morning, I will speak to the other Magistrates and see if they have heard of anything similar happening. It is good this Fusawara is dead, and end then to the troubles. Clean and tidy, just how I like a crime cleaned up. Good work Hiruma Umeko-san."

Behind Umeko she can hear the guards escorting someone into the waiting chamber. Some short conversation, and then a young woman's raised voice shouting. The paper thin walls make it impossible to ignore her words.

"I will see my grandfather this instant. If he is awake, then all the better!", she shouts.

The guard replies with a stern voice, "He is in council, you must wait Shiba Fuiji, I insist."

"No! Come Ryuichi." She snaps her comment at some third party with her, and the shoji door starts to slide open as she forces her way into the chamber...

[mackaber]

Umeko rises from her bow at the commotion outside and turns to the opening Shoji screen as ever watchful if whoever has come in is armed and might pose a treat to the old Shiba.

OOC

I could swear I had already posted here. V did you delete my post again?