backdated to the end of the tournament/after the illuminated do their thing

[hakodate]

Seems like now might be a good time to get ourselves on the same page.

[To put it lightly. They've had days to wander around, get acclimated, listen to the gossip...and now between everyone wrapping things up to return to their places after the tournament, and the infodump so thoughtfully provided by the local mage-types, the real work begins.]

People are packing up to head home. That leaves us with a lot of possible leads to follow. I know at least a couple of us were thinking of following Jaeger back to Flamegard; Verreuil was talking about following the guy in yellow.

Westgard's hiring knights, and from the way people were talking when the notice went up, it sounds like the offer is unusually generous. Might be a good way to get in the loop on that; it's sounding more and more to me like the throne is why we're here. Keeping an eye on the nobles is probably in our best interest.

And I doubt that's everything worth looking into, obviously - that's just the shit I've already heard about. Anyone got anything to add? We're gonna have to divide and conquer here, but it helps if we know what we're dividing to begin with.

[And after a moment, he adds -]

All of mine from back home, consider reporting in here an order, not a courtesy. [Because goddamn he's got too many of you to keep track of, throw him a bone here.]

Comments

[gangstering]

[Actually, Kuzuryuu has to admit that this guy is pretty thorough and on top of things. It's impressive. And frankly, helpful. This is his first jaunt so he has no idea what the hell he's supposed to be doing except trying to fit in and get by.]

After that story they were telling, sounds like it. Also sounds like you've done this before.

[inexecution]

Making sure everyone behaves~?

[Sorry, Hijikata. His isn't here, so you get the teasing instead. Although he wouldn't want to be in your position, himself.]

I'm going to sign on with Westguard. If nothing else, it seems like what he's offering is out of the ordinary, which could make it important.

[And fighting bandits was a good distraction. He needed one of those.]

[fuckingibuki]

Yeah, yeah, I'm still here.

[And then a pause because, wow, this is weird.]

...Am I doing this right?

[senseandcecilbility]

I too plan to offer my services to Baron Westguard. Truly, I-I cannot do much, but I might be able to learn. And I am somewhat used to watch over aristocrats.

[Besides, the Baron has good money. And even horses.]

[protect_and_serve]

The Illuminated are headed south, from what I've heard. If anyone else would accompany me, I have four horses. They should all go to Travelers, one way or another.

[notinthecards]

I've found some people to follow as well. And not to outdo Verreuil, but I have half a dozen horses. Anyone coming with me can take one - otherwise, there are four of them for anyone on the south road, and two for any on the north road.

[moredakka]

Hijikata-san...

[No, she still has no idea what she's on about, why do you ask? But no matter how well aware Sio is that she's still a noob and also terrible at investigating, there is one point about the going-ons that's exceedingly clear to her. The kind of clear that blows away all the usual shyness and awkward nonsense. And it's a scary point.]

If there isn't a queen, and there are all those barons, that means - that means there's to be a power struggle. And if we're joining different people, then that might be a problem, later

[tealeafs]

I'll follow you wherever you think it's best to go.

[ Naturally. Especially after having been seperated from him during the last Jaunt, Chizuru is not exactly eager to leave his side this time around. Especially not since Hijikata has sensible ideas about what needs to be done here first, no doubt.

And to add on something a little more useful, or her thoughts about all of this, anyway-- ]

.. Um, after that story they told, I thought that maybe our goal here is to search for that queen that's apparently missing.. but that's a little strange at the same time, isn't it? If the people here who are familiar with the land haven't been able to find her all this time, then why would we be able to?

[canbebrave]

I will travel south as well. Is there anything that we wish to know in particular from the Illuminated? Should I get the chance, I plan to talk with as many as I can.

[fatalstriker]

Nobles being part of the problem... Well, can't say that sounds surprising.

[yuri, have experience with such a thing? it's definitely coming from a place of not-so-fond memories.]

Count me in for Flamegard, though. It may not be much of a lead, but sometimes, you gotta go out of the way and not be so tied up in the royals' business to get anywhere. [also, fighting dragons.]

[gekisha]

An order? Man, you're even stricter than my Hijikata-san. I kind of feel bad for them! ["them" being all the hakus from the history universe. clearly, souji is just dealing with this entire situation in the best way possible.

by being totally useless, because he's still far out of his element and not sure how these investigations work.]

[souredsweet]

[KEEPIN AN EYE ON YOU, HIJIKATA, trying to gallop off into the jaws of danger with his sister good lord...

that said, he retains an air of amiability even now. he's sure not going to be the one to ruin this vaguely cooperative situation, though he's expecting Okita or Okita or Chizuru will probably break the news at some point.]

I agree that following those five might be one of the better courses of action. Of the people here, I think that they would require the biggest focus, too, if our problem really is the missing queen... The one in yellow in particular seems very dedicated to finding her. I was able to talk to him earlier for a little while.

[blackhand]

More than likely I'm going to make a surprise visit with those "Illuminated," or whoever they call themselves.

[Joscelin may be organizing a group to go spy on people, but Garrett won't be a part of it- he does better on his own and this way he's sure he won't get caught.]