bando: first blood part two

[bypartisan]

Can anyone hear this?

Just so everyone knows, I'm dead again. Please let me know if my soulless body is roaming around liminal. Currently my consciousness seems to have been summoned and somewhat bound to this world by the Master Summoner of the Sun Guard. He's asked me to spy on a woman named Sora. According to the information I've been able to exchange with a delightfully gossipy ghost named Keiko, Mademoiselle Sora is actually the Summoner's long-lost and estranged daughter, Ran, who ran off from the monastery ten years ago and is currently a Suzuki Riflewoman.

Keiko also assures me that Ridou and Ritsuki--that is, Riddick and Valeri--are adorable together, but I digress.

I did have to explain werewolves to the Summoner, but I managed to distract him enough by explaining the transformation process that he didn't think to press for the rest of my origins or my own mission. I wouldn't say he trusts me, per se, but he seems to recognize that in my ghostly state I can't exactly report to any of the other major players and that I could be of some use to him as I am. And I presented myself as being very willing indeed.

I'll let people know when I have more news. As it is, it's been a while since we've had an information pooling conversation. If you can hear me and you have something to share, please report in.

Comments

[amadine]

He's a noble.

[There's a brief pause.]

If the advice is presented gently enough, and with enough salve for his ego, he might take it. As terrible as he is at subtlety, it might be easier to simply convince him more reasonable measures were his idea in the first place.

[private]

It was in pitched battle. She was...surprised, I think.

[capital_asset]

He's going to need all the help he can get regardless.

[private]

[Raidou wonders if the "she" in question is the assassin, or Setsuko herself. And he's not sure Sabetha would even answer him if he asked.]

Was the assassin one of us?

[He devoutly hopes not.]

[amadine]

Perhaps. Or perhaps he's best employed as a distraction.

[private]

I don't think so, though I didn't get a clear look at his face.

[Which should answer the question he's not asking as well.]

[capital_asset]

Is he determined to rule himself, or would he be content to be a figurehead?

[private]

[It does. And Raidou recognizes the coping technique for what it is; after all, it's not as if he hasn't tried to use it himself on multiple occasions, with admittedly less than successful results.]

I see...

For what it's worth, I'm sorry it happened.

[amadine]

I've seen nothing that makes me think him competent to rule, regardless of what he might wish. One way or another, he'll end this either dead, or someone's puppet.

[private]

Thank you. But I'm fine.

[Or unwilling to admit otherwise, and with the flat monotone of the network, calling her on a lie would be nothing more than guesswork.]

[bypartisan]

Then we ought to see if we can find someone competent to puppet him.

[amadine]

That's one avenue, though it would be a gross understatement to say that competence is thin on the ground here. And not unintentionally, I'd imagine - a skilled leader might pose a threat to the infighting and dependence of the provinces.

[bypartisan]

Exactly.

... the tattooist of the Sun Guard seemed somewhat competent when I talked to her. I can't think of many--if any--others.

[amadine]

There might be someone amongst the Mibugumi's officers. They'd need a certain facility with command, at least, though I'll admit I didn't quite run in any of the same circles as any of their number.

[bypartisan]

Nor did I, unfortunately.

[amadine]

And it's late in the game to cultivate those contacts now. Infiltrating is damnably inconvenient sometimes.

[bypartisan]

Oh yes. I'd love another Jaunt where I got to Investigate right from the start, even if it is another Nova Venezia.

[amadine]

Nova Venezia wasn't so bad from where I stood, though it did serve as proof that the majority of our number can neither lie convincingly nor gather information worth a damn.

[capital_asset]

Ridou might be competent, but I think he'd also be extremely reluctant to take a leadership position. He might be better suited to an advisory role.

...As would some of the dead, for that matter, although Chiyo would probably be one of the better people to ask about that.

[bypartisan]

Well, at least if our little yelling puppet has decent advisors...

... perhaps I'll pop in to see her if I've the time.

[capital_asset]

Decent, well-protected advisors.

And that's probably a good idea. How much freedom of movement do you have?

[bypartisan]

A decent amount. I'm not sure if it'll get me to Nakamatou but I'll surely try.

[capital_asset]

[There is the mental equivalent of a sigh.]

Most likely. Which means finding someone who won't pull the strings in such a way that the peninsula will end up completely on fire will likely be paramount, assuming we're here that long.

[private]

[He has a strong suspicion that either her definition of "fine" is as skewed as his own or she's lying. But he's hesitant to call her out directly on that, even if this is a private conversation (or as private as it gets on this wretched network, anyway). It would be staggeringly hypocritical, for one thing.

Still, he feels like he should at least say something, even if he's not precisely sure what.]

If I had any kind of skill at manipulating Liminal Space at all, I'd offer a drink of some sort.

[amadine]

Don't kid yourself. A civil war is always an ugly, incendiary sort of business.

Is everyone so certain a rebellion is even the point of this particular venture?

[private]

Fortunately, I do have those skills. Incidentally, I also have wine. You're welcome to come share it, if you'd like a few moments out of the rain.

[capital_asset]

Perhaps it's that the alternative seems even less pleasant.

Granted, even if rebellion is the point, there's still the Empire itself to contend with; I doubt they'd take the loss of their Shogun lightly.

[private]

[He's not sure why he's surprised by the offer; it's not as if she hasn't offered him wine before.]

I... thank you. Yes.

[amadine]

Problems of politics are only ever neat and easily solved in the romances.

So we're talking assassination, then, and not just secession? That would be even bloodier, unless there's a scapegoat it can be pinned on, and an heir who's likely to be sympathetic to the peninsula's plight. Or at least negligent for long enough that the people will have a chance to organize.

[private]

I'll see you back in Liminal Space, then.

[capital_asset]

True...

[He wonders if Tsukigata Village is even still standing at this point. No leadership, no way to procure any more luck locusts, more and more of the youth abandoning the village entirely, and Dahn and the Mushibito who knows where...]

With the way things are going, I'd be surprised if no one at least attempted it.

[private]

All right.

[amadine]

True - though with the way things are going, it would be just as miraculous if there haven't already been a dozen failed attempts.

[capital_asset]

I wonder how many of those would have been from the Akuryu.

[amadine]

A few, no doubt - though I'd imagine the majority would have been from those places still in the Emperor's good graces. Those with the ties in court to take the greatest advantage of a change in regime would have more to gain than those who are abhorred as exiles.