big teej
 Obsidian Tiger 

Meng Jia, moving with her typical unobtrusive poise and simple blue dress pads into your study.  She waits a few moments for you to acknowledge her, bowing slightly and says "The Master of the house, your father, wishes to see you in his study."

She needlessly guides you through the well-appointed halls of the ancestral manor and opens the doors to your father's study for you.  She closes the doors behind you and retreats to stand by a small table with an ornate, steaming tea set.

Your father stands on the balcony, overlooking most of the estate.  He is dressed in his maroon robes with a thick white and black trim.  He holds his hands clasped behind his back.
InTheMachine
Hu Zhilan walks with purpose behind her servant, not demurely, as a woman should.

While she does wear silken robes of white and maroon that show her station, her chance to marry has been stolen from her by crisscrossing lines of white scars that cover her face and arms.

Once shown to the study, she waits for her father to acknowledge her, head bowed as appropriate.
big teej
 Hu Family Ancestral Manor: 

"A matter has arisen that requires a personal touch."  Your father says after a few quiet moments.

"One of our primary holdings in Zhencheng has been attacked by a pair of local ruffians calling themselves 'The Ruby Hares.'  They, along with their band of thugs, has been extorting our clerk for protection money, making off with our goods, and damaging our reputation."

Hu Shuren makes a disgusted noise and turns and strides over to Meng Jia, who manages to look refined, and avoid any sloshing or tinking, in the rapid fire process of pouring him a cup and placing it in his waiting hand before he can even fully extend his arm.

He takes a thoughtful sip, a look of satisfaction ghosting across his otherwise dour visage.

"This is an insult that cannot be allowed to persist."  He continues, turning his gaze upon you.

"Take Dai Rong and his men with you.  Stop in Honbiro on the way and collect Rabid Smoke and Fire Demon Chao Feng, you can trust them as far as it goes, they are seeking to expunge a debt.  The eight of you should have little difficulty punishing these so called 'ruby hares'.  Deposit whatever is left of them in the prison barges in Tongliang."

Your father smiles at you.  "I know you've been itching for a chance to stretch your legs again."
InTheMachine
Zhilan listens carefully to her father, taking mental notes as he speaks.

“Such crimes cannot be allowed to go unpunished,” she agrees quietly. “I’ll see this done, father.”

The slightest of smiles makes her scars twist and stretch. “You are too right. I will enjoy this hunt.”

She bows to her father, then waits for him to dismiss her before heading back to her room to get ready.
big teej
 Hu Family Ancestral Manor: 

Your father's smile grows brighter.  "I look forward to your successful report and return.  Travel safely, and remember you are acting on The Family's behalf."  Hu Shuren says.

He reaches into one of his sleeves and removes a wood and bronze talisman and hands it to you.  "Your name should be sufficient to gain the cooperation of Chief Lu Chen, who oversees our holdings in Zhencheng.  But I will not be displeased if he has become more cautious and less trusting over this matter.  This talisman will guarantee his cooperation as well as his underlings."

Hu Shuren turns and walks back out to the balcony, one arm behind his back, the other holding his tea.

OOC: This is your chance to stock up on any gear or items you might want before you collect your squad of goons and depart.
InTheMachine
She pockets the talisman with a quiet word of thanks then heads back to her quarters to get ready to travel.

Once packed with her comfortable traveling clothes  and other essentials that she used on assignments, she makes her way to the kitchens, stocking up on supplies there, then to the armory.

Zhilan then goes to collect Dai Rong once she’s prepared.
big teej
 Hu Manor Barracks: 

It doesn't take long to locate Dai Rong, he and his men finish their preparations quickly and you soon set off. With the planned detour to Honbiro, the trip to Zhencheng should take 10 days.

Roll Survival.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Dai Rong is a Magnificent Bodyguard with armor that inflicts a -2d10 penalty to incoming Damage, he wields a sabre
Yao Yuhan and Dai Hua (no relation) are Loyal Bodyguards with -1d10 armor, they also wield sabres
Shin Lei and Deng Yijun are Loyal Bodyguards with no armor, equipped with bows.
 
big teej
 En Route to Honbiro: 

The weather holds for two whole days from when you set out from the family estate.  Tolerable temperatures, mostly clear skies, and a gentle breeze that wafts the scents  of the forest across the road, and cools the brow.  Then, the inevitable occurred and the heavens opened with little warning.  You were forced to stop for an entire day and take shelter from the unseasonable downpour.  Late into the next day, it let up enough to continue on safely.

Now, whenever you are dry, your clothes are stiff with caked on mud.  But the steady drizzle continues almost uninterrupted.

You arrive at a bridge across what is normally at this time of year, according to Deng Yijun, a lazy, shallow creek bed.  Her father used to take her fishing here.  Currently, it's a rushing torrent of mud-stained water.

Two men stand under a crudely stitched together umbrella.  Their trousers are ragged, torn away mid calf.  Their shoes are little more than rags, and their vests are roughly made skin and hide.  they look filthy and unwashed except for a brightly gleaming cleaver hanging from one Ruffian's belt, it's mate is embedded in one of the posts of the bridge.

A third man, somewhat cleaner, but otherwise similarly attired, jogs out from the trees under a smaller leather umbrella.  He smiles widely at you, and sketches out a peasant's approximation of a bow.

"Welcome, welcome dear travelers, I trust the road has not been too difficult for you? This is Sheijao bridge, for the six of you, there is a toll of only two silver taels.  For the upkeep of the bridge you see - ah-ah-ah and the maintenance of the emperor's road."


Dai Rong moves up to stand beside you, his arm rests easily on the hilt of his sabre, but he makes no motion to draw on the filthy toll collectors.  "What do you think, Milady?"


 
 Spoiler: OOC/Mechanics/Whatnot 

 OOC: oof, a 2 and a 4 eh? 

You are now in a Talking and Analysis Phase.
 
InTheMachine
“I think that these ruffians may need to be taught a lesson,” she mutters back to Dai Rong.

Zhilan steps forward to meet the one that went to greet them, though she stays a healthy distance away. She inclines her head to him politely. “Good afternoon,” she says.

She removes her hood and lifts her sleeves, revealing the white, crisscrossing over her skin. “Detective Hu Zhilan. Perhaps you’ve heard of me?”


 
 Spoiler: Rolls and Mechanics  
Roll for Killing Aura on the main man: Total Success

Roll for Reasoning (as Persuade?): 6
 
big teej
 The Bridge: 

The speaking ruffian makes a show of bowing again as you introduce yourself, "A thousand pardons, Detective Hu Zhilan, I am afraid your reputation does not proceed you here, and we would fall from the emperor's light should we fail to collect from even as luxurious an individual as yourself."

Four men, close enough to be the brothers of the three blocking the bridge, emerge from the treeline and start to spread out.

"It would be a great tragedy if there was a misunderstanding between us."  The ruffian says, straightening from his bow.


 
 Spoiler: OOC/Mechanics/Whatnot 


This man's killing aura seems to match your own in its intensity, but has the faintest veins of darkness spreading through it.
 
InTheMachine
“Oh, I see,” Zhilan says, giving a nod to Dai Rong. Her rope dart drops out of her sleeve and the black blade shines in the light. “It seems we won’t be coming to an agreement then?”

“A shame,” she says as she begins to twirl the blade around her.

 OOC: I’ll roll for Speed at home 