Carol
It was late in the evening, and Moshi Mai and Chiyoko were both up and about, waiting at the gates of the Mantis Embassy. The guards were present as well, as there was going to be a rather important guest arriving.

Rokugo no Bayushi Yuto. Magistrate to the Scorpion Clan, and requesting to interrogate a gaijin criminal, under the Mantis' custody. Honestly, Mai was surprised this took this long. She expected the Scorpions to come trouncing around to make demands and try to take the criminal for themselves. And that was back when the Scorpion and Mantis were _allies._ 

Ut now, things were more nebulous, and the only thing holding this meeting together was the fact that Mai held all the pieces on this proverbial shogi board. 

"You're going to take him down to see the traitor," Mai said to Chiyoko, "Along with some of the guards. If Williams-san tries to say anything foolish about what we're doing, hurt him until he stops. 

"Yes, Moshi-sama." The ronin gave a small bow, and looked back at the gateway. "And everything else?"

"Let them speak freely. I want the Kolat gone as much as they do, and we've already given most of his information to our allies. He'll learn little we don't already know." 

And thus, they waited. 
||
Alexander
There were a lot of problems with this situation but the Scorpion had no choice. He had no leeway to make demands of taking the prisoner. Yuto wanted to keep the Kolat confidential until he could expunge them from the city. One had no idea if they've already shared this information beyond the initial parties. Time was far ahead of the Magistrate and he had a lot of catching up to do. 

Yuto arrived, offering his Katana with one of the attendants as he approached their embassy. 
"You have my gratitude for letting me see him, despite so much time passing." 
There wasn't much else to say. Too many questions lingered. Had the Palace been compromised? If Shosuro Miyagi was slain and had his authority abused there's no telling what else the Kolat possessed. Hints of hesitation lingered, doing his best to remain resilient. 

"I've one question for you regarding the Kolat. Outside of our clans, who else is aware of their presence in the city?"
Carol
"You're a magistrate," Mai said simply, "It would be foolish to not let you do your work, seeing as how it was a Scorpion that was murdered. I'd let the Crane in, just as easily, if needed." Mai wasn't necessarily short or rude with him, but she wasn't bubbly. No jokes, no teasing. She was strictly business that particular night. 

When he asked about who knew, she was blunt and honest. "My allies know," She said, "Since there was a possible plot to frame the Unicorn as Kolat conspirators. It would be the honorable thing to let a great clan know they were to be framed as heretics, would it not? And the Crane know, since it was believed that a gaijin crossbow was used to kill Kakita Arai. Unless, you know something I don't." 

Chiyoko watched Yuto carefully after Mai spoke, to check for anything that might betray that serious magistrate's demeanor. || Investigation 4: Interrogation||. But, she didn't make it known, one way or the other. 

"Bayushi-sama." She bowed to him. "I will escort you to the prisoner. And on my master's orders, I will be present. Williams-san is not to be trusted, and he may attempt to feed you lies. I know him and his lies, and will help to flush them out. We also have a hinin that is skilled in... Bringing out the truth, if necessary." 

"I pray that her presence is not an issue," Mai said. "Because I'm not willing to budge on that. My embassy, my ronin, my prisoner, after all."
Alexander
Yuto didn't really have response to anything, he simply nodded along—Keeping a neutral expression on his face. Knowing the Mantis, Crane, and Unicorn were all aware was now a pain in the ass, especially hearing her refer to them as allies. Keeping his poise, the Magistrate simply shrugged his shoulders at her inquiry. Did he know something she didn't? Kakita Arai was nothing but rumors and speculation. 

"The Kolat used crossbows on us, I would not be surprised if their goal was to compromise more than one great clan. Perhaps they failed to veil the Crane's demise." 

He spoke as if he didn't care about the Crane, which Yuto did not. Right now the Scorpion were paused, waiting for the crane to reveal their intentions. However, it seemed the Mantis did so for them. Once that was done, he turned and gave a nod to Chiyōko. There was no bother in the Ronin joining them. Edward Williams was their prisoner, asset, and weight against the Scorpion in the clan's endeavor. If anything they were here to control the information he gave to him. 

"I am ready." He spoke softly.
Carol
"Perhaps they did," Mai said with a shrug, "But who's to say? Whenever something goes wrong, the easiest person to blame is the Kolat. But, that hardly matters at the moment. You have a meeting to attend." Mai motioned to Chiyoko to get moving, and stayed put outside to enjoy her pipe. 

"If you'll follow me, Bayushi-sama." Chiyoko gave a bow to Moshi Mai, and led Yuto down to where the prisoner was being held. That meant heading into the embassy, down into the wine cellar, and then further down a hatch. 

Down there, it was dark, except for two lamps that provided just enough light to see the two iron cells. The first was vacant, but the second indeed held a captive. The gaijin man was pale of skin, with a poorly-growing beard and scraggly long hair. He was bruised, scarred and clearly injured, with a few fingers missing and quite a few teeth as well. His clothing was nothing but a fudanshi, wet with sweat and more foul fluids, judging by the smell. To any Rokugani, this would be horribly inhumane. But a gaijin, and a traitor at that? It was better than he deserved.

"Chiyoko-sama, Sc-scorpion-sama." 

A pitiful-looking man, tan of skin and weasley in shape and demeanor, bowed deeply to the two higher-ups. He was balding, with a distasteful smile and knobby fingers, elbows and knees. "I am pleased to be of s-service, hehe, in t-torturing the gaijin, hehehe! Terrible traitor, ehehe!" 

Chiyoko narrowed her eye. She clearly despised this man as much as Edward. "This is Giro," She said flatly, "A torturer that enjoys his craft far too much." 

"I serve the Order," The man said, bowing deeper, "H-happy to do so, hehehe!" 

"Open the cage and wake him up. And stop talking." 

Giro bowed many times as he hurriedly opened the cage, and delivered a surprisingly potent slap to Edward's face. The prisoner gasped, catching air in his lungs, looking bewildered. 

"Huh? Oh, it's the one-eyed bitch again." Edward Williams sneered, locking eyes on the ronin. "The dog is back on behalf of the half-breed master, huh? Well, I always said, I'm done, I got nothing left, so don't..." 

Edward peered over, noticing the Scorpion. "You... I've seen you before... You were one of the bastards that should have been blown up, right?"
Alexander
Following Chiyōko down into the cellar; he let out a breath to check the room temperature. It was a lot chiller in here than upstairs. Upon laying eyes on the Gaijin, the scorpion lifted an eyebrow in amusement. Clearly, they got the necessary information out of him. Giro certainly seemed content and fulfilled. Whatever tactics the Mantis possessed were certainly brutal, but duty demanded such to be done. Samurai wouldn't sully their hands with something so vile, but the Scorpion were the underhand for a reason. 

"Oh? You've seen me? I thought that killer smile was familiar." He jested of course, but he did find interest in whatever the man was saying. Something about an explosion? Yuto was unfamiliar with any event. Where was this supposed to occur? The crematorium? Destroying where Miyagis body was stashed? Maybe somewhere more important. 

"I'm not sure, perhaps you can jog my memory. Where was my 'Should' have been grave? Do you remember? Had your men killed me in the crematorium they wouldn't have had to worry about transferring a body." He approached and sat before the man, creating strong eye contact. The smell nor appearance of Edward bothered him, but he needed answers now. 

"I've a few questions if you'd be willing to answer them. I'm in quite a bad mood today, maybe you can make it better."
Carol
Edward scoffed at the question. "Don't you remember when they almost blew you and your damned lackeys up with that bomb? You're lucky you made it out of there when you did. If _I_ was lucky, we would've all died right then and there."

That might jog Yuto's memory of fighting the Kolat, and the climax ending with a gaijin pepper bomb as a last ditch effort to kill the Samurai. 

Either way, Edward didn't seem to care if Yuto was having a bad day. "I am _not_ willing to answer anything, slave to a false god," He said with brazen disrespect, "But I'm sure you'll ask anyway."

"You will stop with the unnecessary chatter," Chiyoko warned, "Or you'll have to speak through broken teeth." 

"...Fine." The gaijin looked to the Scorpion, and nodded. "What? What do you want to know so badly?"
Alexander
His reaction brought some relief. Yuto may have been too paranoid, he needed to calm himself down. Only one thing, that's what he was here for. If he could secure that then it was a clear road ahead. Taking a breath, he allowed the man to speak and for Chiyōko to interject. Clearing himself of all thought and emotion, he wouldn't let his feelings ruin this. This was his first step into solving this mystery. || Void 4 - Clear Mind || 

"Two things. I have but two things to ask you and I'll be on my way." He spoke politely. "There was a woman who attacked me and fled, she carried a blade without a handle. She's the prime suspect in Shosuro Miyagi's murder. What can you tell me of her? Who she is? Where can I find her? The woman fled instead of saving you, she put a value on your life and determined it held no worth. Don't you harbor any spite?" He hoped there would be something there he could use.

Yuto had one more thing to ask, but he'd wait to see how the Gaijin would respond to the first question. He'd be able to tell if the man was lying, or at least trying to deter his efforts. "I would appreciate anything you can tell me. You'll find me to be more generous than anyone who has questioned you so far." He winked. Hoping that would allure the man in, despite being a Junshin, the man only saw a Scorpion in front of him.
Carol
Edward looked up at Yuto when he asked his question. He looked confused at first, "Tanken? No, she didn't kill Miyagi. _I_ did." He was all smiles, _proud_ of the fact. "Yeah, he had himself a little trouble with chasing the dragon, you see. I got his chop, he tried to fight me, so I killed him. Good riddance to bad rubbish." 

Chiyoko stood stone faced, unshaken by the man's disrespect. It could mean she was as rock solid as ever, or it could mean this wasn't news to her. She certainly looked indecipherable at the moment as she barked for him to keep talking. 

"Right, right. So, I killed the armory guy. But, I killed him because I was told to by another guy. And that guy is protected by that woman.

"Their names are _Cloak_ and _Dagger._ In your tongue, Manto and Tanken. They're Thranean, like me. Never really saw that they look like, but you can't hide the accent for long. At least the guy. The woman, Tanken? She doesn't speak. Not once have I heard her talk." Edward sighed, and looked back to Yuto. "Now, I can tell you where I saw them last, but... My memory isn't the best. Maybe if I was allowed to _leave_ this place, I could help you find it." 

"Absolutely not," Chiyoko said sternly, "You're not going-"

"Last I checked, _you're_ just a ronin. Only the Samurai here can make a call, right? Or is your Order as fickle as I thought?"
Alexander
Looks like he was gonna have to lie to Sakura about who killed Miyagi... If Yuto didn't have use for the man he'd strangle him to death right now despite the consequences. However his shirt in attitude meant he was speaking the truth. Manto and Tanken? Finding those two meant he could find everyone else, including the Chop.. 

However the mans suggestion would certainly bring hesitation. Did he really think that would work? Yuto wasn't an idiot but the chances of the man escaping him were slim, although the chances of Mai approving such were even narrower than that. "You're certain I can locate the chop if I find this Cloak and Dagger you speak of? The value you possess is up to your knowledge, and it seems like you don't know much." 

Taking him would be a gamble. Without turning to Chiyōko, he spoke: "Chiyōko-san, would you be kind enough to ask Moshi-sama of your guest being in my company for a while? I have several Yoriki to monitor him. His leash will be a fingers length."
Carol
"Of course I can get you to them," Edward said, "Just get me out of this damned place and I'll serve you those two on a silver platter! Or a bamboo mat, or whatever the hell, you know what I mean, yes?" 

Chiyoko nodded at their torturer, who hit Edward across the mouth with a small wooden club, making Edward shut his mouth for the moment. The ronin focused back on Yuto, none too pleased with his request. "Bayushi-sama, I think we both know that would be a foolish idea. Letting that gaijin out of our hands and into yours would not be acceptable. I mean no disrespect to your station, but the Scorpion are not allies. Allowing you to take our fugitive and go off on your own accord doesn't provide much in the way of security in thought."

"Shee dat?" Edward spat out a glob of blood, laughiing. "You Schcorpions ged shid on all de time, you know. She things she'sh allowed to talk to you like you're jusht shome commonah off da shtreet!" 

"Quiet, you!" Chiyoko ordered another strike, and another was delivered. She focused her eye on Yuto, all the same. "The point of this was to talk to the captive, not take him with you. On my honor, I will not entertain such a request."
Alexander
It wasn't that Yuto believed in Edward, as a matter of fact he didn't buy anything the man was saying other than the murder confess. He knew this man would use his freedom as a bargaining chip, likely to run Yuto into a trap somewhere. He found it interesting she ordered to have him struck after he offered the scorpion something.. Standing up, he turned to the Ronin, Chiyōko refused, but the Magistate was persistent. 

"Chiyōko-san, let me ask. How much do you and Moshi-sama know of Shosuro Miyagi and his station? You've already interrogated him for your own interest, surely he must have spilled something of the Scorpions compromise." She'd have been able to tell where he was leading with this. The Mantis and Scorpion were no longer allies, that was true, but this conflict was bigger than their relations. 

He turned back to the prisoner, "What all are they smuggling? Weapons, armor, explosives? Clearly, you Kolat are planning something extraordinary, why're you so willing to throw your precious cloak and dagger in the path of my blade? Maybe you don't want them to succeed after all? You can't only care for yourself."
Carol
Chiyoko narrowed her gaze as she was spoken to, but maintained as much respect as warranted. "If you would think we would withhold information, you're sorely mistaken. Our only concern was what secrets of the Mantis Clan this traitor may have shared with these Kolat handlers. What you know about the late Shosuro-sama is what we _all_ learned when the joint venture was made. That fact that this coward killed him is newly discovered, just now. Bayushi-sama." 

When he turned back to Edward, he was quick to give affirmations. "Oh, all sorts of stuff. Weapons, armor, the whole lot! There's even a connection to get black powder, too. I don't know where they powder is or comes from, but I know who does, of course! Just get me out of here, and I'll give them to you, easy as that!" Edward grinned, missing many teeth. 

"As for my reasons, of _course_ it's to get out of here! Look at what these bastards did to me! I don't give a shit about Manto or Tanken or Mantis or any of this shit. I came here to discipline you bakwards-thinking bastards, and all I got was shit upon. Well, you shit on me, don't be surprised when I shit all over-"

"You know," Mai sighed, coming down the tunnel, "You're not very quiet, Eddy-kun." The Ambassador glared at him from the darkness, stepping into the torchlight. "I heard something about shitting on me? Think you'd be able to pull that off before I ripped you in half, boy?" 

Edward gulped, and looked away. "I... Just-"

"Now, I swear I heard something about letting you out?" 

"Yes, Moshi-sama," Chiyoko replied with a bow, "Edward says he can lead Bayushi-sama to two kolat agents, on the caveat that he be let go into Bayushi-sama's custody. I _told_ him that would be most impossible-" 

"Did I _tell_ you it was impossible?" She shot Chiyoko a look, but her gaze rested on Yuto soon after. "Bayushi-san. Tell me truthfully, what will you do with this man while he's out of my grasp?" Her eyes were sharp and looking for deceit, but she had no need to read the body or the voice.
Alexander
Part of the Scorpion didn't believe the Ronin, although, them not killing the man yet spoke volumes. Either they weren't hiding information from them or they still needed something, as of right now Yuto couldn't determine which. His gaze was sharper than a sword, searching for any hint of deception in her face and voice. 

Once Edward spoke, he merely confirmed the few things the Magistrate was speculating. The man's deal was too good to be true, knowing very well he'd be placing the scorpion in a trap. Gritting his teeth, Yuto held back a bottled frustration, keeping himself in control was more important. What mattered is getting what he wanted right now, before he could reply, a familiar voice made itself known. 

Moshi Mai seemed to be too curious to not listen in. He was surprised to see how sharply the Ambassador addressed the Ronin acting in her interest. Perhaps she saw the bigger picture as Yuto did. 

"Just as I told your Ronin, Moshi-sama. Temporary custody of your prisoner, allow him to lead me and my men into whatever trap they'll pounce us with. Find their leaders, destroy their forces, and bring ruin to whatever plan they're brewing is all that matters. I'll ensure his return." 

*' They think I have ulterior motives as if this doesn't affect us all. If anything they should be helping me, but instead, it's this...'* He briefly twitched an eye before forcibly keeping it still. Even going to sigh out of stress. 

"Look, if you think I'm planning something you can just send Chiyōko-san, Moshi Kana-san, or anybody else I don't give a damn. I'm not just trying to spare my clan of consequences, I'm trying to keep the city you want to take from burning."
Carol
Mai listened to Yuto very carefully, past his words and to his inner thoughts. It was her first time using the prayer, and it was rather intrusive. She didn't like it, but now more than ever, she needed to be careful. But the important thing was this: Yuto's aims seemed to be true and righteous.

"I see." Mai put her hands on her hips, and smirked. "You know, if you were just ten years older and would get rid of that mon, I would be most pleased to host you, Bayushi-san. You're here on the right grounds with the right reasons. I can respect that, and praise it, too." 

She walked closer to Yuto, getting very close. "Tomorrow night. Return here, and you'll have your captive. I will need a bit of time to find a representative of my clan to accompany you. I will provide some men, as well, but Edward here will go where you wish, and I swear on my honor that my representative will not get in the way of justice." She looked him the eyes, and asked another question. "Can you abide by those conditions? For the sake of the empire, after all."
Alexander
Crossing his arms, he clenched tightly, it was the only way to compose his bottling irritation. Controlling his eyes was the hard part, the silk veil did all the heavy lifting. There was a slight squint and head tilt, confused by the Ambassadors first choice of words. If there was a time to throw that kind of offer it certainly wasn't now, she seemed so certain he was truthful, was there reason to ask in the first place then? 

Keeping eye contact as she came close, he didn't protest any of the conditions but one, "I've my own men, just a representative or two to keep eyes on your prisoner. Forgive me but, This matter become personal to the Scorpion, I don't want to be bothered with overseeing more men than needed. Unneeded casualties we can easily avoid." He didn't want any questioning or disobedience in his authority during this operation. 

"Many would protest me, but due to my personal feelings for you, I will ensure everything the Kolat has relevant to the mantis will be delivered to you. As I will for the other clans in the city. Edward is nothing more than a finger to point our path."
Carol
Mai smirked, looking Yuto dead in the eyes. "Oh, Yuto-kun, you're sorely mistaken. If there's any clan that's showed they've need to be overseen and managed, it's _yours."_ Her tone shifted to stern, not seemingly playing around anymore. "I don't remember asking you for permission, merely if you could abide. As a way of expressing my feelings for _you,_ I'm allowing this to be discussed here and now instead of in front of the Imperials, where you could explain the blunders of your _investigation."_

She looked over at Chiyoko, and gave a nod. "It would seem this meeting is over," The ronin said. "Bayushi-sama, if you'll follow me, I'll escort you off the premises. You'll have your captive and a representative of the Mantis clan tomorrow evening, after sundown."