KITSUKI AKANO<br/><br/>The unmasked Scorpion before me lowered her own<em>katana</em>.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Shosuro Akane, Emerald Magistrate. There have been reports of bandit activity within the city, and this was one of the warehouses that was mentioned as a target."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>I raised an eyebrow at this news.<br/><br/><strong>"Emerald Magistrate? In that case…"</strong>I sheathed my blade and made a very low bow, as low as the wobbling staircase would allow. I rose up again,<strong>"My respects <em>Bugyo-sama</em>."</strong>The sounds of fighting had somewhat abated above and behind the<em>samurai-ko</em>in the room beyond the doorway and - I now noted - beyond a large hole smashed in the wood-panelled wall. I raised my eyebrow further at that. I hardly felt this was the time and place for lengthy introductions, however.<br/><br/>I nodded my head again,<strong>"This is a curious encounter. I am a Courtier, though I am presently in the city on Clan business. While persuasive words may not be of great use tonight, my <em>katana</em> and my wits I place at your service, if I may be of any help, Shosuro-sama."</strong><br/><br/><hr/>[<em>Bugyo</em>= Magistrate]