Kumori looked at the assembled women, and sipped from her cup of tea easily. She put down the cup once they had finished speaking, handing out five identical sheets of paper. Each of these, when the girls eyes rested on them was nearly priceless. They were inked perfectly, bearing the words "______" (The girls name) "acts in the interest of the empire, and pursues a higher purpose. For as long as she follows the directives of Soshi Kumori, there is no dishonorable act, for her heart is pure, and in the interest of the empire." Each bore the chrysanthemum seal... meaning that this had been placed in front of the emperor himself, and he had imprinted his mark upon it. Kumori let the girls read it.<br/><br/>"Now, Ikoma-san, that answers your second question. As Akodo said, duty is the soul of the Samurai. Before all else, neglecting her duty scars her soul. I act here with the direct knowledge of the Emperor. As for your other, the girls will be riding to Shiranai Toshi. Each of them will ride a horse, and wear a deep cloak, like they have something to hide, while being accompanied by an agent whose identity I believe is compromised, but I do not believe it is known that I know it is compromised. When they reach Shiranai Toshi, they will board a river boat, and ride to Kyuden Doji. From there, a ship awaits them, to take them to Koutetsukan. There, I have arranged for them to be employed as Geisha. They should be quite successful."<br/><br/>Kumori tapped her lip easily, as if thinking... then continued.<br/><br/>"At no point will they claim they are you. They are Geisha. To have them act as your doubles explicitly would be discovered to easily. However, anyone attempting to follow them will find it very difficult. It is a precaution. Unless someone has been watching you with ill intent, there is no reason why they would believe they are you."<br/><br/>Kumori then turned on the Hare, looking at her with a quirk of a smile.<br/><br/>"And Ujina-San, neither was I. We serve the emperor as we must, in all fashions. As stated, I do not know which of the Emperor's hidden servants, if any, have escaped this Mahou Tsukai's notice. If you are asking why I have not asked for a group of entirely Scorpions, since we are well known for being 'suited to deception...'" Kumori's eyes flashed a little at that. "... it is quite simple. I already have. I found them three days before your letters were mailed. Only one was alive, his mind gone, his form misshapen. I found him violating the corpse of one of the other women, a promising Scorpion Shugenja who I'd known since she was a babe. He is the one I killed."<br/><br/>Kumori said all this with a kind of detachment, pausing for a moment to sip her tea. After she put the cup of tea however, her voice became intense.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Investigation if you'd like to attempt to pierce her demeanor.</div></div><br/><br/>"I do not know how they failed, or why. But either someone in my clan has been compromised, or they were watching for Scorpion. I gathered you because you are diverse, and did so in as secret a manner as I could. For someone looking for a group brought from one clan, you should miss notice. And I gathered you because I believe you have the skills and talents to find this monster and kill him."<br/><br/>Her eyes flashed... and then that intensity was gone, replaced by the wry amusement she had shown throughout.<br/><br/>"And yes, you girls being diverse, young, beautiful, and new will draw interest. Men grow tired of many things, including Geisha at times. New is exciting. This Mahou Tsukai must have underlings, people to carry out his bidding. Such a man will have sold his soul for wealth. At least one of the men will try to dull the pain with beautiful women who wish simply to talk and entertain him. You must ensure that he comes to you, and that he bears as much of his soul as he can to you. He will not admit that he is the servant of a Mahou Tsukai, but you have not been chosen because you are dullards or fools. I trust that you will be able to see the meaning behind his words."<br/><br/>Kumori nodded.<br/><br/>"I have arranged for identities for each of you. If someone goes to speak to the villages you are intended to be from, they will find attestations to your birth, your growing up, and how you became a Geisha. I have prepared clothing for your new roles in life, which should fit you well, if differently then you are used to. Are there any further questions, or should I begin instructing you as to your new lives?"