IZOU'S PALACE

[goei]

KYOTO BAKUMATSU PALACE
You find yourself in historical Kyoto at night. The city is shadowy and beautiful, elegant but hostile. It's a sophisticated city, but you don't belong there and it knows it. Everyone knows it. You are being watched.

Worst of all, a terrible demon haunts the streets of this powerful capital city.

Eli Walsh, Kirumi Tojo, Still Sunrise, Argenti, Yi Sang, Celeste, Mafuyu Asahina, and McGillis Fareed, do you dare journey into hell?

 

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Comments

[goei]

[Argenti, Yi Sang, and Kirumi approach a well lit business where inside people seem to still be drinking, eating, and conversing!

Outside the well lit establishment are multiple banners with Japanese text on them, which Kirumi should be able to read such as "UDON", "YAKITORI", "DANGO", and "GYOZA." A sign over the door proclaims it as "MORIYA IZAKAYA." The other two can probably still glean this is some sort of restaurant or bar from the view inside.

There's also an advertisement for a local sake brand in the window, which even Yi Sang can probably recognize just from the illustration of the bottle and sake cup! Many people are drinking, both sake and beer.

In fact, next door is what's clearly a liquor store from the window display, though it currently seemed closed as it is not lit up at all. On the other side is a small park, where some drunks are filtering out to get some fresh air.

Is there anything you want to investigate in particular?]

[beautifulknight]

[ Oh his new fellows in crime. Awesome!

Argenti just smiles in complete ignorance in all of this...language. Also this is making me hungry, how dare. ]

Establishments like this can be key to gaining information! A friend of mine I believe constantly goes to such places...if I am right about it being the type of place that it is. Perhaps we shall go inside?

Even if the signs are quite impossible for me to read at all!

[ Argenti waits to hear the opinion of the other two. After all, there's also a liquor store nearby and then there is the park. ]

[kandata]

I will provide translation. This is more archaic than I am used to, but I can read it.

[Kirumi points at places subtly, in case people here are hostile and won't take kindly to a stranger indicating location]

That is the Moriya Izakaya. It is a food establishment focusing on traditional Japanese food. I recommend I go in first to scout the terrain.

[It might be less alarming to see a maid enter, than it'd be Argenti or Yi Sang. This is a Palace and therefore that logic may not apply, but Kirumi has confidence in her subtlety!]

[idealitas]

Thank you for the translation. For volunteering also, do be careful.

[ Kirumi seems capable despite her age, he won't worry. ]

It was common to visit these places at the end of a day. They'd become just as routine to visit as the prior work hours themselves.

I ponder.. if this the kind of place is significant. Like it was a favorite are to frequent for food and drink. Or nearby to said workplace.

[ In a way, palaces seem similar to the Fathoms. So he's working off that knowledge. ]

[beautifulknight]

[ It isn't like Argenti is a muscleheaded type because he can be friendly with locals just fine, but it seems it is simply that someone else may be more familiar with the lay out. Still, he'd prefer to just head in himself because that is just how he does things - he does it himself - but he does vaguely recognize he's working in a group.

Thankfully for everyone concerned, so after a bit of thought, Argenti grants a little nod at Kirumi's suggestion. ]

Please, feel free to go ahead, Miss Kirumi.

Either way, it is possible that is the case. We shall be awaiting out here and be on the lookout for any dangers. I have my spear at the ready and can move as swift as wind!

[kandata]

I will be counting on you both.

[Alright! Let's go inside. Trusting Yi Sang and Argenti will guard the entrance and be ready if for some reason everyone inside is very against maids for some bizarre reason, Kirumi goes inside.

First things first: locate anyone of interest without poking around too much. The one in charge of this place might be the best bet, but in general Kirumi is paying attention to see if anyone seems dangerous or worth keeping track of]

[goei]

[A couple men wear swords at their waists, though no one seems in particularly the mood to fight!! Everyone is having a good time. On of those men, finely dressed along with his sword, seems to be the center of attention for a large group of patrons, a few of them women.

A few smaller groups of two or three men each dot the rest of the bar, most of them seem to be laborers.

Aside from that, there seems to be a man and woman behind the counter, the man cooking and the woman taking orders. With the sweet glances the woman keeps flashing the man as she sends back orders, it seems like they may be a couple.]

[kandata]

[Okay! Nobody seems to be itching for a fight, that's good. Better approach the woman who is taking orders -- since it's her job to be in contact with patrons, she would be the best bet. Kirumi approaches, greeting politely]

Excuse me. My masters wish to dine, but are not familiar with the area. Would you be willing to make conversation with them about this city?

[It could be a good source of information, and three people working on that instead of just Kirumi would be best]

[idealitas]

Ah.

[ Masters, huh... Overhearing that, he looks to Argenti. ]

So that we do not contradict eachother in a conversation and rouse suspicion... How do you wish to act upon these roles?

[beautifulknight]

[ Uhh... ]

We act refined and proper! As 'masters' who wish to dine should. We emphasize that we, as thoughtful and diligent men of society, hold steadfast to our appreciation for Beauty in all things that show that wonderful glimmer in each facet of life.

[ ...yeah. Argenti has never acted as a 'Master' in any capacity unless you mean master of battle with his spear but this seems fine to him??? ]

[goei]

[The woman at the counter looks at Kirumi, and then looks at the strange men outside. Which suggests she's able to hear and see them...

However after a moments pause she simply turns away and attends to another patron at the bar. Guess she's not willing?]

[kandata]

[That's definitely a no. Well, since being a customer seems like it won't do, better gather as much information before exiting.

Anything noteworthy that might catch Kirumi's eye on her way out? Something she might overhear, something she might quickly read, anything like that?]

[goei]

[Nothing will catch her eye, but as far as overhearing things, she can try to catch an earful of conversation if she'd like to listen in. Any strategies she'd like to employ or do you just want a flat roll?]

[kandata]

[what is that icon caitie haha

Yeah, let's try to be subtle. Kirumi, almost at the entrance, with one hand pretends she's adjusting her hair, and manages to nudge the thing on her head undone, it falling to the floor. Sighing and making sure not to glance in any direction except down, to not reveal she's stalling, she picks it up, glances at Argenti and Yi Sang like she's making sure to look presentable for 'her masters' like all maids should, smooths over her attire and moves to leave.

It's not a huge strategy, really. At best she's able to stall only for like ten seconds, but she attempts to listen as much as possible during that time]

[goei]

[IZOU'S ARTIST JUST DRAWS HIM ALL OF THE TIME IN SITUATIONS OK. ASK HIM!!!

Anyway, her gambit to stall is effective! She gets a +2 to her roll, netting her a 16. This is what she overhears some young men saying;

My father's rounding up men to go fight the demon!
Leave something like that to the shinsengumi.

Well I heard even the shinsengumi are afraid of it.

Your father thinks he can find men braver than them??

Kirumi can likely glean further context to where and when they are from this discussion. Better fill the divorcees in.]

[kandata]

[Haha, now I have to see more art, I'm so curious.

Indeed, that was very enlightening. That and the way the Japanese writing is a tad more old-school than she's used to see, are big clues of where they are and what this place is.

Time to inform them. She tells Yi Sang and Argenti what she heard, textually, and adds:]

I believe we're in my home country, at one point in the past, between the years 1863 and 1869. I would guess it is in the latter years, since the Shinsengumi seem well established. [A bit of an educated guess, mostly, but okay] Whether the 'demon' part is literal or not remains to be seen.

[Personas, deities, and the such makes it plausible it could be an actual demon!]

[cirquedesang]

[Not at all one of the divorcees, but - after arriving somewhat late to the newly-formed district, it's actually a bit of a relief to be filled in so immediately! Without asking! Wow! Well, at least in regards to where (and when) this place is supposed to be replicating.]

That... is a bit before my time.

[And considering they seem to be somewhere not-quite real and not-quite Nekiya, the 'demon' issue is a bit more pressing?]

I suppose we'll find out soon enough about this demon, no?

[beautifulknight]

[ Oh hello, we seem to have a new friend. Argenti listens to the information well first, so that he can digest it, and then turns to face Céleste (fellow Frenchmen meet other Frenchmen-) with a brief smile as well as a nod.

Then he turns to face Kirumi once more. ]

We will need to find this demon as soon as possible. Luring out this demon may be easy or it could be difficult, depending on what exactly would draw it out.

[ He looks thoughtful at all of this. He doesn't have any further thoughts on any other kind of strategies, so... ]

But perhaps we shall find more clues upon our close investigation of other areas. I believe we should start next with the park.

[idealitas]

Thank you, Kirumi.

[ Celeste gets a nod of acknowledgement upon his arroval— it doesn't hurt to have more eyes and ears with how this environment seems to be. ]

I do not believe it will be difficult to find that demon, if they are so prevalent to deem groups required to take it down. If that is what we focus on, then some further observation may be helpful in a likely encounter.

[ The park is a sound idea, especially with what they understand now about this palace. No divorce papers needed. ]

I'm... thankful that only eavesdropping and watchfulness are truly necessary. I would assume that we are more of an audience than set pieces, if that makes sense.

[kandata]

So it seems. Let's go. I can watch out for any danger, but I would like to have someone else helping with that while we move through the park.

[There are plenty of dangerous spots in a park, after all! Trees, dark places...especially at night!]

[beautifulknight]

I can easily do so.

I am used to being vigilant for danger!

[ Argenti will actually walk swiftly towards the park so please keep up yall. Besides the drunks that he is actually ignoring (wouldn't it be hilarious if they needed to be interacted with...), what is even in the park besides foliage? It was briefly described before, but if there are any other points of interest, he will be keeping an eye out for it! ]

[idealitas]

[ Gay lovers except Yi Sang is contemplating a divorce, got it.]

Not what I meant. Kirumi stated she is in service to us. I would not know what is an appropriate position to allow for a maid in our entourage, aside from vague notions of foreign guests with considerable wealth and business to conduct here.

[beautifulknight]

I see.

...But that does not prevent us from being Masters who are connoisseurs of Beauty!

[ I'm sorry he's about to get really annoying...rip in rest. But also, it doesn't seem to be exactly working out as they'd like, so. It's for the best that the plan is not happening. ]

Provided this does not work for whatever reason, I don't believe it's unreasonable to scope out the park next.

[ Maybe desperate to avoid the drunkards. ]

[kandata]

[hey divorcees listen up]

[idealitas]

...As you wish.

[ He... is actually rather tolerant of this. Yi Sang knows someone just as insistent about their passions and they go by Don Quixote, so it's not anything new. He just will pipe up if it can cause some foreseeable issue

It will not, as seen in the other thread with poor Kirumi getting ignored! So. ]

I am amenable to that idea.