A Concern Or Paranoia? (D11 EA)

[Bayushi Umeno]

Umeno spoke up from the side. "How many people are there in all the clans and tribes? I doubt anyone has even a close guess. How much jade is there in Rokugan? There's enough for our expedition, rationed, but for all those people?"

"Besides that, even if we had enough jade for everyone, or enough to make certain we could check everyone... imagine the paranoia that could cause. We don't need to tell everyone the why of course, but the first time someone finds out that a shapeshifter could be anyone, anywhere..." The Scorpion shrugged. "The problem could be quite real, but I believe it'll take more thought than just 'jade for everyone and every greeting'."

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

"Your problem different from Brave-Warrior-Who-Remember problem. We smell evil things that try to look like Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember. You only use eyes." He pointed to his eyes.

"You think wrong problem. Not how stop future problem... How stop now problem. Close pit. Jee-gou-ku no have things take your skin and sneak-sneak in your land." He replied.

[Jiyo Sora]

And there we go. It's spoken. Which means he's found a possible way.

[Nanzi]

"Your problem different from Brave-Warrior-Who-Remember problem. We smell evil things that try to look like Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember. You only use eyes." He pointed to his eyes.

"You think wrong problem. Not how stop future problem... How stop now problem. Close pit. Jee-gou-ku no have things take your skin and sneak-sneak in your land." He replied.

Nanzi responded, "So what is the solution, then?"

Umeno spoke up from the side. "How many people are there in all the clans and tribes? I doubt anyone has even a close guess. How much jade is there in Rokugan? There's enough for our expedition, rationed, but for all those people?"

"Besides that, even if we had enough jade for everyone, or enough to make certain we could check everyone... imagine the paranoia that could cause. We don't need to tell everyone the why of course, but the first time someone finds out that a shapeshifter could be anyone, anywhere..." The Scorpion shrugged. "The problem could be quite real, but I believe it'll take more thought than just 'jade for everyone and every greeting'."

"The Scorpion speaks sense, this works for us because we are few... the Empire will be large beyond current measure, the logistics will not work," he said.

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

"More Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember ahead. When get near pit... shamans come help. Once get fallen-rock-man out of pit... Shamans use Name to close pit. Fallen-rock-man have name from Sky-Kingdom... Ten...gou-kuu... Name protect him when fall... but also open pit because strong. Sky-kingdom name can use to close pit. Shamans borrow Sky-Kingdom Name... close pit. Save everyone." He replied.

"Name must not get... dirty... evil. If Name become evil... lose Sky-kingdom power. No close pit."

[Jiyo Sora]

"That... could actually work! Tengoku is Jigoku's opposite. Nezumi shamans using that power to reverse the damage of the impact..."

Sora nearly jumped to his feet.

He wanted to hug the giant rat-man.

[Nanzi]

“The other chieftain did not send people why would these nezumi come with us… more importantly a shaman told me that names have power, we cannot speak for one that is not here. We do not know what this Name magic will do, we should stick to the plan rescue Fu Leng and return, we have better information now to mount a better expedition,” Nanzi countered.

He looked to Reiko and said, “Nanzi advises not giving up your husband’s name.”

[Reiko]

Reiko narrowed her eyes at the Nezumi.

"Explain what exactly you are requesting. Ones name is very important, and you are asking us to give up the name of the one we are saving?"

[Jiyo Sora]

"My counterproposal is that... you ask him. It would be a way to strike back at the realm that imprisons him. It's an idea that should be entertained- he has to be willing for this to work anyway, because we don't have his Name. If he refuses, the entire plan is moot. But we may not get a chance- if the Pit stays open... it took us five years to get this expedition together. Getting close enough to try may well be impossible if the corruption is allowed to spread and deepen."

[Nanzi]

Nanzi ignored Sora and added with Reiko, "There must be a Catch, what are you not telling us?"

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

Ch'chit narrowed his eyes at the comment by Nanzi.

"Chieftain not send them. Wikki'thich-hie send them... Those-Whose-Power-Shines-Brighter-Than-a-Thousand-Torches-and-Whose-Name-Stands-As-a-Great-Wall-Against-Tomorrow see all time... all things. They watch over Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember. Wikki'thich-hie call shamans. Shamans listen to Wikki'thich-hie... All listen. No listen then much pain comes."

He continued, "Name is strong, yes. Changing Name also strong... Fallen-rock-man maybe lose shiny Sky-Kingdom Name. He live... not twist Name too far. Fallen-Rock-Man destroy our city. Kill mother. Kill so many Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember. Hairless-ones spread south... fight Brave-Warriors-who-Remember while we fight-fight evil. Many die because Fallen-Rock-Man and hairless-ones aggression. Fallen-Rock-Man make problem that one day kill all... Brave-Warriors and Hairless-ones. Hairless-ones run from problem they make now to save shiny-shiny Name... All Names be cursed. Not fix problem now... all your Names lose power. Be remembered as stupid for all pups' lessons forever. Fallen-Rock-Man give his Name... New Name remembered forever as great hero who protects all pups forever."

[Reiko]

"So you're asking us to give away Fu Lengs own name to your....Shaman, so that they can strip him of his name and use it for their spells?"

Reiko took a moment, only a brief moment, before speaking.

"No. I will not....we will not promise you this, until we know exactly what giving someones name up does and until he is returned home and given a chance to recover from the realm of evil torturing him. After that, and after I have spoken to him with all the exact details, you will have an answer. Not before then."

[Nanzi]

"You had best watch the way you insult my people Nezumi, we have given you respect you will give us the same," Nanzi said.

"We never set out to seal the hole, we set out to rescue our brother, Nanzi does not think it is sound to change the mission at the last moment on a hunch that it might work and giving up one's name sounds very bad."

Nanzi agreed with Reiko, "Yes, Nanzi supports the Spider, this is too much."

[Jiyo Sora]

Sora let out a ragged breath.

He'd been afraid of this sort of response.

People were so... limited.

But he held off on speaking right away, just to see what the others present might have to contribute.

Fear, Desire, and Regret, all in play here.

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

"Already told. No Sky-Kingdom Name. Be alive. Rescue him... And save everyone." He replied.

"Shamans help. Hairless-One's power needed too. Only together can save all people... all life. Think only of self... all die. All turn evil." He replied.

"Don't do now... never do. Pit not close. Only chance... Save pack. Pack more important than any one... Why hairless-ones no understand numbers..."

[Reiko]

"You seem to think it's fine for someone from the heavens to just give up their name, seemingly without any ill effects to that person nor even waiting for that person to be in the room. This part of the discussion is over. I will tell Fu Leng what the Nezumi have asked, and what the cost will be. It will be up to him" Reiko said with a firm tone "and that is after he is saved, and given a chance to recover from what the realm is doing to him."

[Nanzi]

"You seem to think it's fine for someone from the heavens to just give up their name, seemingly without any ill effects to that person nor even waiting for that person to be in the room. This part of the discussion is over. I will tell Fu Leng what the Nezumi have asked, and what the cost will be. It will be up to him" Reiko said with a firm tone "and that is after he is saved, and given a chance to recover from what the realm is doing to him."

"Nanzi and the Crane are here to save Fu Leng, your honored husband, it may seem callous but the pit is a secondary concern for now," Nanzi agreed.

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

"You stupid... No trust. Afraid of something you no understand." He said with a shake of his head.

Then to Sora, "This is smart hairless-one? Bad luck for you."

He then stood and walked out of the meeting.

/exit

[Wu]

Wu carefully noted the Nezumi's proposal then considered it.

''The Nezumi have more experience in fighting the evil oozes from wound in the world. I see wisdom in choosing to close that wretched pit if we get the opportunity.'' he calmly interjected before turning to Reiko

''We cannot force your husband to do anything...but should he accept we may need to cease the moment.''

[Nanzi]

"You stupid... No trust. Afraid of something you no understand." He said with a shake of his head.

Then to Sora, "This is smart hairless-one? Bad luck for you."

He then stood and walked out of the meeting.

/exit

Nanzi stood sharply and said, "Apologize for insulting the Champion of the Spider!"