Nightshade: Return to Karvis III

[GM Craig]

He nods, and you can almost feel him lock that name in for recall.

"I shall make a call and return shortly." He turns to Amir. "Cousin, provide for my friend Nightshade's immediate needs while I make contact."

Amir bows, his palms clasped together in front of his chest. "Of course, cousin."

Bari returns with a slight bow, arms at his side, and departs through the door behind the counter.

Amir bows to you, his arms wide. "Is there anything I can do for you, Friend Nightshade? Refreshment, a light meal?"

He says 'Friend' like it is a title. You note the body language seems ceremonial - likely indication of status or intent, much like the Shinobi ways.

[Nightshade]

The Shinobi did not make a habit of accepting food and drink from others, but neither did he want to offend these men, so he decided on something that he hoped could be a compromise.  "Is there a place I could freshen up?  I would present my best face for the meeting."

[GM Craig]

He nods. "There is a fresher through that door, if that will meet your needs."

[Nightshade]

"That will be ideal, and most gracious."

Nightshade gives a bow before headed for the fresher and seeing to some quick ablutions.

[GM Craig]

Small but serviceable would best describe the facilities. When you emerge a couple of minutes later, Bari has returned. He bows again, his palms pressed together before his chest. He holds that position while speaking.

"Please forgive my earlier cool welcome. I did not know you nor the name Trax. I have been corrected by my Uncle, and he has instructed me to ensure you feel the full hospitality of his house. Cali would be pleased to meet with you at your convenience, and looks forward with much anticipation to hearing news of Trax. At your pleasure, you may take rest and refreshment here, or we can proceed directly to my uncle."

You note that Amir adopted the same post while Bari was speaking.

Bari rises from the bow, but keeps his palms pressed together.

"I would erase any dishonour I have brought to my uncle's house if you will let me. If there is anything I can do, you have only to ask."

He seems genuinely repentant, and the strain he added to the word honour reminds you of home. You're left with the impression there is very little that would not be covered by his declaration.

[Nightshade]

Nightshade returns Bari's bow with one of his own.  "There was no dishonour intended and so none is taken.  If you would be so kind, let us not keep your uncle waiting, my business is fairly pressing."

[GM Craig]

You are taken through the back door to a garage where two rather filthy, odiferous sewage trucks are parked. Bari bows again, palms pressed together. "A subterfuge. Cali prefers that his visitors have privacy, and there are several Imperial checkpoints between here and my Uncle's estate." He then opens the filthy hatch at the rear of the vehicle. You are mildly surprised that the interior is pristine. "My uncle has many visitors. The outward appearance of the vehicle discourages closer investigation, and a sensor field within prevents detection by scanners."

[Nightshade]

"A most useful conveyance.  I can see that your uncle is every bit as intelligent and cunning as Trax described."

Nightshade enters the vehicle and takes a seat.  As the journey commences, he mentally prepares for the upcoming meeting with some light breathing exercises.  It was always a good idea to be prepared, but even more so for an encounter that would most likely change the course of his future.

[GM Craig]

It is a long ride, with frequent stops. You hear some hammering on the side of the truck, and the sound of a top hatch opening, but the rear door stays sealed.

Eventually, the vehicle comes to a stop, and a couple of minutes later, the rear hatch opens.

Bari is there, with another male. They roll a set of stairs to the rear of the vehicle and bow, palms pressed together, as you come down.

You are in a large vehicle bay - no windows, or visible sunlight. You have no idea where you are. There are some half dozen people moving around the vehicles, doing maintenance work and other sundry things. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, but you are surprised at the apparent size of the compound - if this is just the garage, how big is the estate?

You walk around the truck, led by Bari, when you hear a loud voice. Looking up, you see a woman with olive skin, a sharp nose, long brown hair and wearing a loose-fitting pants and tunic on a rasied platform over the grarage. She says four words in a voice that carries. All over the garage, in moments and without heasitation, everyone quickly departs and is out of sight. Even Bari. The efficiency of the evacuation is impressive.

Appraising at the woman, you recognize a warrior stance. She is prepared for trouble, poised on the balls of her feet. She has no visible weapons, but you have the feeling she does not need any.

"Welcome to the House of Cali." She bows, arms at her side. However, she never takes her eyes from you. She never even blinks. "I am called Arienne. The name you used is a form of currency with my Uncle. He has bade his house to make you feel welcome. However, one of my duties is to keep my Uncle safe from threats. You are Nekami, yes? What clan? Minwanabe? Hokaru? Hatami?"

[Nightshade]

Nightshade files away all of this information for later use...at this point more an automatic response than a calculated assessment.  He also does not take his eyes off this woman as he returns her bow.  "Greetings, Arianne.  I am Nightshade of the Shinobi.  I can give you my honor that I intend your uncle no harm."

He was careful to keep his stance non-hostile, but did not wish to seem cowed by this woman.  A fine line to be sure, but one he felt it important to walk.   

[GM Craig]

She considers a moment. "Shinobi. I have not heard of that clan. Which means your clan must be small, and thus very good."

She considers you a moment longer. "I admit that coming to us in this way would be an unorthodox assassination tactic. However, you would not be the first Nekami try to take my Uncle's life. I have faced several such warriors. As a direct result, I have learned both great respect for the training and skill of your people, and suspicion and mistrust of the words they speak.

"Now, my Uncle wishes you to feel welcome. But I love my Uncle, and I am his Left Hand. For both these reasons, I must defy his wishes. I cannot allow you to enter his presence with a weapon. I am aware of the difficulties this requirement may present you. I swear on my life that your weapons will be kept safe. As long as you respect the laws of hospitality, they shall be returned to you when you leave this place. Should you fail to act as a proper guest, your weapons will be returned to your clan with the details of your honourable death. You may choose to find my actions insulting, or you may choose to see them as a measure of the deep respect I hold for your skills."

"The choice is yours. I hope you chose the path of peace. Do not doubt my resolve to answer the path of contention. Regardless of your choice, you will not leave this room in possession of your weapons."

[Nightshade]

Nightshade looks for a long, hard moment at this woman, weighing the decision that she had given him.  He could really use Cali's help in finding the rebels, but it might be possible to locate them without him.

It was clear that finding the rebels would likely be the only way to have any chance to complete his assignment and thereby redeem his ability to return to his clan and way of life.  But, these were his grandfather's blades and to surrender them into the hands of another would be to lose honor.  So which was worse...having no future or no honor?

The decision was ultimately an easy one for him, coming from his roots of his being, and the traditions that he was steeped in from birth.

"Arianne, I propose a compromise, and I hope that you will understand it comes from my desire to follow the path of peace.  I will surrender all of my lesser weapons to you without hesitation, and hold you to keeping them safe.  However my blades will not be touched by another and will not leave my sight.  I will put them into a container of your choosing to be sealed as you see fit.  I only ask that the container stay where I can see it at all times.  You may decide how to make that happen.  If this is acceptable to you, then let us proceed.  If it is not, then I humbly ask that you return me from whence I came."

[GM Craig]

The intensity in the air grows, and you can almost see the chi flashing like lightning between the two of you.

She takes a breath, and you find yourself tensing.

"An acceptable compromise." She bows again, giving you a warrior salute, and never taking her eyes from you. She raises her voice, speaking in what you assume is the language of her people.

The two of you stand there for a few minutes, staring each other down, when another member of the household appears from behind her holding a long case. She says a few words to him. The male nods, swallows, and steps slowly down the stairs, the box held out in front of him.

It is a little longer than necessary. You are looking at a secure storage container, with a few different access controls and security mechanisms, including both an energy and partcile shield.

The young man before you sets down the box on the floor and bows. "Will this meet your needs?"

[Nightshade]

The Shinobi is relieved that his mission may still continue and bowed his thanks when the box was laid before him.  Deftly removing his blades, he places them in the container.  He also removes all of his kit, and then stands, arms and legs spread to submit to a search should they question his compliance with the disarming.

[GM Craig]

Once you have surrendered your weapons, the mood in the room eases slightly, and her warrior stance is gone.

She speaks words in her native tongue. Several moment pass in silence. Then the workers that had been present when you arrived return to their duties as if nothing had happened. Bari even appears once again at your shoulder.

Arienne says, "Bari, my cousin, welcome home. What have you brought our Uncle?" Bari bows to her deeply, his palms pressed together. "My undying love and devotion, and a visitor named Nightshade." He rises. "Nightshade is a friend of the one called Trax, whom our uncle has called Friend, and brings news of him." Arienne turns to you, and bows deeply, never taking her eyes from you. As she bows she says, "Welcome to the house of Cali." She rises from the bow, and lowers her hands to her side gracefully. "My name is Arienne. Trax is a friend of this house, and my uncle is anxious for news of him. My uncle asked me to greet you on his behalf and make you feel welcome. My uncle regrets that he is very much engaged at the moment. He invites you to enjoy the meagre hospitality of his humble house until he is free to meet with you. He hopes this meets with your approval." She waves a hand towards the grim looking man holding the case with your weapons. "The offer of hospitality extends to your servant as well. He may remain at your side at all times while you are within this house, if you wish. My uncle will not be insulted if you prefer your own servant to carry your belongings." She bows again, arms wide, never taking her eyes from you. She rises and watches you, hands folded together at her waist.