Investigation of the Scene (Day 6, Late Afternoon, CLOSED)

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I watch the Kaito with interest as the spell starts to affect him. I then circle around the runes anyway, just in case, while giving the largest statue a mean look. I have an urge to topple it over. "Let us avoid harming the spirits or recreating the events of yesterday" I say over my shoulder, glancing at all corners of the room. And sometimes wishing I hadn't. I glance at my bow but decide the room isn't quite large enough before I draw my blades, feeling more nervous with the tense atmosphere. Why can't someone just go in and grab the damn shugenja woman? The runes may just be some decoration. I wait to see what the others do next as I go on guard

[elonweis]

The rope starts to form beneath Kaito's fingers. It was an ugly thing, but would suffice. As the Daidoji's prayers ended, a small circle of mist cleared from around him. He floated and inch and was promptly dropped back on his feet as the kami fled, wailing for even those untouched by their gifts to hear.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi frowned, deeply. "I think we need to leave. Soon."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Indeed." Replied Kaito Blinking as he started to float for a moment before continuing to finish the rope as fast as he could it didn't need to be be pretty just effective. Taking the time to tie one of his kamato the end to weight it down he then carefully tosses it over the circle of runes careful not to hit the crane or let his arm pass into the circles of runes and onto the other side to the waiting mirumoto.

[Volsung]

The rope sails over to the Mirumoto perfectly, making for an easy catch by the Mirumoto. The runes do not seem to react in any way to the rope being thrown. But now that they are close to it, they can see that the mist is moving outwards, away from from the dais and the runes upon it.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I slide my katana back into place so I can catch the rope. Or the improvised rope at least. It's quite a novel idea.

"Ready when you are" I reply, now somewhat nervously watching the dias. I had been holding my breath. The large room is starting to unnerve me. Why was the Asahina brought here and why did she seem so out of it?

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi got into position to receive the corpse once it crossed the runic circle, his face grave and ready to exercise the ancient technique of the Asahina at any moment.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kiato nods. "Alright now we step around the circle careful like and meet up behind her." Said the Mantis beginning the movement on his own. "When we meet up we'll change ends and then try to pull her out directly backwards."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I did as instructed by the Mantis, who seemed to have a plan. I was happy to defer to it in these unusual circumstances.

When exchanging ends I whisper to Kaito "I hope this works"

[elonweis]

Narumi did not look up as the makeshift rope twined around her. Her expression, if either were to look at it, was serene. The Crane's hands rested upon her knees, palms turned up to receive the grace of the Heavens.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito didn't really have a plan he was more or less making things up as it went along. Though some he knew would consider that plan B he really didn't agree with the logic. Taking the end of the rope as it was handed to him he nodded. "On three we pull her out Mirumoto-san as quick as we can.."

"One"
He tightened his grip up on the rope.

"Two"
His muscles tensed in preparation for the the pulls

"Three"
Kaito stated and quickly began hauling in the rope with all his strength.

[Rixy]

The waifish woman moved easily, neither she nor the bloody symbols that surrounded her offering any resistance to the tug of the makeshift rope. As Narumi slid backward, the graceful seiza unfolded and her legs lay straight, pale white feet appearing from beneath the hem of the kimono she wore. Not a sound escaped her as she slid free of the circle, the only sound that of the breathing of the samurai and the rustle of silk as they moved.

The fog moved and swirled around them, making strange shapes as if unseen beasts hidden in it's depths moved toward the tableau. In the shadowed alcoves, black flickered on deeper black as if the shadows themselves stirred.

When the pull of the rope stopped, there was silence still from the young prophet. Though her body ceased to move, her head lifted from it's bowed position. The soft white hair fluttered, shifting upon the girl's shoulders as she seemed to raise her gaze upward, following the towering form of the Idol up to where it disappeared into the darkness above. Despite the shielding black, her face rose still higher, her neck arching back....back....

..and folded upon itself, the head hanging by only a few tendons and a slight band of flesh to dangle down the girl's back.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I helped the Mantis as best I could and it proved to not be that difficult to move the woman. However, what happened next horrified me. I reeled back from the sight. The poor woman. Whatever had happened here had been vile and horrorful. How many others had met the same fate? Who had done it and why? No, no - I did not want to know why. I just wanted to end the existence of those who had done this.

Covering my mouth and looking away from the corpse I stated the obvious "Asahina-sama is dead. We should remove her from this disgusting and cursed site so that her body can be cared for properly... and we should petition for this demonic building to be demolished, every stone, and all who come here and have been involved in these atrocities to be executed in the most painful way the law here allows". I don't think I had ever said words as forceful as that but I could not think of anything else.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi stared at the body in horror. I will not fear, I will not panic. I am a priest of the Fortunes, a son of the Daidoji.

"The head just moved," he observed. "To be safe, and to preserve Asahina-san's honor, I must ask that one of you remove it. I will then carry her back to the Embassy."

[Bayushi Kichirou]

While everyone else worked on getting the Crane away from the runes and the center of the floor Kichirou kept his eyes out. Watching for the ambush he was sure would come. At the Daidoji's words he turns to look for the first time at the nearly headless Narumi.

The Scorpion doesn't want to think about the horror of the situation. He only wanted to be done and removed from the filth of this place. His expression is flat and emotionless and wordlessly he turns and strikes at the last of the tendons and flesh holding the head on.

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi nods in thanks, lays the head on Narumi's chest and gathers the tiny woman in his arms. He can feel the tears begin to well in his eyes. "Let's go," he murmured as he turned to leave the horrible room.

[Bayushi Kichirou]

Still showing no real emotion Kichirou looks to the Mantis and Dragon, "Take point. I'll bring up the rear." he nods to the retreating form of the Daidoji as he puts his back to his fellow Rokugani and kept an eye on the terrible room.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I had an urge to topple the statues or somehow collapse the room but it wasn't feasible. The important thing was recovering the body and reporting back. For some reason all those who must come here were absent. Was it luck or a trap waiting to be sprung? I nodded at the words of the Daidoji and Kichirou, quickly running to the front of the group to protect Fuichi since he was now completely occupied carrying the body. Fuichi would need to be purified later for touching a corpse but it was preferable over merely falling back to get an eta who could do the job. If only the building were similar to the ones back at home, it would have been very easy then to set it on fire as it deserved. Still, I was grateful to be leaving the cursed central chamber.

[elonweis]

Narumi was light in Fuichi's arms. It was the strange. There was no blood on the Asahina. None in the wound and none on her clothes. There should have been, unless...

[Daidoji Fuichi]

Fuichi closed his eyes. Defilement. He quickened his pace, they needed to get out of there fast.