View source for 4510/Snake in the Grass

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/09/04
|Location=City of Ravnica <Rav>
|Synopsis=Ijiwaru has Rhapsody cornered -- to defend her dedicated tanuki, or her father's legacy?
|Cast of Characters=1037, 325
|Tinyplot=Moeru
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You want to know what's been suffering from lack of business since Yunomi's betrayal? Restaurants serving 'Outsider' food. You want to know what kind of food in paticular? <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Italian. For some reason, no one wants meatballs. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Background music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvkZWhpzmWs) <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rhapsody would be picked up in a comfortable vehicle, showered with cold praise, and delivered to the restaurant off Tin Street. The restaurant is emptied of other patrons, leaving just Ijiwaru, clad in a charcoal gray suit in the middle, at a small, roundish table. Bread is sliced and ready for consumption. The blood red tablecloth shows no stains, and perhaps in hopes of patronage there are red and blue flowers, roses and forget-me-not strands, placed in a vase at the table's center. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ijiwaru, slicked back hair and smirk present on his face, reviews the wine list.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The only reason that Rhapsody decided to indulge Ijiwaru's request was a single word. 'Footage'. She had hoped that the man had caught sight of Yunomi somewhere, and as such, the Guildmaster accepts the lift. The praise is hardly responded to. For a magical creature such as a dragon, being around these magical 'black holes' was uncomfortable, despite any amount of comfort they provided.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sight of an empty restraunt, with only Ijiwaru within it, gets the dragon to grit her jaw for a moment, turning on that little mental switch that she has for encounters with other guilds. That done, her expression steels and she moves toward the table. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ijiwaru."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's the only greeting he's going to get. The dragon would also, quickly, move to seat herself. She was not about to indulge any amount of chivalry from someone she saw as a snake and nothing more.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Politely, and without mocking, Ijiwaru stands as Rhapsody enters. "Guildmaster, please have a seat. I implore you to hear me out." he states, with an air of mixed casual tones, surprisingly warm. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead of the normal seats that are typically provided -- which are smallish even for humans -- Rhapsody is provided with a comfortable, very padded bench. Two magic eaters even push the seat in, and then exit for the back of the restaurant, leaving Rhapsody and Ijiwaru alone. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I had hoped to secure your cooperation a different way; I apologize that it had to come to this. I typically /reject/ subterfuge and blackmail as the weapons of cowards, but we do what we must, I suppose." he begins, unfolding his napkin. He places it in his lap, and as he motions, a nervous looking man, rotund, with a slight limp in his walk comes out, and shows a bottle, then pours a glass for Rhapsody. Like the cloth, the wine is blood red. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You realize that what I am to ask of you will be difficult, but..." his black eyes focus on Rhapsody. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I will know if you lie. Do not lie."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A glance over her shoulder is given when the men push the bench up. She'll allow it, she supposes. When her gaze slips back toward Ijiwaru, there's a little confusion on her face. The very first thing he says is full of mental red flags. Typically -reject- blackmail? This was not about to be a pleasant dinner, was it?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The wine is poured, the dragon gives a thankful nod toward the waiter, and then her gaze turns back to Ijiwaru. "Typically reject? What are you getting at, Ijiwaru?" she finally responds as something clicks in a corner of her mind. 'Footage'? ... <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oh stars.. what does he actually have..?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I know." Ijiwaru replies enigmatically, and he slides a manilla envelope from a black, shining leather briefcase. "More than you possibly do." he adds, his countence serious. He leans forward, grasping the wine in his hand, and raising it to his lips, he raises in a toast. "To the Izzet League. Long may its Guildmaster have wisdom and health, mm?" he toasts, and takes a sip. The envelope sits on his side, just out of her reach unless she were going to lean over. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What feelings do you have for the tanuki?" he questions.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eyes narrow. What kind of a question was that? "Considering how long we have known each other, and that our studies ran nearly in paralell, we are close. I can't deny that. I dare say most of the guild along with a lot of the Union knows it." Truth. Rhapsody takes the glass, swirls, smells, sips, and then sets the glass back down. "That's not privledged information, Ijiwaru.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You did not answer my question. I asked what feelings you had for her, not if you have feelings." Ijiwaru replies, and he tears a piece of bread in half. He doesn't seem intent on eating it. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She was your father's student. A dedicated member of your guild. She proportedly loved Kaeruhime as another mother, and even those of us who have hunted her are... curious as to the shift in her attitudes. The Odanuki have their secrets, as any family of yokai do." he sips the wine -- but the glass is no emptier. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Why," he inquires, looking up to Rhapsody, "do you think she betrayed you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm sorry if you don't find my answer adequate, Mister Ijiwaru, but it is my answer. We are close, that is how I feel about her. I care for her, and she has cared for me. If you are looking for a particular answer, I'm sorry that I'm not giving it." So not sorry, but she wasn't going to let this man lead her into some answer he wanted. Not a chance in hell. She dealt with the Orzhova far to much to allow herself to be led.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You mean why did she attack me on stage during Presentation Day?" she rephrases the question, another sip from that glass, and then she moves to answer. "I don't know for sure, yet. There are too many questions I have about the situation, the situation in Namamura, and the Nexus, to acurately answer that question. If you want a judge, ask the Azor. If you want a Jury, ask the Orzhova, and if you want an executioner, ask the Rakdos."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I want neither a judge, nor jury, nor executioner, Guildmaster. They will be there when we turn her in for punishment. Attacking a guildmaster is a grave offense, is it not? And how will the League accept her back into the fold, knowing what she could have done?" he asks. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another non-sip of the wine. It doesn't go down any further. "We need to stand on the same side if we are to flush the game out, Guildmaster. I would like you to publicly denounce Yunomi, and command her to return for justice. Surely, you know, that she will come out to protest her innocense."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And there's the purpose of this entire meeting. "No." There isn't a moment's hesitation. "I will not be denouncing anyone without -all- of the evidence. At this time there is too much missing to do such a thing. We do not know who killed Kaeruhime. We do not know how long the she was dead. It is clear that this was not a known fact or the test activation of the Nexus would not have been approved as it would have been obvious that a backblast would occur. As for her appearing to defend herself? Why? If you are so sure she betrayed me with intent, then she has no reason to appear to defend herself." And if she does show up.. it proves her innocence even further. Mentally, Rhapsody is exhausted of these games. Why can't they just continue their research? Why the rush..?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We beleive she is planning a secondary attack." Ijiwaru replies, all the warmth and previous polite tones in his voice gone. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And he slides over the manilla folder. "These were recovered from the flat that /mysteriously/ exploded when a spark from a malfunctioning microwave hit a payload of cooking gas.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Umehana Odanuki has been playing you for a fool." he states, with grim certainty. "And her game is rapidly coming to an end."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A .. second.. attack?" she sounds completely bewildered. "And how would she do that? Thirix has both Union personel as well as my most trusted Izzet personel watching the structure around the clock. At this point Sidonia has returned and is also patroling the structure, living up to the common Izzet title that she has recevied as 'the bodyguard you don't see.' There will not even -be- an opportunity," she growls, slowly reaching for the envelope to take a look at what the man has. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A second attack is out of the question.." she trails as she starts to take a look at what the envelope contains. She isn't really sure what to expect of this. Pictures of Yunomi cackling evily over a drawing of Rhapsody's corpse? Using the mana nexus to anihilate the entire Izzet Sector? What could -possibly- be in this envelope???<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, it /is/ Yunomi. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But in this case, what is inside the envelope are charred notebook remains, photographs of a burned out shell of a flat. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And iron spikes sticking out of a couch. Pins two feet long, tapered on both ends. Cypher keys, mostly destroyed. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And the last image is a still taken from a security camera at a construction site, showing a very paticular group of people standing outside a flat in Redfern, pre-explosion.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I do hate using Subterfuge and blackmail, Guildmaster, but in order to protect you from my enemy, I will do what I must."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first picture doesn't mean a lot. Rhapsody was aware of what happened to the flat for Reasons. The second picture gets her to squint a little It is far to convient that the spikes just happen to appear in a photograph that the -magic eaters- took. She would burn the picture if not for that little 'switch' she turned on earlier. The third picture-- <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ever seen a -dragon- in headlights?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The dragon just stares at the picture. She knows what it is. This must be from the 'footage' he had. Rhapsody's steeled features deflate, rapidly. Shoulders slump and slowly, the pictures are set back down. "I don't need your protection," she protests, weakly. She's certain what will come next. All of the demands. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She -finally- glances up at the man. "Why are you so certain she isn't protecting me from something?" the switch is gone, likely ripped out of the proverbial wall it was installed in, in her mind. "Are you really, -truly-, unbiased in everything you say...?" It's the only fight she can muster, knowing what can come next. She's terrified of it. They both know what the answer will be, but only one person in the room will be torn apart by it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How can I be unbiased. She murdered my brother in the cradle." Ijiwaru replies coldly. "That tends to put a damper on any potential 'warm and happy' feelings. In order to lure Yunomi out, we need to show a unified front. An alliance -- even a forced, contrived one, will be beneficial. You'll have me and my group out of Ravnica, and you'll have your little flower-power creature back in your possession, for however long the Senate takes to complete the paperwork." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first course arrives, asparagus spears wrapped in some thin, smoked meat, garnished with slices of cheese and tomato with a light drizzle of olive oil. The terrified cook quickly makes an exit. "I want her to stop hurting others. I want to protect people from what I could not protect my family from." he replies quietly, and he exhales.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You need my help, Rhapsody. And I require your cooperation."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You just want revenge on someone and don't care at all if they actually redeemed themselves," again, a quiet protest, but one she had to make before ... she had to make a decision. Every fiber of her being wants to lunge across the table. No one else was in the room. It was -Ravnica-. It was her -home-, but no, she couldn't. He was too many steps ahead. For all she knew the picture was with one of his lackies, waiting on the steps of Prahv, just -waiting- to walk inside with it. He was forcing Rhapsody into a choice she could never be prepared for. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you protect Yunomi, and lose the Izzet League, or do as he says?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yunomi was family, perhaps more. The Izzet League was Niv-Mizzet's legacy, stretching about over 10,000 years. Excommunicated from it? From Ravnica? GUILDLESS? It would end up being all three of them, not just Rhapsody. Everyone involved would be banished, if not worse. And then who KNOWS what the Union would do once convicted for not adhering to the Guild Council vote. The dragon can't help but just grip the edges of the bench below the table as she speaks a simple sentence that will shatter something far too deep in her mind to be healthy for anyone involved. As she speaks, it's cold, flat, and utterly emotionless. Someone that's been reduced to nothing more than a puppet for someone else.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What do you want me to do?" <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Because at this point, she was certain it was more than just a public announcement.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She has proven beyond redemption. The most I can do is render her harmless." Ijiwaru replies, and seems tired. The fascade breaks a little bit, and he gives a wishy-washy movement of his hand. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Stand with me. Tell no one of our discussion, and nothing will come of the footage. Strange comings and goings are no stranger to that area." he waves, with a dismissive hand. "Tell them I showed you undeniable proof. You know now that Yunomi planned on betraying you, killing you, and stealing your birthright from you. Get angry, Rhapsody. Denounce her trickery and stand with me, and together we will hunt her down, and bring her to justice... and you can ask her anything you like."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tell no one? She wouldn't -need- to. Her spirit, her heart, and more, just shattered into as many pieces as Thianel did. Get angry? Is that even possible now? How can she call up even an ounce of the red when it all just drained away? Can she even tell a -believeable- lie right now? An emotionless face glances up at Ijiwaru. That isn't Rhapsody its.. something else. Something that basically has lost the light in their eyes. "If you say so." If he believes her is another matter. She'd parrot the words he's saying, at this point, but will ANYONE bother to believe her? <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Why was it so cold now..?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1037|Ijiwaru (1037)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Drink your wine, dear. And keep your chin up..." Ijiwaru goes to stand, and dabs at his mouth with his napkin. He hasn't touched the wine. He hasn't eaten any of the appetizer. "We will find her. Together. And you will keep your father's legacy alive, and your birthright where it belongs." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And he turns, walking for the entrance. "I'll keep in touch, Guildmaster. Good night."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:325|Rhapsody (325)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's no response. Just a dragon, some pictures, and some food that will end up going cold in before Rhapsody leaves for Nivix.<br> <br>
}}