It was always a risk to report bad news to the higher-ups. Shooting the messenger was considered by many Spider superiors as good for morale, even if it was just their own morale.

Still, NOT reporting bad news also had drawbacks, and so Tsugiharu had arranged for a private meeting with the most important Spider on the planet. Whether or not the man could actually process the information remained to be seen.

Shokomaru was of course waiting after he'd been contacted by Tsugiharu. He had some business later that night, so time wasn't strained just yet.

He was chewing on a sandwich from room service, a few others laid out as he knew there was someone coming to visit. He was watching funny cat videos on his densai. At least the phoenix were human enough to have standard entertainment along with all the koan streaming they did.

When Tsugiharu eventually announced his arrival, Shokomaru would invite him in.

Tsugiharu bowed once admitted.

"Daigotsu-sama, thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice. I would have normally passed my report up the chain to you, but given that we're at a miai with only half a dozen or so of our clan about, it seemed more prudent to simply give the information to the strongest link directly." he offered.

"Prudent", he answered and motioned for the Kuchiki to sit and help himself if he was hungry or thirsty. "I had a little time I don't mind sharing, so is this related to the miai or is it something else?"

he put his densai down with the screen locked, then picked up his cup of tea.

Tsugiharu sat as he was bade to sit.

"Well, it only involves the miai insofar as it involves the planet the miai is being held on. Nakuichi-san had some troubling communion with the kami, and so Ktisune-sama and myself joined her in a bit of communing with the local spirits to check to see if there were any problems people needed to be aware about."


"Our best interpretation of the words of the kami is that there is a an organized group of individuals in a remote shrine that are attempting to re-open the connection between this world and the spirit realm from which it would have been severed when the planet was pacified. Our best theory is that doing so would flood the local flora and fauna with spiritual energy upgrading them from 'pretty, and sometimes dangerous.' to perhaps lethal enough to cause the colony to fail."

He shrugged.

"But that's all we have thus far, the words of the kami and theory. There seems to be some indication that the Phoenix are not heeding the warnings, but again, that's interpreting the words of the kami, and it's likely that the Phoenix are likely not to take spiritual advice from a Spider and a pair of minor clanners."

He put his tea down and listened as Tsugiharu went on, his expression flattened.

When the shugenja finished he nodded.

"How certain are you, really?"

He knew kami evidence wasn't big these days, but if enough shugenja agreed...

"I am 100% certain that the kami believe that the risk to human life is a credible one. But the rest is theory, interpretation, and guesswork. It's hard to thoroughly analyze an unknown ritual from the viewpoint of the kami alone. What the Phoenix hope to gain from this, why the Phoenix are ignoring warnings from the kami, what can even be done or the timeframe we have to act is really guesswork."

He shrugged.

"From what we can ascertain, it's not a single ritual, it's been a series of negotiations with a powerful spirit within a shrine built upon the nexus of the planet's elements. We can't even be certain that it would be safe to simply wipe out the shrine. Maybe the powerful spirit would lose interest and go back to sleep....maybe it goes berserk when it's offerings get cut off. More information is needed, and I don't think the Phoenix are particularly interested in sharing it."

"So we need more intelligence, and quickly", he agreed. "Do you have any ideas on what you'd need to gain it? Equipment? Human intel?"

"Human intel will probably be critical." he agrees. "I intend to reach out to Doji Ichika as an ally. She's impressed me with her political acumen. I'm hoping she can ascertain which locals might be able to get the issue treated seriously, and which are likely accomplices to the ritual."

"She seems a good choice, if you don't get the chance today I can pass it along to her tonight if you'd like. It wouldn't be difficult to bring up."

He thought a moment. "Are there any other specialists in the field covering this among the miai, though? You mentioned Kitsune-san, I would think his word might be considerable on the subject, actually. Especially if a Lion stands with him."

Tsugiharu nodded.

"Kitsune-sama and Nakauichi-san." he agreed. "I haven't met any other shugenja at the miai. There seem to be unfortunately very few at the miai."

He nodded. "I'll reach out to them both if possible." Now he drank his tea again, thinking a moment.

"Is there anything else? You mentioned people at the temple might have the kami's message confused, or they don't care. Who are they?"

Tsugiharu shook his head.

"Highly unclear. I literally cannot narrow it more from the kami's description than, 'man-thing' and 'woman-thing.'" he admitted.

"Keep investigating then, I'm sure you planned on that anyway", he said. "Do you need any help tracking things down? You know we have some trained magistrates, as long as it doesn't step on our host's toes."

Tsugiharu nodded.

"More investigators might indeed be wise. If they're particularly subtle, perhaps they can draw answers out of the shrine. If not, there is the library to explore. I doubt there's a big book with all the answers, but perhaps something can be found in that compost heap of knowledge."

"Well then, Kichiki-san, I think you know what you need to do. Pick personnel, tell them why this is important and then ask for their help. If there are issues let me know and I'll take care of it. I'm giving you some room on this, but ultimately it's the Phoenix's problem so we can't get too official."

He sipped his tea.

"I'll talk to the people I mentioned though, if there's any other way you think I can help, let me know."

Tsugiharu rose and bowed.

"Understood, Daigotsu-sama. Is there anything else you wish to know?"

"How are you doing with the miai?" He asked. "I know the events don't cater to your profession, but a man can do well for himself without exploits."