The rumor mill had turned up that there was a missing person at the Lawaguchi Farm. People disappeared all the time on agriworlds. Ryuu thought back to how many on Shiragiku had been killed by gaki, or other things.

But one of the tenets that could help them impress the Phoenix Governor was Compassion. It would likely look good to any potential spouse as well.

Ryuu had set out for the farm, to begin unraveling the thread.

When he eventually reached the farm, one of the men tending the barley stood up, slowly walking to him. Seeing Ryuu's colors the man too a step back, only to throw himself at his feet. "Samurai-sama, what gives us this honor."

Shokomaru had taken the ride out there as well. Since they were on business of a sort, he wore his uniform, including the coat and cap. It was hot, but who gave a shit? This was just how things were done.

He walked alongside Ryuu through the farmland, getting a feel for things and trying not to thing too much about how the morning went.

He'd let the doshin take the lead.

"Citizen." He offered the farmer a respectful bow, then those unblinking blue eyes intensely focused on the man. "We have heard rumor of missijg farmers. A man was found beaten in the woods. Concern brings us here today." That aura of dread emanating from him certainly wouldn't help, but they needed to do all they can.

"We are here to help. What can you tell us of these missing persons? Haa there been anything strange here?"

The man stayed prone, just in case. He had obviously dealt with samurai before and seeing samurai wearing mon of an another clan had him more or less paralyzed with fear. "Ah, the magistrate came here the other day. Our overseer told them all we know. Please, samurai-sama, we are not hiding anything!"

So maybe the less creepy Spider should speak up now.

"ojiisan, we're not here thinking you hid anything. Where's your overseer?"

He didn't want to assume Ryuu hadn't spoken to the magistrates first, but maybe there hand't been time.

"At the farm, I would think so. Unless you mean the previous one, samurai-sama. He's the one missing." the man replied, nervous and still very much his face in dirt.

"I apologize for the impression that you were hiding something. Please. Stand." He lowered his voice. "What can you tell me of the previous overseer. Before we go speak with the current one, or the magistrate. I enjoy double checking my work."

There was a slow blink. "My name is Daigotsu Ryuu, Ojiisan. I wish to assure you. We are only here to help."

Wanting to remain prone and commanded to stand up, the heimin pushed himself up, remaining on his knees. "He was a fine man, just and fair, samurai-sama." he explained, stammering as he spoke. "I am Jibo, Samurai-sama." The heimin bowed again - and remained prostrated.

As Ryuu was introducing himself, a slightly lost looking Shirokiku wandered onto the scene. Seeing her superiors, she bowed to them quickly.

"Forgive my intrusion, minna-sama; When I heard we would be investigating the matter, I came as soon as I could. If you'd let me, I'd like to assist."

She then turned to the peasant, offering him a bow as well.

"Forgive me - my name is Susumu Shirokiku, a Doshii on the planet Whispers. Rest assured, we're here to help."

Shokomaru offered a slight bow of welcome to Shirokiku. "Keep an eye out for now."

He kept watching Ryuu work for now. Phoenix peasants were weird, he thought. The guy actually sat up. He'd honestly never seen it before, he thought they all knew it was a trick.

I am FUCKED. I AM SO FUCKED. THERE IS THREE OF THEM NOW.

"I see, thank you very much samurai-sama." the man stammered.

"What was his name? Did he have any enemies." The Doshin was used to heimin being nervous. But this was something else. "You are a good man for thinking highly of them."

Polite... yet always creepy.

"Kei-sama." the commoner replied without hesitation. "Samurai-sama is too kind."

Shokomaru was done and ready to move on, at least.

"Let's go see the new overseer", he said and started to walk further in. The peasant had work to do anyway.

Shriokiku followed suit, thanking the peasant as they passed him. Perhaps more useful information could be found inside...

And so, where once there were three, a fourth shall come with them. Likely adding to the apprehension felt by the servant, the arrival of Geppu and his faceless helmet may have made matters more difficult if he approached boldly...so he hung back a bit from his fellows, offering them quiet bows if and when they acknowledged his presence and offering a slight nod to the peasant.

Once it was decided to move on, he would speak up. "My apologies for the lateness of my arrival, I was otherwise occupied."

By this time the heimin have alerted the overseer, whom when seeing no fewer the four Spider samurai, falls to his knees, bowing to the men. "Samurai-sama. To what do we owe this honor!" He proclaims, his voice wavering.

"Thank you, Citizen." He bowed again to the farmer, and moved with the others. "May the Fortunes favor you."

When they approached the overseer, Ryuu took the lead.

"To us being able to help you. Please, stand and talk." He nodded. "We are investigating the missing persons report of Kai-san. What can you tell us about him?"

"Ah, samurai-sama. The Phoenix magistrates already came here. They insisted they had everything under control." the commoner stammered." He did not however stand up. "Uh, unfortunately very little, samurai-sama. I was moved here to replace him, samurai-sama. I barely known anyone here."