Motonari Stalls Maxim's Investigation

Miscellaneous

With the independent matches of the day concluded, Mōri Motonari called for a break in the tournament to allow everyone present to visit Shimonoseki, have lunch, and attend to any other business before the clan matches in the afternoon. Maxim took this opportunity to make his way to the entrance leading down into the depths of the arena. With current events as they were, an Onizamurai had been stationed to guard this portal, but Maxim's desire to see to the safety of Tsukahara Bokuden was not to be cowed. Grabbing Bakin and Kinba, he brought them with, thinking that they would like to see Kiban as well.

Upon his arrival, Maxim was told in no uncertain terms that he would not be allowed below without the Daimyō's permission. Meanwhle, Ryūzaki Sanosuke was receving a similar message from the same man. The Silver General was drawn away from further confrontation by a summons from Blanca Garcés de Navarre, leaving Maxim alone to hear the same message repeated in an increasingly annoyed voice.   Deciding that there was nothing for it but to get said daimyō's permission, Maxim approached the Mōri box. He arrived just in time to catch Kikkawa no Myōkyū leaving with the rest of their family and entourage. Mōri Motonari herself, however, remained behind to hear his request.   Upon its delivery, Motonari explained that the inner halls of the arena were currently a restricted area due to a recent theft. Unbeknowst to Maxim, this might have had something to do with Hashinara Yoshitakatomo's own clandestine investiations. Therefore, she couldn't just let him below, but since his concern seemed genuine, she agreed to let him in with an escort from her own forces.   First, however, Motonari requested that Maxim help her with a troubling development. Pointing out the rascally figure of Shōta in the crowd, she asked if his behavior had been odd as of late. It was his body that had been stolen, she explained, which made his presence and behavior here quite inexplicable. Maxim answered that he hadn't known the boy long, only in his role as a participant in the tournament.   Turning a hard gaze on him, Motonari asked him to consider whether that was really all he knew. Maxim met the stare with one just as cold, however, and answered that that was truly it. With that, the daimyō's expression softened, and she began casting about for someone to accompany the knight commander down into the infirmary.   At this point, however, she had stalled for long enough. Tsukahara Bokuden and Kiban had both arrived from the entrance of their own volition, and bore no sign of their previous injuries. Maxim hurried over to his makeshift mentor and engaged her in conversation. Yes, Ono Shigeyuki had outplayed her by scattering the pillar, and yes, he'd be on the lookout for any tea vessels or knick nacks to replace the ones she had lost in the match. Bokuden, in turn, laughed and expressed that she'd keep an eye out for any scary swords or big demonic armors on her travels. With that, she bid him farewell, intending to leave Shimonoseki and the tournament.   With Bokuden's safety assured, Maxim turned his attention to Kiban. He put a stolid hand on her shoulder, stating his relief that she was alright. In response to this, Kiban blushed a deep blue, and seemed to attach herself quite firmly to Maxim's side for lunch. Bakin and Kinba were invited as well, but neither seemed to be interested in joining them for "ugly time."   After all of this, Maxim was left with one last problem. He didn't really have anything in the way of money. Both his current companions, Haures and Alice of Spades, were "from other schools," as it were, and therefore didn't possess anything that could be seen as legal tender here. Making a decision, he returned to Bedivere in the stands and shook her awake, informing her that she would be buying them all lunch.   The other knight seemed amenable, but still spent, and quickly fell asleep again. Eventually, with some magical "encouragement" from Alice, she was restored, and the party of six took to the town.