Hatate Quest

[Hello Purvis]

>"You really think that the boss is just okay with the Dai-tengu doing whatever they please like that, when it's pretty clear they're up to no good? I mean, that-"
>Jerk a thumb back toward Ayahaus
>'-is not how a noble is supposed to act!"

[Branneg Xy]

Always remember and carry out noble intentions,yet remember to tread carefully. What Momiji is  telling us is to patiently wait and look for an opportunity,Aya or evidences pertaining to Aya, to wrap this fishy affair up without us being wrapped up for lack of influence, leverage and decisive proof.
First I suggest gathering information,elaborate it and bond strenghtening with Nitori,then we can continue in our steps to expose Tsubaki and accomplices by putting to use our Spirit Photography and what we have learned so far in the effort  .
On a side note,I would kindly advise everyone to read the ending in "Remilia Quest Tr?"as it ties with the Yakumo Household.Moreover, realizing bits and pieces of knowledge from Remilia Quest ,especially the first and "Dh?",would be very helpful in setting the layout for Aya-rescuing and scoop-hunting. That story lend itself to be quite the repository for adventurous and interesting happenings ,so one can pick what he deems useful while still mantaing a fun read.

>Deep breaths."Still,I believe you are right,Momiji.....It won't do me or Aya any good to be rushing ahead at this stage of the investigation."
>"Hey,what do you say of keep going for it by heading to Nitori's ?"

[Hello Purvis]

>Let's not say that just yet.

I would argue that's neither wise nor in character, given the circumstances. We have an obligation to prevent problems from arising within the tengu organization as a member of it. Right now,w e have specific knowledge of some incredibly shady goings on, and have a duty to act on it before the problem can become worse. When you witness a crime, you don't wait a few hours to call the police, you do as soon as you can.  If we did spend however many hours/days it took to dig up Aya before reporting this, the response we'd get would be "Why didn't you tell us sooner?", especially if Tsubaki really is up to something more than being a snoop.

Afterward, I am pretty sure we can continue to go Aya hunting, I don't think we're going to be restrained from that.

Edit: Even if we did drop it, we need to go back home and secure our stuff. We've made an enemy of someone who is comfortable abusing power and willing to do B&E work.  Even if we don't take preemptive steps to neuter her as it is, we should at least take steps to secure ourself.

[Oldmansour]

>"You really think that the boss is just okay with the Dai-tengu doing whatever they please like that, when it's pretty clear they're up to no good? I mean, that-"
>Jerk a thumb back toward Ayahaus
>'-is not how a noble is supposed to act!"

>"I think that that particular Dai-tengu wouldn't have been as confidant and as tolerant as she was if she was acting alone." Momiji warns you. "Whatever she was doing there, she didn't think you were a threat to her, or I doubt we'd be talking about it so freely now. So going out of your way to make yourself a threat is only going to make things worse for yourself. And me, for that matter."
>"And what do you want with spiderweb, anyway?" she asks with a quirked eyebrow.

>Deep breaths."Still,I believe you are right,Momiji.....It won't do me or Aya any good to be rushing ahead at this stage of the investigation."
>"Hey,what do you say of keep going for it by heading to Nitori's ?"

>Let's not say that just yet.

>While Momiji may have a point, you're not convinced of it yet.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Hm. You think she may be acting on someone else's orders, maybe? Either way, this needs to go to the top, I think, and as soon as possible. Oh, and I need the web so I can use it to tell if anyone breaks into my house."

[Oldmansour]

>"Hm. You think she may be acting on someone else's orders, maybe? Either way, this needs to go to the top, I think, and as soon as possible. Oh, and I need the web so I can use it to tell if anyone breaks into my house."

>"I think she'll CLAIM to have been acting with the support of others." Momiji replies. "I've been watching them do this since long before you were born, Hatate. Sometimes it's true, sometimes it isn't, but the claim itself has power."
>"What do you mean, the top?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Everyone knows you have the Boss's ear and that he trusts you, Momiji. Why do you think she panicked for a moment when you came out? She just thought you were some random wolf, not someone she knows could ruin everything."

[Oldmansour]

>"Everyone knows you have the Boss's ear and that he trusts you, Momiji. Why do you think she panicked for a moment when you came out? She just thought you were some random wolf, not someone she knows could ruin everything."

>Momiji nods. "Fair point. But, I think she might be prepared for that, too. If she wasn't, she could have ordered me not to talk to anyone about her being there. And I'd have followed that order." she adds, her expression pained. "I wouldn't have liked it, but I can't disobey a direct command from a Dai-tengu. No White Wolf can. But Tsubaki never gave that order."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Wouldn't that be a problem for her, though? I mean, you could still be cagey and tell the boss that you were directly ordered not to talk about something of particular significance."
>Shrug.
>"You know what I mean, though. There's ways to get him to directly order you to speak, and being told not to would in the face of something like that would be a really big impetus for you to do it, and definitely for me to spread the word as far as possible. She might be playing on the idea that if she pulled out all the possible stops, you'd be more dedicated to getting around them. I think you would be, in any event."

[Oldmansour]

>"Wouldn't that be a problem for her, though? I mean, you could still be cagey and tell the boss that you were directly ordered not to talk about something of particular significance."
>Shrug.
>"You know what I mean, though. There's ways to get him to directly order you to speak, and being told not to would in the face of something like that would be a really big impetus for you to do it, and definitely for me to spread the word as far as possible. She might be playing on the idea that if she pulled out all the possible stops, you'd be more dedicated to getting around them. I think you would be, in any event."

>Momiji gives you a sardonic grin. "Cagey with Aya is one thing. Cagey with a Dai-tengu is another."
>The white wolf seems a bit surprised. "I think you went a little fast for me there. Did you mean that if she'd told you not to talk about what happened, you'd do just that?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Yeah, because it'd be the big proof she was up to something bad. And, well in your case, you can probably get the boss to order to you talk if you just dropped the right hints, you know? I think she's smart enough to know that."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yeah, because it'd be the big proof she was up to something bad. And, well in your case, you can probably get the boss to order to you talk if you just dropped the right hints, you know? I think she's smart enough to know that."

>"Are you insane?" Momiji blurts.

[Hello Purvis]

>"What?"

[Oldmansour]

>"What?"

>"I asked if you'd lost your mind."

[Hello Purvis]

>"No? What makes you say that?"

[Oldmansour]

>"No? What makes you say that?"

>"Because only a lunatic or a fool would blatantly defy a Dai-tengu like that. Or Tenma-sama's favourite."

[Hello Purvis]

>"It's not about defiance when they're doing something blatantly wrong, though. Being part of an organization means you don't get to do whatever you want, and that goes for them as much as us. They're in charge because they're supposed to be a finer breed, and if they aren't living up to that then Tenma-sama has to know about it so he can deal with it, don't you agree?"

[Oldmansour]

>"It's not about defiance when they're doing something blatantly wrong, though. Being part of an organization means you don't get to do whatever you want, and that goes for them as much as us. They're in charge because they're supposed to be a finer breed, and if they aren't living up to that then Tenma-sama has to know about it so he can deal with it, don't you agree?"

>"It doesn't matter if you or I think what she did is wrong, it matters if they think it's wrong. And Tenma-sama could just as easily say 'I'm just she has her reasons.' or words to that effect. Remember, Hatate, they're not just in charge because they're a finer breed, they're in charge because no one knows how to use power better than a Dai-tengu. Or keep it." As an afterthought, she adds, "Except maybe if your last name is Yakumo."
>"Hatate, I know that Tsubaki's got under your skin, but you can't let it get to you." Momiji says gently. "Running around in a rage isn't going to help you or Aya."

[Hello Purvis]

>"It's not about rage, it's about what's right. And what's right is to make sure that the boss knows what's going on, for both our good and everyone else's, before she screws up something major. But only you can do that right now. I can't stop her, not really, but you can."

[Branneg Xy]

>Let's not say that just yet.

I would argue that's neither wise nor in character, given the circumstances. We have an obligation to prevent problems from arising within the tengu organization as a member of it. Right now,w e have specific knowledge of some incredibly shady goings on, and have a duty to act on it before the problem can become worse. When you witness a crime, you don't wait a few hours to call the police, you do as soon as you can.  If we did spend however many hours/days it took to dig up Aya before reporting this, the response we'd get would be "Why didn't you tell us sooner?", especially if Tsubaki really is up to something more than being a snoop.
Afterward, I am pretty sure we can continue to go Aya hunting, I don't think we're going to be restrained from that.

I reckon it's a bit more complicate to sort out than that.In real life, it would be akin to an upperclass person wielding political, judicial power and readily fake testimonies against an honest,skilled and greenhorn reporter. I fear that if we show going out of our way prematurely,it would put  Tsubaki and her accomplices more on guard relating they countermeausures ; Momiji confirms Dai-Tengu normally have .Moreover, a weakly supported claim of allegations would only serve to reinforce the nobles quasi-immunity.Of course, neither we must err on the side of caution by procrastinating too much. Previously,

My intuition spurs me to think Tsubaki is not only taking advantage of the situation to gain leverage against our second reporter while gaining another one for the sake of her  newspaper ,but also that certain Dai-Tengu nobles might be up to something should an opening present itself.

I meant to say that there's a high chance of finding extraordinary leads to go around eventual safeguards by exploring other potential routes,not limited to Aya. In fact I'm fairly sure * WARNING read Remilia Quest Tr? or skip this if you refuse spoilers *       
 

Spoiler:

that the Missing Sin Spirit Greed has taken hold of Aya

Spoiler:

.

Edit: Even if we did drop it, we need to go back home and secure our stuff. We've made an enemy of someone who is comfortable abusing power and willing to do B&E work.  Even if we don't take preemptive steps to neuter her as it is, we should at least take steps to secure ourself.

I agree on that point,which everyone else forgot to mention.
Now,let's see what the estimeed White Wolf Tengu patrol holds for us.

[Hello Purvis]

At this point, it all rests on whether Momiji is going to do it. She's the key; all of that excuses stuff goes away if the boss' trusted henchman says something and provides evidence. I don't imagine it'll wrap things up, though, just shift the balance of power a bit in our favor. Enough that retributive strikes become a bad idea and enough to buy some time. But if we don't have her, we'll have no choice but to walk away from the justice issue.

We'll still totally be publishing it, though~

[O4rfish]

>"Maybe this is another difference between us. I'm not just a Tengu, not just a Crow Tengu, but a journalist Crow Tengu. My existence depends on the belief that people need to know things; that secrets are dangerous, and the best defense against corruption is transparency. Maybe it's something that a K9 just won't accept. I can't ask you to do something you don't belive in, but I will try to resolve this my way. To do otherwise would be to deny who I am."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Maybe it's something that a K9 just won't accept.

>Leave this bit out, it's a bit divisive for a call to sisterhood against the powers that be.

[Oldmansour]

>"It's not about rage, it's about what's right. And what's right is to make sure that the boss knows what's going on, for both our good and everyone else's, before she screws up something major. But only you can do that right now. I can't stop her, not really, but you can."

>"I think you might overestimate me, Hatate." Momiji says with some self-depreciation. "I admit, Tenma-sama knows me to be honest and reliable, but reporting on the activities of the Dai-tengu isn't what I'm known for. I'm just a soldier, I'm not worthy."

>"Maybe this is another difference between us. I'm not just a Tengu, not just a Crow Tengu, but a journalist Crow Tengu. My existence depends on the belief that people need to know things; that secrets are dangerous, and the best defense against corruption is transparency. I can't ask you to do something you don't belive in, but I will try to resolve this my way. To do otherwise would be to deny who I am."

>Momiji gives you a quiet laugh and a small smile. "You might not take this as a compliment, but you and Aya really do sound a lot alike, when you talk like that. And that's another reason why I would recommend finding her first, and talking to her about the best way to handle this sort of thing. Especially since Tsubaki's involved, the two of them have been sniping at each other for years upon years."

[Hello Purvis]

>Grin
>"What, and let her steal the glory?"
>Take on a more somber expression. "I guess you know best about your influence of Tenma-sama, but it wouldn't just be your word. I did get a bunch of photos and stuff, and think that ought to be enough to at least put the official eye on her and slow her down in whatever she's up to."
>"And I'm serious about that spiderweb, so let me know if you see any."

[Oldmansour]

>Grin
>"What, and let her steal the glory?"
>Take on a more somber expression. "I guess you know best about your influence of Tenma-sama, but it wouldn't just be your word. I did get a bunch of photos and stuff, and think that ought to be enough to at least put the official eye on her and slow her down in whatever she's up to."
>"And I'm serious about that spiderweb, so let me know if you see any."

>Momiji chuckles. "You know her well."
>"I'm not saying we wouldn't be successful in making Tsubaki's job difficult, whatever it is. Between you and me, I think we can. But I don't know that we wouldn't be more successful later. And if we act now, we show our strategy to Tsubaki, and she can countermove against us. I'm not as practiced at this sort of thing as some others I've known, but it seems to me that, just like in go, one needs to be patient before one strikes. Depending on the situation, of course."
>"Of course." she says with a nod.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I dunno, I think it's better to strike fast in this case so she can't do whatever she's up to without any problems, and buy us some time that way."
>We are heading toward Hatatehearth, yes? If not, let's get on that.

[Oldmansour]

>"I dunno, I think it's better to strike fast in this case so she can't do whatever she's up to without any problems, and buy us some time that way."
>We are heading toward Hatatehearth, yes? If not, let's get on that.

>You haven't been, but you set off for home now, Momiji following behind you. You set a casual pace, to give her well trained eyes a chance to find your spiderweb.
>"And you may be right." Momiji admits, looking around. "But playing these games with Dai-tengu is like trying to ride a tornado. You can do it, but you only get one try to get it right, or you get torn to pieces."

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod. "Yeah, and we're already in the tornado, so we might as well try to get it right."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Yeah, and we're already in the tornado, so we might as well try to get it right."

>"I don't think so." Momiji disagrees. "I think we've only seen the tornado forming. If we were caught up in it, I suspect there'd be someone following us, or at least watching us. And that, I can say with confidence, isn't the case yet." Her pride shows on her face. "I may not be an expert at dealing with Dai-tengu on their preferred battleground, but it takes a special tengu to sneak up on me or watch me without me knowing."
>"And don't mention her, since I can hear you thinking it from here." Momiji adds with verve.