Seeing Scarlet

After making the resolution to recover the Scrolls of Power, now at risk from theft by the Shinigami, the trio began making plans to visit an old friend. Not too long ago, Papana had been taunted for his unsuccessful attempt to reclaim a golden scroll from Tepet Ymol. After successfully and destructively defeating him, the thought of the golden scroll was lost, along with Tepet Jeht. This Tepet, however, owed Shiver a life debt--which the trio now intended to collect.

Eric called his, er, business associate, Tepet Magdeline. "Okay, here's the plan. You. Me. My private jet. Flying over the ocean. And then landing in the Scarlet Realm and having a chat with Jeht."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. I liked the first part." Magdeline said, "Can you repeat that so that I know you're not crazy?"

"Sure! You and me are going to be in my private jet, alone for several hours, and then when we land in the Scarlet Realm, you're going to take me to see Jeht."

"You're insane. Jeht is...well, it would take too long to explain on the phone. Why do you want to see him so badly?"

"You remember, don't you? He owes us, well, Shiver a life debt. We're going to collect on it."

"That's...a really, really bad idea. What do intend to ask from him?"

Papana took the phone at this point, "He has a scroll that we need to keep in safe hands."

"I assure you, as long as Jeht has it, it's perfectly safe. Is this the Dude impersonator? You know you could put this on speaker, right? Wait. You know what? Jeht's an asshole. If you want to take a scroll from him, I'll help you out. It probably won't end nicely, but...Jeht deserves it. I'll send you coordinates to an air field. Meet me there in three hours."

In the downtime, Eric called up his perpetually overwhelmed assistant, Alice, who wasn't pleased that he was skipping down, again, but perked up when she informed him of a new business venture based in China that had asked for a meeting at their headquarters. They had been secretive, saying they would only speak with the head of the organization, and no one else. Shiver and Papana, on the other hand, went down to the park. Shiver went to blow off steam; Papana went to build up steam. The Mugen threw balls that broke the sound barrier, while Shiver streaked by in a silver blur and used a slide as a ramp to catch the balls in midair. Some local kids recognized Papana and begged him to give them a spin on the merry-go-round. Luckily, Eric showed up just in time to use Airbinding to bring them safely to the ground once they went flying off.

Three hours after the call, the trio rolled up on their motorcycles to find an abandoned, flat, level strip of ground. There was a red car there waiting for them, with a stylized flame insignia emblazoned on the hood and sides. A woman slid out of the car, her hair rippling fluidly in the light breeze.

"Good to see you again, handsome." she greeted Eric. Eric's jet touched down not too long after, and the group set off for the Scarlet Realm, located in northwestern China. After a successful Lore roll on the part of Papana, the group learned quite a bit about the Scarlet Dynasty and House Tepet. The Scarlet Realm hopes to be for Ryuujin what the Vatican City is for Catholic Christians: a central body that lightly governs those a part of it, but mostly providing a strong, central foundation. As such, the Realm is currently trying to create a position for an individual to act as the executive of the Realm. Until then, however, the Realm and the Great Houses are ruled by a council of the heads of those Houses. House Tepet, being a mostly militaristic group, has established its central Hall within the Scarlet Realm. Other Houses are located elsewhere around the world, such as House Peleps, a naval group, being situated in Japan.

On the way, Magdeline explained that House Tepet is an intense group of people. They are primarily Fire Ryuujin, and are, naturally, hot-headed. To prevent their passions boiling over, especially where ambition is concerned, they follow a very rigid hierarchy. Everyone is put onto the same, linear hierarchy. Magdeline herself is #20, while Ymol used to be #2, but was then replaced by Jeht. Magedline's father, Lord Tepet, is #1. She also explained that Tepets do not tolerate drawn-out conflicts. If an argument cannot be resolved within one hour, the two parties duke it out on fighting strips in the great hall.

After they landed, they went immediately to breakfast. They noticed, however, that there were no cars on the streets at all. "It's a government policy." Magdeline explained, "We found that pollution tampers with our ki. Though, I guess growing up in a polluted environment, you've built up a tolerance to it." she added, looking at Eric. "Everyone here either walks, bikes, or uses the metro system." They saw a couple of landmarks on their way toward Tepet Hall. In the distance, the Scarlet Pagoda gleamed with stones like red marble. They passed by the Hall of Heroes, where Ryuujin throughout history received praise for their exploits. One landmark in particular caught their attention especially. Magdeline began discussing its beauty and significance for a good five minutes before they reached it. The Convergence of Elements, she said, was meant to show the beauty of each element individually, as well as the beauty of their harmony. As the streetcar turned the corner, however, the Convergence was a wall of flame, while Ryuujin of several stripes worked to put down the flames. "We're thinking about renovating it, honestly." Magdeline said in defeat.

At last, they arrived at Tepet Hall. Whereas the Scarlet Palace was a bright, beautiful construction of red marble and jade, Tepet Hall was a squat, minimalistic building of dull, crimson stone. Using her authority as #20, Magdeline was able to escort the trio through the spartan corridors of the Hall and past the multitude of guards, two for every door. Soon enough, they came upon Tepet Jeht, who was deep in conversation with a squad of his goons in a room that was unexpectedly lavish.

“Good to see you again.” Papana said amicably, settling himself on the desk beside Jeht.

“Shit! Where the hell...?” Jeht stammered, “I mean, it’s good to see you, too! I was just thinking how I needed to get into contact with you and, you know...”

“Yes, I think I do know. You owe my dog a life debt.”

“Ah. Yes. That.”

“We’re going to add interest to the debt, since you’ve missed a few late fees. The Shinigami have taken an interest in your scroll. We want to make sure it’s protected.”

“The Shinigami? A story meant to frighten little Ryuujin. Besides, that scrolls not going anywhere as long as I’m alive.” Jeht said with a defiant gleam in his eyes.

The negotiations then broke down into a shouting match. Threats and snide comments escalated the tension to the point of Jeht drawing his sleek pistols in rage, and Eric countering with secretly funded ICBMs. Jeht refused to back down, inviting the trio to instigate a new world war: a missile from America destroying a fledgling nation? Not a great public opinion stunt.

“Look, I think we’re all getting a little carried away.” Papana urged. “Back to our original offer: Give the scroll to us as protection, or give us the funds to find another.”

“Or this:” Eric stepped in, “Give us the funds to find as many as we can. We’ll split them with you, fifty-fifty. You provide us the means, and we’ll do all the heavy lifting.”

“Half, you say?” Jeht’s eyes lit up. “That sounds like an equitable arrangement. Let me discuss the matters with my companions here, and we’ll get back to you.”

Papana snorted. “We don’t have time for this. We’re going to talk with someone around here who can actually make decisions on his own and help us. We’re going to see Lord Tepet.”

“Good luck with that.” Jeht said with a bitter smile.

Magdeline led the way to the second and topmost story of the building, growing visibly uneasy as they approached the Lord’s chamber.

“What’s wrong?” Eric asked, not totally oblivious to her discomfort.

“There’s something you need to know about my father.” she said, opening the doors without knocking. The room was bare except for a bed, a small table, and an ancient red spear. At the far end of the room was a large window overlooking the Scarlet Realm. An old man in a wheelchair sat staring out that window. Magdeline crossed the room and knelt by the man. “Daddy? It’s me, Magdeline. I brought some friends of mine who wanted to talk with you.” The man’s eyes continued to stare blankly with glassy eyes out over the Realm, his breaths coming in slow, steady rasps.

Moved to pity, Papana introduced himself and began having a one-sided conversation with the man. At some point, he mentioned that he himself was a Mugen, finding no reason to hide the fact from this frail old man.

“Mu...gen...” Lord Tepet wheezed, his words hardly more audible than a whisper. Papana then began going through katas, channeling his sun-ki quietly. Lord Tepet felt rather than saw Papana’s building ki. The glass over his eyes faded, instead replaced with happy mists that precipitating down his gaunt flesh, while the ghost of a smile haunted the corners of his lips. When Papana had finished his katas, the vivacity faded out of Lord Tepet once more. Papana, disheartened by the old man’s condition, made to leave, when suddenly an arm like iron shot out and grabbed hold of his shirt. A raspy voice whispered, “Jeht...cannot...rule.” Lord Tepet then slumped over in his wheelchair.

Magdeline screamed and assaulted Papana, “What have you done?” she cried, tears already streaming down her face.

Eric checked for a pulse, and found it, as well as felt the bioelectricity in the old man still flowing, albeit feebly. “He’s fine. Just tired.” he observed. They laid Lord Tepet on his bed and left the room quietly.

“He’s just a figurehead.” Eric said. “Jeht’s just waiting until he passes away to preserve the hierarchy.”

Magdeline nodded. “My father always wanted to become a Mugen, or at least befriend one. Not only were they powerful, he also felt they were shining examples of righteousness. Having one on his side would be a great asset for his bid to rule the Scarlet Dynasty.”

“What about you?” Papana asked. “Why can’t you rule the Dynasty?”

“Only those on the Council are the serious contenders. I would have to usurp Jeht.”

“We’re going to make him mad.” Eric began, something crackling in his mind, “Mad enough to challenge Papana to single combat. Papana will kick his ass, of course, showing off as many of his Mugen abilities as possible. Not only will he knock down Jeht a peg or two, or all of them, but we’ll be able to take the scroll away from him, establish himself as a Mugen in alliance with House Tepet, and, as a result of his more personal alliance with you, promote you as a stronger candidate for the leader of the House.”

“That’s...brilliant.” Magdeline complimented.

“So,” Papana began, a cold determination setting into his usually carefree face, “let’s go piss this guy off.”