(this is an idea MissBehavin and I came up with. It might be considered something of a Rurouni Kenshin/Peacemaker Kurogane crossover. We hope you find the first issue as amusing as we did. Be on the look out for the post-Revolution Meiji Journal out of Tokyo
Comments and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Usual disclaimer. We don't own Rurouni Kenshin or PeaceMaker Kurogane.)
The Mibu Times Dispatchby
BarbaraSheridan & Miss Behavin
Volume 1.1
Welcome to this first full sized issue of the Mibu Times/Dispatch brought to you with a grant from the Shieiken Dojo Foundation.
While this publication will be used to update new Mibu citizens on matters close to home and barracks, we here at the Times/Dispatch want you to think of this as your newspaper, your voice, your calm, supportive and totally unbiased anchor in the bloody streets of Kyoto (streets made bloody by the likes of the Choshu scum who refuse to adhere to the values set forth by our illustrious Shogunate).
In addition to the latest news we hope to bring you public service announcements, advertisements from reputable local businesses, employment listings and, if Miss Yamazaki can be convinced to come out of the kitchen long enough to share her feminine wisdom, an advice column to help you with those little problems that at times can seem totally overwhelming (such as having to deal with co-management who think they're more capable of running certain security organizations than those whom the Daimyo appointed personally).
Again welcome to the Mibu Times/Dispatch.
Yamanami Keisuke
--- Times/Dispatch editor-in-chief and financial columnist
Second Vice-Chief Shinsengumi
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Local news:
Recently the officers and men of the Shinsengumi marked the first anniversary of the day they were welcomed by the citizenry of Kyoto and the surrounding areas. According to Chief Kondou Isami "We are most honored to have been chosen as Defenders of Kyoto and we wish the citizens to know that they can come to us any time of the day or night to seek help. It has been a memorable year and we thank our neighbors for accepting us with open arms."
On an unrelated note Chief Kondou is asking for references for local window repair and graffiti removal services. Project bids currently being accepted at Shinsengumi headquarters, Mibu.
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Other news:
A conservation minded citizen who chooses to remain anonymous has reported to the Times/Dispatch that while traveling some time back he witnessed a group of young thugs slicing down trees for no apparent reason other than their own twisted sense of amusement. The worst offender appeared to be a young lad of no more than fourteen summers who gleefully sliced through trunk after trunk with his katana.
When the citizen tried to speak with the male adult who appeared to be the boy's guardian, he was greeted with a rude bout of obviously feigned coughing. Taking the hint the concerned citizen continued on his travels. He planned to return to that area soon on business and had hoped to take the matter up with local officials but has decided to postpone his trip due to the recent onset of an unexpected respiratory ailment.
(Note from the editor-in-chief) Rest assured dear citizens that we of the Shinsengumi will not tolerate such lack of disregard for the natural beauty of our local flora and fauna in this Han. (Anyone attempting to deface public property will be dealt with accordingly.)
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Pubic Service Bulletin:
Runaway child report:
The missing child ran away from home approximately six months ago following an argument with his adoptive father, a potter from the Edo area. The boy's name is Himura Shinta sometimes called "Kenni" He is of slightly below average height and build with reddish brown hair and a generally bad attitude. He was last reported in this general vicinity in the company of a band of older men. His father reports that he is rather immature for his age and that he believes these "older men" may have coerced his son into following them for purposes of an obscene nature. Anonymous information on this child accepted care of this newspaper.
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Lost & Found:
Lost kitten. Orange with green eyes. Belongs to a close friend who is heartbroken. Accidently let it out when returning to barracks and it ran off. If found, please contact the Captain of the 2nd Unit. (Repeat of ad from issue 1.0)
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Found‑‑sort of
Umm, I saw that cat. It's ...not around anymore. Let's just say it involves
a spear, twenty Ishin men and the kitten in close quarters in the alley behind the all‑night soba place. Ummm. I'll help you get a replacement pet for your friend. Sorry.
---Harada
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Official Notice
Internal Regulation Addendum: Company Funds shall not be diverted for any reason not even to pay for replacement pets. Punishment will be Seppuku. This includes "pets" that might be considered future bacon should our food supplies run low.
--‑Hijikata Toshizou,
Vice-Chief
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Personal ad:
I'm new to the area and would greatly appreciate any information regarding the all‑night soba restaurant mentioned in the lost and found column in last week's edition of this newspaper as I have been having late night cravings for this particular snack. Contact : Saitou Hajime, Shinsengumi Headquarters
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Notice from the company cook:
The Thursday evening "Soba Social" main entree will have to be replaced with rice and miso soup. Someone broke into the kitchen late last night and stole all the soba I made. Suspect(s) description as tall, thin, with long dark hair (pulled back) and stringy bangs in face. His features could not be seen clearly but he appeared to have amber wolf‑like eyes. He is alternately described as a man of average height and build with medium length dark hair (pulled back) "normal bangs" and wearing a black kimono and carrying prayer beads. If you have info please send word care of the barracks kitchen.
Yamazaki Ayumu
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Notice of Fundraiser
The Kyoto town council invites you to an all day bake-sale and GO tournament in the courtyard of the Ikeda-ya to raise funds for the street cleaning department. We are also taking donations of large brooms, sturdy bags (approximately body sized) and large quantities of soap and bleaching agents suitable for pavements and streets. Donations are also being accepted for the Ikeda-ya Travelers' Aid Fund as there has been an influx of country Samurai passing through who have fallen upon hard times and are unable to continue on to their original destinations.
We at the Ikeda-ya have been proudly doing our civic duty to help these wayward travelers but outside help is greatly appreciated.
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Employment opportunity:
Wanted: Laundress, used to long hours, and dealing with large quantities of heavily soiled and stained garments. Must be reliable and not prone to squeamishness at the sight of blood. Lots of blood.
Apply, Chief Kondou's office. Shinsengumi HQ, Mibu
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Notice
Seeking suspect for questioning in the shoplifting of five bottles of White Plum Perfume. Anyone with information on a dazed woman wandering streets muttering "You, you made the rain bleed....You…"
Contact: Saitou
Capt 3rd Unit Shinsengumi
Addendum:
On second thought contact Toudou Heisuke
Capt. 8th Unit
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