Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)

[gman391]

Ultimately, the decision rests with you, for good or ill. While you feel some kinship with Osamu, politically the only real choice is Hiroko, much as that galls you.

"Kasuga-san speaks sense. While with effort we will be able to rein in her...worse tendencies. For the peace that my father and myself seek to build. Yoritomo Hiroko, must become our new Imperial Treasurer" You say firmly.

"As you command, I will pray that the Heavens see fit to grant you an Emerald Champion capable of riding herd on her." Kaneka says.

"It would be better if the Mantis learned their place...but the rebuilding cannot be disrupted now" Your mother says.

They're both unhappy with your choice, even if they agree that it had to be made. You cannot blame them.

"Let us turn our eyes towards the Imperial Advisor candidates then. At least there, we will have a fully free hand." You say.

"As you command Mikado" Tangen says putting out the dossiers...there are rather more than you expected.

"I expected the Crane and Scorpion...but the Dragon and the Unicorn as well?" Kaneka mutters.

"The Dragon are searching for a place after their purpose was fulfilled...and likely they wish to avoid any back lash from the Crane given the recent unpleasantness." Your mother says.

"That does not explain the Unicorn, if anything I would expect them to push for the Lord Shogun's position." You say with a frown.

"Rumours say that the Unicorn and Mantis have a pact on this matter...although I cannot say that Khan Moto is totally sanguine on the idea. Likely this is just a gamble, nothing more. He looses little if you say no." Tangen says.

"No, Khan Moto is strong, ruthless, but he's never one to throw out an attack needlessly. He's planning something, but I can't divine what from here." Kaneka says.

"Then should we discard the Unicorn candidate out of hand?" You ask.

Kaneka frowns for a moment thinking to himself.
"....No, a trap is a trap, but I don't know if he means to have us reject his candidate or not. You should evaluate normally." He says at last.

"Well then...let us begin" You say picking up one of the dossier

Doji Fumiko

Skill 3
While relatively young for the position at a mere age of 24. Doji Fumiko is arguably the true inheritor of the title of Amethyst Champion, the greatest courtier of a generation. Trained in the Doji methods, her favoured tactic is to create a vast chain of obligation, all starting with her helping someone completely unremarkable to the point where if anyone pulls the thread, everyone loses. This all or nothing style of diplomacy has served her well, but leaves her open to people willing to accept a lost. So far she has not had to. Which perhaps speaks even more to her ability in the courts, to create a network of alliances and obligation all while people are seeking to stop her from doing so, is a powerful ability indeed. in terms of style she has so far categorically refused to stoop to tactics of the night as they are euphemistically called. On a personal level, she's noted to be gracious and charming with her looks and musical voice...but known to be somewhat harsh on clans that disdain the courts normally or refuse to measure up to her standards

Bayushi Kaukatsu

Skill: 3
While the position of Imperial Chancellor has been sidelined in recent years. The facts remain that your current one. Bayushi Kaukatsu is one of the most gifted courtiers in the entire Empire. Cutting his teeth in the same courts as the legendary Ide Tadaji and Ikoma Sume, the man has held the title of most dangerous man in the Empire for some time. Not for his skill in battle, but for his seeming omniscience and ability to twist words into deadly weapons...a skill that served him well in securing the position of Imperial Chancellor from all comers when the Imperial families revived the position during the Four Winds Crisis. Ruthless and loyal, the man is willing to step down as Chancellor to be the Advisor as he sees it as the best action for him. All too willing to resort to subterfuge and force to enforce the will of his superiors, he has a comparatively more difficulty trusting people and working out mutually beneficial deals..

Kitsuki Akane

Skill:3
An untraditional candidate. Akane was born shortly before the War of Spirits, ended. Although few seem to believe her when she says that. Regardless, beginning her career as Kitsuki Magistrate, she soon found herself joining the realm of politics, as she was assigned the dangerous court of Kyuden Doji. There she performed beyond all expectations, ensuring that the Crane did not lend their considerable influence to the Phoenix in the War of Fire and Thunder. Since then she has tended to be posted in key courts that the Dragon cannot afford to turn hostile in these turbulent times, most recently to the Imperial court. Skilled at reading people, she employs neither that traditional alliance methods of the Crane or the more subterfuge methods of the Scorpion. Instead she employs her ability to discover what people are plotting and then move against them so that she gains the support of others. This combined with her ability to move with the courtly flow and strike suddenly with great force has made her an effective courtier. However, she is bitterly opposed to the Scorpion and curiously enough the Unicorn. On a personal level she is personable enough but considered remote, much like the distant hawk.

Ide Kazue

Skill 3
A younger woman of the Ide family of a mere 26 years old. Rumour has it that upon her gempukku she travelled outside of Rokugani courts to learn from them. What she learned no one knows, or cares over much outside the Unicorn. That said whatever she learned from her sensei must have been extremely useful as she is something of a prodigy, not only rebuilding the bonds between the Unicorn and the Crab, but also laying the foundations for the apparent Mantis/Unicorn alliance. As of yet she has not been forced to meet Doji Fumiko in courts, but has said that she relishes that challenge whenever it happens. Taking a more balanced approach to things, Kazue has found herself equally adept at both subterfuge and diplomacy, often using one of them to catch off guard those who have mastered the other. Known to be somewhat reserved by Unicorn standards, it is rumoured that she has quite the secret harem of men from her various courts.

"Bayushi-san has my vote...if only because I don't want to see what he does when he is denied." Kaneka says at last.

"Truth be told I think the man should be ordered to commit seppukku and be done with it. For myself, I am torn between the Unicorn and the Dragon... I still do not fathom what this Kitsuki Akane-san can do that the others can't"

You read over the dossier again.
"Give me the truth, not only about my vassals, but also my council...that is if I am sure she is loyal." You say quietly.

A silence falls around the table. Did the Dragon predict that you would choose an Imperial Treasurer and arrange an Advisor who seems tailor made to keep herd on her? Or did they just get lucky and hoped that you would be enough of an iconoclast to choose a Kitsuki over the traditional Bayushi or Doji candidate. You honestly cannot tell, with the Dragon, it might be both....

"This one would humbly suggest Doji-san...true she is young, but she is skilled at building alliances, and that is something I think that the Throne would benefit from...even if it means missing out on the wonderful Ide-san. Truth be told I like her balanced approach best...but I am a servant of the Throne" Tangen simpers.

Why the Hantei made it so the Kasuga were contemptible you have no idea.
So four candidates, all of the quite strong in their own way. Whom did you choose?

[] Doji Fumiko (Locks Crane Relations to minimum 30 for two years. +5 to Lion relations. -5 Scorpion and Crab Focus: Diplomacy)
[] Bayushi Kaukatsu (Locks Scorpion relations to minimum 30 for two years. +5 Phoenix, Scorpion Relations. -5 Lion. Focus Subterfuge)
[] Kitsuki Akane (Locks Dragon relations to minimum 30 for two years. +5 Crab, -5 Mantis, Focus Discernment
[] Ide Kazue (Locks Unicorn relations to minimum 30 for two years. +5 to Mantis. -5 Phoenix Focus: Balanced)
-5 to clans who don't have their candidate picked.

AN:
So this is mostly self explanatory. Diplomacy is how much they prefer talking and making a compromise that everyone can walk away from at least partly satisfied. Subterfuge is how much they resort to black mail and other associated ne'er doing in order to make people give them what they want.

Discernment is unique and represents the inverse of Subterfuge, it focuses on disrupting plots and letting you win by being the last one standing. Ordinarily this would be on your Kizoku/Spymaster potentially. Now why is Togashi Satsu putting this out there? Well that'd be a spoiler.

 

[gman391]

Not feeling up to writing an update tonight. Have fluff instead.
--------------

Your shoulders feel like knotted rocks for all the good that the hot bath had done. While for now everything was going apace, the weight of the Empire still felt immeasurable. When was the last time you had truly slept without worrying long into the night about this or that? You were enduring, reliable...you would do your duty.

As you listen to the Otomo representative, Mochika, that was his name once again petition you to build another castle in one of the non aligned lands so that they could move out of the Crane lands. You can feel your head ache beginning to build. By all the gods, the Crane had been nothing but gracious hosts and it still wasn't enough for this arrogant tool?

You wanted to tell him to go kill himself, wanted to just go grab some shochu and ignore this.
But, you can't. Annoying you isn't technically a crime, and you can understand the desire to have your own home, free of commitments from others. Understand, that the Otomo being reliant on the Crane actively reflected on your prestige.

Even so, you just wanted to rest, just wanted to let your head fall down and sleep while listening to the midnight winds...

Finally you give some vague words and reassurances and dismiss the man before retreating into your inner quarters, the one place you could say you wouldn't be accosted by someone needing something.

And Kaname is there...lovely. You put on your 'Emperor does not in fact want to snap and kill something face' and approach her as she doesn't seem to notice you. Hmm might need to rename that face.

"Shiba-san, to what do I owe the pleasure?" You ask.

Gods, why couldn't you get one moment of peace?

"Ah..." She turns around and kowtows as is proper.

"Forgive me Tenno, I didn't think you would be back for some time." She says.

"...I do keep late hours, but your own chambers are comfortable enough aren't they?" You ask.

She looks up.
"They are...but...I wanted to understand the chambers I would be in if I wed." She says softly.

"You...intend to share my bed regularly?" You are surprised.

While there is the marriage bed, typically...that bed is only for when you are amorous with each other. Outside it the Empress can and often does keep her own rooms and beds. Officially so that if Heaven's forbid something happened to you, she could be safe. Unofficially, it was so the Empress didn't have to watch her husband sleep with his concubines. While the Toturi had not really indulged in the practice. Tradition was it's own keeper.

"...Um hai. I know...I know you don't, particularly like me, but I do want us to have a good marriage...and keeping separate from you, doesn't help with that."

You stop for a moment...don't like her? While that wasn't entirely true....but you could see how she came to that conclusion. You had after all spend much time with her debating and convincing her she was wrong with her. You gesture her to stand up.

"Shiba-san, it's not that I don't like you, it's just..."

She stands up and looks at you.
"That I'm too outspoken, to set in my justice and beliefs, I don't...bend like most people do. I understand Mikado, but I am who I am."

Unspoken in her eyes, was that she believed you regretted that decision, and a part of you did. Another part of you resolved that you would change things.

"You are Shiba-san...but you are growing, and I do like you, I just want what's best for everyone." You say quietly.

Kaname shifts, feeling awkward.
"I know my Emperor, that is why I want to try and make this a good marriage, you walk so alone, and it does not seem...right that you should do so."

You let out a chuckle internally. You were the Emperor, the Empire was your burden and yours alone.
"That so?"

"Hai." She says simply.

"And how do you intend to do that?" You ask wryly.

"I...if my Emperor permits...would show you." She says.

You raise an eyebrow, but nod as she gestures for you to sit on the futon. You do so, wondering if the naive Kaname is really that naive if she's going to do...that. Instead of 'that' she kneels behind you and you feel strong, but feminine hands on your back and shoulders.

They dig into your muscles, working out the knots with an implacable determination. She's good at this, you wonder when the Shiba Ryu began teaching that. Did she go out and learn this herself? If so from...oh that feels so nice...it hurts but it feels nice. You feel yourself leaning back into her, leaning into Kaname's warm fingers, in many ways this is scandalous beyond compare. Yet, you find the touch of her soothing, the feeling of someone taking care of you, not because you're the Emperor but because your just a man...is oddly liberating.

You can hear her softly singing humming an old lullaby that you can only vaguely remember your mother humming to you when you were young. The back rub continues as you find yourself slowly relaxing more and more into Kaname's arms. You are tired...and you find that her hums and hands are only making the siren call of Yume-do stronger.

"...You are..talented, Shiba-san" You say.
Your eyes are drooping as you fight going to sleep. You need to stay up to...was she always this comfortable?

You feel her still for a moment.
"If it pleases you, please call me Kaname" She says softly.

"...Hai Kaname-chan" you mumble.

You feel her pet your hair, as finally mercifully, sleep comes to you, no worrying no nightmares, just sleep.

 

[gman391]

-Kitsuki Akane

You place the files back down. You know that the Crane and Scorpion will both scream bloody murder if you don't choose them. However....Kitsuki Akane offers a unique insight, set of variables, and perhaps most importantly, can keep Yoritomo Hiroko in check for you. Taking that particular burden off your shoulders.

With that in mind, and the fact that the Dragon are arguably the one Clan that doesn't have eternal vengeance sworn upon them by one of the other Clans. The War of Silk and Steel was a war. But the Dragon don't do the whole vendetta thing.

The Crane and Scorpion are strong candidates...and you can only hope and pray that the Crane manage to actually win the contest they designed so they would always win, instead of failing to like they had for the last fifty odd years or so. Although, granted, the Yasuki winning was entirely your father's fault.

That left the Scorpion upset, but on the other hand...you suspect the Scorpion had some sort of long term game plan involved that let them lose here to win somewhere else. You'd deal with that when it came.

Steepling your hands, you look around.
"I have made my decision, we will have Kitsuki Akane-san as our Imperial Advisor." You declare

"As you will Mikado" The rest of the council echoes as one.

"Now on to other business..." You say.

------------------------------------------
7th Day of the Horse

"My Emperor, Bayushi Kaukatsu-sama's appointment has arrived Your herald announced.

Now came the consequences of your choice you supposed. What would the Scorpion want? Could you afford not to give it to them? Could you afford to not not give it to them. The Imperial Legions were still weak relatively speaking a war was not in your interests, maybe if you had put that over rebuilding...
Bah the die is cast, and all you can do is live with it. You had to give your Imperial Chancellor the time of day, even if you excluded him from your inner councils.

"Send him in then" You say.

You place the admittedly boring document on the Seppun accounts, and lean back slightly, establishing your authority through posture.

An old man walks into the room, even as you watch him approach and kowtow, your senses strain to feel for more of them, than 'exists' and find nothing but empty space. You suppose that one does not get to be an old Scorpion by not knowing how to disappear at need.

Silence fills the room, Kaukatsu is prepared to wait you out, to make you come to him. You are the Emperor of all Rokugan, and yet he dares to make you wait. Another reminder of how far the office had fallen.

However, two can play at that game. So you lean back, waiting. You are young, but you are not impatient. The Earth is your guide as well as the Air. Long minutes trickle past, as neither of you bends. Finally he breaks first.

"My Emperor, forgive me for not realizing your intent, allow me to thank you for this audience and assure you that the Scorpion remain loyal servants of the Empire." Kaukatsu says, his voice at odds with his appearance.

It's young, cold, the voice of a calculated killer, not someone who looks like he should be retiring to be a simple monk.

"I am assured of such by Lord Bayushi, but I thank you Bayushi-san for the reaffirmation. You may rise."
You reply.

"Thank you. I am of course distressed that you did not see fit to use me as your advisor, but I understand the appeal of Kitsuki-san. That is however, not what drove me to seek this audience."

Liar, you know he's lying, he knows you know, and you both know that you can't call him out on it...not without cause.

"What then Bayushi-san drives my Imperial Chancellor to seek an audience with me?"

"If I may approach you, Holy Tenno, I will show you what brings me to seek an audience with you." He says.

You nod slightly, and watch warily as he approaches, you can feel your Seppun guards tensing in the air. The Hantei had died when a Scorpion approached them...was this a new attempt? It was madness, yet madness was only rarely admitted as such.

Kaukatsu hands over a small stack of papers from his kimono, slowly, carefully to show no hostile intent. You take them and begin reading it over quickly. What was this?

Letters, witness testimony, ledgers, troop movement records. All of them pointing at a conspiracy at the very heart of the Empire. Moto Chagatai and Naizen seeking to over throw you and put in place someone who would be more pliable to their interests, your little brother....someone who would make the rest of the Empire fund their ambition. Chagatai to be lord of the East and take even the Jewel of the Desert Medinaat-al Salaam. While Naizen was the lord of the West, and given free reign to do whatever he willed in the Ivory Kingdoms. The Lion were to be driven into strife with Ikoma Otemi framed for the murder of his charge. The Crane and Crab sent back to war until one was finished...and the Scorpion would burn, having revealed their treachery by murdering you and your young wife to be.

It was breathtaking in sheer audacity...and at the heart of their plans they were guided by two men one you'd never heard of Susumu, and one you had, only briefly. Usharo, a former Otomo who was cast down for his crimes. The two men working together to turn the Clans against the Throne.

If this was true, then it was treason on a scale not seen since the Scorpion coup...if it was true. Kasuga Taigen was far from the most skilled Kizoku you could have...but to miss this? No one was that incompetent were they? It was all very convenient for the Scorpion, you'd have to dismiss Hiroko and with her your main reason for choosing Akane was gone, you would look somewhat foolish, and the Scorpion and Crane could divide things among them as wise protectors of their young monarch.

You put the documents down and look at Kaukatsu.

"I apologize for upsetting you my Emperor...but this had to be brought to your attention."

"Why has my Kizoku not found any hints of this?" You ask.

Kaukatsu shrugs. "I would say that it is because the Scorpion have always been the masters of the shadows. This is what we were commanded to do. Practice does make perfect"

In other words, his suggestion is that Taigen is an incompetent idiot. Which...you don't think is entirely fair, but if this is true...is the one that most would come to.

Yet, it all comes down to that question doesn't it? Is Kaukatsu showing you the truth like a loyal Samurai...or has he fed you an exceedingly well created forgery in order to gain what he wanted through other means?

"Leave me, Bayushi-san, I must consider this on my own." You say at last.

"Of course my Emperor" The old Scorpion again kow-tows leaving you entirely alone in your office.

The question of whether to believe him or not, still rings in your head....you have to make a decision.

[] Believe Bayushi Kaukatsu
[] Do not believe Bayushi Kaukatsu

AN: Next update will contain a policy vote. What that vote is depends on this choice.

 

[gman391]

-Believe

You stand up from your desk, and walk out of your room to the nearest dojo. You need to move, to burn off this nervous energy. The ever present eyes of the Seppun watch you with a furtive worry, that they think you don't sense. Changing into a simple martial training gi, you begin moving through the elemental forms. Oh you weren't a master of Kaze-do, Mizu-do, Tsuchi-do, Hitsu-do or even the poorly understood Kekken-do. You knew them, knew of the swift movements of the Wind, the fluid adaptation of the water, the sturdy stance of the earth, the power of fire and understanding of void. Yet, your own style was something wholly unique, named by your sensei imaginatively enough as the Way of Grasshoppers...you preferred to thinking of it as the Way of the Komainu.

You finished your warm up, and began to train your own style...and your uncle Kaneka steps into the ring with you. He bows, you bow, and the spar is on. His own style is a mixture of the Ikoma-do and street fighting, but it's effective. You punch, you kick, you feel bruises forming on your body, as you try to make youth and skill overcome age and treachery.

Losing yourself to the fight, you can begin to put the logical part of your mind to work.
The fight ends with you on the ground, a victim of your uncle, tripping you with an unexpected hook kick. You look up at the afternoon sky, the Sun and the Moon both believed in you...you had to act.
You blink as the solution comes to you.

Your uncle looks down at you.
"Feeling better?"

The bruises on your arms and torso argue against that...but you do. The ability to just let yourmind work without you interfering had been enough.

You had the beginnings of a plan. You didn't believe Kaukatsu fully, but you believed enough to act.

"Hai....thank you for the match uncle."

"Do you want to talk about it my Mikado?"

You considered for a moment telling him your plan...you decide not to, you need to set some other things up first.

"No Uncle, thank you, I am going to go to the baths for a bit to think. Thank you for the match"

"Hai" He says bowing and letting you go on your way.

As you sit in the hot baths, having fully cleaned yourself, you trace one finger around the clear water.
Your plan was....

[] Quietly speak to Kitsuki Akane when she arrives and set her loose with instructions to be subtle. If there is something, you'll find evidence in the courts and words. Once you find it, you can crush it, not with any blow, but with words. Secrecy was a conspiracy's greatest strength, rob them of that, and they will fall. If there is nothing...well more blackmail never hurt. (TN 30)

[] You do not have an Emerald Champion yet, what you do have is a number of number of Magistrates and other bureaucrats who so far have not had any particular reason to focus on the Unicorn and Mantis lands. Change that, make them work all over those lands and have them find something.
(TN 30)

[] You do not necessarily have to act directly, certainly not politically. While your Imperial Legion is somewhat reduced from the wars...you have enough to bait the Unicorn and the Mantis. Prepare the troops and set it up so that you are a target. Either you scare them into submission or make them act openly, either way you win. (TN 30)

[] What is an army without people, what is an army without koku? While you will have to be very careful, you can probably manipulate Yoritomo Hiroko's greed and chauvanism into acting against the Unicorn, with that the alliance should falter (TN 35)

[] There are a number of monks, priests, and other holy men who could be persuaded to agitate the people against this conspiracy subtly...in particular the Monks of Daikoku have long had the ear of Naizen. (TN 30)


AN: Sorry for the relatively short update on this one. Due to terrible time management skills on my part, I will not be updating this until Saturday at the earliest possibly later.

 

[gman391]

Year One of your reign, 7th day of the Month of the Goat

The night is oddly cold for the summer, perhaps it is because you are leaving in a week for the Tournament of Jewels...but more likely in your mind was the fact that in trying to prevent a war and make sure there was no conspiracy against the Toturi, you had almost certainly ensured there was one. A part of you wonders if that was not Kaukatsu's game all along

The moon shines down in reproach as you look over the city, mind playing out the chain of events that led to this.


You had been surprised by how quickly Akane and Hiroko had made their way to you. Almost as if they were expecting to be chosen in spite of the obstacles. You had duly sworn them in as your counsellors, and held a nice feast to celebrate things. Hiroko had been someone...jagged in her dealings, perfectly nice, but conversational sadane is not for everyone. Akane for her part had been reserved, distant but not unpleasant to talk to.

As the night wore on and everyone but yourself and seemingly Akane got drunker, you moved for some fresh air and summoned Akane to you. She was somewhat surprised but ready to serve. After explaining the conspiracy to her. You had asked her to find evidence, to be subtle and to ensure that a conspiracy was exposed. She had bowed and promised to do everything in her power to make your will reality.

Things had gotten off to a good start, Otomo and Miya diplomats with certain ronin hired as deniable muscle had gone to the courts and began to talk, to learn, to bait out the conspirators. With the cunning mind of Akane working towards the information brought back, she reported that she should be able to give evidence to you soon.

And then it had all gone wrong. You aren't sure who let slip the investigation, or why, but someone had, and the Unicorn and Mantis when they found out had become wroth with anger. At you for believing such obvious lies, but at the Scorpion more so for spouting such obvious lies. While you could be forgiven in part for at least investigating for truth given the scope...the Scorpion had defamed and called into question the oaths they had sworn. The Scorpion proclaimed that Kaukatsu had only shown the evidence he had and made reasonable conclusions, and that if there was any insult, then it was the Unicorn and Mantis who had been suspicious enough to warrant an investigation, that had given it.

Things had escalated from there, you still didn't know who had leaked this, but it was all a mess. You were sure now that you would need a new Kizoku, Tangen had been worse than useless in this operation. You were also sure, that while Susumu and Usharo had disappeared, that their plots, were far from over.

So trade one crisis for another you suppose...Akane had offered her seppukku, but you refused on the basis that it wasn't her fault some asshole had leaked everything. The question was who had done it and why...you didn't know and that was driving you to distraction.

"Tenno" The smoky voice of Hiroko comes from behind you.

"I thought I gave orders not to be disturbed Yoritomo-san." You say, not turning around.

"Tenno, you have a council to advise, not to let you stew, forgive my impudence, but I need to speak my peace."

"Very well."

"I thought to resign, when I heard you had ordered Kitsuki-san to investigate my clan and the Unicorn, if you did not trust me to do this, then why did you even bother appointing me?"

You wait for her to continue.
"But you did it because you did not want to ask me too choose between my clan and my duty to you. Is that right?"

"More or less Yoritomo-san." You answer.

"I don't think there's any difference between the two, what is good for my clan is good for the Empire, and vice versa." She says.

"It gratifies me to hear that Yoritomo-san, is that all?"

"No, the conspiracy that Bayushi-san brought forth is false...we never sought to overthrow you, or to become 'lord of the east'."

"I'm hearing a but."

"Lord Yoritomo thinks you are weak Tenno, that if he pushes he'll get everything the Mantis want. I do not know if he is right or wrong yet, but if you show strength, he will relent. Khan Moto is the same. The conspiracy is to push you forward, to press against you until you say no. They think you will never say no" She says.

"I see."

"The Mantis need a strong Emperor, I want you to become that."

"Thank you Yoritomo-san."

"I take my leave then."

You hear her soft footsteps echo as you continue to watch the city. On the balance, you suppose her tentative support is a good thing, but that doesn't offer a solution to your problems. The Mantis and Unicorn are still offended, the Scorpion are proclaiming loudly that they are innocent...and if you support them, it will be war.

A strong Emperor, what does it mean to be strong? Does it mean to be a warrior? to have an iron will? Something else? That was Hiroko's advice to show your strength. Which, you guessed meant that she thought you should be decisive one way or another.

In one week, you will be with all the other Champions to watch the results of the Jade, Emerald and Topaz championships. There you will have to announce a decision on what you plan to do about this...incident you suppose is the best word for it. Ultimately the Scorpion did impugn the honour of the Mantis and the Unicorn, on the other hand most of those clans don't care about that...no this was revenge for ruining a plot. Everyone knew that, but no one had a way to say 'no don't care about centuries of tradition and let it go.'

You could call for a duel, between the two sides, the Mantis and Unicorn would not like it, and frankly neither would the Scorpion, but it would be a result everyone could agree was fair after a fashion.

You could allow for a limited war, only a thousand men a piece with an observer.

You could just demand Kaukatsu's head and pin everything on him. That would piss the Scorpion off something fierce, because he has been one of their greatest in a long time...on the other hand it allows everyone to walk away...come to think of it why hadn't Kaukatsu already offered his life for this...there was something else going on here. Something you needed to find out.

[] Call for the Tessen squad that stopped the Oni to investigate Kaukatsu
[] Call for Akane to investigate Kaukatsu
[] Call for Tangen to investigate Kaukatsu

(No dice rolls this time, because they'll all succeed at finding something, what varies on who you pick though)

 

[gman391]

Interlude:

My name is Kitsuki Akane, I am vexed. This is not a particularly new feeling to me, it is one that I have experienced ever since I was chosen on Togashi-ue's orders to become an Imperial Advisor. Familiarity does not however, breed anything but contempt. This emotion must be resolved, fortunately, the Emperor in his young wisdom, had asked me to do something to focus on. Investigate the most dangerous man in the Empire. I may need to consult my sensei, those words should not bring a sense of joy and challenge. Perhaps the atmosphere of this city is getting to me.

I shuffle through the various reports and papers. Once again I lament that my predecessor apparently believed that a proper organizational system was arcane witchcraft...which given my predecessor was Doji Tanitsu, may not be too far from the truth. I have nothing in particular against the man, but anyone could see that the interviews in the Scorpion lands did something to him. Granted losing the love of his life probably did not help.

My mind stops for a moment thinking that over. Scorpion lands, Kaukatsu travelled through there regularly even with the war. My hands dart towards the itineraries of the last few years and pull them out to the desk in front of me. I lean back and crack my neck, wishing once again that I was allowed to indulge in having a servant to massage my back.

This was too important for that, thus, I once again set myself down, and begin reading...and reading. The tea at my side is cold by the time the information I require is found. Approximately a year ago, Bayushi Kaukatsu's travelling party was accosted by ronin hired by the Crab in their war. While the party fought it off and there was a public protest, if there was a time when Kaukatsu would have been suborned, that was when.

I stand up and make my way to the Imperial Libraries. This 'Golden Brotherhood' must have some records on it. Thus my search began anew as I pore over the texts, and my tea again gets cold. I must talk to the help about this.

After a long night I only had one conclusion...the Golden Brotherhood didn't exist. On paper it did, on paper it had drawn pay from the Crab to act, yet there was no expenditures, no notices of command, no orders, and the orders themselves appeared to be forged.

Which left the innate question of what exactly happened there. To figure that out, I would need to talk to Kaukatsu. My life continues to inflict new things to vex me with. Duty is duty however, I resolve to head out to see the man in the morning after some much needed sleep.

As it turns out, I need not have bothered with Kaukatsu, what with him laying on the floor dead. His hands still holding his wakizashi in place, as blood stained the tatami mats. To all outside appearances, it seems that Kaukatsu has committed suicide. I already know how we intend to communicate this to everyone. A found note or letter will explain how the current crisis is all Kaukatsu's fault. Nothing is resolved, nothing has really changed. I have still failed. Yet, now I have a lead, I have a place to begin, names, and motive.

My first best love has always been magistrate work, to investigate the criminal underbelly and to make it disappear under my keen eye and skill with a jitte. Looking into the darkness and to drag it kicking and screaming into the light, has always been my passion. In the courtly world this has translated into me being a tsunami, using all the abilities I have to find the truth of everyone, and then bring out for them all to see, and to shatter all their plans in a single stroke.

Now, I must see this new plan, this new foe for what it is. A long term attempt to destroy the Empire, and all it stands for. Which narrows my list of suspects considerably. There are few outside who deign to even consider whether or not the Emerald Empire exists. With the exception of the Southern Enemy. Daigotsu was slain, but his works live on.

I walk in the morning sun, but feel oddly cold. Is it worry because Lady Shahai has set her sights on my Emperor? I want to say it is illogical, the Mikado might be a touch serious, and lack the sheer prowess in battle that made his grandfather into legend, but he is strong willed and cunning as well. With his advisers at his side, that is to say me and the others, we will evade any traps. Yet, we only partially evaded this one. This worry may be warranted...but I must push past it for everyone's sake.

Now to inform my Emperor of what the plan may have been. I do not have enough evidence to say must, but I think I know enough to guess.
First Usharo and Susumu go to the two most disaffected clans. The Unicorn and the Mantis have always chafed against the former Emperor, so that is simple. There they plot, and create discontent, showing just enough to be suspicious. Then wait to see who was appointed what...and trust the Scorpion to order Kaukatsu to put on a demonstration of how valuable he was. However, Kaukatsu had been turned in that battle against the 'Golden Brotherhood' whether by magic or some other method, he was swayed to the other side. So instead of reporting about a potential threat, Kaukatsu created one...and then when I was ordered to investigate discreetly, he of course found out and informed the Unicorn and the Mantis by proxy.

Thus an unwinnable situation is in theory set up. If the Mikado refused to do anything, he would be seen as weak and invite future rebellion. Yet if he did something he would be seen as foolish and invite future rebellion. If Kaukatsu had not died, then this would have no doubt escalated into something worse. Perhaps Kaukatsu did commit suicide, but something tells me that there is another player behind the scenes. That one I will also have to find.

For now though, I must report to my Emperor.

AN: The First Crisis is resolved if not satisfactorily then close enough that no one got anything worse. The next update is going to be decided by you. As it stands, the Emerald and Jade Tournaments promise to be immense pieces of writing. So I'm going to split them up into two, and let you have some more personal interaction with your advisers while doing so.

Thus which tournament should be covered first
[] Jade (Shiba Kaname and Yoritomo Hiroko encounters)
[] Emerald (Kaneka and Kitsuki Akane encounters)

 

[gman391]

Okay that's enough to call it. Emerald Champion it is.
Now while the tournaments are essentially run without your interference. (Preferences are of course noted, and will come up, but they don't influence the out comes) That's not very interactive, so in lieu of me just rolling a lot of dice, I decided to try this experiment. I'm going to show you the tournament brackets, and give a short summary for the character along with their clan. Then up to twelve players, may roll for one of the candidates.
The rules are pretty simple, you can only claim one candidate. You roll 3d10 for each match. These three d10's will be compared against the other candidate's roll. If two of your three dice are bigger than two of their dice, that means your candidate wins and advances to the finals. In the event of a tie reroll. (Dice are rerolled via the more options button after you post, make sure to label who you are rolling for!)

So as an example..
The bracket says that the Unicorn and Scorpion face off first in the tournament

Utaku Tama (played by Randnomae123) rolls 3d10 and gets 5, 1, 9
Shosuro Jimen (played by Dangerzone43) rolls 3d10 and gets 6,2, 4.
9>6
5>4
So Tama wins the match and goes to the next round. We then do the whole thing over again until we get a winner.

Due to the Crane rigging the system the Crane candidate gets a +1 to their rolls.

Now the Brackets

Round 1:

Utaku Tama vs Akodo Shigetoshi

Suzume Rei vs Usagi Kenshin

Shosuro Jimen vs Kaiu Hirayuki

Shiba Masumi vs Utagawa

Round 2:

Tsuruchi Kaya vs winner of Unicorn/Lion match

Kakita Noritoshi vs winner of Sparrow/Hare match

Seppun Yusuke vs winner of Scorpion/Crab match

Mirumoto Shin vs winner of Phoenix/Miya Sponsered match

(You may note that the Round two contestants get an initial bye, this was because of how 12 contestants works out. The Semifinals and Finals will be updated as time goes along)

Candidates

Crab: Kaiu Hirayuki is a mountain of a man but surprisingly well spoken in spite of that, although a substitute for Hiruma Todai, he has more than proved his worth so far.

Crane: Kakita Noritoshi is the current head of the Kakita family (something he intends to hand off to his wife if he wins), a quintessential Kakita, his master of iaijutsu and the arts is unquestioned and is considered a strong favourite to win.

Dragon: Mirumoto Shin is something of an oddity in this tournament, a follower of the unorthodox Taoist swordsman sect, his skill with words leaves something to be desired, but his skill in investigation and battle more than make up for it.

Lion: Akodo Shigetoshi, once considered the favourite to succeed the aged Akodo Ginawa, the birth of an heir set him on a new path. A brilliant tactician and administrator, he has managed the Lion magistrates for several years.

Mantis: Tsuruchi Kaya, a now experience magistrate who cut his teeth on hunting down ronin left over from the tumult of the Four Winds era, he is a skilled investigator and courtier, although on the older side of things.

Phoenix: Shiba Masumi, a younger candidate she has spent much of her formative years running down and cleansing the Phoenix lands of bandits and other criminals. Adept in combat and investigation, she has a strange affectation of Dragon tattoos.

Scorpion: Shosuro Jimen is a brilliant politician, and quite skilled at understanding criminals. Whether this is a good or bad thing remains to be seen.

Unicorn: Utaku Tama blends the purity of the Utaku Battle Maidens with the ferocity of the Moto and is all the stronger for it. Skilled in swordsmanship, and somewhat experienced hunting down foes from her scouting career, she's considered a close friend of Moto Chagatai.

Sparrow: Suzume Rei, although adopted into the clan after her ronin mother was found dead, Suzume Rei has proven something of a young prodigy in the Suzume school of combat, and now seeks to make her name on the grandest stage there is.

Hare: Usagi Kenshin, a somewhat older magistrate that has served as troubleshooter for many Minor Clans, he seeks to win less for himself and more to show the Empire that the Hare have regained their strength.

Miya Sponsored: Utagawa is the ronin leader of the elite 'Legion of Two Thousand' a skilled duellist and leader, she was persuaded to compete after her young protege Tamago successfully led the Legion against the mad ronin lord Karatsu.

Otomo Sponsored: Seppun Yusuke, a man who has long administered justice in the name of the Seppun amongst the far flung holdings of the Imperial families, he comes from a long line of law men...and was reportedly born quoting Imperial Law

 

[gman391]

--Emerald Tournament

The summer heat bears down on you like a thick blanket. Made all the worse by the fact that you have to wear full court regalia to oversee the tournament. The Plains of Thunder were beautiful, but as expected of a land dedicated to the Fortune of Thunder and Fire, it lived up to its patron. Heat and the coiling air of impending thunderstorms pushed down on everyone. You glance to the side to see the other two diases. The Clan Champions also in full court regalia sit each of them handling the heat in their own way. Well, except for Togashi Satsu, as was the Dragon's want to be completely weird, Satsu wore the bare minimum to be modest and had exposed his chest to the outside air.

Beside you, while slightly behind and beside you, sat the two counsellors who had asked to be seated with you. Yoritomo Hiroko and your fiancée were both more interested in the test of Jade, thus it was easy to give Kaneka and Kistuki Akane what they wanted. A servant hands you a cooled water skin, which you duly drink.

In front of you, arranged in straight lines according to clan were all the contestants for the position of the Emerald Champion. Of the one hundred forty contestants, only twelve of them would advance to tomorrow for the final test. There were no shortage of capable splendid samurai, Kakita Noritoshi daimyo of the Kakita, Akodo Shigetoshi the former heir of the Lion Clan, and Utaku Tama, the favoured counsellor of Moto Chagatai stood out as early favourites. Yet, for all their ability only twelve got to compete in the challenge of iaijutsu

The wind blows for a moment as you stand up and hold out the sacred Fan of the Oracles, gesturing for silence. The soft murmur ends instantly.

"We the Son of Heaven, now convene this most sacred of tournaments. All of you have been granted the privilege and honour of competing to take up personal service to me as my champion. You will have the joy of serving the Empire as a whole in the grand traditions of Lord Kakita, Akodo Kenburo-shiryo and most recently, Yasuki Hachi-shiryo. There is no duty greater than service to the Emperor for a Samurai, and now, I ask all of you that wish to compete, step forward, and begin the Test of the Emerald Champion!"

Your voice is clear, its strong, your words entirely traditional, yet for all that they feel hollow somehow. Perhaps you should have written your own opening? Well it is done now, and all you can do is watch as the samurai en-mass step forward and bow to you.

With the opening ceremony done, the skilled Otomo and Miya begin directing the candidates to the various judges that will administer the first test, the Test of Etiquette. Your part is over now, all you can do is watch and wait to see what happens.

A part of you wonders how much work you could be doing if you weren't here, but you suppose this too is a part of your job. Even if you are already gesturing for more water. Fortunes its hot today.

It is extremely difficult to fail the Test of Etiquette, the Clans send their best, and to get ahead they all know that this test is coming. Thus it is only those who flagrantly don't want to win, or by some miracle of incompetence that manage it.

Somehow you are not surprised that several Unicorn, Mantis, and even Scorpion manage it all the same. A protest of sorts over how shamefully you treated them all, without making anyone but themselves look bad. It still burns in the back of your mind at how you were outplayed, you almost, almost had it.

Kitsuki Akane frowns slightly looking over the departing contestants, even as Kaneka seems to take it in stride. You wonder what your counsellors are thinking, behind your own personal fan, you can cover your mouth enough to have a normal conversation with them, but which one do you want to speak with?

[] Kitsuki Akane
[] Kaneka

And you will ask them their thoughts on....

[] The early drop outs
[] Who they expect to win
[] What they think the Clan Champions are thinking
[] How to integrate the Emerald Champion in court
[] Write in?

(Some what short this time. Whoever you don't pick today will be your conversation partner for the next part of the tournament)

 

[gman391]

You fan yourself with careful grace. It does little to alleviate the heat, but it does move the air around so that's something, you suppose. More importantly as you fan yourself, you can talk out of the corner of your mouth.

While you have no doubt that Akane would have ideas about how to integrate the future Emerald Champion into the council, you want to wait to see who wins first before discussing that. Instead you set yourself towards Kaneka. The older man has spent years in the upper echelons of power, while he had ultimately proven worse than your father in the realm of politics, he wasn't incapable. Thus you want to get his take on the Champions

"Lord Shogun, what do you make of the Champions?" You ask quietly.

"That they do not trust you yet." He says simply.

"Explain."

"While none can truly fault you for how you handled the recent crisis...no one can praise you either. There was no grand victory, no true conspiracy that could be trotted out. Lord Yoritomo respects you slightly more for arranging for the assassination of Kaukatsu-shiryo, but even that is slight. You have yet to prove yourself to them."

You don't sigh, but you do let yourself slump slightly.
"Tell me then Lord Shogun, which ones can I win over to me?"

"...Mikado, they are all for the moment still loyal, less important to winning them over is that you, would keep in mind their relationships."

"Oh? I believe I have kept up, but what is your opinion?"

"Chagatai and Naizen at present, are both willing to work together, but there is no real love between them. They respect each others strength, but they ultimately have different goals. Ikoma Otemi is waiting for an opportune moment to end the Lion and Crane alliance. Doji Domotai has no intention of giving him an easy way out."

A pause as you consider that. Otemi seeking to end the strongest alliance in the Empire but why? the Lion and the Crane together were more or less unstoppable...and there it was. Otemi was far seeing enough to know that sooner or later the rest of the Clans would pressure you into breaking them, and that was not something he was willing to suffer. You'll keep the Otomo working on them regardless, but that is one worry to push to the back of your mind for now.

Kaneka takes a long drink of water before continuing.

"Shiba Tsukimi wants to give you more support but is hamstrung by the Elemental Council throwing a fit. They expected you to give them the Jade Championship, they cannot blame you and the Phoenix as a whole do not...but they do not wish to give more for now. No doubt that will change when your bride to be is Empress in full."



You nod, thinking back to your lessons with sensei. The Phoenix have always lacked the unity of purpose that would let them put forth their full might into the world. Which admittedly was one less head ache for you.

"Then there are the three neutrals. Lord Satsu, Lord Paneki and Lord Kuon" Kaneka says looking at the field as a particularly loud gong indicates the start of the third test.

"Togashi-san is playing his own game, Kitsuki-san would be a better informant for that than I would. Although I think that he's looking less at the internal matters of the Empire than something external. Kuon is facing a crisis, he can't fight the Scorpion and the Crane, but to give up either fight will leave him dishonoured. I expect him to push for arbitration on the Yasuki war and pour most of his focus into smashing Paneki's face in.

"Paneki is a man on the back foot, his strongest servant has been murdered, he's surrounded by hostile powers, and has been cut out of the political networks he needs to survive, if he respected you more, he'd consider it a masterful play by you. As it is, he's looking for a way out. He'll probably push for arbitration himself." Kaneka finishes his assessment.

"Murdered? Kaukatsu-shiryo redeemed himself by committing sepukku" You say dryly.

"Yes, that is what happened. That does not mean that Kaukatsu-shiryo was not murdered. There are more ways to kill a man than simply stabbing him in the chest." Kaneka says.

Akane shifts, using her fan to indicate her desire to speak. You give the barest of nods.
"Kaukatsu was indeed murdered, the Scorpion were as off guard by the event as we were, even if we made use of it. What's more is that Lord Bayushi is 'on the back foot' specifically because he doesn't know who killed Kaukatsu" She says quietly.

"I had hoped that the age of conspiracies ended with the destruction of the Kolat Temple."

"Mikado, the age of conspiracies will end when men do." Kaneka says simply.

"I suppose so. Hmm, looks like competition is heating up in the go tournament." You say, leaning forward slightly.

Kaneka nods, taking that as a dismissal to let you gather your thoughts. Which to be honest it is, but as you watch the crowd of samurai slowly dwindle through the day, you can't help but wonder who killed Kaukatsu...it was so convenient yet it wasn't you...or seemingly anyone who would normally have reason.

That the Unicorn Mantis alliance still held was worrying, but you would deal with that as you can. Hiroko was likely your strongest ally there, if you turned her. The Lion and Crane breaking up was a blessing, but hopefully not a poisoned gift. Then there was the Phoenix, you knew you could rely on them...but the Elemental Council had failed to guide the Phoenix over the last century. How much longer could they do so before the Clan overthrew them? And how much damage would that incur on your Empire?

These thoughts occupy your head until the sun sets, and you can see the twelve remaining contestants for tomorrow. To your surprise not only are there two minor clan candidates in there, but even a ronin.
This is shaping up to be a very interesting tournament tomorrow.

You rise and give them all congratulations before sending everyone to their tents. You retire yourself, and settle down into the palatial tent. The names of the twelve candidates settle down in your mind.

Kaiu Hirayuki, Kakita Noritoshi, Mirumoto Shin, Akodo Shigetoshi, Tsuruchi Kaya, Shiba Masumi, Shosuro Jimen, Utaku Tama, Seppun Yusuke, Suzume Rei, Usagi Kenshin and Utagawa the Ronin. The expected favourites were there of course. However the Minor Clans getting so far wasn't...hmm you might want to reward those two somehow. Although truth be told you're pretty sure that Kaneka is hoping one of his better commanders does well, you don't have high hopes for the ronin. After all ronin.

You play match ups in your mind coming up with the most amusing outcomes that you can. Noritoshi versus Hirayuki for the final is a particular favourite, but no way that could happen. Grante you like the idea of Usagi Kenshin somehow managing to overcome Mirumoto Shin too...

Slowly you begin to drift off to sleep when there's a clap outside your tent. You sit up and look around, hands moving just so you can throw a punch if you need to.

Your ever faithful Miya Kanasuke announces
"Emperor, Doji Domotai-ue has requested permission to speak to you. Do you grant it?"

[] Yes
[] No


If yes, pick a demeanour
[] Calm
[] Warm
[] Irritated
[] Write in (Must be one word and an emotion)

 

[gman391]

Taking a deep breath and forcing your face back to its perfect mask of polite, calm, you decide to speak to Domotai.
"Hai Miya-san send her in."

At least you hadn't taken off your clothes yet for bed, or this would be extremely embarrassing. The tent flap opens, and in approaches Doji Domotai, champion of the Crane.

She bows low as you reflect how old she feels for her age, she's only a few years older than you, but it feels like a life time of experience hangs between you. Then, while you have but the tragedy of your father's death, her life has many more. The death of her mother and father, the betrayal of her erstwhile ally Ikoma Masatoe, and the continuing clash between her own rigid views of the world and the Daidoji...no there was much to make a woman who was three years your senior look twice that.

You dismiss the thought as you command her to rise.

"Doji-san, welcome, would you like tea?"

"The Emperor is kind, but I am content merely to speak to him, as he wills."

You almost raise an eyebrow, skipping all etiquette? Hmm, this could be troublesome.
"I do."

"I know that you have committed to marrying Shiba Kaname-san, while her eloquence is somewhat in question, her conviction and honour make her a fine bride. However, as tradition states the Crane are granted the honour of defending the Empress. Does this arrangement still please you?" She asks.

You sense a trap in this but are not quite sure what it is...thus you step forward into it. There's no real reason to deny Domotai this. The Crane are not the sort to brazenly assassinate the Empress. You can trust them with this.

"I had no intention of changing that tradition Doji-san, but you could not be here for such a simple request. Please Doji-san tell me your real purpose."

Domotai doesn't quite smile, but you can sense it behind those blue eyes.
"Have you given thought on who your brother is to marry?" She asks.

Your brother, Daio, still in training with Itsume-sensei. He's not quite seven years old but he would be soon. Which for every traditional clan means he's old enough to be betrothed. Tch, you had not been betrothed, your father arguing that you needed the freedom to make the appropriate political choice when you took the throne.

That did not strictly speaking apply to Daio, you had no intention of killing yourself and making him the Emperor. However, did you intend to marry him off? No you had not, not really. In many ways Daio is to you still that skinny little brat that drove you to distraction. Not a political piece.

"I see" Domotai says simply. Taking your silence for what it is.

"He is for now my heir, the argument my father used with regards to me is still sound."

Domotai simply lets one eyebrow raise up slightly. 'Really, all that time you spend with your fiancée and you expect me to believe that he will not be set aside soon?' she seemed to ask.

Another careful breath as you tried to avoid admitting to yourself she had a point. Kaname was beautiful, and you did spend a lot of time together, it would be extremely odd to say the least if that did not translate into a 'winter baby' to more lewd folk. Fortunes knew you had been tempted more than once already to be a man with a pretty girl. So far it had been Kaname's own rigid sense of honesty that kept it from more than light petting.

"If the Emperor will take his vassal's advice. So long as his left and right hand are united with him, he may take the world...but unity is something earned through shared experiences." Domotai said.

Your mind translates that easily enough, she wants Daio to be betrothed to her clan or the Lion. Unspoken is that the Lion and Crane are most put out by their continued inability to access the halls of power.

"I will take my vassal's words under advisement." You say carefully.

"Thank you Holy Tenno, you are most wise."

"Was there anything else Doji-san?" You ask.

"Beyond communicating my wish that my vassal works well with you on the counsel? No"

"You expect Kakita-san to win then?"

"Without reservation." She says simply.

"We shall see what the Heaven's decide, when and if your prediction comes true, I will allow Kakita-san to prove his best to me."

"Arigato." Domotai says again kowtowing to you.

"Good night Doji-san." You say.

The Crane woman takes that as a dismissal and leaves. You go back to bed and look up at the ceiling, were you really willing to marry off your brother? To deny him the freedom you had?

[] Yes, the good of the Empire, of the Toturi is too much to let sentiment get in the way.
[] No, you are still Daio's older brother, you will give him the freedom you craved.

That decision made your turn over and begin to sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day again finds you sitting on the dais watching the twelve remaining contestants draw their assigned lots. The first is rather contentious, Akodo Shigetoshi versus Utaku Tama. The two clans have never had a great amount of love for each other. You know its too first blood but accidents do happen.

The other candidates move off the field, allowing Shigetoshi and Tama to face each other. For a moment it looks like Tama will win, her strange scimitar giving her greater reach. Yet, with a simple step forward, Shigetoshi's blade blurs into motion cutting into the Utaku's wrist and sending the scimitar flying. There's a quiet murmur at just how casually the Lion candidate had defeated the Unicorn.

You lean forward, noticing that Kitsuki Akane is leaning forward too, Kaneka looks bored. As if he already knows the outcome. Taking out your fan, you reflect that you spent much of yesterday talking to Kaneka, it is probably wise to give your advisor a similar amount of face time.

As the admittedly pretty Suzume Rei quietly faces off against Usagi Kenshin, you decide that you will talk to Akane about...

[] Domotai's visit
[] What she thinks of the Champions
[] Who she thinks will win
[] How she intends to integrate the Emerald Champion into the council
[] Write in