Winter Court XV: Conversations in Kyuden Doji
-Sirrocco
Long ago, you had determined that you would step down after twenty years of rule. Studying the Hantei and your own family had showed that a good emperor ruled well for about that period of time. The stress of managing the Empire, the needs of state all required its ruler to be at it's best. However, in that requirement was a paradox. A new untested leader was never the best one.
So what was best for the Empire....was that an Emperor who was still capable of assisting their heir step down and assist in the transition, make it so that whatever happened the Burden of Empire was not left careening towards the ground.
So you understand Noritoshi's words, they are ones that looked back at you from time to time. You truly did not know if Minoru was learning all she needed to be an Empress under the mysterious Kenku that had taken over her training.
But you had to have faith something that was hard for anyone so used to having control like you and your former Champion were.
Thus you answer carefully.
"It's simple Kakita-san, they will never be ready, until they are. No one is ever ready for the burdens we have to undertake as leaders. I was not when I took the throne, another five years, another ten would not have made me more ready. It won't make them more ready not where it matters, because so much of our position is something that can only be experienced. So then the difference in stepping down over being forced, is that you get to still be there. You can help them become ready over the years of transition, smooth things over. If you cannot be there, they will have to do it on their own and learn from their own mistakes, even if it's the same mistakes you made."
You look at the castle walls for a moment.
"That voice telling you that they are not ready? It cannot be silenced because it is correct. However, if you step down in spite of it? You can turn from worrying about the future to helping your heir in the now. Which is far more productive."
You look back at Noritoshi.
"As strange as it sounds from me Kakita-san....We have to have faith. Faith in our children, just as our parents had to have faith in us."
Noritoshi blinks slowly for a second, before a wry smile flickers across his face in the Crane way. Not quite reaching his mouth but his eyes. There's not acceptance there, but rather amusement.
"My Emperor, when did we become old men?" He asks quietly.
You shrug, you don't feel old. But you know that you've reached middle age. Indeed, you have more gray hair than black these days. Not that anyone knows that...it's important to project vigor.
"I cannot say Kakita-san." You say after a moment. "But there's still life in us yet, and I think one of the duties is oft neglected is the duty to our children. Your son is by all accounts a fine young man, let him be one."
Noritoshi nods.
"Hai, I think I will rest my body in the onsen, if my Emperor permits?" He asks.
"Of course, I might join you in a bit." You say.
"I will keep the water hot then" He says with a laugh.
You smile and turn back to enjoy the gardens.
Losing Noritoshi will hurt, but you think...it might be for the best that he gets a chance to spend time with his son.
------------
Kyuden Doji, Month of the Rat 23 Day
The game of kemari goes on and on as you watch, you had decided to sit out this round and let others have their fun in the crisp winter snow. The large circle of courtiers move with elegance and courtesy as they keep the ball up in the air, all while in the formal clothing of court.
For yourself, you were enjoying a hot apple cider with cinnamon. A new style of drinking it that had come from the Ivindi. It was a good change from the usual, and the kind the Ivindi made somehow wasn't quite as spirited as the kind Rokugani made, making it ideal if one wished for something other than tea while not wanting to be intoxicated.
That the Crane were serving it spoke volumes of how much the Empire had changed from when you started.
Still as you watched Doji Makoto hold his own amongst the adults, you have to admit that the boy is turning into a capable young man physically, emotionally...You were not sure yet. The layers of protocol between you and him and the fact that Daidoji Kikaze never let you meet him alone met that his full measure was uncertain. It was always easier to rely on a mentor than on yourself.
Idle thoughts float away as Doji Yuriko kowtows before you. Your imperial Advisor had spent her time putting out a few minor fires according to Kotaro but nothing that you needed to worry about.
A nod of your head as you motion for her to rise and join you.
"Hello Doji-san."
"Greetings my Emperor." She says sitting down beside you.
"Enjoying a visit home?" You ask.
"Hai, it is good to see the gardens even in winter."
"And your Champion coming along so nicely"
"Doji-sama is indeed blooming into a splendid scion of the Crane. I do have news though from the Lion."
"....Yes?" You ask slowly.
Just once you wanted a Winter Court where nothing too interesting happened politically, just once.
"It appears that his wife is with child. He sent messengers to inform you." Yuriko says. Smiling in that Crane way.
A slight quirk of your eyebrow.
"I will write a congratulations letter for him, and send it out in the morning."
"Hai, I thought it prudent to let you know when I heard, and well, we have not spent much time together my Emperor."
The eyebrow lowers as you think...no, in comparison to Akane, you hadn't spent much time with Yuriko. Part of that was simply your need to focus on other things, and other parts of it were just different interests. You preferred the plays and songs of yesteryear to the new style of renka poetry that had taken the artisan world by storm. While Yuriko spent her limited free time sampling new arts.
"That so, and what do you mean to do about it?" You ask after taking a sip of the cider.
"Well, in Kyuden Doji, and Daidoji-sama has things well in hand, so I thought that I would try to learn your will more my Emperor."
It's not quite saying 'I want to be your friend' but it's close, particularly given the gulf in status between you two.
Akane had become your left hand as you failed and succeeded together into a strong Empire. There was no shared experiences in that. You weren't about to brook failure if you did not have to.
So that leaves you with a conundrum of sorts. You can already hear the gossip in your head. About you having realized there were more women than the beloved and pious Shiba Kaname-shiryo, were already seducing another young maiden with your wife in the same castle no less.
Nope, not stepping into that.
"Of course" you say. "My wife and I are set to attend pilgrimage to Shinden Musubi soon, would you care to join us?"
Yuriko doesn't frown, but takes a hair longer to nod than it really should have.
"I would love to my Emperor." She says brightly.
You aren't truly fooled, Yuriko would have preferred a more one on one meeting and you understand that. Doji friendship worked best in one on one settings, bonding over shared interests. But while you still do not love Kana you weren't going to give her more trouble not when people were still wondering if Ayumi or her were going to give you more children first.
Time to pivot by giving her work to do.
"How are things with the Minor Clans?" you ask.
Yuriko blinks for a moment
"They are relatively quiet. The Destruction of the Ox Clan has been a blow to them to be sure. Yet with the revelations of what they were, none of them are inclined to see it as anything but justice. The remaining Ox who were found not guilty have been quietly absorbed by the Centipede and the Dragonfly. " She says after a moment. "The Hare, Sparrow and Fox are again in talks about strengthening the Minor Clan Alliance while the Tortoise and Badger stand against. As for the even smaller ones...they are doing well for the most part. The prestige they gained from the Eight Banners Army has allowed most of them to expand into the somewhat empty territory from the Age of Chaos."
You had known all of this, but you wanted to have her thinking about that, then thinking about whether or not you liked her. You did, but she was so...young. While you had faith, there was just something about people your age or older that you got along with better.
Maybe you were an old man?
A shake of your head.
"And the Mantis?"
"...Hiroko-san is doing well, she has held them together, she spends most of her winter courts wooing the Wasp ambassadors and the Centipede ambassadors but not to the detriment of others. It is expected naturally. Otomo-san thinks that they are focused on finding a new source of Jade first and foremost. Although truthfully I would count on...Yasuki-san for that."
Oh that might have hurt her, to say that she would rely on a Yasuki. Somethings will never change you suppose. The Yasuki and Doji being enemies is one of them.
"I see---" you stop mid sentence and reach out catching the kemari ball before it hit Yuriko's face.
"Perhaps Doji-san, we should join the game?" You ask.
Yuriko blinks for a moment.
"...Hai." she says.
-----------------------------
You don't know what you expected when you returned to your quarters that night. Kana had declined to join you for a moon viewing with the Kakita. Something about her Matsu heritage acting up. You supposed that trained with the Spirit Callers of the Kitsu that made sense, and hadn't thought anything of it.
But as you enter the quarters seeing Kana focused very hard over a pool of water, you walk over to see what she was focusing on. Divination with water was common enough although you don't recall it being something that Kana had cared for.
On the surface of the water is a young woman, one heartrendingly similar to Kaname. Oh she wasn't in fine clothing, instead rough home spun material that was all too familiar from your own days as a student of Itsume. It seems Kozume isn't that different from your dear departed sensei. She walks with purpose, carrying a bundle of sticks on her shoulder. Despite all that, her eyes, her face, they are her mother's.
"...Minoru-chan?" You ask softly.
Minoru blinks, and then looks around for a moment before shrugging, with one shoulder and carrying on.
Kana takes a shuddering breath and collapses beside you.
You kneel down and cradle her in your arms.
"What were you doing Kana?"
Kana doesn't answer for a few moments just breathing before looking up at you a little sad.
"I was trying to use the water kami to talk to Minoru...Yuina-chan is adorable, and I'm glad to have her approval. But I would to know my eldest step daughter before she returns to us." She says wanly. "I also thought it would be a nice gift to let you talk to her for the New Years Day festival. I'm still working on it though."
You look at the water and at Kana's flushed face.
"Is it hard?"
"Um...yes?" Kana squeaks. "Most messages on the kami are done with air, but air doesn't work with visuals because of the playful nature, but you can use the water kami to view remote things if you have a...." she goes on for several minutes explaining how she was doing this.
The gist of it was that the water kami did not talk like the other kami communicating through picture and symbol. However, with sufficient skill at manipulating water, and truthfully the supernatural nature of Kawa forest. Kana thought she could make a two way communications pool through the water. However, it was in principle possible.
The first step being using water to see Minoru. But the effort was apparently exhausting her.
On the one hand you desperately wanted to talk to your daughter. You hadn't seen her properly since...Kaname.
On the other hand, this seems to be nearly killing your wife, and you don't want that. Minoru was due to return in two years. You could...wait...maybe.
"Did you see more of her?" you ask.
"Hai, she's a strong woman, truthfully I'd be a little jealous of her at her age." Kana admits.
"I will take the knowledge that she is safe and whole as a gift. I don't want to have my wife killing herself." You say.
"...I would like to keep trying Hisao. I can't really work on the wards here, the Crane would take offense. While I enjoy a lot of the winter court, I just...need to do something. I can't just release tension by tearing up part of the grounds with the kami." Kana says.
"That would be rude. You nearly passed out there Kana, I don't want that to happen to you. At least work with someone " You say.
"I know this looks bad, but I can do this, assign a Miharu to help me if you want, but trust me to do this" Kana asks firmly
[] Trust her
[] Don't trust her
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: So 2020, it's been a thing. I burnt out creatively over 2019, and for most of 2020 just the world has made it hard to recover. That doesn't really excuse the radio silence, but yeah. However, taking the hiatus, and going through the thread again thanks to @AnOldIdeaMadeNew has called back the muse.
So I'm going to try and finish this quest. I hope some of you are still willing to follow me to the end. Thank you all for reading.
Long ago, you had determined that you would step down after twenty years of rule. Studying the Hantei and your own family had showed that a good emperor ruled well for about that period of time. The stress of managing the Empire, the needs of state all required its ruler to be at it's best. However, in that requirement was a paradox. A new untested leader was never the best one.
So what was best for the Empire....was that an Emperor who was still capable of assisting their heir step down and assist in the transition, make it so that whatever happened the Burden of Empire was not left careening towards the ground.
So you understand Noritoshi's words, they are ones that looked back at you from time to time. You truly did not know if Minoru was learning all she needed to be an Empress under the mysterious Kenku that had taken over her training.
But you had to have faith something that was hard for anyone so used to having control like you and your former Champion were.
Thus you answer carefully.
"It's simple Kakita-san, they will never be ready, until they are. No one is ever ready for the burdens we have to undertake as leaders. I was not when I took the throne, another five years, another ten would not have made me more ready. It won't make them more ready not where it matters, because so much of our position is something that can only be experienced. So then the difference in stepping down over being forced, is that you get to still be there. You can help them become ready over the years of transition, smooth things over. If you cannot be there, they will have to do it on their own and learn from their own mistakes, even if it's the same mistakes you made."
You look at the castle walls for a moment.
"That voice telling you that they are not ready? It cannot be silenced because it is correct. However, if you step down in spite of it? You can turn from worrying about the future to helping your heir in the now. Which is far more productive."
You look back at Noritoshi.
"As strange as it sounds from me Kakita-san....We have to have faith. Faith in our children, just as our parents had to have faith in us."
Noritoshi blinks slowly for a second, before a wry smile flickers across his face in the Crane way. Not quite reaching his mouth but his eyes. There's not acceptance there, but rather amusement.
"My Emperor, when did we become old men?" He asks quietly.
You shrug, you don't feel old. But you know that you've reached middle age. Indeed, you have more gray hair than black these days. Not that anyone knows that...it's important to project vigor.
"I cannot say Kakita-san." You say after a moment. "But there's still life in us yet, and I think one of the duties is oft neglected is the duty to our children. Your son is by all accounts a fine young man, let him be one."
Noritoshi nods.
"Hai, I think I will rest my body in the onsen, if my Emperor permits?" He asks.
"Of course, I might join you in a bit." You say.
"I will keep the water hot then" He says with a laugh.
You smile and turn back to enjoy the gardens.
Losing Noritoshi will hurt, but you think...it might be for the best that he gets a chance to spend time with his son.
------------
Kyuden Doji, Month of the Rat 23 Day
The game of kemari goes on and on as you watch, you had decided to sit out this round and let others have their fun in the crisp winter snow. The large circle of courtiers move with elegance and courtesy as they keep the ball up in the air, all while in the formal clothing of court.
For yourself, you were enjoying a hot apple cider with cinnamon. A new style of drinking it that had come from the Ivindi. It was a good change from the usual, and the kind the Ivindi made somehow wasn't quite as spirited as the kind Rokugani made, making it ideal if one wished for something other than tea while not wanting to be intoxicated.
That the Crane were serving it spoke volumes of how much the Empire had changed from when you started.
Still as you watched Doji Makoto hold his own amongst the adults, you have to admit that the boy is turning into a capable young man physically, emotionally...You were not sure yet. The layers of protocol between you and him and the fact that Daidoji Kikaze never let you meet him alone met that his full measure was uncertain. It was always easier to rely on a mentor than on yourself.
Idle thoughts float away as Doji Yuriko kowtows before you. Your imperial Advisor had spent her time putting out a few minor fires according to Kotaro but nothing that you needed to worry about.
A nod of your head as you motion for her to rise and join you.
"Hello Doji-san."
"Greetings my Emperor." She says sitting down beside you.
"Enjoying a visit home?" You ask.
"Hai, it is good to see the gardens even in winter."
"And your Champion coming along so nicely"
"Doji-sama is indeed blooming into a splendid scion of the Crane. I do have news though from the Lion."
"....Yes?" You ask slowly.
Just once you wanted a Winter Court where nothing too interesting happened politically, just once.
"It appears that his wife is with child. He sent messengers to inform you." Yuriko says. Smiling in that Crane way.
A slight quirk of your eyebrow.
"I will write a congratulations letter for him, and send it out in the morning."
"Hai, I thought it prudent to let you know when I heard, and well, we have not spent much time together my Emperor."
The eyebrow lowers as you think...no, in comparison to Akane, you hadn't spent much time with Yuriko. Part of that was simply your need to focus on other things, and other parts of it were just different interests. You preferred the plays and songs of yesteryear to the new style of renka poetry that had taken the artisan world by storm. While Yuriko spent her limited free time sampling new arts.
"That so, and what do you mean to do about it?" You ask after taking a sip of the cider.
"Well, in Kyuden Doji, and Daidoji-sama has things well in hand, so I thought that I would try to learn your will more my Emperor."
It's not quite saying 'I want to be your friend' but it's close, particularly given the gulf in status between you two.
Akane had become your left hand as you failed and succeeded together into a strong Empire. There was no shared experiences in that. You weren't about to brook failure if you did not have to.
So that leaves you with a conundrum of sorts. You can already hear the gossip in your head. About you having realized there were more women than the beloved and pious Shiba Kaname-shiryo, were already seducing another young maiden with your wife in the same castle no less.
Nope, not stepping into that.
"Of course" you say. "My wife and I are set to attend pilgrimage to Shinden Musubi soon, would you care to join us?"
Yuriko doesn't frown, but takes a hair longer to nod than it really should have.
"I would love to my Emperor." She says brightly.
You aren't truly fooled, Yuriko would have preferred a more one on one meeting and you understand that. Doji friendship worked best in one on one settings, bonding over shared interests. But while you still do not love Kana you weren't going to give her more trouble not when people were still wondering if Ayumi or her were going to give you more children first.
Time to pivot by giving her work to do.
"How are things with the Minor Clans?" you ask.
Yuriko blinks for a moment
"They are relatively quiet. The Destruction of the Ox Clan has been a blow to them to be sure. Yet with the revelations of what they were, none of them are inclined to see it as anything but justice. The remaining Ox who were found not guilty have been quietly absorbed by the Centipede and the Dragonfly. " She says after a moment. "The Hare, Sparrow and Fox are again in talks about strengthening the Minor Clan Alliance while the Tortoise and Badger stand against. As for the even smaller ones...they are doing well for the most part. The prestige they gained from the Eight Banners Army has allowed most of them to expand into the somewhat empty territory from the Age of Chaos."
You had known all of this, but you wanted to have her thinking about that, then thinking about whether or not you liked her. You did, but she was so...young. While you had faith, there was just something about people your age or older that you got along with better.
Maybe you were an old man?
A shake of your head.
"And the Mantis?"
"...Hiroko-san is doing well, she has held them together, she spends most of her winter courts wooing the Wasp ambassadors and the Centipede ambassadors but not to the detriment of others. It is expected naturally. Otomo-san thinks that they are focused on finding a new source of Jade first and foremost. Although truthfully I would count on...Yasuki-san for that."
Oh that might have hurt her, to say that she would rely on a Yasuki. Somethings will never change you suppose. The Yasuki and Doji being enemies is one of them.
"I see---" you stop mid sentence and reach out catching the kemari ball before it hit Yuriko's face.
"Perhaps Doji-san, we should join the game?" You ask.
Yuriko blinks for a moment.
"...Hai." she says.
-----------------------------
You don't know what you expected when you returned to your quarters that night. Kana had declined to join you for a moon viewing with the Kakita. Something about her Matsu heritage acting up. You supposed that trained with the Spirit Callers of the Kitsu that made sense, and hadn't thought anything of it.
But as you enter the quarters seeing Kana focused very hard over a pool of water, you walk over to see what she was focusing on. Divination with water was common enough although you don't recall it being something that Kana had cared for.
On the surface of the water is a young woman, one heartrendingly similar to Kaname. Oh she wasn't in fine clothing, instead rough home spun material that was all too familiar from your own days as a student of Itsume. It seems Kozume isn't that different from your dear departed sensei. She walks with purpose, carrying a bundle of sticks on her shoulder. Despite all that, her eyes, her face, they are her mother's.
"...Minoru-chan?" You ask softly.
Minoru blinks, and then looks around for a moment before shrugging, with one shoulder and carrying on.
Kana takes a shuddering breath and collapses beside you.
You kneel down and cradle her in your arms.
"What were you doing Kana?"
Kana doesn't answer for a few moments just breathing before looking up at you a little sad.
"I was trying to use the water kami to talk to Minoru...Yuina-chan is adorable, and I'm glad to have her approval. But I would to know my eldest step daughter before she returns to us." She says wanly. "I also thought it would be a nice gift to let you talk to her for the New Years Day festival. I'm still working on it though."
You look at the water and at Kana's flushed face.
"Is it hard?"
"Um...yes?" Kana squeaks. "Most messages on the kami are done with air, but air doesn't work with visuals because of the playful nature, but you can use the water kami to view remote things if you have a...." she goes on for several minutes explaining how she was doing this.
The gist of it was that the water kami did not talk like the other kami communicating through picture and symbol. However, with sufficient skill at manipulating water, and truthfully the supernatural nature of Kawa forest. Kana thought she could make a two way communications pool through the water. However, it was in principle possible.
The first step being using water to see Minoru. But the effort was apparently exhausting her.
On the one hand you desperately wanted to talk to your daughter. You hadn't seen her properly since...Kaname.
On the other hand, this seems to be nearly killing your wife, and you don't want that. Minoru was due to return in two years. You could...wait...maybe.
"Did you see more of her?" you ask.
"Hai, she's a strong woman, truthfully I'd be a little jealous of her at her age." Kana admits.
"I will take the knowledge that she is safe and whole as a gift. I don't want to have my wife killing herself." You say.
"...I would like to keep trying Hisao. I can't really work on the wards here, the Crane would take offense. While I enjoy a lot of the winter court, I just...need to do something. I can't just release tension by tearing up part of the grounds with the kami." Kana says.
"That would be rude. You nearly passed out there Kana, I don't want that to happen to you. At least work with someone " You say.
"I know this looks bad, but I can do this, assign a Miharu to help me if you want, but trust me to do this" Kana asks firmly
[] Trust her
[] Don't trust her
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AN: So 2020, it's been a thing. I burnt out creatively over 2019, and for most of 2020 just the world has made it hard to recover. That doesn't really excuse the radio silence, but yeah. However, taking the hiatus, and going through the thread again thanks to @AnOldIdeaMadeNew has called back the muse.
So I'm going to try and finish this quest. I hope some of you are still willing to follow me to the end. Thank you all for reading.
