Legend of the Five Rings: In Service to the Emerald Throne RP Thread
- Thread starter Dovahsith
- Start date
- IC Fantasy
- Location
- London, England
On Prophecies
(@Mina)
Shiro Matsu
Lion Clan Territory
Accompanied by a small but respectable bodyguard of Bayushi Elite Guard, the Champion of the Scorpion Clan arrived at Shiro Matsu all but unheralded. Not in secret, of course; concealing his movements to such a degree would be far more trouble than it was worth, and the Lion would never stand for it besides, but without great fanfare even so. It was duty that brought him here, after all, and duty had no need of ostentation.
The Lion met them with polite hospitality, of course, as was their duty as a host. Shoju, in turn, politely refrained from noticing how many of the Lion samurai he passed in the halls would clearly like nothing more than to carve his heart out with bare steel. It was just one of those unfortunate little details that one had to expect when spending time in Shiro Matsu, as was the utter lack of creature comforts afforded even to such a highly ranked guest.
Being kept waiting for days on end, however, was something else entirely. Shoju was a patient man, and willing to endure any number of minor inconveniences in the course of his duty, but he had to admit the excuses the Lion were coming up with to delay their meeting were starting to wear a little thin.
(@Mina)
Shiro Matsu
Lion Clan Territory
Accompanied by a small but respectable bodyguard of Bayushi Elite Guard, the Champion of the Scorpion Clan arrived at Shiro Matsu all but unheralded. Not in secret, of course; concealing his movements to such a degree would be far more trouble than it was worth, and the Lion would never stand for it besides, but without great fanfare even so. It was duty that brought him here, after all, and duty had no need of ostentation.
The Lion met them with polite hospitality, of course, as was their duty as a host. Shoju, in turn, politely refrained from noticing how many of the Lion samurai he passed in the halls would clearly like nothing more than to carve his heart out with bare steel. It was just one of those unfortunate little details that one had to expect when spending time in Shiro Matsu, as was the utter lack of creature comforts afforded even to such a highly ranked guest.
Being kept waiting for days on end, however, was something else entirely. Shoju was a patient man, and willing to endure any number of minor inconveniences in the course of his duty, but he had to admit the excuses the Lion were coming up with to delay their meeting were starting to wear a little thin.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
The announcement came without fanfare or indeed much in the way of warning. The Champion would receive Bayushi-sama at the western watch tower, a lonely perch up the mountainside from the fortifications of the shiro proper. There the wind whistled through the Kaiu stonework surmounting the top and Shoju would find the usual stone-faced Matsu that were so ubiquitous throughout the rest of the place absent. Delays aside, it would appear Toturi had taken the weight of the matter to heart.
The man himself stood looking south, down the pass toward Beiden itself, accompanied by a stooped, but wiry looking Ikoma. It was a spartan place to meet, no walls, no tables, one might almost think the intention was to ensure no record what transpired there would exist outside the minds of the men involved.
"Bayushi-sama, welcome." Toturi bowed first, his voice projecting as one accustomed to the battlefield and reigning over the roaring masses of Ikoma and Matsu must. The man himself was perhaps not so large, or so broad as even some of the lionesses that stalked the walls below them, but he made up for it in carriage and intensity. The historian flanking him simply smiled and dipped creakily.
"An honor Bayushi-sama, to be so required."
- Location
- London, England
"My thanks for agreeing to the meeting, Akodo-sama," Bayushi Shoju replies evenly, moving to stand near the centre of the room, just about out of swords reach of either Lion. Not that he expected violence to erupt, of course, but it was the little things that made diplomacy work. "And for bringing such a practised historian. I hope you will forgive the minor lapse of etiquette, but given the circumstances I feel it better to move straight to business."
He can read the mood as well as any courtier, after all, and everything about this meeting - from the setting to the company to the look on Toturi's face - speaks of a desire for swift resolution. Straight-talking honesty is... not exactly his forte, but he can adjust to the situation easily enough.
"In the course of our duty, the Scorpion Clan has over the years come into contact with a great many items of unusual or obscure heritage. Those which we judge to be in violation of Imperial Law are destroyed, others are held as curios for future generations... and some require a more extensive response," he explains, expression hidden behind the enchanted wood of his mask. "It was one such item that drove me to request this meeting; a prophecy, to be precise, one of considerable age and bearing a certain air that my shugenja assure me speaks to its veracity."
He pauses here, calling to mind the precise wording seared into his memory.
"The Last Hantei shall bring forth the ruin of Rokugan."
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Toturi remained stonefaced, not so much as a crack in his on.
"Yes, when the line of the kami fails the Empire must surely be at the threshold of destruction. This seems less prophecy than statement of fact Bayushi-sama."
- Location
- London, England
A debatable point, Shoju thinks but does not say. Toturi is of Lion blood, proud and true, and he will neither conceive or accept a vision of Rokugan absent the line of Hantei.
"As a first impression, your thoughts match my own, Akodo-sama... yet the Heavens would not grant us a prophecy of such banal import, any more than they would predict the rising of the sun or the coming of the snow," he says instead, voice calm and measured. "It is difficult to be sure, of course, but given the context I do not believe that the 'Ruin of Rokugan' is a description. I believe it is a title."
Such words edge close to blasphemy, and in the interests of not being accused of such Shoju moves swiftly along.
"Still, the wording is ambiguous, as is often the case with such things. That is why I asked for the assistance of your vassal in this matter," he says, bowing shallowly to the Ikoma who stands with them. "The prophecy speaks of the 'Last of the Hantei'. I question whether that too is a description of a specific being, or if it is merely a condition; need we fear a single member of the Imperial line, or the prospect of the line being winnowed down to a final scion? Ikoma-san, in the interests of clarity, I must ask - setting aside the divine kami himself, has there been a time in the Empire's history when the blood of Hantei has been held by one and one alone?"
Dragon Courtship
========================
It was a cold winter in the High House of Light. Not that this was different from any other winter at the remote home of the Togashi. The carefully constructed walls and sculpted wood all directed towards a sense of calmness and peace. In these hallowed grounds, a monk could expect to eventually find enlightenment, not comfort. However, that did not mean that the blasting winds and snow did not usually drive most in doors to drink tea and find enlightenment in calligraphy and other indoor activities.
Today was different, even as howling winds lashed against the mountains, virtually every monk was out in the central courtyard. They formed a circle around two combatants.
On the left wearing his trademark red tattoos. Togashi Hoshi stood, stance open as the wind itself. On the right, his fiancée, Mirumoto Hitomi. The head of the Mirumoto family stood her own stance focused on the aggressive stance of Hitsu-do.
Hoshi looks around at the assorted crowd.
"Seems we've drawn a crowd."
Hitomi gave a snort.
"Trying to dissuade me again?"
"Hardly, let's give them a good show shall we?" Hoshi asks.
A feral smile appears on her face as Hitomi charges.
Three times they'd fought like this. Three times Hoshi found himself overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity Hitomi packed into every blow.
His own hands came up in sweeping arcs to push away Hitomi's fists at the last second, as she began to add kicks to her array of blows.
One step back became two. Hoshi could feel himself being driven back, feel the heat of Hitomi's ki as the snow sizzled in the air.
Sweeping his leg forward, Hoshi drove up the snow around him an arc to blind the Dragon woman as he dodged his way back towards the centre of the ring.
Hitomi roared, leaping up into the air and coming down at her fiancé with a brutal axe kick into the stone.
Hoshi for his part span around the blow, the well toned legs missing his body by scant centimetres, stone beneath them both shattering from the impact. Hitomi's fire faltered for a moment, only a moment. Yet it was all he needed.
Now it was Hitomi's turn to step back on the frozen courtyard. Hoshi's hands moving at a blur she could barely keep up with, let alone parry.
So she didn't, for every blow Hoshi rained down on her. Hitomi returned it with a blazing intensity that would kill lesser men. Yet the stone like fists and steel legs of the Togashi made their mark as well. Neither of them giving an inch as they fought at the edge of the duelling circle.
Neither could ever say what happened next. Whether the implacable weight of experience allowed Hoshi to get an upper hand, or that the fire burning in Hitomi dimmed only a moment as she forced herself not to feel injuries she most certainly had.
Whatever it was, it saw Hoshi catching Hitomi's out stretched arm in a bind, trapping it under his, as his free hand found it's way to her throat.
By any rational measure, Hoshi had won...
The mistake here was assuming Hitomi was at all willing to be rational about losing.
Snaking up her hand around Hoshi's head she pulled him in, kissing him with a bruising force on his mouth.
The sheer shock of the action saw Hoshi letting go. The kiss ending as they looked at each other, both spent.
"My room, tonight" She said.
"...Hai" Hoshi responded.
With that, Hitomi walked away from the circle, once again, despite everything. Hoshi couldn't help but feel that he had some how lost, even though most would say he won the fight. On the other hand...as he watched his fiancée walk away, he couldn't quite find it in himself to care that much.
========================
It was a cold winter in the High House of Light. Not that this was different from any other winter at the remote home of the Togashi. The carefully constructed walls and sculpted wood all directed towards a sense of calmness and peace. In these hallowed grounds, a monk could expect to eventually find enlightenment, not comfort. However, that did not mean that the blasting winds and snow did not usually drive most in doors to drink tea and find enlightenment in calligraphy and other indoor activities.
Today was different, even as howling winds lashed against the mountains, virtually every monk was out in the central courtyard. They formed a circle around two combatants.
On the left wearing his trademark red tattoos. Togashi Hoshi stood, stance open as the wind itself. On the right, his fiancée, Mirumoto Hitomi. The head of the Mirumoto family stood her own stance focused on the aggressive stance of Hitsu-do.
Hoshi looks around at the assorted crowd.
"Seems we've drawn a crowd."
Hitomi gave a snort.
"Trying to dissuade me again?"
"Hardly, let's give them a good show shall we?" Hoshi asks.
A feral smile appears on her face as Hitomi charges.
Three times they'd fought like this. Three times Hoshi found himself overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity Hitomi packed into every blow.
His own hands came up in sweeping arcs to push away Hitomi's fists at the last second, as she began to add kicks to her array of blows.
One step back became two. Hoshi could feel himself being driven back, feel the heat of Hitomi's ki as the snow sizzled in the air.
Sweeping his leg forward, Hoshi drove up the snow around him an arc to blind the Dragon woman as he dodged his way back towards the centre of the ring.
Hitomi roared, leaping up into the air and coming down at her fiancé with a brutal axe kick into the stone.
Hoshi for his part span around the blow, the well toned legs missing his body by scant centimetres, stone beneath them both shattering from the impact. Hitomi's fire faltered for a moment, only a moment. Yet it was all he needed.
Now it was Hitomi's turn to step back on the frozen courtyard. Hoshi's hands moving at a blur she could barely keep up with, let alone parry.
So she didn't, for every blow Hoshi rained down on her. Hitomi returned it with a blazing intensity that would kill lesser men. Yet the stone like fists and steel legs of the Togashi made their mark as well. Neither of them giving an inch as they fought at the edge of the duelling circle.
Neither could ever say what happened next. Whether the implacable weight of experience allowed Hoshi to get an upper hand, or that the fire burning in Hitomi dimmed only a moment as she forced herself not to feel injuries she most certainly had.
Whatever it was, it saw Hoshi catching Hitomi's out stretched arm in a bind, trapping it under his, as his free hand found it's way to her throat.
By any rational measure, Hoshi had won...
The mistake here was assuming Hitomi was at all willing to be rational about losing.
Snaking up her hand around Hoshi's head she pulled him in, kissing him with a bruising force on his mouth.
The sheer shock of the action saw Hoshi letting go. The kiss ending as they looked at each other, both spent.
"My room, tonight" She said.
"...Hai" Hoshi responded.
With that, Hitomi walked away from the circle, once again, despite everything. Hoshi couldn't help but feel that he had some how lost, even though most would say he won the fight. On the other hand...as he watched his fiancée walk away, he couldn't quite find it in himself to care that much.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
The Ikoma looked to Toturi, reading a slight incline of the head.
"Bayushi-sama, as deep as my knowledge is that is not a question I can answer here and now. With some consultation of the libraries, and the Imperial Census I may provide the information you seek. Matters are understandably complicated by your definition of 'holding the blood of Hantei,' after all it flows in the Otomo by varying degrees, though at this point I believe the closest relation to the main line is...a cousin, once removed. I exclude Togashi Abekuni-sama of course, the vows of a monk and difficulty in locating him make a restoration impossible."
He bowed.
"I hope that has answered at least part of your question."
- Location
- London, England
"I would be a most unreasonable man to demand an absolute answer to such a complex topic on the spot, Ikoma-san," Shoju replies with a nod. "I shall await word of the conclusions drawn from your research."
Doubtless the Ikoma will provide said answers to his own lord and wait for permission before passing it along, but that is only to be expected. Satisfied, Shoju turns his attention back to Toturi, who is every bit as stoic and unreadable as his reputation would suggest.
"It is entirely possible that this entire business will come to nothing; for that reason, I have not and do not intend to speak of it to the Emperor," he says evenly. "Likewise, I see no need to approach the other Clans ahead of time. I would advise similar discretion from the Lion."
- Location
- London, England
On Politics
(@ZealousThoughts)
The number of people in all of Rokugan capable of securing an audience with the Son of Heaven on short notice stands at less than a dozen; those who can arrange for the meeting to be private are even fewer. Fortunately for the Scorpion, though, the Imperial Adviser hardly needs an audience to meet with her Emperor. Duty alone will bring such a thing into being sooner rather than later, and as the days pass and the Imperial Court shakes in the aftermath of recent revelations, a suitable day arises at last.
"I must say, Heika, I'm feeling more than a little put out," Kachiko says with a chiding smile; the ability to speak to the Son of Heaven with such frankness is one of the privileges of her position, though even she only dares so much in private. "To drop such a large weight into the placid waters of the court without warning... ah, I could almost think you a young man again, amusing yourself with the scurrying of your subjects."
The Mother of Scorpions considers this for a moment, then her smile turns coy. "The return of the Empress has clearly put you in better spirits. I'm glad."
(@ZealousThoughts)
The number of people in all of Rokugan capable of securing an audience with the Son of Heaven on short notice stands at less than a dozen; those who can arrange for the meeting to be private are even fewer. Fortunately for the Scorpion, though, the Imperial Adviser hardly needs an audience to meet with her Emperor. Duty alone will bring such a thing into being sooner rather than later, and as the days pass and the Imperial Court shakes in the aftermath of recent revelations, a suitable day arises at last.
"I must say, Heika, I'm feeling more than a little put out," Kachiko says with a chiding smile; the ability to speak to the Son of Heaven with such frankness is one of the privileges of her position, though even she only dares so much in private. "To drop such a large weight into the placid waters of the court without warning... ah, I could almost think you a young man again, amusing yourself with the scurrying of your subjects."
The Mother of Scorpions considers this for a moment, then her smile turns coy. "The return of the Empress has clearly put you in better spirits. I'm glad."
ZealousThoughts
The Wanderer
- Location
- United Kingdom
Having been studying a report brought to him by a member of the Miya family, Hantei is slow to ease his glance upwards at the very familiar greeting from his advisor. At her words a slight smile touches his eyes (and only his eyes) though his facial expression never changes.
"My course was decided upon following a conversation with my son, he had remarked to me how bored he was reading dusty tomes listing the expected tribute to the Crab at the wall and that struck a cord. Of course, being a curious man of still less than fifty years I asked the Miya family to investigate how long it has been since a proper survey of Rokugan and was shocked to hear nearly a 1000 years."
Placing the report carefully down in such a way that it just happens to be within the range of the eyes of Kachiko while ensuring to look casual the title 'Inconsistencies within Scorpion Clan production, tithes and merchant acitivities' visible though the rest of the writing remained intentionally obscured under other scrolls.
"I sent out a missive to the Clan Champions asking either for their assistance with this frank appraisal of the wealth of Rokugan but received to offers of aid. However, the response of your husband and my friend reassured me of the support I would receive undertaking such and thus, my grand survey has been launched."
Shifting scrolls on the table in front of him various other things are momentarily made visible to Kachiko including a map of Wasp lands before the Emperor continues.
"It is with a happy and deeply surprised heart that my love has been returned to me, and when I was finally prepared to look to take a new wife and secure the clans future alongside arranging my sons marriage. Quite the upset to my plans, but a joyful one."
- Location
- London, England
"Rokugan has changed little since its foundation, and matters of tax and commerce are normally left to the Emerald Champion," Kachiko says with an elegant shrug, "so I suppose it is little surprise that previous Emperors found other projects of more pressing concern."
Her gaze drifts briefly across the array of paperwork set out on the Emperor's desk, but if any one item catches her attention or sparks any particular thoughts the courtier's flawless On makes it impossible to tell.
"It is a rather fascinating thing to watch unfold, in truth; so many of your subjects have grown complacent over the years, only to find their lives upturned by Imperial command," she continues after a moment, still smiling in quiet humour. "Several have chosen to approach the Scorpion in hopes of hiding their true wealth from the Imperial Assessors; a foolish notion, of course, but it would hardly be the first time someone has underestimated our loyalty to the throne."
ZealousThoughts
The Wanderer
- Location
- United Kingdom
The Emperor looks at the woman concealing his emotions but clearly attempting to crack this facade that was trying to lead him in one direction or another.
"It is not....unexpected...that perhaps those that are not as loyal to the Throne might hope that others are equally as disloyal. It might be said that I gave the Miya this task exactly because of their dual role, many of their family serve in the Clan capitals across Rokugan and many more as Emerald Magistrates. It gives them a unique perspective and ability to be effective in this task."
Looking at his right hand held out before him he studies it for a second before turning his gaze back towards his advisor.
"Of course, I should not worry, the likelihood of one of the Great Clans showing that level of disloyalty would be like my right hand attempting to act against my body. Any such action would lead to the destruction of the hand before the body allowed itself to die."
- Location
- London, England
"Your right hand would end its own life before it even contemplated turning against you, Heika," Kachiko points out, unruffled, "and as my husband said, the Scorpion are yours to command. Any among my Clan who even think of the possibility will be ordered to commit seppuku, naturally, but the others... well, we can either expose them to Imperial Justice, or take care of the matter discretely on your behalf. Would you prefer a public example, or a thorough cleansing behind the scenes?"
ZealousThoughts
The Wanderer
- Location
- United Kingdom
Hantei XXXVIII listens to the offer by the Scorpion and ponders it for a second while he formulates his answer.
"You state that my hands would be loyal without a doubt, but the tale told to me by those who have returned to me my wife.....implied a different story. All will be revealed however when we arrive at Kyuden Ikoma for Winter Court. Before a decision is made I would like to see a list and the evidence of crimes committed before a decision is made. Sometimes it is better to observe the rot and trace it back to it's source than to just gauge out that which is at first evident."
- Location
- London, England
On Flowers and Tea
(@Wade Garrett)
Otosan Uchi is the heart of the Empire, a bustling hub of politics and commerce and sometimes even both at once. It has stood for over a thousand years all but unchanging; districts come and go, people live and die, but the city itself stands eternal behind its walls of jade and stone. Such a long and storied history provides plenty of room for all manner of customs and cultural institutions to grow and build a hold on the people around them, traditions as strong as any law growing thick in every house and street. If you know how to navigate those shifting currents then you can speak a word and have it achieve more than in any other place throughout Rokugan, but come to the city unprepared and it can swallow you whole.
Shosuro Hana knows which side of that line she falls on, for it is a role she has been prepared for since birth, but her guest... ah, now there is the real question. Which is why she has invited her fellow 'flower' here today, to share tea with her in a private room at the back of one of the capital's most exclusive tea houses, where they can talk without fear of being overheard and truly take each other's measure.
With steady, practised motions the young courtier pours out a cup of tea for them both, letting the scent of the drink fill the air as she sets the pot back down. There is a protocol to be observed here, and while this is not the full tea ceremony to speak before drinks have been prepared would be unforgivably crass. Her kimono was chosen for similar reasons, being both rich and elegant without straying into the full glory of courtly attire, and even a cursory examination of any other element to the scene would speak of similar preparation. An eye for detail is one of the most valuable tools in a samurai's possession, after all, and the young Shosuro has no intention of forsaking any advantage today.
Still, enough foreplay. Time for the main event.
"I'm so pleased you could join me today, Tsuruchi-san," she says, her voice smooth as the finest silk. "How are you finding Otosan Uchi thus far?"
-/-
"Oh? I look forward to hearing all about it, then," Kachiko says, an intrigued gleam in her eye. "There is time enough to compile all the evidence into a single document, if such is your desire. We will bring it with us when winter comes, so that you might consider the matter at length."
(@Wade Garrett)
Otosan Uchi is the heart of the Empire, a bustling hub of politics and commerce and sometimes even both at once. It has stood for over a thousand years all but unchanging; districts come and go, people live and die, but the city itself stands eternal behind its walls of jade and stone. Such a long and storied history provides plenty of room for all manner of customs and cultural institutions to grow and build a hold on the people around them, traditions as strong as any law growing thick in every house and street. If you know how to navigate those shifting currents then you can speak a word and have it achieve more than in any other place throughout Rokugan, but come to the city unprepared and it can swallow you whole.
Shosuro Hana knows which side of that line she falls on, for it is a role she has been prepared for since birth, but her guest... ah, now there is the real question. Which is why she has invited her fellow 'flower' here today, to share tea with her in a private room at the back of one of the capital's most exclusive tea houses, where they can talk without fear of being overheard and truly take each other's measure.
With steady, practised motions the young courtier pours out a cup of tea for them both, letting the scent of the drink fill the air as she sets the pot back down. There is a protocol to be observed here, and while this is not the full tea ceremony to speak before drinks have been prepared would be unforgivably crass. Her kimono was chosen for similar reasons, being both rich and elegant without straying into the full glory of courtly attire, and even a cursory examination of any other element to the scene would speak of similar preparation. An eye for detail is one of the most valuable tools in a samurai's possession, after all, and the young Shosuro has no intention of forsaking any advantage today.
Still, enough foreplay. Time for the main event.
"I'm so pleased you could join me today, Tsuruchi-san," she says, her voice smooth as the finest silk. "How are you finding Otosan Uchi thus far?"
-/-
ZealousThoughts said:
"Oh? I look forward to hearing all about it, then," Kachiko says, an intrigued gleam in her eye. "There is time enough to compile all the evidence into a single document, if such is your desire. We will bring it with us when winter comes, so that you might consider the matter at length."
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Omi takes a careful, considered moment before she replies. It is not hesitation born of timidity. It is consideration. It is savoring the scent of fresh brewed tea, soaking in the aesthetics of the tableau her hostess has so kindly and so carefully constructed for her enjoyment.
As etiquette requires. As tradition demands. And yes, it is luxuriating in blessed privacy, the Shoshuro girl's scrutiny a small price to pay for shutting out the thousand eyes and constant noise of the Imperial City, at least for a time.
"What samurai would not be honored to take up residence in the Sacred City for a time, Shoshuro-san? The stories this city has seen, the feet that have trod its streets, and of course, the presence of the Emperor Beloved By All...there are many who would sacrifice everything they have to be where we are now."
Omi's attire is more conservative than the younger girl's finery, wholly traditional in its cut and subdued in its black and yellow tones. Odd, for a representative of the infamously iconoclastic Wasps. As for the woman herself...her appearance is that of a matron, the head of a household, eschewing any attempt to match the charms of her fellow "Flowers" in favor of quiet dignity.
Aside from the gray steaks at her temples, the most striking aspects of her appearance are the red and silver sash belted at her waist, and the fact that she reaches for her tea cup with her left hand. Her only hand.
- Location
- London, England
"Ah, how true. One hears so many stories of the desperation behind such pursuits..." Hana says, a vaguely wistful smile on her face. "How blessed are we, then, to walk these streets and live such lives without personal cost? That alone would be a mighty prize, even before one considered the other possibilities this appointment offers."
She takes a sip of her tea, enjoying the taste.
"Of course, those possibilities are somewhat reduced of late," she comments idly, "with half of the possible matches spoken for once more."
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
"Quite so. Although I suppose we 'Flowers' should be thankful that events played out as they have, the loss of an opportunity stings, if the Emperor had chosen one of us and then this wondrous rescue had taken place...that might have been troublesome.
It is strange, though. When Yatoshin-sama rescued his son, the Emperor honored him before all of Rokugan. Whoever was responsible for restoring the Empress to us...not so much as a whisper."
- Location
- London, England
"And less than a glimpse of the Empress herself," Hana agrees, a faint frown marring her brow. "The Emperor does as he wills, of course, and this is hardly the first time he has seen fit to hide the specifics of his activities from his subjects... but even by those standards, this is unusual."
She considers this for a moment, then her face brightens.
"Still, the Winter Court should serve to answer all those questions, from what I hear. I'm looking forwards to it; I was not expecting to attend such an exalted function for many more years to come."
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
"An Imperial Winter Court at Kyuden Ikoma, and all of us the guests of the Emperor...yes, this promises to be a very interesting occasion." Omi agreed, her lips quirking ever so slightly. "And of course, the Heir will announce which of us he's chosen...although that's more of a matter for you fresh blossoms."
- Location
- London, England
"Such flattery, Tsuruchi-san, will see you richly rewarded when I am Empress," Hana says with a mischievous smile. "Assuming of course I am not outdone by the giggling Lioness or the Iron Crane. There are other contenders, of course, but the Dragon barely seems interested in the position and the Mantis seems dependent on the Heir's interest in muscles and sun-browned skin, so I feel safe in naming the first two as my actual rivals."
She laughs then, dark eyes sparkling in amusement.
"But of course, I cannot forget the contributions from our less refined neighbours. That the Crab and Unicorn would send actual flowers... ah, it makes a woman despair, to see such utter lack of courtly wit among the ranks of our oldest kin."
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
"It isn't flattery to tell the truth, dear." Omi replies, answering the Scorpion's smile with one of her own.
"No, it was always going to be one of three...perhaps four of us. No matter what some others might have thought. Tradition would have it that the son of Heaven must wed a daughter of Lady Doji, but there might be a day when the Emperor favors his right hand or his underhand over the left.
Even so, to send no bride at all...if it were any two other Clans I might think they meant an insult."
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- Location
- London, England
"Tradition is not so easily set aside, even for the Son of Heaven... but it would not be the first time the Emperor has married a Doji and then taken another for a concubine," Hana says with a nod. "I for one would be more than happy with such an arrangement, though of course the full title would be the finest prize."
Thoughtfully, the Scorpion tilts her head and studies her opposite number. "I must confess, though, I am curious; your lord clearly knew what that invitation implied, yet he sent you instead of any number of younger and less experienced samurai. Not to offer insult, of course, but you are... far from what one might expect, given the situation at hand."
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
"Yes, I do stand out among the rest of our little garden, don't I? Mmmm. I would not claim to know all of the Tsuruchi's thoughts, but....even if the true contest is between three or four, to be chosen at all is a great honor.
It is the Champion of your Clan declaring "This one is the fairest of us all, this one is worthy of an Emperor, this one represents all that we value, let all our samurai-ko take heed and follow her example." The older woman's voice rang off the walls, her proclamation taking on the cadence of a bardic chant as she threw her shoulders back with pride...then she let them slump, grinning with self mockery.
"Of course, that is only one way to look at it. Little Wasp...I served his mother before I served him, and while I flatter myself that I have served him wisely and well...someone you watched grow from childhood, it is occasionally...difficult. Not to see them as that child.
Some might say he offered me to the Emperor as a way to send me as far from Ashinagabachi as possible that I simply could not refuse."