Gathering one's thoughts (LA, D8, Open)

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"It may be something to ask some of the Shugenja about. If I could get one of the Cobra line to talk to me, they may have more information...." He frowned a little, looking pensive. "I got a few renegades to work with me once before, but that got me in some trouble..."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"I could certainly ask one of the Agasha family if they might know, but it sounds as if we've come across a mystery, rather than something we're both merely ignorant on." She smiled faintly, shrugging. "Perhaps someone that's studied Naga more would know more."

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"The one Rokugani I know that has studied the Naga the most is Asako Kashiwagi-sama. He may know something." He looks thoughtful a moment. "I've been meaning to seek him out to exchange words soon. I shall have to try to do so in the next few days, and let you know what he has to say. I do so love a good mystery to unravel and learn more." He gave her a bright smile, looking quite happy to have found someone else who enjoyed mysteries.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu's look remained thoughtful. She did indeed enjoy mysteries. She wasn't a magistrate or detective in the least, but amateur zeal counted for something.

"Asako-sama, hm? I knew he was in the Shinomen as a part of the campaign, but that is interesting to know. What about those in the Piranha? You had mentioned them before. Is their duty tied to the Naga and understanding?"

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"The Piranha's duty is to Shepard the shinomen mori, so that the great clans would not fight over who controlled it, and to be the liason to Tausha's Legion....as well as to keep an eye on us in case we become a threat again, I do imagine. I was given the honor to meet with the late Hantei, may he rest in peace among the heavens, during a sumo match, and advocated for the minor clan's formation. They are still finding their bearings, and getting their feet under them. One of their magistrates had been among our numbers, but I hear that he fell leaving the city on a mission." He paused a moment in remembrance.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Is that so? I had not seen the man, but that is troubling news." She gave a soft frown. "They are likely a good source on the matter too. I realize this might not be the best time to seek answers though. Perhaps if either of us were to run into Asako Kashiwagi-san, we could ask though, hai?"

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"Hai. That sounds like a good plan. While it is not a most pressing mystery, having some....distraction from all the bad going on is likely a good idea, if just to give us something else to work our brains on that mwe might be able to solve."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She nodded, but soon looked puzzled again. Her curiosity was insatiable. "Ano... could you not just ask the other Naga with the Akasha? Or do you need to be nearby them? Or, is it more a feeling and emotion thing than talking telepathically?"

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"It is more emotions and insight into the other, then the precision of words. The naga language combines the two. And over great distances, it can be dulled a good bit. Hence why The Saravya continued to travel, back to the Shinomen Mori to let our people know what was going on, though they like have a vague sense of...worry and distress from the Hilsilage and myself" A faint chuckle. "Neither of us are warriors, but we wish to help where we can"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She gave a nod. "Ah, I... think I understand a bit better. It is a shame. Still, as you say, it is hardly the most important of things to resolve at the moment."

Poemu paused before looking more concerned. "What are the Naga's stance on the current situation then? Your treaty was with a man that died, and I can hardly blame you if the Naga wished to stay out of human political turmoil."

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"Tausha's Legion signed a treaty with the empire, through your leader, The Hantei. Even if we were not pledged to aid each other in troubles, letting the....offal that assassinated your leader take power would be disasterous. History outlines his excesses when he lead, and I doubt that he would honor the treaty that was signed. Once again our peoples would come under attack, and likely be utterly annihilated this time." His face looked....determined and upset at the same time.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

That all seemed to surprise the woman a bit. "Excesses? I had read a bit about Hantei XVI in the Ikoma histories, and it said very little of him. I admit I am not a scholar though... was there another source Naga-san had information from?"

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"i've made a study of your people. Its....." He frowned. "The ikoma histories say as much by what they don't say as by what they do. Look at the Fortunes that the hantei named during his reign. At the records of those who passed. Reports of famine, of mismanaged land. It paints a stark picture of a man who was ruthless, would kill whoever displeased his current whim, and was....." He struggled for the right words.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu murmured softly. "The Ikoma did not mention any such things in their scrolls, and I do not recall such in the Miya libraries either, though they do not touch on matters like that nearly at all."

She paused, then gave a small, faint smile. "It is not that I doubt Naga-san at all. If anything, the man has shown from his actions that he is a poor ruler just by that. It just leaves me thoughtful, that's all..."

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"History is written to....sanitize what happened. And it is written by the victors who wish things to move on." A grimace "It is likely that the naga race, as a whole, will be villans in the ikoma histories, except for the few of us in Tausha's Legion. and even we will be seen as savages that came to our senses. The truth is always a bit deeper then what is written for the average person. One must dig deeper, attempt to be more then average."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu looked troubled a moment before speaking up. "...H-hai. Eto... I am not sure how I feel about all that. I am a woman that sees the truth as the highest of honorable pursuits. I can perhaps understand why one might sanitize the reign of an Emperor, but surely there is no point in hiding such things now."

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"The Hantei is the chosen son of heaven, or so the theology of your people goes. How.....shaken would that theology be if it was widely known that one was cruel and vicious and named fortunes such as the fortune of torture and the fortune of dung." He frowned a little, looking thoughtful.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu paled just a bit, but then shook her head again. "Perhaps some might see it that way. I have never thought anyone infallible, even those from the heavens. If no Kami or their decedents could do so, how does one explain that many decedents fall to sin every day?"

The Shakanar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:04 am **Posts:** 218

"Many people would be shaken though. Too many people put faith in the system, and are.....lost when the system fails. Look at the Lion samurai, as they struggle with the fact many of their returned ancestors are siding with the steel chrysanthemum. The issues it causes for the clan."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu nodded softly. She had certainly learned more about Lion honor since arriving in their lands. The Miya were no less honorable, but there was also a humbleness that they had that had seemed a bit lacking in the Right Hand.

"Hai, I can understand that. It is a pity, in my eyes. I find it more comforting to know that we all have our sins from time to time. I revere the Celestial Heaven's no less for that."

Gathering one's thoughts (LA, D8, Open)

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