The sudden influx of refugees, along with, of course, the death of the Emperor, had thrown things into a certain amount of disarray. But Touki knew all too well that perhaps the best way to deal with such things was in routine. And Lion were always stubborn, of course. A habit formed was quite nearly a tradition, after all.

And so, despite the turmoil, Touki found himself at the same door that he regularly found himself at. He raised his hand to scratch politely at the door, before standing straight at attention, chin tilted sharply up.

Sliding the door open, Touki stepped inside, pausing a moment to slide it shut once more.

"Akodo-sama." He said, bowing respectfully. "I trust you are well today." It was the same greeting he gave each week, in the same monotone, expressing little.

Touki straightened, his dark eyes glancing about. He'd seen the room perhaps a dozen times now, spent hours in there, but the combination of styles was still strange to him. He looked at the Go board, and then curiously up at Sugimoto. "Is something on your mind, sir?"

Bowing, Touki considered the answer.

"The Empire is in turmoil." He said bluntly. "It was before. Perhaps that was the cause. Or perhaps this is just another step on the path."

He paused a few moments, considering further before speaking again. "I expect many will despair. Shock keeps them from it now. But in a day, or a week?" Touki grimaced. "I think things will become worse."

Touki's face was its usual mask. "Of course. Murdering the Emperor. I can think of no greater crime." He intoned. "I hope to be part of the army that we bring against his forces."

A deep breath, not quite a sigh. "It will be strange to raise a sword against our ancestors, though. We give our devotions daily. In return, they kill us." Lips remained parted a moment, and then shut. As always, Touki was leaving something unsaid. At least one thing.

Touki settled down as directed, somewhat less comfortably, still a little rigid. But that too was normal.

"I expect many will." Touki said blandly, studying the tea. "As one might expect, when circumstances ask so many to face that question." Am I... Touki's mind shied away before it could even complete the thought. He did his duty.

Touki raised a hand, and then hesitated. "Yes." He said. "There are those who think themselves honorable, until their honor is tested. Only then do they find what was true all along." He frowned. "Is that a choice though, sir? Or are there those who are dutiful, and those who will doubt?"

Enough hesitation. "Left." He said firmly, pointing with open palm at Sugimoto's left hand.

Touki nodded. "Yes." He agreed. A moment of silence. "So perhaps it is fate that makes the choices."

He waited, silently, until the board was set up. "May I ask, sir, do you see anything that I do not?" He held his first piece ready in his fingers, waiting for Sugimoto to make the first move.

This time, it was Touki's turn to just barely almost half smile. "About today's news, sir."

Touki played decisively, placing each piece with a firm click.

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D1LM, Go, lol: 2d10 16

To the first, Touki nodded acknowledgement.

Then his eyebrows went up. "Underhandedness, yes. And other clans do not match our courage, of course. But..." He frowned, his forehead creasing. "I'm sorry sir, but what specific cowardice do you mean?"

Touki's faint grunt was acknowledgement, if not complete agreement.

He placed another piece, more carefully this time, setting it down. "You think they should have died trying? I do not think they would have succeeded." It was an honest question.