[D11 EE] We're All Fine Here Now (closed)

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

Sukima found herself visiting the Crane embassy to visit her little sister in spirit this time rather than Suiminko. A servant guided her to the right door and she scratched at the frame. "Seppun-sama? It's Sukima."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai slides the door open, welcoming Sukima, "Douzo douzo, come in. I was polishing my blades. Shitsurei shimasu: the room is a mess."

Indeed, a lot of stuff was spread around the room, along with a cat on top of her armor set places against the wall.

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

"Thank you," she said with a bow before entering and closing the door. She glanced over to the cat with a smile.

"I hope I don't interrupt. How have you been, Horo-chan?"

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"Iie, iie. I wasn just using some free time to tidy things up." She closes the door shut and provides a contradicting smile. "I feel even more terrible, Neesan."

Horonigai starts to giggle and then laughs, dropping to the floor in her knees.

Kuchihige, the black cat, licks his paw, ignoring the display.

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

Sukima knelt in front of her, taking Horonigai's hands. "What troubles you?" She understood the feeling of wanting to laugh when stress was at its peak.

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"First, I fail my duty. Then, Kato-dono dumps me. Now, Asako Kashiwagi-san's head is on a spike right out of my window."

She covers her face and keeps laughing. "I can't imagine what is next."

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

"He betrayed you, and put my Clan in a difficult position in many ways. I wonder what my brother intends with all this..." She sighed softly, then pulled her into a hug. "Asako-san was a friend of yours?"

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

She holds off any tears, they've all been gone by now. "Kato-dono has to explain this to me. In person. I won't settle until I hear his own words."

Horonigai chuckles, controlling the laughter. "I've met the Inquisitor at Kyuden Suzume. He was a good friend. His cousin, as well. Now Akodo Ren. They treated me kindly."

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

"Hai... Us I can understand, at least to some degree. The Lion support the Empress - cause a schism between them and their allies," she sighed. "I'm sorry that you had to be caught up in it."

"He was a true hero to the very end. They all were. Kayou... She was there at Shiro no Ukime, the first place I went when I left home. I wish I'd had a chance to talk to her."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"Do not wish Neesan." She put a hand on her cheek. "Pray, instead. She'll listen, I'm sure."

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

She smiled a little. "I can't hear her response, then. I'll try, though."

She stroked her hair, giving a soft chuckle. "I'm here to check on you, not to talk about my regrets. Is there anything I can do?"

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

"Hai. Forget regrets. They don't serve us now." She smiles a bit again. "I heard of this schism with the Scorpion and wondered what is Neesan's perspective."

Horonigai moves her head along with the strokes she gets. "I understand some Scorpion may be ambitious sometimes. Yet, I think this may an a sign from Heavens to bring balance to Rokugan again."

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

Sukima pressed her lips together. "It's not about ambition. We are merely torn between our obligation to our allies and the implicit alliance of our Champion," she replied. "I hope to prevent war, but it can't be guaranteed. Perhaps it is an intended result. I hope whatever balance is achieved is worth it."

"I am torn as well. I have obligations beyond even that."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai takes the stoking hand on her hair and asks for more as if a pet would do, trying to get her focus out of the problems. "Ne, Neesan. War will always happen, the important thingis to delay it as much as possible, and if they do happen, that they are so small they won't cause great suffering. That is what I was taught at the dojo, at least."

The Seppun moves closer and lays her head on Sukima's shoulder. "My turn: how can your obligations be satisfied. Anything you think I could potentially help?"

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

She brings up her other hand and strokes both through her hair. "They can't both. They're directly opposed," she replied quietly. "One means I at least sit out the debate, or support a certain claimant. The other that I actively oppose the same claimant."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Suddenly, Kuchihige jumps from the pile of stuff and climbs over Sukima's legs –– potentially jealous of the care Horonigai was having, and he was not.

The Seppun says softly, "Which one will satisfy honor?"

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

"... I don't know." She sighed. "Should I maintain my commitment to the wishes my fallen brother expressed to me while he was alive if it conflicts with the current demands of my Clan? I don't know the answer."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

The black cat started to purr, bumping his head on Sukima gently. Horonigai, on the other hand, was already getting cared for. The Seppun says. "It is a difficult choice, indeed. To wish is a sin. For such, I would never do something out of a wish of my brother, and risk shaming him in the process."

She thinks a bit deeper. "Now, if I were in Neesan's place, and our late Emperor explicitly told me something needed done. That is a mission that cannot be neglected. Not even a Daimyo can over rule that."

Horonigai looks into Sukima's eyes. "Once, I assumed my brother would have liked that I sharpened his wakizashi. Later I got scolded. He said I meddled with things that I wasn't supposed to, since it was his duty to tend to his own honor."

Yogo Sukima · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:18 am **Posts:** 471

She reached down and pet the cat gently. "To desire is a sin. To express what you want done in the case of your death and handing that to the person you think can accomplish it is simply planning."

"There's also the fact I am much more convenient dead than alive for several people, and events seem to be conspiring to increase the likelihood."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

The cat was satisfied, for now, and offered his magnificent back fur to receive even more care. The Seppun in the meanwhile started to relax with the head massage and nearly melts on Sukima's hands.

Her eyes nearly roll up in pleasure of the sensation and she giggles a bit. "This is better than meditation, Neesan. Let me refocus."

She inhales. "Express what you want done after you die is not a sin, it is the most absolute form of will. Coming from out late Emperor, this will is sacred."

[D11 EE] We're All Fine Here Now (closed)

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