[D7, EE] Gestures of Solidarity

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi's arrival at the palace was quiet and unheralded, with none of the stiff posturing of Kakita duelists in times of war. Rather, his armor had been left behind and his cloak was drawn up over his shoulders against the driving rain.

Though cold, he announced himself with warmth at the palace, and was soon shown to a modest meeting chamber to await his hosts.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:27 pm

It wasn't long until Mogami and her Budoka arrived. They all three give a bow to Koushi.

"Hello again, Doji-sama. I take it your march went well?"

Her voice has a hint of annoyance to it, and her eyes are less warm than the last time they spoke. Instead, more calculating and wary, as if assessing an enemy.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi's eyes, on the other hand, contained no sign of enmity. They simply reflected the serenity drilled into the children of Doji from a young age. He rose and returned the bow.

"Hai. Most arrived without injury, Matsu-sama, for which I am grateful. And yours?"

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 6:46 pm

“The same? Though Ive have been cold before, this time I worried I was going to lose a toe or two

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi blinked. "Ah..well, that was certainly an issue during the march from Morikage Toshi. There's much more of a chance for respiratory ailments, given the excess of water in the air. Fortunately, the coolness means that the standing water won't turn problematic for a time. Although eradicating large puddles in the streets might be a good idea, should this place also be required to stand a siege."

He paused, belatedly remembering his position, here. "Not that it is any of my business, of course."

Apparently, some doctors can find it difficult to turn off the professional switch.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:18 pm

Mogami blinks at the assessment.

“I see. So, how was your court today? Strange, I don’t recall any of ours ever preventing a clan from attending.”

Her voice has a sharp edge to it.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi leaned forward with a warm smile.

"It is precisely this that I felt needed discussion. The sons and daughters of Doji knew that not all of the Lion could hold the same...murky...position on the leadership of the Empire that the Governor here has expressed, and which many of her support staff appear to have tacitly supported. You can imagine the relief of the Ambassador's staff when I informed them of the spirit of defiance which was present at Toshi no Omoidoso.

And yet...it was not possible to extend an invitation to some members of a Great Clan and not others. This is still the Empire, and the Governor has her position legitimately. Her position carries enormous influence. An Ambassadorial staff cannot be seen to undermine her authority in so crass a way. Thus the meeting at the Crane Embassy as a chance for the righteous position we share to be expressed, and thus this visit, this..gesture of solidarity and recognition on our part that your clan, in spite of some local confusion, has bright souls that can lead it still."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

No sooner had the other Lioness entered than now. She bowed to both, pallid and expressionless, more ghastly then ever, and yet still somehow composed, probably due to inculcated habit.

"Mina-san, konbanwa." She said with quiet dryness.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:54 am

"Matsu-sama"

Mogami bows low to the woman.

"Doji-sama here was just describing why we were locked out of expressing our views at the court the Crane held today."

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi rose fluidly to his feet to bow deeply to the Magistrate. Ghastly as she may look, her presence was a relief.

"Konbanwa, Matsu-sama. Yes, it was largely out of deference to the views of the Governor, which are, I am told, not entirely the same as those we all expressed some days ago at Toshi no Omoidasu."

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

"I'd like to make it simple and clear, Doji-san. Is it suggested that the Lion have themselves to blame for the discourtesy?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi raised an eyebrow.

"I am suggesting that it is no discourtesy to decline to invite samurai to speak counter to their lord's expressed views."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:29 am

Mogami grimaced a little, but kept her On in place.

She looks cautiously between the Magistrate and the Surgeon.

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

"I don't need the Crane to look after my honour, Doji-san." Kōgyoku said firmly. "And I expect many a Lion holding a very similar view of the situation. If your superiors don't reconsider, I'll be recommending a proportional response."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:43 am

The grimace deepened and her On began to show cracks.

"It is my understanding that any Lion is not permitted in the Crane embassy at all in any circumstance. I know you just arrived here as well, Doji-sama, but perhaps you have heard of the position and why?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

"I will deliver the message, Matsu-sama."

Koushi bowed serenely, and held the bow for a moment to give physical form to his sincerity.

To Mogami, he said: "I am unaware of the reason. Our clans have traditionally been unfriendly, though, Matsu-san. If we continue to transition into détente, these sorts of issues will arise. 700 years are difficult to set aside in a breath, and not everyone is as willing as I to overlook old grievances."

Turning back to Kogokyu, he said "I came here in the spirit of our war against the usurper. Are you interested in information, or would you prefer this meeting were ended now?"

Matsu Kōgyoku · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 368

"I know you're a man of honour, Doji-san. As long as we speak as two honourable samurai and less so as representatives of those of our respective Clans whose honour dictates prioritising old grudges over defeating the usurpation, I don't see a reason for us to adjourn this meeting prematurely." Kōgyoku gestured for all of them to get seated.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:33 am

Mogami's tension fades a little and she bows to Kōgyoku, taking a seat after the other two do.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi sat as bidden, his outward calm covering the ebbing of the last dregs of his annoyance at the bungled start of the capper of what had become a very trying day.

[Wow, prepositional phrases and possessives can take you some distance, can't they?]

He took a beat to collect his thoughts, and then began.

"As I mentioned to Matsu-san a moment ago, the political atmosphere in Nikesake is somewhat different to that of Toshi no Omoidoso, and this has had an effect on the tenor of debate. The arguments for the correct side in the debate seemed to carry less weight or urgency than they did when we gathered before Shimizu-sama. Some who before argued strongly for the defense of the Empire instead chose to prevaricate or quibble with those making the case for war against the traitor. Others advocated rather extreme measures, perhaps as over-compensation."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:56 pm

“Perhaps it is a coping mechanism for those with dishonorable hearts? They have allowed fear to set in, seeing the refugees, fighting the senselessly violent enemy, and forced to abandon their homes they believe that submission would somehow ease their pains and rationalize that life under the Steel Chrysanthemum would be better than doing their Duty and upholding the Empress and the Crown Prince?”

[D7, EE] Gestures of Solidarity

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