[Day 7, Late Afternoon] Insulted Pride

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:33 am

"It would be just like the Crane, holding a court inside their embassy so we can't attend. Just because we likely all support the Empress, doesn't mean we shouldn't have a voice. Heck, everyone who was in the marching party here supports the Empress! But no, because of stupid clan rivalries, we get locked out."

Mogami grunts in frustration.

Kitsu Shukei · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:01 pm **Posts:** 115

There is a soft laugh at the entrance that caught the attention of Matsu Mogami. The laugh came from the Kitsu that stood there looking at the woman as she complained about the situation.

"Could they really think that we aren't in favor of the Empress? Or could it be that they want to gain greater favor from the Empress in this manor? I wonder." The shugenja, who was terrible at court issues, simple shrugged his shoulders near his ears and wondered into the room. "It's great to see you Matsu Mogami-sama."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 11:28 am

Mogami spins on her heels quickly at the speech and then relaxes and gives a bow.

“Ah, good afternoon, Kitsu-san. I have no idea what they are trying to do, but it’s certainly frustrating. How was the March for you?”

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

"Maybe the example we set of what happens when you negotiate with enemies of the Empire has already been forgotten by the Crane." Chinatsu grumbled ominously. "My support is for a living Hantei, not some murderous ghost, and the Crane would do well to remember the example of the disgrace the Phoenix suffered."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

Tani entered the room as well, rolling her eyes at the whole situation. "I thought the Crane were supposed to be subtle about their slights." Crossing her arms, she found a place to be otherwise out of the way.

Matsu Erina · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:52 pm **Posts:** 368

Matsu Tani wrote:

Tani entered the room as well, rolling her eyes at the whole situation. "I thought the Crane were supposed to be subtle about their slights." Crossing her arms, she found a place to be otherwise out of the way.

"And calculated in their insults." Erina shakes her head a little. "But I have a feeling that it will backfire on them. I remember the sheer volume of people supporting the Empress that were outside Lion. Now, those same people have seen firsthand that the Steel Chrysanthemum is about."

"In the meanwhile...I haven't forgotten about how they used our fighting to increase the price of supplies. If this fight goes through planting season, we may face food shortages again. Perhaps Chinatsu-san is right, they have forgotten their history."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 3:57 pm

"Indeed, though to remind them would be quite costly and ill advised at this moment. The threat the Steel Chrysanthemum poses is too great to divide our forces, and the Empress will need all of the Lion to be ready and able to defend her once the murderer has been put down"

Matsu Erina · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:52 pm **Posts:** 368

Erina lets out a slow breath. "I know. But our memories are long, and it seems we have better offers in friends. I keep hearing about a Dragon-Lion alliance?"

Matsu Chinatsu · **Joined:** Wed Apr 08, 2020 3:05 am **Posts:** 131

"As Erina-san says, we will remember the slight. Even if for now that is all we can do." She glanced at Erina then.

"It would certainly be nice, but it is difficult to pull off, and I have tried. The Dragon are finicky, and slow to move on such matters as political or military aliances, but I have at least a few inroads if we wish to try again."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 11:58 pm

"As do I. One is even willing to give me a tattoo. Though, I don't know if that means they would listen to political favors. I am no courtier, though I have had training as commanders might for the court."

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

Kōgyoku joined the other Lion with adequate bows and greetings.

"We shall think of both honourable and proportional reprisals."

Kitsu Shukei · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:01 pm **Posts:** 115

"In such hard times the full Empire should stand together. The idea of a specific alliance with one clan or another does not seem to be appropriate. It would be more productive if we used our means to learn of our enemies, those that favor the SC, instead of spending time looking for allies." Thought the Kitsu out loud.

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:36 pm

"And yet, here we are. Divided."

Homura moved forward, slow measured steps, as she looked over the Lions gathered.

"A divide not by our own doing, but by those who would continue to milk our resources and benefit from our defenses while so openly insulting our honour. Do we let such a slight stand?"

She stopped, a serious look on her face.

"We have two options Mina-sama. The first is to make it painfully obvious that the divide in the clans is entirely obviously Crane. We present gifts. We meet with and openly converse with the clucking hens. We ensure that they are well protected, so the Empire can see that while the Crane puts the Crane first, the Lion puts Rokugan first."

A pause.

"Or, we honour their request. After all, they do not wish our hospitality, so we grant their request, and march them out of our city, with the promise to rebuild the Crane embassy outside the walls of Nikesake as they clearly wish. Once the Empire is safe, and spring is here. We escort them to the nearest border, and allow them to go on their merry way. After all, if they do not want us, why would they wish to remain here? And if the idea of leaving Nikesake and the Lions protection is something they would rather not do, I'm sure we can renegotiate this entire incident, because they clearly do want our hospitality if they don't wish to leave, ne?"

Homura smirked.

"Personally, I prefer option two. It's a much stronger statement. However, I leave the floor open for discussion."

Matsu Erina · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:52 pm **Posts:** 368

"I would love option two." Erina begins to shake her head though. "But as sad as I am to say it, we need everyone we can at this time."

"If we want to make a statement...well, I would say beat them at their own game. Now, mind you, this idea falls under "so stupid it might work" so take it for what you do:"

"The Crane court didn't happen. It just didn't. We call the first court in an emergency session tomorrow to hear from all visiting Clans."

Erina takes on a face of someone surprised.

""Oh, the Crane invited people to have a chat at their embassy? My my, they must have an abundance of time. We were seeing to our guests being properly taken care of. It's a good thing we didn't miss anything held by anyone important" Erina returns with a wicked grin. "After all, what does a Lion care of the opinion of sheep? Now come honored guests, speak your minds to the people who matter"

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 2:52 pm

Mogami listens and thinks about the solution presented. Her eyes smile at Homura, though the rest of her face is stern in contemplation, and after a few moments Mogami speaks up.

"I believe Ikoma-san has a good point. Erina-san, you do as well, though they may consider that an even graver insult. To ignore them and pretend their work doesn't exist is surely a way to get them to throw Kakita after Kakita at us. Once the situation has been resolved with the Steel Chrysanthemum, exiling the Crane to outside the city walls would be quite the strategic maneuver."

Kitsu Shukei · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:01 pm **Posts:** 115

The Kitsu smiled and started to nod as Erina explained her version, it had a middle field kind of view, where the Lion wasn't the simple soldier that just protected the Empire, and it wasn't the mad lion throwing out their claws at the insult, probably prepared to answer with a quick draw.

"Erina-sama has a great idea. I don't know what they may be talking about or trying to solve in the Crane embassy meeting, but we could shut down all their decisions concluding that no actions will be taken without the full consensus and dialogue among the clans. And instead hold a formal meeting with the representatives of each one. This won't bother others who already go to the meeting of the Crane, and will mark who is boss in all of this."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:01 pm

"Or" Homura looked to Erina "it would appear to be petty. As if we are saying 'look, the Lion need everyone to pay attention to us again so they've opened up a different court'. There are enough people of importance that would have been invited to the Crane embassy. After all, there are those who went to Winter Court who are not Lion, such as the Imperial Advisor. Or even important Imperials like Seppun Horonigai-sama."

Homura looked to the others.

"To attempt to pretend such a thing didn't happen is unlikely to phase the Crane at all, as many agreements that we are entirely unaware of may have happened today between the other clans and even the Imperial families."

Homura sighed.

"I understand your intent, mina-sama, but a choice needs to be made. We can either ignore the clear insult on the honour of the Lion clan, or make a mark. I leave that decision to those who have the authority to make such a decision, I merely offer my opinion and my blade as guidance."

Ikoma Torii · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 12:33 am **Posts:** 58

"Hello, Lions!" Torii walks. "I was told there was a meeting of honorable samurai here."

Ikoma Homura · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:46 pm

"Ikoma-sama" Homura bowed "good afternoon. Allow me to update you on what we have been discussing..."

She took time to explain the situation with the Crane and her suggested rebuttal on the sleight of their honour.

Ikoma Torii · **Joined:** Wed Apr 15, 2020 12:33 am **Posts:** 58

The governor listens and nods her head.

"I like that you are all full of passion! We made need that in the coming days!"

She looks over everyone. "I do not wish to dim the fires within you, but... you just got to this city. The Crane have had their embassy off-limits for no small out of time, and they do this sort of thing regularly."

She shrugs. "If a child says they aren't speaking to their parent, there is no need to attack the child. They close themselves off from their betters to their own detriment."

[Day 7, Late Afternoon] Insulted Pride

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