[D7, EE] Gestures of Solidarity

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

Koushi tilted his head.

"Perhaps, Matsu-san. Of course, I do not think Asako Kashiwagi is afraid, nor do I really believe that he wishes to submit to the Steel Chrysanthemum. He did help to temper some of the...premature ideas raised by the Moto, and he mentioned that he was opposed to the traitor. But there was some tension there. A loss of fire, if you will. Perhaps it is fatigue. Certainly many of the others who spoke showed signs of the same malaise."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:46 pm

“Many are unused to forced marches I imagine. Also, it is tiring having to convince people again and again. Perhaps that is part of the Steel Chrysanthemums plan, to wear us all down so we stop resisting.”

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

"A disturbing prospect." Koushi winced. "Imagine an Empire too apathetic to defend itself."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:26 pm

"Agreed, though I doubt that will come to pass. Too many understand the concept of Duty to simply abandon it."

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

Koushi sighed.

"I suppose so. Indeed, I am happy to know that it is so. In fact, I am authorized to convey our ambassador's eagerness to contribute our resources to the defense of the city, if such will not unduly disturb your plans."

He paused. "I do hesitate to sound like a representative again, but I was asked to convey this message."

Another pause.

"Please understand that the Crane clan has faith in the abilities of the Lion clan to defend this city, but Lord Doji committed us to battle, and we would be remiss if we failed to stand as he has done."

He bowed deeply to each of them, to ensure that they understood that the Crane was not arrogantly offering assistance, but rather asking permission to be allowed to stand shoulder to shoulder with an ally in a war.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:39 am

"I think in this matter, we are happy for the assistance, the enemy number is great. I have no authority here, as I am but a mere bushi in this land. Toshi no Omoidoso was a special occurrence. But I know for the part played in following my recommendations and for how your Daidoji cousin handled herself with a bow atop my section of the wall, I would be more than happy to stand with you."

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

Koushi nodded. "Thank you for your words, Matsu-san. One cannot help but appreciate the recognition of a fellow warrior."

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

Kōgyoku sighed.

"Then there's something you must know, Doji-san. Coming tomorrow, you are under lockdown. If the Lion are not let into your court, you are not let to roam the Lion city. There's likely to be a Scorpion diplomat who is going to relay the same message to your ambassador directly. Our conditions for lifting the lockdown is to let a Lion representative into your court proceedings, this being a solution that allows faces saved and honour nurtured, all of us moving on to our true duty of defending the Empire. Until this happens, even the best of you can't contribute to the defence of the city with any resources you want to defray unless they do so from outside the city walls, to where they'd be escorted under guard. Your superiors should have known better than to challenge Lion authority, even if in their minds it was well-intentioned."

She nodded to herself. "You've proven to me you have a way with words, Doji-san, to ease the minds away from escalating conflict. Perhaps you can talk whoever has decided to snub the Lion to change their attitude and do the right thing."

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

Koushi paused for a moment.

"I promised to convey your earlier threat, Matsu-sama, and at the time I was willing to overlook the style of your demand in favor of co-operation. The fact that your clan has chosen to act on that threat before I have had the opportunity to act rather ties my hands, Matsu-sama. I cannot see how I can honorably assist you when you are coercing my clan.

I will still convey your message, as I promised. But as I see it, if your pride demands that I cannot stand with you, then in the morning I will have to avail myself of the escort of your guards and stand on my own."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:57 am

Mogami drops her eyes to the floor and produces her courtiers fan, hiding the sad expression on her face. She stays silent as the Magistrate delivers the news, and closes her eyes at the surgeons response.

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

"I won't debate the point as I am not seeking offence. We could keep exchanging stern or indignant words and argue whose actions have led to this. The solution has little to do with my pride, however, and everything with the honour of the Lion and respect for our authority over this city and our sacred position as the Right Hand. If your Clan recognises what has happened today as unfortunate and begins a new one with respect for the Lion and a call for our envoy to attend, none of the restrictions shall happen."

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

Koushi rises and bows.

"I have heard you, Matsu-sama. Farewell."

/exit.

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

"Honour guide you, Doji-san." She bowed back.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:33 am

Mogami bows and continues to look at the floor, waiting either to be spoken to or for her better to depart.

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

"If you have words to offer, Matsu-san, please do so. Like I said before, the coming time is going to be difficult. I also pity the fact that circumstances not of our choosing have put us and Doji-san apart. But him and us are samurai serving our lords to the best of our honour." Kōgyoku said quietly.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:09 pm

"I am just thinking about all that has transpired. Nikesake is a Lion city, but each embassy inside it is that clans own ground. Inside their embassies walls, they have complete authority. It seems that the Governess has politely ignored the Crane insult for a long time before we all arrived."

"But then earlier today, Ikoma-sama suddenly had many fresh Lion in her city who were hot off the heels of war. Sensing potential aggression, she attempts to appease us by answering the crane insult by placing them under lockdown, which is appropriate as outside the Embassy, Nikesake is completely uder Lion authority.

"Doji-sama having been present with us for the war against the Steel Chrysanthemum also did not know the situation in the city until now. So when we told him, it must have felt like a betrayal and a slight against him."

She thinks a bit.

"Time will tell how it all plays out. The tactician in me however is wondering if perhaps we rushed into things without seeing the whole picture, and that is always a grave mistake leading to either defeat, or a much more costly win than it needed to be."

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

"I am not a tactician, Matsu-san. What I know is that the honour of the Lion is non-negotiable. Everything that follows may be harder, less convenient a path, one that makes failure more likely, and yet still that too can be approached with honour. The Lion have persevered many times over insurmountable odds precisely because we haven't traded Bushido for daily practicality and counting costs. It is my strong belief that only firm commitment to who we are can carry us through this crisis."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:25 pm

"You are right there, Matsu-sama. I have some different views of Bushido than others, and I know this, but I firmly hold it in my heart too. I know I can never live up to it's values completely, but I give my all to it."

[D7, EE] Gestures of Solidarity

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