[Day Nine - Early Morning] The View from Within

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

"You'd best have a look for yourself," says Tameaki, shaking his head. "I can't claim to understand what's going on here... Spiritual disturbance, or some mass confusion, I'm just not sure."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako raised her brows and looked at the horse with wide eyes, perhaps just realizing the size of the steed. She had almost initially mistaken it for an ox. "That's also not mentioning the political situations, too."

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

"I was trying not to think of those, actually..."

Otaku Samara · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:57 am **Posts:** 32

"Ah, so that is not normal, then." There was no hint of sarcasm in the battle maiden's voice as she looked around past the Scorpion and Dragon to the questionable actions of the Lion speaking to themselves or to otherwise invisible beings.

"Politics, though! Blessed be, I am but a sister among the shiotome. Such concerns are beyond me. 'Ride here, form the charge, set lances!' Those are more the things of which I place my time. Still though, the Ide of my clan often return with many stories worth retelling from their politics."

"Would you have any to share of the politics hereabout?"

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

"'Troubled' is the word I would use," the courtier opines. "Strife 'twixt Crane and Lion, leading to dead samurai on both sides. Rumors of planned betrayals and raids. Even people championing the claim of the Steel Chrysanthemum... Yes, troubled would be the appropriate term."

Otaku Samara · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:57 am **Posts:** 32

"Ah, troubling." Samara furrowed her brow in the way that people who aren't fully tracking the conversation do in order to look engaged.

"Strife within is to be avoided, lord magistrate. That is what Lady Shinjo taught us, her children, may she ride among us again." The last part sounded almost religiously reverential.

"To disagree among each other is one thing, but the people must ride as one. Heavens willing, our peoples will do so and soon, neh?" There was a certain naivete about such thoughts and Samara made no attempt to cloak her belief in such things.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako couldn't help but smile at Samara and nod along, "Politics have been an entirely different creature I've been trying to grasp since my arrival. Prior to this, I spent my days merely guiding and teaching children at my sensei's behest. Things aren't quite as simple here, unfortunately."

She gave a nod at the Scorpion's exposition. It was far better than what she could have told them.

"Here I was hoping we would ride as one," she nodded gravely with a hand on her chin. "I suppose the divide was also true prior to the enemy showing up at the gates. I fear it might take another close war front to bring us together once more."

Moto Akemi · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:29 am **Posts:** 258

While Akemi had bowed and greeted the two samurai on the wall, she had remained quiet to allow Samara to converse in the proper Rokugani way. She smiled, watching the scene, feeling proud of how far the woman had come.

She always was one of the best students.

Akemi decided to finally dismount from the horse, a small 'oof' coming from her as she landed, the small girl being a long way from the ground on top of the horse. She then moved forward to approach, her blue umbrella open quickly.

"Otaku-san speaks the truth, we should not be fighting while the enemy approaches. It concerns me that my former kin are among the fighting. This....Steel Chryanthemum, I hear more whispers than anything about him. People are speaking for and against him?"

The girl was clearly not Unicorn in origin. She was much smaller than Samara, with long white hair and bright blue eyes. Even her armour was pristine, and she had a spell scroll rather than weapons at her side.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"To really muddy the waters..." she said while glancing at their surroundings. The days of rain have really done a number on the land and created some truly muddy terrain. "...People have been speaking both in support and opposing him. I wish I knew of the legitimate reasons for the former but I have to admit that politics are entirely out of my expertise."

She looked to the Scorpion, as he likely knew more if we was politically savvy.

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

"Any conclusions I can draw from their arguments are best left unsaid," the magistrate replies, shaking his head. "I don't think I could put a description of their reasoning - or what passes for it - without being unduly inflammatory."

Otaku Samara · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:57 am **Posts:** 32

"Perhaps they just changed their mind? Such a thing is not unheard of, is it not?" Samara asked, looking over to her fellow Unicorn and Guide to All Things Rokugani, Akemi.

"Some people are like mountains, others are like the dunes and shift with the lightest breeze."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Hai...people are allowed to change their minds," she nodded in acceptance in that. Each samurai had their own purpose and reasons. "But I suppose at such a time, especially with an impending conflict, mountains would hold better ranks."

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

What the Jigoku is a 'dune'?

"There's more at work here, I'd say," he indeed does say. "My newly-appointed spiritual advisor has indicated that the Realm of Slaughter grows close in this place, and perhaps throughout the Empire as the Steel Chrysanthemum spreads his influence. The possible effects on mortals are being examined as we speak...but something tells me that the troubles of the Lion are of a spiritual nature."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She didn't like the sound of that and held back a shudder. "I knew that he came from that realm...but I didn't know he had some sway on how the realm of slaughter might find more of a home here than before."

Otaku Samara · **Joined:** Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:57 am **Posts:** 32

"The Realm of Slaughter?"

Another quick look to Akemi.

"The name is quite intimidating, but I must admit I do not know much of what it is you all speak."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Perhaps best explained by a shugenja...but I know the Realm of Slaughter is a place where souls who know nothing be hatred and violence go to. Apparently spirits there find themselves in endless combat, never dying, but managed to hone their martial skills in the process..."

Moto Akemi · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:29 am **Posts:** 258

Mirumoto-sama has the right of it" Akemi confirmed with a nod "Toshigoku is a very mean place, where those who have the worst kharma go so that they never return to the wheel. At least, that's what my sensei told me."

Akemi paused, thoughtfully, before she continued.

"The Tao teaches us that Wisdom can be found in many places, but you must always begin at home. One should always look inside for the right answer to their own question. It does not mean we cannot learn the reasons that they have found this wisdom of course."

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

"Well, in this city at this time, 'wisdom' is synonymous with 'caution'," opines the Soshi. "Even people not afflicted with...whatever this is are proving to be volatile, and violence waits just beneath the surface. We're attacked from within and about to be attacked from without, and anyone could hold sympathies for the enemy...and I wouldn't put it past that enemy to use infiltrators and other such underhanded tactics, as well."

Tameaki pauses for a moment, looking back out over the city and completely ignoring the irony of a Scorpion complaining about underhanded tactics.

"I don't like it," he says again.

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Wasako smiled at Akemi with a few appreciative nods, "Well said, Moto-san, and something I'll take into consideration for the days ahead. I suppose it would actually help to talk to some of these people at least."

She nodded at Tameaki. "The enemy has no obvious emissary or diplomat in attendance, yet people are able to be swayed to their support. It is likely through other means, as you've said Soshi-sama."

Moto Akemi · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:29 am **Posts:** 258

"When tensions are high, violence is often soon after. It is important to look beyond the violence into the heart of the matter though. Courtesy is a virtue, ne?"

Akemi smiled, then looked back at the ashigaru.

"Is it ok if we enter the city? We would not wish those we have brought with us to become ill before the battle start, ne?"

[Day Nine - Early Morning] The View from Within

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