[Day Nine - Late Afternoon] Food for Thought

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

"Are they?" she quipped curiously. The number of Lions she acquainted herself with could be counted on one hand and she didn't recall any of them being Matsu.

She shook her head. "I don't think anyone is actually running headlong into battle at the moment, especially when the Steel Chrysanthemum's forces are roaming in the country side. It's not like we need to be divided any further than we already are. Also, there's also a fine line between wariness and hesitation, is there not?"

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya was pretty amused at the Master of Dragon Fence Sitting considering the difference between Wariness and Hesitation.

"Just like there is a fine line between napping and meditating, Wasako-san?" she retorted, wondering if the Dragon was actually prone to napping in the sun.

"Just because two things may look similar from the outside, I don't think it's fair to assume that means they are actually they same."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

Kitamaru betrayed no confusion, but felt these two might be making the same point yet somehow have come to disagree...

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

"It would ultimately depend on the nap," she answered her with a straight face as she crossed her arms. "Ultimately, the soul and the body might be only to rest with a nap. However, one must be aware the naps aren't able to achieve the same thing if the end result may look the same too. Naps have a tenancy to transport you to the realm of dreams where you risk surrendering all agency. What started as a intent to rest may end up to be a long journey."

"I suppose the same could be said about meditation but you are travelling to the realm of the self and where agency might be found from within. I didn't say they weren't different, just wanted to get your opinions on the two. I'm sure most of us would like to do something, just merely lack the best answers how and must proceed as carefully as possible."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

It was a long and winding journey, so long one may have wished to take a nap during it...but the Dragon did eventually come to the right conclusion.

She nodded and looked at her fellow Scorpion who had been quiet for too long. Perhaps he was napping.

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"For matters of action, do not ask a Dragon", the Shosuro contended. "If you would like direction, seek the account of overhearing ears."

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

Wasako tilted her head and placed her hands on her hips, feeling like she was the butt of a joke...or did that happen already?

"Overhearing ears such as yourself, Shosuro-san? And what are you doing?"

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"Peasants hear a great deal more than samurai at a shrine", he answered. "Scorpion or Dragon."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Awesome, stuck between a waffling Dragon and a cryptic Scorpion. We just need an air-headed Crane, a nerdy Phoenix, an angry Lion, and a coarse Crab for the whole set.

Aya shrugged.

"The lower you are in life, the better it is to listen and the better it is not to speak. Given the sheer volume of words spoken in court these days, we are being visited by the most important people I've never heard of." she offered.

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"True."

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

Wasako narrowed her eyes in thought at what Kitamaru said, wondering if there was something she had been missing under her nose this entire time. There were a good share of answers found in the city, it just took much to parse it through the noise and sensations that muddled it. "...Do you mean that perhaps this Moto Baatar might have the answers then?"

"Hai...I recall there was a Yogo who spoke volumes at court regarding supporting the regent. However, that probably didn't outweigh the talk about a third candidate and here I was trying to come to terms that there were two, to begin with!" She shook her head.

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya smiled a bit.

"I rather like Moto Bataar's approach to politics. A charge that cuts right to the heart of the matters. Unfortunately, I've never had a chance to meet the man. Then again, I hear that Unicorn are a very strange people." she muses.

The mention of a Yogo speaking volumes at court momentarily confused Aya. She thought for a moment the Dragon was making a dig at her own performances in the court before realizing she was talking about Sukima.

"Ah, Seppun Kato yes?" she offers, with a shake of the head. "It's good to know that when disaster strikes he takes action.....eventually. Then again, at least he did act. I'm rather surprised the Emerald Champion has yet to say anything about what is either the most high profile murder in the history of the Empire, or a tricky matter of succession upon the throne."

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

"Initially, he was the only Unicorn present for the proceedings but I suppose in time there have been others who have joined him. Strange but very caple it seems. Even without the aid of his kin, it seems he held himself well enough...Maybe most Unicorn are trained in diplomacy? When venturing to unknown lands, it would make sense that Unicorns would be responsible for representing themselves."

"Is the Emerald Champion partially responsible for the safety of the Son of Heaven?" she asked out genuine curiously. "I could only imagine that the Champion has other things on their mind than to be involved in politics if that were the case. If Seppun Kato were to fail in his bid...would that be considered a betrayal to the Throne?"

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya tapped her chin.

"Hmm, actually that raises an excellent point Wasako-san." she muses. "The Emerald Champion is both the chief enforcer of the Empire's laws, but he is also the Emperor's personal yojimbo. As the chief enforcer of the Empire's laws, it would fall to him to either see that the murder is punished, or to rule that the Steel Chrysanthemum is the rightful ruler.....but well, he's a yojimbo whose charge has died."

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

"There's no doubt it's a great position of power almost second to the Emperor and his siblings...Too great to keep quiet in all of this. I guess I wonder, is there still an Emerald Champion?" She said, meaning the Emerald Champion was a yojimbo who failed to protect his charge and easily the most important charge in the Emerald Empire. There was no telling if they thought they were still worth of their post...or to live, for that matter.

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya shrugged a bit.

"I suppose it would depend whether they thought their first Duty was to serve the Emperor or the Empire. Even if it's the Empire, I'd still expect them to commit seppeku, but in that case, not until the current crisis is resolved." she offered.

She tapped her chin.

"But they're a Crane, so they might've decided honor first. If that's the case, their duties would fall to the Ruby Champion, I think? I'm not even sure who that is."

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

"I suppose those who are closer to the Capital may have a better idea of what was going on? Weren't there Miya messengers here earlier? I unfortunately know little about the lines of succession when it comes to Imperial posts and responsibilities." If someone told her that the magistrate of taxation was next in line, she would likely believe it at this point.

"Let's hope military orders were given before this got too complicated."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"If anything about recent events has been clear, it is that Crane slit their bellies when needed most", Kitamaru said. "We shall see how it turns as time drags on."

Yogo Aya · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:42 am **Posts:** 719

Aya was slightly amused at the Shosuro's rather blunt and irrerevant summation at the shrine.

"As much fun as it is to mock the Crane's insatiatiable curiousity of what their insides look like, Kitsan, I think it's worth remembering that the swords of the Crane can also be used to cut other people, not just themselves. Every sword turned against the hoard of glowing red angry kill-crazy returned spirits bearing down upon us is a welcome one, regardless of the color of kimono of it's bearer."

She shrugged a bit.

"Then again, if there's one constant in the Empire, is that the samurai of the Empire are always willing to turn upon each other and tend to their own interests rather than stand united."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"Like as not, the disturbance at the Crane embassy is a strain on such things, regardless of how the Lion and Crane wrapped it prettily in their insides."

He scoffed, even though duty would require him to act similarly, he scoffed. Even though he would do it without hesitation, he scoffed.

A cruel joke this world.

[Day Nine - Late Afternoon] Food for Thought

Who is online