A Flight Of Dragons (D1, LE. Dragon Only)

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:30 pm

It probably wasn't going to make everything better for the ones who had experienced the events at Morikage Toshi, but regardless of that fact, Tsukimi had some tea prepared for the others as they gathered together in one of the rooms in the castle.

Everything was still kind of chaotic with the sudden arrival of refugees. Maybe they'd be sharing sleeping quarters too because of it?

"It's a relief to know that our fellow Dragon managed to escape to safety here..." she murmured, tugging nervously at her cowl to keep some of her birthmark hidden away.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu made her way in first it seemed, punctual as a matter of good habit. She gave Tsukimi a faint smile, though one a bit more open than she would have given in court. After all, among the Dragon, such openness was hardly a fault. That exposed the tiredness she showed better than it otherwise would have however.

"Togashi-san, konbon-wa." She gave a light bow before moving over to the table where the tea had been set. "Ah, you read my mind. May this one partake? I fear I need it to sooth myself."

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Iko wasn't far behind Poema, by circumstance rather than design, and she scanned the room as she entered. Unfamiliar with Tsukimi, she scrutinised the younger woman briefly before nodding to herself and taking a seat in the position nearest the door, Jinsokuna laid reverently in her lap.

"Togashi-san, Agasha-sama." She greeted the pair cordially with appropriate bows, if a little coolly, still slightly on edge from recent events. "I received your invitation TOgashi-san, I am Togashi Iko. I look forward to a less eventful end to the Winter than we have experienced so far."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:18 pm

"Agasha-sama. I'm no teamaster, but it should be warming at the least," she offered calmly, tilting her head slightly to one side to put her better side more forward.

Both the Agasha and the other Togashi were given a bow. "I'm Togashi Tsukimi of the Ise Zumi Order. I spent the winter here, along with Togashi Myo-en-sama."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"Arigato Tsukimi-san. This one is Agasha Poemu, a senior diplomat to the Lion that spent the winter at Morikage Toshi alongside Iko-san." She sat and gratefully poured herself some tea without any pretense or concern.

She gave a smile over at Iko before looking to Tsukimi again after a sip. "You have invited the other Dragon present? As I understand it, there are two others still coming?"

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

The same Togashi Myo-en scratches at the sliding door to announce herself. A winter at a proper court--if not a major one--has not changed Myo-en's personal style to any notable degree; her sparse and simple clothing might be fresher and less mended than when she'd been on the road, in the mountains, or deep in the muggy Shinomen, but it's no more costly or fancily decorated.

Bright black eyes carefully observe each of the women in the room for a few fractions of a moment before Myo-en makes her bow, left hand over right fist.

The large, glossy-feathered crow perched on her shoulder takes flight with a soft bird-grumble as Myo-en bends forward, disturbing its comfortable balance. A few lazy wing flaps propel the crow to a new perch on a nearby lamp stand, from which vantage point it seems to study the Dragon women with a judgemental eye.

"Hello, Tsukimi-san." A small smile--surprised, perhaps--curves Myo-en's lips. "Iko-san! I did not know you were with the refugees. It is good to see you safe." She nods a few shades more deeply to Poemu, the only one here she hasn't met before--though an important enough personage that Myo-en had heard her name among the gossip about the escapees from Morikage Toshi.

Togashi Motaro · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:24 pm **Posts:** 12

There was another Dragon seated among them, though none could remember him entering the room or seating himself. One moment, he was simply... there, sitting with his legs crossed, listening to the conversation with a passive expression beneath his helmet.

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

After a Winter together, Poemu would likely recognize the serious look on Iko's face. It was the look of serious concentration that she wore when Poemu would meet with other clan representatives.

It was her business face.

Iko trusted the unfamiliar Dragon as much as any member of her Clan, but she was still on edge, as the restless, if rhythmic, tapping of her left foot indicated. The tea helped but she was in professional bodyguard mode right now.

A new arrival changed that outlook slightly though...

Togashi Myo-en wrote:

"Hello, Tsukimi-san." A small smile--surprised, perhaps--curves Myo-en's lips. "Iko-san! I did not know you were with the refugees. It is good to see you safe." She nods a few shades more deeply to Poemu, the only one here she hasn't met before--though an important enough personage that Myo-en had heard her name among the gossip about the escapees from Morikage Toshi.

She offered a smile to Myo-en. "I had thought that Motaro-dono would be keeping you close in preparation for your nuptials? Or have things changed recently?"

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Togashi Motaro wrote:

There was another Dragon seated among them, though none could remember him entering the room or seating himself. One moment, he was simply... there, sitting with his legs crossed, listening to the conversation with a passive expression beneath his helmet.

Iko's hand is to blade before she recognizes the presence, then the blood drains from her face as she realizes that she nearly drew steel upon her own Daimyo, and she presses her face to the floor.

"Togashi-dono…"

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

Togashi Iko wrote:

She offered a smile to Myo-en. "I had thought that Motaro-dono would be keeping you close in preparation for your nuptials? Or have things changed recently?"

"I--" a complex series of thoughts seem to cross Myo-en's face as she begins to prepare a response to this question. Then she, too, notices what--or rather, whom--Iko's just noticed, and bows deeply as well. "Lord Togashi!"

The crow on the lamp stand, by contrast, only ducks its head a little in grudging deference before regarding the Dragon Champion with a bright beady eye.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu started a bit before she was able to greet Myo-en. She had never had the opportunity to meet the Dragon clan Champion, but the Togashi seemed to recognize their lord, so the Agasha immediately kow-towed as well, forehead to the floor. She said nothing, knowing at least enough that Togashi-dono would say what he wished, when he wished.

Togashi Motaro · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:24 pm **Posts:** 12

Motaro sat quietly, not acknowledging any of them, for just long enough for it to start to become uncomfortable.

"Why are you bowing?" he finally asks, directed to no one in particular.

Togashi Myo-en · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:27 am **Posts:** 418

"Ah... Winter Court habits, Togashi-dono?" Myo-en drops smoothly down to sit on her heels before straightening her back, her coat of tattoos shifting as she rolls her shoulders to shake loose tension.

It's hard to be truly at ease around Motaro-dono, even though this is, by now, far from her first interaction with him. The crackle of power about him--hard to define or describe, but always there--rubs too obviously at the edges of her sharp senses.

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

The simplicity of the question confused her, and rather than answer, Iko just slowly straightened to her seated posture.

Still astounded by his presence, the first time she had seen the man, the myth, the legend, she sat quietly speechless for one of the very few times in her life.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 9:32 pm

Tsukimi had waffled between surprise and thought. She knew that their lord was not one to idly socialise, so she felt certain that he was here for a specific reason. But she did not know what it was. And not knowing made her uncertain.

A weakness, she acknowledged, that she needed to overcome.

"Lord Togashi..." she hesitated for a moment, before asking honestly, "did you come from Morikage Toshi too?"

Togashi Motaro · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:24 pm **Posts:** 12

Togashi Tsukimi wrote:

"Lord Togashi..." she hesitated for a moment, before asking honestly, "did you come from Morikage Toshi too?"

"Where one came from is not as important as where they are going." He turns his head, his gaze lingering on each of them - and the crow - for a long moment. "Like rivers flowing from the mountain, you have been brought here by forces you do not yet understand. The Emperor is no longer of this world, and an Emperor from another world now walks among you.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu straightened with her On intact. Even if she was quite used to the peculiar nature of the Togashi, as well as the frankness they worked with, she was still Miua trained.

"A former Emperor, yes... and a murderer of the worst sort." A pause. "Togashi-dono, we had met here to discuss what had happened and what was to come. I take it by your words that you would wish US to settle that matter, and you are merely here to... observe?"

Togashi Iko · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:00 am **Posts:** 408

Her courage briefly finding the forefront of her person, Iko dared a question, the most obvious question she could think of.

"And how should we respond to this new-old Emperor my Lord?"

Togashi Motaro · **Joined:** Mon Apr 06, 2020 8:24 pm **Posts:** 12

Agasha Poemu wrote:

"A former Emperor, yes... and a murderer of the worst sort." A pause. "Togashi-dono, we had met here to discuss what had happened and what was to come. I take it by your words that you would wish US to settle that matter, and you are merely here to... observe?"

"You speak words that came from the mouths of others, Agasha Poemu." He stands, looming over everyone in the room, and reaches out, placing the tip of his index finger against her forehead. "What is the truth?"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

It took a sharp, shallow intake of breath to hold still, but she managed. The question surprised her, even from a Togashi. What else should one expect from their champion however? Finally she spoke up with a moment's hesitation.

"I-If... if I knew the full truth of the matter... of ALL of the matter... I would count myself enlightened... which I do not. My words are my own, even if they are influenced by others. The only way to make one's words certain is to learn. Perhaps a question of my own in turn, Togashi-dono?" She didn't wait for an answer, knowing the answer. "Do you know how Tengoku sees this? The line of the Hantei have always been blessed by them, uninterrupted for as far as I know. Surely this is an interruption of the gravest sort, whether the... other Hantei is right or wrong."

A Flight Of Dragons (D1, LE. Dragon Only)

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