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

Poemu wore her usual pink kimono that morning, but she wore a white under kimono. It would have been presumptuous to outwardly morn a woman she hadn't known, and far too brazen to her host's, but she still wished to show her condolences in a small way.

She let the servant know her position and her wish to speak with whomever represented the Crane here at the moment. She was lead to a table to sit and await a response, setting her gift beside her gently.

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

After a few moments, Poemu is escorted into a well-adorned meeting room to speak with the Imperial Advisor. The short Crane bows to her guest as Poemu enters. "Agasha-san, welcome to the Crane embassy. How may we be of service this morning?"

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

Poemu let very slight surprise take her for a moment, though she was in the house of the Crane in Nikesake, so she didn't let it touch her On. She had supposed there would be a minor functionary in charge for the moment, but... no, the woman was clearly Doji Suiminko, the Imperial Advisor. Poemu gave a kowtow bow before standing once more.

"Doji-dono, arigato for seeing me. I had hoped to visit before now, but the past days have been hectic. As the senior Dragon in Nikesake at the moment, it falls to me to be the liason between my clan and yours. May I sit?" She had more questions, but Poemu could wait.

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"Of course." She motions Poemu to a nearby table and seats herself on a powder-blue cushion. "How troubling that we should meet under such circumstances. Would you care for something to drink? Tea, perhaps some water?"

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

Poemu gave a polite smile after sitting seiza at the table, hands folded into her lap. It wasn't a gift, but all the same, she didn't want to impose. "Your offer honors me Doji-dono, but I could not impose."

Reaching to her side, Poemu took the small box she'd brought in and, with a bow, pushed it across the table. "A gift Doji-dono, for your clan's hospitality, and for the purpose of my visit to extend condolences."

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"Condolences are enough," she says, shaking her head. "Knowing that the Crane in some way touched the lives of other samurai, even the distant Dragon, is more than any material item could match."

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

"I am touched by your thoughts Doji-dono, which are truly more. All the same, this meager gift can be but a part of my gratitude for being so touched." She remained bowed at her seat.

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"In this time, it is best to remember the fallen, Agasha-san. A gift given in their memory would serve better at a shrine, where it might bring peace to their wayward spirits." Her smile is a bit bittersweet as she pushes the box back toward Poemu.

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

"It would be presumptuous of me to leave a gift for the spirit of a woman I hardly knew. Please, if Doji-dono would accept this gift, that one whom knew Kakita-sama better may offer it in my clan's stead."

Push push.

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"I shall see that it is done." Suiminko inclines her head and politely opens the box.

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

(( Origami roll of 42 ))

Inside the box was filled with origami crane folded from powder blue paper, resting together in a pile. It had taken a lot of work and patience, but the end result of Sara's lesson had turned out well, Poemu thought.

"Arigato, Doji-dono. May the gift given by Crane hands help her along the wheel."

The ceremony over, Poemu paused before asking the question that wiggled in her brain. "Is Doji-dono the acting representative of the Crane in Nikesake at the moment then, alongside her duties as Imperial Advisor?"

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"It is beautiful," she says, looking up from the box. She admires it for a moment, then carefully closes the box and places it to the side.

"For the time being, yes. The embassy needed guidance, and my status prevents the Lion from enacting any more of their 'diplomatic suggestions.'"

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

The matter was between the Crane and Lion, but Poemu was still left curious. "That makes sense. I take it the matter has something to do with the Governor's absence from court today Doji-dono?"

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"This is the first I have heard of it," she admits. "Did the Lion not give a reason for her absence?"

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

Poemu looked a touched surprised before looking thoughtful. "Ano... I suppose you were not at the court, were you? In fact, I have not seen you at any, when I think about it. If the Governor had a reason for not being present in court, or even for not being seen, the Lion have not told me at the least. All I know is that the Lion said she is in her rooms and cannot be seen today, Doji-dono."

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"Peculiar." She considers it for a moment, then moves forward. "I have decided not to attend the Lion gatherings in the city, partially out of respect for my fallen kinswoman, who they murdered rather than allow to speak with the governor, and partially because I have little to say that will not worsen diplomacy."

She sighs and glances away. "Unfortunately, I fear that it will not be a peaceful summer. You have seen the way the Lion are grasping at power, have you not? Their alliance with the Scorpion already makes them one of the most powerful Clans in the Empire, and with a Matsu on the throne and their samurai filling the ranks of the Imperial Legions... well, it seems that they are intent upon seizing the reins of power, does it not?"

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

The Agasha nodded softly. "I wrote to the court yesterday to let them know that I would not attend in protest. I went today however, when it became clear that a majority of the Crane present in Nikesake had still attended, and still would. It is an honor to know Doji-dono at least in part had the same motivation in thought to the late ambassador."

The later statement would require a bit more thoughtful words. "... I admit that I have always believed that the clan of Akodo has taken their role as the right hand quite strongly indeed. In times of strife, one can grow numb to the violence, and one's blade can seem to be in constant use. At such times, the right hand can be lost in its actions, believing it's instinctual motions to be the whole reason for the body's survival."

Poemu paused a moment, thoughtful again. "I don't believe that I would have been sent to Morikage Toshi to represent my clan if they did not believe that hand could be calmed, soothed. Even in the midst of this haphazard battle we find ourselves in, I still believe that to be so. That said, even with my training teaching me to see the best in others, I am still a Dragon. I still question. Doji-dono is an adviser to the Emperor, when one is once again firmly in place that is. What do you believe to be the path away from the right hand's becoming too wild?"

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"Your compassion does the late ambassador proud, Agasha-san." Suiminko smiles, though it quickly fades. "Unfortunately, the Lion understand only force. This," she makes a vague gesture behind herself, indicating the city, "is terrible, but it is merely a symptom of the problem, and a telling one at that. How many Crane have you seen among the ranks of Toshigoku, Agasha-San? How many Dragon? How many of the samurai that march against us wear the colors of Scorpion or Phoenix? Have you asked yourself why so many Lion haunt the Realm of Slaughter?"

She spares a glance for Poemu's gift. "The other Clans of the Empire understand that war is a necessity, but they regret the blood they shed. They mourn for the ashigaru who will not return to their families, for the cities burned and the stories ended. But the Lion revel in warfare. Their courtiers boast of the battle prowess of their Clan from one end of the Empire to the next." A look of disgust creeps across her face. "They carry the heads of their enemies in nets on their persons for good luck! We should not be surprised when their ancestors pike the heads of our fallen beyond out gates. It is the Lion way."

Suiminko takes a moment to collect herself. "The Lion need to be put back into their place, Agasha-san. Not butchered as they do to the Crane, but merely cut back down to size, like a healer lancing a boil. There is a sickness within their Clan, and the Crane will make this sacrifice in the name of the Empire. Alone, if necessary." She regards Poemu with a meaningful look. "Ideally, alongside allies who also see the sickness within them."

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

The subject had been duly approached by Poemu with caution. It appeared that her slight step had stirred up a hornet's nest of feelings all the same. Indeed, she had been a touch surprised by the Advisor's passion for the subject. Perhaps it was the recent death, perhaps the stress of the siege. Regardless of the reasons, there was still a core of purpose to Suiminko's words, thoughtfulness behind the passion.

All that said, her position left Poemu in a delicate place. She bowed her head in momentary acknowledgement. "... What sacrifice does Doji-dono speak of?"

Doji Suiminko · **Joined:** Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:56 am **Posts:** 120

"Is it not obvious?" Suiminko's brow furrows. "Any Clan that raises a sword to the Lion while a Lion sits on the throne is slitting its own neck. But if two Clans do so, if three, if four..." Her voice trails off. "There is a point where even a Lion Empress must bow to the will of the Empire. If that point comes early in her reign, then it may temper her for the years to come. If not... well, surely Agasha-san knows that it is easier to break young courtiers of their bad habits than those who are established and believe themselves to be behaving correctly."

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