Day 12 [Late Morning] In Session (Open)

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

Ryuji caressed his beard but only to give the impression he was in thought about Mei’s question.

“Tell me Miya-san, such a question eludes to you either wanting to have a part to play in achieving my goal or thwarting my goal. A question like that means you want something and somehow you think I can provide it.”

He approached her and met her eyes.

“My goal is to serve. What is it that you want served to you?”

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 12:14 pm

Mei looks Ryuji straight in the eyes. Something about him made her feel like being honest.

“Truth, Otomo-sama? I want mankind to rise to a place of strength and unity where we are under the heel of no one. None of the three options for the throne match that desire, though Hantei Tokiyo does the best, were it not for the crown prince. Otherwise all three are descendants of gods, and therefore ensuring mankind is unable to rise to their proper place.”

She stares at the man, her hand hovering on her katana hilt in a ready, waiting nervousness.

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

Ryuji allowed the silence to linger just enough to cause a bit more trepidation. His On was in tact as their eyes locked. After the moment of uncomfortable silence Ryuji spoke with a more gentle tone.

“So, we agree. The Empire needs our guidance and not guided by some divine right?”

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 12:56 pm

Mei relaxes a bit, her hand going more to her side than to her hilt.

“Yes, that would be the best way to state it, though I have found most who hear it said that way have....issues.”

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"Shall we have some tea and discuss?" he asked to further ease her.

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 1:14 pm

Mei nods

“That would be quiet lovely I think. There should be a chamber somewhere around that we could use”

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"Please come." Ryuji led her to one of the chambers and found a servant to bring them some silver tea. He took a seat across from her and produced two almond cookies from his sleeve.

"I was saving these for a snack later. Would you like one?" he offered.

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 1:38 pm

“Oh, no thank you. If I have sweets too early my stomach gets unhappy with me. Makes for a rather unpleasant day.”

“So, how do you propose we go forward, Otomo-dams?”

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific Miya-san. We could go on getting to know one another. We could go on making arrangements to insure the heir is in place and solidify the Imperial Families."

He leaned a bit forward but not to where he was invading her space, tight as it was already.

"Curious as to what you mean."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 4:49 pm

“Both, I suppose. I am single, after all,”

Mei gives Ryuji a sly smile and then a small chuckle.

“No, I mostly mean about the heir. Ensuring Hantei Tokiyo remains on the throne so we have an impressionable and malleable puppet.”

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

The servant brought the tea as was requested. Ryuji prepared setting the cups and poured Mei's cup first.

"Malleable puppet...cute." he quipped. "I like to look at it as rightly guiding and advising Hantei-hekka. To do this, is going to require some guarantees from the Crane and some assurances from the Scorpion. Getting them to play together will be an issue."

Ryuji poured his cup and gave Mei a desiring smile.

"I too am single as well."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 5:43 pm

Mei's eyes linger on Ryuji for a moment longer than may be appropriate before lbiting her lip and looking away.

"That is certainly the more practical way to say it. Getting the Left and Underhands to play nicely may be difficult, both also have aspirations to power. For what I know, Doji Suiminko is in support of the Empress, but the Crane are not unified. Just yesterday I heard one of there delegates here supporting the Steel Chrysanthemum"

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Temptation Resist: 31

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

Ryuji raised an eyebrow.

"Are they now?... Well, this presents a golden opportunity to exploit."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 5:51 pm

Mei nods.

"I only had yesterday to observe, but the Crane certainly did not present a unified front. The Scorpion...I am not sure. I haven't seen any yet since arriving. There were a few others who had split allegiances, but none as important in my opinion as the Crane. Our own Seppun-sama though proves to be a bit of a headache however. Hot tempered and vocal in support of Kato."

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"I am aware." Ryuji replied caressing his teacup, and still meeting Mei's eyes.

"It is good to see that there are those of us who have a more rational temperament and are able to see the great opportunities that lie before us."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 6:03 pm

"I will be trying to establish some connections with the locals and keep an ear in the courts, but I do not know if I will be able to find any agents here. I believe I will start with the Kasuga. I've heard there are a pair here who are capable. So, what do you propose we do? I personally think either silencing, or changing the opinion of the dissenting opinion of who should sit on the throne."

Mei returns her eyes to Ryuji, all businesslike now.

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"I'm sure we can reach out to the Kasuga. Lobbying to change ideals is a start. I don't think silencing will work. The more you deny someone the opportunity to speak or act the more they resist. We don't want resistance, we want control. Control is an illusion. If people know they are being controlled, they will resist. Let them have their ideas, they can be manipulated."

Ryuji sat back and matched her demeanor.

"Does that make sense, Miya-san?"

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 6:15 pm

"I think I understand, but how do we get them to change their support without exercising control over them? Or, if they are already under control of another, such as Kato?"

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"You can't change everyone's mind. You just need to be able to change enough people's minds to create a majority. When there is a majority of those with a like opinion the minority is faced with accepting the new normal or conflicting with the new normal. If they are in conflict, then they are in the wrong."

Ryuji sipped his tea.

"One other thing to consider Miya-san, some people are given to their opinion for conflicting reasons. Taking a political stance based upon some emotional connection towards someone is utter stupidity at its finest. I remember having this very same discussion with two associates of mine. One a Lion, the other a Scorpion."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2020 6:37 pm

Mei nods at the logic.

"Hm. Then, perhaps we don't need to do anything yet. The Empress and the Crown Prince have the majority support for now.."

Day 12 [Late Morning] In Session (Open)

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