[D1 LA] Seeing What the Eyes Can See

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 12:54 am

It had been a few months since Mogami had been back home to Toshi no Omoidoso. She certainly did not think that she would have returned this early from the Winter Court at Morkage Toshi, and especially not under the circumstances of the last few days.

Now her city was filled with refugees and displaced courtiers. She needed to assess the situation as quickly as she could to make a decent enough report to her superiors of the strategic and tactical repercussions of the events, but to do so, she first needed to gather who all was new to Toshi no Omoidoso.

Her Budoka followed in toe, the fatigue from the previous days march somewhat eased from the earlier warm air of the Onsen and then the court, but they still showed some signs of being at their limit.

Mogami walked slowly for their sake, her eyes taking in the streets, looking for any new samurai who may catch her eye.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Picking his way up to the castle from the aid station near the gatehouse was a Crane bushi in armor, blood splattered across its front and left side. A heavy pack was slung over one shoulder, and a studiously neutral expression was on his face.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:13 am

"Matsu-Sama"

One of her Budoka spoke quietly and motioned toward the gatehouse.

Mogami averted her gaze from a group of peasants she did not recognize and her eyes fell to Koushi. Seeing the blood made her quicken her step, the Budoka falling in pace with her to keep her close. She stopped within a few arms lengths and bows, calling out.

"Grettings, samurai-san. Are you in need of assistance?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi glanced behind him for the person that the Matsu was addressing, but seeing no one there, turned and bowed smoothly enough.

"Oh, no, Matsu-san. None of this is mine." He waved his hand at the blood. "Except...if you could point me to a place where I could obtain lodging in the short term. That would be quite helpful." He bowed a second time.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:28 am

Mogami and her Budoka returned the bow, the peasants significantly lower.

"Matsu Mogami"

She stated, the urgency taken out of her voice.

"The Shiro should have accommodations for samurai such as yourself. May I ask if you were part of this morning influx of peoples?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi nods once. "Thank you, and hai, I was. Doji Koushi, designated physician to the Crane delegation of His Imperial Majesty's Winter Court."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:37 am

Mogami takes that in for a moment and nods.

"Ah, forgive me, Doji-sama."

She gives another bow, lower than before in recognition of her poor address to a superior. Her Budoka both look confused for a minute. Didn't they already bow? But, they follow suit and bow again as well.

" There are so many new here that it is hard to keep track. This is my home, but I was asked to do an archery performance at the Winter Court, so I have been juggling between helping the refugees I arrived with this morning and then returning to my duties to the city itself. I should have recognized your station. "

Mogami straightens and ponders for a moment.

"Do you know who all of the Crane are here now, and who may be in command?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi frowned slightly, allowing the faux-pas to pass unremarked-upon as he pondered the Lion's question.

"Sumimasen, but I am afraid that I was with the Lion delegation, and not the Crane, when the...when the difficulties began, and I found that I had to assist in our extraction from the palace in their company. I have no news of any surviving members of the Crane delegation, and I saw none just now as I worked in the aid station.

I have heard of at least two Crane bushi, one of the Daidoji family and one of the Kakita family, both of low status. that were assigned to this court. But as far as I am aware, I am all that has arrived of the delegation to Winter Court."

And as though the full weight of that admission had not occurred to the Crane before, he visibly shuddered.

"I suppose that, until someone more senior should arrive, I am in command."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:58 am

"The Daidoji are known for their prowess in both offense and defense, and the Kakita for their speed. If the heavens will it, they will be here. If not, they did their duty faithfully. Either way, you can rest soundly, Doji-sama."

Mogami allows herself to show empathy on her face despite her words.

"For the time, until we hear other then I shall make my report that you are the ranking member with possibly two others in tow. I am to meet the Governor tomorrow after morning prayers, so if news comes to you before then of any changes, could you let one of the Shiro's servants know to pass the message along to me?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi nodded solemnly. "I will be certain to do so. Understand that I place myself at the Governor's service. I have come far with the Lion today, and, with no orders to the contrary, I do not mean to abandon you now."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:03 am

"And for that, you have our utmost gratitude. Hopefully the coming days will offer you some respite, and know that as long as a Lion still stands, you shall be safe from harm here."

Mogami motions up the roads towards the castle.

"May I escort you to the Shiro?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi nods. "Yes, I would appreciate that very much. Thank you, Matsu-san."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:08 am

She nods again and turns to walk in the proper place for one of lower standing, with her budoka behind her still.

As she does, she notices the medicine bag, and with the previous sight of bloodied bandages, something clicks.

"Doji-sama, are you perhaps skilled in battlefield treatment?"

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi nods. "Hai, Matsu-sama. I am a surgeon on the medical staff at Kyuden Doji when I am not trudging through southern Phoenix and northern Lion lands."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:01 am

"That is quite the skill, Doji-sama. How long have you been in the art?"

The walk is long and it will take some time to make way through the streets, so Mogami is happy to pass the time as they walk with pleasant conversation.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

"Oh, I was trained as part of my time in the dojo, so about seven years of adult practice." He smiled. "It is rewarding work, but of course my studies looked a lot different from my contemporaries. More scholarly study than courtly practice, if you understand."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:13 am

Mogami thinks for a moment and then nods slowly in understanding.

"My own sensei's had me learn much of the courtly ways myself, as being groomed for a position of command requires one be skilled with words and actions both. Plus the fact I was trained under the Akodo instead of the Matsu, many of my family and peers do not quite see the same truths I do."

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

Koushi nodded. "Precisely. Still, one tries to do one's best. It would hardly do to let the side down."

A small grin. "And, of course, they do appreciate those trained outside the norm when crises strike, don't they? After all, one hardly turns down one trained by the Akodo when a war council convenes. And when a leg needs to be set or someone drinks the wrong cup of sake, then my clanmates stop turning their noses up in quite a hurry. Yes, they do."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2020 3:55 am

Mogami returns the grin.

"Indeed. Though I do wonder if the Doji take it as hard as the Matsu when one is trained outside the expected norm. So what had brought you to the Emperor's Winter Court?"

One of Mogami's budoka lets out a small cough, obviously trying to not let it be heard by his betters.

Doji Koushi · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 5:22 am **Posts:** 314

"A fluke, I am afraid. My superior was meant to be the physician of record for the delegation, but her baby came early."

He raised one shoulder. "It was an honor, if a bewildering one. A sudden promotion and then all of a sudden my name was being bandied about in treaty negotiations."

A grimace. "Court was a series of surprises."

[D1 LA] Seeing What the Eyes Can See

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