"My reason for being here is pretty simple. I can't say that I have an assignment here or an important appointment to keep with a diplomat of the courts. I have been informed by sensei that something was afoot here and that events here would enlightening to observe."

She frowned faintly as she looked to the court at large, despite it being a place of words, she got the sense that there more sentiments that weren't put into words just yet. "As wise as he is, I don't think he thought all of this was the matter."

Straightening in her stance, she crossed her arms and looked inquisitive at the Scorpion. "And what brought you this way, Bayushi-san?"

'' I see...'' Nagiko tries to make sense of the analogy. '' But what about others ancestors? I mean, i understand Kayou-san analogy of the tree. And since Hantei XVI-heika, or shiryo, or whatever he is, is still an ancestor could that mean that some ancestors could be dangerous for the good of our families and the empire?

'' I, uh, i'm interested in the other types of ancestors, those that don't come from Yomi''

Equally not expecting much conversation, Rin sat just beside watching proceedings with a surprisingly serious face for once.

"A mountain higher than most, too." She narrowed one eye at Norikami for a quick moment. "What would a fresh dojo student look like, exactly?"

"It is known that some . . ." Kayou pauses, dropping her voice so that only Nagiko can hear, "ancestors have fallen to the Dark, becoming monsters seeking to devour the Empire. They may be other spiritual maladies that the Ancestors can fall to."

She gave his point some thought with a hand on her chin. "Not exactly right but probably close. It's hard to generalize in what a recent student might do, as varied as we are even with one sensei. Often confidence is in large abundance especially when you only have yourself, your peers and your sensei to compare yourself to. While you aren't beyond your sensei, you are at the same level as everyone else. Waving swords might be a side effect but are you talking about the good sword waving or the bad sort of sword waving?"

Poemu had politely ignored the Unicorn, and she was not about to change that. SHe smiled at Sara's words instead, keeping the topic on hand. "I must confess I don't remember many of your clan from Winter Court, which is in large part thanks to my needing to spend time with the Lion and Imperial delegations. As for others I recognize..."

She paused and looked around as well, pointing with her fan a few times. "I recognize a few of the Lions from the court. Ikoma Homura for instance, and Matsu Tani as well, though we spoke only briefly before. Asako... Kashiwagi I believe it was?... was also there, and was quite bold, so it is hard to forget him..."

She trailed off and gave a seated bow to the Matsu as she approached. "Matsu-sama, konnichi-wa." She said no more, glancing toward Sara. The table had been hers, and she would not interrupt the conversation further unless the Shosuro wished to recognize the Lion as well.

Kendo shifts in his seat and looks out over the crowd, observing who is there. Anyone watching closely notices that he studiously doesn't look up into the balcony, in what clearly took some practicing.

One, a Phoenix, helped to break the impasse, it seemed. Speaking with the knowledge of her Clan, she asserted that, in fact, the slayer of his heir, Hantei XVI, was a spirit in violation of the Order of Heaven. Though only upon one leg, she stood firm on the point, introducing a certainty that reinforced the fervor already in the room.

Tetsuko favored him with a polite smile. She was accustomed to long, quiet stints on duty, guarding those more suited to speaking their minds. With a small motion she gestured to the origami animals and raised an eyebrow at her cousin.