The Die Is Cast (Day 2, Early Evening)

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai green eyes focus on Koushi's for some time. She rubs her chin –– as her dad often did when she would do something he would approve –– and nods, positively, praising, "What an excellent idea!"

The Imperial also looks to Tsukimi and finds agreement there. The only doubt: the concern for enemy ships.

She ponders, out-loud, "We need to be prepared, nonetheless. Taking those that are outside to ships is safer than just leaving them there. They will either die from the cold or hunger, and, inevitably, they'll be slaughtered by the attacking forces if they do not move.

The Seppun raises a finger. "I believe we should bring this excellent idea of yours to the Governor, and be ready for the first hour tomorrow. The only caveat is: who'll lead them there and how?"

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

Koushi frowned in thought. "I imagine that the Governor will have something to say about that. But I can think of no more effective leadership than the Imperial Families, backed by Lion or Dragon forces."

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

She nods, fiercely. "Hai! If permitted, I'll lead."

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

Kouji's face practically shone with the force of his smile.

"Then it is settled! We shall take this to the Governor, and we will save the people!"

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:38 am

High above on the wall near the Eastern Gate, Mogami and a small group of warriors can be seen drilling with their bows. She barks commands at them and constantly taps at their wrists, shoulders, and backs to correct their form. In front of them, at a distance of 100 yards lie a scattering of of targets, some more full than others with arrows.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 1:46 pm

It was uplifting to watch the two interact, and see that something could be done. And seeing it was a reminder to her of why she believed it was humanity that would win the day; not everyone could be a hero, a soldier, or a leader.

... Still, the people would have to make it through the night. Hopefully, they could do something about that too.

"May the Heavens see the weather good enough for a sea voyage..." she was thinking of the strange weather she had seen earlier that day with the scouts.

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Matsu Mogami wrote:

High above on the wall near the Eastern Gate, Mogami and a small group of warriors can be seen drilling with their bows. She barks commands at them and constantly taps at their wrists, shoulders, and backs to correct their form. In front of them, at a distance of 100 yards lie a scattering of of targets, some more full than others with arrows.

Horonigai's keen eyes mark down the commander, and leans over the wall to show she's paying attention toward Mogami. "We have a Dragon here, and Doji-san spoke of Lion backup, ne –– does anyone know that officer?"

Togashi Tsukimi wrote:

"May the Heavens see the weather good enough for a sea voyage..." she was thinking of the strange weather she had seen earlier that day with the scouts.

The Seppun looks back at Tsukimi and presses her lips flat, nodding. "I hope so, too. That they are looking kindly on us given our best efforts to get the best result out of the situation."

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

Koushi smiled. "Hai, that is Matsu Mogami, who was gathering information on the Governor's behalf yesterday." He inclined his head in her direction, and then made his way over.

"Matsu-san! Good evening."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:11 pm

"Keep firing at the targets. When I return I want to see progress on your accuracy and form. Remember, pull, breathe, release. Do not think. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast."

She walks a ways down to meet the person who called out to her. She bows.

"Doji-sama."

She has a hard look on her face, but something in her eyes shows....despair.

"There is much to do. My evenings will be good once we are through this."

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

Koushi responded to despair with a kind smile. "Togashi-sama, Seppun-sama, and I are developing a bit of a plan to address the...humanitarian situation, if you care to have a listen, Matsu-san. If we are successful, perhaps we can lessen some of the weight of all this."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:17 pm

"Matsu-sama," Tsukimi acknowledged the young woman with a nod. "Togashi Tsukimi of the Ise Zumi Order. Though I am no -sama in such illustrous company."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:20 pm

She bows to the Togashi.

"Matsu Mogami. And please, just -san. I do not hold any official title, only granted now by the necessity."

"I am glad to hear you out, but I am unsure if I am able to do anything with the information. Shimizu-dono has ordered me to take command of this portion of the wall and to begin training any available person as an archer. My role inside the city now is removed."

She looks around at the groups of people still being gathered to move to housing.

"Before my transfer though, I can gladly inform you that we have successfully counted the refugees and have enough housing and food rations for them all, but only just only. Anything you can do to grant us excess would be most appreciated"

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Listening to the explanation, the armor clad Imperial provides a short bow to Mogami. "Seppun Horonigai-desu. Miharu from the house of the Abdicators. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

A happier expression dots Horonigai's face by knowing that those inside were cared for. "Eto. Matsu-san confirms that those within are properly sheltered and fed. Those outside, in the other hand, are the ones we should focus efforts. Is that correct, minna-san?"

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:36 pm

"It bodes poorly for one's dharma to protect a city only to leave many more outside freezing and starving, left to a terrible fate. Could it be possible to have them escorted to the port nearby? To escape on ships?" As Tsukimi spoke, one hand held onto her prayer-beads, passing one bead after another along the string with a calloused thumb.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:43 pm

Mogami gives a low bow to the Seppun and then just....looks at her for a moment.

After a few seconds, she responds with a flat, cold voice.

"The enemy is here, going outside the gates now would be tactically inadvisable. Showing them any of our strengths could grant them an advantage over us."

She turns her back to those gathered and shudders a little. From the cold? Rage? Despair? Hard to tell, really.

Her next words sounded pained, and whispered through gritted teeth.

"Necessary sacrifices."

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

Koushi shook his head once. "A threat to military performance, only. If you leave them here, your ashigaru will lose some of their efficacy. It is a drain on morale. We have samurai here who are accustomed to leading the people. Let them give these people a chance to escape, at least, rather than a certain death."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 5:58 pm

Tsukimi watched the young Lion with sympathetic eyes. It was not easy to follow the heart as well as the soul and there were many voices in a samurai's life, she believed.

"I am no tactician, but I think we must consider the possibility that the enemy is already within and knows much about this city's defenses and numbers. Indeed, even this challenge before us can be part of their plan, to sap our spirits of what makes us who we are - good people."

She wanted to offer the girl a hug, but decided against such a public and physical gesture. "If we lose ourselves in the bid to win, have we then truly won?"

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 6:12 pm

Mogami keeps her back turned, appearing to watch her men and their drills.

"I share your tactical appraisal, and briefed Shimizu-dono this morning as appropriate."

She shudders again.

"It was my duty to decide when the gates would close. We have taken in as many as we can."

A long breathe to conceal a sigh as a courtier might do.

"It is my clans duty to protect you and ensure your safety. You are all guests here and have your own leadership elements. No matter what, a Lion cannot be asked to answer the actions of a Crane, Dragon, or Imperial, nor presume to override your leadership."

She walks a short way over to the wall, looking down.

"It is dark. There are many places we cannot see outside the gates.

----
Courtier roll to try to get the point across without dishonor: 15

Seppun Horonigai · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:03 pm **Posts:** 1054

Horonigai does lift an eyebrow to the Matsu's statement.

An Imperial order form a higher status official had to be respected by any Clan. There was no doubt on that on her mind.

That Mogami thought otherwise was, in the least, worrisome: showed much of what others mentioned that a Matsu leadership could bring.

She reminds them, politely, "Ne, Matsu-san. At this very moment, I am not in the position to request command, or any other Imperial here present. It is important we all align ourselves. The Lion are experts in warfare. The protection and insights your Clan provides to the guests is treasured. I trust Shimizu-sama will guide us to the best decisions."

[Contested Awareness/Willpower(Etiquette, actually) TN 15 vs. Matsu Mogami + Rank1 Tech + 1 Raise not to offend = TN 20: 7d10o10k3 21]

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2020 7:47 pm

"If you wish to exercise your right as one of the Kuge, Seppun-sama, no one here would question your authority or right to do so. If you believe you think the orders I have been given are not adequate for the needs of Rokugan, I am here for you to do with as you desire."

She keeps looking out over the wall.

"The Lion have done all we can for the refugees while also considering our Duty to protect this city. "

She turns around and faces the group again.

"However, none of you are Lion."

This time the courtier rhetoric was much more clear in what Mogami's intention was with the statement.

The Die Is Cast (Day 2, Early Evening)

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