Tea Over Toshigoku (Day 3 EM)

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

Tamaki prepared tea for her guest while she waited. Yojimbo waited silently.

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

Asako Tamaki wrote:

Tamaki prepared tea for her guest while she waited. Yojimbo waited silently.

The Asako hero entered and said, "Report."

Right to the point this morning.

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

Tamaki immediately stops with the tea and bows to the Inquisitor. Yoojimbo also bows and takes care of the tea once available.

"Welcome Asako-sama. I have little in solid new leads. Though after my talk with Isawa Hachi and Isawa Tomio, I am beginning to suspect the Steel Chrysanthemum has been planning this since the portal ripped open in Kyuden Asako. It would make sense of why the spirits stayed in Kyuden Asako instead of even wandering out on their own. But unfortunately, just a theory. I also gave the aid in helping resettling some of the refugees."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

Kashiwagi considered that and then said, "How did you come to this conclusion?"

He returned the bows and then found a seat gesturing for them to be at ease.

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

With permission, Tamaki takes her seat. "We were talking of how could spirits from the Realm of Slaughter could hold it together for so long. I believe it is the Steel Chrysanthemum. A spirit of the Hantei, a former Emperor, would likely have enough force of personality to be a leader of their kind. I admit, just a theory, but it explains why the slaughter spirits never strayed from Kyuden Asako. It explains how they were able to infiltrate the Empire. They had been preparing for a long time. Maybe the Steall Chrysanthemum had not been there since day one but he likely would have noticed the portal quickly and begin laying the groundwork for his plans."

While they were speaking, Yojimbo serves a classic blend from the Asako lands.

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"It is the Steel Chrysanthemum, I will confirm that much and he was a brilliant ruler until he was betrayed," he replied.

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

"Hai. I cannot imagine that Toshigoku has done well for him. He cannot be allowed to have the Throne. Whatever I, or my research can do, I will help in any way I can."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"Good, do we know if we can determine a way of who is and isn't a spirit?" he asked.

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

"At this point, the easiest way seems to be darkness. They give a faint glow. So, in a room that is not fully lit, that will be visible. Isawa Tomiko-sama has been studying them and should have a list of many of them at least."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"That is rather useful, if under certain conditions," he said with mild approval.

"I will need to follow up with her for a full accounting, information on this foe will be very important."

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

Tamaki nods. "It was Isawa-sama who noticed the faint glow. She also noticed the spirits tend to be able o recall battles with clarity but not much else. Of course, she can tell you more."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"Coming from Toshigoku, all that matters to them is battle, violence is all they know... all that matters to them," he said with a nod.

"Can they be reasoned with?"

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

"Possibly to a certain extent, but not for long. The Steel Chrysanthemum likely can, but even he will always turn back to bloodshed. It wouldn't surprise me if his original plan was something more subtle than grab the Emperor and slit his throat if he didn't abdicate. But the influence can be held at bay for only so long."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"Somehow living with them may be an issue, but something we may have to do assuming we can end the threat of this murderous Emperor," he responded.

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

Tamaki takes a drink of her tea while she considers. "It may best if we send them back to where the Celestial Order has placed them. It is the Wisdom of Heavens that decreed where they belong. It was Lion folly that brought them here.

"Though if we must, they should have some sort of overseers. I have heard the Kuni have such for those who have been touched by the spirit realms." Tamaki ponders of whether sending them to the Crab to fight the Shadowlands would be good as let one monster fight another, or horrible as the Toshigoku spirits could be Tainted by both Realms.

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

He was aware of the Kuni and that role and then added, "I agree they should go back but there may be thousands now... a whole army, and tracking them all down may prove a monumental task."

"Amnesty may be needed, if such a task proves unfeasible."

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

"It may last for a short period, but in the end, the influence of Toshigoku will take hold. The scorpion will always sting the whether it can swim or not. If such an amnesty was offered, then we would need to prepare for he inevitable betrayal. Some sort of registry would need to be set up at the very least."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"We shall cross that bridge when it happens, what do you advise for the short term," he asked.

Asako Tamaki · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:17 am **Posts:** 167

"The Steel Chrysanthemum must be sent back and the portal must be closed. I cannot imagine there would be any negotiating that would convince him to stop. Even if we destroy his army, he would scheme as he did at Winter Court.

"If he were removed, it is quite possible the spirits would return to a mindless killing state. Though at least they would kill each other as well. But even with that horror, it would be lesser than allowing the Steel Chrysanthemum to remain free."

Asako Kashiwagi · **Joined:** Tue Mar 31, 2020 12:56 am **Posts:** 865

"And if they don't return to murdering each other?" he asked.

Tea Over Toshigoku (Day 3 EM)

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