"There are certainly similarities to weaponsmithing, yes, but I did not learn this in the forges of Shiro Heichi. When I toured the Empire in my youth, it was taught to me by a Kakita. I had hoped to see him again, here, but the Crane delegation seems to have had some turnover since then."

"Well, to my knowledge, pottery is about shaping with water and applying fire after the fact, and sculpting with stone is all a function of earth, but steelwork is about shaping and joining metal with fire as a part of the process. It is done at very high temperatures and requires quite the set-up."

Heichi Batsuda rose. "This proposal helps to integrate the Boar into the Empire. It is also a distinct pleasure to be able to assist the Lion clan. Thank you."

[+10 Honoka points]

"Not a problem."

"Let us call it three, and we can call this deal done."

"That works for me."

I was not able to write 8 poems one after the other directly about a fictional posterior, which was the original challenge I set for myself.

But(t) I got very close. And it seems I got the point across.

Heichi Batsuda rose and turned toward where a certain Imperial was sitting just a bit up the stream. Fixing him with his eyes, he downed his cup like it was nothing and rattled off his first poem. The fox in winter Seeks the warmth of hidden dens Man is no diff'rent. Tooru, for his part, huffs and f...

"Well, you're in luck. We have 5 Arms units, but I am afraid that we are out of stone. All I have left after that is Tea and Iron."

"Hai, that's one of mine. I've always liked it. Really sets the tone." He nods his way through her preamble, ears perking up a bit at school openings. "I think that would be good for us. Ikoma schools in particular would be something we'd be interested in. But I'd guess this isn't coming for free, r...

Heichi Batsuda emerged from his office with an easy gait and a wide smile. Someone was in a good mood. "Ikoma-san, good to meet you. Heichi Batsuda. Please, right this way." And he led her into his office. A fairly spartan affair, the primary focus was a sculpture made of a Boar made of steel sittin...

Lord Heichi's contribution is a glorious painting featuring exquisite brushwork. A wide landscape painting, it features a view of the sun rising (about halfway to apogee), casting its golden light above the Valley of the Cenipede, though the valley itself is more of a suggestion between the (curious...

Heichi Batsuda noticed.

"Kamispeed, Soshi-san," Heichi Batsuda replied in farewell.

But he was already angling to get a better look at something over in the Imperial section. Then he sighed, shook his head, and took his leave.

/exit.

Batsuda nodded slowly, the slight forgiven. "It would be nice, indeed."

"Heichi-sama," he said quietly, his eyes flashing a bit. "And Onomatsu is a fine wrestler and proud we are of him, but it has been a fallow year for the southern division. The North is set to dominate."

Batsuda nodded, his attention momentarily arrested by something in the Imperial section of the galleries, but he shook his head and got back in the game.

"Hai, Soshi-san, I must say that I am looking forward to seeing Kashiwado at work. I understand he is something of a fierce one."

"That looks like the deal we've made, hai."

He raised an eyebrow. "A marriage deal? Well, I can't say that you aren't easy on the eyes, Soshi-san, but we have only just met, and I have already married. Perhaps we can compare slates." There's my son, Batsuda II, Heichi-ke no kashin Kanaoka Nobu, a living legend of the Twilight Mountains, and H...

"For five lumber, I can do 2 tea, 3 Iron. I can do less tea for more Iron, if necessary, but I can't go the other way. I'd give my remaining 2 Iron for 2 Dyes as well."