That was when Moshi Akane took the field. "I am not surprised that the Great Clans hesitate to address the concerns of their smaller peers. Under the cover of legal concerns, the Phoenix, Crab, and Crane have chosen to hide their eyes from a clan in need of support. The fact of the matter is that th...

Akane returns the bow.

"Carry the Fortunes, Kuni-san."

(seems like /scene)

"Duty must come first," Akane says. "No apology need be made for it."

"I will pray for it," Akane says. "I will pray for it, indeed."

"It would need more than one, most likely," Akane says. "The Empire is stronger when it stands together."

"Remember, Kuni-san," Akane says, "that the Void is the dance of the Elements and floor on which they dance. Having the power of an Ishiken will help, but a balance of the other Elements may still avail, I think."

"There are times the Phoenix keep a tighter rein on them," Akane says. "This might be one such, but I do not speak for the Council."

"What can stand before the light of the Lady?" Akane asks.

"Even so, it would take an array of shugenja to address such a thing. I have not heard there is an Ishiken here, and one would be helpful."

Akane's eyes widen.

"I would be unpleasantly surprised," she says, "but I would not think you a liar."

"He ruled before the founding of the Centipede," Akane replies. "His son, Hantei Bosai, did much to codify and complete his reforms and intentions. Our tax assessments were set then."

Akane nods.

"It does surpass belief that so many things would occur in such succession and not have any connection to one another," she says, "although causation remains a question."

"For myself, no," Akane says. "Although I have heard of feelings of anger and disgust.

"What are you writing, Kuni-san?"

"There has been some strange...pulling?...in some acts of communion," Akane reports. "They have been indistinct, but felt as I have prayed."

"Certainly the Lady Adviser has the most experience with governance and rulership," Akane replies. "That said, I do not think Her Late Majesty was a shugenja, as such," she continues. "But as the Daughter of Heaven, she was surely the favored descendant of the Lady Sun, and I cannot think but that t...

"I cannot confirm it," Akane replies, "but I believe it coincided with the passing of Her Late Majesty. "And I can understand the spirits' upset at her passing. I believe the Seppun that it was from natural causes, but even so, the death of the Empress with no heir named has to have unsettled things...

"Other than the quake itself?" Akane asks. "Some unrest and anger among the kami, of course. But my connections are with fire and sky, rather than the ground beneath my feet. Not that it is unworthy of attention," she adds, patting the ground beside where she sits, "but only because my focus has to ...

"Which ones?" Akane replies.

"I don't mean to be glib, of course," she continues. "But there have been so many upheavals and unfortunate events that it becomes a challenge to track all of them."

Akane smiles, and openly, at Shiori's words.

"It is refreshing to be invited to discuss theology!" she says. "So few seem interested in such things recently, which seems odd, given events."

"Meeting new people is always good," Akane agrees, "and I have had much opportunity to do so this season. I will hope you get more opportunities in the days to come. "But as to the Clan," she continues, "we do well. We could do better, of course, but that's always the case. "I expect as much is true...

"And my House will treasure it," Akane replies, taking the bowl and setting it to the side, gently, with both hands.

"I can think of flowers from the Valley that will show well in it."