[D8, EE - Closed] Enjoying The Fresh Heir

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae was posted up near the castle entrance, which she was finding was one of her favourite spots for people watching. There was a slight frown on her otherwise serene expression, but that was mostly from the stress of another long day. Should court continue she wouldn't need to dye anymore.

She shifts slightly, scanning the crowd for the samurai she was waiting to meet. Hopefully her offer to have several armed Crane samurai guarding Noriko's children would let the Doji feel a little less stressed during their talk. At the thought of the intrusion into Crane House her frown deepens.

[Doji Noriko]

If Doji Noriko was feeling stress, she certainly did not show it as she approached the clearing.

"Good evenign, Miyahara-sama."

[Daidoji Sae]

If Doji Noriko was feeling stress, she certainly did not show it as she approached the clearing.

"Good evenign, Miyahara-sama."

"And to you Doji-san." Sae bows very politely.

"I apologise for taking your time just before the evening meal, but I had hoped to briefly speak to you on some important matters and thought perhaps that a short walk away from prying ears could serve."

Gesturing to the path. "I promise it will not be too arduous."

[Doji Noriko]

"If I am able to help you unburden yourself, then I will," she said, following along easily.

[Daidoji Sae]

"If I am able to help you unburden yourself, then I will," she said, following along easily.

"Well, I hope it does not come to that, but Doji-san's skill as a courtier is well known."
Sae sets a pretty easy pace as they depart, after a few moments she asks: "If I may ask, how are the children? I hope the Court and its...events have not been too troublesome?"
The Daidoji certainly sounds sincere, still troubled by the intrusion into the Crane living space.

[Doji Noriko]

"The time since the Empress' passing has been a little fraught. There is much greater interest in them, so people try to get closer. I think Ichiro is a little put out that he cannot go and play with the Lion students."

[Daidoji Sae]

"The time since the Empress' passing has been a little fraught. There is much greater interest in them, so people try to get closer. I think Ichiro is a little put out that he cannot go and play with the Lion students."

Sae blinks, for a moment Noriko was the spitting image of Minehime in her full glory.

"Ah, cooped up is no way to spend the winter, but there are so many complications...still, should Doji-san wish it I would be happy to seek some way for the children to enjoy simply being children without putting themselves at risk."
The Daidoji ideally considers hosting some kind of sleep-over at Crane House, but a horde of screaming excited children would cause havoc with at least half the delegation.

"I suppose despite the restrictions, people speculate as to what sort of Empress you might be? I am drained just thinking of it, that you handle such things every day with grace is to your credit."
Sae clicks her tongue quietly.

"But that is not what I wanted to speak to you about, there is no doubt in my mind that you would have the skills to do so, should that be the Heavens will."

[Doji Noriko]

"Something nice for the children would be lovely, but you are very busy, Daidoji-sama, I should hate to think we were taking you away from your duties. And...what is it you did wish to discuss?"

[Daidoji Sae]

"Something nice for the children would be lovely, but you are very busy, Daidoji-sama, I should hate to think we were taking you away from your duties. And...what is it you did wish to discuss?"

"If I had to choose between doing a little paperwork and a little kindness I would pick the latter. It will be no imposition."
The Ikoma would definitely have storytellers... maybe one who was a particularly good entertainer, hmmm.

"I will be blunt, there are many who wish to rule. Power is intoxicating, one must only look to the Otomo to see that. A little power can drive a man or woman to great evil, great power, well, there is no mystery there."

She looks over, meeting Noriko's gaze.
"You may be equally blunt with me, should you wish. Should you find yourself elevated to a position of great power, of great responsibility. What would your heart speak? Elation? Concern? Regret? Something else entirely? Would it be vindication or burden?"

[Doji Noriko]

Doji Noriko began to laugh. "Daidoji-sama, are you asking me what I want? I do not, and I think no one can, know what I would feel in that situation. I imagine it to be a great burden, but Daidoji-sama, there are very few in the Empire with the freedom to choose their responsibilities. Why should I be any different?" She became quite serious.

"What would give me the right to run and hide from this, when there are so many who cannot set down their plow for fear of going hungry? It would be an act of stunning arrogance, and a rebuke to the example of my ancestors, who gave so much when they could have given nothing at all, and gone to sleep in quiet comfort."

She shakes her head. "No. I am the rightful Empress by virtue of my blood and the will of Lady Sun, and I must bear all the weight of this Empire on my shoulders because of it. It cannot be helped."

[Daidoji Sae]

Doji Noriko began to laugh. "Daidoji-sama, are you asking me what I want? I do not, and I think no one can, know what I would feel in that situation. I imagine it to be a great burden, but Daidoji-sama, there are very few in the Empire with the freedom to choose their responsibilities. Why should I be any different? What would give me the right to run and hide from this, when there are so many who cannot set down their plow for fear of going hungry? It would be an act of stunning arrogance, and a rebuke to the example of my ancestors, who gave so much when they could have given nothing at all, and gone to sleep in quiet comfort."

She shakes her head. "No. I am the rightful Empress by virtue of my blood and the will of Lady Sun, and I must bear all the weight of this Empire on my shoulders because of it. It cannot be helped."

Sae listens quietly, waiting until Noriko finishes before gently pushing back.

"Because, what the Empress wants matters. We face darkness and uncertainty because of that. That hunger you speak about? The Empress did not want to fix it. This crisis? The Empress wanted to punish our clan and died unloved and childless. Your ancestors wanted to set an example for all those to come. And either you want to make this empire a better place, or you do not."

Firmly. "If the Empire is simply a burden you carry not because you need to, not because it will ease another's back, but simply because you think it is yours...then indeed Doji-san, you would take after Hantei Retsuhime."

[Doji Noriko]

"What have I shown you that you think so little of me, Daidoji Sae? When I gave of my own wealth to encourage others to do the same, was I showing disdain for the poor? Was I ignoring them? When I spoke up for the honor of Seppun Tomaru, was that to pile more burdens on him? When I sank to my knees and wiped tea from the floor of the court, was that to aggrandize myself?"

"The Empire needs an Empress who respects the throne for the burden it is. I could not use it well if I thought myself its master before I have it, if I thought it was easy. But I must bear it. I do not need it. But I am the one who must give up her life to do this. If I cannot say the magic phrase that will make you comfortable with that, then I can only apologize, and invite you to consider my actions more than my words."

[Daidoji Sae]

"What have I shown you that you think so little of me, Daidoji Sae? When I gave of my own wealth to encourage others to do the same, was I showing disdain for the poor? Was I ignoring them? When I spoke up for the honor of Seppun Tomaru, was that to pile more burdens on him? When I sank to my knees and wiped tea from the floor of the court, was that to aggrandize myself?"

"The Empire needs an Empress who respects the throne for the burden it is. I could not use it well if I thought myself its master before I have it, if I thought it was easy. But I must bear it. I do not need it. But I am the one who must give up her life to do this. If I cannot say the magic phrase that will make you comfortable with that, then I can only apologize, and invite you to consider my actions more than my words."

"If I thought little of you we would not be having this conversation."
Sae restrains herself from replying that for a mainline Doji to chuck a couple of someone else's koky at charity in public after prompting was not exactly the sort of proactive philanthropy she was looking for.

"Indeed, you have done everything that was expected of you. Thank you for your candour. And there is certainly no need to apologise, it is not as though you convinced a monk to spill tea on me."
She offers a ghost of a smile.
"I will take your words and your actions to heart as you have taken mine. Might I offer you a warmer topic on the way back? We might share similar interests in drink, I actually once tasted oschu from the far west that-..."

((Would Noriko be up for fading to polite small talk? Don't want to take up too much GM time, Thanks for the RP ))