The back room of the Copper Hills had a guard this evening. And not just any guard, no, this guard was a Seppun. In fact, there were two of them, plus another one around the back of the building to discourage eavesdroppers and the kind of guys that crawl through windows to murder people for no good reason.

They were there for a very simple reason, easily identifiable to anyone who cared to note their presence: someone big was taking tea today, and words were to be shared that were not for public consumption.

"Will you not try the Fields of Gold blend? Hiroshi-chan has spent an awful lot marketing it this year."

Otomo Keihime's suggestions tend to have the force of law, and it did not surprise her in the least that her interlocutors acquiesced easily. After all, she had something they wanted, and unless and until she gave it to them, she had a great deal of control over what they did in her presence.

"Yes, 3 of the Fields of Gold." She handed the menu back to the server and allowed her to depart before turning back to the ladies opposite.

"How pleasant that we can all meet like this. It has been some time, has it not, Moshi-san?"

"It has, tragically. But you have been a terribly busy woman, Otomo-sama. It has been challenging finding a way through your crowd of supporters. Were it not for my dear friend's sincere wish to meet with you, and the necessity of her cause, I am sure that I would have succumbed to despair long ago."

Keihime permitted the left corner of her mouth to rise imperceptibly.

"Well, what can one say? Moshi-san is, as ever, a peerless observer of the currents of court."

She fell silent as the door opened and drinks were served, pausing only after having taken an indulgent swallow of what was, objectively speaking, very weak tea indeed.

"You mentioned a cause? You know that I am ever the crusader, Moshi-san."

"Truly a paragon of compassion, Otomo-sama." Akane tilted her head. Sycophancy did not suit her anymore than fishing for it suited Keihime, but one does what one must.

"Indeed." Keihime took another sip of tea as punctuation, then turned to look at Aiko. "Moshi-san informs me that you have a little problem, Kitsune-san. How can I demonstrate my compassion to you?"

Damn. No points f'r subtlety, then.

Aiko cleared her throat.

"Well...I ain't sure how much Moshi-sama told ya, but..."

"Moshi-san only needed to tell me that she had a friend in need, Kitsune-san. She is not in the habit of betraying trusts."

She met Akane's bemused look with a quick glance out of the corner of her eye, but was quick to refocus on Aiko.

Aiko smiled uncomfortably. "Of course not, Otomo-sama. I hardly meant t' imply..."

"No one imagines that you did, Kitsune-san, so no offense could possibly be taken."

Akane smiled benevolently over the rim of her teacup.

"Why not turn to the business at hand?"

Keihime just held her position as though nothing had been said at all.

"Right...well, we've had, as y' know, a small prob'm with m' brother these past few years."

"Hm," Keihime replied.

"An' 'cause of that th' Clan's increasin'ly in a difficult spot. We'd like t' make official certain 'xpediencies we've been forced t' adopt, but we'd need Imperial dispensation t' do it."

Keihime nodded slowly. "I am sure that you would. Expediencies nearly always need some external action to make them stick, and nothing does that quite like an imperial decree. But now I am beginning to see the scope of your troubles, Kitsune-san. The Empress' death was a terrible blow to all of us, but you must have been particularly disappointed."

Akane's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I think Kitsune-san was as devastated as any loyal servant of the Empress was expected to be, Otomo-sama. After all, one cannot claim to have felt a more acute pang than the High One's dearest friend."

Aiko glanced between the two of them, mystified as to the sudden shift in direction.

Akane jus' parried somethin', but what're they talkin' 'bout?

Keihime nodded slowly. "It has been a bitter blow. And it pains me all the more, Kitsune-san, because I feel powerless to assist my friends in their hour of need. As Shiba-san has made clear, I have no Imperial prerogatives or powers. Why, it is almost as though the world is tilting on its axis."