D12 MA - The Art of Where, part 2

[Yasuki Masaki]

A late breakfast just before court is not necessarily a great pairing for a meal right *after* court, but sometimes sacrifices for noble causes must be made. The Yasuki had arranged to meet the Crane daimyo to talk about some matters, and the Golden Mane seemed like a good fit, so here she was again. As she probably wouldn't be eating that much herself, for now she just asked for some rice, miso, braised burdock root (kinpira gobo) and lotus roots (renkon), as well as some sencha - so an offering would be at the table already when Minehime arrived. The tea was not served yet, of course - it wouldn't do to have it cold by the time the guest arrived.

For now, she waited.

[Doji Minehime]

Lady Doji's arrival was heralded by the sound of a gasp and a quiet conversation in the front room. It would be another 15 minutes before the door slid open and the warrior-Champion of the Crane Clan entered Masaki's space.

"Good afternoon," she said quietly, her regal presence saying much more. "Thank you for this gift of hospitality."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Lady Doji's arrival was heralded by the sound of a gasp and a quiet conversation in the front room. It would be another 15 minutes before the door slid open and the warrior-Champion of the Crane Clan entered Masaki's space.

"Good afternoon," she said quietly, her regal presence saying much more. "Thank you for this gift of hospitality."

The answer comes after a very deep bow. "Good afternoon, Doji-dono. I'm the one who should thank you for making some time in your busy schedule to meet me", she adds with another bow. "This one is Yasuki-ke no Kawagoi Masaki, it's a great pleasure to meet you properly, Doji-sama."

She gestures at the table then, face still down as she offers Minehike a seat. "I asked for some light fare in case Doji-sama has already had lunch. If you would rather eat something more substantial, please let me know and I will ask it to be arranged."

For now, she waves at a servant, asking for some tea to be served now that Minehime had arrived.

[Doji Minehime]

"That will not be necessary. Yasuki-san's instincts were entirely correct." She alighted gracefully opposite Masaki. "Has court been treating Yasuki-san well?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"That will not be necessary. Yasuki-san's instincts were entirely correct." She alighted gracefully opposite Masaki. "Has court been treating Yasuki-san well?"

The Yasuki gave Minehime a polite nod in answer to the first statement, then settled properly in the seat again. The question is answered with another nod, her expression mostly impassive other than hints of a kind smile on her eyes.

"Despite the challenges posed by circumstances, I would say it has, Doji-sama. I hope it has treated Doji-sama and the Crane delegation better after the complications of the first days?"

[Doji Minehime]

Doji Minehime smiles gently, politely overlooking the Yasuki's reference to unwelcome memories. "We believe that we have done quite well out of court. Thank you for the kindness you have shown in inquiring after us."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Doji Minehime smiles gently, politely overlooking the Yasuki's reference to unwelcome memories. "We believe that we have done quite well out of court. Thank you for the kindness you have shown in inquiring after us."

The Doji's grace in not mentioning the incident is probably noted, as the Yasuki likewise makes no further mention of it.

"I'm pleased to hear that, Doji-dono." she answers with another nod. "It seems that there are signs pointing to the possibility of a harmonious path forward in sight, ne?"

[Doji Minehime]

"I hope that Yasuki-san is correct, but I am afraid that I could not confirm her hopes in that regard. The Otomo may feel that they cannot pursue old policies in light of new attitudes among the clans. They will not renounce all of their ambitions, however. Who would?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"I hope that Yasuki-san is correct, but I am afraid that I could not confirm her hopes in that regard. The Otomo may feel that they cannot pursue old policies in light of new attitudes among the clans. They will not renounce all of their ambitions, however. Who would?"

She seems pensive, although hope remains in her expression. "Doji-dono's worries are justified, of course. Yet I'd like to believe not all here operate based solely on their own ambitions, ne?" A faint, tentative smile. "A strong, thriving Empire is a large part of our ambitions after all. The Otomo, or part of the family, may indeed be feeling drawn to unorthodox poliicies, others have shown great devotion to stability and a peaceful path, ne? The Miya and most Seppun, for instance, wear on their sleeves their devotion to the Empire first and foremost, it would seem."

A nod, the smile slightly wider.

"Based on what I learned from my training and my house's longstanding closeness with the Crane, I know to expect such devotion to the Empire and what is proper from Doji-dono's people as well"

[Doji Minehime]

Minehime smiled a little sadly. "The good intentions of certain factions only intensify matters. It hardly matters if every faction felt itself to be sincerely acting in the best interests of the Empire, Yasuki-san. Their positions are not reconcilable as they currently stand, since a core element of each is that their candidate becomes the Emperor. There cannot be 5 Emperors. Lady Seppun and Lord Miya, with the best will in the world, will eventually come to a decision that some, perhaps many, will see as detrimental to the well-being of the Empire, because it will invalidate their candidate and elevate another."

She paused. "There are some who are agitating against the very act of choice. I sympathize, though I do not agree entirely. I am not sure what the Empire looks like if the Emperor is chosen by the people that are meant to serve them. Could they just as easily choose another?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

Minehime smiled a little sadly. "The good intentions of certain factions only intensify matters. It hardly matters if every faction felt itself to be sincerely acting in the best interests of the Empire, Yasuki-san. Their positions are not reconcilable as they currently stand, since a core element of each is that their candidate becomes the Emperor. There cannot be 5 Emperors. Lady Seppun and Lord Miya, with the best will in the world, will eventually come to a decision that some, perhaps many, will see as detrimental to the well-being of the Empire, because it will invalidate their candidate and elevate another."

She paused. "There are some who are agitating against the very act of choice. I sympathize, though I do not agree entirely. I am not sure what the Empire looks like if the Emperor is chosen by the people that are meant to serve them. Could they just as easily choose another?"

The Yasuki nods, slowly, agreement mixed with reflection in her gesture. "Doji-dono is right that some may not be content with the decision, of course. But then... I tend to believe that is the crux of the matter - at least for those like us whose greatest concerns are stability and peace. How the choice happens, what supports it, and the gestures that follow it - by the winds perhaps even more than anyone else. Those things could give the decision a clearer blessing of the Heavens - if you understand what I mean - and disencourage any who might question it; or, Fortunes forbid, it might have the opposite effect. Don't you think so, Doji-dono?"

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OOC: Oof, sorry, been having a hard time juggling the threads still active given how much the new job is consuming me. But hoping to see this done! Thanks!

[Doji Minehime]

"You mean that all will hinge on what a Wind does after the choice, but of course by then it will be much too late. It is not for an Emperor to convince their servants, but if convincing must be done, it will be done before any of the Winds actually takes the throne."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"You mean that all will hinge on what a Wind does after the choice, but of course by then it will be much too late. It is not for an Emperor to convince their servants, but if convincing must be done, it will be done before any of the Winds actually takes the throne."

"I think my words were not clear, and for that I apologise, Doji-dono. What I believe is that it is important that the how of the choosing is convincing - and that the actions of the Winds themselves, not only the one chosen, but also the others - may have an influence on how well-supported the final decision is. Does Doji-dono not think so?"

She nods. "This is a belief I trust I share with others who have peace and stability as our greatest concern. And... there is one hope for the how of things that I wanted to ask Doji-dono if you would consider supporting."

[Doji Minehime]

"If it does not put my cousin's life at risk, then I am willing to hear your suggestion."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"If it does not put my cousin's life at risk, then I am willing to hear your suggestion."

She nods. "If anything, I hope this suggestion would help keep Doji Noriko-sama safer, Doji-dono."

A sip of tea.

"Many of those among us who hope for a peaceful resolution to the current circumstances believe the best way to achieve this would be through diplomacy. For that to happen, ensuring the safety of all of the winds is crucial. And those I talked to who hope for peace like us, and believe a diplomatic resolution is the best way to maintain it, trust the best way to ensure the winds' safety would be to hold such diplomatic discussions in Otosan Uchi - not only because of its symbolic meaning, but also because it allows easier Imperial Protection of all involved due to existing embedded protective measures. This is something I highly trust the Lady Seppun on."

"The Doji have a House of your own in Otosan Uchi, with the Imagawa. I would therefore kindly and earnestly ask of you, Doji-dono. Assuming a possibility for peaceful resolution exists, would you please consider having Doji Noriko-sama stay under your protection and that embedded in the Imperial City by keeping her in Imagawa lands, so that a diplomatic resolution in the capital may be facilitated?"

[Doji Minehime]

"I will consider it, but I must confess that while I share your faith in Seppun Sadako, I do not extend it to her lieutenants. In fact, I believe that all of us who believe that we command power and loyalty will find those ties tested in short order. There are new winds blowing, and they will exert influences of their own, Kawagoi-san. They are already doing so."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"I will consider it, but I must confess that while I share your faith in Seppun Sadako, I do not extend it to her lieutenants. In fact, I believe that all of us who believe that we command power and loyalty will find those ties tested in short order. There are new winds blowing, and they will exert influences of their own, Kawagoi-san. They are already doing so."

"If you can at least consider it if having all winds in Otosan-Uchi will help ensure a swift and peaceful resolution, I will be most thankful, Doji-dono. I understand that you may have worries, of course - Seppun-dono would understand it as well, I'm sure, and I imagine she wouldn't be opposed to your own efforts to protect Doji Noriko-sama while in the Capital. That said, I would tend to agree with those who believe the Capital may be safer than elsewhere, especially if the influences you speak do not refrain from foul play." She bows. "As I said, if you will at least consider the possibility if it helps protect the Empire's peace, I will be most thankful."

[Doji Minehime]

"I consider all things in their proportions, Yasuki-san. You may inform Seppun Sadako that you have done as she requested."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"I consider all things in their proportions, Yasuki-san. You may inform Seppun Sadako that you have done as she requested."

The Yasuki nods. "Thank you, Doji-dono. I would just ask that you understand this is not something I'm doing just for Seppun-dono. I want to believe in a peaceful resolution - as peaceful as possible, at least. The Empire has one war front that never subsides, so I'm sure you will understand the wish and hope to avoid further conflict where it can be avoided."

The words, serious as they are, are said gently and friendly. "Thank you kindly, Doji-dono", she says with a polite bow.