[D1, LM, Open] The Wind from the East: Otomo Gorobei

[Otomo Gorobei]

Ryoichi nodded at this insight. "I imagine Lord Otomo must see the Tortoise as an effective counterweight," he commented.

Gorobei grimaced and might have added more had Eiji not effectively seized the conversational wheel.

"Ah, speaking of the.....interesting mix of youth and experience at this Winter Court, I wonder if Otomo-sama or Yasuki-san have any thoughts about some of the....younger samurai attending this court. There are some samurai in attendance who haven't seen their second decade yet. One wonders what sort of influence they'll have on the court, compared to the more experienced attendees."

"I hope a great deal, Soshi-san. There's no question that new growth is much to be preferred over the untended sprawl of the old. And even trees, which can remain vigorous over many generations, can have a sad tendency to get between new shoots and the sun. It takes a sure and steady hand to know which bits to prune and which to let run if things are to be in harmony. I have always leaned toward vigorous pruning--it often helps the old plant to grow to new heights as well."

[Soshi Eiji]

Well that was certainly the sort of talk that would endear Gorobei to no one over the age of thirty.

Eiji nodded.

"True, although a wise gardener needs to do more than make sure their seedlings can see the sun. They must nourish their seeds, provide them good soil, enough water, and make sure that birds and other wild animals do not feed upon them. Pruning is important, certainly, but so is weeding. I think those sort of efforts are what will make Lady Sun truly smile." Eiji offered.

If Gorobei was to have any chance of having the Empress pick him as her successor, he was defintely going to have to show he could tend the garden, rather than just hack at the old trees.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Well, I certainly don't know enough about gardening to debate the subject with the Vice-Minister of Public Gardens," Ryoichi demurred with a wry smile. "But I can only assume that these young people were invited to Court for good reason. Such invitations are not easy to secure, after all."

[Otomo Gorobei]

Lord Gorobei's reaction to...having his answer enhanced by Soshi Eiji was to look out of the corner of his left eye at him and cross his arms defensively..

Like I don't know how to tend seeds. This guy...

"Well, I certainly don't know enough about gardening to debate the subject with the Vice-Minister of Public Gardens," Ryoichi demurred with a wry smile. "But I can only assume that these young people were invited to Court for good reason. Such invitations are not easy to secure, after all."

Fortunately, Ryoichi grabbed the wheel, and Gorobei's attention was elsewhere, his arms relaxing.

"I'm sure the clans chose wisely, though I heard that Lady Keihime requested one or two questionable Phoenix and Lady Shiba couldn't bring herself to refuse. I guess this one guy's grandparents were in a certain secret society, I don't think I've got to mention its name, and he's been locked up here in Kyuden Ikoma waiting for the chop once the war kicks off ever since he hit adulthood. And then there's the Isawa, Naka--something. Nakajiro, I think? Anyway, he got into some kind of jam with his Master and went for him, I guess right in front of old Akihiro's grandkids...or maybe it was students? Can't remember, exactly, but you get the picture."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji was, in fact, startiing to get the picture. A picture of a gossipy gardening guard. Of course, Eiji loved a good rumor. But a good rumor was a little more generous with the details.

Rather than put Gorobei on the defensive again, he looked off towards the dojo. Let Echo Crab continue working the pump.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I'm sure the clans chose wisely, though I heard that Lady Keihime requested one or two questionable Phoenix and Lady Shiba couldn't bring herself to refuse. I guess this one guy's grandparents were in a certain secret society, I don't think I've got to mention its name, and he's been locked up here in Kyuden Ikoma waiting for the chop once the war kicks off ever since he hit adulthood. And then there's the Isawa, Naka--something. Nakajiro, I think? Anyway, he got into some kind of jam with his Master and went for him, I guess right in front of old Akihiro's grandkids...or maybe it was students? Can't remember, exactly, but you get the picture."

Ryoichi tilted his head at this revelation. "I think I get the idea. It seems strange that the Imperial Advisor would specifically request the attendance of such, ahhh, troubled persons at court," he commented. "I'm sure there must be some reason... a favor owed, something like that?"

[Otomo Gorobei]

"Oh, certainly. It's all favors this way and that. A vulnerable Phoenix clan is pretty good for a number of other ones, so I couldn't tell you who's behind all this, but someone's pulling the strings, for sure."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"The Phoenix are far from the Crab...and the Scorpion, for that matter. So I venture that a weak Phoenix clan doesn't help us at all," Ryoichi suggested. "I couldn't guess who is pulling the strings, either. But I suppose it must be a big help for someone."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji returned his gaze to the conversants at the mention of his clan. He mulled over the words.

"Hm, Yasuki-san might be thinking too large. Of course the Crab have no designs on the Phoenix territories, and even if they did, I'd expect them to open with a naval assault, not political maneuvering." he offered.

He shook his head.

"No, I would suspect that the 'ones' that Otomo-sama refer to smaller things, houses or even individuals who personally benefit from troubled Phoenix fortunes. But Otomo-sama is wisely cautious not to refer to them in a more concrete fashion. It is Winter Court, after all, and even out in the courtyard, you never know who is listenng and ready to spread rumors about what is said about such matters." he offered.

He looked to the Otomo for confirmation that he was being wisely cautious.

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei might not be the swiftest shark in the Otomo sea, but he knew when a hint had been dropped. He nodded sagely three times, slowly.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Thank you both for the political insights," the Yasuki said, bowing humbly. "I'll try to keep them in mind during the Court season."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Thank you both for the political insights," the Yasuki said, bowing humbly. "I'll try to keep them in mind during the Court season."

Eiji inclined his head a bit.

"I think Otomo-sama deserves the lion's share of the praise, but thank you for including me Yasuki-san." he demurred. "Perhaps after we've had a chance to discuss things with our delegations, we could meet again to dig a bit deeper into the politics of the season?"

[Otomo Gorobei]

"I think that would be most enlightening. I must say that I am looking forward to seeing the maneuvers of court, and it will be agreeable to talk them over with such good fellows as you two."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I shall be sure to make time for such discussions, minna-sama," Ryoichi said, nodding agreement. "They are certain to be most enlightening."