D3LA, Consequences Will Never Be the Same [Open, but Content Warning: Corporal Punishment]

[Fukurokujin]

A small platform has been set up, facing the Rostrum, so that the man bound to it--Ikoma Kihoutei--can look upon the glories of his Family and contemplate the ways in which he has failed to live up to them. His second-in-command, Ikoma Panza, stands ready, a shinai in his hand. The unit which had been entrusted to their command stands at attention in its small ranks, watching as the guard's overall commander, one Ikoma Dieigo, steps forward and mounts the Rostrum, himself.

"Whereas," Dieigo begins, his voice carrying, "Ikoma-ke no kaishin Nagata Kihoutei had been promoted to the rank of nikutai and entrusted with the command and training of a unit of guards over Kyuden Ikoma; whereas Nagata Kihoutei had been assigned the responsibility of training that unit to perform at such a level as befits not only Kyuden Ikoma but the residence of the Imperial Winter Court of Her Majesty the Empress Hantei Retsuhime; whereas Ikoma-ke no kaishin Sugawara Panza had been appointed to serve as second-in-command to Kihoutei; whereas a violation of the sanctity of guest accommodations extended to delegates to the Imperial Winter Court of Her Majesty the Empress Hantei Retsuhime occurred during the watch and in the area of responsibility assigned to the unit commanded by Kihoutei; and whereas that unit, acting under the command of Kihoutei, failed to adequately interdict said violation; it is decreed in the name of the Lord Ikoma and with his full authority that Ikoma-ke no kaishin Nagata Kihoutei is reduced in rank from nikutai to hohei, that he is to be delivered fifteen strokes by split cane upon his bare back, that Ikoma-ke no kaishin Sugawara Panza is to deliver the strokes by his own hand and with all due vigor, that Ikoma-ke no kaishin Sugawara Panza is to assume command of the unit, that Ikoma-ke no kaishin Sugawara Panza is promoted to the rank of nikutai, and that he is charged with succeeding where his predecessor has failed.

"The unit is to stand and bear witness for their failure and to know the burdens of command, that they may, in time, learn to lead well.

"Now, carry out the orders as given."

Dieigo steps down from the Rostrum, and a servant steps forward to pull Kihoutei's kimono from his shoulders, baring his back to the elements and the punishment to come.

To his credit, Panza delivers each blow as directed, moving down Kihoutei's back so that he does not strike the same place twice.

To their credit, the guards now under his command stand silently and almost completely still, though their faces whiten a little more with every stroke.

To his credit, Kihoutei manages not to make a sound until the seventh blow.

He is silent after the thirteenth blow. But it is easy for an unconscious man to keep his peace.

It is less easy for those who bear him to his bed to do their work.

[Cearnach]

[This thread is now open to PCs]