[D7, ME] Scorpion hang out

[Agasha Yuna]

Later that night, after the dinner with the Fox, Yuna sent a note to her friend Soshi-san that she wanted his opinion on something, and had a tip for him, and other friendly words that provided an excuse to visit.

She set more tea on the hearth, and waited to see if he'd have time to stop by.

[Soshi Eiji]

Later that night, after the dinner with the Fox, Yuna sent a note to her friend Soshi-san that she wanted his opinion on something, and had a tip for him, and other friendly words that provided an excuse to visit.

She set more tea on the hearth, and waited to see if he'd have time to stop by.

Despite the chaos of the court, this particular Scorpion always took the time when his duties allowed to spend time with good people. The eruption in court certainly had not changed his mind about the quality of the Agasha.

Once allowed in and shown to where the Dragon was brewing, he bowed politely.

"It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to visit you again, Agahs-san." he offered. "I hope this evening finds you well."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna smiled brightly. "It's good to see you, Soshi-san. Come in. Make yourself comfortable."

She poured him a cup of tea. It was a green tea infused with jasmine. Rich and floral.

"How have you been? I hope all is well."

"I saw you attended the Noh play. That was fun to have the opportunity to work with the others involved, and to have a chance to play my shamisen. And I'm looking forward to the Go tournament. Do you happen to play? I have a set if you'd like a game later."

"It is a different delegate-sponsored event on my mind tonight. I've been working on my art for the art show. The Dragon have - as Fortune would have it - the Scorpion to represent. I'll understand if you'd rather it be a surprise. But as there is still a bit of time yet, I thought I might ask your opinion on what I prepared and just make sure that you thought it honored the Scorpion well."

[Soshi Eiji]

Yuna smiled brightly. "It's good to see you, Soshi-san. Come in. Make yourself comfortable."

She poured him a cup of tea. It was a green tea infused with jasmine. Rich and floral.

"How have you been? I hope all is well."

"I saw you attended the Noh play. That was fun to have the opportunity to work with the others involved, and to have a chance to play my shamisen. And I'm looking forward to the Go tournament. Do you happen to play? I have a set if you'd like a game later."

"It is a different delegate-sponsored event on my mind tonight. I've been working on my art for the art show. The Dragon have - as Fortune would have it - the Scorpion to represent. I'll understand if you'd rather it be a surprise. But as there is still a bit of time yet, I thought I might ask your opinion on what I prepared and just make sure that you thought it honored the Scorpion well."

She still radiates positive energy, that's a relief after court.

Eiji took the tea with a nod of thanks.

"Overall, I'd say I'm quite well, thank you for asking Agasha-san. Your performance today was quite beautiful." he said in referfence to the shamisan.


He considered the events mentioned.

"While I enjoy Go, I've no real skill at the game. Still, it's a good excuse to spend time with a friend, ne? But I don't mind waiting if you'd lke some input on your display. Granted, it is a thrlll to be surprised, but given the stakes of Winter Court, I can understand you wanting their to be no misunderstandings. I'd be happy to help." he agreed.

Unless her idea of honoring the Scorpion was to paint pictures of the Scorpion champion farting on the Empress, Eiji didn't really think she could offend the Scorpion....but there were those who might try to entangle her in some plot or the other. Given her positivity, that was something Eiji wanted to avoid.

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded. It was an option to play Go, but he was open to looking at the art first.

"My art is calligraphy. I am sure there are many here more skilled than me at it. I wanted to highlight the values and unique calling of your clan."

"I got some help. Mirumoto Kichinitonda-san is a better calligrapher than I am, but shy to exhibit his work. But he gave me some tips."

"Here it is."

She showed him a calligraphic wall hanging. The central image was the kanji for the word 'Loyalty' with a large ink flourish beside it giving it a scorpion tail, like it was a scorpion. Around the edges, the kanji spelled out a quote, including the speaker's name. Emperor Hantei: "You are the only one, Bayushi. The only one I trust to do such work."

(See https://ibb.co/PgYNBHP for the idea, but more beautifully if simply done. calligraphy 25)

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji studied the work carefully and in silence for a few minutes.

He contemplated.

"It is written, Agasha-san, that a kind friend praises your virtues, but a good friend warns you of your faults so you might overcome them. So allow me to be a good and kind friend." he offered.

"As a kind friend, I will say the brushwork is quite good, the topic is on point, you've done a very nice job incorpororating the Scorpion motif, and overall I believe this work does indeed honor the Scorpion."

He nodded.

"Now as a good friend, especially at this court, I must consider what were to happen were Agasha-san's work chosen to be the focus on a court approved Sadane competition. Where the most ruthless of the Empire's courtiers turned their shrewd gaze upon it to find anything to make a witty critque of."

"Now, Sadane is not my game, but I understand the rules of it. So were I to try and come after the work, I would probably focus on the choice of quote. Agasha-san has done a good job in shielding herself by quoting an Emperor. So one cannot directly contradict an Emperor's words, they are, after all, infallible. Instead, I would focus on the ending 'such work'. The quote alone does not make the context clear. Of course, anyone even slightly familiar with history would know what the Emperor was talking about, but a wit looking to score points might suggest that the Emperor was suggesting something like cleaning the floors."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"Indeed, I asked for your candor as a friend. And I am so grateful you trust me with it."

It was rather frightening to imagine the sadane. No wonder her fellow Dragon had foresworn the opportunity and encouraged her to do it.

She was glad she'd thought to ask for his input.

"Can you suggest a quote by a famous member of your clan? One that gives you pride and is straight forward in its meaning? A little more defended against those who would be cruel?"

She could also trim the paper and only submit the central figure...

[Soshi Eiji]

She nodded.

"Indeed, I asked for your candor as a friend. And I am so grateful you trust me with it."

It was rather frightening to imagine the sadane. No wonder her fellow Dragon had foresworn the opportunity and encouraged her to do it.

She was glad she'd thought to ask for his input.

"Can you suggest a quote by a famous member of your clan? One that gives you pride and is straight forward in its meaning? A little more defended against those who would be cruel?"

She could also trim the paper and only submit the central figure...

Eiji considered it.

"Perhaps....rather than quoting the mighty, it would be more fitting for Agasha-san to quote the humble. There is a simple pledge offered by many a Scorpion yojimbo:

"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will."

"The words are easy to say, but hard to do, but I think it captures the essence of Loyalty." he offered.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Oh! That's beautiful. Thank you so much. I do think it is the essence of loyalty."

She could definitely update it. The important thing was to have something beautiful and pleasing. She could simply trim the first. Frame it within a larger piece of paper with the new quote. None of the work would be lost.

"And look how we have done what the art exhibit was designed to inspire. Collaboration. Helping each other out. That's good. The Crane have us. I'm curious to see what they do. I'm sure it will be exquisite."

"I did want to offer a tip of mine to you. I've been trying to recall what I know about the sumai wrestlers. Are you interested in that? Are you interested in the matter of the five winds at all? Do you have a favorite?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Oh! That's beautiful. Thank you so much. I do think it is the essence of loyalty."

She could definitely update it. The important thing was to have something beautiful and pleasing. She could simply trim the first. Frame it within a larger piece of paper with the new quote. None of the work would be lost.

"And look how we have done what the art exhibit was designed to inspire. Collaboration. Helping each other out. That's good. The Crane have us. I'm curious to see what they do. I'm sure it will be exquisite."

"I did want to offer a tip of mine to you. I've been trying to recall what I know about the sumai wrestlers. Are you interested in that? Are you interested in the matter of the five winds at all? Do you have a favorite?"

"I'm happy to talk sumai with you Agasha-san, I didn't realize you were a fan." he agreed. "As for the winds...ah, might I offer another piece of advice as a good friend, Agasha-san? I know it's just the two of us here, but it's worth remembering of the five winds that four of them are very influential people and one is the son of a Fortune. And one of them will sit the Throne. It's worth remembering that openly favoring one risks angering the others. Even if the one you favor sits the Throne, it's not like the others can't find ways to strike back against those who cost them it."

"That said, Doji Noriko certainly acquitted herself quite well in court when it was suggested Seppun-sama resign their post in case of a conflict." he offered cautiously.

[Agasha Yuna]

"I am less a fan of sumai, as a woman with an excellent memory for what others have said." She smiled a little shyly at that. "If it was talked about, I tend to be able to recall it."

"I have not taken a public position on the winds. And I mentioned it only because the goal of the sumai is perhaps to get the wrestler to acknowledge a particular person. I truly believe every person currently named by the Empress and Heaven would do a fine job. It must be so."

"But, there is still room, as you noted to admire what we have had time and opportunity to admire. I was very impressed by Doji Noriko in how she spoke in that matter you mentioned, and how she supported so generously the gathering of contributions for the Brotherhood."

"And I have been very impressed by conversation with Seppun Tomaru-sama. He is wise and kind. And he has the merit - to me - of being both a shugenja and a Shinseist. My family is only ever led by shugenja."

"The arrival of the 5th candidate shakes things up also. I would love to know what exactly the Empress' direction was in sending that group to bring him here. But it seems like her intent - practically her last living act - was to ask that he be brought here publicly to be acknowledged as an heir and son of a Fortune."

"All of that said, I haven't met any other Scorpion in your delegation. So I don't know how well each family is represented here. But if you happen to have a Shosuro, I remembered that Asako Haruo (“Tanikaze”), of Golden Barley village, famously has a long fascination with stories about the Shosuro family’s exploits in the service of the Empire. He is impressed both by displays of ninjutsu (He’d never tell anyone! He swears!) and the wiles of romantic seducers. He has a bias for Shosuro family members (unless they are terribly bland, in which case they couldn't be real Shosuro)."

She blushed even to say the words 'romantic seducers'. Heavens! But it was good information.

[Soshi Eiji]

"I am less a fan of sumai, as a woman with an excellent memory for what others have said." She smiled a little shyly at that. "If it was talked about, I tend to be able to recall it."

"I have not taken a public position on the winds. And I mentioned it only because the goal of the sumai is perhaps to get the wrestler to acknowledge a particular person. I truly believe every person currently named by the Empress and Heaven would do a fine job. It must be so."

"But, there is still room, as you noted to admire what we have had time and opportunity to admire. I was very impressed by Doji Noriko in how she spoke in that matter you mentioned, and how she supported so generously the gathering of contributions for the Brotherhood."

"And I have been very impressed by conversation with Seppun Tomaru-sama. He is wise and kind. And he has the merit - to me - of being both a shugenja and a Shinseist. My family is only ever led by shugenja."

"The arrival of the 5th candidate shakes things up also. I would love to know what exactly the Empress' direction was in sending that group to bring him here. But it seems like her intent - practically her last living act - was to ask that he be brought here publicly to be acknowledged as an heir and son of a Fortune."

"All of that said, I haven't met any other Scorpion in your delegation. So I don't know how well each family is represented here. But if you happen to have a Shosuro, I remembered that Asako Haruo (“Tanikaze”), of Golden Barley village, famously has a long fascination with stories about the Shosuro family’s exploits in the service of the Empire. He is impressed both by displays of ninjutsu (He’d never tell anyone! He swears!) and the wiles of romantic seducers. He has a bias for Shosuro family members (unless they are terribly bland, in which case they couldn't be real Shosuro)."

She blushed even to say the words 'romantic seducers'. Heavens! But it was good information.

Eiji smiled a bit.

"Perhaps you were an Ikoma bard in a previous life, Agasha-san. Such a strong mind is something that the Ikoma cultivate well with their studies of the ancestors." he said, also having that advantage she hinted at because he was an Ikoma bard.

"I do remember Asako-san, as it happens, Agasha-san. While you certainly are beautiful enough to be imagined as a romantic seducer, I think your heart is likely too pure to pursue such a path." he offered, a mixture of flattery and gentle teasing.

"However, if you thinking you might approach some of them, and were uncertain how best to proceed, I think you would get along well with Yogo Natsuo. His viewpoints on the etiquette and how rigidly he adheres to them are quite well known. It might be interesting to compare how the etiquette of sumai and the etiquette of court compare." he suggested.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled. "I think the paths of Ikoma bards and Asako loremasters have some commonality. Just less emphasis on our side on saying these out loud. But you and I really have quite a bit in common. The love of story and learning and detail. And both now representing clans different from our schooling."

Perhaps it was one of the reasons she found him so very likable.

The compliment to her beauty didn't hurt either!

"That is a splendid tip about Yogo Natsuo-sama. I'll see if I can approach him. Thank you." A little bow of thanks.

"Have you had your rice today? I've just eaten, but I can ask the chef to bring you a meal, or just dessert if you'd like. And I also have plum wine or sake if you'd like to supplement the tea."

[Soshi Eiji]

She smiled. "I think the paths of Ikoma bards and Asako loremasters have some commonality. Just less emphasis on our side on saying these out loud. But you and I really have quite a bit in common. The love of story and learning and detail. And both now representing clans different from our schooling."

Perhaps it was one of the reasons she found him so very likable.

The compliment to her beauty didn't hurt either!

"That is a splendid tip about Yogo Natsuo-sama. I'll see if I can approach him. Thank you." A little bow of thanks.

"Have you had your rice today? I've just eaten, but I can ask the chef to bring you a meal, or just dessert if you'd like. And I also have plum wine or sake if you'd like to supplement the tea."

"Ah sensei, would scold me for having dessert so late in the day, but I simply cannot refuse you on this, Agasha-san, alas" he said, with a litle fake Oh woe is me.

"Perhaps wine at our next meeting. I have a sake tasting to go to after this, and I would not with to look the fool to my later guest by showing up already under the influence of your most excellent wine."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled. "A sake tasting? How fun."

A gesture to the attendants, and they arrived with two plates of dessert. She clearly did not intend for him to dine alone.

It was a mango & plum coulis, a shiro miso crumble, and black sesame mochi.

https://ibb.co/FBzvCTZ

"Do you have time to play a round of Go before setting off?" She meant after he'd had time to enjoy his dessert.

[Soshi Eiji]

She smiled. "A sake tasting? How fun."

A gesture to the attendants, and they arrived with two plates of dessert. She clearly did not intend for him to dine alone.

It was a mango & plum coulis, a shiro miso crumble, and black sesame mochi.

https://ibb.co/FBzvCTZ

"Do you have time to play a round of Go before setting off?" She meant after he'd had time to enjoy his dessert.

Eiji smiled.

"Of course, Agasha-san. I am confident you can beat me with time to spare." he offered.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled and - when their dessert plates had been cleared - set up her Go board.

https://ibb.co/D9FvRnn

"Do you like to play the white stones or the black? Black places a stone first."

[Soshi Eiji]

She smiled and - when their dessert plates had been cleared - set up her Go board.

https://ibb.co/D9FvRnn

"Do you like to play the white stones or the black? Black places a stone first."

Black was also given to the weaker player since it gave them a slight edge.

"I don't mind taking black for our first game, Agasha-san. Should it turn out that I've misjudged our strengths, you can have it next time." he offered.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"It is a game I enjoy. I do not pretend to be its master. I expect we are well-matched."

"But I quite enjoy playing, winning or losing, so you can easily talk me into playing again and taking the opposite colors."

She gave him black and took white.


(Shall we just roll, rather than describing the game in great detail?)

[Soshi Eiji]

She smiled.

"It is a game I enjoy. I do not pretend to be its master. I expect we are well-matched."

"But I quite enjoy playing, winning or losing, so you can easily talk me into playing again and taking the opposite colors."

She gave him black and took white.


(Shall we just roll, rather than describing the game in great detail?)

(Given I dont know how to play, I typically use broad sweeping metaphors after rolling such as......)

Eiji's pieces took to the field against the moutains of the Dragon. Eiji....at least made legal plays, and didn't eat the pieces, but it wouldn't take much to get beaten by the Dragon.

Int/Games: Go: 12