[D11, EE] Like Cats and Dogs?

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"It sounds like a pretty good match then, all things considered," Sayomi remarks happily, glad to have arranged another good match for her clan and kin.

She takes another small sip of the tea, being much more aware of her own manners in the company of someone who had mastered the art of conversation along with snacking. "I'm glad we could find such a good match so quickly. This matchmaking business is quite the new experience," she chuckles, realising she had been responsible for most of the marriages the Lion had set up this winter. "The Crane are probably set with a considerable number of upcoming weddings now, I imagine?"

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Positively swamped in them," Shinnosuke agrees with a slightly rakish smile. "So much the better. Benten loves a wedding, they say, and the Crane love Benten, right?" He too sips his tea gracefully. "I am glad, really. I'd heard it was terribly awkward trying to make compacts with the other Clans these past few years without being permitted to arrange any betrothals. In one large respect, this has been an unlucky year to be at Winter Court for all of us, but in others I feel I've been fortunate."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"True," she agrees, taking one more sip of tea. "The tragedies that have happen are absolutely terrible. No one can deny that. But, hope springs even in times of despair, I suppose."

Carefully, Sayomi takes a nibble of her snack, and similarly to Shinnosuke she avoids talking with her mouth full.

"Have you had the opportunity to speak with Kitsune Aiko-sama of the Fox then, perhaps? Considering all the politicking we've been occupying our past days with."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Yes, I spoke with her yesterday, as a matter of fact." Shinnosuke's brows arch. "An interesting woman. Sharper than her accent." He smiles into his tea. "I have an older cousin who may be marrying into the Fox, if all goes well. I hesitate to reverse any good luck by celebrating prematurely, of course."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Very interesting indeed! I must admit some fondness for her on my part, as her accent reminds me much of home." Clearly Sayomi had refined her own accent to be more suitable for court, rather than the rural one she had naturally. "I hope all goes well for your cousin's match. Likewise the Lion hope to marry one of the Kitsune historians to our Akodo Kenji-sama."

She smiles with sincere happiness for the potential couples before continuing. "But, has Kitsune-sama spoken with you regarding the current situation of her clan? Specifically about her brother?"

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Really? I'd never guess, Kitsu-san--you don't sound at all like her." Shinnosuke's gray-blue eyes widen in mild surprise. "You might have the makings of an actress. It really is a pity your duties didn't allow you time to join our little play some days ago."

He cocks his head. "Kitsune-sama didn't raise the matter with me directly, but I had heard some gossip, so I tried to ask her about it--tactfully, of course. I understand the Fox Champion is rather too in love with the woods and the forest spirits. Is that about right?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Ah... I leave the art of the stage and performing to those more suited to it. I enjoy art, but performance was never really something I've felt comfortable with," she chuckles calmly. "I've spent the past couple of years here in Kyuden Ikoma, so I've adapted the way they speak here and how they speak for court. Also," Sayomi holds up a finger in a gesture to indicate sharing a secret and her accent drops to her native one, "folks think I'm much more clever 'n well-spoken if I talk all fancy proper."

Glancing to Shinnosuke's teacup, she checks if he's in need of a refill yet.

"As for the Lord Kitsune... yes, my understanding is something along those lines. That he talks with things that aren't there, and is uncommitted to his duties as a daimyo. I've seen similar things within the Kitsu - some priests simply become too attached to the other realms, that they have a hard time focusing on what is happening in this one."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke turns his cup on the table with a casual gesture, as if it's totally coincidental that it ends up at a better angle for Sayomi to see the empty interior and more easily reach to refill it. One very small kata in the dance of court.

"Artists can be like that too, to tell you the truth. Writers and painters especially." He chuckles. "Actors, by nature, must be more aware of other people, so I exclude us... mostly." Raising his eyebrows, he casts Sayomi an inquisitive look. "The Fox situation concerns you, Kitsu-san?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

While she wasn't as proficient in the courtly kata as Shinnosuke was, at least she did a decent job in playing the host. The teapot was in her hand, and she gracefully pours the tea for the guest, then refills her own cup.

"It does. Maybe I am too soft-hearted, but Kitsune-sama's situation has me concerned," her lips twist for a moment in a small frown. "It's not a good sign for any clan to have a Champion so... indisposed. And poor Kitsune Aiko-sama is doing all the work, and for now that is functional. But the Lord Kitsune has no spouse, no children... no heirs. It is too similar to the tragedy the Empire as a whole is facing now, I feel."

Giving herself a pause, Sayomi lifts her own teacup for a sip. "She has been looking for other clans to support her bid to be recognised as Champion for her clan."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Hmm. That is an awkward situation for her." Shinnosuke nods in thanks for the attention to his teacup and picks it up to drink, giving himself a moment to consider this.

"I suppose Kitsune-sama planned to ask the Former Empress to intervene, before... all this?" he asks, partly rhetorically. "But it's one thing for an Empress to address the leadership of a Minor Clan directly, and quite another to ask the other Clans to weigh in, isn't it?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I don't know if that was her intention, but that's water under the bridge now." No point in speculating if it had been Aiko's plan when the Empress was dead.

"But you have the right of it that it is very unorthodox. Then again, it's not very often a daimyo is in this situation. There have been similar cases due to sickness or vices, but not like this. I think she might want support from other clans not only to succeed, but to make certain that the Empire sees that she is doing this for her clan, and not out of ambition for power. Although that is speculation on my behalf."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"It's rather tricky, though, isn't it?" he asks, brows drawing together in a pensive frown. "If she doesn't play it just perfectly right, it could set an example for the Great Clans unseating a Minor Clan champion to put in someone they like better. That's risky for them, I should think--the Fox and the other Minor Clans, I mean."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I agree. One possible angle, I believe, is support across multiple clans. If it is just one or two, it might seem like a political takeover that plots to turn Kitsune-sama into their puppet."

Though why anyone would do that with the Fox was beyond Sayomi's understanding, but she knew ambitious and cruel people did all sorts of things she didn't understand. She didn't need to understand it, only stand against it.

"So I hope many will come together to support her when she does take the plunge before the court."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Hm. That is one way of looking at it, I suppose." Shinnosuke still looks rather uncertain. "Well, thank you for this information, Kitsu-san. I'd quite like to share your trust that if enough different people support something sensible, whatever their reasons, it can be carried off without casting any nasty shadows."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I am happy to share it, Doji-sama, and I hope I might hear the Crane in support of Kitsune-sama," she says as she gives a seated bow. Her tone indicates that while she would appreciate the support for Aiko, she knew very well that she couldn't force Shinnosuke to do it and was probably beholden to his clan as she was to hers.

"This season makes me understand why 'may you live in interesting times' is a curse..." Sayomi heaves a sigh and takes a long sip of her tea.