[D12, MM] A Triumverate of Power!

[Kitsu Sayomi]

(expecting)

Sayomi prepared her notes of what she had uncovered in the libraries so far, as well as other matters, before preparing the tea. By the appointed hour of meeting, she was ready; notes, tea, snacks. All perfect.

The Akodo-trained Kitsu had prepared her battlefield meeting. Or something like it.

[Hiruma Daichi]

This isn't neutral ground! Weren't we supposed to meet on neutral ground!

Daichi wasn't quite sure that's how it worked. Especially without the proper chaperones and all that which northerners were so fond of.

Arriving at the Lion den he knocked at the door and waited to be shown in to see Sayomi.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Daichi was soon enough showed inside and brought to the common area that had been set aside for the meeting.

"Good morning, Hiruma-sama," Sayomi bowed as Daichi entered the room, calm and polite as always. "Have you had rice yet this morning?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji's steps towards the meeting were marked with a certain boldness. Perhaps he was comfortable entering Lion house as a former Lion, or perhaps it was a certain crooked nosed servant had given him the message of he was to meet here to talk about pirates with the 'pretty lion lady' and the 'Crab guy who looks like a Crab'. Whether this was meant to be a discussion on river security, or Ikoma Honaka had decided to become a pirate and was hiring a crew, Eiji hadn't a clue.

He was shown into the reception room, and bowed to the other two samurai.

"Good morning, Kitsu-san, Hiruma-san. I hope this day finds you both well." he offered.

[Hiruma Daichi]

He'd woke a bit late this morning having been out entirely too late on meetings, but he had managed a rice ball or two before heading out the door. "Good morning Kitsu-san." He replied returning the bow. "And I have, I hope you can say the same?"

Anything further was interrupted though as Eiji arrived on the scene. "Soshi-san." He greeted the other man with a bow. "Good morning to you too."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Good morning, Soshi-sama," she greeted the Scorpion as wel. "Thank you, I pray the day has blessed you too."

"And yes, Hiruma-sama, I've partaken in Inari's blessing."

Sayomi gestured for the two men to join her at a low table where tea waited with some simple onigiri if anyone felt hungry. "I hope this is a satisfactory meeting place. The Banquet Hall is so full at this hour." Picking up the teapot, cups begin to fill. First for Daichi as the highest ranking of them all, and then for Eiji. Lastly for herself.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji took a moment to savor the aroma of the tea.

"You are truly a thoughtful host, Kitsu-san. While the banquet hall has served quite well in nourishing us all as your guests, it is a venue suited more for...casual discussions, open to anyone with a sword at their hip and a tea cup in their hand. More focused conversations certainly benefit from a more private location." he mused.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Agreed." Daichi replied with a dip of his head his eyes moving over the room for a few moments to take in the unfamiliar terrain. "It'd be hard to do any sort of business with so many other conversations around us."

"On that note Sohi-san, the Lion have expressed some interest in our project with pirates along the River of Gold. I figured 3 minds together would make a much sounder argument then two pairs of two."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi nodded as Daichi brought up the topic of the river-safety. "We also benefit from the safety of the rivers, and agree that working together would be an improvement." Especially since they had agreed to a year of peace with the Scorpion.

"In that effort, the Lion wish to move the auxillary Emerald Office in Ikoma's Eye to the castle compound of Kyuden Ikoma. It would make the Emerald Office's presence a more permanent fixture in the area, and also be more effective for coordinating information between the clans."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I thought that in part could prove useful to a degree with our own tasks. Increaseing the size and amount of Space the Magistrates have at least."

"If such a thing is possible." He added with a glance towards Sayomi.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I believe it is possible with some aid from other parties," she nodded to the two men.

"For some time we have tried to move the office into the compound of the Kyuden, but it's been stonewalled by bureaucratic inertia. Perhaps because we have been the only one politely trying to stress the benefit it would bring. I believe that with the court here now, and others supporting the motion, it will move forward." She offered a small smile. "Sometimes a discussion needs new voices to proceed forward."

[Soshi Eiji]

It had been a small jump from pirates to moving the emerald office, so Eiji had simply considered the Kitsu's words over the tea and small snacks. He had not had rice today, his brush with art last night keeping him up later than he would have cared to have been, so the snacks were welcome. They also gave him time to consider the matter.

"It is easy to picture the beaurcracy as a sumai with his feet set, ready to resist any attempt to push him in any direction. The vacancy at the top of the bureaucracy certainly does little to improve the situation."

Eiji considered it a bit further.

"While I'm not inherently opposed to helping you with this politically, Kitsu-san, could you perhaps give some idea of how this move will benefit the Empire specifically?" he asked.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"It is simple, I believe. The one located in Ikoma's Eye is currently the most important auxillary office outside of Otosan Uchi - but it's current location in Ikoma's Eye has for some time been inefficient and, personally, I believe it could better serve the people living in the area better if it could be used for something else. Such an esteemed office can often seem overbearing to the lower classes."

A slight pause before she continued, as she didn't wish to overwhelm the guests. "In the Kyuden however it would have the benefit of having a closer proximity to messengers, stables for horses, information, and many that handle the paperwork of both the Emerald Office as well as the Lion, creating a hub of efficiency. It would also place it closer to the Ikoma Libraries, which often sees use by the magistrates. It is not a sweeping change that will make everything better, but it will make things run smoother for the Emerald Office, and subsequently for this future project of river security."

"The Lion have previously brought up the issue, but it has usually just not gone anywhere." Imperial offices were famous for their reluctancy to do anything that would lead to change. "I believe that by working together, and making the Emerald Office here this area's hub for cooperation between our clans, it could be the push needed for some change to benefit us all."

[Hiruma Daichi]

It took a few moments for Daichi to answer as he thought about the proposal. "It does have its good points access to the Ikoma Libraries being one. Especially if the Lion granted access to Emerald Magistrates without question."

"It strikes me that it will run into a series of difficulties otherwise though. It may be more difficult for someone to gain access to Kyuden Ikoma then Ikomas eye for instance. Especially in times of strive."

"Would the Lion be adverse to moving the current office into the castle proper, then maybe building a new manor close by with easy access to the river. Made more for receiving Magistrates and reports of Crimes where the one in the castle is more suited to research and administration?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"I think Hiruma-san is definitely on to something there, Kitsu-san." he said concurring.

"The Ikoma libraries are a valuable research asset, and coordinating with other clans diplomatically, Kyuden Ikoma does make a nice centerpoint. And while it's true that the Emerald magistrates are not normally very...shall we say street level, their duties do encompass things that require a certain level of flexibility and mobility that a second manor could provide."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I certainly agree that we should push for more access to the Library for the Emerald Magistrates," she nodded with enthusiasm. It sounded like a pretty important thing for them to be able to use in the name of the Empire and their duty.

"As for having two locations, we have considered this before, but other minds have thought that it would complicate matters - for some it might be confusing if they are to go to the kyuden or the office in the Eye. The Eye is more suited for local magisterial business, rather than the business of the Emerald office."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I see your point in Kitsu-san, but I think Soshi-san's and I's concern is for how one outside of the Lion or the Emerald Magistrates would get into the offices for business with the magistrates if they do need to." He picked up his cup of tea and took a slow sip.

"The office here is in Lion lands and any crime here is under the purview of your Magistrates. But if something occurred outside of your territories and this was the closest Emerald Magistrates office then how could a Samurai make a report to an Emerald Magistrate without first having to wait for permission to enter the Castle itself?"

"I can't imagine outside of court you let just anyone wander the grounds."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I understand your concerns," she said, nodding, "and we will certainly allow entry to the compound for all visitors to the Emerald office. Anyone presenting themselves at the gates would be allowed to enter by stating their business, as is common*."

The teacup turned in her hands as she thought, and continued. "If something was happening outside our territories and this was the closest one, if it was say, the Scorpion that needed assistance, the Lion would gladly wish to know too so we could extend a helping hand." A bow of her head was given to Eiji. After all, the two clans had agreed to peace for the time being.

"There is also the matter of costs to consider. At the time being, the Imperial coffers are responsible for the upkeep of the one in Ikoma's Eye. By relocating to the compound, the Lion clan would be able to cover more of those costs, freeing up the Emerald office's funds to be used for other needs."

---

ooc: this is me assuming that the compound to the kyuden has gates that are normally closed.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji returned the bow of the head.

"Of course, Kitsu-san. Any honorable samurai should help when they see someone in need. Though this does lead me to wonder why any would object that two locations would lead to confusion as to where to go. The simple answer would be, 'To whichever is closest.' And by having more places you could go to, you decrease the average time it takes to get help. If I need an emerald magistrate now, I must travel to Ikoma's eye, and if we move the office here, and I need an emerald magistrate in Ikoma's eye, I'd have to travel from there to here. More places means faster overall response times." he points out.

He sips his tea.

"Hmmm, and should we take up this position in court, Kitsu-san, I fear that your last point will be seized upon as an argument against the move. Emerald magistrates are intended to act to impartially when it comes to the clans. While I doubt that any honorable samurai would genuinely show bias simply because they enjoyed easier access to the library, if it is your funds that are keeping a roof over their head, you can see how some might argue that that would bias the emerald magistrate in favor of the Lion."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Soshi-san makes some very valid points and while I understand them, I believe I also understand where you are coming from Kitsu-san, and I hope you both excuse me as I'm going to speak candidly." He finished giving a thoughtful pause before continuing.

"You said this is a long-standing wish of the Ikoma which seems to me to mean that there are perhaps some political reasons involved that are outside your purview to know. I can understand this as many times this is the case especially given your standing as a Hohei. So, you are asking for our assistance here and saying that in turn the Lion will aid us in our attempts to get an increased presence of Emerald Magistrates along the River of gold."

"Favor for favor in simple terms." He took a sip of his tea. "Does that bring us all to a equal level of understanding?"