Kenixhi sought out snother Asako in the guest house. The karo of his daimyo has deigned to respond to his inquury, and he felt a small amount of relief. And a large amount of trepidation.

He scrstched at her door, hopong this meetkng woukd be fruitful.

The divider opened to permit his entry to Asako Misa's personal space. A little larger than the ones laid out for the junior courtiers, she had hidden her futon behind screens from Morning Glory Palace (you think you remember where they stood in the Daimyo's outer office).

Rising from her correspondence (she seemed to have a mountain of it. Some of it probably Higashime's, you reckon), she spread her hands in welcome.

"Good morning, cousin," she said, perhaps less chipper than her mighty Uncle, but no less personable for all that. "Come in, make yourself at home."

A small quirk threatened to bloom into a smile. " Greetings cousin. Wichh papers shoukd I start sorting or corresponding, if I should feel at home?"

He raused a tray of tea. "I brought some local black brew, if you care to indulge?"

"Ah yes, the famed Ikoma teas." She winked. "Well, let's see how they stack up to our hardy northern varietals. Please, come in, sit down. I'll fetch the cups."

Which, of course, she did.

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:30 am

"Ah yes, the famed Ikoma teas." She winked. "Well, let's see how they stack up to our hardy northern varietals. Please, come in, sit down. I'll fetch the cups."

Which, of course, she did.

Kenichi poured a coupke of cups as appropriate. "Hwo has your trip been? How are things in Asako lands? Haven't heard much from back home, to be honest."

Asako Kenichi wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 08, 2025 1:00 pm

Kenichi poured a coupke of cups as appropriate. "Hwo has your trip been? How are things in Asako lands? Haven't heard much from back home, to be honest."

"Well, things have been changing rapidly with Shiba-ue's accession to the Championship, and...well, Takao. But nothing deeply troubling. Certainly no worse than some others have it. To tell you the truth, the trip across the plains was nice just to get out of the swirl of it all. What about you? I hear you've found yourself in Lord Ikoma's pocket, clever boy."

Kenichi smiled. "I am stuck here, might as well make the best of it. Usual fun and games than back home? I confess, I miss Asako lands. Not sure what I would travel back to, considering the laat Ito correspondence I received before this court was two years ago."

He cpuldn't hide his frown.

"How do you find the tea?"

"Inferior. But then, that's why you chose it, yes?" She inclined her head sadly. "I think you'll find families of hostages often go through the mourning process. It's difficult, but less difficult than the constant worry of their child's execution. Not that that makes it any easier for you, I am sure."

Kenichi sighed. "I understand...sort of. But when will it emd? Neother party is willing tochange the status quo, and I sit here without a true home or place. My family mourned me whike I was still in school! Still living with them!"

Emotions burst forward from the young man, and after an awkward silence, he managed to reign them in. Bowing, he shrank back.

"I apologize for my shameful display, Asako-sama."

"Hm? Oh, that. Yes, well, the wailing and gnashing of teeth bit is tragically commonplace. You are paying for the crimes of your grandparents, so I suppose you're due for quite a bit of that. It's alright."

She smiled kindly. "But, Kenichi-san...?"

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2025 12:17 am

"Hm? Oh, that. Yes, well, the wailing and gnashing of teeth bit is tragically commonplace. You are paying for the crimes of your grandparents, so I suppose you're due for quite a bit of that. It's alright."

She smiled kindly. "But, Kenichi-san...?"

Kenichi let out a long sigh. "I feel I am well past due Misa-sama."

He slacked a bit at her smile. "Yes?"

Asako Kenichi wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2025 11:46 am

Kenichi let out a long sigh. "I feel I am well past due Misa-sama."

He slacked a bit at her smile. "Yes?"

"There are people here who are looking for ways to hurt you," she says, voice low. "They are going to see your pain when your mask slips, and they will enjoy twisting the knife. Fuck those people. Fuck them over before they do it to you. Do you understand me?"

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2025 3:37 pm

"There are people here who are looking for ways to hurt you," she says, voice low. "They are going to see your pain when your mask slips, and they will enjoy twisting the knife. Fuck those people. Fuck them over before they do it to you. Do you understand me?"

Kenichi looked into her eyes. "I would, but most of them are cowards unwilling to step forth. It seems I have to force some things this winter. I may need some assistance, if you are willing."

He pondered, than sat on his hunches. "I also need to decide if I still wish to deal with my family, or go another path. Or House. Or clan."

"If you set the clan aside, clever boy, then I cannot help you. But your house is a different matter. I don't owe them a thing." She smiled a little strangely. "But you should know that I enjoy when bullies suffer. There's a justice to it that tastes divine. So...let me help?"

"Oh certainly. I just need to think how to approqch things."

Leaning back, he smiked. "On a more pleasant note...what kind of spouse would you prefer? Maybe I will play matchmaker to pass the time."

"Ah! A clever segue. I would love to marry a dashing but biddable Bayushi. You know, one of those pretty things that have been cowed by their mothers and don't know how to survive without a feminine authority figure controlling. their. every. move. Alas, I am already married, clever boy. However, Chieko, my cousin, is quite free."

She leans forward. "Are you saying you're interested? Are you aiming so high?"

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2025 12:30 am

"Ah! A clever segue. I would love to marry a dashing but biddable Bayushi. You know, one of those pretty things that have been cowed by their mothers and don't know how to survive without a feminine authority figure controlling. their. every. move. Alas, I am already married, clever boy. However, Chieko, my cousin, is quite free."

She leans forward. "Are you saying you're interested? Are you aiming so high?"

Kenichi smirked. "Ano, you already have everyone jnder your thumb." He waved his fan at her 'meancingly'. "And who do you think woukd suit Chieko-san? Someone from a prestigious family, I assume."

He sighed. "Not sure I would be on the list....unkess you think otherwise?"

"It would be an ambitious play indeed. I can't say that my Uncle would see it coming...or be particularly pleased at the prospect. Sorry. But you are a clever boy, and I am sure that if you wished to, you could reach for some lower-hanging fruit without losing your hands."

She tossed her head from side to side. "Have you been asking around the delegations? There's bound to be a nice lady with some money somewhere."

Cearnach wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2025 6:54 pm

"It would be an ambitious play indeed. I can't say that my Uncle would see it coming...or be particularly pleased at the prospect. Sorry. But you are a clever boy, and I am sure that if you wished to, you could reach for some lower-hanging fruit without losing your hands."

She tossed her head from side to side. "Have you been asking around the delegations? There's bound to be a nice lady with some money somewhere."

"Ha, I appreciate the honesty." He drummed his fingers lightly. "Something to consider at least, in between the myriad requeats of our Lords, our economic needs, and the utterly normal declaration of Imperial succession that was touched upon today."

"Winter Court is always a big mess. This time it's a little bigger than other times, but if you think of each snarl as an opportunity to make your mark, you can make a great big name for yourself."