[D9, MM*] An important conversation (expecting)

[Agasha Yuna]

[*Note: we can change the time slot if this time is needed for Daimyo meeting with either clan]

Yuna was excited to receive an invitation to visit Ryusei at Phoenix house. There was the chance to see his sister's painting.

And, to talk a little more privately than the market had allowed.

She was already dressed for court in the green kimono with the ribbons of flowers, looking her elegant best.

She had the attendant announce her arrival and waited patiently (heart pounding!) at the door.

The Phoenix would soon be her home. Because she was going to marry the most wonderful man in all of Rokugan!!! Breathe. Breathe.

[Shiba Ryusei]

He wasn't nervous.

Honest.

Certainly, he didn't run to the door the way he wanted to, elbowing anyone in his path aside and vaulting furniture.

He just thought about it.

There.

Yuna.

His Yuna. The one he belonged to. The one he belonged with.

"Good morning, Agasha-sama. Has Inari-no-Kami blessed you today?"

Here, especially, he had to be professional. Had to prove to his Champion that she hadn't erred in permitting the match.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna gave a deep bow.

"I have already eaten, Shiba-san. Thank you for inquiring. Thank you for the invitation. I am glad to visit and for the opportunity to see Phoenix House and your sister's painting."

She took the cue from him. Professional. Formal. One never knew who was watching. And yet there was a question they did need to discuss. This was as private as they could find.

She produced a small parcel.

"I have brought a gift, in thanks for your hospitality. Something I hope you can all enjoy."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ah, Agasha-sama, I can hardly accept- after all, you have provided hospitality at the Dragon House. Surely a simple reciprocal meeting hardly merits such a gesture?"

He wanted to at least wink at her, but no. Not here.

[Agasha Yuna]

"But the Phoenix are soon to be my clan, my home, my all. It is a great deal more than the Dragon will be to you. Let this gesture show my gratitude at the welcome I will receive."

Just the hint of a smile. The dance of courtesy.

Good practice for them both.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ah, but if we are to be your clan, then surely our hospitality requires no gifts?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"Until the wedding, I am still a guest. Much as I might wish it be that day already, it is not yet."

She held up the parcel to him encouragingly.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Two refusal, three offers, there we go.

"Then I accept this gift, in the spirit with which it was given."

He could smile now, just a bit.

[Agasha Yuna]

She handed it to him.

It proved to be an assortment of wagashi, in floral designs, with a prominent mix of green and orange in the colors of the confections.

https://ibb.co/qjFVfg1

There were over 40 of the little treats. Plenty for the Phoenix delegates to all enjoy.

And with that done, she smiled at him. "What would you like to do first? I am eager to see your sister's painting. Is it displayed in the common area, or should I wait here while you fetch it?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ah, yes, I have it in my room, so please, if you would...."

He bowed, handed the wagashi off to a servant- after snagging one and popping it into his mouth- and bustled off to his room.

It didn't take long, and he emerged with the painting- and landscape showing a castle that.... well, it had seen better days.

But it still command an impressive position on the island it occupied, overlooking an expanse of sea.

[Agasha Yuna]

She had taken a seat and rose again when he returned so she could get a good look.

"Oh! It's beautiful. Look at the brushstrokes. She's quite a talent."

Home! Our home!

"I can't wait to see it in person. And, oh, it's an island!" She was clearly delighted by that discovery. "I had pictured a city on the coast. An island is even more beautiful. Sand and beach in every single direction. And the view of the sea must be breath-taking."

"Home," she whispered. A little awed to see it becoming more and more real.

"Does she do portraits as well as landscapes? I should like a picture of you to have with me always."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"I... believe Mai-chan prefers to work in landscapes, but she might be persuaded...."

Just so she doesn't give me a face like an oni's this time.

"But yes, the castle sits on an island- we also claim the strip of the mainland opposite it. In our heyday, it controlled the approach to a pretty respectable port. And if I have anything to say about it, it will again."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Oh that's very good to have the strip on the mainland opposite. You control the access point to the island. We'll see a thriving port there again. And a thriving workshop."

She paused.

Thinking. Everything at court was moving so fast.

"Shiba-san" - she kept if formal - "we must decide what role we want to play in the matter of the winds. What I do reflects on you. There is a risk in it."

"This is our first important decision as a couple together. Whatever we decide, I'll stand by it. And never regret it. It is impossible to know how this will all turn out. Nor how exactly it will impact that castle on that island. But that's the question probably to consider first. Our life is there. In Phoenix lands. How much does our future depend on the opinions of the people here? Shiba Higashime-ue and Shiba Rumiko-sama are the Shiba present, yes? Remind me who your closest neighbors are. Families. Clans."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"House Shigi is squarely in Shiba territory. Between Shiro Shiba and the Artisan Academy, with Kyuden Asako not too far off either. A little north of Mori Kage Toshi. Of the Great Clans, the Dragon and Lion lie closest by land- the Centipede are also not too far off, if we include Minor Clans. But by sea.... the whole coast is... closer than it looks on most maps. Shiba-ue is my lord- and will be yours, once you marry in. I don't simply mean as Clan Champion, but as Family Daimyo. Moreover, I have personally allied myself to her in matters of internal Clan politics."

He paused.

"Now, as to the winds... ask a sailor, and he'll tell you, winds change. But some are better than others. I was uncertain until just yesterday as to whether I had particularly strong opinions."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded. The perspective was helpful.

"Here is my honest opinion. Seppun Tomaru-sama is admirable and would do a good job. I am inclined most to support him. He is a good man. He is Shinseist. He is a shugenja which is by far the clearest sign of Heaven's blessing if we compare them. He has a large family, multiple children and grandchildren. The succession crisis would not immediately happen again. There is an opportunity there perhaps. To inter-marry other candidates."

"Doji Noriko-sama has impressed me every time I've seen her, though I haven't had a chance to speak to her in the same detail. My perception is she might favor those who support her, but would not ruthlessly punish those who acted with integrity to support someone she also admires. The Crane likely support her. They are a large and powerful faction here. I think she might have a larger current base of support, of the two."

"Either of them would be good for the empire. Excellent. People of integrity. People of humility. An important combination."

"You and I do not necessarily have to do the same thing, in this. If your goal is to show Shiba-ue that you are not overly swayed by affection for me, it might be best if we didn't."

"I'm not sure. What do you think?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"I think, after yesterday, anyone but Otomo Keihime. The pointless cruelty is one thing. The assumption of authority that isn't hers is another. Combined, they are... a serious issue. Now, I've spoken to both Seppun-sama and to Doji-sama. I think either one would do a fine job. And Doji-sama is the closest by blood. No doubt she would elevate the Crane, but that's hardly the end of the world. She at least has the sense to keep any favoritism within the bounds of good taste. Seppun-sama... well. His devotion to duty speaks for itself. And he is not even in active pursuit of the role. Were it all up to me, I would select him in a heartbeat, but... we have to be realistic. It would take a great deal of effort at this stage to build a case for him that would overturn Otomo Keihime or Doji-sama, and it might divert energies better spent in... let us say keeping the throne out of the wrong hands."

He shrugged.

"I haven't spoken to the other winds, or seen more than the very basics, but they would be options three and four if it came to it. But tactically, right now I am inclined to back Doji-sama. That said, she has her own complications- not least of which is that the Lion are unlikely to be terribly enthusiastic about an Empress who was born a Crane."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"I do think it may be more important to prevent Otomo Keihime-sama, than to try to raise anyone else."

"But a part of me thinks... Even if it is a small group, even if it is only me, I'd like the record to show that someone stood by him. That excellence of character matters. That a dutiful life is qualifying to highest office. That kindness is more important than cruelty. I do not want to see him abandoned. I think he only particularly wants his education idea to be heard. If she might agree to listen? To take him as an advisor? His ideas are good ideas."

"I have stood up for him every time. Every time they've attacked him. He deserves that. He puts his life on the line every day for the Empire."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"He does indeed."

He paused.

"I invited him to the wedding, you know... informally, in the bath yesterday, but still."

A frown.

"If there were a way to swing more support behind him, and rapidly..."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"I am glad you invited him. I can always make public my obvious support of him. And see what happens."

"But ... are you sure you are okay with me wading into this soup? It could be trouble for us. Down the road. There is an option to wait. To watch. To simply ... survive this court. And go home."

“To serve the Tao is to serve the Empire. The one cannot be parted from the other, no more than the sea can be parted from the land.”

"I think we are supposed to try to do the right thing. Best as we understand it. But ... is it wrong to think Heaven needs our help? Shouldn't Heaven make its will clear? To everyone? Unambiguously? We must be prepared to serve anyone of the five of them. Whoever becomes Emperor is the Emperor."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Just so. But the Little Teacher also said, 'You cannot live while hiding from life'"

He frowned, and actually looked away from her.

Thinking. And starting to feel ashamed.

"House Shigi has been prudent, patient, and risk-averse for centuries. And where has it gotten us? Slowly crumbling into the sea. There are worse things than to back the right man and lose."