(D10, LA, Open) Tea before sake

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"We are in a field of rabbits. We can chase after one with success, or two with less, or we can try to capture the moon with none." he agreed.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Mother likes using that one."

Sip.

"So yes, exactly."

He paused.

"Any rabbits you might want a hand with?"

[Soshi Eiji]

A small shrug.

"I've got some treaties still to present to the court. Don't think I haven't noticed your supporting voice on the one's I have. They might've passed without it, but I appreciate you acting as a buffer who might've thought it great fun to object simply to be an obstructionst." he said with gratitude.

"Beyond that there's whatever support we might give to help the court with the matter of succession and simply keeping Lady Bayushi happy."

[Shiba Ryusei]

At the acknowledgment, Ryusei bowed.

"I try to stand by my friends. But then I hardly need to explain the virtue of Loyalty to a Scorpion, do I?""

Sip.

"And do have any thoughts on those latter two items? I've made a choice of my own on the former, but would not presume to sway you to make the same, and I am wholly ignorant as to the latter."

[Soshi Eiji]

A small shrug.

"I think my thoughts on the succession will do little to sway matters. Whichever wind is chosen, will have my full support. If Lady Sun suddenly appeared in court pointed at me and said, 'Eiji-san you choose.' I'd probably pick Doji Noriko. Of the winds, she's seems the most honorable and capable to me."

And that was probably the only way Eiji would actually have any influence on who would be the next ruler.

"As for Lady Bayushi, well, she's a sharp ruler, but not a creature of the courts. The Emerald Throne isn't the only position of leadership that ambitious people think should rightfully be theirs. So I've done my best to support her and the clan, while others in the delegation...have not." he offers.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei blinked.

Not at the "knife to his throat" nod to Doji Noriko, that was a choice that, while not Ryusei's first, was understandable. She was his own second pick, after all.

But at the idea that Bayushi-ue needed... support.

"I admit to feeling... I won't say a similar situation, but I do find myself doing a lot of legwork on Shiba-ue's behalf due to, shall we say... limitations among my fellow delegates. But I gather your situation is more intense. I will just say if you need someone to talk to about nothing at all to unwind, look me up."

Because obviously, Eiji couldn't talk about internal Scorpion power struggles with an outsider.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods.

"Indeed, let us make the most of the remainder of court, shall we?" he offered.

(/scene?)

[Shiba Ryusei]

[/Scene and thankya!]