(D7, LE) Night Assault

[Soshi Eiji]

"I did do a good job at shining at something I'd never done before, didn't I" Honoka replied with a small nod, sipping her sake "I just took my storytelling and added movement to it. It seemed to work well!"

There was a pause as she considered that.

"The Crab, ne? Kitsu-sama is doing a performance for the Crane I believe, certainly less difficult than the Crab. Still, Soshi-sama has Lion training so I'm confident that he can tell a story that raises them without...making people uncomfortable with implications. Not that I can truthfully say I understand exactly what they face, except it seems to require all of their focus."

Eiji nodded.

"Oh most definitely, Ikoma-san. But no one is impressed when you accomplish something easy. Sometimes you need to inform the audience just how challenging the challenges are. Building up how great and powerful the villain is makes the hero shine more in their moment of truimph."

He smiled a bit.

"Take your upcoming duel for example. While Ikoma-san is confident in her abilities, and is unsure whether her opponent knows the first thing about dueling, you should probably build him up more when you retell the story. His position and age speaks of his great experience. Highligting that against your own youth makes the story much more dramatic than simply stating that you are great and the outcome was never in doubt." he suggested.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"There's a story in it even without the skills though, ne? The young Lionness, in her first winter court. Barely two summers past her gempukku. Facing the Lord of the Dragon, a veteran with decades of experience. Even without knowing the talents of Togashi-dono one would believe his experience would carry him."

There was a grin.

"Even if I believe my skills are strong, it would still appear to be a surprise to see my victory."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded approvingly.

"Just like that, indeed Ikoma-san. Assuming, again he doesn't say something to you that inspires you to immediatly retire, I think you'll be a boon to the Lion, or any other clan you might marry into, for years to come." he encouraged.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Not even the Togashi could make me retire, my story is far from over" Honoka said with a small chuckle "it's barely begun! Thank you for your praise though Soshi-sama. My sensei said something similar also, although in a different way. You know what the senseis of the Ikoma are like. One never knows when duty calls in regards to marriage though, I haven't even thought about it before this court. I suspect it is a long way ahead in my story though."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji chuckled.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Whether you marry at 20 or 40, Ikoma-san, I'm sure you'll rise to meet the challenges." he said.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Even 20 is many years away" Honoka commented with a grin "may I ask about your partner? What are they like?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji considered the question and the speaker.

"I suppose you could say we are well matched. Our familes were both blessed to produce many children, and we are both the youngest of our families. With it being unlikely that we would take up the reigns of ruling our respective houses, it was not a great difficulty to use our joining to mark the passage of a relatively minor treaty. Despite being a Soshi, she was not blessed with the gift to speak with the kami, so she turned her talents to speaking with mortals. Her style is.....well if you were to say I had a silver tongue, hers is as sharpened steel. A perhaps expected devlopment when the Heavens grant your immediate family the gift of speaking to the kami and withold it from you."

He smirked a bit.

"My apologies, Ikoma-san, if you were expecting to hear a tale filled with heart-pounding romance and thrilling intrique. It is simply another marriage among many of the Empire."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"A marriage can be a good one without being one filled with romance Soshi-sama" Honoka offered with a smile "personally I would prefer a partner that can challenge me, and push me to greater heights. It sounds like Soshi-sama has that in his partner, and both being from blessed families is a great sign for your futures. Still, you speak well of her."

[Soshi Eiji]

That brought a laugh from the Soshi.

"Challenge you, Ikoma-san? Are you planning on marrying a fortune? You're already dueling clan champions. Should you win, I'm not sure what force in the Empire is still left to challenge you." he said.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Is it wrong to aim for the best? One should always be pushed to be their best, and being pushed by the one you are married to means you're inspired from home" Honoka shook her head "don't you think the same?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiled at that.

"Of course, Ikoma-san. I merely question where we will find someone who CAN challenge you. Wanting a thing and having a thing are two different things. I want you to have such a match, I'm simply not sure who can provide it to you." he said, with a dash of flattery mixed in.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"There must be some still, right? Tatsuya-san seemed to be a talented swordsman, I heard Otomo Gorobei-sama is also a talented swordsman. Perhaps there are other such talented individuals that are not married?"

Honoka thought for a moment before saying "there's someone in the Crane that has almost been my equal, despite being older than me. He's even at this court too."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji considered it.

"Well, I suppose were you to marry Otomo Gorobei AND he were named Emperor, that would make you Empress wouldn't it? Perhaps that is indeed the next chapter in your tale." he suggested.

[Ikoma Honoka]

There was a small chuckle at that.

"Is that all that's left to challenge me, being the Empress? Perhaps that is a future chapter for me, although I'm yet to speak with Otomo-sama to see what kind of man he is. Have you met him?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods.

"I have. I would say that he is...a man searching for his moment, as it were. The blood of the Hantei flows through his veins, he has trained well and truly. He simply needs the Fortunes to grant him the opportunity to shine." he offers.

[Ikoma Honoka]

There was a thoughtful expression at that.

"If one merely waits for their opportunity then opportunity will often pass one by. Although that may just be how I would act upon something, not waiting for the chance to shine."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiled.

"Perhaps you would be a good partner for him then, Ikoma-san. I'll admit, when you said you wanted someone who challenged you, I was trying to think of a stronger swordsman, for example. But this might be a a different type of challenge you could tackle. Your bold nature paired with his cautious one. You might both grow from such a challenge." he offered.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Is that so?"

Honoka sipped the sake.

"So instead of the challenge being to raise myself to greater heights, the challenge being to inspire him to greater heights, which in turn raises us both...that's an interesting suggestion. One I hadn't thought of before, I always considered a more reserved and cautious nature one that would potentially hold one back."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiled a bit.

"As it is written, Ikoma-san: Boldness without caution leads to recklessness. Caution without boldness leads to cowardice." he offered.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Wise words" Honoka smiled "the Scorpion are blessed to have gained someone with your wisdom."

She puts her cup back down to be refilled.

"I think I might prefer this sake over Crane sweet sake, perhaps don't tell them however that they no longer have the better sweet sake" there was a small laugh "perhaps a refill and then we can get to discussing trade?"

(ooc - as the thread is coming up to 4 days old shall we fade to trade talks?)