(D7, LA, Open) Tea with a friend?

[Soshi Eiji]

It was only mid-afternoon, and Eiji felt like he'd already been running full out. And there was more he wanted to get done before the day was out. But after that indescribale court and play, it was time for a tea break. Of course, tea was better with a friend, but tea in solitude was nice too. He spent some time preparing the impliments and waiting to see if any of the many people he'd talked to throughout the court might decide to drop in for some.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Was Eiji a friend?

Ryusei was starting to think he was.

The Ikoma-turned-Soshi had been reasonable, humorous, and hospitable, and he also seemed to be just about the only Scorpion actually conducting business.

And thus, the chance to take with a Scorpion wasn't the setup to a particularly grim joke, but a moment for Ryusei to check in on the guy who seemed to have a story for every occasion.

[Soshi Eiji]

Was Eiji a friend?

Ryusei was starting to think he was.

The Ikoma-turned-Soshi had been reasonable, humorous, and hospitable, and he also seemed to be just about the only Scorpion actually conducting business.

And thus, the chance to take with a Scorpion wasn't the setup to a particularly grim joke, but a moment for Ryusei to check in on the guy who seemed to have a story for every occasion.

The other Scorpion were doing business....the business of trying to backstab their clan champion while avoiding getting turned into the offerings in the season's most grizzly gift presentations. Fortunely, the Lion had clearly used some magic to deaden the screams, creating this lttle island of normalcy.

Once the appropriate greetings were made.

Eiji poured the tea 20 vs. 15, VP restored!

It truly was calming to do the rituals. Let the Dragon meditate with the universe, a good cup of tea, and good company, that's all Eiji needed.

"I do hope the Lion stockpiled quite a bit of tea for this court, Shiba-san. I think there must be many seek calm in these turbulent times."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Court seems to run on the stuff."

He smiled and raised his cup.

"But at least the company's good."

[Soshi Eiji]

The Scorpion nodded.

"Indeed it is." he agreed wholeheartedly.

"But it is not drama of the political type alone it runs on, though we could spend the rest of our years discussing it. There is also staged drama, the stories and plays. I've been charged with crafting a tale for the art display tomorrow honoring the Crab clan." he revealed.

He shook his head.

"Of course, when I talked to a Crab about the stories that they found inspirational, I felt like I ran headfirst into their mighty Wall"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Hm. Well. Maybe try another angle? I found my dealings with Yasuki Ryoichi to be pleasantly straightforward and direct, but it was actually Agasha Yuna-sama who gave me an interesting.perspective- on carp, of all things."

Pause. Sip.

"And I promise, it;s relevant. I live on the coast, so all of the carp I see are in well-stocked ponds. But she was describing how they fight their currents on their way upstream, and it hit me... If we don't see a thing in its natural state, we may miss its finer qualities. Maybe your story should be about a Crab whose peers take him for granted until he's n his element..."

He frowned.

"Of course, their duty makes it tricky to discuss. Maybe an allegory?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods.

"Indeed. It is hard to properly recount a tale of their prowess in battle when one cannot properly describe what they fight against. A story to honor the Crab is one thing, but the Crab wouldn't feel honored if it has people recoiling in fear." He explained.

He set his cup down.

"And so I thought to myself, 'What is typically praiseworthy of the Crab?' The answer that came was 'How tough they are'. But it is hard to make how tough a hero is the sole focus of a story. Typically, it's a trait of an antagonist that the hero overcomes. How would getting beat honor the Crab?"

He smiles a bit.

"Fortunately, Sadahako smiled upon me, and I found the answer. Tossed in a Scorpion villian as is traditional, and I think I have a story that the Crab can be proud of." he said. "Though I do not wish to spoil it in it's entirity to Shiba-san. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it once it is revealed."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"I'm certainly interested... I got an easy one- the Lion. I'm going to write out some of the stories my mother told me, and just hope my calligraphy is up to the job."

[Soshi Eiji]

"I'm certainly interested... I got an easy one- the Lion. I'm going to write out some of the stories my mother told me, and just hope my calligraphy is up to the job."

Eiji grinned a bit.

"Well, easy in the sense that you have lots to choose from. You're definitely going to have a discerning audience though. I, for one, am going to expect your very best stories." he said light-heartedly.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"I'm thinking one for each of the Lion families.... since it's meant to be a calligraphy piece instead of a creative writing exercise, I might need to pace myself, but I'll be writing a lot of letters today, so I'll get plenty of practice in.""

[Soshi Eiji]

"I'm thinking one for each of the Lion families.... since it's meant to be a calligraphy piece instead of a creative writing exercise, I might need to pace myself, but I'll be writing a lot of letters today, so I'll get plenty of practice in.""

Eiji nodd;ed.

"I'm sure our hosts will be happy to provide any additional provisions you might require. Not that you haven't brought excellent calligraphy supplies, but if you need any more, I'm sure the Lion could easily be persuaded to have their stories recorded with the finest supplies." he suggested.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Eiji nodded.

"I'm sure our hosts will be happy to provide any additional provisions you might require. Not that you haven't brought excellent calligraphy supplies, but if you need any more, I'm sure the Lion could easily be persuaded to have their stories recorded with the finest supplies." he suggested.

"It would certainly fit the theme..."

He cocked his head to the side.

"And actually... Soshi-sama... in your former life, did you have any particular favorite tales about Lord Ikoma?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"It would certainly fit the theme..."

He cocked his head to the side.

"And actually... Soshi-sama... in your former life, did you have any particular favorite tales about Lord Ikoma?"

Eiji looked thoughtful. The suffering of Lord Ikoma had been painful to see. The weight of the succession had ground the man straight into the mud and the death of the Empress piled rocks on top. No one blamed themselves for the lack of heir more than he did.

"If there is one quality of Lord Ikoma I would praise, it would be his talent as a scholar. If you've heard the joke about the clans competing to move boulders off a mountain, Lord Ikoma would easily fit into the role of the Lion of that humorous story.

In his first great work was he traced out the land claims and irregularities in inheritances that led to events at Shiro Hana, prompting the victories of Matsu Reiko. And in his second great work, he was able to resolve what appeared to be an issue of timing in the ancestries of Hantei descent; the long reign of Hantei II Genji caused some to have questions about birth orders and actual succession, it being thought unlikely that centuries of life would have led to few children."
He sipped his tea.

"Of course the reward for good work is more work, leading to his researching into winds at the behest of the Empress. While I'm sure it would have been very tempting to simply pick one of them that most benefitted the Lion clan, he had a drive to find all the winds...then it was revealed he'd missed one, and then the Empress passed before she could fully utilize his work. That is a heavy weight upon him." he offered.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Eiji looked thoughtful. The suffering of Lord Ikoma had been painful to see. The weight of the succession had ground the man straight into the mud and the death of the Empress piled rocks on top. No one blamed themselves for the lack of heir more than he did.

"If there is one quality of Lord Ikoma I would praise, it would be his talent as a scholar. If you've heard the joke about the clans competing to move boulders off a mountain, Lord Ikoma would easily fit into the role of the Lion of that humorous story.

In his first great work was he traced out the land claims and irregularities in inheritances that led to events at Shiro Hana, prompting the victories of Matsu Reiko. And in his second great work, he was able to resolve what appeared to be an issue of timing in the ancestries of Hantei descent; the long reign of Hantei II Genji caused some to have questions about birth orders and actual succession, it being thought unlikely that centuries of life would have led to few children."
He sipped his tea.

"Of course the reward for good work is more work, leading to his researching into winds at the behest of the Empress. While I'm sure it would have been very tempting to simply pick one of them that most benefitted the Lion clan, he had a drive to find all the winds...then it was revealed he'd missed one, and then the Empress passed before she could fully utilize his work. That is a heavy weight upon him." he offered.

"Mother always speaks highly of him. A piece on his dedication to duty would be... fitting I think."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Mother always speaks highly of him. A piece on his dedication to duty would be... fitting I think."

Eiji inclines his head.

"Your an honorable man, Shiba-san. While we are expected the offer aid to those who need it, often times it is difficult to navigate the complex dance that is courtesy to render said aid. I think such a piece would be very appropriate." he offered.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Eiji inclines his head.

"Your an honorable man, Shiba-san. While we are expected the offer aid to those who need it, often times it is difficult to navigate the complex dance that is courtesy to render said aid. I think such a piece would be very appropriate." he offered.

"He has been a gracious host and in a trying time. I can do no less, given the opportunity."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji inclines his head.

"Your an honorable man, Shiba-san. While we are expected the offer aid to those who need it, often times it is difficult to navigate the complex dance that is courtesy to render said aid. I think such a piece would be very appropriate." he offered.

"He has been a gracious host and in a trying time. I can do no less, given the opportunity."

"Your a bigger man than most, Shiba-san." he agreed. "Well, if we're not including the incoming sumai."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Your a bigger man than most, Shiba-san." he agreed. "Well, if we're not including the incoming sumai."

"Yeah, that..."

He gave a bit of a rueful grin.

"I know so little about sumai it's a bit... I gather some have been trying to influence them, but I wouldn't know where to begin."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Your a bigger man than most, Shiba-san." he agreed. "Well, if we're not including the incoming sumai."

"Yeah, that..."

He gave a bit of a rueful grin.

"I know so little about sumai it's a bit... I gather some have been trying to influence them, but I wouldn't know where to begin."

The provoked a small shrug from the Scorpion.

"I would suppose you would be best served by trying to find out what they're interested in talking about and talking to them about that. For example, Miyagino is a simple man of simple pleasures. He values his personal comfort, his reputation, sake, and cash. " Eiji reveals. "So your approach for him would reflect that, and different sumai would likely react to different topics, well differently."

[Shiba Ryusei]

The provoked a small shrug from the Scorpion.

"I would suppose you would be best served by trying to find out what they're interested in talking about and talking to them about that. For example, Miyagino is a simple man of simple pleasures. He values his personal comfort, his reputation, sake, and cash. " Eiji reveals. "So your approach for him would reflect that, and different sumai would likely react to different topics, well differently."

"Hm."

Ryusei nodded.

"I think the other issue I confront is.... I am uncertain as to the Scorpion Clan, or Soshi-sama's position on the succession, but the Phoenix have a very... our position making choices of influence somewhat complex."