The Lion were finally making their move. Eiji inspected the troops, lined up as they were upon the table. His opponent may be young, but she was very skilled. Who knew how many soldiers would lose their lives in the Battle of Honaka? He ran a final steadying hand over the bottle of 'Whispers of Soshi' She was a subtle one, but she had a kick at the end.

The first day back at court after a long journey had been surprisingly complex. But it wouldn't be winter court if it wasn't challenging, and Honoka had made sure to rise to every single challenge.

This however would be interesting.

She arrived promptly, and once confirmed as to why she was there got shown through to the appropriate room.

"Good evening Soshi-sama" Honoka said with a smile and a deep bow "I hope you're doing well?"

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:51 pm

The first day back at court after a long journey had been surprisingly complex. But it wouldn't be winter court if it wasn't challenging, and Honoka had made sure to rise to every single challenge.

This however would be interesting.

She arrived promptly, and once confirmed as to why she was there got shown through to the appropriate room.

"Good evening Soshi-sama" Honoka said with a smile and a deep bow "I hope you're doing well?"

The decor of the room was...certainly interesting at night. The primarily black tapestries seemed to devour the light put off by the little crimson candles.

He returned the bow.

"Indeed I am, Ikoma-san. Thank you for making the time to see me." he offered. "I trust that at even this time your star is on the rise. I've gathered a few of the Scorpion's best blends of sake for our discussion tonight. Do you have any preferences?"

He didn't expect the cub to have particularly demanding tastes, but she was an adult, there was nothing that said she couldn't drink just like the rest of the court.

"It may be rising even more than I predicted" Honoka replied with a small laugh as she entered and found somewhere to sit "forgive me for the delay, it seems a duty unlike any other took me away not just from our arrangement but Winter Court itself, if only for a few days."

She paused to consider, before saying "I'm very partial to a sweet sake, however I know precious little about Scorpion sakes."

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 10:47 pm

"It may be rising even more than I predicted" Honoka replied with a small laugh as she entered and found somewhere to sit "forgive me for the delay, it seems a duty unlike any other took me away not just from our arrangement but Winter Court itself, if only for a few days."

She paused to consider, before saying "I'm very partial to a sweet sake, however I know precious little about Scorpion sakes."

Eiji smiled.

"Then allow me to teach you of them, Ikoma-san. This one is a strawberry nigori. I think you'll find it quite pleasing." he offered, presenting the bottle before pouring it into the cups.

"Away from court for a few days? Were you perhaps among those chosen to bring the fifth wind to court?" he asked genuininely curious. Somebody had brought them in after all.

"Strawberry? How unique, I've never had that before. Are strawberries quite popular in Scorpion lands?"

There was a pause as drinks were paused, then a nod and a slightly bigger smile.

"Hai I was indeed one of the chosen to venture out and locate the fifth wind, Tatsuya-san. A true honour to be requested to perform such a prestigious duty, but one I performed with honour. "

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 17, 2025 11:31 pm

"Strawberry? How unique, I've never had that before. Are strawberries quite popular in Scorpion lands?"

There was a pause as drinks were paused, then a nod and a slightly bigger smile.

"Hai I was indeed one of the chosen to venture out and locate the fifth wind, Tatsuya-san. A true honour to be requested to perform such a prestigious duty, but one I performed with honour. "

Eiji nodded.

"Somewhat popular, hai. The Crane may think they own cherries, and the Dragon the plum, but Scorpion strawberries are quite refreshhing when they're in season, and work well in the sake for which we're known." he explains.

He took a sip from his cup.

"You do realize as an Ikoma, you are duty bound to give me all the details, Ikoma-san? Court has been eventful, of course, but your tale of adventure calls to me."

"I am quite partial to a sweet Crane sake" Honoka nodded "so I look forward to seeing how strawberry sake compares."

She picked up her cup, and took a sip.

"That is really nice! You can really taste a different with the strawberries. Ah...well, Soshi-sama heard of the monk that had decided to spend the day in the dojo? It appeared he was testing people, for in the morning after four of us were summoned to an audience with the Divine Empress and requested to make a journey to search for the son of Hantei Muhaki and the now Fortune of Artists Sadahako, a man called Tatsuya, and bring him back to the court. We journeyed via riverboat, passing through obstacles and attempts to disrupt us, but were successful in location Tatsuya-san and his son. We only arrived back yesterday evening, which is when we learnt of what happened here."

Eiji smiled.

"Quite the tale, Ikoma-san. It's even got a mysterious monk and a mission from the Empress. Something for you to brag about for years....assuming it's not crowded out by your other achievements yet to come." he praised.

He took a sip of his own sake.

"Unfortunate the timing of the return. It would have been grand for the Empress herself to praise your good work. I'm sure you've conferred with your clan, but was there anything you were wondering about that transpired here while you were away?" he asked.

"How often does one find themselves recruited by a monk, delivered to the highest authority in the land to perform a request, and go to perform said honour? I can only think of a tiny handful of recorded cases in our history. However, I assure you I'll keep my feet firmly on the ground, I have many more years to create more stories for the Ikoma Libraries. Perhaps a whole wing...."

There was a small pause, then a more sombre look.

"Ah, hai. I have been filled in on the details, such as the Empress not naming a heir. I had remained with Tatsuya-san last night to ensure the Seppun had ample time to prepare provisions for one extra Wind than they had before yesterday."

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 9:05 pm

"How often does one find themselves recruited by a monk, delivered to the highest authority in the land to perform a request, and go to perform said honour? I can only think of a tiny handful of recorded cases in our history. However, I assure you I'll keep my feet firmly on the ground, I have many more years to create more stories for the Ikoma Libraries. Perhaps a whole wing...."

There was a small pause, then a more sombre look.

"Ah, hai. I have been filled in on the details, such as the Empress not naming a heir. I had remained with Tatsuya-san last night to ensure the Seppun had ample time to prepare provisions for one extra Wind than they had before yesterday."

Eiji nodded.

"His appearance in court spoke of his...surpringly humble origins. I suppose with the announcement that he was the son of a Fortune, there was rampant speculation on what that meant. Perhaps birds would sing when he spoke, or he'd simply have a faint glow about him. But you spent time travelling with him, Ikoma-san. What sort of impression did he leave on you?" he asked, curious to learn more.

"I'm thankful with the speed and quietness required there was no glowing or birds" Honoka replied with a small chuckle "the man is quite reserved and cautious which may be due to his time on the Wave but it's a good quality to have. It's something that will keep him and his son safe. I've done my best to advise him the best way to navigate winter court but it's a lot to learn in a tense time."

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 19, 2025 12:22 pm

"I'm thankful with the speed and quietness required there was no glowing or birds" Honoka replied with a small chuckle "the man is quite reserved and cautious which may be due to his time on the Wave but it's a good quality to have. It's something that will keep him and his son safe. I've done my best to advise him the best way to navigate winter court but it's a lot to learn in a tense time."

Eiji nodded.

"It is indeed a tense time as shown in court today." he agreed. "You only just arrived back today, and tomorrow morning you will duel the Champion of the Dragon clan."

He refilled the cups.

There was no judgement in the statement, but Eiji was curious what Honoka thought about such a turn of events.

"Indeed, I certainly did not expect to arrive back from such a prestigious duty to be presented with such actions in court" Honoka shook her head, looking at her cup "I cannot say I know a great deal about Togashi-dono, and while I would not dare question the skills of another I have heard little about the duelling skills of the Togashi. Or if they even do, the Togashi are more of a monastic order are they not?"

After a moment her grin was back.

"Still, what a story it would make that the young rising star of the Lion defeats the champion of the Dragon, ne?"

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 19, 2025 8:15 pm

"Indeed, I certainly did not expect to arrive back from such a prestigious duty to be presented with such actions in court" Honoka shook her head, looking at her cup "I cannot say I know a great deal about Togashi-dono, and while I would not dare question the skills of another I have heard little about the duelling skills of the Togashi. Or if they even do, the Togashi are more of a monastic order are they not?"

After a moment her grin was back.

"Still, what a story it would make that the young rising star of the Lion defeats the champion of the Dragon, ne?"

Eiji finished his cup, and refilled the cups.

"Hmmm, you may be more right than you know about that, Ikoma-san." he muses. "The only thing you can expect when you introduce a Togashi into a story is the unexpected. And you're not dueling just a Togashi, but the Togashi....well not THE Togashi but you take my meaning."

He shrugged a bit.

"Perhaps he'll say something so profound to you, you'll shave your head immediately. Perhaps he'll show up only armed with an ink brush and when you go to draw, *Slash* there is a koan written on your forehead. Or perhaps he's just also a really good duelist, and the matter resolves in the way the Heavens agree upon." he spitballed.

"In most duels, there is only one of two outcomes. But when your adding a Togashi into the mix, even that is not necessarily true."

"While my skills are impressive, even I would admit The Togashi may be a little beyond me at the moment" Honoka replied with a small laugh "I'm unsure of what will happen tomorrow. I've tried to think through the day and I cannot think of a single story told of a Togashi who was a talented duelist. Most stories of the Togashi do indeed include more puzzling messages and guidance. Still, if Togashi-dono were to turn up to a duel simply with an ink brush I suspect the Emerald Champion would be quite offended."

There was a small shake of the head.

"I'll just prepare for this duel the same as I've prepared for any other, and let the heavens decide the outcome. Togashi or no, the heavens are still the heavens."

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:42 pm

"While my skills are impressive, even I would admit The Togashi may be a little beyond me at the moment" Honoka replied with a small laugh "I'm unsure of what will happen tomorrow. I've tried to think through the day and I cannot think of a single story told of a Togashi who was a talented duelist. Most stories of the Togashi do indeed include more puzzling messages and guidance. Still, if Togashi-dono were to turn up to a duel simply with an ink brush I suspect the Emerald Champion would be quite offended."

There was a small shake of the head.

"I'll just prepare for this duel the same as I've prepared for any other, and let the heavens decide the outcome. Togashi or no, the heavens are still the heavens."

That was true....it was also a major gamble. Defeating a clan champion in a duel at the Imperial Winter court could shoot Honaka's name straight into the realm of legend. Losing the duel...to someone she did not think was a duelist...at the Imperial Winter Court would see her star fall to earth.

But it was a matter of honor. At least the young Lion seemed sure in herself.

"Indeed, Ikoma-san. Whatever the Heavens will, They will. I, and many others, will certainly be interested in seeing the outcome." he offered.

"I look forward to presenting another memorable moment to the court" Honoka grinned "but what of Soshi-sama? There's quite a few artistic displays coming up, are there any that Soshi-sama looks forward to showing the talents of the Ikoma combined with the Soshi? I did idly wonder if he would be part of the play but I hope at least he enjoyed the performance."

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 20, 2025 10:32 pm

"I look forward to presenting another memorable moment to the court" Honoka grinned "but what of Soshi-sama? There's quite a few artistic displays coming up, are there any that Soshi-sama looks forward to showing the talents of the Ikoma combined with the Soshi? I did idly wonder if he would be part of the play but I hope at least he enjoyed the performance."

"I did consider it, Ikoma-san. But a performer needs to have a passion for their performance, and a Lion...or in this case a former Lion....always put their all into what they do. As noh is my second least favorite form of artistic expression, I felt it would be insulting to the Crane and the court at large to attempt to participate. But at least that meant you had one more person in the audience, ne?"

He smiled a bit about upcoming artistic display.

"Hai, I am truly looking forward to the art festival tomorrow. I was tasked, by chance I understand, with offering a piece in honor of the Crab. A difficult challenge, you understand. Their warriors are no less stout than any other clan, but preforming a story that would perform well in Kyuden Hida would likely shock and offend the non-Crab, and then the Crab would feel insulted for the secondhand offense." he revealed.

"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."