(D8, EE, Open) Tea before Art

[Soshi Eiji]

It had been quite the trying day, and Eiji still had the art festival to present for. And so he prepared the implements for the tea ceremony yet again, seeking to center himself (and possibly another) before the festival.

Tea Ceremony: 18

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Good evening, Soshi-san," came a voice from the door. "I hope I'm not intruding? I saw that a lantern was hung outside the door."

It was Yasuki Ryoichi, the Crab who Eiji had met with Gorobei a week ago in the Courtyard. He wore a dark blue kimono marked with the mons of the Yasuki family.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Good evening, Soshi-san," came a voice from the door. "I hope I'm not intruding? I saw that a lantern was hung outside the door."

It was Yasuki Ryoichi, the Crab who Eiji had met with Gorobei a week ago in the Courtyard. He wore a dark blue kimono marked with the mons of the Yasuki family.

Eiji bowed at the arrival of the Crab.

"While it may have been a week ago, Yasuki-san, I've seen you bring deal after deal to the Crab in court. Anyone who frequents the court should certainly know your name by now." he said with a small smile.

"I was getting ready to enjoy the tea ceremony before the art festival. Tea is always better enjoyed by two than by one I feel. Won't you join me?" he offered.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"While it may have been a week ago, Yasuki-san, I've seen you bring deal after deal to the Crab in court. Anyone who frequents the court should certainly know your name by now." he said with a small smile.

"Soshi-san is kind to say so," Ryoichi said, bowing and smiling in acknowledgement. "But I only do my duty, to make sure my Clan is well fed and well equipped. I think I've seen Soshi-san in court, more than once, perhaps doing the same?"

"I was getting ready to enjoy the tea ceremony before the art festival. Tea is always better enjoyed by two than by one I feel. Won't you join me?" he offered.

"If you're certain it wouldn't be an imposition?" the Crab asked. "Yasuki Masaki would not thank me for interrupting your artistic preparations."

[Soshi Eiji]

"While it may have been a week ago, Yasuki-san, I've seen you bring deal after deal to the Crab in court. Anyone who frequents the court should certainly know your name by now." he said with a small smile.

"Soshi-san is kind to say so," Ryoichi said, bowing and smiling in acknowledgement. "But I only do my duty, to make sure my Clan is well fed and well equipped. I think I've seen Soshi-san in court, more than once, perhaps doing the same?"

"I was getting ready to enjoy the tea ceremony before the art festival. Tea is always better enjoyed by two than by one I feel. Won't you join me?" he offered.

"If you're certain it wouldn't be an imposition?" the Crab asked. "Yasuki Masaki would not thank me for interrupting your artistic preparations."

Eiji chuckles at that.

"While I will admit that some of the finest art comes from the spur of the moment inspiration, I settled on the story I would tell to honor the Crab well before now. Hopefully you will enjoy it later. But for now, I would invite you to enjoy the ceremony of tea with me." he offered sincerely.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"While I will admit that some of the finest art comes from the spur of the moment inspiration, I settled on the story I would tell to honor the Crab well before now. Hopefully you will enjoy it later. But for now, I would invite you to enjoy the ceremony of tea with me." he offered sincerely.

"In that case, I should be happy to join you," the Yasuki said, entering and taking a seat across from Eiji. "How have you found Court this last week? It's been an eventful time, eh?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"In that case, I should be happy to join you," the Yasuki said, entering and taking a seat across from Eiji. "How have you found Court this last week? It's been an eventful time, eh?"

That got a small chuckle from the Scorpion.

"'Eventful' is perhaps the understatement of the century, Yasuki-san. Normally one expects court to be rather dull. A simple bureaucratic affair to ratify agreements betwen parties that have already done all their negotiations well ahead of schedule. But with the succession and the passing of the Divine Empress...it rather flips the tea table as it were." he said, referring to the most recent courtly scandal.

Eiji's own hand when moving through the ritual of the tea ceremony were remarkable level. No risk of tea table flipping here.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Ahhh, the succession," the Yasuki nodded thoughtfully. "It does seem that tea was spilled. With everyone who was tasked to remedy that problem, I'd say our friend Gorobei was fortunate not to be sent to personally pick tea leaves from a plantation. What did you think about how things turned out?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Ahhh, the succession," the Yasuki nodded thoughtfully. "It does seem that tea was spilled. With everyone who was tasked to remedy that problem, I'd say our friend Gorobei was fortunate not to be sent to personally pick tea leaves from a plantation. What did you think about how things turned out?"

Eiji considered the matter.

"Hmmm, perhaps he was unfortunate in that regard. It was clearly a staged incident for Otomo Keihime to showcase her power. She sought to humiliate what she viewed as her two biggest rivals. After all, who would think of an Emperess cleaning the floors, or an Emperor leavng court to fetch a pail of water?"

He shook his head.

"Clearly Otomo Keihime has forgotten her studies of Leadership. Had she been a more diligent student, she might have remembered what Akodo-no-kami had to say about the tenet of Courtesy, 'Samurai has no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals. A samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealing with other men. The true inner strength of a samurai becomes apparent during difficult times.'" he quoted proudly.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Hmmm, perhaps he was unfortunate in that regard. It was clearly a staged incident for Otomo Keihime to showcase her power. She sought to humiliate what she viewed as her two biggest rivals. After all, who would think of an Emperess cleaning the floors, or an Emperor leavng court to fetch a pail of water?"

He shook his head.

"Clearly Otomo Keihime has forgotten her studies of Leadership. Had she been a more diligent student, she might have remembered what Akodo-no-kami had to say about the tenet of Courtesy, 'Samurai has no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals. A samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealing with other men. The true inner strength of a samurai becomes apparent during difficult times.'" he quoted proudly.

"Yes, I would agree, Soshi-san," the Yasuki replied. "Despite showing her power, the Imperial Advisor surely offended not only the Crane and the Seppun, but others as well. Not a decision that shows good judgment, I'm afraid." He shook his head.

"You must be right that she must view the Doji and the Seppun as her biggest rivals, though," he continued. "They have the most politically savvy families behind them, after all. But perhaps that may be an opportunity for Gorobei, or even Tatsuya, the newest contender."

"Have you met Tatsuya-san yet?" Ryoichi inquired politely. "Despite his unconventional background, I was impressed with Tatsuya's seriousness of purpose."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji frowned a bit.

"I fear Otomo Gorobei may have missed his opportunity. Just a Doji Noriko stood up in court when the Seppun's honor was questioned, this would have been the moment for him to strike. Directly challenging the Advisor, or helping Doji Noriko with the cleaning, or Seppun-sama with the fetching. Three chances for him to make up some ground from his earlier court absences, but I'm not sure I even saw him in court today." he said.

"As for the fifth wind, I have not. I must confess, from what I've seen and heard, he is a good ronin....but one must be more than merely good to sit upon the throne."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I fear Otomo Gorobei may have missed his opportunity. Just a Doji Noriko stood up in court when the Seppun's honor was questioned, this would have been the moment for him to strike. Directly challenging the Advisor, or helping Doji Noriko with the cleaning, or Seppun-sama with the fetching. Three chances for him to make up some ground from his earlier court absences, but I'm not sure I even saw him in court today." he said.

"Ahhh, that would've been brilliant," the Yasuki said, impressed by this idea. "Challenging the Imperial Advisor's lack of courtesy, or otherwise somehow making his mark on the court. You're right, though, that opportunity has passed." He shook his head regretfully.

"As for the fifth wind, I have not. I must confess, from what I've seen and heard, he is a good ronin....but one must be more than merely good to sit upon the throne."

"Try to meet him sometime," Ryoichi encouraged. "He seems a good fellow, you may be impressed. It does take more than that, I agree. But it's a start."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods. As before with Gorobei, Ryoichi struck Eiji as a good listener, but he knew he'd need to probe a bit to get the man to speak his mind.

"A good bit of advice, Yasuki-san. But forgive me, a certain scarred Dragon recently reminded me that I should not fall too deeply in love with the sound of my own voice. What does Yasuki-san think of the situation? Who is chosen for the Throne is clearly not within our hands, and we'll honorably support whoever does sit it, but what do things look like from Yasuki-san's position?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Things are uncertain," the Yasuki temporized. "From what I can see, Otomo Keihime and Doji Noriko have the most political support. I'm sure everyone can see that, to be honest. But after today, I think the Imperial Adviser may have offended enough important persons that she has reached the peak of the support she can expect to get."

"There are a lot of signs and portents indicating that perhaps Doji Noriko should be the chosen one," Ryoichi said thoughtfully. "Lady Noriko seems of good character, and the Crane have promised peace and friendship with the Crab, so she could be a good choice. But.... I'm not sure I'm quite ready to accept a new Doji dynasty on the throne. Elevating the Doji to be an Imperial family would be such a huge change from the previous order that it is hard for me to imagine."

"So I've been looking at some of our long shot alternative heirs, like our mutual friend Otomo Gorobei, and the ronin Tatsuya." The Yasuki smiled ruefully. "I don't know that anything will come of it, but that's my thinking so far. What about you?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Things are uncertain," the Yasuki temporized. "From what I can see, Otomo Keihime and Doji Noriko have the most political support. I'm sure everyone can see that, to be honest. But after today, I think the Imperial Adviser may have offended enough important persons that she has reached the peak of the support she can expect to get."

"There are a lot of signs and portents indicating that perhaps Doji Noriko should be the chosen one," Ryoichi said thoughtfully. "Lady Noriko seems of good character, and the Crane have promised peace and friendship with the Crab, so she could be a good choice. But.... I'm not sure I'm quite ready to accept a new Doji dynasty on the throne. Elevating the Doji to be an Imperial family would be such a huge change from the previous order that it is hard for me to imagine."

"So I've been looking at some of our long shot alternative heirs, like our mutual friend Otomo Gorobei, and the ronin Tatsuya." The Yasuki smiled ruefully. "I don't know that anything will come of it, but that's my thinking so far. What about you?"

Eiji considred the point.

"Hmm, I would have assumed that Doji Noriko, were she named the successor, would surrender the Doji name for the Hantei name. She does, after all, possess the blood of the Hantei, distant though it may be. One could liken it to the wedding ceremony. I will admit that while I have given up my golden wardrobe for darker colors, the heart of a Lion does still beat within my chest. I have not just been reborn into the Scorpion, you might say, but reincarnated. So I can understand being cautious of supporting her." he said.

"The chief concern with the longshot heirs are their lack of connections. The throne needs to be firm when it is called for and gentle when it is called for. I fear that while Otomo Gorobei might try to boldly seize the reigns of command, it may be like a young child seizing the reigns of a warhorse. And with the ronin, a mouse trying to seize them. Gorobei may mean well, but would not come to good results, and Tatsuya would simply be along for the ride of something much larger than himself."

He shrugged a bit.

"But it is well possible they have hidden depths that one such as I cannot perceive, and should either be named, I will support them just as steadily as any of the others." he admitted.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Hmm, I would have assumed that Doji Noriko, were she named the successor, would surrender the Doji name for the Hantei name. She does, after all, possess the blood of the Hantei, distant though it may be. One could liken it to the wedding ceremony. I will admit that while I have given up my golden wardrobe for darker colors, the heart of a Lion does still beat within my chest. I have not just been reborn into the Scorpion, you might say, but reincarnated. So I can understand being cautious of supporting her." he said.

"Do you think so?" the Yasuki asked, surprised. "Lady Noriko seems such a proper young lady that I hadn't imagined she would cast aside her own father's family name and clan. But perhaps it would be better for the unity of the Empire if she did."

"The chief concern with the longshot heirs are their lack of connections. The throne needs to be firm when it is called for and gentle when it is called for. I fear that while Otomo Gorobei might try to boldly seize the reigns of command, it may be like a young child seizing the reigns of a warhorse. And with the ronin, a mouse trying to seize them. Gorobei may mean well, but would not come to good results, and Tatsuya would simply be along for the ride of something much larger than himself."

"This is why they are long shots, eh?" Ryoichi said with a grin. "Well, I suppose we shall see what the rest of the season brings. I expect at the very least that the Imperial Adviser will continue asserting her power. I'd be surprised if the Doji and Seppun allow their candidates to keep cleaning and fetching things for her, though."

[Soshi Eiji]

"As you say, Yasuki-san, we shall see. One of Akodo-no-kami's Ten Orders is 'Keep servants only if necessary'. If they plan a repeat performance tomorrow, it may well benefit the Doji and Seppun to allow the Otomo to continue to demonstrate what she thinks the purpose of power is, while they continue to demonstrate their resiliance." he suggested.

He smiled a bit.

"And there is more to court than that as well. Is Yasuki-san looking forward to the sumai tournament? As I understand things, the Yasuki family has a very proud sumai tradition." he asked.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi chuckled. "I personally don't have the correct build for sumo," he admitted. "But I am very interested in following the tournament. I understand there are two Crab participating; I hope good thoughts for them both, but my personal favorite is Miyagino. What about you?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Ryoichi chuckled. "I personally don't have the correct build for sumo," he admitted. "But I am very interested in following the tournament. I understand there are two Crab participating; I hope good thoughts for them both, but my personal favorite is Miyagino. What about you?"

Eiji nodded.

"Well, I feel like I should toss my favor behind Raiden, though they are not favored to win the match." he admitted.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Eiji nodded.

"Well, I feel like I should toss my favor behind Raiden, though they are not favored to win the match." he admitted.

"That's right, Raiden's from Ryoko Owari," Ryoichi nodded. "I know he's not highly ranked, but surely he has some tricks to even get into this tournament. What's his story?"

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8EE Sumai event - Ask around in Scorpion house about Raiden's info, Courtier/Awareness TN20 | 5k4 ⇒ 21 (TN: 20) succeeds!