The previous days had been a long adventure, and if Honoka had not woken up in a very uncomfortable temple she would have thought it was all a dream. However it didn't appear to be the case. Once she woke, and did her best to prepare herself as much as a temple could allow, she moved to the rooms where Tatsuya and his son were saying. Not entering, but knocking on the door and quietly saying "It's Ikoma Honoka" in case they were still sleeping.

They were not. Accustomed to life on the road, where the early riser is the one who gets to not be bushwhacked, both Tatsuya and Ryunosuke were safely in their room. It was a small space that fronted on the main courtyard of the temple complex. Neither of them had much more than the clothes on their back, so it was in no way cluttered, but even as Tatsuya opened the door with a small smile and a warm "Good Morning, Ikoma-san," Ryunosuke was busy polishing his sword, running the rag lovingly across the pristine surface.

Without the night and morning to prepare hair and makeup as normal, Honoka would truly look her young age. Especially with her hair not being tied up, which was down past her shoulders.

"Tatsuya-san, good morning. I hope you both slept well? I will send a runner to bring breakfast for you and your son. I heard no disturbances in the evening either so looks like everything went as smoothly as it can do for our late arrival."

She paused to look at the blade a moment before looking back up at the man and smiling.

"I don't want to interrupt if you're busy, I just thought before anyone arrives that I would take some time to help you both prepare for the Winter Court. I can come back a little later though."

"No," Tatsuya says, quickly. "No, I think a little preparation could go a long way. Please, come in, Ikoma-san."

"Hai Tatsuya-san" Honoka said with a nod and a smile "allow me one quick moment."

She stepped away to get the attention of someone to arrange for breakfast to be brought to Tatsuya and his son, then hurried back. Entering and giving a bow in the direction of Ryunosuke.

"Good morning Ryunosuke-san! I've arranged for for tea and food to be brought here. Now I suspect today may be quite a long day for you both, and I will try to to cover all I can, but it may be better to start with what concerns you most."

Ikoma Honoka wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 11:34 am

"Hai Tatsuya-san" Honoka said with a nod and a smile "allow me one quick moment."

She stepped away to get the attention of someone to arrange for breakfast to be brought to Tatsuya and his son, then hurried back. Entering and giving a bow in the direction of Ryunosuke.

"Good morning Ryunosuke-san! I've arranged for for tea and food to be brought here. Now I suspect today may be quite a long day for you both, and I will try to to cover all I can, but it may be better to start with what concerns you most."

His wide eyes take in the offering without comment.

"Who in this place means what they say?" he inquires, almost monotonously.

"I see we're starting with the easy questions" Honoka replied with a small chuckle as she found somewhere to sit down.

"The short answer is, everyone means what they say. It is not to the benefit of anyone here to outright lie, especially when there is benefits to be gained and an ease of being called out on a lie. However, it's what they say that one needs to be wary of. Words that sound appealing often come with another meaning behind them. In the world of court, nothing is given freely. Everything is offered with the intent of gaining a benefit. Whether that would be in having a better appearance to make one seem a more honourable and thus better trading partner, to gaining favours that one can benefit from later. Even fame and glory is a currency in court, the more that know of your name the better standing you are within both your own clan and others. So to give the real answer, everyone means what they say. You just need to consider what they are saying, and what they mean to benefit from it. Which with a child of an Emperor and Fortune" Honoka lowered her head respectfully to Tatsuya "could be a lot."

Ryunosuke nods slowly. "Understood. Ikoma-sama, what do you stand to gain from this conversation?"

"From this conversation? There's a multi part answer. While people may mean what they say, that doesn't mean there are no scheming. And with the Empresses passing on and no heir named, a power vacuum is created. The current claimants to the throne all have power and backing, but they would all be confident that they know each others strengths and weaknesses. Tatsuya-san and yourself are an unknown that they wouldn't have expected or planned for as much as they may have for each other. It's of benefit to me to know you both, and help you steer through the waters without being caught saying something that may be twisted, because Tatsuya-san is a potential heir to the throne just as much as Doji Noriko-sama, Seppun Tomaru-sama, Otomo Gorobei-sama and Otomo Keihime-sama. And I gave my word to the Divine Empress that I would bring you back here, and gave my word to you both that you would be safe."

There was a small pause, and then she added "plus the benefit of a longer friendship. At least I hope so!"

"I understand. It is best to be the first or last one to sign a contract. They receive the largest rewards."

"Hai exactly so" Honoka nodded with a grin "no different to court. Although usually in general it's just first contract in court, if one waits too long they could find a trade deal too late, or someones mind already turned."

There was a thoughtful look as breakfast was delivered - only something simple but likely better quality than one would get on the road.

"Have mina-san spent a lot of time throughout Rokugan? Met many different samurai from different clans?"

"We've mostly traveled the River of Gold through points south. Ryoko Owari and the merchants that operate there tend to have the most jobs." Tatsuya sighed. "The most survivable jobs, anyway."