[D1, MM, Open] From Out of the Past

[Hantei Retsuhime]

The Great Doors of the Tenshu stand open to receive Kyuden Ikoma's true owner. Trailed by a string of functionaries, the bearers first pause to allow their burdens to observe the Rostrum, then pass by to lower the Imperial Palanquins within the Genkan. A weighty hush attends the opening of the palanquin and the emergence of herself, Hantei Retsuhime, Empress of Rokugan, Daughter of Heaven.

"Ugh," she grunts, "what a journey this has been." Placing both hands behind her, she cracks her back..

[Otomo Keihime]

...just as the second palanquin opens, allowing Otomo Keihime to alight. Her finery jingles merrily with clinking netsuke and tiny bells sewn into the layers of her kimono.

"It is true, the journey to Morning Glory castle may have been more auspicious, my lady." Her brow creases with theatrical consternation. "But then, we so rarely have recourse to visit the west of the empire, I cannot help but feel that you were right to avail yourself of Lord Ikoma's hospitality."

She smiles warmly, but her eyes are cool as she takes in the assembled guards in their parade finest being ceremonially relieved by the Miharu. Her eye gleam, however, when they alight on Hantei Yugozohime's portrait. "The Lion have always been loyal."

[Hantei Retsuhime]

"Ostentatiously so, you mean to say." Hantei Retsuhime's humorless expression softens a bit at her mother's depiction, but it is hard to miss the irony in her voice.

[Seppun Tomaru]

One among many, a white-bearded shugenja takes up position unobtrusively--as much as can be in this place.

Tomaru withdraws a scroll from his sleeve and readies a reading.

While others speak, he says nothing. And he prays that his prayers will never be needed.

[Otomo Keihime]

"Ostentatiously so, you mean to say." Hantei Retsuhime's humorless expression softens a bit at her mother's depiction, but it is hard to miss the irony in her voice.

Some might have taken it as agreement, but Keihime was attuned enough to feel the sting of the Empress' rebuke. "I, my lady? Well, I would only be right to say so, and..."

[Hantei Retsuhime]

Lady Keihime may have taken that opportunity to insinuate something more, but it was clear that the Empress was no longer listening. Instead, she held out her hand to receive a fan as she looked up at her mother's face, watched the energy there, the passion. Was I ever that passionate? Was she?

She let her eye follow down to Soujiro. "And what of you?" she thought aloud as her Daimyo began to disembark behind her, What did you really think when her golden legions put your masters to flight? Did it seem just? Did it seem righteous? Did you mean to draw the sword?

The Empress grunted a second time.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Having finished the morning's most important meeting (or so she thought), Sayomi figured she'd drop by some of the guards on duty to see how they were faring now that the season's court was officially starting. Even if she wasn't on duty herself for the winter now, she still wanted to be on a helpful lookout for her fellow guards. Maybe make sure to bring some of them some warm tea late in the evening for those stuck on outdoors watch.

It was hard not to notice the big procession and the natural commotion that came with such at the genkan, and her steps began to slow one bit at a time as it was slowly dawning on her who it was.

Like a cat caught in a fight/flight/freeze scenario, the Kitsu warrior weighed her options... and opted for the safety of dropping down to bow. What else was there to do in the vicinity of the Empress herself?!

[Otomo Keihime]

Keihime's eyes flicked to the Kitsu, and she favored her with a slow, shallow nod.

"Kitsu-san. Will you be a dear and inform Lord Ikoma that we have arrived? His karo seems to have gotten lost."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi made the split decision of not smashing her forehead into the ground in response to being addressed by such an important guest, managing a presentable dip instead.

"As you command, your excellency. At once!" she responded with earnest fervor of wanting to be helpful to the guests, and rose to walk kind of half-bowed in deference. Goodness, how embarrassing if the karo didn't know they had arrived!

The stop in the genkan was as brief as she could make it (one didn't forget their most basic manners, even in such dire of imperial circumstances), and she walked with the most swift but mindful steps she could muster until she was certain she was out of sight of the Empress' retinue... then dared herself to walk much faster and far less graceful. She needed to find Ikoma Ryota, or someone else in charge!

[Ikoma Ryota]

Fortunately, she did not have to run long, for the karo--looking a little concerned--was leading a slightly worn-seeming Ikoma Ryota down the hall in her direction.

The procession paused at the sight of Sayomi, Ryota's eyes reflecting an odd mixture of weariness and relief.

"Good morning, Kitsu-san," his cultured, articulated voice emanated from deep in his chest. "Have you had rice?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

The Kitsu's face did little to hide her own relief at seeing the karo and the daimyo both, and she quickly dipped into a respectful bow. "Ikoma-sama, good morning again." It wasn't that long since the big meeting the same day. "I have eaten yes, thank you. But pardon me for being too forward now, but... our most esteemed guests are here. Now. Ah, I believe it was her excellency the Imperial Adviser who bade me find you..."

She winced a little as she delivered those news.

[Ikoma Ryota]

A stung look flickered across the karo's face. Perhaps it had not been that long after all.

But Lord Ikoma nodded slowly. "Yes, Otomo-sama has never hesitated to pursue her aims." He attempted a smile, but barely raised the right corner of his mouth. "We must be efficiency itself."

And he led the way back into the Genkan, letting the servants slide the great doors open wide to frame him, his karo, and a certain Kitsu in the inner entryway for the Empress, the Adviser, and their retinue.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Of course, Ikoma-sama." Efficiency itself she would be!

Following behind Ryota, Sayomi managed to smooth out her kimono and hair that might have become slightly disheveled from her earlier rush, so she looked presentable again as they returned to the guets.

Of the ones present now to receive the Imperial entourage, she made sure to bow the deepest of them, given her low position in comparison.

[Ikoma Ryota]

Ryota moved forward, bowed low to the Empress and her retinue, and, squaring his shoulders, rose from his obeisance and the weight of his feelings to deliver his greeting with the required energy.

"Tenno-heika, honored guests, please, be welcome to Kyuden Ikoma. I trust your journey was pleasant?"

[Hantei Retsuhime]

Retsuhime, still looking up at the painting, grimaced.

[Otomo Keihime]

"It was charming, Ikoma-san, and wonderfully placid. Your villages seem quite well-ordered. Indeed, Tenno-heika commented to me that your villages compare most favorably to those of Lord Kitsu."

[Ikoma Ryota]

Ryota's smile froze. "How...gratifying to hear, Otomo-sama. Now, I have seen to it that your rooms are ready. Would you like to accompany me to let the road fall into blessed memory?"

[Otomo Keihime]

Keihime smiled graciously. "Of course, Ikoma-san, if you would be so kind."

She offered her arm for the Empress to take as they made their way after the Lord of the Ikoma's slightly stooped back.

Inclining her head, she whispered to the Empress as she followed him, quiet enough to quite negate Lord Ikoma's ability to hear, but perhaps not so quiet that a certain Kitsu could not: "Ostentatiously loyal, Tenno-heika, and weaker by the moment."

[Hantei Retsuhime]

The Empress frowned, and her hand tightened around Keihime's arm. "Weak," she murmured as the pressure to move pulled her gaze away from her mother's face. "Weak." And she followed Keihime and Ryota out the door.

/exit.

[Seppun Tomaru]

Tomaru trails behind the departing Empress at some distance. One of the miharu accompanies him. Both of them look intently left, right, up, and down as they proceed; every few paces, they stop and turn to look behind them.

/exit