[D2, LM] Access Denied

[Otomo Gorobei]

The halls of the Imperial Apartments were abuzz with the chatter of junior members of the delegation. As Gorobei, dressed in his finest, his peaked black hat perched just so on his head, moved down the hallway, he glided past young ladies critiquing hair styles and a distant cousin of his trying desperately to shape the late-20's paunch he had begun to develop.

Neatly avoiding contact with the crush of humanity, Gorobei made his way toward the door leading to the business areas of the Tenshu. As he went, he played over in his mind how he would respond to the Empress' acknowledgment of his status as a potential heir. Unconsciously, his chest began to puff and a smile began to play around his lips.

[Otomo Tooru]

"Decided to dress up today, have we, Goro-chan? What is the occasion?"

Otomo Tooru had been waiting for some time for Gorobei to arrive. He had already affected the pace of an Emperor, it seemed. Well, it was past time to disabuse him of his pretensions.

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei stopped short and blinked. Tooru. Drat.

"The Empress' Winter Court is opening, Esteemed Cousin," Gorobei replied quietly. "I would have thought that her summons would be in the forefront of all minds today."

[Otomo Tooru]

Tooru's eyes narrowed. "And so it is, Goro-chan. Even in those minds which ought to be occupied with their work."

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei nodded slowly. "Isn't that always the way? Anyhow, if I can just get by, I do have pressing..."

[Otomo Tooru]

"I am referring, of course, to you, Goro-chan. All of this excitement seems to have gotten you quite muddled. The Empress has no need of your presence in court. She is aware of your credentials, such as they are. Do you imagine that you need to be seen to be known for what you are? Although that hat..." Tooru sneered, ignoring the look of horror that was starting to cross the face of the Seppun guardsmen stationed here, "...would tell the full story."

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei's hand reached up to touch his hat.

My...hat? But I like this hat!

[Otomo Tooru]

"In any case, you are far too busy to spend precious time gawking at your betters in court. No, you had better run along and address the TPS reports on that project in South Hub Village. I want those on my desk by dawn tomorrow."

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei frowned. He was starting to get a little angry.

"But, I am..."

[Otomo Tooru]

"You are a middling figure in the vast machine that keeps the Empire running. When I want you to get ideas about your station in life, Goro-chan, I will be sure to inform you directly. Run along, now. You are dismissed."

[Otomo Gorobei]

Gorobei set his jaw and opened his mouth to reply with full force. Then, he thought better of it. "As you say, Cousin," he intoned graciously with a bow.

I may not be Emperor yet. But when I am, he is going to understand what it means to be a middling figure. A terrible thought flitted across his incensed mind. Perhaps I shall have him process the paperwork for his execution.

He tasted the thought for a moment as he listened to whatever inane prattle his cousins were exchanging in the halls on the way back to his rooms.

I don't know, perhaps that is too petty. Perhaps I shall just cut him down directly. Yes, that's probably best. One quick cut and that problem goes away. The rest of the bureaucracy'd fall in line right after that. No problem. Permitting himself a small smile, he sat down at his desk and took up his pen. He had a lot of papers to get through before dawn, and there was nothing for it but to do them.