[D2, LE - Expecting] Something in the heir tonight

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae deals with the Seppun guard with good grace as she is asked to provide her sword and subject to a vigorous oracular patdown and a slightly more vigorous inspection of the ornate box she is carrying.

Having often been the one on the other side she remains stoic and polite, thanking the guards for their time when she is finally allowed into this section of the castle.

A servant has run ahead of her so as to allow the older Seppun to be ready for her arrival, but she still gently pads to his door and wraps lightly on a wooden beam.

"It is Sae of the Daidoji come to speak with you, and should my words be insufficient I have also brought tea, the greatest source of all conversation."

[Seppun Tomaru]

The door is slid open by a servant, and the paunchy, bearded figure of Seppun Tomaru seated within leans slightly to the side.

"Both are kindly welcome," he says. "Do come in."

He gestures to a cushion across a low table from himself.

[Daidoji Sae]

The door is slid open by a servant, and the paunchy, bearded figure of Seppun Tomaru seated within leans slightly to the side.

"Both are kindly welcome," he says. "Do come in."

He gestures to a cushion across a low table from himself.

"Seppun Tomaru-san, thank you for the honour of your time even at this late hour."
Sae bows low and steps into the room, gently laying the gift box on the table as she settles herself across the way from him.

"I imagine your duties are many and arduous, still I had hoped for the opportunity to speak with you. But before then please allow me to prepare you a cup of Purple Needle, as we discussed. I confess I did not think I would already be so nostalgic for a scent of home but...after half a year of duty, it will be wonderful to share some with you."

[Seppun Tomaru]

"Seppun Tomaru-san, thank you for the honour of your time even at this late hour."
Sae bows low and steps into the room, gently laying the gift box on the table as she settles herself across the way from him.

"I imagine your duties are many and arduous, still I had hoped for the opportunity to speak with you. But before then please allow me to prepare you a cup of Purple Needle, as we discussed. I confess I did not think I would already be so nostalgic for a scent of home but...after half a year of duty, it will be wonderful to share some with you."

"A reminder of home is ever welcome," Tomaru says, "as is one of those who are there. And for the preservers of the Imperial Law, I am happy to make time."

He smiles a little crookedly, his white bears waggling a bit. "And the tea service of the Crane is rightly praised."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Then I shall have to serve you tea as a preserver of the Imperial Law, lest my poor cousins catch word of such an insufficient tea service."

Sae begins preparing the brew with enough etiquette to be polite but not so elaborately that the two of them would be stuck waiting for minutes on end.

"I confess Seppun-san, to a samurai such as myself growing up the Hidden Guard were mysterious figures of legend, that child could not have imagined she would be sharing tea with any of them. But, here we are."

She continues to make small talk for a few minutes before setting down a steaming cup before Tomaru before lightly raising her own.

"To the Empress and the Empire, that we might always find our way in the dark."

[Seppun Tomaru]

snip

Tomaru chuckles slightly at the word-play and joins the small talk. When the tea is served, he joins the toast, "To Her glory," and drinks.

"It does remind a body of Mizu-umi no Fuko," he says. "And pleasantly so. Your cousins will have no complaints, I think."

After another sip, he rests the cup on the table, though his hand stays on it. Indeed, it seems to wrap around it, though not tightly.

"How may the Emerald Office be helped?" he asks.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"I-." Sae certainly won't claim to be representing all the Emerald. "-wanted to speak with you to get a sense for your character, one removed from the rumours and stories flying back and forth. I do not always have the luxury of following my own code in courtly proceedings. Indeed it seems the higher one rises the more one is constrained. Someone says 'politics' and it is as though honour and courage mean nothing."

She places her cup down firmly.
"It would be a good thing, I think if the Daughter of Heaven in her immense wisdom was to select someone of unimpeachable character with thoughts for the future and guided by the fortunes and spirits. Obviously she will make the right choice, but I cannot help think that I too would like to make a choice, however small or inconsequential."

Sae looks Tomaru squarely in the eyes.
"So I ask you, honoured Seppun. I know your record, your reputation, but can I ask. Should the Empress choose you among all the samurai of Rokugan to take the throne after her passing, what you do with that responsibility?"

She pauses for a moment and then smiles very slightly. "I know this is hardly a small question."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"It is not small, no," Tomaru says, "and there are some who might note that even asking it moves against Imperial Edict." There is no hint of his crooked smile on his face or in his tone as he says it. "But I know that someone whose own record speaks to honor and adherence to law would not do such a thing."

He looks her straight in the eyes. "I know that whoever is elevated to the Imperial Dignity will be blessed by the Heavens. It cannot be otherwise.

"I also know that whoever sits upon the Throne must be as a parent to the Empire, seeing that its soul and mind are rightly trained so that its arms can meet whatever challenges present themselves. I know that people must be taught rightly if they are to act rightly, and that they must have access to right knowledge to have right teachings. And I know that only the Throne can ensure that such things happen."

He lifts his tea and sips at it. "There are lessons to be learned, if they are but presented well. It is to be hoped that they will be thus presented, by the Heavens' mercy."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

Sae bows her head in answer, appreciating what passed for frankness among samurai discussing sensitive matters.
"As you say, expecting someone to learn something they are never taught dishonors both."

Raising her own cup and sipping slightly. "As you say, people must be taught rightly if they are to act rightly. In your wisdom Seppun-san, would that also apply to heimin? Providing formal education so that they might serve properly?

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

Tomaru sets down his tea and sits back, folding his arms across his chest. It accentuates the pouch that is not cloth at the front of his kimono.

"I confess that I'd not considered that part of the question," he says. "Allow me a moment to do so now, if you would please."

And, from the way his lips vanish and his eyebrows creep closer together, it appears as if he does just that.

"I shall do more reading on the matter," he says, "but for now, I would say 'In such measure as they can, yes.' I do not expect a sandal-maker to be able to give the time to it that even a Hiruma scouting would, but there are peasant scribes, so clearly peasants are capable of learning to read, and so they are capable of being taught what is written."

He leans back in a bit, takes up his teacup again. "It is an interesting question."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"It speaks well of you that you would genuinely consider such a thing. In my experience many samurai, having failed to consider something simply dismiss it. It's the route of many an unsolved crime."
She raises her cup slightly as if in salute.

"In my duties I often interact with those who are not samurai. And I find their needs can be forgotten or overlooked. It is understandable given the size of the empire, but it would warm my heart to think of their position being bettered in the future."

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"Who serve well should receive reward," Tomaru says, raising his cup in return. "Not from expectation of a reward, but because those served are worth serving, and such compassion is a result of that worth."

He drinks.

"But I am not such a man as to think that what I do not know is not worth knowing," he adds. Then the crooked smile spreads across his face again. "My children and grandchildren have taught me much I would never have known without them. And my wife still does."

He cocks his head.

"Which reminds me that congratulations are in order for you; receive them from me!"

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Seppun-san is very kind." She looks down into her lap for a few moments. "I was blessed by Benten-no-fortune once, and am praying I will be blessed again. There is...ah, well my husband was very special to me."

Sae sips her tea quietly for a few moments before a thought strikes her. "Your marriage is a successful one, and your family large and happy. Might I ask you for some advice on how to achieve such things?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

"My condolences," Tomaru says. "I will pray for him. And you.

"But as to how to have a happy family, I can say that I work to be, myself, happy. I have shown it to my children and grandchildren. My wife, admittedly, makes happiness easier for me than it might otherwise be, but I have seen men sad with the most excellent of wives--and women with the most excellent of husbands, though I have never been such a man.

"There is always a new thrill to be found, if you look hard enough. And a good marriage, where both do that work, is worth doing that work. Or so it has been for me. I shall pray it is for you."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"For all my faults, I have never shirked work. And it would be more than unfair for my wife to be to not make such an effort. Thank you for the perspective."
She bows her head.

"I will endeavor to employ that lesson, as one day I hope to see an empire where all can be taught such things. But the hour is late and I have taken enough of your time. Thank you for the advice, and for the opportunity to enjoy a taste of my home. I am sure we will meet again before the court is out?"

[Seppun Tomaru]

Snip

Tomaru returns the bow.

"I expect we will, Daidoji-bugyo," he says. "And I am sure it will be a pleasure again!"

[Daidoji Sae]

Tomaru returns the bow.

"I expect we will, Daidoji-bugyo," he says. "And I am sure it will be a pleasure again!"

Sae rises and bows again (you basically could not bow too many times to an older Seppun) and with a hint of a smile makes a polite exit, feeling for now at least more confident in who should take the throne.

((/scene! Thank you for the RP and your time ))

[Fukurokujin]

(And thank you; it was a genuine pleasure!)