(D3 EM) Seeking Sadako for...Science?

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko was up early to complete morning prayers and breakfast with time enough to don her best court clothing and follow up on the intentions of her first day's interview here. The sound of her silks soon joined the quiet background noise of dozens of silk clad Imperial functionaries (and even some of the Imperial servants!) and their many conversations in the hallways. Eventually she offers her letter of introduction. By this time next winter, she might not need one, but that's a perk for future Yamada courtiers.

[Seppun Sadako]

The Seppun check it twice before showing Hoshiko into the chamber set aside for Seppun Sadako. There are a couple interesting features, here. The focus of the room is a small seating area to the left where a breakfast has been laid out. There is a worktable and a holding space for a few scrolls on the right. But the back of the chamber, with its door leading to what must be a bedroom, has seen the steady encroachment of Seppun Sadako's wardrobe. A rack of eveningwear and a trunk that appears completely stuffed with shoes sit open while a servant stands over them taking inventory.

It takes half a breath for Lady Seppun to emerge from the bedroom with a neutral expression. "Good morning, Asahina-san. What brings you to my door at this hour?"

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

She hadn't expected the staff to let her interrupt what appeared to breakfast. What was in that letter? This infuses her bow with some level of contrite apology.

"I apologize for interrupting a meal, Seppun-sama. My expectation had honestly been to be kept waiting a while for someone so undoubtedly busy, and I hoped to see you before court...so started early." She remains near the door, poised to leave if requested. "I should apologize to Doji-sama as well for underestimating the power of her voice."

"I hoped to speak of the spiritual effects of several political policies with someone close to the center of both elements. I understand if that is perhaps an 'after breakfast' topic."

[Seppun Sadako]

"It might normally be," Sadako agrees. "But these are not normal times. Have you eaten? If not, it would please me to have you join me."

Unseen feet scamper off as Sadako seats herself and gestures across the table where her breakfast awaits.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

Hoshiko offers something between a nod and a true bow in acquiescence, and moves to sit. "I have had a bit, but I'd be foolish to turn down the chance to share the table. And these busy days need more tea than most."

Seated, she leaves a pause for the mundanities of hostess and host adding to plates, and for gathering her words. Politeness and pragmatism sometimes travel together.

"They are not, and have not been for quite a long while, I think. My clan bears part of the blame for starting off a chain of actions that steered things tremendously out of balance, the rightful correction of which ought to have been expected. The reprehensible gaijin betrayals created wounds that, in my opinion, threw off the recovery and now we've created..." her hands rise, palms up and gesturing outward in and 'all of this' sort of gesture.

[Seppun Sadako]

The servants swiftly bring in an additional service and pour tea. All but one retreats from the serving area. The one taking inventory of shoes keeps working, just barely audible.

"You gave a gloss," Sadako says as she picks up her miso and spoon. "If you'd be so kind as to expound on it?"

The spoon begins to get to work.

There is, as yet, no interruption.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

(ooc, yes! Was trying the quickest way to throw most of the point out there before RL work and without barfing a wall of text on poor Sadako’s breakfast. In the interests of time, though…here’s the wall)

Hoshiko nods, sitting straight with her hands folded in her lap, though they rise frequently to punctuate her thesis.

“First…I am sure you know as well as any of the rumor that the Empress has no children because her choice of husband was not approved by the Heavens. I have not asked them, but I do not honestly believe the Celestial order requires an eternal dynasty of Crane consorts as condition of the Empire’s prosperity.” An emphatic flick of her truncated right hand puts that question to rest.

“But the rest of the punishments levied–justly!--upon the Crane in payment for the betrayal of trust embodied by the conspiracy of that generation has grown and stagnated until it threatens to ossify into tradition, and I do not think those are spiritually healthy. Perhaps the heavens frown on so heavily punishing Doji’s children for so long?” She spreads her hands, “or perhaps being among the followers of Asahina, who came to join the Crane in contrition after his very personal path of destructive punishment colors my view.”

“But *something* is out of balance to leave us in the unsettled situation we find now. I feel the ban on Crane marriages is a key factor. As this particular element firms into tradition, and we scramble to offer other arrangements and plain deals for necessary trade, how long before others follow suit and the courts become mere marketplaces with extra finery?”

[Seppun Sadako]

"A woman can hardly be faulted for being biased toward her own people," Sadako allows, setting her bowl down. "And it is the case that balance seems, shall we say, less certain than at many times in the past."

She lifts her tea, sips at it.

"It is beyond any of us to comment extensively on the marital proclivities of the Throne."

Sadako sets the cup down.

"That said, the point about possible degradation of relationships between the Clans is well taken. For that, however, I would recommend the Lord Miya, as that Family works to maintain the connections among peoples. My own is concerned with security."

She raises a hand to forestall the retort she then acknowledges. "And I am aware that a more stable Empire permits easier security. So if you happen to have some research assembled in support of your position, I will be happy to--"

And that is when the interruption happens, the ground making its displeasure known.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

There is a stability to always being grounded in the quiet, ever-patient realm. But flinging a building violently about will generally overcome that and Hoshiko drops to the floor in a partially, but not entirely controlled way, her first instinct being to roll under the table for shelter.

The second is to assess the hurts in the room.

***************
The third is to prepare a parting shot as the needs of checking on the Empress drag the lady away. XD

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako is on her feet with stunning swiftness, a scroll very nearly leaping to her hand.

The tremor passes, and sounds from within the Tenshu begin to be heard.

"Bring me your researches, Asahina-san," she says. "Show me support for the position in the Heavens and in the Tao."

One of the Miharu has entered the room. To that one, she says "Show Asahina-san out, swiftly and safely. I must attend Her Majesty."

And she, barely nodding a bow, is gone.

[Fukurokujin]

The Miharu extends a hand to help Hoshiko to her feet.

"Are you injured?" says a nondescript voice.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

She shakes her head, but does take the extended hand, rising carefully. "Racing to see if the kami have dropped a ceiling on her charge but needs a thesis to know things are out of balance? Well enough."

"Thank you...I should go and see where I can be of help out there."

/exit and /scene? (thank you for the scene, apologies the RL has me slower than normal)

[Fukurokujin]

(A pleasure!)