(D13 LE-expecting) A Ritual Nightcap

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko felt it important to fill Sadako in as soon as they could. They'd need her permission to even enact the ritual, and she'd almost certainly want to take part.

After the warmth of the space with everyone gathered to work on the ritual, Hoshiko was incredibly glad of her coat as she crossed the courtyard up into the Tenshu. Her own influence at least would see her in the door, where she would ask if Lady Seppun were still awake and willing to see visitors.

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori would follow closely behind Hoshiko as they made their way over to the Imperial residences. While the circumstances weren't great, she had to admit that the urgency of it was enough to perk some adrenaline that the chill didn't matter too much. It likely wasn't good for the internal elemental balance of the body but she was hoping that they would be let inside in short order. If they were rejected, well...Shiori would have to contend with being left in the cold.

[Seppun Sadako]

After being examined and obliged to turn over any weapons, the pair are escorted to Sadako's suite, where she is once again poring over paperwork.

Her pleasant smile and slight bow as she invites the pair to sit do not disguise the dark circles around her eyes or the redness creeping into them.

But her voice is light as she says "What brings the pair of you to me this evening?" and she sits straight and true once she moves her paperwork to the side.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko has the momentary impulse to invite the Seppun daimyo to visit after court for a month-long nap, but sets the impulse aside to get down to business after a respectful bow.

"We think we've found a way to neutralize one of the season's spiritual problems, but it requires a good number of priests working together," she nods to Shiori for the details, "and benefits from the active presence of the various ancestral blades borne by members of the court. I don't know that Akkuei-uo could be raised in the absence of a Hantei, but if it was carried to court, the Lion's Shori may be here as well?"

***********
ooc: a bit abrupt, but short post before work.

[Kuni Shiori]

"This one is Kuni-ke no kashin Kuroyama Shiori," Shiori would introduce herself with a deep bow. They might have met in passing, likely during the whole pail fetching incident but it was perhaps best to make the formalities clear when they were facing each other and in a formal space.

She nodded at Hoshiko and looked at Sadako. "It is as Asahina-san says, Seppun-dono. Through our research and the efforts of many, we have found a means by which we can trap and potentially vanquish the spirit that has been plaguing the Kyuden halls. Given the age and power of the spirit, as well as its appetites, this will need the effort of many shugenja of each element, as well as some ancestral relic to keep its power in check so that we can properly enact the ritual to bind it in place."

"This is a threat to the Empire, it represents an unbalance in the realms and has a connection to some dark omens we rather not see fulfilled. We understand this is not an easy request but we have good reason to believe that it is of the utmost importance to the future of the Empire," she said before bowing deeply to show her sincerity.

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako leans forward.

"This would seem to be the fruits of your research, Asahina-san," Sadako says. "More detail will be helpful, particularly if I am to go to the Lords Miya and Otomo to secure the use of the Imperial Blade.

"But I am interested. Very much so."

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori bowed deeply in apology to speak before Hoshiko on the matter. "If I may, Seppun-dono..."

"There are two parts to this ritual, the restrain and binding of the spirit. The elements are in flux, some have felt uprooted from their place due to this realm due to this invasion. However, they will also function as our links so that we can pull and trap this powerful and invasive spirit to a container we will prepare for this very purpose," she nodded confidently in the matter. "I beliece it has been documented under records collected by the Asako's Chukan Family that balancing the five elements as means of exposing the vulnerability of an invasive spiritual threat, leaving them little means of escaping. Especially in such a time when the elements find themselves being hollowed out by this invasion but they are weak to reject the unwelcomed guest. We will aid them and they will aid us in return."

After a glance at Hoshiko, she continued explaining to Sadako. "We have assigned a few shugenja already in this configuration, each needing to focus on their part of the ritual. However, we are lacking in a few elements still, much like the Void. It will be difficult without each of them represented in both the restrain and binding separately. We have also found that the spirit is shy to the Champions, which is not a coincidence. It seems that the swords are also key as it is greatly weakened due to their importance and power, one of the few items in the Kyuden that can hurt it directly. We believe if the swords were present and used in conjunction with the rituals, we have the best chance of rendering its power akin to a lesser gaki and opening a window to trap it in place."

[Seppun Sadako]

"That all makes sense," Sadako says, nodding in agreement. "Has the nature of the spirit been confirmed, then? I remember hearing some question on the matter."

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori would glance at Hoshiko momentarily before answering. "We have very good reason to believe that this spirit is indeed, at least fashioned after, the late Emperor Hantei Ningi," she would say before bowing deeply at the name, either in reverence to the name or perhaps pre-apologize for tying such a name to something of malintent.

"It seems either coincidental or poetic, considering such a name has a connection to some calamity to the past with Tenjin-no-kami and the controversial execution of Togashi Kaze by Matsu Noshin."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"That all makes sense," Sadako says, nodding in agreement. "Has the nature of the spirit been confirmed, then? I remember hearing some question on the matter."

Hoshiko nods. "To the best of our ability, though the spirits of Meido claiming it has many names and none leaves me concerned. The air kami say that's its name, and it is certainly the name it goes by so far, so I think it will at least answer to it in some fashion."

"Whether the spirit is cowed by the power inherent in those ancient blades and the centuries of oaths laid into them, or is reminded of its own nobility and oaths in life and thus hesitates, I think the purpose is served. Once trapped, it may be that there are more esoteric means of determining its history and origin."

[Seppun Sadako]

Sadako draws a breath, holds it, and releases it.

"If it is, in fact, the spirit you say it says it is," she says, "then the Hantei blade will not avail against it. Indeed, it may be that the spirit would draw power from it in such a case. For if it is what is said, then there will be some resonance of it left in the blade."

She pauses, considering.

"When do you propose to enact the ritual?" she adds. "I think I will need to participate in it. Perhaps other members of the Guard, as well."

[Kuni Shiori]

"So I see..." she said in realization on the matter. It didn't seem so obvious in her mind, considering she assumed it would have the opposite effect, especially considering the sword's connection was less corrupted than the spirit. However, she accepted Sadako's knowledge on the matter with a few defeated nods. Thankfully, they had other blades but their options were narrowed then.

"I think it would be to our benefit if we were to do this soon. It would likely be as soon as tomorrow," she nodded.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Sadako draws a breath, holds it, and releases it.

"If it is, in fact, the spirit you say it says it is," she says, "then the Hantei blade will not avail against it. Indeed, it may be that the spirit would draw power from it in such a case. For if it is what is said, then there will be some resonance of it left in the blade."

She pauses, considering.

"When do you propose to enact the ritual?" she adds. "I think I will need to participate in it. Perhaps other members of the Guard, as well."

"Oh. That is..a point." Hoshiko says, a bit crestfallen not to have considered that. "And with that connection, I'd worry about it contaminating the blade in some fashion, even if it was also cowed by it. I suppose that means Shori is unlikely to be drawn either, without a Hantei to command it...or possibly the wrong Hantei." She shakes her head. "These things make the ritual easier, but it doesn't require them."

She nods at Shiori's choice of day, and adds, "Given the affinity of ghosts for late hours, the hour of <EN> seems suitable."

"We expected your duties would require you to be there." She pauses, "Will you participate? Or will you need to remain apart?"

[Seppun Sadako]

"Oh, I will be there," Sadako says, "and I will participate. Even if the spirit is what it says, it would be duty to help it along the Wheel."

She considers.

"Which other shugenja are participating in this" she asks, "and will you need more assistance with the restraint or the binding?"

[Kuni Shiori]

"Yasuki Masaki and Asahina Hoshiko are present for the element of Air", she said with a nod to the present company. "I can handle the element of Earth but will need another shugenja for the restraining. Agasha Sanjuro and Yogo Kuichi are on hand for the element of Fire. Water and Void are a bit lacking. It seems likely that Kitsu Shintaro will be able to aid in that aspect. Sure, the Phoenix have someone to aid in Void."

[Seppun Sadako]

"I can converse with the Earth if needed," Sadako says, "though others are likely more rooted in that than I. Water is not my strength, and the Void is--I am not an Ishiken."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko offers a nod in concurrence with Shiori's tally, and tosses in the recently decided..."Also, Kuni-san felt that the site of the collapsed mine would make a good site for the ritual. Away from many bystanders who might be harmed." Though also, she realizes, taking a lot of the most important people in attendance out to a somewhat vulnerable spot to guard against the non-spiritual threats. She wouldn't really have considered that before the past few weeks, but she's pretty sure that's constantly on Sadako's mind.

[Seppun Sadako]

"Being able to contain possible collateral damage is likely a good thing," Sadako says. "And I do not usually stand a post among the Guard, so my presence will be little missed."

[Kuni Shiori]

"It may help to have a sword or two in hand in case something should happen. I think we have researched the means to stop this spirit but there are some variables in what it might be capable of. Perhaps some jade paste at the ready will help, and a runner at the ready for any other contingencies."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"It may help to have a sword or two in hand in case something should happen. I think we have researched the means to stop this spirit but there are some variables in what it might be capable of. Perhaps some jade paste at the ready will help, and a runner at the ready for any other contingencies."

"Oh right, jade *is* an excellent idea. Just in case." If anything Hoshiko is growing more nervous as the logistics surrounding the mystical and theological elements become apparent.

***************
ooc, I think we'd sensibly pass Sadako a copy of the ritual workings for Seppun review and sign off.