[D12, ME, Open] Toast and Tea

[Otomo Keihime]

The Lady Adviser sat at tea in an alcove near the court room this evening, a small smile on her lips. A letter, open but folded, sat on her table.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

On her way to and from meetings and duties, Sayomi almost passed by Keihime on her way. Almost because her path did cross with the Otomo's, but she wasn't so rude as to just walk straight past! So she stopped and bowed, to acknowledge Keihime's presence and status.

[Otomo Keihime]

Keihime inclined her head to acknowledge the Kitsu.

"Kitsu Sayomi, isn't it?" she said quietly. Quietly enough that a person might have the opportunity to pretend that they had not heard, if they meant to.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

She rose slightly from her bow, only to dip into a bow again. "Correct, Otomo-sama. I'm Kitsu Sayomi, of House Tatsukawa. We briefly met on the first day of court, when you arrived."

[Otomo Keihime]

"Ah, yes. How could I forget? The young lady so close to Lord Ikoma, were you not?" She smiled, not unkindly. "Are you dashing off to find him again, or do you have time to join me for tea?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"That sounds like me, yes."

She glanced for a moment to her side, then back to Keihime. "I currently don't have anything that requires my attention, Otomo-sama. It would be an honor." Sure, she might not personally like the former (?) adviser, but she was still a high-ranking Otomo; it was an honor to be given such attention. "Thank you."

[Otomo Keihime]

Keihime poured for each of them. "And how has court been treating you, Kitsu-san? This is your first Imperial Winter Court, I believe?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"It is," she affirmed with a nod, and took a seat opposite of Keihime. "I'd say it has been quite an experience. The events and arrangements have been wonderful and beyond my expectations. It is only marred by the deep tragedy that has befallen us all."

[Otomo Keihime]

"Indeed. The loss of my friend has tilted the world on its axis, and much that was true now finds itself changing. The inviolate Winter Court has been attacked, natural children are claiming inheritance rights, why, one would not be surprised if nature found itself turned on its head."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"With the changing of the seasons come change, it seems," a gentle nod of her head. "You have my condolences for losing a dear friend." The Empire had lost an Empress though, which... yes, it was probably worse than losing a friend. Even if both were heavy losses.

"There must be much uncertainty too, for you, no?" she asked.

[Otomo Keihime]

"Oh, yes, but less than there was yesterday." Her hand casually rests on the letter still folded on the tabletop. "And one cannot measure their personal struggles against those of the Empire. The clouds of political fragmentation have been looming, but one fears that even now they begin to break--duels between houses, arguments among Daimyo, why, one even hears your name mentioned from time to time."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi found her eyes drawn to the letter for a brief moment. "Only if we allow it to break us, Otomo-sama. The least we can do, as samurai sworn to the Empire, is to stand firm and not let chaos rule us in these uncertain times."

Though that her name was brought up did make her pause. "I'm not certain why I am someone mentioned though, as I have not done much of note except my duty."

[Otomo Keihime]

It wasn't thick, and one could almost catch some writing under the topmost fold, if only...

"The way one executes one's duty is often cause for comment, particularly when one is held up as an example to others. Kitsu-san, your service to your lord is widely held as exemplary. Surely you must be aware of this? It is not just anyone who would throw themselves between their lord and danger twice over. Once is usually considered more than enough."

"But, to be honest, that is not how your name has reached my ears. Rather, it is your steadfast support of a different man that has preceded you."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"Courage and loyalty are constant, not a one-time occurrence," she responded with some level of demureness as she reached for the teacup to have a sip.

Keihime's pointed words made her raise an eyebrow, but otherwise her On was in place. "Oh?"

[Otomo Keihime]

"Indeed. It is hard to fault you, Seppun Tomaru being such a charming old man, however destructive his ideas would ultimately prove. It is perfectly understandable that the compassionate would fall under his spell."

She slid the letter across the table. "Take this to him, please. He should be aware before any official announcement is made."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"From what I can see, Seppun-sama seems an honourable man." Sayomi placed down her teacup to reach for the letter. "I have not heard anything about these destructive ideas you speak of."

[Otomo Keihime]

"Oh? Well, I am sure you will. I can't fault him for wishing to put the best gloss on his plans. More politic than I expected, but not outside the norm for a man with ambitions. Anyway, I am sure that his intentions are all to the good."

"But then, so were Doji Raigu's."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Her lips pressed together as she held her tongue. There was nothing honorable in saying what was on her mind at the moment, and it would not serve anyone - not herself, not the Lion, not Seppun Tomaru.

"I thank you for the tea, Otomo-sama," she said, maintaining politeness. "But I better deliver this to Seppun-sama for you, before the evening grows too late, I think."

[Otomo Keihime]

"That would be best. You may run along, Kitsu-san." She takes a sip of her tea.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"May the Ancestors bless you, Otomo-sama," Sayomi offered as she bowed, then politely excused herself from the presence of Keihime.

Time to find Tomaru.

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ooc: should I find him in this thread or make a new one?