(D2, LM) Lion Hunting

[Soshi Eiji]

Whether they were bonds forged on the battlefield, or the simple shared experience of sharing a residence wall, there were lots of ways that friendships were started off. In theory, a Crane could make a new friend with the smallest gesture across a crowded court. Others had more trouble making new friends. And when you were wearing Scorpion colors and you were tasked with befriending someone who, in theory, wanted to run you through for the circumstances of your birth....well that was a bit more difficult.

But if you were going to make a friend, first you had to meet a friend, and the halls before court seemed like the best place for a 'chance meeting.' And so Eiji was keeping both eyes out looking for a man of impeccble honor, middling skill and a ridiculous mustache.

[Cearnach]

He was there, absurd facial hair and what appears to be an upper-lip protector or maybe mustache-holder and all.

He was doing that thing many bushi do shortly before court, which is to try to figure out how to surreptitiously adjust their ceremonial robes for more comfort and less itching.

Of course, you can't do that and talk to anyone, so he was trying to cover (again, in a classic maneuver), by performatively observing the decor.

[Soshi Eiji]

He was there, absurd facial hair and what appears to be an upper-lip protector or maybe mustache-holder and all.

He was doing that thing many bushi do shortly before court, which is to try to figure out how to surreptitiously adjust their ceremonial robes for more comfort and less itching.

Of course, you can't do that and talk to anyone, so he was trying to cover (again, in a classic maneuver), by performatively observing the decor.

It was a good distraction maneuver, but when you split your attention between the decor and your itchy robe, it did leave you open to a surprise attack from the rear.

Eiji glided up behind the Lion as if he too was drawn in by the decor. He paused a moment as if also studying the decor before making his own presence known.

"You know, Akodo-san, every Winter Court sees the host clan display the very best of the artwork they can. When confronted with such a staggering amount of beauty, I find it incredibly helpful to see what it is that draws the attention of the members of the host clan. Might I ask what so draws you to this display?" he asked casually.

[Cearnach]

It was a good distraction maneuver, but when you split your attention between the decor and your itchy robe, it did leave you open to a surprise attack from the rear.

Eiji glided up behind the Lion as if he too was drawn in by the decor. He paused a moment as if also studying the decor before making his own presence known.

"You know, Ikoma-san, every Winter Court sees the host clan display the very best of the artwork they can. When confronted with such a staggering amount of beauty, I find it incredibly helpful to see what it is that draws the attention of the members of the host clan. Might I ask what so draws you to this display?" he asked casually.

That he did not leap three feet into the air in surprise was a minor miracle. Eiji could see the thighs clench for liftoff, but Shimomura Shigehiko was no coward, no leaping lily, no, he turned and addressed the Scorpion.

"Ah! You're right!" he said, but then, blanking on what he had been fake-looking at, he had to quickly check over his shoulder before replying. "That little tree, err--bonsai, really evokes for me the painstaking care a true warrior lavishes upon his equipment so it doesn't fail and get him killed. So...that's...what I was thinking about."

Then he bowed. "Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko," he said, with a little more dash than he'd mustered so far.

[Soshi Eiji]

That he did not leap three feet into the air in surprise was a minor miracle. Eiji could see the thighs clench for liftoff, but Shimomura Shigehiko was no coward, no leaping lily, no, he turned and addressed the Scorpion.

"Ah! You're right!" he said, but then, blanking on what he had been fake-looking at, he had to quickly check over his shoulder before replying. "That little tree, err--bonsai, really evokes for me the painstaking care a true warrior lavishes upon his equipment so it doesn't fail and get him killed. So...that's...what I was thinking about."

Then he bowed. "Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko," he said, with a little more dash than he'd mustered so far.

Eiji noted the clench, but gave no sign of his noticing, though he did feel a bit of a thrill at the successful sneak attack.

Instead he nodded as if the Lion had given some great insight.

"Ah indeed, I was just thinking that myself." he assured him.

He bowed respectfully.

"Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji." he introduced himself.

Eiji looked thoughtful.

"Hm, Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko? I have heard this name spoken before. They spoke of an honorable warrior of the Lion, a man of notable talent, appearance, and drive. Are you perchance THAT Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko?" he asked.

[Cearnach]

"Ah indeed, I was just thinking that myself." he assured him.

He bowed respectfully.

"Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji." he introduced himself.

Eiji looked thoughtful.

"Hm, Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko? I have heard this name spoken before. They spoke of an honorable warrior of the Lion, a man of notable talent, appearance, and drive. Are you perchance THAT Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko?" he asked.

A wiser man might have been a little wary at such an approach, and indeed a part of Shigehiko's mind was crying out "Hey! Wait a minute!", but Shimomura Shigahiko was not wise, he was honorable, and honorable men ought to be honest, so he said:

"Yes, I am Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko, the Hero of Stone Creek, with 5 top-knots to my name." Wait! Be humble, too! "And many of my brother Akodo have also done great things." Yeah! Good job!

[Soshi Eiji]

A wiser man might have been a little wary at such an approach, and indeed a part of Shigehiko's mind was crying out "Hey! Wait a minute!", but Shimomura Shigahiko was not wise, he was honorable, and honorable men ought to be honest, so he said:

"Yes, I am Akodo-ke no kashin Shimomura Shigehiko, the Hero of Stone Creek, with 5 top-knots to my name." Wait! Be humble, too! "And many of my brother Akodo have also done great things." Yeah! Good job!

Eiji nodded with enthusiasm.

"Ah, of course, Ikoma-san. I did not mean to imply that you fought at Stone Creek single-handedly. The Lion produce the Empire's finest warriors, it is simply a pleasure to get to speak to one. To speak to all of the heroes of the Lion would last well beyond the span of this court."

Eiji looked thoughtful.

"I would not wish to keep you from your duties, Ikoma-san, but as we have some time before court properly starts, might I impose upon you as a guest of the Lion to hear more about your exploits at Stone Creek? Secondhand accounts can never provide all the detail that one who was actually there can." he requested.

If Eiji couldn't get an Ikoma to brag about himself, he might have to retire.

[Cearnach]

Shigehiko blinked. "Well...of course! But first, a bit of context. You see, Stone Creek was close to the end of summer's campaign. The 2nd legion had just had its unfortunate surprise at Marumachi Ki, and we were making our way toward Kosaten from the North to link up with main body of the army, when all of a sudden..."

Shigehiko continued in this vein for some time. His heroics were small, in the grand scheme of things, but they did show a bit of pluck and personal courage at a time when the Lion had been badly surprised by the ferocity and efficiency of the Crane defense. In effect, he held a foot-bridge over Stone Creek for about two hours of sporadic fighting (he does not embellish his achievement too badly). However, it is the exacting detail of how he describes the actual fighting that drags this on and on until finally, mercifully, a contingent of Koritome arrive and send the Crane off with a barrage of arrows, ending the skirmish (and your torment) for good.

[Soshi Eiji]

Shigehiko blinked. "Well...of course! But first, a bit of context. You see, Stone Creek was close to the end of summer's campaign. The 2nd legion had just had its unfortunate surprise at Marumachi Ki, and we were making our way toward Kosaten from the North to link up with main body of the army, when all of a sudden..."

Shigehiko continued in this vein for some time. His heroics were small, in the grand scheme of things, but they did show a bit of pluck and personal courage at a time when the Lion had been badly surprised by the ferocity and efficiency of the Crane defense. In effect, he held a foot-bridge over Stone Creek for about two hours of sporadic fighting (he does not embellish his achievement too badly). However, it is the exacting detail of how he describes the actual fighting that drags this on and on until finally, mercifully, a contingent of Koritome arrive and send the Crane off with a barrage of arrows, ending the skirmish (and your torment) for good.

Eiji, for his part, listened with rapt attention. While others might have started playing with their fan after the fifth dodge or perhaps the eighth block, Eiji pictured the action as it was decribed. The length of the story did bring to mind the infamous tale of the shugenja that kept knocking down their foe by calling upon the air kami, only to have the foe rise, and the shugenja strike them down again. That tale was more notable for the exasperation of court minister halting it's telling. But truthfully, all Ikoma-san really needed was a good editor, or perhaps the self-awareness to gauge a more typical audience.

"That is quite the tale, Akodo-san. Truthfully, your memory for detail should be lauded along your other fine qualities. It truly felt like you were giving a report from a battle an hour ago rather than recounting a battle from weeks ago. That must be why Ikoma-san was chosen to serve at this court rather than spend the Winter training for next summer. Your delegation is lucky to have you." he praised.

[Cearnach]

Eiji, for his part, listened with rapt attention. While others might have started playing with their fan after the fifth dodge or perhaps the eighth block, Eiji pictured the action as it was decribed. The length of the story did bring to mind the infamous tale of the shugenja that kept knocking down their foe by calling upon the air kami, only to have the foe rise, and the shugenja strike them down again. That tale was more notable for the exasperation of court minister halting it's telling. But truthfully, all Ikoma-san really needed was a good editor, or perhaps the self-awareness to gauge a more typical audience.

"That is quite the tale, Akodo-san. Truthfully, your memory for detail should be lauded along your other fine qualities. It truly felt like you were giving a report from a battle an hour ago rather than recounting a battle from weeks ago. That must be why Ikoma-san was chosen to serve at this court rather than spend the Winter training for next summer. Your delegation is lucky to have you." he praised.

"Most kind, Soshi-san. Most kind indeed of you to say. And I am sure that your delegation is lucky to have you as well. What's your role?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Most kind, Soshi-san. Most kind indeed of you to say. And I am sure that your delegation is lucky to have you as well. What's your role?"

It was a...painfully honest sort of question. But it provided an excellent opening to judge the Lion's sense of camradarie.

"Well, officially Akodo-san, beyond my duties as a courtier for general purpose negotiations, I do have a talent for storytelling, a valuable skill on these long Winter days. But...." he offered.

He very obvoiusly looked around to see if anyone was paying the pair any undue attention before motioning the Lion closer with his fan.

"If I can tell you the truth, Akodo-san....." he offered lowerng his voice.

[Cearnach]

Shigehiko leaned in. It's what you do when people get quiet as they're talking to you!

[Soshi Eiji]

Shigehiko leaned in. It's what you do when people get quiet as they're talking to you!

".....then I would be a very notable Scorpion indeed, wouldn't you say Akodo-san?" he offered completing the joke.

[Cearnach]

"Oh!" Shigehiko recoiled. "Oho! How funny! Of course, one cannot say that it is rare for Scorpion to tell the truth. That would be discourteous! But as a play on commonly held stereotypes and the biases of bigoted people, it is very amusing, indeed!"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Oh!" Shigehiko recoiled. "Oho! How funny! Of course, one cannot say that it is rare for Scorpion to tell the truth. That would be discourteous! But as a play on commonly held stereotypes and the biases of bigoted people, it is very amusing, indeed!"

Eiji smiled.

"My thanks, Akodo-san. The path of honor is narrow indeed, so narrow that some feel the need to forsake everything, including humor, to grasp it with their fingernails. Those clinging to the path so tenaciously have little ability to discuss anything else. To encounter a samurai whose grip is so great as to encompass both Honor and Humor is a fortuitious meeting indeed." he offered, contnuing to add gas to the Akodo's tank while trying to not lay it on too thick.

[Cearnach]

"Soshi-san is too kind," the Akodo replied. "And has made an interesting observation about humor, though I am afraid that it does not match up to my experience. Perhaps it is a question of which joke at which time, or some such, that makes the truly honorable seem humorless to others? Certainly I have heard Lady Matsu appreciate a joke or two in her time."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Soshi-san is too kind," the Akodo replied. "And has made an interesting observation about humor, though I am afraid that it does not match up to my experience. Perhaps it is a question of which joke at which time, or some such, that makes the truly honorable seem humorless to others? Certainly I have heard Lady Matsu appreciate a joke or two in her time."

Eiji tilted his head at the Lion's comments.

"It is fair to say that when one gather's samurai from across the Empire, they have different experiences. Indeed, is it not our differences and diversity that make the Empire stronger? " he agreed to disagree.

"But Akodo-san has piqued my curiousity. I would be most interested to hear a joke appreciated by a person so noble as Lady Matsu." he requested.

[Cearnach]

Shigehiko's face lights up and he opens his mouth to take a biiiiig breath to tell the joke, but then his face falls.

"Soshi-san remembers what I said about the right time and place? This is neither for the kind of joke Lady Matsu prefers."

[Soshi Eiji]

Shigehiko's face lights up and he opens his mouth to take a biiiiig breath to tell the joke, but then his face falls.

"Soshi-san remembers what I said about the right time and place? This is neither for the kind of joke Lady Matsu prefers."

Eiji nods understandingly.

"I would not wish to make a request of Akodo-san that would cause him to act inappropriately, especially not in such a place." he agrees.

Eiji looked thoughtful.

"But Kyuden Ikoma is large and there are many hours before the court has run it's course. Perhaps Akodo-san knows of a more appropriate place and time for such words?" he suggested.

[Cearnach]

"Yes, perhaps tomorrow at the Old Man's Stump? They are fans of such things, there."