[D8, EA, Court] Keihime's Flex: The Floor

[Otomo Tooru]

The Imperial Officers assemble today with their customary forms. Hida Kozume looks bored. Miya Hachi looks a little annoyed.

But Otomo Tooru is all smiles as he reaches the presider's position. It seems that everyone is in for a treat today.

"Beloved Delegates, it is my honor to declare this court open for the Empire's Business," he says with a brilliant smile.

The Court is open for business. Otomo Tooru is presiding, so the Court Action TN is 22.

[Chou-sin]

And perhaps it was that very homey-ness that drew Chou-sin. That's what the official narrative would have you believe, anyway: the Abbot of the Four Temples drew near to take part in a quiet ritual of communion with the Crane clan and, inadvertently (of course), bumped the table.

"Oops!" he cried, as the table lurched, the pot of boiling water fell to the ground, and Lady Doji's tea seat cascaded in a glinting, cacophonous torrent, disgorging its contents all over the floor, the well-appointed cushions, and the laps of the assembled Crane.

[Otomo Tooru]

Otomo Tooru's benign expression changed into one of naked concern as he raised a hand to forestall debate.

"A moment, please, delegates," he said as he peered in the direction of the table traditionally claimed by the Crane delegation. "It seems that something demands our attention."

[Cearnach]

The situation among the Crane delegation seemed pretty dire. Chou-sin, it seemed, had inadvertently sent the Crane's tea-kettle and water receptacle crashing to the ground, staining several kimono and ruining at least one tatami. The fire had been put out, at least, but things seemed very much in disarray.

[Otomo Keihime]

"How unfortunate." Otomo Keihime's voice was the first to cut through the silence. "It would seem that the Crane have made a mess of the audience chamber." She frowns deeply. "Doji Noriko-san, would you be so kind as to clean this up? We need to keep to the proper decorum."

She turns with a look of horror to Tooru. "Ah me, dear cousin! Doji-san's careless mistake has left the Crane clan without proper refreshments during court! They will need fresh water!"

[Otomo Tooru]

"That is so, Otomo-sama. A grave circumstance, indeed. We shall have to appoint someone to go to the castle well to fetch..."

[Otomo Keihime]

Keihime breaks in.

"I apologize, cousin, but our dear cousin the late Empress always believed that the Clans should receive according to their lights. The castle well is not at all suited for the Crane delegation. No, they must have the water best suited for them, and that comes from Ikoma's Eye."

She turns, snapping her fingers. "Tomaru-san. Please go and fetch the Crane delegation water from Ikoma's Eye."

[Seppun Sadako]

In her place upon the dais, Seppun Sadako...tenses.

There is no obvious motion, of course. But the way that she freezes seems eerie even from one of her name.

[Otomo Tooru]

After watching the old man bow and depart, Tooru returns to the presider's position.

"Very well, is there any business before the court?"

[Cearnach]

Trade Deal with the Crab

Sayomi stepped to the floor, bowing to those assembled and the presiding Otomo Tooru. "It is my honor to present this trade deal for the court's approval, as it has been approved by the Crab and Lion both."

She read the details. "The noble servants of Akodo-no-Kami and Hida-no-Kami have come together in the winter of 486 in Kyuden Ikoma to agree on an exchange of goods and strengthening the bonds between the two clans through marriage."

"Crab gives the Lion: 9 Equipment, 5 Iron, 4 Tea."
"Lion gives the Crab: 15 Rice, 5 Copper."

"This arrangement is sealed with two marriages, with one pair to join the Crab and the other pair to join the Lion."

If she was nervous, it managed just barely to not show, considering her performance yesterday.

----

Day 8 Court. EA. Presenting trade deal with the Crab. 1 Raise. +1k1 Void. | 8k5 ⇒ 29 (TN: 27)
+15 Court Points to Sayomi

[Otomo Tooru]

Seeing as there was no comment on this deal, Otomo Tooru accepted it and moved along.

[Cearnach]

While the opening act had been a wash, Eiji had business for the court, and so he approached when beckoned, and bowed respectfully to the court.

"It is my great honor to address the noble samurai of the Empire." he said.

At least those who weren't ducking out early to carry water for an old man, literally.

"The Scorpion have concluded a second trade deal, and to commemorate the occassion, I present the following story to amuse you while we consider the less interesting details of the deal.:

"Once there was a castle by the sea that had three great strengths. Now as it happens with all castles from time to time, this castle was besieged. Now normally, the first strength, it's location next to the siege made such things untenable. Fresh supplies could freely come and go by the sea if the enemy assaulted by land and overland if the enemy assaulted by sea. Unfortunately, this time the enemy was prepared and cut the castle off from fresh supplies both over land and over sea.

Now the castle's second strength was what was keeping it standing. Though the enemy had a fearsome navy, the cove of the castle was incredibly well fortified. No ship could approach the castle without having arrows, burning oil and rocks rain down on them like the wrath of the Heavens. But this did not stop the enemy from cutting off friendly ships from entering the cove, and so as the siege continued, supplies were starting to dwindle. Indeed, while the castle's second great strength rebuffed the enemy over and over again, the armory was beginning to run low on arrows. Were the castle to run out of arrows, the enemy would finally be able to be able to directly assault the walls of the castle and bring a violent end to the siege.

Now the third great strength of the castle was the famous warrior Haru called it their home. Haru was an incredibly adept fighter, able to fend off entire squads with the sweep of a polearm, indeed many warriors fled the field simply because of Haru's fearsome reputation. But Haru was also clever. When Haru was told of the castle's shortage, they simply said, 'Then we shall simply have to get some more.'

'But Haru-samu! Our supply lines are completely cut off, where can we possibly get more arrows?' cried the castle's karo.

'Why, from the enemy of course.' replied Haru.

Under Haru's supervision some very confused heimin prepared a very special boat. They packed the boat from stem to stern with straw, with just enough room for Haru themselves to sit in the center, surrounded on all sides by straw, and work the oars and tiller. Haru had them proudly display his battle banner atop the craft, and then Haru launched themselves and their boat towards the enemy fleet.

The commander of the enemy navy went white when he saw Haru's banner.

'Haru approaches! All ships, fire!' they bellowed.

The sky darkened as all the ships of the great fleet opened fire on Haru's little boat. Some archers, perhaps too afraid of Haru to shoot properly over and undershot Haru's craft. But many struck true. Which is to say they struck the hay that the little boat was stuffed with.

Many might have trembled listening to the whistling of this dread storm, but not Haru. Instead Haru simply counted the number of times the hay was struck, and when they determined they had enough arrows to last another week, they steered their boat back to the castle, which thanks to Haru's cleverness indeed held out for reinforcements to break the siege."

Thus in the spirit of cleverness and strength upon the water, we present the following treaty:

The Mantis will receive (5) lumber and ( 2) weapons and armor from the Scorpion.

The Scorpion, in return, will receive: (2) paper

The Mantis will commit their forces to the eradication of the river pirates (equivalent of 5 naval supplies)

The two clans will exchange three students between the Bayushi and Gusai schools to ensure the success of the river policing policy.

To celebrate the return of peace and prosperity to the rivers, Bayushi Minoru will marry into the Mantis clan with Gusai (Mori) Mitsuko."

Advance position in court (mantis-Scorpion treaty): 32 vs 22, Pass.

[Otomo Tooru]

"The court accepts this deal."

"Is there any further business before the court?"

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

The Mirumoto comes before the court and speaks plainly about the need to address some small points on the matter of the donations to the Brotherhood the court took up on the second day. To wit, his intention to name a specific Brotherhood temple (and abbot) to be responsible for the donations: Abbot Do of the Order of Osano-wo.

It likely doesn't go over well.

[D8, EA, Court] Keihime's Flex: The Floor, Advance Position, Courtier/Awareness, Void for 1k1, 7k4, TN22 | 7k4 ⇒ 19 (TN: 22)

(0 Court Points)

[Otomo Tooru]

"I am afraid that, having accepted your donations under the former structure, this court does not find your reasoning for transferring them persuasive. You may wish to discuss this matter with Abbot Chou-sin directly."

"Is there further business before the court?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Yasuki Ryoichi stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the Otomo lord, and then once again to the other dignitaries present.

“If it pleases the Court, I have the honor to present a treaty between the Crab and the Crane Clans to further the economic development of the capital, build up infrastructure in the Crane lands, and protect our shipping against pirates and gaijin.”

“We propose to found a new branch of the Yasuki merchant bank in Otosan-Uchi, near the docks. This ‘merchant bank’ idea has been highly successful in Yasuki Yashiki, and is certain to increase prosperity in the capital. The Crane and the Otomo have both generously offered financial support for this project, and in return they will receive a share of the bank’s profits in proportion to their contributions.”

“We propose to construct a shared Crane/Crab naval base in the Miyahara prefecture, across the river from Yufuku Heigen Toshi, allowing ships of both clans to harbor there, for the purposes of trade, resupply, and patrols against pirates. Furthermore, the Crab and Crane promise peace along our respective border, and cooperation at sea against pirates and gaijin, and to rescue distressed ships of either clan.”

“The Kaiu will build two major projects in the Crane lands, wherever the Crane lords deem need the most help. In return, the Crane will commission a great work of art honoring the Crab Clan.”

“And all this will help commemorate the upcoming marriages of Daidoji Fumiko to Yasuki Chieko, and Doji Haruo to Yasuki Miki.”

—
OOC terms:

• Daidoji Fumiko will marry Yasuki Chieko (head of house Higashiyama), joining the Crab Clan.
• Doji Haruo will marry Yasuki Miki (member of house Kawagoi), joining the Crab Clan
• The Crab will build, staff and run a new branch of the Yasuki merchant bank in Otosan-Uchi, near the docks. Yasuki Masamune (head of house Shiozaki) will be named the first director of this bank.
• In return for their support of the Yasuki merchant bank in Court, the Crane Clan will have the option to provide up to a 35% share of the capital for the bank project, earning back a proportional share of the profits from the bank, paid to the Crane Champion. This share of the bank is inheritable but may not be resold to a third party.
• In return for their support of the Yasuki merchant bank in Court, the Otomo family will have the option to provide up to a 10% share of the capital for the bank project, earning back a proportional share of the profits from the bank, paid to the Otomo daimyo. This share of the bank is inheritable but may not be resold to a third party.
• A mutual naval base to be jointly constructed in the Miyahara prefecture (hex 073.064 across the river from Yufuku Heigen Toshi), funded and staffed by Crab and Crane, allowing ships of both clans to dock at it for trade, resupply, anti-pirate patrols, but not for major war fighting unless it’s a joint Crab/Crane operation.
• A promise of peace along the Crab/Crane border, as well as naval cooperation against pirates and gaijin, and to rescue distressed ships of either clan.
• Crane will provide an art service honoring the Crab Clan (+influence to all Crab houses; +glory to Yasuki Ryoichi)
• Crab will provide 2 Kaiu engineering services to be used by the Crane as they see fit (but cannot be anti-Crab)

8EA Court, Introduce Crab/Crane treaty with 1 raise, Etiquette/Awareness +Benten’s +Mastery +Void Point TN27 | 10k6 ⇒ 42 (TN: 27) succeeds for 15 Court Points

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae steps forward.

"It is our hope that this deal will bring prosperity both to our clans, and indeed the empire."

Ignoring the option of a longer speech where something about enough wealth to provide walking sticks for monks, glasses for advisors and a haircut for Toorus, she bows deeply.

----
OOC, Concur with 1 raise, +15 points to Ryoichi
Day 8, EA Court, Concur on Ryoichi and the Crab/Crane deal, base TN 22, calling raise to TN 27, benten's + void, etiquette/awareness | 9k5 ⇒ 48 (TN: 27)

[Otomo Tooru]

There was a moment where Kakita Hajime appeared as though he was about to make an intervention, but thought better of it.

So Tooru swanned back onto the floor. "The court is pleased to accept this treaty, as it is a vehicle for peace and prosperity for not only the clans involved, but for the capital." He bowed. "Thank you, Yasuki-san, Daidoji-san."

"Is there any other business before the court."

[Akodo Kenji]

Akodo Kenji approached the dais before bowing deeply. He carefully retrieved a scroll.

"If it please the court, Otomo-sama, I would like to announce a treaty between the Lion and Phoenix." A nod was offered to Shiba Ryusei. "Our cousins to the North require copper for their endeavours and our mines have been blessed with a surfeit this year. We are pleased to provide the Phoenix with 7 units. In return we will receive the bounty of the forest, 5 units of lumber, and some of the Empire's finest quality paper, 4 units."

Personally Kenji was rather excited to get hold of some decent paper for his next great work of art.

"We shall also provide the Phoenix with a work of Lion art, and the deal will be sealed with the marriage of Asako Kenichi into the Lion."

He bowed once more and awaited any further comment.

D8. Court. Lion-Phoenix trade proposal. Advance own position. Awareness / Etiquette. Void for +1k1. | 7k4 ⇒ 39 (TN: 22)

Success!
+10 Court points

[Asako Kenichi]

"We are quite hkad for such a friendly exchange. Amd personally, I am honored by the Lion's warm welcone."

Forced or unforced...

Ooc:
D8 Court, supporting Lion-Phoenix treaty, concurring. Courtier/Awa, 1 cr, tn 27, prodigy | 8k4 ⇒ 37 (TN: 27)
Concurring, 15 court points for Kenji