[D9, EA, Court] Regency: The Floor

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Yes, we are all most earnestly desirous of fulfilling the Former Empress's desire for peace and concord among the Clans in this difficult time," Shinnosuke chimes in, with a fine elegance of speech and gesture that really seems like it might have supported a more detailed and elegant oration had he chosen to make one.

D9 EA--Court, support Phoenix treaty, Courtier + Prodigy + BB | 8k5 ⇒ 73 (TN: 24)
No Raises, +10.
Tragic waste of explosions!

Court actions used: 2/3

[Shiba Rumiko]

Shiba Rumiko bowed her head. "The court acknowledges the sincere desire of the Phoenix and the Crane clan to cooperate through this treaty, and accepts it with a glad heart."

"Is there further business before the court?"

[Cearnach]

Eiji was grateful that the regency debate had resolved as quickly as it did. There was a lot of business that needed to flow through the court right now, and power plays by greedy Otomo had threatened to eat up the entire time. Of course, this did mean it was time for another story....

"My lord and ladies of the court, today it is my pleasure to bring you another treaty and another tale.

There was once a pair of twins named Yo and Jo who were born into the Boar clan. They were quite close, but when Yo was wed into the Badger clan, Jo made him a promise.

'I swear upon the tea that grows in our fields, upon the iron that is hauled from our mines, I will visit you every day.'

It was a good oath, this oath of brotherhood, but Jo would have been wise to have scouted the river that lay between his home and his brother's new home.

For between these homes, lived a most querrlsome kappa. As Jo made his way to the river, the Kappa accosted him.

'This is my river! If you wish to see the other side, you will have to pay me!'

"Pay? Pay with what?' asked Jo.

"I am hungry, I want a cucumber!" the kappa demanded.

Fortunately for Jo, he had in fact brought a cucumber along for his lunch, and so he was able to cross the river without difficulty.

And his first visit went very well and both brothers rejoiced in the time they spent together.

But he had promised to visit daily, and daily visits meant daily accostings from the kappa. And while a single cucumber is not a great burden, a cucumber a day does start to add up.

"Ah, what shall I do? At this rate, I shall have to turn my entire holding into a vast cucumber farm, just to maintain my vow!' he lamented.

Now as luck would have it a monk, who in another life had been a Scorpion, overheard the brother's laments.

"Do you not get to see your brother daily due to the relatively small demand from a simple spirit? You should be ashamed to carry on so. Indeed, you should go and apologize to the kappa right this instant and count yourself lucky he does not ask for two cucumbers." the monk scolded him.

Chastened by the monk, Jo swiftly departed to see the kappa.

"Well, then? Where is my cucumber?" the kappa demanded.

"I have it here" said Jo, "but first, I wished to apologize. I fear I may not have properly expressed my gratitude for your generousity. "

Jo bowed deeply to apologize to the Kappa.

What the monk realized, while Jo did not, is that kappa are obssessed with politeness. When they are bowed to, they are compelled to return the bow. And there is a small dish within their head that must remained filled with water, else they are frozen completely. So when Jo bowed, the kappa returned the gesture, and the water spilled out, rooting the kappa into the bowing position.

Jo gave a long bow, but when he dared look up the Kappa remained bowed. Jo moved to the river, and the kappa remained bowed. Joe crossed the river, and the kappa remained bowed. And so Jo was able to yet again visit his brother, and even share a cucumber with him. And all was well....at least until the next time it rained.

But that is a story for another time, but herein is the treaty with the Boar that the Scorpion wish to pursue.



The Scorpion will provide the Boar 5 lumber.

The Boar will provide the Scorpion 2 Tea and 3 Iron

The Scorpion and the Boar agree to a 20% reduction in tariffs for river traffic between Boar and Badger lands

Shosuro-ke no kashin Takemitsu Toru will wed into the Boar clan, marrying Heichi-ke no kashin Tsukamoto Kei

Awa/Perform Storteylling: 38 vs. 24 Pass

[Shiba Ryusei]

If Rysuei's earlier misstep bothered him (and oh boy, did it ever!) no observer would have been able to tell as he took the floor.

His manner was... mildly amused.

"I suspect, given that this is an agreement between a Great Clan and a Minor clan, that the Court knows what I am about to say. And Soshi-sama's presentation is more engaging than a simple repetition of what I have said before, so I will simply state that this cooperation is beneficial to the Empire."

He bowed and took his leave.


--
Courtier/Awareness,Concur with Soshi Eiji, TN 24, Benten's Blessing Applies, spending void for +1k1 | 7k5 ⇒ 36 (TN: 24)

+10 Eiji points. Making for an Eijilord!

[Shiba Rumiko]

"The court accepts this proposal, supported by the Scorpion and the Phoenix."

Rumiko smiles pleasantly. "Are there any further deals before this court?"

[Cearnach]

The Crane
3 silver
11 rice

The Scorpion
1 Dye
2 Gold
4 jade


Furthermore, the Asahina family and the Shosuro family will consult and cooperate on plague readiness and disease treatment to spare future generations the wrath of Jurojin's servant whenever possible. To begin such cooperation, the Asahina family are invited to send a research delegation to the lands of the Shosuro family for a two month residency. The Scorpion will share medical expertise they have developed in this area (Medical tech item).

The Doji family are invited to send a group of artists to a prestigious holding of the Scorpion, the details of which are to be finzalized as the wedding negotiations are finalized.

To commerate this momentous occassion, two marriages will seal this exchange:

Bayushi-ke no kashin Irie Miki will marry into the Crane to Asahina Kyoko
Doji Machiko will marry into the Scorpion clan to Soshi-ke no kashin Soshi Kyoko

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru presents

"Health and life are precious gifts of the heavens. The Crane and Scorpion shall join efforts to train our healers and seal our commitment with these marriages and gifts"

_______________

Hikaru's presention roll

D9 Court - Present Scorpion/Crane deal, 1 raise -VP spent - Courtier/Awareness | 8k5 ⇒ 40 (TN: 29)

+15 Court points

[Shiba Rumiko]

"The court accepts this treaty."

"The court will hear one further item of business. Yasuki-san?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki will take a step forward and bow deeply to the Imperial Chancellor - this time with a thankful smile on her lips that her fan doesn't quite fully cover.

"Shiba-ue, this one would like to extend my gratitude, and that of the Crab Clan, to all those who contributed to make the Art Festival on the Empire's Strength in Unity and Diversity a great success. This includes this Court, of course, for sanctioning the Festival as a worthy activity - and by extension Shiba-ue herself, who presided when the matter was discussed."

She turns to the public then, bowing again.

"It also includes a list of more than 20 contributors, from all the Empire's Clans, Great and Minor, as well as the Brotherhood of Shinsei, to whom I would personally like to extend our gratitude, publicly recognising each and every one of them and recording their names for posterity"

She takes from her sleeve a list of names, which she reads one by one:
"From the Crab Clan, my fellow delegates Kuni Shiori, Yasuki Ryoichi, and Hiruma Daichi; from the Crane clan, Asahina Minase, Asahina Hoshiko, and Doji Shinnosuke; from the Dragon clan, Agasha Yuna, Mirumoto jinkan and Agasha Sanjuro; from our hosts in the Lion clan, Kitsu Sayomi; from the Phoenix clan, Shiba Ryusei and Shiba Ryushi; from the Scorpion clan, Soshi Eiji and Shosuro Reiko; from the Brotherhood of Shinsei, the monk Jinsei, of the Four Temples; finally, from the Minor Clans, Ichiro Himari, Moshi Akane, Kitsune Aiko, Gusai Rioshida, Kasuga Izumi, Suzume Ryobu, and Heichi Batsuda."

Putting back the list, she turns to Rumiko again.

"The creative and inspiring works by all of these honourable contributors made yesterday's event a great success in showing the heights our peoples can reach when we join our efforts - even in difficult times. I thank all of you and this court again for this opportunity, and take this chance to also thank the Phoenix Clan in advance for the proposal to record for the future this small light of hope in times of doubt in a book. I look forward to seeing the proposed book when it is ready."

Another deep bow, and she takes a step back to join the crowd again.
------------------------
D9 EM - Court; Introducing proposal - Recognise all those who contributed to the Art Festival on D8 (a total of 22 people (!) other than herself). Base TN 24, Seppun-sanctioned bonus for +4. | 7k4+4 ⇒ 27 (TN: 24)
Court Action 3
10 Court Points.

Yasuki Masaki receives 1.5 Glory; All named participants receive 0.3 Glory.

[Shiba Rumiko]

Shiba Rumiko exhales slowly.

"And that will bring court to an end for the day. Please, be well and continue to serve the Empire according to your duties."


Court Points, D9
Court Points, D9
Yasuki Ryoichi 110
Agasha Yuna: 45
Ikoma Honoka: 30
Shiba Ryusei: 25
Shiba Higashime 20
Soshi Eiji: 20
Doji Hikaru: 15
Hiruma Daichi: 10
Yasuki Masaki: 10