[D15, EA, Court] The Galleries

[Shiba Higashime]

The tension in Shiba Higashime's body had risen slowly as the debate had gone on, but as the suggestions for fishing tournaments and the Imperials voting on the Emperor began to gather steam, her hands tightened into fists, nails biting into her palms. She began to approach the floor.

[Ikoma Ryota]

...only to be waylaid by Lord Ikoma Their conversation is quiet, but intense. Lord Ikoma is persistent, but Lady Shiba's words cut him as surely as any sword. He is forced to take a step back, and Lady Shiba strides to the foot of the dais.

[Ikoma Honoka]

There was a look of shock on Honokas face for a few moments as she processed what happened, before she brought up her fan and her eyes narrowed. Briefly looking in the direction of the Dragon delegation, before turning back to approach her kin. She knew where the blame was laid for this in her opinion.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna looked startled. She couldn't hide her shock. It couldn't just ... end unresolved.

She tried to make eye contact with Shiba Ryusei. Did they have any time at all before the Phoenix just ... vanished?

And what did this mean for her engagement? The ties and bonds and treaties and trade between clans were even more important now.

She looked for Togashi-ue to arrange time to speak with him, to better understand.

[Togashi Mizohachi]

Lord Togashi, perhaps alone among the sea of shocked faces, seemed completely at peace.

"Agasha-san," he said quietly in acknowledgment.

[Agasha Yuna]

She took a moment to breathe. Letting his apparent serenity anchor her.

“It takes a wise man to see an obstacle as it truly is and not as it appears to be.”

Breathe.

“Wisdom can be found in many places, but you must always begin at home.

Breathe.

"Togashi-ue, do you have time to speak before we all depart? I have questions about how and where I can best serve."

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"We can speak right now, Agasha-san. There is no reason why we cannot."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"I only wish to respect your time, Togashi-ue. It is kind of you to make me a priority in this moment." Kind and unexpected.

"I see the Phoenix leaving. My role is to marry into the Phoenix. To be a bridge of peace and trade between our clans. That seems all the more important at this moment."

"With your permission, I could ask if they would like me to come with them now. To assist in the ways a courtier and librarian can. That could be a further gesture of support and alliance between the two clans."

"Or if you have other need of me, my first duty is to you."

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"I think that we can make an arrangement for you to join them in a week or so, but approaching Lady Shiba immediately may be unwise. The force of her disapproval of this court may bring about a result that you may not wish. Passion is like a thunderstorm, and we have no umbrella but time. But there is a different Shiba who may wish to hear from you."

[Jihen]

Jihen’s expression becomes slightly more somber as the Phoenix delegation storms out of the room. No resolution of any kind meant new dilemmas, and new dilemmas created opportunities for new venues to wisdom.

We’ll see…

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"Thank you, Togashi-ue. I appreciate your advice and timing. And that gives me clarity in talking to others about what lies ahead."

She had not thought of time as an umbrella before, but it was a comforting thought. The court had ended without resolution, but the one thing they did still have was time.

"May time prove the umbrella needed for the court to weather all that presently storms, and find its Emperor or Empress, its unity, its stability, and - for all Rokugan - peace and prosperity."

She bowed deeply to him.

She scanned the room, looking for Shiba Ryusei. Had all the Phoenix already left? There was still time to find them packing, if so...

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi hadn't expected a temper tantrum from the Phoenix. Had this all been brewing for days because she was upset about there being no regent?

The court can pick a regent but not an Emperor, and only a regent could pick an Emperor? Wasn't that basically the same damn thing? or could the Regent not even pick an Emperor?

Whatever the particular it was clear the Phoenix Champion couldn't deal with the stress of the position she was given. Maybe it would be best if she was removed from the position.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Who would have thought that it would be the so-called Peace-Loving Phoenix that would do something that could easily lead to war being declared on them. Maybe Shigashime was actually a Matsu at heart, Sayomi wondered as the Champion stomped out.

Turning away from the unseemly outburst, she looked to her own daimyo and Champion. What would the Lion do now?

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro, amused by the fishing suggestion, knew that this meant none of this is appropriate.

Following Shiba Higashime-sama's declaration and departure, he felt this exercise concluded. He spotted the Soshi moving in his direction and turned toward him for their mutual greeting.

[Akodo Sanae]

Who would have thought that it would be the so-called Peace-Loving Phoenix that would do something that could easily lead to war being declared on them. Maybe Shigashime was actually a Matsu at heart, Sayomi wondered as the Champion stomped out.

Turning away from the unseemly outburst, she looked to her own daimyo and Champion. What would the Lion do now?

Akodo Sanae shook her head slowly. There was principle, and there was pragmatism, and Lady Shiba had chosen the former.

She turned to the delegation. "It would seem that the Era of the Winds is upon is."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Akodo Sanae shook her head slowly. There was principle, and there was pragmatism, and Lady Shiba had chosen the former.

She turned to the delegation. "It would seem that the Era of the Winds is upon is."

They had worked hard to prevent all out war... that goal seemed even further away now.

"What now?" she managed to ask, seemingly uncertain of, well, everything. What was going to happen now?

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Now" Honoka said quietly, looking to Sayomi with a grin "is where heroes rise, and the heavens show us the way as others lose theirs."

[Miya Hachi]

Miya Hachi came down from the dais.

"Heaven's Will wears a lot of guises, Lady Akodo," he said simply, his voice carrying. "And heroes will indeed be needed, as Ikoma-san suggests. But I was just thinking about Daidoji Sae's remarks on the Tournament of the Kami. She said that she knew for sure that no kami fought by proxy, but I wonder, Lord Ikoma, just how much we know about what happened on Seppun Hill all those years ago? It seems to me that what might have come down to us as a fight might have looked much different. After all, what does it mean that Bayushi was outmaneuvered by Doji? Maybe...maybe the legitimate answer is that the Winds can and must choose from among themselves."

He looked up at the ceiling, then back down at Lady Akodo. "I am not done working for a peaceful solution. But I'll need your support. A conference in Otosan Uchi--and a little time--can perhaps bring this to a happier end."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna looked over at Miya-sama and smiled at his words.

She would pray for his success.

[Shiba Ryusei]

She scanned the room, looking for Shiba Ryusei. Had all the Phoenix already left? There was still time to find them packing, if so...

Ryusei was taking his time.

Like he was waiting for someone.