Court today is packed with people, including a huge proportion of the Imperial Families, all waiting with bated breath for the debate to end all debates to begin.

Kenji was there in his finest kimono. He sat close to his champion. His brush was poised to record the much anticipated events. The first task was to note the names of all those present. Diligently he added them as they arrived.

Hoshiko joined the large crowd at court today. It seemed a day for formality, so her best midnight blue silk, black and gold fan, origami ornaments dangling beside the fan and from her satchel.

Honoka was there, a smile on her face as she looked at the gathering.

Daichi had a solid feeling that Masahiko was right. Whatever was decided here it was going to take twenty times longer than it needed to see it done if it was even solved at all. Part of him even doubted it'd be figured out by next year.

He didn't let that show on his face though as he stood behind hie fellow Crab eyes on the rest of the room.

For today, Sayomi took some more care in her appearance compared to the usual understated look she preferred. A kosode with chrysanthemums was chosen, in honor of the ascension of a new Emperor. Or Empress.

She joined the pride of Lions, waiting with nervousness for this debate.

Jinkan was dressed in brown and green layers of silk. He stood near the Scorpion group, slowly circling them like a duck in a pond.

Lady Shiba strode into the gallery, her eyes seemed to be burning with barely restrained anger as she looked from face to face on the dais. She strode to a position in the center of the gallery and stood, ramrod-straight, watching the debate unfold.

Eiji arrived in court. He had sadly not followed Keihime's example and dressed up as an Emperor. He was attending dressed as a normal everyday Scorpion courtier. If only he'd gotten word this was a costume party sooner.

Right now, the court was an open clearing. Whomever went out there first was likly going to be shot full of (verbal) arrows, and so people waited for others to make the first move. It was certainly quite tense with nothing being said.

Ryusei was the very picture of serenity.

Because his training was that damned good.

He was more nervous than at almost nay time in his life- although young love being young love, he HAD been a bit more on edge when presenting his marriage agreement to Higashime.

Today he wore about the simplesst attire suitable for Court, very much dressed down.in red with muted orange accents, with no embhroidery beyond the mon of the Phoenix on his back, and the mon of the Shiba and House Shigi alike on his chest.

His ocnversation with Soshi Eiji the day before stuck in his mind, because the dire possibilities they had discussed seemed entirely too likely to come to fruition.

And then that absolute lunatic advocated for open and general warfare.

Oh no, no way, no no no...

Jihen was also present… always the quiet and calm observer as always.

Sanjuro arrived for the debate, though he wishes this were not today's topic. He stands with his delegation.

He his trying his best to minimize his anxiety when Jinkan steps forward. Unbelievable! What is he thinking??? Like I would know.
Sanjuro shakes his head involuntarily, looking up to see Togashi-ue, upon which he manages to resume some level of calm.

He takes a look around and sees that most cannot believe their ears and could not hide it perfectly as some step up to offer alternatives or directly object to Jinkan's motion.

The debate is on, but he cannot help the feeling they shouldn't be doing this. And so what if no one rose to the seat today. Who among the is really ready? Destructive or peaceful, the outcome is up to the heavens.

He listens for further discourse and lifts his prayers to Furokujin that wisdom prevail. In so doing, he recalls Togashi's words of yesterday and feels at peace.He proceeds to pay attention to discourse and watch the attendees reactions.

Yuna was present wearing a beautiful green kimono, embroidered in a motif of golden bamboo.
https://ibb.co/Q3dXS1jT

She had spoken, offering a peaceful process that let Heaven decide the winner.

She nodded when Soshi-san offered another path to let Heaven decide.

Surely peace required a decision by Heaven, and not by any person here.

Agasha Sanjuro wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:13 pm

Interesting. Lots can be manipulated and is not worthy of the next emperor or empress. And what proof of the Heavens signaling Seppun Tomaru?

Even thought the Heavens signal Doji Noriko, is she even ready?

Either way, there will be no selection today.

Eiji had to cover his face with his fan as the Lion sneered at him upon the floor as 'Well intentioned'.

I know you're hungry, Akodo-san, but the there's no sushi in your rice bowl, no matter how much you scream for it.

There was another Dragon in the galleries today. Rather than deal with the vulture that was Jinkan, he moved over to another Agasha.

"Agasha-san, might I have a word?" he asked with a polite bow.

[url=viewtopic.php?p=18782#p18782]Link!/url]

"I ... I don't think the Chancellor means for people to directly nominate the candidate they support here," Yasuki Ryoichi was heard to say to another courtier. "Rather, the debate is for what method is most suitable for choosing the candidate to elevate."

There was a small look of disbelief as the Emerald Magistrate went on a long tangent about...fishing.

Is this normal for a long court? Do some people just lose their minds?

Eiji listened to the Yasuki's proposal with a frown. Essentially asking for a vote seemed...wrong. Especially one where you won when you said it should be someone else. It seemed quite likely that a skilled politician like Keihime could easily manipulate such a method. But for some reason the Sparrow and the brotherhood seemed terribly excited by this idea, so apparently it had wide appeal.

And then Daidoji Sae spoke up. At first, Eiji had been hopeful. She'd seemed like the model respectable emerald magistrate when he'd spoken to her. And sure enough, she'd condemned those who had decided to ignore the courts protocals. She condemned the voting method. And then she......

I'm sorry, did she just say that duels settled via champion are NOT a valid expression of Heaven's Will? Eiji had no great spiritual connection, but he would've sworn that every Kakita ancestors even remotely related to Daidoji Sae's bloodline cried out in pain from their grave.

But fine, she was a respectable emerald magistrate. He'd said that unlike the Kami, many of the candidates would fight via champion. He'd made allowances for that in his proposal but as a woman of law, of order surely Daidoji Sae....

Would suggest a fishing tournament? Not just suggest. Lecture for. At length. In open court.

Ah I see now. This is not a real debate. Eiji realized. The officers of the court have already made their decision. This is just the light-hearted entertainment provided before they reveal it. How thoughtful.