Most of the great and good are present today. Of the named NPCs, only Ryunosuke and Gusai Rioshida are absent. Matsu Tsuruyo and Heichi Batsuda spend much of the court in quiet conversation while Kaiu Masahiko tries (ineffectually) to read their lips from across the court.

This thread is to make your eye-catching entrance and confirm your presence at Court for Day 8. If you intend to speak with someone else who is present in this thread, please make a separate thread in the court area for your conversation. Thank you!

Jinkan is definitely there in brown on green layers with little triangles representing mountains dotting his person. He looks hungover, given the paleness of his face and general dryness.

Kenichi was present at court, with a heavy frownhidden behind his fan.

Such naked pettiness was unbecoming.

Ryusei arrived in best, the previous day having sealed his personal happiness in a de jure sense and his morning having, if anything, made him even more delighted with what he could see of his future... so long as he didn't do something stupid to screw it up.

And then he witnessed Otomo Keihime demonstrating just how unfit to rule she was. It was so nakedly petty and spiteful that Ryusei raised his fan to hide his expression.

Yuna was wearing a beautiful green and gold kimono, dressed for another day of court.
https://ibb.co/KmfQZhB

She observed the cruel shenanigans and simply gave a deep apologetic bow to Togashi-ue and departed to offer her help to Seppun Tomaru-sama.

She silently thought of the words of the Tao: “A courageous man has no need to be cruel.” That was true for men and women.

Soshi Eiji was in court, he had another treaty to present, and was splitting his time between putting the finishing touches on the story to preface it with and trying to recall that sumai's name.

And then the monk soaked the Crane.

Well, ok....monks are monks. It spoke well of the Crane they didn't react with anger, a more brash Crane might've demanded he be whipped, but ok....

And then Keihime stripped naked on the court floor. Well, not literally naked, but that would have been less unbecoming than the naked cruelty she was displaying.

And Tomaru took it. It was noble and courteous of him, of course, but the reality was if he knuckled under Keihime now....would he really stand up to future Keihimes as emperor?

Honoka, who had arrived with less ceremony than usual, watched the situation with the Crane with a more neutral expression. Keihime flexing her power finally I see

Dressed in an ensemble with a kosode over to finish the look, Sayomi joined the court for the day. She watched the show of pettiness from Keihime, and wished she was a big giant monster that could just step on Keihime and squash her like the bully she was!

The Lioness huffed a little and raised her fan. To think she's even considered a possible candidate for the throne... no, House Tatsukawa won't stand for that!

But who would she support to stop Keihime? Thoughtfully, she looked around.

Lady Matsu looked at what Keihime had wrought...and had a strange thought.

Here is a woman who said something, and then it became so. She has presented a vision for the Empire, she has not stood on ceremony, but has reached out for power, and she has exercised that power and been obeyed.

Tsuruyo smiled. That sounds like an Empress.

Across the hall, a different conclusion was being drawn.

What authority did she have to draw those conclusions and make those demands? Power exercised without authority derived from law is illegitimate, and an illegitimate power will inevitably collapse. I will not bind the Phoenix to a sinking stone. Shira ga nai.

Masaki seemed to be somewhat distracted today as she presented to court in her dark blue and grey kimono with a lighter-blue and burgundy-red koi pattern. Those closer to her - or who had seen her moving around and talking to servants in the Forecourt, asking tables to be placed here or there, lanters to be prepared for this or that place, could probably imagine why.

She positions herself closer to the Crab today again. Some of which are notably absent.

Keihime's display at the start of the court session led her eyes to dart directly to the dais, and even search for the Otomo's own eyes - although she remembers to avert them after a short moment. One looking at her face would see the strain in her expression, even with the blue-on-blue fan covering most of her face - as if she was making a considerable effort to *not* react, or move.

Her eyes followed Tomaru outside... although she didn't, in the end. She also sent a warm look towards the Crane delegation at some point. It was not much of a gesture of support, of course... but maybe some could note it.

They had important work to do today. At least that is how she tried to justify it to herself.

Not far away, Sanjuro is across from the Lion delegation. He is dismayed by what unfolded.
Lady Matsu's pleasure at the humiliating display of power shows her thinking. And who does she think she is anyway, seizing command like that? Why not let today's court leader resolve it than show your true colors like that?
Though she sits not on a the throne, she might if it had been there. How good of her to show this foible, though clearly some would still support her.
Come to think of it, some others have not shown themselves well, either. If enough have seen, then the way of things may bring peace and prosperity if not done through ignorance or mean-spirited actions.

Mirumoto Jinkan wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 22, 2025 12:51 am

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)

Sanjuro overhears Jinkan's announcement and respectfully steps toward him. "Perhaps we try again tomorrow, Mirumoto-san. Your cause is not unjust."

It is a while later that a panel slides open behind the Crane table.

Seppun Tomaru steps through it, carrying two buckets.

A Miharu hands him the third through the open panel.

No crooked grin shows on his face, but he does give a very short bow to the Crane and a slightly deeper one, aimed specifically at one spot on the dais, before stepping back through the open panel.

It shuts behind him, closing with a quiet click.

As the Yasuki's gaze had followed Tomaru outside, so does it follow him back inside as the panel door slides open, he hands the three buckets to the Crane delegation, the steps back again.

Her fan immediately covers her mouth.

Lines similar to those one would expect in a smile are still visible on her eyes for some time... but they could reasonably be something else. Couldn't they?

Ryusei observed Tomaru's flex with satisfaction he was as quick to cover as his earlier dismay.