(D9, Court) I fought with the law

[Soshi Eiji]

"Daidoji-sama, might I have a word?" Eiji asked.

[Daidoji Sae]

"Daidoji-sama, might I have a word?" Eiji asked.

Sae pulls herself away from the spectacle on the Court floor and turns to see a Soshi?

"Oh, Soshi-san." Yes, better to focus on something more honourable, sweet fortunes, right now that meant a Scorpion, things had gotten bad indeed.

Bowing politely. "Of course, how can I assist you?"

She motions for them to step slightly aside from the throng.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Daidoji-sama, might I have a word?" Eiji asked.

Sae pulls herself away from the spectacle on the Court floor and turns to see a Soshi?

"Oh, Soshi-san." Yes, better to focus on something more honourable, sweet fortunes, right now that meant a Scorpion, things had gotten bad indeed.

Bowing politely. "Of course, how can I assist you?"

She motions for them to step slightly aside from the throng.

He bowed politely and allowed himself to be led slightly away from the throne.

"This one is Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji, it is a pleasure to meet you formally, Daidoji-sama." he started.

"There was a matter...." he starts.

He glances at the floor.

"...well two now I guess possibly..."

He turns back to her.

"That involved involving the champion that you serve. As I am not an emerald magistrate, nor someone who travels in circles quite so high, I thought it might be wise to meet a politically savvy emerald magistrate, who I might glean some insight from. I realize you don't speak for him, and don't know his mind, but it still seemed wiser to approach one more knowleagble than myself." he explained.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Well met, I am Sae of the Miyahara of the Daidoji, although I believe you know that."
She follows his glance and nods slightly at the issue of two problems

"I am not sure I would count myself politically savvy, certainly not in comparison to your own Clan. And you are right, none but Hajime-sama speak for Hajime-sama, but if I can put your mind at ease I will at least make an attempt?"
By now she was a little intrigued and a little suspicious, which was fairly standard operating procedure.

[Soshi Eiji]

Snip

"Well met, I am Sae of the Miyahara of the Daidoji, although I believe you know that."
She follows his glance and nods slightly at the issue of two problems

"I am not sure I would count myself politically savvy, certainly not in comparison to your own Clan. And you are right, none but Hajime-sama speak for Hajime-sama, but if I can put your mind at ease I will at least make an attempt?"
By now she was a little intrigued and a little suspicious, which was fairly standard operating procedure.

He did spare another glance at the floor. Somedays it felt like hours went by with nothing happening, and then suddenly there was an incredibly rush.

"You have my thanks, Daidoji-sama. Perhaps we should start with the issue, the second hasn't quite gotten here yet it would seem."

He nods.

"So I was speaking with Hiruma-san....that is to say Hiruma-ke no kashin Tetsumura Daichi...about ways our respective clans could better secure our rivers against unlawful activities. With river piracy, all to often is the case, pirates can loot the merchants of one clan, and then simply sail away from those lands, out of reach of the clan's magistrates, which would seem to indicate to us, at least, that their activities would fall under the perview of the emerald magistrates. Happily, our deal with the Mantis this year will certainly cut into that, but it's one of those weed-like problems.....you pull them out, and they simply regrow when you turn your attention elsewhere.

"As it so happens, Hiruma-san is quite well learned in geography, and he noticed a small bit of imperial land that lays squarely between the Scorpion, Crab, and Fox, upon the river. So we were thinking about the first steps it might take to convince the imperials to establish a settlement there devoted to the emerald magistrates. Of course, a village is not something that happens overnight, but we were thinking more along the lines of establishing some sort of fortified manor supplied by Crab, Scorpion, and Fox for use by the emerald magistrates. "

He tapped his fan.

"Of course, to obtain permission for that, it will require significant imperial support. Given that the vision is dedicated to securing something for the emerald magistrates, we thought it might be wise to see if the Emerald Champion would even support such a project in court." he concludes.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"It is admirable indeed that you would seek to support the empire in such a way. I have firsthand experience of the admirable law-keeping on Scorpion rivers. And I believe there may be merit in such a venture, without understanding the finer details."

Sae lowers her voice a touch.
"And I know the Emerald Champion shares my passion for an orderly, safe empire with respect for the law and order."
She clears her throat.
"That being said, to understand the Emerald Champion's preferences on an issue such as this, one would best look to precedent and see what Hajime-sama has chosen in the past."
Another throat clear.
"I am confident that should your proposal match those he would be far more likely to endorse such a worthy project."

Which seemed to indicate Sae, very politely, pointing out that Hajime was a pretty hard core Crane supporter and was far more likely to respond favourably to a little bit of clan nepotism.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"Ahhh, I see. You're quite talented, Daidoji-sama. I ask you one question, and I think you may have answered one and a half." he mused.

He looks back at the court floor, which seemed to be getting ready to rule one way or the other on the first question.

"Though the second one may be consigned to the realm of the academic, momentarily."

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"I pray it is. Every day the Empire spends without the question of succession being settled is a day closer to disaster."
Sae's On tightens slightly at the thought.

"I am sure you have given some thought as to what may occur if the matter continues past the Winter Court..."

[Soshi Eiji]

Snip

"I pray it is. Every day the Empire spends without the question of succession being settled is a day closer to disaster."
Sae's On tightens slightly at the thought.

"I am sure you have given some thought as to what may occur if the matter continues past the Winter Court..."

Eiji tilted his head curiously at the magistrate's statement.

"No, Daidoji-sama, no more than I have given thought that were I to jump off the roof, I might suddenly soar into the clouds." he said dismissing the notion.

He rubs his nose a little bit.

"Perhaps I have simply been too occupied with my duties at court to think beyond it Daidoji-sama....but I just don't think it's posssible. There are simply too many people who will it not be so." he explained.

He gestures with his fan towards the court floor.

"Beyond those who cast their eyes upon the throne and imagine their buuu....eautiful selves sitting proudly upon it....."

Probably shouldn't say butts to the emerald magistrate.

"The people of the Empire need an Emperor or Empress. By definition if nothing else. You can't be an Empire without one. But beyond that, the people of the Empire need someone to ultimately serve. Of course, we all have someone above us, who has someone above them, but there has to be an ultimate authority. A place where all wisdom flows down from. Someone who is our bridge to the Heavens."

He looked at the court floor again.

"There may be those who want it for themselves over almost everything else, but to end the court without resolution?"

He shook his head.

"Honestly? Were I Lord Ikoma, if we found ourselves at the end of court without resolution, I would secure the perimeter and extend the court until it was resolved. Going home without a ruler is simply unacceptabale."

Ok, so taking the entire imperial winter court hostage might be a tad extreme, but Eiji believe that, should it come down to it, it was justified.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"I am told that the sensation of falling can feel like flight, at least for a short while. The difference is all about how one hits the ground."

Sae notes the regent proposal is knocked back and allows herself a quiet breath of relief.

"But I am glad of your confidence, if all the samurai here feel as you do then whatever the result, there will be one. Although I fear Ikoma-sama might prefer some well earned rest rather than to continue hosting."

Looking back at Eiji.
"Either way, I hope I see your proposal before the Court before the Winter is out."

[Soshi Eiji]

Snip

"I am told that the sensation of falling can feel like flight, at least for a short while. The difference is all about how one hits the ground."

Sae notes the regent proposal is knocked back and allows herself a quiet breath of relief.

"But I am glad of your confidence, if all the samurai here feel as you do then whatever the result, there will be one. Although I fear Ikoma-sama might prefer some well earned rest rather than to continue hosting."

Looking back at Eiji.
"Either way, I hope I see your proposal before the Court before the Winter is out."

Eiji nods.

"The Crane were certainly the fiercest negotiators I've encountered this court. But as long as both sides of the agreement have..err..agreed to it, I believe both parties will be satisfied. Though I'm expecting fierce resistance by parties who have been very vocal in opposition of Crane interests this season. Hopefully Crane and Scorpion together can push through such objections. Else it will be another round of tense negotiations" he admitted.

[Daidoji Sae]

Eiji nods.

"The Crane were certainly the fiercest negotiators I've encountered this court. But as long as both sides of the agreement have..err..agreed to it, I believe both parties will be satisfied. Though I'm expecting fierce resistance by parties who have been very vocal in opposition of Crane interests this season. Hopefully Crane and Scorpion together can push through such objections. Else it will be another round of tense negotiations" he admitted.

"I would take it as a compliment, Soshi-san. The greater the value, the more potent the opponent, the fiercer the negotiations. But I have no doubt that the agreement will be to the benefit of both parties. I would be surprised if many were hostile to such a deal.

When the court hears the details I am sure it will see the wisdom put forth by both sides. And if necessary our clans have sufficient courtiers to make those points louder and more clearly."

With a very faint trace of amusement.
"If we can agree a mutually beneficial deal with the Lion, then I am sure this one needs only the right support at the right time."

[Soshi Eiji]

Snip!

Eiji was....amused? at the pluralization of clans' courtiers. The entire rest of his clan's courtiers were busy losing a pointless game of cat and mouse with their champion.

He nodded, nonetheless.

"I will Daidoji-sama. You are measured by the opponents you face. Even if they are only opponents some times, and valuable allies other times. The Crane's fortunes seem to be on the rise this season, so with their support, I am confident it will pass." he agreed.

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

"Only through hard work, honour and the will of heaven. But I am equally happy for the fortunes of all Clans to improve. We wish to throw no one into the shade, but we also require our own place in the sun."

She bows again.

"Hopefully when next we speak this deal will have been resolved to ours Clans' and the Court's satisfaction."

[Soshi Eiji]

Snip

"Only through hard work, honour and the will of heaven. But I am equally happy for the fortunes of all Clans to improve. We wish to throw no one into the shade, but we also require our own place in the sun."

She bows again.

"Hopefully when next we speak this deal will have been resolved to ours Clans' and the Court's satisfaction."

The bow is returned, deeper of course.

"Of course, Daidoji-sama, I will look forward to it." he offered sincerely.

/exit back to the galleries.

[Daidoji Sae]

The bow is returned, deeper of course.

"Of course, Daidoji-sama, I will look forward to it." he offered sincerely.

/exit back to the galleries.

((/Scene, thanks for the RP ))