From: Yasuki Masaki; To: Daidoji Sae

[Yasuki Masaki]

A neatly folded, perfectly square piece of kozo paper, with careful handwriting. A dried pansy flower is pressed at the bottom.

Honoured Daidoji no Miyahara Sae-sama,

As the days grow colder and the nights longer, I hope they have been treating well.

It has been too long since I last wrote you, and for that I apologise. I was happy to sense a more peaceful tone from you when we last exchanged letters - I hope that was not just my impression. To think that was over two years ago now! I remember you wrote about busy times then - some news of your and house Miyahara's success do travel south now and then.

That said, I still feel guilty for not taking up the brush again until I recently saw your name in the Crane delegation for this year's Imperial Winter Court. It shall be a pleasure to see Miyahara-dono again, in more auspicious and hopefully happier circumstances.

Speaking of auspicious, by the way, it is said that Musubi-no-kami has thought the times ripe to smile on Miyahara-dono again? A smile shared by one from Benten-no-kami, hopefully?

I would also take the opportunity to ask before the entourage leaves - is there something from the south Miyahara-san misses? Perhaps there is something from our humble Kawagoi lands you would be interested in? Our Riverside villages figured a number of times in our previous correspondence, as I saw while re-reading it, even though we have never had the honour to receive Miyahara-dono here in person. Perhaps we will in the future, the kami and your duty allowing?

May the Fortunes watch over you and guide your steps,

Yours sincerely and respectfully,

Yasuki ke no kashin Kawagoi Masaki

[Daidoji Sae]

Snip

A response arrives a short time later, as if a reply was penned quite quickly. It comes with a small box of tea bearing a phoenix mon.

To Yasuki Masaki, Priestess of the Crab, Student of the Spirits, Advisor in Adversity


Please Yasuki-san, you must allow me to take the blame for our lack of communication. I have thrown myself into my duties since we met, it was necessary for my balance, I believe. Another court attendee has told me that auspicious meetings such as ours are significant of something, in which case I must thank the Fortunes in my prayers tonight that we will be attending the Court together.

You have heard true regarding my upcoming engagement. It is not a match I have made lightly, you would understand that better than any samurai outside my own house. But I have my duties, and my fiancé is by all accounts an impressive and capable woman. I can speak of it further when we meet, although of course only if you allow me to similarly pry.

You are very kind to ask if something can be brought from the south. If I can be so bold, your family is known for its sake. Perhaps a drink for the both of us during a long night? I have sent some tea from the Imperial City that was grown in Phoenix lands. We could enjoy two drinks that could not be further from one another, but are both rather pleasant.

But allow me to ask of you, what duties has your Clan assigned? I can only assume they have recognised your wisdom and talent for diplomacy if you have been posted to the court. Is your family well? Please send them my regards. Should any of your broader kin wish to make a pilgrimage to the old lands my Family would be happy to host, humble as our home is.

Praying this letter finds you well, and looking forward to our meeting with genuine happiness.

Sae of the Daidoji.

[Yasuki Masaki]

Snip

The next answer takes somewhat longer, and comes with a somewhat larger, wooden box. A faint scent of yuzu can be felt when the letter is opened, and a red poppy flower is pressed at the top. The box, when opened, reveals a smaller box of sake, enough for 3, maybe 4 cups.

Honoured Daidoji no Miyahara Sae-sama,

The power of duty and diligence in restoring balance is a beautiful thing, is it not? As the winter draws ever closer, it is a great joy to see that power keeping Daidoji-sama not only on your feet, but standing proud and ready to take new, important steps.

I apologize in advance for sending only a smaller bottle for now - I was afraid a larger package now might end up delayed, and I wanted to thank you properly for your gift. I know it may not be properly its equal, sourced as yours was from farther lands - but it is close to the Empire's southernmost lands, at least near the coast, and we strive to do our best with it, so I hope it will do. At any rate, when this letter reaches you larger bottles will be travelling with me as the entourage makes its much slower way north. Enough for that long night - long enough for prying from both sides, most certainly!

My own duties have kept me mostly in the south for now. I have had the chance to see the airs of court beyond our clans', and how different they may be, even if only a few times. Have you ever been to Kyuden Bayushi? It was an interesting experience, and one I hope will help prepare me for what is to come.

The family is well, the young ones growing fast and well, some of my younger cousins enthusiastic to show their best work. I will gladly remember your offer if one of us plans to travel to Crane lands beyond the mountains, thank you kindly, Daidoji-sama.

I trust it will not be long before we meet in person when this letter reaches Miyahara lands - or Daidoji Sae-sama on your way west, perhaps.

Until then, please take care, and may the Fortunes guide you.

Sincerely and kindly,

Yasuki-ke no kashin Kawagoi Masaki
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