D7 EA - The Art of Where

[Yasuki Masaki]

At some point - after the incident leading to the duel, which quickly brought the fan to her face and led to an unusually somber shade on her eyes - Masaki will come closer to the Crane delegation, trying to manoeuvre herself to a spot closer to Doji Noriko.

When she does, she will bow respectfully to her. "Doji-sama. Might this humble one ask for a quick word?", she says in a respectful, gentle tone.

"Certainly, Yasuki-san," she says with a warm smile.

[go ahead and make the thread.]

The Yasuki answers with a similarly warm smile as she walks over to a slightly more reserved place - not much, of course, as court would not allow that.

"Thank you, Doji-sama." She says with another bow. "Firstly, this one would like to express my appreciation for your words in defence of another of those raised by Ikoma-sama's research, just a few days ago. This, and the defence made by you and the Crane in support of a retrieval of increased collaboration between the clans" A warm smile.

"This one is but a humble servant of the Yasuki, and it would be conceited of me to expect Doji-sama has heard of me or house Kawagoi. We have long kept strong, friendly and familial ties with the Crane, so it brings me great joy to see our clans drawing closer again"

[Doji Noriko]

"Increased cooperation between our clans can only help to bring stability to the Empire, Yasuki-san." Noriko replies calmly. "It is pleasing to see." A small smile. "Does Yasuki-san perhaps feel some vindication for her family's efforts? Will we see a formal treaty between Crab and Crane soon?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Increased cooperation between our clans can only help to bring stability to the Empire, Yasuki-san." Noriko replies calmly. "It is pleasing to see." A small smile. "Does Yasuki-san perhaps feel some vindication for her family's efforts? Will we see a formal treaty between Crab and Crane soon?"

The question seems to please Masaki, as she gives a small, but warm nod. "There are indeed ongoing discussions on one, Doji-sama. We hope to see it come to fruition in the next days, the Fortunes allowing. My upbringing may temper my views, of course, but I am convinced closer collaboration between our people will be a great boon, ne?"

She nods, a small, warm smile still on her lips, although it seems to grow slightly more worried. "More so given the current uncertainties, ne?" The smile seems to make an effort to hold back the worry, beaming brighter. The effort may not be wholly successful. "From Doji-sama's words, and the stories the leaves whisper about you... would this one be assuming too much in believing Doji-sama's hopes for peace and collaboration among the clans mirror my own - or even outshine it?"

[Doji Noriko]

Doji Noriko's blue eyes meet Masaki's. "I do desire peace, Yasuki Masaki, all the more so because it seems to slip further away each day."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Doji Noriko's blue eyes meet Masaki's. "I do desire peace, Yasuki Masaki, all the more so because it seems to slip further away each day."

Noriko's gaze and words almost seem to take some of the wind off the Yasuki's sails. Not for long, but noticeably. "... so it does, ne? And at a time when it is all the most important for the Empire's rudder to keep steady and strong."

Her hand instictively fetch her fan, which she uses as if to dissipate at least some of the tension. "All I had seen and heard did suggest that our hopes are aligned, Doji-sama. But it is still heartening to hear it directly from you." A warmer smile slowly tries to grow on her lips again.

"I... wanted you to know that Doji-sama will not stand alone in that hope", she says with a polite nod, indicating her support in that regard. "I am almost certain this is nothing new for you, but there are also others who would like a peaceful - and hopefully swift - solution to the current quandaries."

She fans herself a bit again, then after a while uses a corner of the fan to point slightly at the Seppun, Miharu and Hidden Guard, standing on the dais.

[Doji Noriko]

"Lady Seppun's position is well-understood, Yasuki-san, but you are kind to point it out nonetheless. I wish her well, but I think her strength will be sorely tested, and that she has less support than she imagines." Doji Noriko raises an eyebrow. "Isn't that so?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Lady Seppun's position is well-understood, Yasuki-san, but you are kind to point it out nonetheless. I wish her well, but I think her strength will be sorely tested, and that she has less support than she imagines." Doji Noriko raises an eyebrow. "Isn't that so?"

The Yasuki nods, a warmer expression still slowly attempting to grow on her face, although some worry lingers on her eyes. "I can barely imagine the weight Seppun-dono must be carrying." A nod towards Noriko. "Or Doji-sama, for that matter."

The fan closes, her face pensive, warmth still working its way through it. "I wish I could readily affirm that she has enough support. But... she has some, ne?" A contained, but friendly smile "And it is my hope more will find its way to her."

The fan is raised close to her face again. "One must imagine it may not be easy, as some dissonant voices already suggest". Her eyes are fully on the ground now, providing no hint as to who she means.

"One may also believe a challenge, remarkable as it may be, becomes easier to meet with more reliable hands to rely on, ne?" When her eyes raise again, the friendly smile is there again. Perhaps slightly less contained this time.

[Doji Noriko]

"Indeed. And we cannot all be so fortunate as to have kinship bonds to provide those for us. Poor Gorobei."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Indeed. And we cannot all be so fortunate as to have kinship bonds to provide those for us. Poor Gorobei."

The comment leads to what looks like a somewhat worried nod. "Hai... it cannot be an easy position to be in." Her gaze shifts to where the other Otomo were, for just a moment, then back.

"But it can't be only family either, ne?" A small smile. "The ruffling leaves say Otomo Gorobei-sama did get others to help him - and I expect that will be all the more important as the winds change."

She fans herself for a moment, then gives her a friendy smile. "I assume Seppun-dono has talked to you at some length about her hopes for a peaceful resolution, then? And the... hows of it?"

[Doji Noriko]

"She believes a settlement can be negotiated, I know. I hope that is true. Do you have some information for me, Yasuki-san?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"She believes a settlement can be negotiated, I know. I hope that is true. Do you have some information for me, Yasuki-san?"

She shakes her head slightly with an apologetic smile. "Not much more than what Doji-sama already knows, I'm afraid... except for one thing, possibly."

A faint, but warm smile, her fan covering her mouth as if to keep the words just to them. "Most of those who hope for a peaceful resolution believe one shall be easier to achieve at the Capital, in a more cordial setting." A small nod. "I have not been to Otosan Uchi much, but one hears Crane control important estates in the Capital, ne? So... if this proves essential for a harmonious resolution, this should not be a great impediment, this one hopes?"

[Doji Noriko]

"Certainly not impossible, no, but there would need to be certain security guarantees. I am afraid that the capital will not be the safest place for anyone bearing the blood of Hantei for a good while, and while I of course trust entirely in the integrity of Lady Seppun, there will be many interests in play by the time this court has ended."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Certainly not impossible, no, but there would need to be certain security guarantees. I am afraid that the capital will not be the safest place for anyone bearing the blood of Hantei for a good while, and while I of course trust entirely in the integrity of Lady Seppun, there will be many interests in play by the time this court has ended."

"Doji-sama's concerns are understandable and justified, of course", she says with a nod, her expression becoming pensive for a while then. "In a way, I still wonder whether, with the appropriate security guarantees in place, the Capital may not prove safer than elsewhere - in some circumstances, at least, I imagine a public place with many eyes on it may render a careful watch easier, and make what could otherwise be hidden dangers more conspicuous." Another nod. "But Doji-sama is right that very strong security guarantees shall be needed for that."

A warm, friendly, but earnest smile forms on her lips as she nod-bows. "If that will clear the path for a smoother, peaceful way forward for the Empire, I trust those hoping for such a path will spare no effort to support such security guarantees." A more solemn bow. "I can tell Doji-sama for certain that this one won't."

(OOC: Scene is 2 days old now - if Noriko would have something to ask of Masaki (which I figure she might after this), then we could keep going, but if not I suppose we could /scene soonish to avoid more work and stale threads Mentioning the idea and making clear her support for a smooth resolution was Masaki's main goal here at least.
Thanks btw!)

[Cearnach]

[We can end this right here. Noriko's too well-bred to ask Masaki the questions that she has.]

[Yasuki Masaki]

[We can end this right here. Noriko's too well-bred to ask Masaki the questions that she has.]

(OOC: Fair! I'll probably try to talk to her again in one of the next days... but first Minehime. Thanks for the thread!)