Waves in Court (9EA sidebar, expecting)

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Thy might not shed your blood, but they can absolutely shred your future..."

[Cearnach]

"It sounds like you speak from experience, Shiba-sama," Tatsuya replied.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi was a little late, but made his way over after most of the others had already arrive. "Good afternoon." He greeted them all with a polite bow. "Sorry about the delay Yasuki-san. I was just finishing up a few things."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji bowed to the approaching Hiruma.

"It's a busy afternoon," Eiji said.

He looked over at the Crane delegation. Were they still discussing this?

"Shiba-san was describing the nature of court to Tatsuya-san."

He shook his head.

"I get the distinct feeling that Shiba-san would prefer to find himself on a battlefiled with his sword in hand."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi chuckled at that, he didn't exactly envy the phoenix there. "Is he doing passably well at least, Soshi-san?" Daichi asked the Scorpion. Though he at least hoped he was.

"Or are there perhaps a few things you'd add in to aid a man fighting a battle that isn't on his preferred field?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Daichi chuckled at that, he didn't exactly envy the phoenix there. "Is he doing passably well at least, Soshi-san?" Daichi asked the Scorpion. Though he at least hoped he was.

"Or are there perhaps a few things you'd add in to aid a man fighting a battle that isn't on his preferred field?"

Eiji considered the group.

"Surround yourself with stalwart allies. Regardless of the circumstances of the meeting, or their strengths or their weaknesses, you are stronger together than alone." he offered.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Wise words, Soshi-san." Daichi replied with a dip of his head in thanks. "And wones that can apply to all sorts of battlefields." Except for maybe math... There were no allies in math he was fairly certain.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"It sounds like you speak from experience, Shiba-sama," Tatsuya replied.

"Fortunately for myself, I've only seen it happen to others, but yes... it's part of why I tend to act as I do in Court- I cannot pretend to be in the same league as those who truly thrive here, any more than I would survive a duel with the Emerald Champion, but I try to support others and hope for the same."

He smiled thinly.

"Hope, because sometimes I find myself screwing up, and in desperate need of an assist."

Prophetic words, given how his own treaty presentation was about to go.

[Tatsuya]

"Hai, that sounds true. It certainly feels true in my case. I was not ready at all for Lord Miya to ask me to speak to the court."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"And what do you make of all of this? Your being here, all of that..."

[Tatsuya]

"I find it very surprising, but I also know that my life is in the balance. These others, they may be okay if everything gets worked out, even if the choice goes to someone else. I may not know exactly how, but I have to be the Emperor, or I have to start running. So I am going to do it. I'm just going to need a little help, is all."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi nodded at this. "That's what these introductions are about," the Crab said. "To see if we can secure a little help."

"Perhaps you could tell our friends what kind of Emperor you would be," Ryoichi encouraged. "What thoughts and ideas would you bring to the Empire?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

Thinking the others would be okay if Keihime takes the throne certainly gets the naivete across...

[Tatsuya]

Tatsuya blinks. "Well...there would need to be some changes in how money works. Parts of the towns are rich, but the other parts and the countryside seem always to be on the edge of starvation. And...well, I don't claim to be an expert on everything, but it seems to me that the it's hard for the guys up here to see what is going on out there very clearly, so something would need to be done about that. Contract disputes getting adjudicated by neutral third parties would be smart. The little guy always gets screwed. That's...all I've got for now, until I get a better understanding of how this all works," he said, gesturing at the swirl of expensively-dressed courtiers.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"All very good ideas. Now ask yourself why those common sense ideas aren't already in play."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded as Hikaru FINALLY addressed the court. It was finally time for the big event of the day. Nearly half a great clan's yearly production of rice was in this treaty. Two incredibly high profile marriages for the Crane. Rare supplies going to the Crane that could spell doom for any other number other of the clans. This was going to be a court fight of epic proportions. It would take everything Eiji and the Crane and their allies could muster. He would tell his most legendary tale, Tatsuya would stand here in wonder, just as soon as Hikaru finished the fight would begin and....

The chancellor accepted the treaty and moved on to a commeration of the art festival, approved that and brought court to a close.

Well....that was easy.

Whearas Keihime thought that courtly power was throwing tea on the Crane like court was a comedy....this was a true display of courtly power from the chancellor. By controlling the pace of court, they decided whether incredibly minor matters were discussed kanji by kanji all day, or whether sweeping changes could be ushered through with a quick nod and a stamp.

Eiji was relieved that the treaty was approved, of course, it was a relief. But he wondered what the fallout would be.

[Hiruma Daichi]

There was some fallout though perhaps not quite in the way that the Scorpion perceived. The Crane hadn't impressed Daichi this court, and here they proved to do so again. He didn't blame the Scorpion of course, why should he? But he wasn't pleased.

If he had any positive thoughts about Doji Noriko and her clan, he lost them here.