[D3, LA] Hostages

[Doji Noriko]

Kenichi felt bedraggled over...everything really. Sighing, he raised his fan and glanced around. Noticing the Crane Courtier That Might, he decided to try an approach.

(Moving towrds Noriko)

Norik acknowledge Kenichi's approach with a graceful bow, her fan sweeping as she did so.

"Good afternoon, Asako-san," she said. "Have you had rice?"

[Asako Kenichi]

"Hai, Inari-no-kami blessed me today. Though it was an age ago, feels lkke. Has Doji-sama been appropriately blessed?"

He slowly opened his fan, trying to hide his face from the rest of the gatheres ones.

[Doji Noriko]

"I have, Asako-san, thank you." She smiled in what seemed like genuine gratitude for the ritual question. "I hope all is well with you."

[Asako Kenichi]

"I have, Asako-san, thank you." She smiled in what seemed like genuine gratitude for the ritual question. "I hope all is well with you."

"As well as it can be, in these tumultous timed." He smiled in return.

"I hope your cgildren are enjoying Court? If they joined you here, of course."

[Doji Noriko]

"As well as it can be, in these tumultuous times." He smiled in return.

"I hope your children are enjoying Court? If they joined you here, of course."

"I think that in other circumstances they would be, but last night was a bit of a trial for them. And security has tightened significantly."

[Asako Kenichi]

"I think that in other circumstances they would be, but last night was a bit of a trial for them. And security has tightened significantly."

Kenichi frowned behind a fan. "Theee was some commotion inthe Crane quartere Doji-yama? I hope evderyone is healthy."

[Doji Noriko]

Kenichi frowned behind a fan. "Theee was some commotion inthe Crane quartere Doji-yama? I hope evderyone is healthy."

"Yes, everyone is well. The incident itself is too small to be of notice to grown courtiers, but it did leave an impression on my boys. It can't be helped. How can I be of assistance to you today?"

[Asako Kenichi]

"Yes, everyone is well. The incident itself is too small to be of notice to grown courtiers, but it did leave an impression on my boys. It can't be helped. How can I be of assistance to you today?"

"I wished just to get to know you better Doni-sama. And perhaps just ask...how are you taking this? Handling this?"

He waved his fan towards the dais in a lazy manner. "About the potential duties."

[Doji Noriko]

Doji Noriko sighed. "In a sense, it has always been a possibility, so I am not nearly as blind-sided as poor Tomaru and Gorobei, whose lives have been made significantly harder by this. But the possibility has been made much more direct, and that has required a little adjustment."

She sighed. "But if it means that I can be of service, I think perhaps it is worth a little danger, even if the panoply and the accolades seem menacing in the moment."

[Asako Kenichi]

Kenichi pondered.

"You have given it some thought then Doji-sama. That is good to hear."

He slowly raised hid fan in thought. "Though I wonder what would most feel about a former Crane in power after the recent past. Not that I can say much...I am atoning for my grandparents' sin, after all."

He turned his gaze towards Noriko, directly searching for her gaze. "What kind of world would it be, with an Empress descended from Doji, I wonder?"

[Doji Noriko]

"It may come as a surprise to some, Asako-san, but I am only marginally more descended from Doji than the Empress. We share exactly the same amount of the blood of Hantei."

Noriko leaned in closer. "The weight of one's name wears on each of us, whether that name is storied or infamous. The burdens merely manifest differently. But you and I share a little more than most, for where others wear their burdens within, close to the heart, everyone can see that we dance on the edge of a knife."

[Asako Kenichi]

Kenichi smiled. "Hai...a name can be a blessing or a burden. Or both."

He let out a deep sigh. "These times are interesting at least. How are you enjoying back at court, Doji-sama?"