(D3 EA Court) Ikoma's past and present

[Ikoma Honoka]

Hm, at least one Wind understands honor. Eiji noted. Perhaps it's time to rethink my stance on her.....or take a stance on her.
Weren't people whisperng about her?

How could any continue the arguement against Noriko? Instead, Eiji looked about for coversation partners.

Two monks and...a lone Lion? Where is everyone today?

Still, he made his approach to see if the Lion would converse with him.

Honoka noticed someone drawing closer which pulled her from her distractions, giving the man a smile and a bow.

"Good afternoon Soshi-sama, I hope you are well?"

[Soshi Eiji]

The Soshi bowed.

"Despite the rumblngs of the day, I've kept my feet." he agrees with relatively good cheer.

"This one is Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji. I trust Ikoma-san likewise has kept her balance." he offered as introduction.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I'm glad to hear that" Honoka smiled "I am Ikoma-ke no kashin Kamoshita Honoka. I've kept myself safe and busy, it was a big shake, I haven't felt one like that before in my short lifetime. I pray that the rescue operations are going well, it's unfortunate that these things happen while court is in session though."

[Soshi Eiji]

"I'm glad to hear that" Honoka smiled "I am Ikoma-ke no kashin Kamoshita Honoka. I've kept myself safe and busy, it was a big shake, I haven't felt one like that before in my short lifetime. I pray that the rescue operations are going well, it's unfortunate that these things happen while court is in session though."

Eiji nods.

"While there's really no good time for an earthquake, there will certainly be a lot of people seeing ill omens with it happenng during this particular court. But I'm sure the rescue operations are going fine. Kyuden Ikoma is the home of a good number of Lion all with strong honor and stronger backs. It'd be more worrisome if it was just a few samurai of the court were the only ones who could help, but that would just be silly." he spoke with notable pride when he spoke of Kyuden Ikoma and it's Lions.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Soshi-sama can be assured that the Lion will have the situation under control, there are many gathered here as you say" Honoka confirmed with a nod "the Lion have spent time preparing for this court, and while one cannot prepare for earthquakes the Lion plan for any situation. Soshi-sama speaks well of the Lion though, have you visited Kyuden Ikoma before?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Soshi-sama can be assured that the Lion will have the situation under control, there are many gathered here as you say" Honoka confirmed with a nod "the Lion have spent time preparing for this court, and while one cannot prepare for earthquakes the Lion plan for any situation. Soshi-sama speaks well of the Lion though, have you visited Kyuden Ikoma before?"

The question brought a smile to the Soshi's face.

"Oh indeed, Ikoma-san, many times. My gempukku, for example, though that is more years back than I'd care to think about. There was that time at court where the treaty that included my marriage was ratified. And many times in between. It IS my first visit as Soshi-ke no kashin Miura Eiji though. Much has changed to prepare for the Imperial Winter Court, but it also feels more different than that still." he explained.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Oh! My apology Soshi-sama I wasn't aware" Honoka bowed "then as someone that remembers before the changes were made to prepare for this prestigious court you can understand the changes. How have you found the change from Lion to Scorpion?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Oh! My apology Soshi-sama I wasn't aware" Honoka bowed "then as someone that remembers before the changes were made to prepare for this prestigious court you can understand the changes. How have you found the change from Lion to Scorpion?"

The Soshi waved the Ikoma's apology away with his fan. While his heraldry sensei would have had him doing remedial study for a week for not recognizing the heraldry of one trained by the Ikoma bards, Eiji understood that it was easy to be distracted by the mask.

"It has been...an adjustment, as one might expect, Ikoma-san. There's the differences in traditions that one must respect. For example, I gave my pet cat to my family rather than force it to suffer the indignity of Scorpion naming conventions; he will always be Akihiko, never Aho. But much is unchanged, I serve a different master now, but still dutifully."

He tapped his fan thoughtfully.

"The biggest difficulty is that it seems you gain the enemity of your new station without losing the enemity of your old. How quickly O-Akari at the copper hills teahouse forgets all my previous pleasant visits, now she only sees the mask she despises. But as it is written, 'Friends come and go; enemies accumulate.'" he explained.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I am yet to visit the lands of the Scorpion, so I can't say I know the differences beyond what was learnt and well...the masks" Honoka said with a small chuckle "but still Soshi-sama seems to have taken it all in his stride as one would expect of anyone trained by the Ikoma. I hope the libraries of the Soshi are welcoming at least. As for O-Akari, I would suspect it's not that she has forgotten your visits any more than she has forgotten the history with the Scorpion. Still, if it's the tea of the Lion Soshi-sama misses then while I cannot promise the same variety that the Copper Hill has I can at least offer some tea and a smiling face if Soshi-sama would be interested."

[Soshi Eiji]

"I am yet to visit the lands of the Scorpion, so I can't say I know the differences beyond what was learnt and well...the masks" Honoka said with a small chuckle "but still Soshi-sama seems to have taken it all in his stride as one would expect of anyone trained by the Ikoma. I hope the libraries of the Soshi are welcoming at least. As for O-Akari, I would suspect it's not that she has forgotten your visits any more than she has forgotten the history with the Scorpion. Still, if it's the tea of the Lion Soshi-sama misses then while I cannot promise the same variety that the Copper Hill has I can at least offer some tea and a smiling face if Soshi-sama would be interested."

Eiji bowed slightly at the offer of tea and smiles.

"That would be pleasant indeed, Ikoma-san. As for the libraries, it is a whole world of stories from an entirely new vantage point to explore, that much is sure. As it is written, 'The Lion says: My life for the Lion, but never my Honor. The Scorpion says: My life, My honor, but never my soul for the Scorpion. The Phoenix says: My life, my honor, my soul for the Phoenix.'" he recites.

"But overall, I like to think that the treaty that saw me change wardrobes was a good one, even if it was a major change in my life for a relatively minor treaty. "

He looked curiously at the Lion.

"What of yourself, Ikoma-san? Surely the future fate of a rising young star of the Lion is under discussion at this court, and perhaps you are even in a position to have some say in it?" he asked.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Adaptability is a good skill to have" Honoka offered before looking thoughtful.

"Me? I would imagine so! This is the biggest court in the lands after all. Of course not everything is in my hands, but one can only shine if they make themselves stand out ne? Soshi-sama will see that as the others do."

She peered back towards the court floor as she added "one does not need to rush into these things though. It's been an interesting experience observing and learning so far."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Adaptability is a good skill to have" Honoka offered before looking thoughtful.

"Me? I would imagine so! This is the biggest court in the lands after all. Of course not everything is in my hands, but one can only shine if they make themselves stand out ne? Soshi-sama will see that as the others do."

She peered back towards the court floor as she added "one does not need to rush into these things though. It's been an interesting experience observing and learning so far."

Eiji, despite his courtier's training, could not hide but a small wince at the announced deal between the Boar and Crab.

Rat. Bastard. Echo Crab would rather do business with the distant Boar than the nearby Scorpion, hm? And how do the Boar clan have that much to trade?

Eventually the fan did come back up considering.

"Indeed. If court is a battlefield, Yasuki-san would seem to be emulating the bold style of the Matsu, charging ahead at a breathless speed, striking with a ferocity before any know that they are upon them." he suggested.

He shook his head a bit.

"However, as any learned Akodo tactician would note, you have to choose the right tactics for the right situation. If the Matsu charge the battlefield before the scouts have a chance to assess the risks, you may suffer much greater losses than was necessary."

He glanced back at the court floor.

"Much greater losses indeed." he offered as a refrain, before turning back to the smiling Lion.

"Despite being completely surrounded by the Lion, I have seen little in the way of Lion scouts within our own stronghold away from home. Are we under siege, Ikoma-san? Simply counting the hours before our resolve gives out and we must surrender?" he asked.

His tone was playful, but there was a decided undercurrent of displeasure of lack of Lion-Scorpion dealings, what with him being a Lion turned Scorpion.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Yasuki-samas approach is certainly one to be studied" the young Ikoma commented as she turned back to Eiji "as is your own Soshi-sama. A wise and adaptable soul, I can see why the Scorpion have assigned you to their delegation this season. Hopefully one I can converse with more in the coming days, unless of course Soshi-samas time is taken with more important business of course" she lowered her head respectfully to the man

[Soshi Eiji]

"Yasuki-samas approach is certainly one to be studied" the young Ikoma commented as she turned back to Eiji "as is your own Soshi-sama. A wise and adaptable soul, I can see why the Scorpion have assigned you to their delegation this season. Hopefully one I can converse with more in the coming days, unless of course Soshi-samas time is taken with more important business of course" she lowered her head respectfully to the man

The Soshi smiled at that.

"One should always make time to converse when one is able, though Duty does bind us all, so we sometimes cannot do as we might wish. Perhaps tommorow Ikoma-san's duties will spare her time either first thing in the morning, or after court sometime for talks of trade over tea at the Scorpion House?" he suggests.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Tomorrow sounds good Soshi-sama, I would be available after court for some tea. One can never predict what the next day brings of course, but hopefully less moving surprises await us than this mornings one" Honoka offered with a smile "I look forward to tea and discussions."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Tomorrow sounds good Soshi-sama, I would be available after court for some tea. One can never predict what the next day brings of course, but hopefully less moving surprises await us than this mornings one" Honoka offered with a smile "I look forward to tea and discussions."

Eiji bowed at that.

"When a greater call to Duty arises, one must answer it. But I am fully confident in Ikoma-san's honor. If Duty allows, Courtesy wll certanly see her to tea." he offered sincerely.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Soshi-sama can be assured of that" Honoka confirmed with a smile and a nod. There was a pause as she heard the discussion on the Cranes incident, and her smile faltered for the briefest moment as she listened.

"Quite a lively day in court today, ne?"

[Soshi Eiji]

As a former Lion, Eiji couldn't help but frown at the discussion of the break-in.

He shook his head.

"Lively, and another reminder of true difficulty to remain honorable. A samurai must help those in need. But even with the Crane putting the most graceful spin on the alert and offer, it still wounded the pride of the Lion deeply. Were this simply the winter court of Kyuden Ikoma, such an insult to the host could have merited explusion from the court or worse. But this is the Imperial Winter Court, and so there is an even greater duty to the security of the Divine Empress's guests." he mused.

He folded his hands in his sleeves.

"I have faith in the Lion's ability to guarantee our safety. And while I would not have the intruders escape justice, I truly hope that it is a Lion samurai that brings them to justice. If the Lion both allowed the intruders in and could not locate them while some hotshot Crane magistrate did...."

He sucked wind through his teeth.

"It will take more than the head of the security chief to apologize for such.....inexpcible incompetence." he said darkly.

The thought of the Lion being that bad at their job did not make Eiji happy.

[Ikoma Honoka]

There was a small nod as she observed the discussions.

"I've always said one can never fully prepare for the unexpected but such a thing happening..." now there was a small frown "the Lion will ensure that whoever caused this will be caught, that I can be certain of. They'll also make sure that nothing like that happens again. However..." she trailed off with a small breath and looked back at Eiji, back to her smiling self.

"I have confidence in the leadership here."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods.

"As do I, Ikoma-san. When they are responsible for so many, how can you not?" he replied.