(D7 MM) reporting in!

[Ikoma Honoka]

Once the Seppun guards had taken over and were looking after Tatsuya and his son, Honoka apologised to them as she needed to go back to her superiors and let them know what had happened.

She had hurried back to the Lion house, gone back to clean up and changed, and made a request to meet with Sanae. Thankfully she was free! Honoka hurried along to the agreed meeting room, it wouldn't do to keep Lady Akodo waiting.

[Akodo Sanae]

Indeed, Lady Akodo required another two minutes to arrive, but arrive she did. She set down the book she was carrying and fixed Honoka with a smile.

"Ikoma-san, you have returned a hero, I understand. But I am hoping that you are a hero armed with much knowledge."

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka had bowed deeply, but when she rose she certainly stood a little taller. Her smile was a little brighter too, despite everything.

"A hero? You honour me deeply Akodo-dono! It has certainly been a valuable journey. I arrived late back yesterday, forgive me for not coming earlier but circumstances bade me remain at the temple. However I do have much to report. I have also written the whole experience down so that it can be recorded in the Ikoma libraries."

She moved in and found a place to sit.

"I'm unsure of what is known Akodo-dono, so I'll start from the beginning. Four of us, Kitsu Sayomi Yasuki Ryoichi Daidoji Sae and myself were called to meet with the Divine Empress on a special mission to travel to Ryoko Owari via an arranged Mantis vessel to find the son of Hantei Muhaki and the now Fortune of Artists Sadahako, a man called Tatsuya. We hit interference throughout, not only from a magistrate that wished to delay us to inspect the vessel but also from a Taisa in the city."

There was a pause, and a grin.

"Not that it stopped or slowed us. A true sign that we were tested and a united task between the great clans worked perfectly together with a blend of polite suggestion and in Daidoji-samas case a tactical use of authority . We located Tatsuya-son and his son, and after conversing with him I assured him that he needed to come with us. We arrived back late last night to the news..." she lowered her head "Tatsuya-san and his son were hosted at the Temple of Tengen, and I remained at the temple also to allow Seppun-sama some time to prepare everything for today."

[Akodo Sanae]

"I see. That the Scorpion chose to interfere is perhaps unsurprising, as they seem to be having some trouble holding it together of late, but it sounds like you acquitted yourselves very well anyway. I am sorry that you were not able to arrive to the welcome you deserved, but then there is much to be sorry about in these past few days."

She smiled a little sadly. "But what do you make of this Tatsuya? Is he what one would expect of a son of an Emperor and a Fortune?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Indeed, I hear whispers of the Scorpion being unhappy that we haven't approached them yet, Soshi Eiji formally Ikoma Eiji in fact has much to say on the subject it seems. I had intended to meet with him a few days ago but alas one does not refuse the summons of the Divine Empress so I was forced to delay it. I'll see what he has to say this evening though" there was a small grin "maybe he just misses home? The Scorpion have been surprisingly quiet in court itself, I had heard much about them."

There was a small pause as she thought on the question.

"I believe Tatsuya is an honourable man. He also was a cautious man. Yet the little time I've spent with him so far I can see that he is indeed the son of an Emperor and a Fortune. It's the little details, such as how he handles and cleans his blade and how he approaches situations. How he stands. However, his time spent on the wave has shaped his way of acting, which is understandable of course because what one faces on the Wave is different from what we would face."

[Akodo Sanae]

"Akodo Kenji feels that Lord Gorobei is also possessed of an Emperor's soul in a neglected vessel. I wonder how the two compare."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I confess I am yet to meet Lord Gorobei. He did not seem to attend court before, and I don't remember seeing him at the gathering on the evening gathering. I imagine some do not enjoy being the centre of focus, and if this Lord Gorobei is one then I can see a similarity" there was a small nod from Honoka "forgive me but while these can be good qualities, they may not be so suitable for a position such as the Throne where one is always in the focus. Not that I wish to say anything ill about either of course, I just feel that such a position would require one who is strong of will and mind."

She lowered her head.

"Forgive me again if I've spoken out of turn."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

There was a gentle rap at the door.

[Akodo Sanae]

"There is nothing to forgive." Sanae waved that away.

There was a gentle rap at the door.

"Enter."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

The door slid open, and Sayomi bowed to the two Lion women. "Akodo-sama, Ikoma-sama, good morning. Forgive me for intruding..."

She glanced to Honoka briefly. "I was planning on reporting on my absence along with Ikoma-sama, but I assume she has already filled you in on what transpired? I tried to speak with Ikoma Ryota-sama last night after we returned, but..." Sayomi's voice trailed off for a moment, "to no success."

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka looked around, and gave Sayomi a smile and a bow.

"Good morning Kitsu-sama. I was indeed reporting the journey to Akodo-dono. I had just finished recounting the tale" there was a small look of concern about the comments on Ryota and she looked to Sanae.

[Akodo Sanae]

"Lord Ikoma has not articulated his feelings to me, but as I am sure you have seen, Kitsu-san, they are profound and deep. Indeed, he has not articulated so much as a word since his outburst in court on the announcement of the Empress' death." She sighed. "I imagine he feels that he bears some responsibility for the mess that has been made of the Succession...and it is hard to argue with that viewpoint, though he is certainly not the only one."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"With all respect, I believe Lord Ikoma did as much and more than anyone could have hoped for, given his task. In the end, it was not his decision to make of who should be the next Hantei." He had done the job honorably, despite the risk of not providing the Empress with an easy answer.

"Apart from that, I have a trade deal with the Crab ready for your review and approval. I believe it is one beneficial to us."

[Akodo Sanae]

"Your loyalty is noted," Sanae said quietly. "And indeed, it was not his decision, but he did somewhat go beyond his remit. I understand his reasons for doing so, but I will not allow my sympathy and genuine regard for my colleague color my judgment, just as I do not absolve myself, or Lady Doji, or Lady Keihime, or indeed the Empress for what has happened. We have, all of us, allowed this."

"But just because I hold the leadership of the clans and the Imperial Families responsible does not mean that I think we are all damned, or that Lord Ikoma is to be singled out for scorn. What happened before is material, but it is not what matters. What matters is what we choose to do next."

"Which is why I am very pleased to hear that you have an agreement with the Crab. They will also be moving to the next step, and we may, if we are fortunate, see something of their design in what they are lobbying for."

[Ikoma Honoka]

There was a thoughtful look on Honoka's face.

"Perhaps I should pay Ikoma-dono a visit" she said quietly, before going silent as a trade deal was discussed.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Lady Akodo truly was an inspiration, and Sayomi was momentarily awed by her grace and honor.

"Yes," she bobbed her head and withdrew an official-looking piece of paper, unfolding it to read the contents to Sanae.

- the short and sweet of it -
Lion give: 15 Rice, 5 Copper.
Crab give: 9 Equipment, 5 Iron, 4 Tea.

This deal will be tied to two marriages, one to join the Crab, and one to join the Lion, to further promote stronger bonds and connection between the two clans.

"This will help much of our need for iron, arms, and armor, as well as tea. The Crab were most interested in our rice out of what we could offer them in return, and are hopeful to productive marriages. One of their possible candidates for a marriage is the brother of their Champion, which... I find important enough to inquire to the Imperial Matchmaker's expertise of what would be most suitable for such a high-ranking man."

[Akodo Sanae]

Sanae smiled at that. "Yes, that would be a significant match, so the Matchmaker would seem appropriate. But the core arrangement is sound. What are our current levels of arms and Iron, if this deal is included?"

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"If my memory serves me right, that would almost cover all our needs for iron and arms. Almost. We'd still require about [1 unit] of iron and [4 units] of equipment," she explained, hoping she was remembering things correctly. "This along with the Crane deal should cover our demand for tea."

"The Crab seemed to have enjoyed a productive year, but what their future plans hold is hard to tell."

[Akodo Sanae]

"Certainly from what they have asked for, here. I will be curious what changes hands between them and the Crane and Scorpion, and which Winds they congregate around."

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"I imagine that the political landscape will be more in motion now with the throne empty..." it was sad, really, that there was going to be petty squabbling. Oh, if only the Empress had had the time to make a decision before the Heavens called her away.

"The Empire will be tested in the days to come."