(D7, LM) From Misery to Cold Rage

[Soshi Eiji]

The mourning period for the Divine Empress had been....well, not restful exactly...but a time for one to think upon the fate of the Empire, and come to grips with one's feelings seeing such a bright light extinguished. It took some time to adjust to the dark after all.

But while there was no active pursuit of politics, it did not keep the work from piling up. Yogo-san, after haggling until both were blue in the face, had come to an arrangment with the Mantis. Eiji was as satisfied with the terms as he could be. The Mantis were shrewd traders after all, and when you had a near monopoly on something, you got to set the rate. But hopefully this arrangement would turn the tides. Pity about the emerald magistrate though. Although maybe he'd be happier out of the Scorpion.

He waited outside the delegation head's quarters, and presented himself.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

The mourning period for the Divine Empress had been....well, not restful exactly...but a time for one to think upon the fate of the Empire, and come to grips with one's feelings seeing such a bright light extinguished. It took some time to adjust to the dark after all.

But while there was no active pursuit of politics, it did not keep the work from piling up. Yogo-san, after haggling until both were blue in the face, had come to an arrangment with the Mantis. Eiji was as satisfied with the terms as he could be. The Mantis were shrewd traders after all, and when you had a near monopoly on something, you got to set the rate. But hopefully this arrangement would turn the tides. Pity about the emerald magistrate though. Although maybe he'd be happier out of the Scorpion.

He waited outside the delegation head's quarters, and presented himself.

[So sorry this sat here. My bad.]

Lady Bayushi is standing at the west wall of her private study, staring at a host of characters--names, you recognize Keihime's immediately--written directly on the paper screens and connected by bits of red and black strings. She has an unsheathed knife in her hand.

[Soshi Eiji]

[So sorry this sat here. My bad.]

Lady Bayushi is standing at the west wall of her private study, staring at a host of characters--names, you recognize Keihime's immediately--written directly on the paper screens and connected by bits of red and black strings. She has an unsheathed knife in her hand.

(No worries! You've got a lot to do, and I'd already planned for the contingency of no answer. Getting to do the scene is a welcome thing)

Eiji wondered if perhaps Lady Bayushi's art project was perhaps higher priority than treaty approval. Or perhaps he'd annoyed the servant who admitted him rather than telling him to return tomorrow.

Still Duty was Duty and she was still a champion and he her junior courtier.

And so he quitely put the Mantis treaty on the desk, and knelt awaiting for her to acknowledge his presence. Meanwhile, he contemplated the floor rather than the art project.

It was a good floor, Lion-made clearly, perhapas not as visuallya appealing as a Crane made floor, but much better than staring blankly into a nameless void.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

It is some long moments before Lady Bayushi acknowledges him. She does not turn to face him, however. She remains staring at her project.

"What distractions plague you today, Soshi-san?" she articulates with exquisite precision.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Yogo-san has completed the negotiations with the Mantis clan, Bayushi-ue." he said without preamble.

"The Mantis will receive (5) lumber and ( 2) weapons and armor from the Scorpion.

The Scorpion, in return, will receive: (2) paper

The Mantis will commit their forces to the eradication of the river pirates (equivalent of 5 naval supplies)

The two clans will exchange three students between the Bayushi and Gusai schools to ensure the success of the river policing policy.

To celebrate the return of peace and prosperity to the rivers, Bayushi Minoru will marry into the Mantis clan with Gusai (Mori) Mitsuko."

"Thus is the proposal that will be officially submitted before the court for approval." he said.

A brief pause.

"Additionally, with the rivers secured, we have agreed to suggest to them....other business opportunities that they are particularly well-suited for."

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"Hm. Acceptable."

She raises her knife and traces a strand on the wall with its tip.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Your will be done, Bayushi-ue." he said, gathering up the treaty and bowing deeply, awaiting dismissal.

[Bayushi Kaguya]

"Ku-i bo no," she whispers, already in her own world.


/scene.