[Day 7, Early Afternnon]- An Avian Entente?

[Shiba Ryusei]

Hoshiko turns to see who's speaking and returns the bow. "Well enough, though it feels strange carrying on the normal trappings of court as if there isn't an enormous hole in the world."

"But, it is ever thus, for those left in this realm. We still must wake, and eat, and see that duties are not left untended." So far, it never gets easier navigating around this sort of sinkhole when it appears. "I hope the Fortunes find you well."

"The Fortunes, Asahina-san, have smiled on me to such an extent that I may have to, when I return home, see about endowing a shrine . At the very least, I will be offering them my thanks ."

He glanced Yuna's way again, briefly.

"But you are quite right, neither joy nor sorrow permit us to forget our duty. And in that light, it dawns on me that the Phoenix and the Crane have yet to have more than informal contact so far this season. I hope to rectify this."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

"Ah yes," she follows his glance toward the Dragon likely to be responsible for that sentiment, given court dealings in the past few days. "Congratulations seem in order. A shrine to Musubi seems appropriate for the ties between families and clans that have resulted."

"Indeed, court has been, as always, so wildly busy there's always something on the list that one meant to do in a given day that doesn't get done. I have a letter to compose and pass to the delegation thanking Isawa Sorami-sama for her introduction and intervention." Intervention does sound better than meddling. And the meddling was appreciated, after all. "Thank you for helping bump that back to the top of my list, even if it can't be delivered until the delegations all head home."

"But there are surely other connections worth discussing while we're all still here for the winter."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"But there are surely other connections worth discussing while we're all still here for the winter."

"Musubi, Benten, Hotei... I could be here all day, but it would be a poor use of your time if I did..."

He fanned himself.

"So instead, I will ask if the Phoenix can do anything for the Crane this season. As you say, it is a season for discussing connections."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

"Connections, certainly. We've been held back from those for quite a while, and after the damn breaks, a flood. We've spent a generation with those who would normally be building connections through marriage to other clans remaining to add their strengths to the Crane, valuable for sure, but on balance? Those connections building understanding and the subtle ties Musubi blesses weigh heavier than keeping those artisans and warriors at home merely sprinkled through the ranks of so many others." Her fan flutters lightly in Yuna's direction, "I assume you're not the only match the Phoenix hope to make this winter then? If so, quick work and I suppose you get to relax now."

As if anyone was likely to relax with nobody on the throne and five people jockeying to sit down.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Crane Wanna Get Some Marriages, Whee!

"I confess, I anticipated my own match being a bit more pro-forma, but..."

LOOK at her! LOOK at Yuna!

"... I am.... ecstatic that it worked out otherwise. But you are quite right that the Phoenix have a few samurai as yet unwed who might be decent matches..."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Crane Wanna Get Some Marriages, Whee!

"I confess, I anticipated my own match being a bit more pro-forma, but..."

LOOK at her! LOOK at Yuna!

"... I am.... ecstatic that it worked out otherwise. But you are quite right that the Phoenix have a few samurai as yet unwed who might be decent matches..."

"It does help when one negotiates their own match, I imagine," she says with a bit of a smile. "And seems a happy omen to have near the beginning of the many matches that will be made this winter." Though the omens surrounding this entire court have Hoshiko rather on edge as to what that will mean for all the negotiations here, marriages included.

"I know of a variety of young samurai ready to begin that next stage of their lives. from a cousin of Doji Minehime-sama, to a minor House heir, to an experienced doctor who is an Asahina of Isawa ancestry. It may be worth understanding the broad strokes of what the Phoenix would look for in a match as far as relative status and marrying into or out of your clan?"

She signals one of the servants to bring tea. A dry throat would be annoying in the midst of negotiations. "And alongside, we may consider what gifts or agreements will be sealed within the match. As our neighbors, and the Empire's guardians of that bit of the northern border, it makes sense to aid the Phoenix in having the supplies they need for their duties there."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"It does help when one negotiates their own match, I imagine,"

Ryusei simply smiled in response. "It does indeed."

She signals one of the servants to bring tea. A dry throat would be annoying in the midst of negotiations. "And alongside, we may consider what gifts or agreements will be sealed within the match. As our neighbors, and the Empire's guardians of that bit of the northern border, it makes sense to aid the Phoenix in having the supplies they need for their duties there."

"And with the Crane and Dragon having formally allied, it would gladden us to see further harmonious arrangements."

And let the Crane have more relatively safe borders, and the Phoenix nothing to worry about but the coast, and even that seemed a minor thing.

He nodded toward the Asahina.

"Particularly with Isawa's kin among the Crane doing so much good in the way of piety and peace. I can provide you with a list of our marriage candidates for the Crane's perusal. Our material needs are, thankfully, largely met at this point, but we can discuss the marginal cases..."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

"Our thoughts are similar on all counts. Those ties to the Isawa are recent enough to still build readily upon. And while we seem to have most supplies for the year set, we use and require a lot of paper, and hoped the Isawa Mori would see the Phoenix perhaps oversupplied?"

Rice straw *could* become paper for many mundane uses, but you still needed some of the nicer varieties for all that courtly correspondence, art and ritual use.

"I've a list of our candidates to draw from, if there are any particular needs the Phoenix have in mind for matches?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Our thoughts are similar on all counts. Those ties to the Isawa are recent enough to still build readily upon. And while we seem to have most supplies for the year set, we use and require a lot of paper, and hoped the Isawa Mori would see the Phoenix perhaps oversupplied?"

Rice straw *could* become paper for many mundane uses, but you still needed some of the nicer varieties for all that courtly correspondence, art and ritual use.

"I've a list of our candidates to draw from, if there are any particular needs the Phoenix have in mind for matches?"

"We have a plethora of paper, even with what we have already traded and with what is under discussion. Unless the Crane require a forest's worth, I'm sure we can come to an arrangement. We stand in need of a small amount of silver, a little copper, and, as with so many other Clans this season it seems, dyes..."

He sighed.

"As for our candidates, we have quite a few, since besides Clan priorities, we have a delegation with unwed siblings to fend for."

And unwed delegates, but let that pass.

"We have everyone from the hatamoto of Lord Asako to my little sister."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

"Not nearly a forest's worth, perhaps a grove? (4 units). Surplus silver our mines have offered up, but we've never been well-supplied with copper." With a small laugh, she adds, "and I'm convinced the trend will be pastels next season, as everyone searches for enough dyes."

"Asahina-ke no kashin Saito Tatsuo is a doctor we hope to find a good match for. Experienced surgeon, bit of a temper, but that's a bit of Isawa Asahina still very present in our Family. A shugenja, so fitting for a Phoenix match. He holds no great position, and is thus suitable for marrying out."

She reviews the list in her head a moment. "At the high end, Lady Doji's cousin, Doji-ke no kashin Egawa Ureo needs a spouse. He rules House Egawa. But...at only 18, we're hoping for a match somewhat close to him in age as being more harmonious overall. We'd want to keep him within the Crane if possible."

[Shiba Ryusei]

el taggo

He chuckled.

"I confess, living on the coasts, the dyes concern me less- salt air and direct sunlight have a way of sapping the color out of anything exposed for too long- but my inland brethren are far more interested. We might have to get creative... but anyway. We can certainly supply that much paper. Of course, our need for silver is quite small, assuming all else goes well. [1 unit]."

He tapped his closed fan on his chin.

"But a small need is still a need, and it can form the basis for an agreement. There are other means of assisting one's friends, after all. The Phoenix have an interest in establishing an Imperial Library on the Asako model, and we will need some support to make sure it's... acceptable. In addition, the Elemental Council have an interest in consulting with Asahina Junpei-sama."

He opened the fan.

"And as far as marriages go... hm. Saito-san's temper might be a bit of a concern, but Isawa-ke no kashin Tsukamoto Keiko has managed to deal with a fair few fiery natures among the Isawa. And with water as an element associated with healing, it's possible she and Saito-san might have something to talk about. As for Egawa-sama... hm. Do you know what his, ah... preferences might be?"

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

Hoshiko shakes her head. "Egawa-sama's personal preferences were not relayed to the delegation. However, as he is the Champion's cousin, I believe we would have been told that certain types of matches were unacceptable if he were not open to them as even political matches. Marriages should be harmonious, but there are many paths to harmony. I'll make sure to ask Doji-ue, just to be certain, however." Given that the briefs they had included details like "no Scorpion!" for other candidates, she suspected that would have been included.

"But I do think you're right that Isawa-san is likely able to manage a temper. And he is said to be skilled with the element of water as well as air, so I believe their professional interests would greatly align."

She nods to hear their needs. "I'm happy for you that your material needs are so slight this season, and we can easily supply what bit of silver you can use." There's no point in quibbling there, when the material trade is already lopsided.

As to the intangibles...support, and symbolic support through visits and the like. This was honestly the proper stock and trade of the Crane. "A centrally available library seems like a valuable idea. Would you hope to replicate the Asako library holdings there?" It would offer the Phoenix a cultural power in the capitol, and certainly set them up strongly as leaders of some sort in the knowledge trade...which they already were, to be honest. Who would oppose? The Ikoma perhaps...wanting their histories to be pre-eminent. Imperial factions preferring to restrict cultural power. "Hmm, I suspect Crane leadership would prefer a stake in such an institution if they support it...work something out about access or oversight of something like the performing arts or literature sections."

Would that compete with the Academy? Not directly. And such a collection was likely to highlight how important the Academy was in historical movements.

"As to Asahina-sama, he's not here this season to ask directly, though scholarly consultation is something most of us," meaning most shugenja, " jump at. I can discuss with Doji Minehime-sama, who no doubt would need to authorize such a thing in any case. But that all seems reasonable at least."

[Shiba Ryusei]

Reasonable stuff!

"I believe I can bring the Crane's concerns about oversight to Shiba-ue. Ultimately, the decisions is hers, but I believe the Asako might welcome Crane input in their areas of expertise. And your assistance in the matter of Asahina-sama is most appreciated."

He smiled and bowed his head.

"If I happen to hear of anyone in possession of a dye surplus beyond the needs of the Phoenix, I'll do my best to point them your way."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

"That would be much appreciated, Shiba-san, I'll do the same if we run into someone with a stockpile of that or of copper." Head tilted a bit, she asks, "anything else the Phoenix are still looking for?" No reason not to facilitate such trades where she could. Those little assists were part of the Crane's network of favors and friendships. Not everything needed an even trade to be valuable.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"That would be much appreciated, Shiba-san, I'll do the same if we run into someone with a stockpile of that or of copper." Head tilted a bit, she asks, "anything else the Phoenix are still looking for?" No reason not to facilitate such trades where she could. Those little assists were part of the Crane's network of favors and friendships. Not everything needed an even trade to be valuable.

He cocked his head to the side.

"No, simply dyes, a small measure of copper, and the silver we have already discussed. Although of course, we always welcome friendly voices of support when circumstances permit, and try to do the same."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

snip

She nods to that. "Well enough, I'll take this offer back to Doji-sama and (probably via PM) let you know how it goes. I should have some sort of word tomorrow." There's a glance to the floor and raised eyebrows. "Oh, well, that's a bold move."

With a bow, she adds. "I think we're well-timed in our agreement. Thank you for reaching out to speak with me."

/scene? (thank you!)

[Shiba Ryusei]

She nods to that. "Well enough, I'll take this offer back to Doji-sama and (probably via PM) let you know how it goes. I should have some sort of word tomorrow." There's a glance to the floor and raised eyebrows. "Oh, well, that's a bold move."

With a bow, she adds. "I think we're well-timed in our agreement. Thank you for reaching out to speak with me."

"Thank you for listening, Asahina-san."

He bowed, and turned his attention likewise back to the Court.

"It has been a pleasure."

[/Scene and thankya!]