[Day 7 - LM] The Princess Court

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Sanaharu had an odd confusion of emotions.

The first one was indignation. To even suggest the Empress marry Saisei, a low-ranking inexperienced Otomo, was absurd. She could marry one of the heirs to the Otomo house for the same effect. Even more, it would be pointless to marry one of your more direct servants if you could simply marry one of your less direct servants, such as the son of the Doji Daimyo. Cough.

The second one was faint happiness. The Empress was wise to politely dismiss her suggestion. And, well, because he got somewhat, even if so slightly, found of the Otomo. But above it he had respect for the guy, he got really ill trying to break that curse. Truly selfless, truly honorable. This also would mean that Saisei had to marry someone else than his best candidate.

[Kakita Masao]

From his inconspicuous position in the crowd, Masao smiles at Yoko's recognition, and looks thoughtful when his Otomo friend's name is mentioned. He scans the yard, ready to move beside Saisei if he can be found.

(OOC: pinging Saisei's player, since I'm sure he'll have been there from the beginning if he's going to be there at all.)

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku, having stepped back when Konohamaru did, keeps her face behind her fan.

But if She does take Saisei, she thinks, there is no shame in being bested by Her Majesty. And the Consort would, in such a case, remember me fondly.

Her fan waves air in front of her face.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Talking consorts so early was something of a shameful affair, or at least that was Shouji's opinion on the matter. Especially since he was certain this was the hand of Yusuke in play. His eyes moved towards the older man trying to figure out anything he could.

He doubted he would learn much though. The man was at best hard to figure out.

Investigation/perception: 4d10o10k3 14

[Otomo Saisei]

Still rather injured, how could he ever swear in the name of the Otomo themselves, knowing what they did to get rid of those closer to the Hantei and preserve themselves in service to a new dynasty?

He was the only one spared. His whole family had to commit sepukku in the name of the Oturi, and their allies.

Yuahime was genuinely surprised at the words and said, "I will take such words under advisement, though I wonder how Otomo-san feels about your appeal."

When Saisei finally manages not to call too much attention, he gets called by none than the Empire's heiress. Likewise surprised by the sudden suggestion, he does feel a warm push to proceed, from a presence nearby perhaps only himself could see.

As his body moves forward, the young man kneels down in seiza, and provides a seated bow to the calling. He says, "This one is but a servant of the Heavens, whose life and lineage was saved by our late Empress in her great compassion. The blood this one carries is bound to serve those blessed by the Heavens."

He bows once more, and then says when he's back up, "As it was her honorable mother's, now, this one pledges his life and servitude to our future Empress."

The Otomo claps twice, as if providing a prayer, then bows a third time, and reassures, "Although unexperienced and unworthy to the calling as this one is, he would be honored beyond measure if he could be usable to Oturi-denka in mending the schism of past mistakes under her rule, in whatever way she sees fit."

Lifting himself up, he turns to the court, and instigates them to the cause, raising his arm up with a closed fist.

"Banzai!"

--
D7, LM, Intimidation (Control)/Willpower + Benten + VP +2 Raises: 9d10ro1o10k6-10 33 to politely resist the call-to-arms with the battle shout. Raises for potential extra effect.

[Otomo Yusuke]

Talking consorts so early was something of a shameful affair, or at least that was Shouji's opinion on the matter. Especially since he was certain this was the hand of Yusuke in play. His eyes moved towards the older man trying to figure out anything he could.

He doubted he would learn much though. The man was at best hard to figure out.

Investigation/perception: 4d10o10k3 14

He seems as cool as a cucumber to the eyes of the Mantis.

[Oturi Yuahime]

She raised a hand and said, “I appreciate the candor and vigor of Otomo Saisei, and those that heed his call to arms.”

Several low ranked samurai react to his words and follow suit, seeing the wounded man give a spirited if intimidating display before Yuahime. She finished with, “We are honored by these words as his first act we would pose to him a question. If Otomo Saisei discovered a plot to take his life and had the life of the conspirator in his hand, how would he proceed?”

OOC: Oturi Yuahime Etiquette + Willpower: 5d10o10k3+23 46, she is unmoved but many low ranked samurai of varying clans are very much moved by the act, players can decide for themselves if the act moves them or not.

[Kakita Masao]

What is he doing? rings the voice inside Masao's head, but he can only stand still and silent, fan unmoving.

At the Oturi's hypothetical, Masao's eyes narrow, but in a heartbeat the change is gone.

[Otomo Saisei]

"I would show the same compassion I learned form the late Empress, and from Akodo-kami himself. Ensure that the enemy have a chance to cleanse their honor, so their lineage may continue to serve under Heaven's guidance." He says, sharply, from the experience he lived.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Several low ranked samurai react to his words and follow suit, seeing the wounded man give a spirited if intimidating display before Yuahime. She finished with, “We are honored by these words as his first act we would pose to him a question. If Otomo Saisei discovered a plot to take his life and had the life of the conspirator in his hand, how would he proceed?”

While there is never a moment to not pay attention in the Empress' court, there is an immediate snap in the magistrate's attention. His gaze from events changes from to a scanning observation for threats to an intense, kakita-blade focus.

He looks to Otomo Yusuke and looks ready to move at a moment's notice, but does not.

[Oturi Yuahime]

"I would show the same compassion I learned form the late Empress, and from Akodo-kami himself. Ensure that the enemy have a chance to cleanse their honor, so their lineage may continue to serve under Heaven's guidance." He says, sharply, from the experience he lived.

She sat back and considered that response carefully. This was a decision she had struggled with and now the moment had come. Would her rule be marked by blood or could she find a better way. Trust was in short supply and she needed to be sure and she asked Saisei, “Otomo-san, can one who has betrayed your trust ever be trusted again?”

[Otomo Saisei]

She sat back and considered that response carefully. This was a decision she had struggled with and now the moment had come. Would her rule be marked by blood or could she find a better way. Trust was in short supply and she needed to be sure and she asked Saisei, “Otomo-san, can one who has betrayed your trust ever be trusted again?”

He takes a moment to think over the question, not to gag while explaining his thoughts. Saisei then, makes a comparison, "This one is perhaps too naive and experience would tell otherwise. Thus, this one asks for forgiveness for being potentially vague. Yet, as requested, I know of a small family in that the mother has endured her husband's lack of commitment in providing above expectations to their well-being. I was but a boy, and she often asked me to fetch him when he was gone for too late in the night after duty hours. I guess, now, that she didn't trust him, but for the greater good of her household, she maintained him under constant care. He was, after all, father to her children and taught them how to be honorable samurai in service to the Throne."

[Oturi Yuahime]

"I see, thank you for your wisdom Otomo Saisei," she said with a nod.

"I pray that mercy serves the greater good."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

A look of disgust crossed the Tsuruchi's visage for a moment before it was covered by a fan. It was obvious to him at least that this was all another game the Otomo were playing.

Not that he would argue with the decision, but he at least would never trust an Otomo again.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

The magistrate returns to his more traditional seated position, but there's an uneasy look in his eyes.

In truth, he had been internally agonising over the right move and ramifications of either move.

Even now, he wasn't sure what the right decision was - only what heaven's decision was.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko blinked a few times perhaps move but more in the line of confusion.
Banzai!
She shook her head sighed. Will she have to follow such spectacle. She wasn't the greatest courtier. She is simple spirit hunter who happenstance to be in this place.

"Fortunes..." she whispered.

[Hida Daichi]

Spotting the big crab in the Crowd, Shouji made his way over a warm smile making it's way onto his lips. He wasn't the first that the Mantis considered approaching, but he seemed the wisest choice. Offering the man a polite bow he gestured back towards his table.

"Hida-san." He offered warmly. "I was wondering of you'd like to join me for some tea."

Daichi smiled broadly to the Mantis as he approached and had been about to respond when the Imperial Heiress began speaking in court.

Daichi listened intently to all that was discussed he felt little one way or another about much of what was said the talk of politics and courtiers and consorts was all above his head. He smiled brightly as Yoko was accepted into the Empress' service, he knew she would do well and was glad she had some work to give her purpose.

Daichi drew up to his full height and his loud voice boomed out "I dont know much about politics and can't speak for anyone but myself here. I'm just a simple warrior but I'm damned good at what I do and if people stand against you know that you'll have my tetsubo and my life to crush those that would oppose you or seek to harm you. I'm not an honorable man but I am a dedicated one call upon me and I am youre hammer." He said with a deep bow as he finished and stepped back a little into the crowd.

[Otomo Saisei]

As he is dismissed, the Otomo takes his steps back and moves in the direction he was before, at Masao’s side.

The sweat upon his brow goes off as he lifts his fan up, and notices many of the faces that until now had their colors hidden.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

The magistrate returns to his more traditional seated position, but there's an uneasy look in his eyes.

In truth, he had been internally agonising over the right move and ramifications of either move.

Even now, he wasn't sure what the right decision was - only what heaven's decision was.

Yuuwaku moves closer to him. Behind her fan, she whispers, "Kakita-bugyo, what do you make of the question and answer just then?"

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Yuuwaku moves closer to him. Behind her fan, she whispers, "Kakita-bugyo, what do you make of the question and answer just then?"

It takes a moment for Kono to take out his own fan, but when he does he whispers back.

"Knowing the truth of the matter, the Empire has set a course. It will be a time of compassion and duty foremost. I cannot explain in these courts."

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

When it was proper the random, Toritaka move toward the Dais. She made the appropiate bow. "I humbly represent this one." Kuma posed beside her. "The Falcon clan is small and their alliance will be consulted. This one stands by the child of the heavens and the chosen to lead the empire to its glory." Court was not really her forte. Hopefully she didn't insult anyone.


//LM 7 Etiquette bureaucracy Awa TN 33: 4d10o10k3 14

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

It takes a moment for Kono to take out his own fan, but when he does he whispers back.

"Knowing the truth of the matter, the Empire has set a course. It will be a time of compassion and duty foremost. I cannot explain in these courts."

Yuuwaku nods. "I shall await your direction eagerly, then, Kakita-bugyo. Until then, I shall stand at your left hand, until you have need of me elsewhere."

[Kakita Masao]

As he is dismissed, the Otomo takes his steps back and moves in the direction he was before, at Masao’s side.

The sweat upon his brow goes off as he lifts his fan up, and notices many of the faces that until now had their colors hidden.

Behind his fan, voice neutral, seeking simply to give the man a lifeline in stormy seas: "Saisei-san is exceptionally popular today. So popular that I would recommend that later today you should have tea with Kakita Konohamaru-sama and me."

[Ichiro Taiki]

After the Monkey and the Falcon's first look towards him, the Badger nods at both of them as well... but it probably gets lost in the excitement of the Otomo's call to arms, and then the princess' question to him and his... curious reply.

He seems more confused than anything else by the whole thing. He was definitely not in his element in court, and while calls to arms were something he was more used to, this one was... strange, somehow?

Still - Yuahime's questions, and her reply to the Otomo's answer, sounded perfectly convincing to him. He had seen little of her as a Ronin, but she seemed to have her heart in the right place since when he saw her before. That Yoko trusted her as much as she seemed to made him even more sure.

When it was proper the random, Toritaka move toward the Dais. She made the appropiate bow. "I humbly represent this one." Kuma posed beside her. "The Falcon clan is small and their alliance will be consulted. This one stands by the child of the heavens and the chosen to lead the empire to its glory." Court was not really her forte. Hopefully she didn't insult anyone.


//LM 7 Etiquette bureaucracy Awa TN 33: 4d10o10k3 14

After the Toritaka's words to the Princess, he looks at her again, and nods encouragingly as well. He understands the feeling - it is hard for one such as them to speak for the whole clan - even for a small clan. But they could pledge their own support... and that she had done.

Hifumi glanced over at the Badger, guessing at his thoughts. She gave him a nod, encouraging him to speak up, if he wished. She would soon be speaking for herself, but she couldn't speak for others.

He then looks at the Monkey samurai-ko again, nods at her, and took some steps in her direction. They had their own pledges to make, and while they would probably not have much to say for the whole of their clans, they might do so one after another at least.

He seems as cool as a cucumber to the eyes of the Mantis.

For now, however, the Badger took a side glance at the Otomo sitting on the dais. Maybe... could he see any kind of emotion?

D7 LM - Pricess Court - What is Otomo Yusuke thinking? - Investigation/ Perception - TN?: 5d10o10k4 22

[Fuzake Hifumi]

Hifumi could not speak for her clan, but she tried to convey her belief that they would agree with her decision to follow Yuahime. In the end, however, she could really only speak for herself.

"... In truth, I cannot say how my lord will will react to these developments, though the Monkey are very devoted to the Throne. I know only that I wish to support you myself. My abilities are at your service, my Empress."

- - -
[Day 7 - LM] The Princess Court, Etiquette/Awareness, Darling of the Court, TN of 30, Toku Tech, VP for Skill: 5d10o10k3 20