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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on May 12, 2014 7:33:06 GMT
Kasumi finished her tea as well, before standing up and bowing deep, as befitting a family daimyo. "As you probably have a lot to do before you leave and I too have some duties to attend to, I wll leave you to yours, Asako-sama" she said, "but I thank you for the tea and the information."
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 12, 2014 9:13:29 GMT
He bows his head from a seated position and smiles warmly, "Thank you for your time and company, Tsuruchi san, and best of luck to you and your family in the days ahead."
His karo likewise bows as well, but does not add anything to Chisato's farewell. She does take up position next to him to speak softly as Kasumi departs.
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 12, 2014 13:49:23 GMT
A while later, the door slid back and Daidoji Kousei entered, placing Chisato's missive back into a pouch as he did so. He bowed to the Asako daimyo.
"Chisato-sama, you expressed a wish to see me? It seems that we both had more of an impact upon the trial yesterday than may have been initially anticipated."
Kousei feared that his choice of words may have been a little abrupt as he watched Chisato's karo blanche ever so slightly, and he sighed inwardly.
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 13, 2014 0:02:59 GMT
The karo does what she can to keep her on, of course. They both bow in unison to Kousei.
"Thank you for coming, Kousei san. Are you thirsty? Tea perhaps? Its the empress' favorite blend."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 13, 2014 10:55:47 GMT
"If it comes recommended by our glorious Empress, I would love to try some."
Kousei sat as the tea was poured, studying the Asako daimyo. He had been shocked by Chisato's revelation at the trial and so decided to dive straight into the issue.
"So how are things between you and Satomi-chan, Asako-sama?"
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 13, 2014 15:49:17 GMT
Chisato helps himself to yet another cup of tea. His response is an unsteady one.
"Well, I-. She... I sent her a message? Uhm. We've, no. Ah... uh...
I don't know."
The karo winces and bows, stepping away. Chisato looks to Kousei, "I don't think shes too pleased with me."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 13, 2014 22:51:53 GMT
"She was accused of being a spy in front of a great many of the most important people in the Empire and then more or less forced to renounce her clan and family, all due to your announcement. This leaves the Crab, a clan she obviously still holds dear to her heart, in a very weak position and she herself having to rebuild who she is from the ground up. Why would you possibly think that she might be displeased with you Chisato-sama?"
Kousei was aware that he was bullying the little Phoenix, and treading dangerously close to insulting Chisato's honour, but he was remorseless.
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 14, 2014 1:56:42 GMT
Its not in his nature to wield power, and he recoils from the rebuke. He winces, "Is it really that bad? It should have made everything better... now shes in the clan she belongs to after all..."
He clearly just doesn't get it. He looks down and watches his hands as they idly play with the hem of his ridiculously expensive clothes. "I couldn't just let Kuon dono put a scorpion in control of the crab clan... its all wrong, it throws everything out of order. People have their place, and they must follow it... right?"
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 14, 2014 7:43:04 GMT
Kousei closed his eyes momentarily and took a deep breath. When he opened them he was struck by the look of hope on Chisato's face and he finally felt sorry for him.
"Chisato-sama, Satomi-chan had already refused the championship. She lives the Crab, and she would never have given the Scorpion that kind of influence over them. Even if she had been tempted, a quiet word with her reminding her off her duty, or a meeting with Kuon-sama, would have resolved the issue. You may be surprised to hear this coming from me, but not every problem needs to be confronted with overwhelming force. Surely of all the clans the Phoenix recognise that power sometimes needs wielding carefully and with compassion?"
He sighed. "Speak to her, Chisato-sama. If she was ever your friend, find her she and speak to her."
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 14, 2014 15:07:13 GMT
So much of what Kousei had been saying would infuriate any other man in Chisato's position. A daimyo being spoken to in this way? It was probably best that his karo was not available to witness this display of weakness from Chisato. Of particular significance was Kousei's referring to Satomi as 'chan.' For now, Chisato was too self absorbed (as usual) to notice. Still though, he was able to hold his own on his points.
"Kousei san, she was not in a position to refuse Kuon sama. Kuon sama had improper information. He simply had to be corrected. Its completely against type for a champion to be selected from another clan unless she married in and took control until a proper heir was raised. And for her to be married in, she must first have a true family already established. One does not just become a clan champion without family ties. There is a procedure! Everything must happen in proper order!"
He wasn't yelling, his voice raised only slightly to add emphasis in a matter with which he is very confident of, "Her refusal was indeed appropriate, but it was clear that Kuon sama was not going to take no for an answer, he was behaving irrationally."
He shakes his head, "It simply had to addressed right there and then."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 15, 2014 0:18:14 GMT
Chisato's points lingered in the air as Kousei absorbed them. Moreover, he realised how much the Asako was wed to his point of view, and the Daidoji was no courtier with the skills to try and change such a focussed mind.
"As you will Chisato-sama. Was there anything you required of me?"
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 15, 2014 10:46:28 GMT
He nods, glad that Kousei now agreed with him. For a daimyo, he was very narrow minded.
"Yes, I need to ask. What do we do now? My only real knowledge exists in families, obviously, but you are a practical and seasoned soldier. Whats the next step?"
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 15, 2014 11:24:19 GMT
"The next step, Chisato-sama? What exactly do you mean? If you're talking about the Kolat then..." He paused, trying to decide exactly what to say. "Yasuki Hachi-sama has decreed that there will be an investigation into the matter. They are a threat that cannot be ignored, and Hachi-sama is the best placed person to deal with it. If you think you can be of assistance to him - which given your research was one of the primary ways of finding out the unfortunate matter of Reiha-sama's indoctrination you probably can - then you should approach him and volunteer your services. Can you find any patterns within families, any names that crop up? If anyone were to be able to see their spiderweb on a written page, it would be you.
As for myself, I shall wait until they are identified and then, Fortunes willing, I will kill them. As you say, I am a soldier."
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Post by Asako Chisato on May 15, 2014 13:55:46 GMT
He nods, in careful consideration.
"You have a good mind for tactics, Kousei san. I may call on you for assistance in the future." Then a thought, "It would be easier though were you a member of the Asako family..."
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Post by Daidoji Kousei on May 15, 2014 18:07:21 GMT
Kousei blinked. Was everyone going to talk about him marrying into their family today?
"Uh... The Asako family my lord?"
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