|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 23, 2014 13:16:21 GMT
Yoritomo Rokuro was almost at his destination. Not the destination he would have chosen, but one had to do things one didn't like for duty and when it came to negotiations with the more politically inclined clans, he was often the point man. His two Yojimbo were even more nervous, as going into the den of a clan which was reputed to have perfected the art of assassination was not something to make them happy. But they too had to do things they didn't like for duty and if there was one thing the people in the location they were heading to knew, it was the value of duty to the clan.
Soon they arrived at the Scorpion embassy and there Rokuro showed his credentials, requesting to speak with the Scorpion clan champion or one of her assistants for matters of mutual interest. He knew he was placed high enough to be able to request a meeting like this, although it would probably be with one of her assistants.
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 23, 2014 14:20:23 GMT
OOC: Introducing Bayushi Komiya, Scorpion diplomat and Imperial Courtier. Komiya and Rokuro may have meet before in the Imperial court. He's a Scorpion NPC controlled by the clan, and his stats are: Air 5* Fire 4 * Water 3* Earth 1 * Void 1 Diplomat-Beautiful-Married-Master of Ceremonies-Pretentious-Restricted Knowledge (Crane)- Bayushi Courtier
Bayushi Komiya smiled gently at his clan companions, Shosuro Eiji and Shosuro Saiki, a married couple with complimentary abilities, and entered the meeting room, where the Mantis Ambassador's Karo in the Imperial City was waiting for an audience. The room was lavishly decorated, though not as much extravagantly as a Yoritomo palace would be. Two servant belles stayed all the time ready to attend any wish the guest would have. As the day was a somewhat rainy, the doors to the garden were closed, creating a cocooning ambience that could be interpreted either as so, or as ideal to secretive gatherings and activities. Making assumptions about the subject about to be discussed wasn't Komiya's style. Whatever the Mantis dignitary wished to talk about, would be received with the same amount of interest. Scorpion was always interested in everything, a single truth in Scorpion's lies. Yoritomo-sama, what a pleasure to receive you in our humble house! The Scorpion diplomat bowed low, as did the couple accompanying him. Please, take a seat!* I hope you have received the Inari blessings today. Tea had been served already, and few time passed between Rokuro's request and Komyia's entrance. The Scorpion were usually excellent hosts, maybe if in a frightening sense of it would be an attempt of them to put you too at ease to better entangle you in some devious action. *(supposing Yokuro stood to reciprocate the bow)
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 23, 2014 17:01:04 GMT
"Inari has been good to me, Bayushi-san," Rokuro said, "as is Scorpion hospitality. Nishiyama Mura tea, if I'm not mistaken. I'm honoured."
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 23, 2014 18:06:50 GMT
Komiya let go a soft chuckle.
I admit I'm not a connoisseur like yourself, Rokuro-san. I'm just used to the tea of mountainous origins, and everything else is savourless or badly blended to me. I'm honored you share my opinion. Shosuro Saiki poured more tea to everyone, and Komiya introduced his clan companions briefly. They're obviously not the focus nor were presented along their positions, though somehow the man was acting like yojimbo while the woman could be Komyia's assistant. Or anything else entirely, considering they're Scorpion.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 23, 2014 19:50:09 GMT
Rokuro couldn't believe it, but made sure it didn't show on his face. The guy didn't know what he had. It was one of the most difficult to get teas in the empire, as the Crab only exported small amounts of it. Even the Mantis, with their wealth and being cousins of the Crab, could only get that much. He raised his cup in salute and took a sip, before getting down to business. "As you know, there are rumours in the palace that the empress is thinking about where she wants to hold winter court this year," Rokuro started, "now is it such that the Mantis from all the great clans has never hosted a winter court and we wish to rectify this situation. I don't know if you have ever been to Kyuden Gotei, but it is a very nice city and we also have some of the best fresh fish in the empire."
He knew the Scorpion were renowned for their cooking, having several very special dishes, so it might help to actually mention this specifically. Of course, while he would help the clan get the winter court, he hoped he didn't have to attend, as it would mean a boat trip.
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 23, 2014 21:18:51 GMT
Not aware Rokuro misinterpreted his words as ignorance, Bayushi Komiya produced a slightly shocked face behind his mask, when the Mantis diplomat brought up the subject of his visit so suddenly, and the nature of his business in the Scorpion embassy indeed deserved a shocked face, artfully half hidden by his fan.
Ah, I wonder the sort of people is talking about this so early in the year. The year is barely reaching its half, and people are already longing for idle times! He sighed somewhat dramatically. Probably still concerned with the unfortunate events in the last Winter Court, I guess.
I hope you didn't hear that from a compatriot of mine. Komiya raised his eyes to his guest questioningly.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 24, 2014 6:37:36 GMT
"I don't know where the rumours started," Rokuro said, "but I've heard from an Otomo. He thought the interest was because of the questions surrounding the imperial consort and all the issues with the Empress' brothers and their marriages. By starting with the preparations of winter court now, they probably hope to lead interest away from those issues, although this last is my guess."
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 24, 2014 11:59:52 GMT
Ahh, the Otomo. Makes sense. Recently I attended a dinner offered by the lovely Lady Hotekuhime along my Champion. She indeed mentioned the topic at that time… Though if I'm not mistaken, she seemed quite inclined to defend a Winter Court in Shiro Kitsuki… he chuckled at the unusual idea. Note it's not a rumor, I've heard it myself. Any clever courtier could induct her motivations... if it was true, of course.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 24, 2014 12:27:32 GMT
"Is Shiro Kitsuki of sufficient size to accept a full winter court," Rokuro asked, "I always thought one had to have a Kyuden for that. One thing we can know for sure there is that it will be a 'winter' court. I've been the the Dragon lands only once and I've never had it so cold. Probably growing up on the Islands of Spice and Silk has thinned my blood."
Mentally he scrapped the dragon from his list. If that rumour was true, they would logically defend that choice. He would ask some of the other diplomats with more experience with the Dragon clan to check into them. He knew they weren't a rich clan and a winter court cost a lot of money. Maybe a few trade issues could 'persuade' them to withdraw their claim. He also made a note to have the ambassador invite Lady Hotekuhime for tea or dinner so they could discuss things. Maybe she could be persuaded. He hoped she didn't have problems being on a boat as he did, or it would be difficult.
"Well, I think the air at sea is just as invigorating as the air in the mountains," he added. He didn't add that he liked the sea air, as long as it didn't have to be on a boat.
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 24, 2014 12:39:47 GMT
Yes, I of course agree with your logic here, Rokuro-san. I think a Shiro is less than adequate to hold a Winter Court, although Lady Hotekuhime defends some singular points of view about that. I, differently from the insightful Lady Otomo, don't claim to know what goes on the heart of our Empress… Another sip of tea between the sentences. I also think it's not a favorable place to hold a Winter Court, we could easily be stuck there in the case of a snowstorm or the such. However… Komiya let the next sentence slip smoothly, an Island has similar mobility issues, Rokuro-san…
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 25, 2014 7:05:02 GMT
"That is indeed true, Bayushi-san," Rokuro said, "but this is something which can happen in most locations we hold a winter court. Pale Oak castle, Kyuden Doji or Kyuden Bayushi, just to name three of the more often used locations, can have snow. And storms at sea are mostly short term affairs, taking a couple of days and then they stop. As soon as there is snow, one can be stuck for the rest of the winter."
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 25, 2014 11:35:41 GMT
That was so blunt.
Ahh, Rokuro-san, we can't really compare the mild climate in Scorpion lands with the northern locations… maybe you infer we can't bring any "novelty air" would the next Winter court be held in our lands? However, if not a novelty air or the exoticism of a palace in the waters, we can offer the predictability of weather, routes by land to anywhere in the Empire, and we have means to assure the Enemies of our Empire will not spoil the event.
… As you may know, after the shameful end of the last winter court in Lion lands, it's a priority. About leisure time for the Imperail Court, we probably can't beat anyone, let alone the Mantis _ how Komiya hated the fact Rokugani etiquette praised humility _ but we could do our best to try, neh?
However, the Scorpion is not contrary to the idea of a Winter Court in the Mantis. I'm only afraid some powerful subjects of the Empire may disagree. Komiya sighed, pouring himself more tea for everyone. Afterall, Mantis and Crane still have recent divergences and it indeed caused the death of an Ide diplomat… Rumors of increasing criminality don't do any good to Mantis candidacy… Yesterday I was in the market and someone commented about gaijin ships in Mantis ports… Empty rumors or not, Mantis has a long way to erase this recent slanders about security.
He calmly drank his tea, while letting his words sink for a moment. But Scorpion wouldn't let a friend like the Mantis clan alone in this task, of course.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 25, 2014 12:38:09 GMT
"I have heard the same rumours as well," Rokuro said, "and I can assure you that there will be no ships in our ports which do not belong there. Your concerns about enemies of the empire however are indeed valid and in that there is no safer place than the Mantis isles. A lower population on each island means that everybody knows everybody else and by putting one Storm, a full third of our fleet, around the island, we can make sure nobody enters who shouldn't. While on land a determined person can sneak through the best of patrols..."
As your clansmen probably well know, he didn't add.
"... especially during a winter court where there is a lot more traffic to and from the court in which one can hide, on the sea it's impossible if you don't have a ship. This means that you need to have a full crew knowing that something strange is going on. And, as I'm sure you know, the more people know, the less secret something is."
He took another sip of his tea. "Of course, we understand that it would be very difficult for those clans without any ships to get to the islands, we would offer free transportation for all delegates. What hosts would we be if we didn't do everything possible to make sure the delegations can reach their destination. Unfortunately, none of our mainland holdings, while often situated in very nice places, is adequate to hold a winter court."
|
|
Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
|
Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 25, 2014 13:22:43 GMT
If you say so I wouldn't dare to disagree… Komiya intertwined his fingers and rested comfortably in the pillows. If you are so sure Kyuden Gotei is the most perfect place for a Winter Court and the delegations will enjoy travelling by ships as you do, I don't think you have problems to convince the Imperial court to attend your invitation.
We Scorpions, aren't really much of sea, as you know. Not sure what to say about the idea as it is presented right now.
|
|
|
Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 25, 2014 16:31:47 GMT
"There are people who don't like to travel by the sea," Rokuro said.
Like me, he didn't add.
"but if they get there a couple of days early, they have time to settle down," he continued, "and while Scorpion are not of the sea, they can swim, right?"
|
|