Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Two flowers wended their way through the camp chatting amicably.

"Seriously, vengence against a piece of wood's ancestors." Hana said as she flicked a brief glance at a slightly damp piece of parchment.

She nodded.

"Alright, that's his lair. You know what to do." she instructed.

Kakita Hana nodded, moving off to within earshot, but out of direct sight of a certain Yogo's tent.

She steeled her On before announcing herself at the entrance.

"Yogo-san, I am here." she said simply enough.

He was praying to Bishamon, when he heard her. He had set this in motion, without actually expecting her to be reckless enough to really come. He checked his facepaint once and out on his mask, before exiting the tent to receive his guest.

He gave a proper bow for her status and took advantage of the situation to identify the Kakita. He offered another bow to her. Apparently the Imperial knew a thing or two about swimming.

"Samas you honour me with your choice. I hope you enjoyed the subterfuge involved. Will you please join me for tea? I was about to serve myself a new blend I am trying to balance."

[OOC: Unless interrupted he will continue to name all ingredients he uses. Its basically herbal tea with some kava in for extra sedative effects. In case it ain't apparent he geeks out, because he is nervous.]

"It was attention getting, I will give you that Yogo-san." Hana offered while returning the bow. While she had intended for the Kakita to stay outside, who was she to object to having her blade closer to hand? The two had no secrets from one another after all.

And so the pair made their way in. The arranged themselves as was befitting, mostly so the Kakita's viewpoint could keep an eye on the Yogo and the door, and a hand on the blade. The Otomo politely nodding along as the Yogo made idle tea talk. She was more interested in the contents of his letter than his teapot, but you could not rush these sorts of things. The Yogo would get to the heart of the matter when he was ready.

It was progressing splendidly. The Imperial was as expected sublime and the Kakita seemed to know her craft.

"In case that Kakita-sama wishes, she can examine the makeshift door in the other side of the tent, Metsuki-san has learnt how to ape our social norms well enough to not use bites and actually be fun. Furthermore I need to inform her that in case of an ambush I am comfortable with my ability to provide her time to get you to safety." He informed both, but mostly the yojimbo.

[OOC: He hoped to get Kakita out of the way by sending her to the back, where Metsuki would destruct her.]

"As for your attention, it would be a crime to fail to appreciate that you bear all the markings of an ideal expression of your sex, and thus I am content that you humoured my theatrics. It was intentional." Why bother hiding that he was content?

The tea was ready and served the Imperial first, then the Kakita and himself last. He took a sip and felt the rather bitter blend.

"In case it is too bitter for your taste I could add honey." He suggested.

As far as the Hanas go, the Otomo seemed vaguely amused, the kakita focused. Despite the bird's stunning appearance, the Kakita seemed little interested in it, other than to remember it was a potential threat.

"Bitter is better in the morning, Yogo-san. Sweets are for the evening." she replied taking the bitter tea without honey.

She looked at the man curiously.

"Should I repay the compliment? The name of Yogo is oftentimes spoken of with a sort of misunderstood dread. The name of Yogo Adoka has certainly been disccused likewise among the camp. Perhaps that makes Yogo-san an ideal expression of what it means to be a Yogo?"

What the Yogo would do with such a gambit, Hana couldn't say, but she hoped it was interesting.

A smirk appeared on his face. She was amusing. On the other hand the Kakita wasn't like to take the hint. He was pondering his approach when Hana spoke.
.
"This is one of the few times in my like that I am thankful that Yogo-no-shiryo betrayed his former Clan and wife. Imagine having the by all accounts disturbing opportunity to witness me blushing like a fresh from gempuku." He commented on her words.

"As for me being a perfect representative of my family I doubt it. I am not particularly good with wards and my accident has affected me both physically, mentally and spiritually. On the other hand, given that I employ the grandad trope as a means of setting my boundaries. I know that I am doing a good job on this regard and I deeply appreciate your compliment in the spirit it was offered."

He had read various smut pillow books on the relationship of courtiers with their yojimbo. Seeing that the Kakita wasn't about to magically comply to something he couldn't possibly communicate with offending her. He decided to swim.

He had prepared a draft of his report ready. He also had a gift for her. So it was pretty obvious. He reached for a box and opened it to display its content to the Kakita. It was a choker with a long leash made supposedly of the three tales of a bakeneko. He had no illusion that they were regular feline tails. He added his report and closed the box.

"In recognition of the many boons that you have and will continue offering to me, I hope you will have the pleasure of accepting it as I can think of no better person to accept the responsibility." He started their favourite game.

"A kind gesture, Yogo-san, truly. However, before we discuss it's finer qualities, I will hope if you don't mind Hana-san taking her leave." she offered referring to her friend. "She was only walking me to your tent, and you somewhat waylaid her with your kind invitation to tea. But she does have other places she needs to be."

Assuming that the Yogo did not, in fact, want the Kakita to stay, she'd take her bow, offer thanks for the tea and depart.

She drummed her fingers on the box.

"Yogo-san, you humor me a lot, truly you do. But in your letter you said you wanted my advice. I assume that you invited me because you did not wish to put your question to paper, and you have not asked yet because you did not wish Kakita-san to overhear. In the Legion you never know when your duties will demand you elsewhere, so perhaps it would be wise to come to the point of your request first, and play our games later. If that would suit your purposes, that is." she offered.

It seemed I bored her.

"I assumed that it would offend you if I even suggested it." He said apologetically.

"I wouldn't mind her staying, but indeed it would be most efficient to speak on the real subject at hand. Inside the box, there is my draft report on the events of last night. My grievances are against the Hida guard, who recognised me by the bird but kept on that bad joke, and against my chui for failing to protect me from the whole thing despite being informed on my specialities." He explained.

"I need your advice on how to handle it and in case that your yojimbo feels like it, maybe your permission to have her champion me."

Hana slipped the report out of the box and gave it a quick skim.

She frowned considering it.

"Well, first thing is first. I suppose you have grounds for a duel to first blood with the Hida. You did demand an apology and were rebuffed. Kakita-san might even be swayed to champion you. However, Yogo-san is surely aware that duels are not magic. He may refuse, or give an insincere apology. Even Kakita-san defeating him is unlikely to sway the camp's opinion very much on the matter. I fear it would be a very small win only of signficance to yourself, Yogo-san. Is that truly what you want?" she says discussing the Hida first.

"Well I wish to send a message to anyone, who shares that Hida's distasteful sense of humour, that I won't be bullied again for anyone's amusement." He explained.

"Furthermore I feel it would benefit the over discipline of the Legion if some details are reminded. I am a priest, the only thing I asked was that Usagi's name. I know that I will sound silly to someone like you, that was probably always respected, but at my age I lack the patience to experience that again." He expanded before finally concluding.

"In sort I hear you, were I any other Yogo, I would probably agree with you. But this Yogo is sick and tired of people and their nonsense. I joined the Legion to travel South, in the hopes that I might find an exorcist to fix me. Being forced to share my various challenges with people I barely know, ain't exactly easy and as you probably know, not everyone is as civil as you."

"Well I wish to send a message to anyone, who shares that Hida's distasteful sense of humour, that I won't be bullied again for anyone's amusement." He explained.

"Furthermore I feel it would benefit the overall discipline of the Legion, were some details to be reminded. I am a priest, the only thing I asked for was that Usagi's name. I know that I will sound silly to someone like you, who was probably always respected, but at my age I lack the patience to experience that again." He expanded before finally concluding.

"In sort I hear you, were I any other Yogo, I would probably agree with you. But this Yogo is sick and tired of people and their nonsense. I joined the Legion to travel South, in the hopes that I might find an exorcist to fix me. Being forced to share my various challenges with people I barely know, ain't exactly easy and as you probably know, not everyone is as civil as you."

The Otomo nodded along considering the Yogo's words.

"You make an excellent case, Yogo-san. I think that Kakita-san can be swayed to champion you for such reasons, and that given a little time, we can make sure that people see it your way, as a matter of justice, rather than an attempt to bully-duel over a senseless grudge." she offered sincerely.

She moved on to the next figure.

"Toritaka-sama, given his position and his current situation will take more time...but if we can turn the camp against Hida-san's actions, that would be the start to working on humbling Toritaka-sama. Assuming that aligns with Yogo-san's wishs and disposition." she offered.

"That's about what I was hoping for." He agreed and allowed himself a breath of relief.

"Is there any detail that you feel I missed?" He sipped from his cup and favoured the taste.

Yogo Adoka wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 25, 2024 8:36 pm

"That's about what I was hoping for." He agreed and allowed himself a breath of relief.

"Is there any detail that you feel I missed?" He sipped from his cup and favoured the taste.

Hana tilted her head considering.

"Hmmm, let me go over how I understand your account Yogo-san." she said, wanting to make sure the case was airtight.

"Your service to your clan has left you unwell. As a reward for your heroic actions for the clan, they granted you your position so you might seek additional treatment from the Kuni. When you were particularly unwell the other night, Usagi-san came across you. Rather than attempt to render aid to you, he called for the guards. The guards, notably Hida Kei, mocked you and your condition. They summoned your superior, Toritaka-sama who rather than try to help you at your weakest, sided with Usagi-san immediately without the benefit of your input." she summarized.

"Do I have all of that correct, Yogo-san?"

"In general you got a good grasp of the situation." He confirmed.

"Some clarifications though: I petitioned for this assignment, I do not presume to know if that was some kind of reward for my prior services. Furthermore that wasn't my worse. Compared to where I was last year, that was a joke. Still, I don't feel that I should tolerate any of that."

Hana nods.

"Forgive me, Yogo-san, I might have oversold a bit on those two points. The point is not that you're a hero and deserve to be treated as such. You simply wish for the same dignity and respect you are due your position, the same as anyone here." she clarified, stopping a bit short of praising his Honesty.

Hana was glad to not see the Yogo at his worst, if the current incident was nothing compared to it.

"No need to apologise. If anything I should be the one apologising for imposing on your time." He emptied his cup and refilled, first hers and then his own.

"But to be honest, I am more than grateful. I reached to you, just based on my hunch from our previous encounter, hopping that your expertise would prove helpful. I am starting to recognise that you brought along, way more that just that."

Yogo Adoka wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 26, 2024 7:21 am

"No need to apologise. If anything I should be the one apologising for imposing on your time." He emptied his cup and refilled, first hers and then his own.

"But to be honest, I am more than grateful. I reached to you, just based on my hunch from our previous encounter, hopping that your expertise would prove helpful. I am starting to recognise that you brought along, way more that just that."

She bowed her head a bit at the compliment.

"The Heavens have seen fit to bless us all in our different ways. I was not gifted Yogo-san's ability with the spirits, nor Kakita-san's skill with the sword, but I like to think I have taken what the Heavens and my sensei have seen fit to give me and use it to it's fullest extent." she demurred, accepting the refill of the tea.

"With that out of the way, we are still doing the gift giving circle, or you will forgive my lack of etiquette and go ahead to accept it?" He laughed to make it obvious that he was joking, not that he didn't hoped that she will accept.

Yogo Adoka wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 26, 2024 9:16 am

"With that out of the way, we are still doing the gift giving circle, or you will forgive my lack of etiquette and go ahead to accept it?" He laughed to make it obvious that he was joking, not that he didn't hoped that she will accept.

"Hm." Hana said, tapping on the box.

"Let us put it this way, Yogo-san. It would be just as much an insult to accept it now as it would be were I to accept a gift from any other member of the Legion on it's first offering. It would not do to say I am championing your cause to be treated equally one moment and then to turn around the next and treat you as if you were undeserving the same treatment as any other samurai. In that spirit, I must decline your offering." she said sincerely.