Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Upon reflection, it was probalby someone in the aide-de-camp's tent, if not the aide-de-camp himself, that had ratted Hana out for not working hard. enough. She had full intended to yesterday...but Doji Hametsu had been so interesting to talk to, she sort of let the time get away from her. She didn't think of him romantically, but it was really pleasant to talk to someone who knew their way around a court rather than just shouted orders.

Honestly, the aide-de-camp really needed a bigger staff, one who could clearly communicate what needed to be done.

Still, Hana completed her aid here, with a minimal of fuss, as was proper for an Otomo.

Someone around here has to know, there must be a Doji or Kakita guarding a command tent who knows.

For two days now Hayabe had been desperate to learn their marching direction; it was becoming an unhealthy obsession. He had no real reason to be in the command area other than to snoop, some might even say spy, on the general's plans. He did not sneak or slither, simply walked casually around looking for someone who might be helpful.

What in Jigoku is a young Otomo maiden doing here!?!?

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 7:31 am

Someone around here has to know, there must be a Doji or Kakita guarding a command tent who knows.

For two days now Hayabe had been desperate to learn their marching direction; it was becoming an unhealthy obsession. He had no real reason to be in the command area other than to snoop, some might even say spy, on the general's plans. He did not sneak or slither, simply walked casually around looking for someone who might be helpful.

What in Jigoku is a young Otomo maiden doing here!?!?

Mostly idling a bit before her commander (or his Lion subordinate at least) found some new busywork for her to do in the name of Akodo and his holy Leadership. Hana had not expected to be present for the Second Gaijin Invasion. Their advanced scout had done a passable job disguising themselves as a Crane, but that cut was so two seasons ago.

"Daidoji-san, one can imagine our general saying you move like an arrow fired by a blind archer. Is there someone you are looking for?" she inquired.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 3:51 pm

Mostly idling a bit before her commander (or his Lion subordinate at least) found some new busywork for her to do in the name of Akodo and his holy Leadership. Hana had not expected to be present for the Second Gaijin Invasion. Their advanced scout had done a passable job disguising themselves as a Crane, but that cut was so two seasons ago.

"Daidoji-san, one can imagine our general saying you move like an arrow fired by a blind archer. Is there someone you are looking for?" she inquired.

Shit

"The arrows knows the way, I do not." He approaches the Imperial and offers a formal bow.

When was the last time I even was in the presence of an Imperial?

"I am trying to gleen some advanced word on when and where we will march. I am Daidoji Hayabe Otomo-sama, can I be of aid to you?"

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:30 pm

Shit

"The arrows knows the way, I do not." He approaches the Imperial and offers a formal bow.

When was the last time I even was in the presence of an Imperial?

"I am trying to gleen some advanced word on when and where we will march. I am Daidoji Hayabe Otomo-sama, can I be of aid to you?"

It even spoke passable, rough Rokugani, clearly an excellent advanced scout for the gaijin.

"Otomo Hana of the Sixth Kaisha." she offered with a polite bow.

She added a slight smile.

"My, Daidoji-san is forward. Offering his aid so whole-heartedly to one he has just met. I would, of course, be happy to receive such, but I am somewhat unfamiliar with what matters Daidoji-san might be best suited to aid with. Perhaps we might discuss such first?" she suggested as only a courtier could.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:55 pm

It even spoke passable, rough Rokugani, clearly an excellent advanced scout for the gaijin.

"Otomo Hana of the Sixth Kaisha." she offered with a polite bow.

She added a slight smile.

"My, Daidoji-san is forward. Offering his aid so whole-heartedly to one he has just met. I would, of course, be happy to receive such, but I am somewhat unfamiliar with what matters Daidoji-san might be best suited to aid with. Perhaps we might discuss such first?" she suggested as only a courtier could.

"Daidoji-san knows his place." He said without a hint of emotion. "I serve my clan and the Emperor as a border scout and sentry, tracking, assessing and if needed eliminating threats. I have been assigned to the 5th Kaisha under Shosuro Fuwanan-chui."

He takes a moment to properly look the Otomo up and down before continuing. "I am not a mindless brute however, I am a Crane and as such I can admire the beauty of your hair and notice the placement of the pin but I am practical enough to know that where we are going such things are likely to be destroyed."

"I am simply impatient at rest, once we start marching I imagine my duties will be all consuming."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 10:27 pm

"Daidoji-san knows his place." He said without a hint of emotion. "I serve my clan and the Emperor as a border scout and sentry, tracking, assessing and if needed eliminating threats. I have been assigned to the 5th Kaisha under Shosuro Fuwanan-chui."

He takes a moment to properly look the Otomo up and down before continuing. "I am not a mindless brute however, I am a Crane and as such I can admire the beauty of your hair and notice the placement of the pin but I am practical enough to know that where we are going such things are likely to be destroyed."

"I am simply impatient at rest, once we start marching I imagine my duties will be all consuming."

The Otomo unfurled a rather beautiful silk fan depicting Lady Sun, perhaps at surise, perhaps at sunset. Regardless, also not particularly practical on any march, let alone this one. Just how many breakables were in the Otomo's pack?

"Daidoji-san certainly presents as a dutiful son of the Crane." she allowed. "However, as Daidoji-san is a Crane, and not a Crab, surely he understands that if one sacrifices all that is beautiful in the name of the practical, one has won the battle, yet lost the war."


She offers a small smile.

"I don't personally have any threats that need tracking, assessing or eliminating, and I would not dream of trying to subvert Daidoji-san from his all-consuming duties." she says.

"However, if Daidoji-san is a verteran of the field, this one would listen to what he has to give in the way of advice for such a campaign....as long as the advice is consistent with what Lady Doji would do in the field. If you start to wax poetic about covering yourself in mud or eating rabbits, your words may be lost in the wind."

There wasn't any wind outdoors, let alone in the tent, but still the point was made.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 10:45 pm

Snip

"I have been accused of many things but I don't "wax poetic". I have no opinion on what we should do; generals decide, soldiers do. It is my hope after much personal debate that we take the coastal path through Crane lands rather than The Pass. The winds will make nights in particular colder but I believe that with my cousins and I leading the way though familiar and well scouted terrain and the legendary hospitality of the Crane we will arrive faster and healthier than if we passed through the unaligned and lightly patrolled lands between the Crab and Scorpion borders."

There, at least I said it out loud to someone above me

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:06 pm

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 10:45 pm

Snip

"I have been accused of many things but I don't "wax poetic". I have no opinion on what we should do; generals decide, soldiers do. It is my hope after much personal debate that we take the coastal path through Crane lands rather than The Pass. The winds will make nights in particular colder but I believe that with my cousins and I leading the way though familiar and well scouted terrain and the legendary hospitality of the Crane we will arrive faster and healthier than if we passed through the unaligned and lightly patrolled lands between the Crab and Scorpion borders."

There, at least I said it out loud to someone above me

The force of the Crane's words certainly drew out a lifting of the fan.

"An erudite summation, Daidoji-san, but I fear that my humble request was misunderstood. Although I appreicate you mistaking me for a member of the command staff, I too am simply marching where ordered to." she offered.

Hana closed her fan.

"I had merely hoped to receive advice for extended campaigns from a seasoned soldier. However, my clumsy words have clearly upset you, and so I withdraw my request and apologize for the offense."

She bowed apologetically to the riled Crane.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:27 pm

The force of the Crane's words certainly drew out a lifting of the fan.

"An erudite summation, Daidoji-san, but I fear that my humble request was misunderstood. Although I appreciate you mistaking me for a member of the command staff, I too am simply marching where ordered to." she offered.

Hana closed her fan.

"I had merely hoped to receive advice for extended campaigns from a seasoned soldier. However, my clumsy words have clearly upset you, and so I withdraw my request and apologize for the offense."

She bowed apologetically to the riled Crane.

Hayabe returned the bow, lower. "The failure is mine Otomo-sama, please forgive my dull mind." He paused to consider her question. "Socks and sandals; even if you ride the entire way to The Wall make sure you have a some thick and long socks and some thick and sturdy sandals. Much of the south is rocky ground dotted with thorny shrubs.

If you have to choose between more food or more water always take more water.

And if you find yourself needing to relieve yourself but lack the proper supplies use a smooth stone, never a leaf unless you absolutely know what kind of plant it is from and that it is safe. These are all things I have learned the hard way."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:45 pm

Hayabe returned the bow, lower. "The failure is mine Otomo-sama, please forgive my dull mind." He paused to consider her question. "Socks and sandals; even if you ride the entire way to The Wall make sure you have a some thick and long socks and some thick and sturdy sandals. Much of the south is rocky ground dotted with thorny shrubs.

If you have to choose between more food or more water always take more water.

And if you find yourself needing to relieve yourself but lack the proper supplies use a smooth stone, never a leaf unless you absolutely know what kind of plant it is from and that it is safe. These are all things I have learned the hard way."

Hana nodded.

"That all sounds very sensible indeed, Daidoji-san, I thank you for sparing me the pain of learning from personal experience." she offered politely. "But it is unfortunate that you yourself had to learn in such a fashion. Might I ask what was the cause necessitating that you suffer so?"

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:54 pm

Hana nodded.

"That all sounds very sensible indeed, Daidoji-san, I thank you for sparing me the pain of learning from personal experience." she offered politely. "But it is unfortunate that you yourself had to learn in such a fashion. Might I ask what was the cause necessitating that you suffer so?"

"Without the aid of Sparrow I imagine those stories would dull and uncomfortably graphic at times." He says unabashedly. " Certainly not for public discussion. "I can tell you it is dangerous out there in the wild, we may be masters of the land the kami gave us but not everything out there agrees and not every person serves the same master. Especially once we leave Crane lands I would caution you against wandering alone at night. If I may pry, where is your yojimbo Otomo-sama?"

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 12:32 am

"Without the aid of Sparrow I imagine those stories would dull and uncomfortably graphic at times." He says unabashedly. " Certainly not for public discussion. "I can tell you it is dangerous out there in the wild, we may be masters of the land the kami gave us but not everything out there agrees and not every person serves the same master. Especially once we leave Crane lands I would caution you against wandering alone at night. If I may pry, where is your yojimbo Otomo-sama?"

"Oh, off doing something to benefit the army, I'm sure." Hana offered with a dismissive wave of a fan. "Surrounded by Emerald Legionnaires a stone's throw away from the capital, I don't need her in my immediate vicinity, surely Daidoji-san."

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 6:41 am

"Oh, off doing something to benefit the army, I'm sure." Hana offered with a dismissive wave of a fan. "Surrounded by Emerald Legionnaires a stone's throw away from the capital, I don't need her in my immediate vicinity, surely Daidoji-san."

"Of course Otomo-sama and I am sure she is bringing honor to you wherever she is. Living in the brush for so long, I do not fully understand the finer details of a yojimbo's duties, or your own in a place like this for that matter but if I needed to know such things someone would tell me. I didn't even know there was a sixth Kaisha; I thought the muster count looked odd."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 7:39 am

"Of course Otomo-sama and I am sure she is bringing honor to you wherever she is. Living in the brush for so long, I do not fully understand the finer details of a yojimbo's duties, or your own in a place like this for that matter but if I needed to know such things someone would tell me. I didn't even know there was a sixth Kaisha; I thought the muster count looked odd."

The Otomo paused for a moment taking in the Crane's words.

"Ah, well then, Daidoji-san, should your duties permit, it might be worth your time to meet with more of the Sixth. It's commander is a difficult man to get to know, but Isawa Hana and Kakita Hana are my two dearest friends and I really think it'd be worth your time to get to know them." she offered.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:01 am

The Otomo paused for a moment taking in the Crane's words.

"Ah, well then, Daidoji-san, should your duties permit, it might be worth your time to meet with more of the Sixth. It's commander is a difficult man to get to know, but Isawa Hana and Kakita Hana are my two dearest friends and I really think it'd be worth your time to get to know them." she offered.

They all took the name Hana? Kami, I need to find a Doji so they can explain who I am talking to? Please don't let me have just told the Empress's favorite niece to wipe her ass with a rock.

"I would be honored to meet any associates of yours Otomo-sama, it must be a blessing to remain connected to one's friends."

And now to ask the most obvious question ever that I'm sure she isn't sick of.

"Did the three of you come by your shared name by chance or did you plan it from childhood together?"

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:17 am

They all took the name Hana? Kami, I need to find a Doji so they can explain who I am talking to? Please don't let me have just told the Empress's favorite niece to wipe her ass with a rock.

"I would be honored to meet any associates of yours Otomo-sama, it must be a blessing to remain connected to one's friends."

And now to ask the most obvious question ever that I'm sure she isn't sick of.

"Did the three of you come by your shared name by chance or did you plan it from childhood together?"

Hana didn't seem fazed by that question in the slightest.

"Oh, from childhood, most certainly Daidoji-san. We've been friends for as long as I can remember....not surprising really, the Crane and Phoenix are steadfast allies, and the Crane and the Imperial families have always been close as well. We were all posted at Pale Oak Castle before making our way here. Quite a charming place should you ever find your way up there." she explained.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:21 am

Hana didn't seem fazed by that question in the slightest.

"Oh, from childhood, most certainly Daidoji-san. We've been friends for as long as I can remember....not surprising really, the Crane and Phoenix are steadfast allies, and the Crane and the Imperial families have always been close as well. We were all posted at Pale Oak Castle before making our way here. Quite a charming place should you ever find your way up there." she explained.

Hayabe, despite himself, actually looked a bit impressed.

"Pale Oak Castle? Even in the south it serves as setting of many a grandparents tales involving beautiful snow maidens and mysterious but wise creatures. They say it's beauty brought a tear to Lady Doji's eye the froze into a perfect glass bead and rolled into a nearby stream where it was lost forever among the stones."

Daidoji Hayabe wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:28 am

Hayabe, despite himself, actually looked a bit impressed.

"Pale Oak Castle? Even in the south it serves as setting of many a grandparents tales involving beautiful snow maidens and mysterious but wise creatures. They say it's beauty brought a tear to Lady Doji's eye the froze into a perfect glass bead and rolled into a nearby stream where it was lost forever among the stones."

The Otomo considered the Crane's response while looking at some of the messengers dashing back and forth.

"A true, if interesting observation Daidoji-san." she admitted.

A Sparrrow wedded into the Crane? That certainly would explain alot.

"Did you have a particular story that you found to be your favorite?"