Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Given the efforts of the Hida this morning to spread fair warning about the dangers of the creatures of the South, it was perhaps no surprise that mid-day found a steadily growing group of samurai, mostly northerners, gathering in front of the Command Area. The concerned looks and hushed murmuring spoke to the unease that was steadily developing among the inexperienced "elite samurai" of the legion, and for a while it seemed as though Command would need to go out there and break this up before something drastic started to brew.

But then, as luck would have it, Doji Hametsu appeared, striding with purpose toward the general's tent to see if any further orders were forthcoming for the 4th kaisha. He was recognized, and while stories of his...intensity...had several of the concerned bushi looking for the exit, more than a few had heard the day's rumors and thought that, perhaps, this Crane might know something of the truth that lay in store for them.

"Doji-san! The Crab are saying that there are several classes of goblin, and that some of them are very sneaky! Is this true?"
"Doji-san! Has your fiance told you anything of oni? Are we not in grave trouble?"
"Doji-san! Is the general trying to get us all killed?!"

To say that Hametsu was taken aback by the flood of questions would be an understatement, but he responded in the best traditions of the Crane. He drew himself up to his full height, smiled serenely, tucked one hand in his obi, and spoke in a firm but warm tone.

"You have all heard a great deal this morning, it seems. As it happens, I do know something about it. I know this, that we are samurai of the Imperial Legion. I know that we have a general who understands the worth of his men. I know that we have an intelligence officer with broad experience of the very things that these Crab are discussing. I know that the lot of you have been trained in the art of war, and that, in heart as well as in arms, you are true men of the Empire. And I know that, if the lot of you follow the regulations as you have been trained to do, most of us will make it home."

He paused, looking around. "Speaking of which, I see that several of you have neglected the grooming standard. Those wishing to be mentioned in dispatches had best look the part, yes? And what ought you have been doing while you were here telling stories? Are your gunso going to discover that there are unprepared meals and unpolished boots because you've been standing around here gossiping like my maiden aunts?"

"No, Doji-san!...er...Right away, Doji-san!" The mass dissipated with some speed, leaving Doji Hametsu standing in the street. Slowly, he drew his hand from his obi, and, unclenching the fingers from the tight fist he had made around it, looked down pensively at the miniature of the tenshu of Shiro Kaiu carved in jade.


D2 Metagame roll: Command/Water to Inspire Loyalty in the troops of the Legion. | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


+1 Discipline. 2 Opportunity spent for an extra tidbit of information.

Doji Hametsu wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:06 am

<snip>

Along with several other shugenja, Mari aids in the blessings and divinations offered to the command staff as a matter of course and tradition. While nothing changed the imbalance underlying everything, and the future almost certainly held conflict, the immediate omens were looking favorable, it seemed. The opportune appearance of the Charismatic Doji to clear the gathering personnel storm only seemed to confirm that as Mari carefully finished tucking away the tools of her trade.

https://sakkaku.org/r/13977

As the crowd thinned to the normal level of busy coming and going, she approaches the young Doji. "Well said, Doji-sama." She offers a bow. "Isawa Mari, 5th Kaisha, medic," is offered as a bare bones introduction.

"Are you actually betrothed to a Crab, or is that the same level of rumor as that 'general's trying to get us killed' one?"

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:58 am

As the crowd thinned to the normal level of busy coming and going, she approaches the young Doji. "Well said, Doji-sama." She offers a bow. "Isawa Mari, 5th Kaisha, medic," is offered as a bare bones introduction.

"Are you actually betrothed to a Crab, or is that the same level of rumor as that 'general's trying to get us killed' one?"

Hametsu returned Mari's bow. "Doji Hametsu, adjutant to Daidoji Kumiko, 4th Kaisha," he offered by way of reply. "There is no betrothal yet...but negotiations continue and his family has signaled their interest." Rather aggressively.

His tone strove to remain breezy and matter-of-fact, but of course a bit of tension found its way into his shoulders and he glanced back down at the jade tower in his hand.

"I had certainly not expected it to become the talk of the camp."

Doji Hametsu wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:04 pm

Hametsu returned Mari's bow. "Doji Hametsu, adjutant to Daidoji Kumiko, 4th Kaisha," he offered by way of reply. "There is no betrothal yet...but negotiations continue and his family has signaled their interest." Rather aggressively.

His tone strove to remain breezy and matter-of-fact, but of course a bit of tension found its way into his shoulders and he glanced back down at the jade tower in his hand.

"I had certainly not expected it to become the talk of the camp."

"Ah..my apologies if it's a sensitive topic. I know too well how delicate that negotiation phase can be," Mari says with a shallower, apologetic bow in a flutter of ribbons. "I've someone to ask after as we move south and I'm afraid it's made me a bit forward in seeking out connections."

Her eyes dip to the sturdy jade. "That's lovely carving." She reaches for the linen cord around her neck--one that looks fairly new, creamy instead of the gray it will no doubt bee after days of marching--with a pendant carved into a very simple hollow bamboo stalk, curved to something the felt natural as the bottom arc of the cord. "mine shows a good deal less attention to details."

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:50 pm

"Ah..my apologies if it's a sensitive topic. I know too well how delicate that negotiation phase can be," Mari says with a shallower, apologetic bow in a flutter of ribbons. "I've someone to ask after as we move south and I'm afraid it's made me a bit forward in seeking out connections."

Her eyes dip to the sturdy jade. "That's lovely carving." She reaches for the linen cord around her neck--one that looks fairly new, creamy instead of the gray it will no doubt bee after days of marching--with a pendant carved into a very simple hollow bamboo stalk, curved to something the felt natural as the bottom arc of the cord. "mine shows a good deal less attention to details."

"Simplicity is no impediment to beauty, I find," Hametsu replied, slipping the figurine back into his obi. "Kaiu Katsushiro is a fair artist, but I confess that I am a little uncomfortable with how...effusively he wishes to place me under his protection." He frowned. "Still, it would be a pity to refuse. I have a feeling that his gifts will come in useful."

He shook his head.

"But I am being rude going on about this. You said that you have someone to ask after? What connection were you hoping to make, Isawa-san?"

Doji Hametsu wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 5:10 pm

"Simplicity is no impediment to beauty, I find," Hametsu replied, slipping the figurine back into his obi. "Kaiu Katsushiro is a fair artist, but I confess that I am a little uncomfortable with how...effusively he wishes to place me under his protection." He frowned. "Still, it would be a pity to refuse. I have a feeling that his gifts will come in useful."

He shook his head.

"But I am being rude going on about this. You said that you have someone to ask after? What connection were you hoping to make, Isawa-san?"

"While I rather hope jade gifts don't come in useful on this campaign, well...hope won't change the facts of where we're heading." There's a pause, lips pressed tight for a moment before the decision is made to speak anyway. "It's just... hmm, I imagine the Crab have a greater concern for purity of the spirit than most when entering into those arrangements. It's sensible to offer some protection after all the work of negotiations."

She waves it off a bit self-consciously. How is it any of her business, after all? And surely he knows better whether his suitor is pragmatic or overzealous.

"But anyway, hmm..well, It's a long shot, seeing as it's all rather aside from duties. I can't exactly chase down leads. But a cousin was sent on assignment and last I heard was approaching the Kaiu..on account of some connections there with the daimyo betrothed to a member of her Family. But I haven't heard from her since she got there and..." she waves a hand at the retreating mini-mob, "that sort of thing illustrates the concerns one might have for someone going silent after heading south."

Isawa Mari wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 6:02 pm

"But anyway, hmm..well, It's a long shot, seeing as it's all rather aside from duties. I can't exactly chase down leads. But a cousin was sent on assignment and last I heard was approaching the Kaiu..on account of some connections there with the daimyo betrothed to a member of her Family. But I haven't heard from her since she got there and..." she waves a hand at the retreating mini-mob, "that sort of thing illustrates the concerns one might have for someone going silent after heading south."

Hametsu nodded slowly. "Well, I cannot say that I am familiar with Lord Kaiu's connections. I would be willing to write a letter to Katsushiro's father on your behalf, but I am afraid that once the legion starts to move it will be somewhat chancy whether a reply would reach us. I would need to know your cousin's name, though."

Doji Hametsu wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 6:28 pm

Hametsu nodded slowly. "Well, I cannot say that I am familiar with Lord Kaiu's connections. I would be willing to write a letter to Katsushiro's father on your behalf, but I am afraid that once the legion starts to move it will be somewhat chancy whether a reply would reach us. I would need to know your cousin's name, though."

She dips a bit in gratitude. "I'd appreciate even the chance to hear she'd made it to Kaiu lands. Asako Tsuki, my mother's sister's daughter. I know she was sent with messages, but, understandably, she didn't exactly write with details." She pauses a moment and says what might normally be left politely unsaid. "Not that I'd be at leave to spread that around if she had, you understand." Then the more formal bow, "you have my thanks for even the attempt." This time the *and I owe you a favor in return* did remain in the unspoken but understood conversational background.

"When there's time I'd be honored to offer tea at least. We're Imperial servants here, but I'd still be remiss skipping the chance to offer hospitality to a member of my clan's strongest ally." There's a genuine warmth to the offer, bolstered by an overall lack of political acumen to hide manipulation behind. Someone of her age and rank here surely wasn't climbing fast.

Hametsu nodded once. "Consider it done, Isawa-san." Hametsu's own nature would not permit a bargaining chip to fall unclaimed, no matter its issuer's opinion of their own political value.

"And when time permits, I would be glad to take tea with you. You are certainly correct that we cannot ignore our origins, as they figure so often in our destinations."

Doji Hametsu wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 9:01 pm

Hametsu nodded once. "Consider it done, Isawa-san." Hametsu's own nature would not permit a bargaining chip to fall unclaimed, no matter its issuer's opinion of their own political value.

"And when time permits, I would be glad to take tea with you. You are certainly correct that we cannot ignore our origins, as they figure so often in our destinations."

Odd how relieved making the smallest movement on a goal could make one feel. Nothing at all has changed, but for a moment, there's an easing of worried pressure that surfaces as a hint of smile; plump cheeks dimple regardless, amplifying the least bit of cheer. "Indeed. And perhaps tea will allow a moment to consider origins and how they've led us all here. Certainly the work of the present won't allow much of that just now." She bows deeply. "And now I'll leave you to whatever work was no doubt interrupted by that bit confusion. I may borrow some of your words if there's need to settle restless aides or patients in the healer's tents," she adds. "With attribution, of course!"

"Oh, yes, if ever the ranks start to get restive, just give them a little bit of the grooming standard and they'll snap right back into shape. After all, it's much better to have them grumbling over a minor regulation than it is to have them grumbling over Command." Hametsu nodded sharply.

"But I shall be looking forward to your invitation. Take care of yourself, Isawa-san."

Doji Hametsu wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2024 11:51 pm

"Oh, yes, if ever the ranks start to get restive, just give them a little bit of the grooming standard and they'll snap right back into shape. After all, it's much better to have them grumbling over a minor regulation than it is to have them grumbling over Command." Hametsu nodded sharply.

"But I shall be looking forward to your invitation. Take care of yourself, Isawa-san."

"And you as well, Doji-sama. May you find favor with the kami." She bows once again in parting and gets out of the way of folks getting actual work done.

/exit (and thanks!)