Aide-de-Aide (D1, Monkey/LA)

[Utaku Mukai]

Mukai had spent enough time in the Legion to understand the basic duties of the Aide-de-Camp even if she probably couldn't properly enunciate them.

Then again one does not necessarily need to enunciate when one is swift of foot and swifter of steed and, while she might not have much political power, she had earned enough of a name to get the modicum of respect needed to move human obstacles without resorting to violence (this time).

(D1, Monkey: Glory/Void, Void spent to Seize the Moment, 49 Glory = 4 dice, -1 TN if mount would apply | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0


+1 Strength)

[Daidoji Nobu]

“Orders from the command tent,” Nobu reported, bowing and presenting the written message to one of the gunso of the Fourth Kaisha. Despite having run the whole way, the big Crane didn’t seem winded at all.

“What’s this?” the gunso grumbled as quickly scanned the scrap of paper. “This is the third change in formation just today!”

“It’s orders, sir,” Nobu repeated, respectfully but insistently.

“Very well,” the gunso said grudgingly. “You may tell Miya-sama that the message was received and we will comply.”

After an exchange of bows, the Daidoji was dismissed. He began running back to the command tent.

—
Assisting the Aide-de-Camp, Void/Status TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Succeeded, +1 to unit Discipline
Spend 1 opportunity to negate 1 strife
1 Void spent

[Agasha Daikumo]

Rather than sending Daikumo running around the camp and delivering orders, he was given a list of names and told that those individuals need to be brought back to the command tent in order to be debriefed and given orders personally. The list is... a mess. Daikumo looks at it and immediately gets a headache because it doesn't match the layout of the camp at all when it mentions where to find the people. So Daikumo takes the useless sheet of paper and goes about the task of finding all these people while his head throbs with the frustration of being given such a basic task with incorrect instructions. He truly hates this list and starts plotting how he's going to disrespect it when he's done with the task and the list is no longer needed by anyone.

Assisting the Aide-de-Camp, Perfectionist, VP, Glory 42 1 skill die | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


Success, +3 strife for anxiety, total of 5 strife

[Shosuro Hikimasu]

Hikimasu, following a crowd with a message in his hand from the aid-de-camp, arrived across the command area to the tent of a junior officer. Without much fuss, he announced himself and was met with a servant. He handed over the missive, catching movement behind the servant as they bowed.

It wasn't the servant's master hiding, avoiding duty, it was another servant, perhaps hastily adjusting their kimono and hair. Hikimasu smirked under his mask, but didn't bother further with it. They weren't his servants, after all. Afterward he headed back to the Miya to see if there was anything else needed.

OOC
Success! +1 strength

[Doji Hametsu]

Hametsu certainly intended to devise a seating plan for the officers' meeting to relieve pressure from his superior. However, on receiving the preliminary work, Hametsu was faced with a conundrum: should the officers' pens be set the regulation 2 inches from their note paper, or should they be crossed with a lily on top of the note paper in order to create a pleasant sensation and give the meeting a sense of harmony? Hametsu agonized over this choice to such a degree that he sat Shosuro Fuwanan next to Otosanuchi Karen!

Oops.

Event 1, Aide-de-camp, Glory (46)/Void | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0


-1 Strength. Using 2 opportunity for information. Information roll | 2d20 ⇒ 6
+3 strife for Perfectionism. +1 Void point.

[Hida Masayuki]

Arriving at the Shoi's tent with updated orders for the second time, Hida Masayuki was greeted by the adjutant who was surprised to see him again so soon. He questioned, "How are you arriving again already with new orders if you haven't had the time to go there and back again?"
"It is not so far as it seems, Hayato-sama," he replied.
Iuchi Hayato replied laughing, "Well, this time, you deliver it, Masayuki-san."

Masayuki enters the tent past the Hayato and bows deeply to the Shoi, while informing him of the updated orders, while avoiding looking him in the eyes. The Shoi grumbles at this, but bows slightly and sends Masayuki on his way without a reply.

Masayuki is relieved the exchange is over and hurries back for further orders.

Aide-de-camp
Success +1 Strength
+1 strife

[Otomo Hana]

Hametsu certainly intended to devise a seating plan for the officers' meeting to relieve pressure from his superior. However, on receiving the preliminary work, Hametsu was faced with a conundrum: should the officers' pens be set the regulation 2 inches from their note paper, or should they be crossed with a lily on top of the note paper in order to create a pleasant sensation and give the meeting a sense of harmony? Hametsu agonized over this choice to such a degree that he sat Shosuro Fuwanan next to Otosanuchi Karen!

Oops.

Event 1, Aide-de-camp, Glory (46)/Void | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0


-1 Strength. Using 2 opportunity for information. Information roll | 2d20 ⇒ 6
+3 strife for Perfectionism. +1 Void point.

The officer's meeting productivity was certainly impacted, at least for a bit, as Shosuro Fuwanan spent a good few minutes annoying the already irratable Mantis, before some rather stern looks from the general shut that down.

While the officers themselves didn't seem to give any thought to why it happened....the error did not go unnoticed.

Hametsu was approached by a rather beautiful maiden of the Otomo, who was finely dressed in the capital's latest fashion.

"My, my Doji-san. I have always admired just how gracefully a Crane can deliver an insult." she offered, clearly amused.

She offered a courteous bow.

"This one is Otomo Hana of the 6th Kaisha. Might this one ask about the motive of your actions? Are you perhaps displeased with your treatment at the hands of...that woman? Or perhaps you're seeking to curry favor with the leader of another kaisha to speed your advancement up the ranks? I ask not merely out of curiousity, but depending on the answer, I might be able to offer you something in pursuit of your goals." she suggested.

[Doji Hametsu]

"This one is Otomo Hana of the 6th Kaisha. Might this one ask about the motive of your actions? Are you perhaps displeased with your treatment at the hands of...that woman? Or perhaps you're seeking to curry favor with the leader of another kaisha to speed your advancement up the ranks? I ask not merely out of curiousity, but depending on the answer, I might be able to offer you something in pursuit of your goals." she suggested.

Hametsu used the time granted by the somewhat deeper (and more flattering) bow he returned to devise a little stratagem. She had offered him something he wanted very much, indeed. But, as every Doji knows, that can only mean that her own desires were bubbling near the surface. How to get them to rise above the water?

"This one is Doji Hametsu of the 4th kaisha. Otomo-sama is most generous to approach this humble one with her words of wisdom and experience. This one cannot admit to malice aforethought or to burning ambition in this matter, but if Otomo-sama is willing to share her insight, she will find in this one a sympathetic audience."



--Mechanics--
Over the course of this conversation, Hametsu would like to use a Water/Courtesy approach to charm Otomo Hana, using tried and trusted Doji techniques to understand what makes her tick. Throwing the roll in first so's I don't forget it later.

Charming Otomo Hana "Please like me!" Speaking in Silence applies. Spending Void. | TN: ? | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Speaking in Silence adds 2 opportunity, for a total of 3. Spending 1 to negate strife. Spending 2 to activate Shallow Waters to understand Hana's Ninjo.

[Isawa Mari]

It was always a bit complicated, getting everything moving. Particularly for the medics, who needed to treat injuries up to the moment of marching, and beyond, convey the ever updating statistics on troops moved into wounded categories while the logistics crew calculated how much space was needed for those needing to ride in a wagon for a few days as they healed vs. cramming in as many supplies as possible.

Today, in spite of short legs, Mari found her way back and forth through the camp with somewhat surprising speed, keeping those messages flowing, allowing supplies to be redistributed with a bit more ease than expected

https://sakkaku.org/r/13894

[Otomo Hana]

Hametsu used the time granted by the somewhat deeper (and more flattering) bow he returned to devise a little stratagem. She had offered him something he wanted very much, indeed. But, as every Doji knows, that can only mean that her own desires were bubbling near the surface. How to get them to rise above the water?

"This one is Doji Hametsu of the 4th kaisha. Otomo-sama is most generous to approach this humble one with her words of wisdom and experience. This one cannot admit to malice aforethought or to burning ambition in this matter, but if Otomo-sama is willing to share her insight, she will find in this one a sympathetic audience."



--Mechanics--
Over the course of this conversation, Hametsu would like to use a Water/Courtesy approach to charm Otomo Hana, using tried and trusted Doji techniques to understand what makes her tick. Throwing the roll in first so's I don't forget it later.

Charming Otomo Hana "Please like me!" Speaking in Silence applies. Spending Void. | TN: ? | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Speaking in Silence adds 2 opportunity, for a total of 3. Spending 1 to negate strife. Spending 2 to activate Shallow Waters to understand Hana's Ninjo.

(Shallow Waters info will be sent to pf shortly)

"Ah, truly even upon the battlefields of summer, the Crane are ever-graceful. It is good to know that even here, there is someone who understands the value of a good conversation. Truly, I could see such conversations, and the natural affinity between the Crane and the Chrysanthemum leading to many great things." she says with a small smile.

She taps her fan on her chin.

"However, Doji-san has refuted my assumptions as to his motives, but not offered an alternative. Surely Doji-san must agree that to offer one's full support, one must understand what or whom one is supporting, yes?" she returned.

Mechanical stuff:

Otomo Hana activates Whispering Winds Technique taregeting Doji Hametsu. 2 successes to learn a rumor about Doji Hametsu and 2 opportunities spent to learn either one of Doji Hametsu's Advantages or Disadvantages, Doji Hametsu's choice.

[Doji Hametsu]

Hametsu tilted his head. "Otomo-sama is most perceptive. To be honest, my concerns were more aesthetic than anything else." He paused, turning to look at the tables. "The lilies would have been too much, so it took a great deal of time to rearrange the layout to meet regulations. I swear that Ikoma was about to place the general's teacup to the left of his briefing papers." He shook his head in dismay.

[Otomo Hana]

Hana nodded thoughtfully.

"Ah, I see. So it was a lesser tragedy to prevent a greater tragedy." she offers. "Truly unfortunate. It would have never come to pass in the armies of the Crane. Yet while the Imperial Legion gains many of all of the clans' strengths, it does suffer a few of their weaknesses, such as Lion aesthetics."

Hana paused a moment while one of the Legion's soldiers hustled by, message in hand for command.

"And I should think it will get even worse as we travel South, Doji-san. As a Crane you ask yourself, 'Does this place setting bestow harmony to host and guest alike.' the Crab will instead ask, 'How many times must I strike an enemy over the head with the centerpiece to defeat them, and will it cleave through to the next?"

[Doji Hametsu]

"A chunky centerpiece may get in the way of conversation, but then many Crab I have met are men of few words, so there is a certain logic to it." Hametsu tried to take things with equanimity, but he could not help but reflect on the function-over-form worldview that the Crab seemed to have.

"Otomo-sama is a frequent visitor to lands south? It must be delightful to be so well-traveled."

[Kitsuki Edogawa]

Edogawa was running minor errands, taking care of small things to avoid delays in other matters. It was all rather trivial, in comparison to those other matters. But, he was happy to help any way he could.

[Otomo Hana]

"A chunky centerpiece may get in the way of conversation, but then many Crab I have met are men of few words, so there is a certain logic to it." Hametsu tried to take things with equanimity, but he could not help but reflect on the function-over-form worldview that the Crab seemed to have.

"Otomo-sama is a frequent visitor to lands south? It must be delightful to be so well-traveled."

Hana shook her head at that assumption.

"Ah, not personally no. But Doji-san knows how winter courts are. One must find a way to pass the long days, and asking the various guests about their homelands and customs tends to be an easy way to burn a bit of the candle down. Though, as my last posting was to Pale Oak Castle, I suppose I will have become well travelled by the end of this campaign." she admits.

Hana covers a laugh with her fan.

"I suppose Doji-san must expect the next question about his own travels and whether or not he has travelled much south." she added, somewhat amused at the structure of conversation that seemed to be practically it's own tradition.

[Doji Hametsu]

"I suppose Doji-san must expect the next question about his own travels and whether or not he has travelled much south." she added, somewhat amused at the structure of conversation that seemed to be practically it's own tradition.

"Perish the thought, Otomo-sama. Why should conversation travel such well-worn paths? Let us turn our attention to something more interesting. Sure the social scene at Morning Glory Castle is an arena worth hearing about. In return, I could share a tidbit or two from my winter among the estates of Otosan Uchi. I wonder if Otomo-sama was discussed more at court or at home this winter?"

[Otomo Hana]

"Perish the thought, Otomo-sama. Why should conversation travel such well-worn paths? Let us turn our attention to something more interesting. Sure the social scene at Morning Glory Castle is an arena worth hearing about. In return, I could share a tidbit or two from my winter among the estates of Otosan Uchi. I wonder if Otomo-sama was discussed more at court or at home this winter?"

Hana mentally noted the deflection, but continued on regardless.

"Ah it was a good Winter Court overall, the Crane's most steadfast allies are excellent hosts of course. True, the taste in topic tends towards the more scholarly than the cultural, but Isawa Hana-san was quite helpful in the discussions swirling around the Unicorn's magic.....Ah, my apologies, Doji-san, I'm sure you're well aware of the elemental imbalnces within the land, your clan has certainly suffered from that in the past years." she said, switching the topic.

"While I can't claim to objectively know that I was discussed more where I was than where I was from...but I would assume so. It's easier for a chrysanthemum to stand out in a field of poppies than a field of chrysanthemums, I'm sure Doji-san would agree."

[Doji Hametsu]

Hana mentally noted the deflection, but continued on regardless.

"Ah it was a good Winter Court overall, the Crane's most steadfast allies are excellent hosts of course. True, the taste in topic tends towards the more scholarly than the cultural, but Isawa Hana-san was quite helpful in the discussions swirling around the Unicorn's magic.....Ah, my apologies, Doji-san, I'm sure you're well aware of the elemental imbalnces within the land, your clan has certainly suffered from that in the past years." she said, switching the topic.

"While I can't claim to objectively know that I was discussed more where I was than where I was from...but I would assume so. It's easier for a chrysanthemum to stand out in a field of poppies than a field of chrysanthemums, I'm sure Doji-san would agree."

"In principle, Otomo-sama is of course correct, but I am certain that such a chrysanthemum as Otomo-sama finds ways to be noticed no matter the setting." He smiled softly. "And indeed the importance of finding some manner of spiritual balance has been impressed on me from several fronts, not least when the center of our world remains uncrowned."

[Otomo Hana]

"In principle, Otomo-sama is of course correct, but I am certain that such a chrysanthemum as Otomo-sama finds ways to be noticed no matter the setting." He smiled softly. "And indeed the importance of finding some manner of spiritual balance has been impressed on me from several fronts, not least when the center of our world remains uncrowned."

Hana nods.

"Indeed, it promises to be a turbulent time." she admits. "It does seem to be a good time to be surrounded by the Empire's finest warriors...and marching away from the capital. Fortutiuous at least."

She shrugged a bit.

"Perhaps our legion's actions will be among the first praised by the new Emperor, whomever that may be."

[Doji Hametsu]

Hana nods.

"Indeed, it promises to be a turbulent time." she admits. "It does seem to be a good time to be surrounded by the Empire's finest warriors...and marching away from the capital. Fortutiuous at least."

She shrugged a bit.

"Perhaps our legion's actions will be among the first praised by the new Emperor, whomever that may be."

"That is a happy prospect, but if Otomo-sama wishes to see it so, she had better begin working on alternative formulations for describing what we do. My prospective husband's family, for example, has demonstrated an altogether necessary finesse with euphemism." He smiled. "It takes a particular sort to relish the prospect of where we are heading, once they understand it."