Kenshin bowed his head in acknowledgment, but remained silent and slightly behind his charge. Here, he was nothing more than a Yojimbo.

If the Lion were to infer something else ... well, that was their problem.

"I am Miya Momoko. I am here on buisness. I seek your daimyo. Take me to him."  Miya tried to be as meek as possible, appear as weak as possible. She rode and smiled at the lion, but since he never bowed, she does bow.

The Lion leads you past the encampment into the city of Nikatoshi, too fast for you to pick up many details--except for the overwhelming Lion numbers.  [Private to Bayushi Kenshin; Miya Momoko: you can make a Perception/Investigation check TN 30]

You are taken through the lightly defended Lion city--it was clearly not meant to maintain more than a small defensive garrison, rather than the massive army now stationed there--into the governor's residence and left in a well provisioned waiting room.

"Tea?" one of the Lion servants asks once you are seated.

"Thankyou, no. I have forsaken food until the matter I am here to discuss is resolved."  The Miya answered matter-of-factly, but inside she was grinning like a child. Yes! make them think that there is a time limit on how long they can play this game - if they cause a Miya to die becuase they would rather war, it sends a strong message to the rest of the clans, and to the Emperor himself that the Lion clan is only interested in killing.

She smiled at the servant and made sure her sword remained at her side.  She had made a little fuss earlier, claiming that she needed her katana - it was to defend her from reprisals from unhappy Crane Bushi... in the end, she had settled for allowing her yojimbo to carry his blade in order to protect her.



Miya Momoko rolled 23 using 2d10, rerolling max ((4,(10+9)19)) --> Perception test

GM:  About the swords - if you dont want that to have happened, I'll happiliy edit... I know its a bit 'Godmoding'

Kenshin nodded his acceptance, but kept his silence once again. He knew he was supposed to have been offended by the treatment that he received at the hands of the Lion, yet he was not.

It was sad, really.

They saw only a Scorpion. They saw only treachery ... a poisonous tongue and tail. They saw only masks and venom.

They could not see Kenshin.

Honor, Kenshin's mask, gleamed in the light of the small room that had gathered in. He was beginning to see what his Sensei referred to all these years, how a battle in court was the same as a battle of swords.

"This one cannot speak to such things, Sama," the servant bows, departing, "but the master will be interested to know why I have failed in my duty."

Momentarily, another screen opens and a Lion--hair grey and thinning with age, but eyes still undimmed and frame still unbent--wearing the Ikoma mon enters.

"I am Ikoma Genma, Lieutenant Governor of Nikatoshi," he bows, "how may I serve the Imperial presence today?"

"Good day, Ikoma-sama. The sun shines brightly for you and your clan I see. Truly, the Emperor must be greatly pleased by his guardians. It has ever been your clan that has sought to protect and honor the Emperor, and of all the imperial houses, the Miya recognise that." Momoko smiled and then fained a pain in her stomache, grimacing. She held the pose for a few seconds then smiled brighly, returning to her attempt at a diplomatic negotiation.

"I have been asked by the Crane to mediate a dispute. I cannot see how such a disagreement has arrisen, so I have come all this way to discuss the matter with your Clan Daimyo. This is the action of the Clan Daimyo is it not? I just want to be sure to get it right when I write to the court to inform my aunts and uncles of the situation."

Miya Momoko gave a small and rather pathetic cough. "Excuse me..." How is it going? Am i doing this right? Is he falling for it I wonder?

Kenshin sat unobtrusively, sipping his tea -- as a good Yojimbo should do.

"You cannot see how this disagreement has arisen, Miya-san?" Ikoma Genma replies, raising an eyebrow, "you would have been better served being fostered among the Lion, we would not have allowed you to pass from our halls without knowing the history of Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho."

"Scorpion-san," he says, turning to Bayushi Kenshin, "I see that you wear the mon of the Kakita Bushi, surely you were a better student of history than Miya-san here.  Please remind your fellow student of the long history that lies between the Lion and the Crane regarding Toshi Ranbo.  I will not be offended if you only tell the Crane side of things."

Ikoma-sama, please let me thank you for not displaying the legendary disresepect of your family." She turned to the guards of the govenor. "You would better serve your master by reminding him where I am. Talking through yojimbo will take a very long time, and will be a source of annoyance to my family. It must be hard for you, to guard a man whose manners... well..." She smilled, fained a cough, and returned her attention to the lord.

"I can see you think me a child because of my small stature. Perhaps you did not understand the fullness of what I said. Perhaps your rudenss in addressing my yojimbo rather than me is an ill-concieved plan to upset me. But I am a Miya. I do not just serve some family daimyo... I serve the very will of the celestical order. Through me, the Emperor's will is known. So, Ikoma, shall we discuss thos properly, or do we need to shed my blood and involve my family?"

"I am not attempting to upset you or treat you as less than you are, Miya-san," Ikoma Gendo replies wryly, raising a single eyebrow, "and I certainly hope no blood is shed, as I have a weakness for such things and it would be quite embarrassing if I were to faint into my tea.

"Tea...why is there no tea?  Please," he says, gesturing towards the servants, "pour some tea.

Now, to return to my point, which was to answer your question regarding how this disagreement has arisen, Miya-san," Gendo continues, sipping his tea, "I had endeavored to explain it by allowing your yojimbo to provide somewhat of the history which led us to this precipice.  Personally, I would like to hear how the Crane view our mutual history, which has claimed the lives of so many Lion samurai, including the brother of the Emperor himself, if you would continue Bayushi-san?"

Kenshin's head dipped a little, but his eyes did not. His attitude was submissive, yet firm, and his voice solemn.

"Surely it is not the stories that the Crane tell that will devastate the Lion, Ikoma-Dono*."

Kenshin paused only a heartbeat before continuing.

"Already I have heard whisperings in court from the many clans, suggesting that the Lion believe that they are on the throne and not the Glorious Emperor. What stories do you think my kinsmen will tell? Or the Mantis? What will the Emperor be forced to do to prove to Emerald Empire that he favors no clan?"

"Surely you do not wish to place the Son of Heaven in such a difficult position?"

The teachers at the Academy told Kenshin that politics and war were the same. He was beginning to understand.

[dono - Roughly "lord". Reinforces his "politeness" level.]

Momoko smiled at Kenshin's words. He is intelligent and speaks with as much honour as he acts. His wife is indeed a lucky woman.

"You young people," Ikoma Gendo sighs, shaking his head, "no sense of history.  Battle between the Great Clans is like a game of go.  You think that the current conflict is the entirety of the game, but it is merely the latest sequence of moves in a game almost as old as the Empire.  Toshi Ranbo is the lynchpin of the relationship between the Crane and the Lion, our fight over it goes back for generations.  But perhaps the two of you need this battle to be explained in the context of honor...

"The battle for possession of Toshi Ranbo is a matter of honor for both the Lion and the Crane," the Lion explains, "The Lion want back what is theirs by right, taken from them by treachery.  The Crane have held Toshi Ranbo for so long that they perceive it as theirs.  What the other Clans think about our fight is irrelevant, this is a matter of honor between the Lion and the Crane, and all of the Emperors from the early Hantei to Toturi understand this.  Toturi would not dishonor both the Right Hand and Left Hand of the Emperor by interfering in a personal matter of honor."

"If the matter is one of honour, then why not settle it as such. I am sure both daimyos would agree to a simple duel over the matter. I would be happy to observe on behlf of the Miya caln. But I do not think that you will accept this offer for one simple reason - Toshi Ranbo is not about honour for you, but about glory. And how could it not be. You have gathered a great army for the soul purpose of wasting mens' lives on the blades of other men, and all for the glory of holding Toshi Ranbo."

She smiled sadly and, glancing at Kenshin, spoke with a sorrowful voice. "Is there anything you wish to add Bayushi-san? Anything you think I should remember?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:43, Mon 04 Jan 2010.

Kenshin sipped his tea for a moment, carefully considering the Lion's words as well as his charges. This was a tricky situation, more especially so because the Lion was not interested in hearing what was being said. Kenshin carefully kept his attitude, not wanting to give the Ikoma an excuse.

"I do not know, Ikoma-Dono" the Scorpion finally began, "what Divine Wisdom our Emperor drew on when, after being threatened, he granted the Lord of the Mantis Great Clan status rather than taking his head. I do not know what wisdom he drew on when he raised the status of a peasant that impersonated a Samurai to be a Clan Champion, yet he did. I do not know why the Glorious Emperor chooses to intervene in this situation through his servants, the Imperial Family, yet he does."

The Ikoma was ignoring one inconvenient fact: that the pair sat here meant that the Emperor was already intervening in this "matter of honor".

"However, I do know a few things."

"There has never, in the entire history of Rokugan, been a moment like this. For the first time ever, there is a non-Hantei on the throne. For the first time ever, all of Rokugan was forced to directly face He Who Must Not Be Named in the Imperial City."

Kenshin paused for only a moment. It was critical that the Lion heard what was being said, rather than just pretending to hear as he had been doing.

"I also know that the Lion will not be allowed to ignore the wishes of the Glorious Emperor, Toturi I, without severe consequences. The entire Empire watches, and the Glorious Emperor is too wise."

Kenshin took another sip of his tea.

"And do not forget" Kenshin continued somberly, "the Scorpion are only recently reinstated*. Too many believe that we are weak, and Our Lady* knows this. She will make sure that all of Rokugan knows what it means to have the Scorpion back."

"I am not privy to Our Lady's thoughts, but let me ask you this: do you really want to take the chance that she will turn her eye on the Lion Clan, knowing what opportunity this provides to show the true strength of the Clan of Secrets? Do you really want her to be the one to tell you that the Emperor's wishes must come before ancient grievances -- in her way?"

Kenshin looked at the Governor, Honor gleaming in the room's light.

[1) Reinstated - the Scorpion were disbanded after the Coup and only reinstated after the Second Day of Thunder.
         2) Our Lady - Bayushi Kachiko.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Tue 05 Jan 2010.

"A duel?  Ancestors preserve me," Ikoma Gendo replies incredulously, "you guests of the Crane, you're all the same.  You think that all of Rokugan's problems can be solved with a duel, without any idea of the history of the conflict. You must think that we're morons.  Do you think the Lion have never thought of that?  In thirty generations do you think that we overlooked such an obvious solution?  When Toshi Ranbo was first taken by the Crane, the Lion commander, Akodo Mitsukoto, challenged the Crane commander to a duel.  He was allowed into the complex, then hung from the walls like a criminal.  The message the Crane sent was this:  'the Lion pride themselves on their skills of war.  Toshi Ranbo was taken in war, let the Lion reclaim it in war.'  Fourteen generations ago, the Lion challenged the Crane to a duel for Toshi Ranbo.  The first messenger never returned and the Crane claimed that the message never arrived.  The second messenger's head was returned with a message stating that the Crane did not suffer bandits masquerading as samurai.  Are you suggesting that the Lion should send more samurai to be executed like common bandits rather than at least giving them the opportunity to die on their feet, with a sword in their hands?

Now, I have ignored your insults to me, my Family, and my Clan up to this point because you are young and foolish, however, if you persist in doing nothing but offer offense you will be denied the hospitality of the Lion."

"I am not certain what your role here is, Bayushi-san," the Ikoma governor says more calmly, "but if you are here representing the interests of your Clan, please convey our respects.  The Lion have no quarrel with the Clan of Secrets and no desire to offer challenge or incur their wrath.  Your Clan is legendary for their drive to avenge offenses given regardless of how much time has passed.  Would they allow the loss of Toshi Ranbo to go unanswered?"

OOC:  I would like to point out that Ikoma Gendo is not offended that you're attempting to disuade the Lion from conquering the city, he's angry that you've been being offensive left and right.  He would have been perfectly within his rights to kick you out when you thanked him for not showing his family's "legendary disrespect"--thus insulting the entire Ikoma family--then ignoring and insulting his desire to discuss the background of the situation, and finally claiming that his ENTIRE CLAN had no interest in honor.  Really, he could demand your head from the Miya daimyo and probably get it, but I won't go there ^_^
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:43, Tue 12 Jan 2010.

Miya scowled inwardly, but simply bowed at the old Lion's words - she had hoped to rouse his anger and make him loose face, and then for him to try and regain it through a duel, which Bayushi would certainly have won.

"So you are not immicible to the idea of dueling for the city, just to sending in a brave soul to be betrayed and dishonoured?" Miya Momoko thought for a moment. This was harder than she had thought. He family would have taught her how to resolve disputes like this, but the Crane had taught her to use a sword. She felt a little powerless.

"If the matter were to be resolved with the Lion bushi a guest of mine, that would bring further implications should the Crane display any 'uncharacteristic behaivour'. Sending a Miya to solve a problem would work both ways in that situation."

"I would, in your situation, say no. However, if the contest was held in the open - in the court of the Emperor, or in court of another clan, then perhaps you might agree?"

Kenshin took another sip of his tea while the Governor was speaking. He was careful to listen

"I am but a humble Yojimbo" Kennshin replied courtesly, "though I shall give your message to my superiors. As for the other question ..."

Kenshin took another sip of his tea.

"As you yourself mentioned, the Scorpion are very patient" he continued respectfully. "The Scorpion would never abandon such a Duty, but we would certainly delay it if the situation were important enough."

"The conflict will still be here next year. In that time, our Courtiers would pave the way so that there would be no .. unintentional misunderstandings. Then, when the time was right, we would descend ..."

Kenshin thought for a moment longer.

"If you'll forgive the bluntness, Ikoma-Dono" Kenshin said, still maintaining his deferential attitude, "I believe that the Lion have a unique opportunity. The Akodo are no more and the Matsu now have the reins of the Clan. There are many in the courts who misunderstand the Matsu, believing them reckless and impatient."

"To delay -- at the Emperor's request -- would show the Empire otherwise in a decidedly honorable fasion. Then, next year, you could remind them of the Lion's tactical expertise."

Kenshin paused for a moment.

"But, then again, I am nobody special ..."

"Both of those are interesting suggestions," Ikoma Gendo acknowledges thoughtfully, "I do not have the authority to speak for the entirety of the Lion, but I will ensure that your proposal will be presented in the most favorable light possible.  I--"

The Lion's words are interrupted by a sudden crash of sound like thunder and a slight shaking of the earth.

"What in the world!" he cries, running out of the building.

"Bayushi-san, should we remian here? I have a feeling that no matter what that was, we will be held responcible for it."  She took his cup and topped up his tea from the tray set before them.  She knew that they would likley still being watched, so she acted with all decorum.

"I wonder if they wil accept our proposal? My guess is that they want a war, not a duel. The clan leadership will see this as an oppertunity to test the blades of many of thier young warriors - a foolish act in my own oppinion, but I have a different philosophy on this. mercy is the highest tenet of Bushido."

"We should follow quickly" Kenshin said quietly, simultaneously standing and preparing himself to move, "so that they know that we are with the Governor."

He would have preferred to end the conversation differently, but what was ... was.

[He won't leave his charge ... hopefully she'll follow.]

Seeing that his charge had no intention of moving, Kenshin sat back down and accepted his tea.

"Yes" he said matter-of-factly, "I think they might. They must be able to save Face, of course, and their clan is known for war -- but when an Ikoma promises to put the proposal in its best light to his Clan Champion, then we have done as much as can be done by any of our status."

Kenshin took another sip of his tea.

"To gain so much in the courts, and to have another year to plan the assault ... that would be a good thing for the Lion."

Kenshin looked out the door once again. He really wanted to know what was going on out there, but a Yojimbo never left his charge.

"I think that we are almost ready to leave" he added quietly, "we can report that things were more successful than anyone had a right to expect."

There was the small detail of ruffled feathers, of course, but Kenshin would take care of that -- like a good Yojimbo should do.

The sound of a second ground rumbling crash is punctuated by four ashigaru bursting into the room, weapons sheathed.

"Miya-sama, Bayushi-sama," they bow hurriedly, "please come with us for your own protection.  The Phoenix have attacked us with their magics and Ikoma-sama fears for your safety in what may be the next target."

[Kenshin still has his weapons, right?]

Kenshin quickly stood, not worrying about his Kimono this time. He waited only a moment for his charge to rise.

[If he doesn't have his weapons he'll grab them first. If she hesitates too long, he'll ... 'help' her along.]