[D4 LA] RP Thread: Discourses on Tea and Wine

[Togashi Satsuki]

"I don't know about "weird". I mean, the Spider aren't a bastion of normalcy throughout the Empire but to be quite honest it's rather refreshing to meet you. As wonderful as the kami are, they are imposing as they are magnificent. Your "normalcy" is an asset to convey your family's message to the world at large. In my humble opinion, milady"

" As for Shinsei-ism, we do not have much in the way of organized monestaries. There is plenty of room for self-actualization, but a significant portion is in regard to care for others. We came from such disparate backgrounds, what kept us together was the chance to be something more while still being ourselves. You can't encourage craftsmen to innovate new methods, or farmers to experiment with new agricultural practices, or scholars to research new topics, or even a new dojo if the cost of failure is starvation. You have to be willing to pick them up if they fall. In the Celestial Order, the greatest service that can be offered is to help that flourish as caretakers. Does that answer your question? "

"In a way, it is an answer, yes," she answered in that (in)famous crypical Dragon-way. "But I see what you're saying. At least the way my mother and father approach the Celestial Order that the Kami have brought. I get the feeling my father and your lord Hisomu might have similar views on much, if this is how the Spider act and treat their own." Which was said with a touch of approval, of course.

"I do hope I get the chance to visit my dear uncle after the snow has cleared. I've never had the chance to see his home or visit his people."

[Ryoshun Rei]

She nods, and gives her point of view, "You're neighbors of the Crab and Ki-rin Clan. Both are inclined to martial activities. Then you have Lion and Dragon with an open middle field. Also considering and affinities, I would presume making an alliance with the similarly martial Lion would be the best way to ensure independence and Clan identity –– they would need you as much as you need them. As a secondary option, I would consider choosing the favor of the Dragon Clan. In any case, it should be someone that knows how to lead people, either in court or in the battlefield."

"We are on good terms with the Dragon and the Ki-Rin." she nodded. "I've and some talks with the Crab about securing routes between our clans and assisting each other further. I've also spoken with the Spider, regarding some spiritual matters. But, I have not yet had much contact with the Lion."

[Hisomu Susumu]

"In a way, it is an answer, yes," she answered in that (in)famous crypical Dragon-way. "But I see what you're saying. At least the way my mother and father approach the Celestial Order that the Kami have brought. I get the feeling my father and your lord Hisomu might have similar views on much, if this is how the Spider act and treat their own." Which was said with a touch of approval, of course.

"I do hope I get the chance to visit my dear uncle after the snow has cleared. I've never had the chance to see his home or visit his people."

"I feel like you would be quite welcome, and if you prefer to be at home in a library, the Spider archives are our best attempts to match what the Imperial family has made. " Susumu clears his throat and quirks his lip a touch. "Otou-sama sometimes wishes I was of a more scholarly bent, but I don't think he would be against showing off a bit if I put it that way."

"Perhaps you could arrive as a delegate? Wu Zhe-san had expressed interest in trading minerals for extra supplies of rice. As I said, we see our roles as caretakers. There are Clans around who who have extra of things we could use, and the opposite is true as well. I would like to think that as neighbors we can at least come to an arrangement, something that binds us together so that we all grow and stand strong or none of us do. "

[Togashi Satsuki]

"Did he?" she seemed surprised, but positively so. "Zhe's much more knowledgeable about that kind of stuff than I am. Trade and such, that is... but, I suppose it would be good to share more with our neighbours." A thoughtful nod. "We have a good relationship with the Bat, so it only makes sense to have the same with the Spider as well."

For a moment she tapped her chin in thought. "I don't know what a delegate would have to do? I had thought I could just visit as family...? Was I wrong to think that?" This being her first time away from her homelands, she felt a bit uncertain about what was the proper way to go about this.

[Hisomu Susumu]

"Well no, it's not wrong. It just might be that for a family visit you would likely keep things private. I'd imagine that we would have less of a chance of running into each other if it's not affairs of state.*

Is that... something I want?

[Togashi Satsuki]

Confused blinking.

"... I don't think uncle Hisomu would lock me up if I stopped by for a family visit...?"

Or was it perhaps a strange Spider custom to be very secretive and discreet when visiting family? Maybe a spiritual thing?

[Hantei Kinsen]

"We are on good terms with the Dragon and the Ki-Rin." she nodded. "I've and some talks with the Crab about securing routes between our clans and assisting each other further. I've also spoken with the Spider, regarding some spiritual matters. But, I have not yet had much contact with the Lion."

She nods. "Those are all indeed the right actions to take. Yet, protection wise –– and even politically –– I would indeed suggest Lion. Perhaps Makime-san has a brother. Hmm~"

[Makime Ayano]

["You are probably right about that, Akodo-sama," Kogi agrees with a shrug. "I suppose there are some kinds of work in which it could be an advantage, at least sometimes. But I never heard of a fever or a broken bone that was scared away by a doctor's grand reputation. Unfortunately." She shifts her cup back into her right hand, preparing to pass it neatly under her mask again. "Only patients and their kin disappointed from too-high expectations."

Ayano's smile grows weary, "High expectations are the root of a great many disappointments." A small hint of bitterness is evident in her tone, but it and the weariness disappear quickly. "I suppose in the doctor's case reputation only helps ensure the patients follow their instructions. But there are a few professions were reputation does work to increase success."

[Wh'rr'kk]

"This at the end is her personal seal. Any letter you receive with that at the end will be from her."

He looks closely, trying to make out the details of the seal with his beady little eyes. " Ohh so Doji-san wants to meet with me so I can share stories of my people with her?"

[Bayushi Sasori]

"This at the end is her personal seal. Any letter you receive with that at the end will be from her."

He looks closely, trying to make out the details of the seal with his beady little eyes. " Ohh so Doji-san wants to meet with me so I can share stories of my people with her?"

"The ideal way to do things is to answer with a letter." Sasori explained. "If you want one of us could be your scribe."

[Ryoshun Rei]

She nods. "Those are all indeed the right actions to take. Yet, protection wise –– and even politically –– I would indeed suggest Lion. Perhaps Makime-san has a brother. Hmm~"

"I'll keep your suggestion in mind." she finished her cup. "Hmm... Agasha's is better."

[Wh'rr'kk]

"This at the end is her personal seal. Any letter you receive with that at the end will be from her."

"The ideal way to do things is to answer with a letter." Sasori explained. "If you want one of us could be your scribe."

"Aye, I have not met her, and I do not think you man-people can read memory sticks, so sending her one would not be very useful"

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru looked back and forth between the two of them. "I have no preference." He said honestly.

[Bayushi Sasori]

"Aye, I have not met her, and I do not think you man-people can read memory sticks, so sending her one would not be very useful"

"The question is would you like to send her a response? And Crane sama could deliver it to Doji sama." She nodded. "I offer my services as scribe to write in the man people way. That is if you don't think it would be intrusive of this one."

[Bayushi Kogi]

Ayano's smile grows weary, "High expectations are the root of a great many disappointments." A small hint of bitterness is evident in her tone, but it and the weariness disappear quickly. "I suppose in the doctor's case reputation only helps ensure the patients follow their instructions. But there are a few professions were reputation does work to increase success."

"Tea growers and sake brewers being two of them." Kogi lifts her now-mostly-empty cup in a gesture a bit too subtle to rank as a flourish, but perhaps somewhere in the same family tree as one. "Silk weavers, too. Still, given the choice, I think... I would rather be very skilled and unknown than renowned but less skilled. Although in this life I wouldn't dare claim to be either of those, really."

[Hantei Kinsen]

"I'll keep your suggestion in mind." she finished her cup. "Hmm... Agasha's is better."

Kinsen purses her lips and then smirks. She pops fan closed, and downs her cup, saying, "I am terrible with my sake."

[Hisomu Susumu]

Confused blinking.

"... I don't think uncle Hisomu would lock me up if I stopped by for a family visit...?"

Or was it perhaps a strange Spider custom to be very secretive and discreet when visiting family? Maybe a spiritual thing?

"Well, not literally, but family tends to be a primary commitment. At least mine is... but then again, Eiji is an only child." Susumu looks guilty. "My personal experience is that close family is pure chaos."

[Makime Ayano]

"Tea growers and sake brewers being two of them." Kogi lifts her now-mostly-empty cup in a gesture a bit too subtle to rank as a flourish, but perhaps somewhere in the same family tree as one. "Silk weavers, too. Still, given the choice, I think... I would rather be very skilled and unknown than renowned but less skilled. Although in this life I wouldn't dare claim to be either of those, really."

"I suppose such is situational, depending on who one deals with the reputation might be of more value then quality." Ayano sighs, "But I dare say the unknown but gifted will acquire a reputation soon enough, which I admit is idealistic of me."

"When it comes to silk weavers...well my family hopes to build our own reputation and for true reason of quality." A wry smile, "And quantity to be available for those who wish to trade. The balance between the two, quality and quantity, is a bit vexing of course."

[Ryoshun Rei]

Kinsen purses her lips and then smirks. She pops fan closed, and downs her cup, saying, "I am terrible with my sake."

"Hai, me too." she laughed. "Maybe we just need more practice."

[Hantei Kinsen]

"Hai, me too." she laughed. "Maybe we just need more practice."

“Un!” She replies with a high pitched and energetic tone. “Let me check this Agasha blend a bit and see if it is good.”

She winks. Drunk.