Day 5 LM: Between Veils

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi tilts her head, thinking. Her dark eyes look a bit abstracted above the red veil.

"The cost would be considerable... my lord Bayushi and our clan already have other commitments that can't be set aside lightly. The new town at Beiden Pass, the mountain roads, the ferries across the River of Gold..." She shakes her head slightly. "Of course, my lord Bayushi knows his twin brother's wisdom, and there's nothing he would not give to protect Emperor Shiba and his other brothers and sisters."

She leans in across the table, lowering her voice. "Lord Togashi must also be aware that Lord Bayushi needs to know the stakes before acting. What exactly is in the Shinomen Mori that threatens the Empire?"

[Wu Zhe]

''Lord Togashi did not tell us anything more...but perhaps Lord Bayushi will see more meaning behind the project then we do should he be informed of his brother's request.''

He took another sip

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi settles her weight back onto her heels again. "Aren't you curious, Wu-sama?"

[Wu Zhe]

''I am'' he admits ''But things of that nature are so far outside of my purview that I am not sure how to approach it''

[Bayushi Kogi]

"Hmm." Kogi makes that soft thoughtful sound again. "I can carry your request about this temple back to Kyuden Bayushi when the roads clear. But I don't think my lord will want to make any decision about it without knowing Lord Togashi's reasons. Knowledge is his warehouse to tend, by Emperor Shiba's command. He dislikes not having information. Without it... I don't believe I can make a commitment on his behalf, which means your lord will have to wait for his answer." She shakes her head, seeming perhaps a little frustrated with this conclusion herself.

"Is there anything else you could tell me that might help?"

[Wu Zhe]

''I told you all that I know'' he said honestly ''If Lord Bayushi wishes to know more he may ask his brother directly or place have a pair of eyes and ears in the area.''

Zhe seemed entirely out of his depth

''I am sorry I cannot be more of use''

[Bayushi Kogi]

"I see." Kogi nods, brows drawing down with a sympathetic air. "You've been left to dangle on this one, rather, haven't you?"

[Wu Zhe]

He swallows a notably bigger gulp of tea

''I trust Lord Togashi's intentions but...it is hard to make a heartfelt case for something you know nothing about.''

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi mirrors Wu's move with her own tea while he speaks--rather more ceremoniously, out of necessity.

Setting her cup down, she sighs sympathetically. "I can imagine. I really wonder why you weren't told. Does Lord Togashi often make mysterious requests like this?"

[Wu Zhe]

The question brings out a chuckle from the dragon causing him to almost choke on his tea.

He took a deep breath and recomposed himself

''All his requests have a degree of mystery to it. Not out of malice...but...it is as if he sees things so differently that explaining would cause more confusion then keeping things vague.''

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi's brows draw together a bit at Zhe's reaction. "I... see, Wu-sama. Um, how does that work out, usually? It must place you in a difficult position at times."

At least when Lord Bayushi didn't tell you everything, you knew it was because there was a good reason for every detail conveyed and omitted...

[Wu Zhe]

''It is difficult, especially for one much more used to life on the field, but Lord Togashi's wisdom is known and respected.''

[Bayushi Kogi]

"Oh--so, you don't usually undertake this sort of thing, then?" Kogi asks. "What brings you to the capital this time?"

[Wu Zhe]

''The wedding?'' he smirked ''Diplomacy too but I did not expect to do it at this rhythm or be one of the main diplomats.'

[Bayushi Kogi]

"Do you know the bride and groom? Or did you come to accompany else? Otherwise, Lady Nanzi's wedding is a rather ambitious start to a career as a courtier," Kogi comments, sounding curious.

[Wu Zhe]

''I did not know either of them and I came here with he rest of the delegation. It is ambitious but I had some experience in mediation dealing with clan matters''

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi nods. "In that case, I'm glad that random chance happened to bring you here, and we could meet."

[Wu Zhe]

''One must be willing to expend one's world. I am certainly glad I did.'' he replied with a nod

''How fares your home?'' he asked ''I do not know much of what lies beyond the Beiden pass

[Bayushi Kogi]

"Busy," she says with a small chuckle. "There's such a lot to do to make my lord's domains everything they could be. And my lord is very concerned with the wider Empire, too, of course."