[EA, D8] Court Part 5

[Yuzuru]

Yuzuru was there, beside Shiba, and Hsieh-Hsieh beside Yuzuru. Yuzuru was blindfolded once again and . . . somehow, the fox managed to look even more judgmental than usual.

[Bayushi Kogi]

Kogi is present; layers of her veils are pulled up over her head today, as if warding off the oppressive atmosphere outside with the blaze of bold-colored silk.

[Makime Ayano]

Ayano is present for court as well, having missed yesterday due to her needing time to prepare. But one day was fine, two...well the Lioness would not allow that.

[Bayushi Sasori]

snip

She gave him a polite smile and a nod.

Kogi is present; layers of her veils are pulled up over her head today, as if warding off the oppressive atmosphere outside with the blaze of bold-colored silk.

Sasori move to Kogi's side. She took out her fan and whispered. "Last night was ominous."

[Hantei Kinsen]

Kinsen arrives fashionably late.

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[Jiyo Sora]

I was right

I was right, I was right, we should have slipped jade dust into the tea, I was right.


And now, we await the Crane spin machine.

[Doji Tsubaki]

I was right

I was right, I was right, we should have slipped jade dust into the tea, I was right.


And now, we await the Crane spin machine.

Emerald green eyes meet orange as Willow scans the present Crane, as if sensing thoughts of tea, and offers a warm smile and a respectful bow.

[Otomo Gusai]

I was right

I was right, I was right, we should have slipped jade dust into the tea, I was right.


And now, we await the Crane spin machine.

Gusai's eye flickers over to the older man.

But he remains in place. Things remain unsettled, and though Gusai has problems, lack of devotion to duty's not one of them.

[Jiyo Sora]

One more thing to do

Sora approached the dais.

[Shiba]

One more thing to do

Sora approached the dais.

Shiba nodded to him, expression still statue-like after earlier. "Please speak, Jiyo-san."

[Jiyo Sora]

Shiba nodded to him, expression still statue-like after earlier. "Please speak, Jiyo-san."

Sora bowed low. To the floor.

"Son of Heaven. I held back on acting on my suspicions, which might have uncovered the deception sooner. There is a time for prudence, it is true, but I feel I have failed you, and the Empire. I await your judgement."

[Doji Dojihime]

She watched though she assumed what way the Emperor would go with his favored servant.

Obviously this was something many years in the making.

[Hisomu Kuni]

Considering the events of the morning, Kuni showed up to Court.

[Wu Zhe]

Zhe frowned and moved closer to observe what was going on. Sora was certainly not responsible.

[Kakita]

A slender man with a bandaged sword arm stood near his charge…

[Ryoshun Rei]

Rei had stepped aside for Sora to go before her. She still wished to speak with her uncle, but she had heard about the duel. A concerned expression crossed her features as she looked at Kakita's arm, but she offered him a smile, proud and grateful.

[Bayushi Kogi]

snip

She gave him a polite smile and a nod.

Kogi is present; layers of her veils are pulled up over her head today, as if warding off the oppressive atmosphere outside with the blaze of bold-colored silk.

Sasori move to Kogi's side. She took out her fan and whispered. "Last night was ominous."

"Yes, I--" Kogi's brain catches up to her ears. Sasori wasn't talking about this morning... "Wait, what was last night?"

[Shiba]

Sora bowed low. To the floor.

"Son of Heaven. I held back on acting on my suspicions, which might have uncovered the deception sooner. There is a time for prudence, it is true, but I feel I have failed you, and the Empire. I await your judgement."

Shiba shook his head. "It is easy to look at a situation in hindsight and think of it as failure. Throwing around accusations without anything to go on would cause chaos. You did the best you could with what you had. You have not failed me. Moreover, I will need you going forward, as we deal with this evil that nestled itself into the heart of our Empire."

[Jiyo Sora]

Shiba shook his head. "It is easy to look at a situation in hindsight and think of it as failure. Throwing around accusations without anything to go on would cause chaos. You did the best you could with what you had. You have not failed me. Moreover, I will need you going forward, as we deal with this evil that nestled itself into the heart of our Empire."

Sora stayed bowed low.

"As you say, Shiba-Heika."

Then he rose, bowed again from the waist, and withdrew.

[Shiba]

Sora stayed bowed low.

"As you say, Shiba-Heika."

Then he rose, bowed again from the waist, and withdrew.

Shiba nodded deeply to him.

Rei had stepped aside for Sora to go before her. She still wished to speak with her uncle, but she had heard about the duel. A concerned expression crossed her features as she looked at Kakita's arm, but she offered him a smile, proud and grateful.

Once Sora stepped back, he gestured Rei forward. "Ryoshun-san. What brings you to speak with me?"