[Day 5 - LM] Mister Tea (Closed)

[Doji Hikaru]

"May I ask how plans with the Lion are going?" Hikaru asked. "I have only met Makime Ayano-sama, but I judge her to be in some ways a kindred spirit to the Crane. She has a sharp mind, and while she is not practiced in the arts, she has a great deal of interest in them. It would seem to be fertile common ground."

He pursed his lips a moment. "I think another may have better luck speaking with her than I, however."

[Doji Misaki]

"I have also met two folowers of Lord Akodo-sama named Daigoro and Kawauso. Both were amiable and honorable souls, judging from my time with them."

[Doji Dojihime]

“It would be good to continue good relations with the Lion, Makime-san is meeting with my brother this morning for a more informal art display that I was sadly not available for but did provide lovely calligraphy for,” she responded.

“I have seen those two in passing and can agree that they are amiable,” she said to Misaki.

“Is there anything that I can be of assistance to,” she said directing her question to Misaki and Tsubaki. “It would be a pleasure to aid in any of your endeavors.”

[Doji Tsubaki]

Pleased that the tension had eased, and that she had learned things she had not yet known, Tsubaki nods along to the conversation.

"I have had a few interaction with the Makime heir and my assessment is much the same. She is quite open to friendship with our clan. My only concern is that her lack of self-confidence may lead to her not being as willing to push for that friendship among the rest of her people even if she would desire it. It may be to our interests to try and find some way to help her strengthen and sharpen her will. Though she is very perceptive so do not make any such efforts patronizing or they may drive her away. As to her clan they seek to improve the organization of the Empire, with Ayano seeing roads and trade as part of that, and seek to coordinate on military and maritime matters with other clans. The latter may not be our strong points but if we help facilitate it may earn favor for us... though I am more prone to help facilitate the maritime since the military may some day turn against us."

[Doji Dojihime]

“It would be good to get a solid commitment before our time here is done, I will send her a letter and see if she is willing to meet here and finalize the basic details,” she responded.

[Doji Misaki]

"All the more reason to press the other Lion here then, Tsubaki-sama; If Makime-sama lacks in drive and confidence, then having those around her on the same page would be the best way to give that confidence to her. It would certainly make the biggest impact on giving a commitment I think, along with being forward with a meeting as was said."

She looked over at Dojihime, "If you will, my lady, I have a meeting scheduled with Makime-sama later today, if you would rather I give her the message through myself. Or give her the letter. If you would prefer it not need to go through the usual channels."

[Doji Dojihime]

She raised a fan for one of her servants to provide her writing utensils and medium after Misaki spoke. She said, “If you are willing to play courier, then I could draft an initial letter. Feel free to reinforce the message of alliance with us and by extension the Stag.”

Once she had elements in hand she started writing though she continued to listen.

Dear Makime Ayano,

I pray this letter finds you well and that your efforts here are fruitful. I wanted to take a moment to reinforce our mutual admiration and fidelity and that I look forward to your letters with great anticipation. To that end I have provided Lady Misaki with this letter and small token of my esteem to voice our intentions to formalize relations between our two clans. If you find it amenable the alliance would welcome the steady organized hand and military acumen of the Lion to build a stronger and more stable Empire.

I look forward to our next encounter and pray it is as fruitful as our last meeting, may the Fortunes guide you and protect you.

Your dear friend,

Doji Dojihime

She removed a meticulously detailed brass Crane brooch, a gift from her mother, and placed it beside the letter as she wrote and added, “A personal token, should emphasize the gravity of my intentions to Makime and the Lion.”

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru frowned. "There is one other piece of information I have, on the previous subject. When I spoke to Emperor Shiba, he said that symptoms such as I described could be caused by..." his lips shifted a moment, "-realm jealousy. That is, there is something from one of the other realms causing this."

Hikaru looked around. "Emperor Shiba said that it would be in close proximity, but I feel that we must leave nothing out. May I ask, is anyone aware of something from another realm within Crane lands? Most likely a less than savory realm?"

[Doji Dojihime]

That was a chat that at this time she was not sure she wanted to get into so pointedly and it did lead into a matter she did want to discuss. She finished her tea as she collected her thoughts and handed over the letter and gift to Misaki and said, “Thank you, Misaki-san, I am thankful for your efforts.”

“Lady Tsubaki, I thank you for the private space, I apologize but I shall have need it for a little longer. I pray it will not be too much of a nuisance to your establishment. I would like to speak with Hikaru-san a moment more in private, and again I thank you both for your time and efforts.”

OOC: Figure it's nothing but hey why not.

Lore Shadowlands: 4d10o10k3 12

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru dutifully waited.

[Doji Dojihime]

Assuming the other's comply Dojihime continued, "I do not like all the mystery, bring me up to speed on your investigation, who you have talked to and what your next actions are. I am still vexed but I want to hear it all."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru frowned, but inclined his head. "As I said, the next step is to see if Togashi-sama can read the poetry while under the influence of the full moon."

He paused a moment, pulling the scrap of paper, fine but well-worn, from his kimono. The calligraphy on it was beautiful, and would instantly be recognizable as Doji's. However, the strange, uncanny spidery characters that seemed to be intertwined with the poetry, while they were undoubtedly by her hand, were also undoubtedly wrong, somehow. "You've probably seen these before. Still, be careful not to study them too intently." The warning was a reflex; even if most protective of Doji, Hikaru was protective of all her family.

"Emperor Shiba confirmed that Lady Doji's symptoms were supernatural. Thus, I have only been speaking to those with a knowledge of the supernatural. It was a chance meeting with Togashi-sama..." his lips quirked; it had been a strange meeting, "-in which she mentioned that her father had been keeping to isolation more often. And had been mentioning trouble sleeping." He inclined his head. "The similarity to Lady Doji's illness struck me. We compared what information we had, and I tried to seek those with powers of foresight, such as Lord Togashi has."

He went on. "Togashi-sama also confided to me a vision she had, in which she received a message." Reaching into his kimono, he pulled out another piece of paper, reading from it. "Sweet wisdom drips from the depths of the night sky and runs in black creeping rivulets into cracks and crevices. Find it, drink, and know truth." He made a vague gesture. "This made little sense, until I later spoke to Ryoshun Rei."

A deep breath. "She user her magics upon the paper, and told me that it inspired a vision in her, of a creeping darkness like a flow of oil, and a great skittering as of insects. The similarity to both Lady Doji's troubles and Togashi-sama's vision was unmistakable. I think they are all of a piece."

He looked at her, pale eyes determined. "Tomorrow is the full moon. We think that, under the influence of its light, Togashi-sama may be able to find the secret of Lady Doji's writing. It is the strongest clue I've had in a year of searching." Hikaru's lips shifted, stifling a grimace; it had been a difficult time.

[Doji Dojihime]

She had seen the writing and nodded, "I see, well then we can hope that tomorrow we will truly have answers."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru bowed. "I promise that I shall inform you of every development from now on."

[Doji Dojihime]

"Thank you, this is of great concern to me. If you need me personally then I am at your disposal," she offered.

"I am not... pleased with how many are in involved, but saving my mother supersedes that concern. But I pray in the future you utilize more discretion. Not every person here is our friend, and some might use this against the Crane or my mother in the future."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru looked at her for a long moment, and then bowed. "I swear to you that it shall be so, Doji-sama. Finding a cure must be my first priority, but, at your command, discretion shall be my second."

He straightened. "And likewise, if you have need of me, you of course need only ask. I am here to serve."

[Doji Dojihime]

"We are of one mind then, and I am thankful. I am pleased at your progress and look forward to your success," she offered.

"I have nothing else."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru bowed. "By your leave then, Doji-sama."

He looked at her a moment, pale eyes gentle. For a moment, it looked as though he were about to say something. But then he gave the tiniest shake of his head.

With one last bow, he departed.

/exit

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki bowed to the departing Hikaru before turning and tucking the letter Dojihime had given her into a sleeve.

"I shall have to take my leave as well, Doji-sama. Apologies for not being as much help in these discussions, but please don't hesitate if you need anything of me."

Standing, she offered a deeper bow to Dojihime than she'd given the departed Hikaru, as per fitting their stations.