RP - An Offer of Military Assistance

[kentaro]

[OOC - This RP is open to any Crane, or any other person liable to be present in Crane court as it occurs. If this changes, I will update here.]

As he set out for Kyuden Doji, Daigotsu Kenzo felt something he was unfamiliar with. He would likely consider it be no more than nerves at the audacity of the task awaiting him. Others, perhaps more accurately, may speculate it was fear at meeting the fate of previous Spider emissaries...

Kenzo, a dashing young samurai, kitted out in elegant black armor over fine grey kimonos, approached the gates of Kyuden Doji. The daisho at his side appeared made by skilled Kakita, though the handle and tsuba had been replaced. His horse bore the banner of a Hantei supporter.

Leaving his horse at the stables outside of the castle, he and his small retinue of honor guard and assorted servants approached the beautiful walls of Kyuden Doji. Before he could enter, the Daidoji guardsmen leveled their yari and blocked his path.

Daigotsu Kenzo smiled politely and bowed slightly to the guards.

"My sincerest apologies for arriving unannounced. I am Daigotsu Kenzo, and I come to the Crane, clan of my mother, to make an offer on behalf of the Spider Clan. We would offer our assistance in fighting Kaneka's rebels, and in helping to secure Hantei on the throne."

"Is there someone I could discuss this with? Perhaps <glances amused at the spears> in a more pleasant atmosphere?"

[yuuka]

Both Daidoji stares at the recently arrived samurai for a while, their eyes are shadowed under their heavy kabuto, making the looks hard to notice.
They where not trained for that but could look for more evident marks of taint.
(OCC: I could no find your char description, so if there is anything that worth noticing, like "he have two heads" please let me know. Meh, taint those days is not like back on 1st ed but... I better check for leprosy/tainted looks anyway )

They had many thoughts, but the 'Spider' didn't gave them any reason to act uneducated.

"Is Daigotsu-san fine about leaving his weapons in a safe room? There will be no need for them in the presence of our courtiers.
If so, please follow me."

One of the Daidoji guides Daigotsu inside. Frist stepping into a large corridor, wide and richly decorated with paintings, ikebanas and a variety of art work. Everything is neatly organized, the place is not "poluted" by a dense amount of stuff sharing the same room.

Ahead on this corridor the gardens could be seen, and after it the real castle. Seems like the gates and walls could be a notable home already, but there is more to come. The Daidoji make his way to the 1st room, on the right of this corridor. One more Daidoji guards this entrance.

It's a small room, with suports where armors and weapons could rest. Clearly a place for guests to leave their stuff safely.

(OOC: if you are carrying no weapon/armor besides your wakizashi (what here will be considered simbol of your caste and not weapon) we can skip all that but I had to check, safety of the clan)

[kentaro]

[OOC - Not tainted. Zero taint. None on my retinue, either.]

At the request to disarm, Kenzo smiles and answers:

"Oh, I'm sure I would have no need for these within Kyuden Doji. They were merely for the journey here. I would be more than happy to leave them in your care for the duration of my visit."

One of his servants came over to take his katana, and help remove his armor. On the assumption of some privacy, Kenzo put on a fresh kimono, done in the current fashions of the Imperial Capital, of a rich gray silk, with faint spiderwebs embroidered in an iridescent black. Placing his wakizashi into his obi, Kenzo stepped out of the guests' armory. His pair of yojimbo had likewise removed their armor and katanas.

"Shall I wait here? Again, my apologies for arriving unannounced. I understand if there will be a wait..."

Daigotsu Kenzo, despite being of the Spider, clearly seems refined and possessed of manners.

[yuuka]

No need to wait, Daigotsu-san.

The Daidoji was actually impressed, until now the 'Spider' had being more polite and easy to deal with than many great clan Samurais that had been here before. But it wasn't enough yet to make the Daidoji friendly towards the spider. His voice was cold.

"Please, follow me into the main palace. I'll have the courtiers to attend you soon."

On their way is easy to notice that another guard already replaced this one on the main gates. The Daidoji guides the visitor through the gardens shortest path to the castle.

A few corridors later a new door silently glides being opened to the 'guest'. It reveals a large, well decorated and ventilated tea room, on the second floor of the castle.

"Please, make yourself confortable. Doji-sama is going to join you soon."

The Daidoji bows to Daigotsu and his yojimbos. The castle was emptied of samurais, but some movements is still happening through it's corridors. Politics never stops.
The Daidoji waits, guarding the door, and the 'visitors', outside the tea room.

[kentaro]

They certainly are professionals, these Daidoji, thought Diagotsu Kenzo. They may wish to see me executed, but nothing but absolute politeness.

Kenzo followed the Daidoji through the garden. Admiring the trees, and wondering what the gardener had planned for the winter season, Kenzo idly hoped that the Crane might host Winter Court again this year. Unlikely, two years in a row, but what a treat it would be.

Upon reaching the tea room, Kenzo examined the blossoms in the small vase. Beautiful, but certainly not gaudy. A refined restraint in their selection. The verse was likewise inspired. A classic, but one that always found new ways to evoke feeling.

Daigotsu Kenzo gracefully seated himself, as did his yojimbo. Smiling slightly, he patiently awaited the Crane that may be willing to meet with him.

Perhaps this may end civilly after all. They may yet realize that the Spider aren't all monsters.

[Asahina Yukihime]

Doji Hotaru

It doesn't take long until a female voice could be herad, she shared a few words with the Daidoji by door, and soon the shoji screen was sliding again, opening way for the girl to enter.
The Daidoji remains outside, and this time the door is left open.

A Doji courtier bows before entering the room, on her hand she caries a necklace with a briliant green jade pendant. Her white hair is styled for court. Rice powder covers her face, improving the contrast between her redish lips and pale skin. The make up enlight her eyes. She seems a delicate person, but with a confident behavior.

Something inside the room pleases her, as she displays a brief and discrete smile for a couple seconds when entering.

She presents herself while walking towards the visitors.

"Greetings Kenzo-san. I'm Doji Hotaru, 2nd daughter of Doji Kato-sama and Doji Yue-sama. Student, here at Kyuden Doji, of the renowned courtier and sensei Doji Fujin-sama. And I fancy myself an artist on my sparetime."

Once her words are spoken she bows once more, now right in front of Kenzo, yet in a respectable and safe distance, then stores the pendent into her sleeves and sits down in seiza positon.

She waited in silence a while, expecting his introduction.

"We are going to have the pleasant company of another courtier soon. But I couldn't let Kenzo-san waiting longer. So... what brings you here, so far of what is said to be Spider's lands? I heard you are carring Hantei-sama standart, I must say it is... curious... considering what happened a while ago at Imperial court."

She is barely done with her words when two heimin are to be found at the door, the Doji waves at them with mild manners. As they are clearly here to serve, once more she addresses to Kenzo.

"Tea?"

Once he was in, lets stick with the protocol. Manners first. It's to early for the Crane go be bold out of their natural battlefield... courts.

[kentaro]

Kenzo smiled politely at the arrival of Doji Hotaru.

"I would be most honored to join you in tea. Please don't mistake this for flattery, but I find it hard to imagine a more perfect cup of tea than one served in this castle, and from a Doji, no less."

Kenzo went through the ritual of refusing the first cup, then allowing the host to insist. Certainly no gaps in his education in cultural matters.

"As to the distance of my trip, it hasn't been too far. At the urging of my parents, I have been exploring and experiencing the Empire as a whole. It took some convincing, but many of the clans have allowed me to train in their dojo, visit their libraries, and attend their courts."

"At the risk of discussing too ... political a matter over tea, I suppose it does appear odd that I would support the Hantei dynasty. In fact, the Spider Clan's official position is one of support for the Hantei dynasty. We simply feel that he was poorly advised on the matter of ordering our envoy executed. That in no way diminishes his authority, or our loyalty to him."

Taking a small sip of the tea, he continued.

"This tea is quite excellent! I would be most interested if you would be willing to share the source." Then, smiling mischieviously, "Of course, if this is a Crane secret, I wouldn't dream of asking you to compromise a matter of such great strategic importance."

"I must say, even if the offer I present is rebuffed, this meeting alone will have made my journey worthwhile."

[Asahina Yukihime]

Kenzou refuses the tea having the Doji to politely insist. Once he agrees she noods allowing the heimin to serve. She is not performing a ceremony right now, just offering some relief for someone who arrived from a jorney.

"Excuse me, Kenzo-san, but I didn't heard your presentention. I'm now the most curious about your lineage.
Kenzo-san sure doesn't have the looks I expected to find on a member of the Spider group."

The courtier speaks emotionless for most of the time, briefly glancing at him once.

"If I'm not wrong blue eyes are very common among my family. I wonder if we share some ancestry?" (ooc: assuming your sig is kinda accurate)

"If Kenzo-san can satisfy my curiosity, we may soon proceed to the issue that brought you here."

She hold her tea cup with both hands. And silently tastes it waiting for his words. Her moves are shaped precisely by years of training, to be delicated and gentle as a breeze.

[Doji Naetaru]

Moments later, there was a knock on the rice paper shoji screen. A servant tapped thrice and then announced the arrival of Doji Jirou.

"Lord Doji Jirou, karo to Doji Naetaru, administrator and overseer of Kyuden Doji."

Jirou was a short man with silver-white hair worn in an elegant samurai topknot. He was wearing a fine kimono with small details depicting crane birds flying over the Lord Sun's gaze. He was a young man but his face was rugged making him look rather older. He had a stern look that made him almost look like a Crab.

"Good morning Doji Hotaro-san, have you eaten rice today?"

After he performs the courteous bow in perfect rhythm and momentum he turned over to the Spider.

"Daigotsu Kenzo-san." performing one smaller bow. He had already been informed of the Spider's arrival. Jirou had thought that their guest was fine amidst the presence of Hotaro.

((Leaving a time space for replies and reactions and I can sit later ))

[kentaro]

[OOC - Yeah I figured this wasn't a full-blown tea ceremony, but Kenzo does tend towards formality in these things.]

At Doji Hotaru's comments as to his looks, Kenzo laughed. "At the risk of being too prideful, I would say my looks are not common in any clan. But, more to your point, my mother was a Crane; Kakita, to be precise, and my father of another clan. Most of the Spider hail from the Crab, and their appearance would be more common."

At the arrival of Doji Jirou, Kenzo bowed deeply and politely.

"Thank you both for the honor of receiving me. I hope I'm not being too abrupt in getting down to business here, but this is my first diplomatic effort. I have been sent to offer the cooperation of the Spider in helping to defend the true Emperor Hantei against the upstart Kaneka. Admittedly, our last offers were not well received. We hope that those in power receive better advice this time around."

"After the last offer of support was refused, the Spider Clan made a simple decision: We would do what we were allowed by the other clans to fight the rebel Kaneka, but would not force others to work in close concert with us. Thus, we have opened a front against Kaneka's allies, the Crab. We have fought against the Lion at Permission City, but from separate camps and commands, to not offend."

"Unfortunately, we were unable to help in the defense of Toshi Ranbo without provoking the ire of the other clans. We felt that the Emperor would be better served if his defenders were fighting the besiegers, not us. We had hoped that this would be sufficient to guarantee Hantei's safety, but we fear it may not be. Some even wonder, if we had been allowed to join openly in the defense, if Toshi Ranbo might have withstood."

"I will not pretend to guess at what could have been; I will leave that to the mystics. But, I do fear that if we do not bring every force to bear, that Kaneka may, Heavens forbid, triumph in his betrayal."

"I obviously expect no commitment at this point, and will have to repeat this mission with the other clans that support Hantei. Regrettably, I am but a messenger, and have little power in matters of state, other than the conveyance of this offer. Of course, I would be more than happy to answer most any questions you may desire to ask me."

[Asahina Yukihime]

Hotaru was quite unsatisfied by the answer. Once more not the proper introduction. Who would she write for if displeased with his behaviour?
There are reason for parents and senseis to be announced. And probably, reasons for hiding them. And hiding is not amoung what ones like her would understand for honored. One that is brave enough hides nothing.

She bows to the Doji with great respect upon his arrival. But her attention falls on Kenzo again.

"It's fine to go straight to bussiness. We have not much else to share besides that and regular white tea" -she clearly gave him an answer about the tea.

So...what exactly is Kenzo-san here to offer? How many men? How many units? Where are they and how long are they going to take to reach Toshi Ranbo?"

She kept the rest of her thoughts and concerns for later. May be those questions would have an answer.

[Doji Naetaru]

Doji Jirou listened intently to what Kenzo disclosed to them while he was scanning the man from head to toe. He seemed thoughtful for a while, looked over at Hotaru and after her questions were answered he said:

"Spider Clan you say?" he rubbed his chin for some time reaching for his black moustache. Hair and facial hair making an extreme antithesis.

"Correct me if I am wrong Daigotsu Kenzo, but I fail to recall as of when did your Clan received the blessings of the Hantei." his voice betrayed no sense of irony, rather than pragmatism.

"As much as I truly can attest to what you say and imply, I confess that the Clan of the Crane has shown it's stance back in the court of Hantei-tono." he tried to rebuke the man in courtesy. Snobbish attitude was a necessity and yet again another characteristic of their Clan.

"You say that your mother was a Kakita?" he added in a polite tone.

[kentaro]

Kenzo, realizing that they were insistent on learning his parentage, quickly apologized.

"I seem to have completely forgotten my manners! I am so used to receiving more hostile welcomes, that I've frankly rarely had to make a proper introduction. I am Daigotsu Kenzo, only son of Daigotsu Toshiro, formerly of the Bayushi family, and Daigotsu Aiko, formerly of the Kakita family. I have been schooled at a variety of bushi dojos, but to name the one I consider my primary training, it would be the Kakita School. I was taught it by my mother, but have had those teachings corrected and certified by the Kakita Dojo."

"And it is certainly true that the Spider have not received confirmation of Clan status from the Hantei as of yet. As to the exact placement, numbers, and disposition of our troops, well ... you can understand, I hope, why I might be hesitant to disclose that information with not even an informal alliance in place?"

"Frankly, I'm not here to ask for recognition as a clan; that is the prerogative of the Emperor Hantei alone, not even the Crane can change that tradition. What I am here is merely to offer our assistance in fighting Kaneka's rebels. We have a not inconsiderable military force, and intend to use it to fight for the Hantei dynasty. We are already doing so, in our attack on the Crab. What we are hoping for is to be allowed to cooperate and coordinate our attacks with the other Hantei forces."

"Ultimately, we will fight for the Hantei. Whether we are termed an otokodate or a Clan is not why I am here. What I am here for is to merely ask that we be allowed to work together against Kaneka. If there conditions required for this occur, I would be honored to convey those back to the Spider, whatever they may be. Our hope is that our help be accepted before the Hantei are defeated by the rebels. We are willing to to work with those who despise us, for the sake of the Empire. I would hope the Empire is willing to do the same."

[Asahina Yukihime]

The conversation was quickly going out of what Hotaru had desired of it.
By now she was glad enough with some confirmations. By the door the Daidoji had told her about Kenzo's katana. Such fine craft itens are not supposed to leave the Crane territory.

Of course, Kenzo couldn't be fully guilty for the terrible choices of his mother. But the Kakita family surely wouldn't allow their fine techniques to be disrespectfully taught to any ronin.

Also, the Doji found really hard to believe that any Kakita Dojo would really take in a random samurai, specially one from the Spider mob.

"Kenzo-san is not tainted, there are sure better paths and steps to follow, than the steps of tainted ones. But I'm sure Kenzo-san knows your band origins better than I do. Back to the business:

I understand your prudence in revealing what is being asked. But also, we won't grant an invitation for a tainted army to come to this side of the wall.
It's useless to us to have an Emperor if we have no Empire. And I believe every clan will agree on that.

If you have something really impressive, that would amazes us and changes our minds to say; It is your time to say it. If not, I yet fail to understand why you have come in person."

Of course, they made some improvements since the Imperial Court, at least no tainted freak with zoombie parts attached to its body was sent this time. But, if he came to make and offer, she was hopeing to hear a REAL deal. Not just something that could be sent on a letter.

[kentaro]

"Well, if we are to be blunt, we can bring an untainted army, or if a little more latitude is allowed, an army using no maho and bearing no more Taint this typically acceptable. [OOC - Max Taint 99]"

"Ultimately, we will continue to exist, and we will fight for the Hantei. All we had hoped was that differences could be put aside, for the sake of the Empire and Emperor. I am offering to bring untainted troops, subordinated to the command of other clans, though obviously with their own small unit commanders. I understand the scorn we provoke, but, really, we have offered all and asked nothing. Literally, nothing. We ask for the permission to fight for you. We would do this for the Hantei."

"Ultimately, I will make the same offer to fight alongside the other Hantei loyal clans. If our aid is scorned by all, we will confine ourselves to fighting on the Crab front solely. We will fight for the Empire and Emperor Hantei, to the extent that you, the Great Clans, let us. It saddens me that we are continually denied the chance to serve the Empire. I hope this disharmony does not prevent a successful defense of the Empire from the rebels."