Yuusha interview with Tomatsu

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

I hope this interview with Tomatsu is interesting - apologies for it being so long!. It was fun to ask him some questions. Thank you to Kasumi for this opportunity as well as some tips and many of the questions to ask. Also... beware... some of this has some crude PG 13 humour! Again... my apologies!

----- Transmission begins -----

[2:26:36 PM] Yuusha: hello Tomatsu!

[2:26:40 PM] Tomatsu: Hi

[2:26:48 PM] Yuusha: how are you?

[2:27:13 PM] Tomatsu: Doing fine
[2:27:15 PM] Tomatsu: yourself?

[2:27:28 PM] Yuusha: great, yeah! About to make some muffins

[2:27:33 PM] Tomatsu: Can I have one?

[2:28:03 PM] Yuusha: for those not in the NO - please can you tell us a little about your character and any npcs you have?
[2:28:29 PM] Yuusha: Sharing is not a bushido virtue *om nom nom*

[2:30:09 PM] Tomatsu: Well Tomatsu is my main, hefs the Champion of the Lion clan, a bit of a more modern L5R story line Lion Champion in the sense that hes more progressive, willing to accept outside ideas to strengthen the Lion. As for NPCs I have one and one alt. My alt is Ikoma Rise, Lion Shadow and suspected Kolat Master. My one NPC is a Geisha, I haven't developed her much, but she might become a reoccurring character, something Haruka and I have worked on.

[2:31:06 PM] Yuusha: ah I see. Please enlighten us - just how long have you been the Lion champion and why the break away from also being the Akodo daimyo?

[2:34:33 PM] Tomatsu: Ah well I've been Lion Champion since right after the game started, before we had history really. I was one of the first champions, along with Yoshi and Senshi (back when he was named Jun . As to why I broke away from being the Akodo Daimyo, itfs an IC and OOC reason. IC I did it because Tomatsu is kind of lazy and has his hands full with running the Lion as a whole to want to deal with the day to day running of the Akodo Family. OOC and the more profound reason is because I wanted to create more positions for players to RP and because Keisuke is higher glory than me, and I felt bad that he wasn't champion (cause at that point we had already established me as champion and he never contested it). To be fair, I'm not the only clan that does this, the Crane do too.

[2:36:35 PM] Yuusha: no need to justify it! I think it's interesting. Just asking for the sake of our beloved readers *pats their heads* Ehehehe

[2:36:44 PM] Tomatsu: Oh I know, just giving the fullest answer

[2:37:20 PM] Yuusha: okay, moving on then. We've established a little about your character for those unfamiliar with him. Thanks for that. Now for some more in depth questions

[2:37:27 PM] Tomatsu: Fire away

[2:37:43 PM] Yuusha: this isn't from me, I swear. One nameless soul would like to know "As we all know, the Lion Champion is still single. Is there someone that makes his heart ponder?"

[2:38:51 PM] Tomatsu: HA, I'll give you the true answer for the first time. If I can address the readers for a second, "Pay attention guys"- Yes Tomatsu has a true love. The crumbs are out there for players to intrepert as they want, but one day, it will all be revealed. As to being single, he is accepting bids from clans for his wife, and we shall see what Winter Court has in store for him.

[2:40:28 PM] Yuusha: ... that isn't a true answer. It's a hint at an answer!
[2:40:49 PM] Yuusha: "so Mr President, what are you doing to combat terrorism?"
"We are aware of the problems and are doing everything we can..."
[2:40:54 PM] Yuusha: that isn't an answer!
[2:41:08 PM] Yuusha: stop being such a Crane ^_-

[2:41:11 PM] Tomatsu: Hey I'm a politician at heart, I did confirm he has a true love, and I did confirm hes taking offers at brides

[2:41:26 PM] Yuusha: mmm hmmmmm *pouts*
[2:41:30 PM] Yuusha: okay, well, moving on
[2:41:38 PM] Yuusha: Why did you decide to have your linear trace into Unicorn, since typically Lion and Unicorn are enemies?

[2:43:37 PM] Tomatsu: Well I have a soft spot in my heart for the Utaku. I made Tomatsu somewhat like me and my mother was a strong feminist, very Utaku in a sense. My father is in law enforcement, so Tomatsu's father is a magistrate. I'm training to be a lawyer, so I made Tomatsu a magistrate; I'm not capable of joining the military with any ease, so Tomatsu didn't have a big glorious military career. Its all just a parallel to my own life. The real question someone should have asked is "if his mother is an Utaku, why did she marry into the Lion instead of making her 'not an amazingly glorious' husband leave the lion?"

[2:44:57 PM] Yuusha: it is very unusual. All the source books explicitly say that the Utaku NEVER marry into other families

[2:45:05 PM] Tomatsu: Unless they are shamed

[2:45:06 PM] Yuusha: though I guess there would be a few super rare exceptions
[2:45:10 PM] Yuusha: like to clan daimyo or whatever

[2:45:17 PM] Tomatsu: Tomatsu was born 6 months after they were married if you catch my drift

[2:45:20 PM] Yuusha: oh, of course. But then they rarely get to keep their name

[2:45:28 PM] Tomatsu: Well itfs easier than casting her out

[2:45:44 PM] Yuusha: so his lineage isn't actually lion then perhaps? the father could have been someone else?

[2:45:54 PM] Tomatsu: No no, his father is pure Akodo

[2:46:27 PM] Yuusha: true but its not honourable, honourable would be making her a ronin and casting her out. Betraying their position on marrying into other families and allowing that situation doesn't seem to fit the Utaku mindset for me. Care to explain?
[2:46:35 PM] Yuusha: ah, so things happened before the marriage?
[2:46:37 PM] Yuusha: drama!

[2:46:45 PM] Tomatsu: Yes warriors do strange things in battle

[2:46:57 PM] Yuusha: if the Akodo was high status and had some influence I suppose he could have ensured that result
[2:47:01 PM] Yuusha: wait, it happened in battle?

[2:47:09 PM] Tomatsu: What makes babies

[2:47:10 PM] Yuusha: that's a duel... gone wrong. "Let me draw my sword"

[2:47:21 PM] Tomatsu: As long as she doesn't draw one too

[2:47:40 PM] Yuusha: she's an Utaku. Only the Matsu and the Utaku would have that kind of weaponry...
[2:47:44 PM] Yuusha: tucked away
[2:47:45 PM] Yuusha: ahem
[2:47:46 PM] Yuusha: so
[2:47:48 PM] Tomatsu: Tomatsu shivers
[2:47:49 PM] Yuusha: Who do you want to marry? - from Kasumi

[2:48:03 PM] Tomatsu: Who do I want to marry? You mean what type of woman or the specific woman?

[2:48:03 PM] Yuusha: I meant a tanto! cmon!
[2:48:30 PM] Yuusha: kasumi asked so interpret it however you like. I know my poor Hime has been neglected but I am ignoring that

[2:50:07 PM] Tomatsu: Well I could say a million things about having to wait forever for Hime, but I'm a gentle-samurai, so I won't. But as to what kind of woman, he wants a proud warrior woman who will mollify the Matsu of his clan. But to him the most important part is that she know her place in public. He wants a strong woman who isn't afraid to give her opinions at court, protect him in a fight, but know when he has made up his mind and its best to follow orders. In private... well thats a matter between Tomatsu, her, and his servant girls. I did mention he only has young servant girls right?

[2:51:55 PM] Yuusha: that's below the belt. You hardly pursued her. Waiting forever - excuses! Anyhow, interesting answer
[2:52:19 PM] Yuusha: no. I see now though. Young servant girls. How quaint. Do they keep Tomatsu's bed warm for him?
[2:52:26 PM] Yuusha: it gets cold in Rokugan after all!

[2:52:41 PM] Tomatsu: He hasn't touched one of them, he just appreciates beauty in young women

[2:53:06 PM] Yuusha: "I did not have sex with servant-ruintsuki"
[2:53:15 PM] Yuusha: okay. Well, a couple more from Kasumi
[2:53:27 PM] Yuusha: Are there any requirements for your future wife? Haruka - Tomatsu relationship - is it going to progress any further?

[2:53:27 PM] Tomatsu: Ok fire away, and remember Clinton taught us BJs don't count

[2:53:45 PM] Yuusha: nah, sometimes the Lion just needs to calm down in the morning... *facepalm*
[2:53:57 PM] Yuusha: this has now become a pg 13 interview, you know that right?

[2:54:44 PM] Tomatsu: I will say the Haruka-Tomatsu relationship is going to progress in the future for sure, if people are enjoying it, they will be delighted in its developments, as to requirements for a future wife? As I said before, a strong warrior woman who knows when to follow orders, however a strong warrior woman doesn't mean she has to be a bushi, a strong warrior or magic or the courts is just as beautiful in his eyes
[2:54:50 PM] Tomatsu: and I'm honored people want to know so much

[2:55:29 PM] Yuusha: ^^ that's telling, thank you
[2:55:39 PM] Yuusha: now... *spanks* let's behave for a bit

[2:55:49 PM] Tomatsu: Ok sure, what else do the players want to know?

[2:56:15 PM] Yuusha: well, there are a few more questions along these lines

[2:56:22 PM] Tomatsu: ok sure

[2:56:53 PM] Yuusha: A few more from the Utaku daimyo - What would Senshi think if he saw any of this?
If Haruka weren't married to Senshi what would be different?
How can you claim to be an honorable samurai if you spend all your time steal other people wives?
On a scale of 1 to 10 how dishonorable is it to try and steal your best friend's wife? Does being a clan champion make it even more dishonorable?

[3:05:12 PM] Tomatsu: first of all, I arranged their marriage, and as she has told me, he hasn't treated her well. Much the same as a samurai does not have to serve a lord who mistreats him, I believe that extends to a wife as well. Now I'm not casting dispersions at Senshi as a character or at the player (who is perhaps the nicest man I know in RL), itfs what shefs told him, and there are quite a few grains of truth to it. As to how I can claim to be honorable but steal peoples wives? I'd say its more honorable than beating your proud Utaku warrior or mistreating her, not that I'm saying I've done anything that would violate their marriage at all, because I can't speak on that matter. And does it make it worse if I'm a clan champion? Not one bit, Bushido sees us all as equals. No samurai EVER in the ENTIRE history of Rokugan, even paragons, are honorable all the time. We all have to live with the realities of the world. Just because I am a champion doesn't mean I have to be a Kami. I like to think, given the other champions out there, I'm certainly not the most dishonorable, not even close. Also I'm a paragon of sincerity, I've never lied about this. If I were a paragon of upholding marriages, then yea I'd be in in deep doo-doo. Lastly and most tellingly, on the scale of 1 to 10? I'd say this is a 2 tops, given what shefs running from in her marriage, and how unhappy she has stated to Tomatsu to be, he doesn't see it as bad. Sure she puts on a brave face for those in her clan, but when she lets down her face, he hears the truth. Then again Haruka says OOC that thatfs only part of the story and she refuses to tell me the whole thing, so we shall see as the RP progresses how things go.

[3:07:12 PM] Yuusha: I think some of Senshi's punishments were justified myself but it's interesting to hear your points
[3:07:22 PM] Yuusha: disregarding that all a moment
[3:07:26 PM] Yuusha: What about your friendship with Senshi? Does this war has put things at odds?
[3:07:37 PM] Yuusha: how are relations between the scorpion and lion?

[3:09:20 PM] Tomatsu: Well for those of you out there familiar with the Three Kingdoms, we're brothers by oath, so nothing can truly come between us. The war makes it hard for me to see him, and I do miss the council of my sworn brother, but thats what happens. As to the relations between the Lion and the Scorpion, I think we both made wise decision to uphold both our ends of the bargin. We Lion didn't make any moves towards them, and thankfully, they didn't make any moves towards us. As for suspicious assassinations and such? I can't judge an entire clan by the actions of a few, at least I try not to. Doesn't mean I always succeed

[3:11:15 PM] Yuusha: Okay. So what would you do if Scorpion clan decide to strike Lion?

[3:11:59 PM] Tomatsu: I don't know, thankfully we didn't have to cross that bridge. But if we had, it would greatly depend on the situation, there would be retribution, but it could and likely would be greatly tempered by many various things

[3:12:54 PM] Yuusha: regarding the war as it's in everyone's minds
[3:13:25 PM] Yuusha: Why the Right Hand of the Emperor so quickly and apparently without remorse or much consideration back Kaneka over Naseru? I think it was an easy decision for you but some thought it was hasty!

[3:16:43 PM] Tomatsu: Hasty no, no samurai ever has to serve a lord they think has failed. Hantei failed to protect the Unicorn, part of my heritage, and the Empire as a whole. Toturi made swift decisive action at great cost to his own life and reputation to do so. It seems many people forget the great risk he undertook in making his move, I could not simply stand by and let him take such a risk to protect the Empire without at least feeling I owed him just as much of a risk. Tomatsu honestly believes Toturi would make a better Emperor, when crises occur; waiting to make a decision is the worst decision. While itfs not always right to be reckless, when the decision is clear, you act. The decision was clear, we were under attack, we had to respond. I was just blessed that my fellow Lions understood. I just wish more of the samurai we shed blood with against the Yobanjin had agreed as well. The likes of Fitsu and the Crane on our side would have been very welcome.

[3:17:33 PM] Yuusha: regarding the crane, how do you feel about the Crane defence?

[3:17:44 PM] Tomatsu: The defense of what?

[3:18:23 PM] Tomatsu: Toshi Ranbo?

[3:19:15 PM] Yuusha: yep

[3:19:18 PM] Tomatsu: Ah

[3:19:31 PM] Yuusha: and perhaps their land in general

[3:21:11 PM] Tomatsu: Well I think its just dawned on them how big of a loss it is to lose the capital. However that being said, they are honorable souls to the last. They were worthy opponents, headed by the greatest general who isn't from the Lion. We didn't expect to win, and we were thanking our very kami we did. It was a close fight and the Crane honored us greatly with their efforts. Same goes for the defense of their lands in general.

[3:23:25 PM] Yuusha: nice answer. I see you're being tactful for the sake of the peace process. Ohohohoho~!

[3:23:36 PM] Tomatsu: No its an honest belief amongst the Lion

[3:23:38 PM] Yuusha: Instead then, who are your greatest enemies?

[3:24:21 PM] Tomatsu: My greatest enemies are those who are unseen. I'm sure there are elements out there who hate Tomatsu. No one is perfect. That being said I endevor to be a politican and make everyone my friend. I hope I have more friends than enemies out there.

[3:25:18 PM] Yuusha: and your greatest allies?

[3:27:15 PM] Tomatsu: Thats a little easier of a question. I would first say the Lion, every last one of them, would give their lives for Tomatsu, and I'm very blessed for that. I would also count a few other people out there as great allies. Hida Setsuro, Bayushi Senshi and Haruka (For sure Haruka as she is one of his Yojimbo after all), Takezo, Hime, Shiba Kazumi, just to name a few

[3:28:26 PM] Yuusha: how does Tomatsu see himself in regards to being a bachelor? Kasumi suggests EE's number 1 must have bachelor perhaps?

[3:30:05 PM] Tomatsu: Yeah I'd agree with that assessment, since I'm a clan champion. I may not be as popular as Kiso, but I do have status after all. How does he see himself? Hefs waiting for his true love to marry him. While most champions are forced to marry, hefs done his absolute best to delay it as long as he can. That being said, if someone could trap him into a marriage he'd be force to accept (and a fun RP I think, but we'll see what happens).

[3:30:35 PM] Yuusha: how old is he again?

[3:30:51 PM] Tomatsu: Umm give me a sec to look it up again

[3:31:05 PM] Yuusha: 30 something right? I recall him being one hell of an old timer ^_-

[3:31:34 PM] Tomatsu: Hes getting close to his 30s
[3:31:39 PM] Tomatsu: I think I said hes 28 but his birthday is right around the corner

[3:32:28 PM] Yuusha: alright ^^
[3:32:38 PM] Yuusha: What are your political plans? What do you have in mind now that Toshi Ranbo has fallen?

[3:34:31 PM] Tomatsu: Well he has a vision he wants to see pass. He wants Rokugan to come to peace again. He hopes that his peace with the Crane will start a domino effect of peace with all the clans so we can put this issue to bed. He hopes that there will be a civilized decision made on who will be Emperor and general amnesty will be given to both sides. Hefs already secured for himself a legacy as perhaps one of the greatest Champions of the Lion with military might, now itfs time for him to set his legacy to the rest of Rokugan as a man of peace. We do have a threat brewing down south that needs our combined attention after all

[3:35:47 PM] Yuusha: Damn right. How do you feel about losing Permission City?

[3:36:54 PM] Tomatsu: Itfs a backwater town that we use as a staging area to attack the Crane. Sure it hurts to lose any amount of land. But if I could trade one city of not major importance to the Lion clan (at least as Tomatsu sees it) for Toshi Ranbo, he'd make that choice every day and twice on the Bon Festival.

[3:37:43 PM] Yuusha: okay, what about the Dragon threat?

[3:40:21 PM] Tomatsu: In all honestly, looking at the choice from a not lion perspective, they were handed a very poor choice. Sure they could have attacked Toturi, therefs a slight chance they'd win, but if they did, they'd end the war in their favor. They could have retreated, which in my estimation was the best choice. Attacking Castle of the Swift Sword was the poorest choice. Youfre now trapped wasting resources in a hard to win fight thatfs just going to allow Toturi to move on past and into Toshi Ranbo even if you win. Tomatsu's not happy the Dragon have offered the great offense of attacking his birthplace, but its to be expected in a war. We might win, we might loose, all I can say is as a Lion, with all the biases that come with it, I'm glad that we can once again pin down another of the few remaining Hantei loyal armies in another fruitless battle that doesn't really win them the war.

[3:41:14 PM] Yuusha: ^^ sounds good to me

[3:41:47 PM] Tomatsu: Well I symapthize with the situation they were in, I'm sure the vote was decided by the players not on the boards, and its crappy, but it is what it is

[3:41:54 PM] Yuusha: seems the Dragon arenft considered much of a threat. I don't know if I should be happy or not
[3:42:03 PM] Yuusha: Next question. If Tomatsu and his guard encountered Hantei himself along with some Seppun guards, what would Tomatsu do?

[3:44:05 PM] Tomatsu: The only honorable thing to do. Kill the Seppun in honorable combat and take Hantei into our custody. We'd then take him straight to Toturi and let him decide what to do with his brother. Its not our place to harm or even to decide the fate of the Imperials. While the Hanteists would love to paint me up as killing him on the spot and running around with his head in a bag, we on the Toturi side are trying to conduct the war in the most honorable and bloodless fashion. Sure we could conduct a total war and cripple Rokugan forever, but I believe none of us want that. Rokugan NEEDS to get past this as fast as possible and we need to all quickly forgive and forget. We are only as strong as we are united, which now isn't very strong or united.

[3:46:08 PM] Yuusha: ^^ Well said, well said. I agree. I think it'd be fun to at least intimidate the poor Hantei though... roll high enough and have the late emperor wet his pants... what? I think it's a funny image!
[3:46:21 PM] Yuusha: am sure you could pull it off with a matsu beast master nearby too!
[3:46:45 PM] Yuusha: Okay, back to the Dragon. What is Tomatsu's opinion on them then?

[3:46:46 PM] Tomatsu: No no, hes still a man descendant of Akodo Toturi, I would never harm him memory
[3:48:10 PM] Tomatsu: Whatfs his opinion of the Dragon? Well the only man who isn't an imperial he calls sama is Takezo. He believes Takezo is the absolute epitome of what it means to be a samurai, even before he went ronin to follow Toturi. As for the rest of them, there are elements he doesn't like, but on the whole, he finds them to be a bit too militant for his taste, but honorable samurai none the less. It is nice to seem the contributing to the affairs of Rokugan rather than trying to be aloof as they have in the past. We all have to contribute our fair share to make this work.

[3:49:50 PM] Yuusha: Hahhahaha too militant? Coming from a Lion?

[3:50:24 PM] Tomatsu: Well what Lion would want peace with the Crane? Do I give the air I'm a stereotypical Lion? If so I'm sorry for that and will try harder to break the mould.

[3:50:56 PM] Yuusha: *shakes head* if you reeeeally want to break the mould, reduce your army size
[3:51:02 PM] Yuusha: it'll be like nuclear disarmament

[3:51:03 PM] Tomatsu: Hey I'm not insane

[3:51:12 PM] Yuusha: make some treaties on reducing troop numbers ehehehe
[3:51:13 PM] Yuusha: good
[3:51:17 PM] Yuusha: then don't call the dragon militant
[3:51:25 PM] Yuusha: when the lion are even more militant. Got that buddy?
[3:51:35 PM] Yuusha: *hard elbow nudge*

[3:51:37 PM] Tomatsu: Hey I'm like Ronald Regan, if they want our army smaller, I'll reduce in equal measures with everyone else, Give up all your armies and we'll give up an equal number

[3:51:43 PM] Yuusha: some of us are happily avoiding the war

[3:51:55 PM] Tomatsu: I'm trying by best but the war keeps ending up on my doorstep

[3:52:06 PM] Yuusha: heh. I am sure your enemies would say you started it

[3:52:13 PM] Tomatsu: As I say Hantei started it, itfs all understandable

[3:52:27 PM] Yuusha: alright... why did Tomatsu himself not participate in the fighting at the capital?

[3:53:12 PM] Tomatsu: Well he honestly didn't expect it to wrap up so quickly is all. He was up getting the paper work on his linage in the Unicorn clan and was headed back to Toshi Ranbo when he was informed it was over. It happens. We can't be everywhere all the time for all the major events.
[3:53:54 PM] Tomatsu: And I was at Permission City for the early parts of the battle, someone had to defend the city and I took it upon myself to do it alone

[3:53:56 PM] Yuusha: Mhmmm. Well, in game but not in RP
[3:54:01 PM] Yuusha: ok
[3:54:03 PM] Yuusha: let's move on

[3:54:06 PM] Tomatsu: I try to strictly keep both of them together

[3:54:08 PM] Yuusha: the next question I rather like...

[3:54:12 PM] Tomatsu: ok shoot

[3:54:26 PM] Yuusha: Is there any way to provoke him to fight? BWAHAHAHAHAHA... Nishishishishishishi~ (and so on)

[3:56:08 PM] Tomatsu: Sure there are, insult his family, his clan, or attack him first. But with the exception of the last one, he'll just rebuke you with words or shame you in court. Hefs not a fighter; hefs a general and a statesman. Did George Washington ever take up a musket? Nope, and neither does Tomatsu when he can get away with it. Besides the Lion clan is better off with him very much alive and well. That being said, he was champion Jijutsu practitioner for his class in the Lion clan, even besting the Akodo War College's student, who were our rivals after all

[3:57:26 PM] Yuusha: I am fairly sure Washington at least did a spot of hunting...

[3:57:45 PM] Tomatsu: Well Tomatsu does too, but neither he nor I hunt men

[3:59:10 PM] Yuusha: ^^ shame. It's fun. Especially when they are criminals or maho practitioners. Yes, I am looking at you Spider! *shakes fist angrily* Burn! BURN IN... oh sorry, the interview, right right.

[3:59:23 PM] Tomatsu: Hey I hate the Spider too

[3:59:28 PM] Yuusha: so, you said Tomatsu believes in Toturi. What else does he see in him?

[4:01:05 PM] Tomatsu: Well hefs a Lion born and raised, that did factor in, I would be fooling myself if I said it didn't. Tomatsu also very much disagrees with the decision to force him to no longer take the Akodo name. He also sees a man, in all frankness and fairness, at the very basic level, that will be appreciate of the Lion support and won't forget it. Hantei would just expect our support whereas Toturi is thankful for it, that was certainly a factor as well.

[4:03:21 PM] Yuusha: what is your ideal scenario for the war ending then?

[4:04:38 PM] Tomatsu: Ideally? In my very hopes and dreams? I doubt anyone will believe me but I hope our peace with the Crane inspires the other clans and we all come to the peace table and figure this out in a civilized manner. I hope Tomatsu is heralded as the man who made this peace possible and is remembered for it. I don't care who gets to be Emperor as long as there is general amnesty for everyone. I'd like Toturi to win, but as long as Hantei forgives us all, I'm ok with that outcome.

[4:05:22 PM] Yuusha: ^^ fair enough
[4:05:26 PM] Yuusha: okay next topic!
[4:06:08 PM] Yuusha: who are the characters that Tomatsu interacts the most with and a few thoughts on each? e.g. Haruka, Senshi, some of the other Lion, etc?

[4:11:23 PM] Tomatsu: Well I'll say he holds all the Lion with the highest respect. Even some of the more eccentric like Burretto, he knows have their place and serve him with undying loyalty. Haruka, well he trust her with his life. Senshi is his sworn brother and will love him as such to the day he dies. Mitsuoko he has great respect for, hefs come to realize shefs a sensible person and someone he can interact with. Naetaru is another honorable sort and he hopes to make a friend of him. Fitsu is a man he can respect, he wouldn't have given him his copy of the Art of War if he didn't. Shiba Kazuma is another honorable soul but he realizes and has a little pity for the fact he doesn't have much control over his clan, he can't fathom allowing a body to rule in the place of a champion. He has respect for Hime and would love to have her come teach the Lion magistrates in the arts of the Kitsuki method, its another step towards being a more advanced clan.

[4:12:51 PM] Yuusha: ^^ she would be delighted to share actually. She wants to spread it eveeeerywhere. Root out all the nefarious people and what not. Might be a great way of reconciling the two clans at the end of this fight. Right, a couple more questions then!
[4:13:15 PM] Yuusha: one that is becoming a tradition a bit - if you could say anything to your character, perhaps advice, what would it be?

[4:14:39 PM] Tomatsu: Keep doing what you are doing. Don't change your path. Akodo once told him, when he became champion, that military might was not the only path to victory, and that sincerity was critical. Sure hefs not the most Lion of champions, but I'd say hefs one of the most successful Lion champions.

[4:15:49 PM] Yuusha: that's touching

[4:15:53 PM] Tomatsu: Its the truth

[4:16:12 PM] Yuusha: what are Tomatsu's greatest strengths and weaknesses? And i'm not calling you a liar. Believe me when i'm sincere eh!? Meanie! *pokes more*
[4:16:18 PM] Yuusha: i'll jab you next! Watch out!

[4:18:21 PM] Tomatsu: His greatest strength is his willingness to be political. Itfs impossible to solve anything via military power in Emerald Empire. His greatest weakness? I think itfs being a Lion, in the sense that everyone seems to hate us, and usually for no reason other than "itfs what my clan thinks". You'd be surprised how many people I've asked to RP with and they say, "Well we can, but I'm not going to like you." "Why is that?" "Well because youfre a Lion." "Whatfs that got to do with it?" "Well my clan hates the Lion" It doesn't really matter, we should all strive to judge the individual not the clan
[4:22:25 PM] Yuusha: true. Sometimes I think people are too individual though. Like all these samurai who happily chat to known maho practicioners rather than cut them down where they stand. But that's another matter entirely

[4:22:38 PM] Yuusha: Okay, laaaaaaast question

[4:22:43 PM] Tomatsu: Ok

[4:22:56 PM] Yuusha: Dun duuuuun dun! I hope you've enjoyed this so far. It's been interesting to learn about Tomatsu certainly
[4:23:06 PM] Yuusha: where do you see him in the future realistically?

[4:23:08 PM] Tomatsu: Hey I'm an open book, happy to let people read

[4:23:19 PM] Yuusha: except about your bread crumbs lover! Hmpf!

[4:24:45 PM] Tomatsu: Realistically, hes going to retire at some point, on a high note, and let Keisuke take over. Hes going to enjoy just being a famous samurai, being perhaps Akodo Daimyo if he gets appointed, or whatever task the Champion wants, and raising his kids and spending time with his wife. If I dare to dream, I'd like him to be appointed Emerald Champion or Shogun if Toturi wins, but I don't think that would happen unless I retired him to Jay to use as an NPC, which I think I could do, we'll see.

[4:29:07 PM] Yuusha: sounds like you have some lovely ideas! It's great to hear them
[4:29:17 PM] Yuusha: thank you very much for your time! We got through dozens of questions ^_^
[4:29:29 PM] Yuusha: were you hoping for any other questions that were not asked?

[4:29:43 PM] Tomatsu: No no thats not how it works, I only answer those that are asked

[4:29:48 PM] Yuusha: and you will be slapped if you respond "what does Tomatsu think x character's measurements are?"
[4:29:56 PM] Yuusha: good stuff!

[4:30:06 PM] Tomatsu: And thank you for doing this, I know itfs not easy

[4:30:18 PM] Yuusha: bah, I enjoy it. Hold your war lions!
[4:30:26 PM] Yuusha: I am just glad my net didn't fail

[4:30:31 PM] Tomatsu: Yep we got lucky

[4:30:51 PM] Yuusha: right, let's wrap it up then. Not quite a question but more fun - what do you have to say to your enemies?

[4:31:08 PM] Tomatsu: Nothing, they won't live long enough to hear or process anything

[4:31:24 PM] Yuusha: ouch! Burn! Great - and there you have it folks!

----- Transmission ends -----

[Bayushi Senshi]

Special thanks to Yuushahime and Kasumi for conducting and prepping this interview, and to Tomatsu for the insight of his character (and his kind words ).

And who be next?! As ever I am looking for nominations of interviewers and interviewees!

Post here with you thoughts of the interview and your suggestions for who should be next.

[quarim]

Yoee should be next!

[Utaku Kasumi]

I'd suggest a Crane. Fitsu, Mitsuoko, Alesha or Sojiro maybe.
This way some questions that Tomatsu had could be given to "the other side of the wall"

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

I agree with Kasumi. A Crane, a Crane! I nominate Mitsuoko

[Zeure]

If it's going to be a crane, it's gotta be Yukihime-chan.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

I second Yukihime, there is no more a person dedicated to peace as her, and she would make a nice compliment to some of my ideas.

[Asahina Yukihime]

I really appreciate the indication, but I'm kinda felling responsible for killing the thread right now
Besides, the more active Crane may have more, and more interesting, things to say ^^ Fitsu-sama (kinda "mysterious" guy with short posts probably the Crane I know less about), Naetaru-sama or Mitsouko-sama may be a good call if a Crane is needed.


By the way; congrats for the interview, I didn't read all of them (the previous ones), but this was the more complete, organized, and well done one I have read until now. Great questions, admirable answers, nice amount of humor. Great job all.

[Zeure]

Ah, but see, my reason for nominating you, Yukihime-chan is three-fold.

One, as Tomatsu said earlier, you are dedicated to peace more so than most we've seen here.

Second and related, if we've already had the perspective of the warlike lion champion, it would benefit us to hear from the quote unquote "voice of peace and reason". Several of the questions that were asked of Tomatsu could be asked of you and the responses would be completely different, which is one of the things I think we seek in the interviews.

Thirdly, you're just too cute! *pinches cheek* We gotta hear from this one! Look at that modesty.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Is someone working on another interview?

Also - thanks for the kind words Yukihime! :3

[quarim]

I don't believe anyone is.