The Ambassador of the Crane

[Kakita Asamura]

A quartet of figures in blue and white begin the long climb from the ruins of Kyuden Tonbo to the heights of Shiro Mirumoto. Their proud horses had been left behind, deemed too noble and pure to make the rocky incline safely.

In the lead were a pair of Daidoji, their yari hooded and bound with peace knots. Following them was a woman, a Doji perhaps, though her small size made it difficult to make out her mon. Finally, a young man, possibly twenty, rounded out the procession. He was tall for a Crane, and almost shockingly handsome, though perhaps he would have been considered plain in his homeland.

He was thin to the point of frailty, but his poise and economy of motion marked him a bushi just as surely as the daisho elegantly tucked into his obi. The Kakita mon stretched across the back of his kataginu, and his sandalled feet did not even stir up the dust as he moved up the trail.

Having reached at last the imposing gates of the fortress of Mirumoto, the tiny Doji stepped forward and called out with a surprisingly loud and clear voice.

"Sons of the Dragon! Kakita Asamura no Naoru, second son of Kakita Senichi of Toshi Ranbo wo shien Shiite Reigisaho, Emerald Magistrate, does present himself as the new Ambassador of the Esteemed House of the Crane to your glorious clan!"

With that, she bowed, stepped back, and waited.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Some movement from above caught the Crane group's attention but then the calm returned. Wind whipped back and forth along the path, followed by its own echoes as it flowed through all the cracks and slopes either side of the path. The Crane group was forced to wait as the Mirumoto entrance stayed closed.

After some minutes a voice called out "You may proceed!"

Following this, slowly, the imposing gates to the large castle began to grind open. A handful of courtiers and many more bushi strode out of the fortress, politely keeping their weapons out of their hands. The head courtier, a small and bald man of about middle age, approached the party and bowed very politely. At this silent instruction, the others accompanying him also bowed.

"You were expected. Welcome, honoured Crane guests, to Dragon lands. Please follow me into the castle. My name is Tamori Kasuke. I apologise in advance for what limited hospitality we can offer. Of course, if you wish for anything do ask and we will do our best to fulfill your requests. We have rooms prepared for the evening"

He spoke in a near monotone, his face showing no emotions. When he finished he blinked once and then dipped his head before turning about face and marching back under the gates and into the castle. Now they could see it, the Crane noted the elaborate tattoo that seemed to start from the back of his head. It combined deep reds and orange with white but it was not immediately apparant what it was of. Before they could ask or enquire further, the guards and attendants joined the man, one motioning for the Crane to follow. Eerily the wind increased almost at the same time, the skies beginning their first shower of snow flakes for the day.

[Kakita Asamura]

The Doji looked to her Kakita superior for a moment, a quirk of her brow inquiring as to whether it was appropriate to take offense at the brusque greeting. Asamura remained impassive, merely waving the guards forward.

He seemed to float through the iron gates, his kataginu and kimono fluttering in the wind along with his lengthy white hair. The pale blue and white of his clothing suggested the chill of winter, no stranger to these mountains, and the smooth fluidity of his motion suggested the snowflake--perfect in its delicacy, but no less cold for all its beauty.

The Daidoji tramped ahead like the soldiers they were. The Doji followed, apprehensive. The Kakita studied the Tamori's tattoo with the eye of an artist, just as he studied the guards' equipment, the castle's architecture, the layout of the grounds. His sea-blue eyes missed little.

[Kakita Asamura]

A message from the Crane clan.

August Lord Mirumoto-dono,

It is a sincere pleasure to pen what I hope will be the first of many missives between our clans. I am writing to inform you that the first shipments of Crane rice will be reaching Kyuden Tonbo early next week. It has been an honor to support your noble clan in the rehabilitation of so treasured a minor clan as the Dragonfly.

I find that I must apologize, however, in that we might have provided more. It is painful to admit, but our recent conflict with the Lion and Scorpion over the Three Sides River area has prevented us from harvesting the rice grown on that land. As I am sure you are aware, our clan has consistently produced more from that land than the others. It goes without saying that clans finding themselves in need would find no better allies than the Crane. After all, have we not proven our generosity several times over? It stands to reason that any further surplus would likewise go to the good of the Empire as a whole, particularly those truly in need.

It is my hope that this missive will find both your clan and that of the Dragonfly well. I look forward to a renewal of warm relations between the followers of Togashi and the sons of Doji.

Fortune's blessings,
Kakita Asamura no Naoru, Crane Ambassador to the Dragon.


The letter is accompanied by a plum blossom, a symbol of Togashi's Wisdom.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

Later, at the formal dinner, in a spacious and warm room of the keep on one of the upper levels...

"We thank you for the message conveyed in this letter and for arriving personally to deliver it to us. This is most gracious of you. I can now see why you were chosen for this position". The middle aged man reveals a kind smile

"We are currently still... discussing this matter amongst ourselves but we hope to be able to inform you of our decision soon. We will properly take into account the kindness you have displayed towards our cousins and your sincere and honourable intentions towards the land around the Three Sides River". Kasuke nodded to the guests. This seemed to signal the start of dinner as servants began to enter the room, bringing various plates of food and snacks and soup onto the table. Kasuke gestured for the Crane to help themselves

Later, after dinner, Kakita Asamura is given an opportunity to properly speak with the head courtier. His accompanying Clansmen have all been given lodging for the night. He will begin a journey to Shiro Kitsuki the next day and taken on a tour around the Dragon lands

[Takezo]

A group of three warrior monks arrive, on foot, bearing a scroll sealed with the Dragon Champion's sigil.

"Kakita Asamura san,

The issue of the Three Rivers presently occupies our attention, and we appreciate your input in the matter. We are aware of your Clan's significant contributions to the Tonbo (as too we are well aware of other clans' contributions, or lack thereof), and we are humbled by Crane generosity. The issue, of course, is complex, and we are discussing a public response with our advisors.

It is my understanding that you are an ardent student of the sword; as one myself, I know that you can appreciate the value of correct form. In this matter, form dictates that I offer no easy promises, and so I will offend neither of us by doing so. I can say, with straightforward candor, that I have often been disappointed at the Cranes' dissembling, political nature, but that your Clan's generosity with the Tonbo has improved my regard greatly, and it will not be forgotten.

I encourage you to meet with Lady Kitsuki Yuushahime-sama, as she will be able to discuss some particulars in this matter.

Finally, when you happen to visit Shiro Mirumoto, I invite you to make use of my dojo there; we are always interested in encouraging skillful swordsmanship.

Mirumoto Takezo"

(ooc: I was apparently writing this simultaneously with Yuushahime-sama's post... but it still works, I think ;D)

[Kakita Asamura]

Feb 17, 2011 13:40:05 GMT -5 Kitsuki Yuushahime said:

Later, after dinner, Kakita Asamura is given an opportunity to properly speak with the head courtier. His accompanying Clansmen have all been given lodging for the night. He will begin a journey to Shiro Kitsuki the next day and taken on a tour around the Dragon lands

[[Is this an invitations to continue the discussion? If so...]]

Asamura lightly traces the rim of his teacup with his finger, idly considering the sentiment of the Dragon Champion's response to his missive. So many ways to approach this, but he did make it quite clear that he respects the truth. That, at least, is fitting of a samurai.

He looked up at the chief courtier, briefly fixing him with his sea-blue eyes before his trademark half-smile began to cross his handsome face.

"I have received a reply from your Champion, Tamori(?)-san. I confess that I found myself...surprised at his candor. I have often been told that the Dragon preferred to be inscrutable, but I must say that I did not find this an unwelcome diversion from Togashi-san's musings earlier. I am given to understand that there are still some unresolved questions between our clans. I have been authorized to speak for my clan, and am freely available to resolve any question that may arise between us. Indeed, it is my duty to do so."

His left eyebrow cocked slightly in invitation.

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

"Questions will always remain unanswered Kakita Asamura-san, for even if we seek to answer them we lack the ability to understand. The Little Teacher tried to teach this lesson. Still, we must strive to reach an understanding. I hope the words of Mirumoto Takezo-dono have helped foster that"

He sipped his tea, his voice still fairly monotone and his eyes staring almost unblinkingly towards Asamura. Was he always like this or being purposefully unnerving?

"I am glad you admire the candor of our Champion and wish I shared it so I could ease our meet. I will say the Dragon are rightly protective of our own interests. We admire the art and creative pursuits of the Crane and respect the prowess you show in so many areas, but yes, there are always questions. Are there any that you can think of that we may have that you feel you can address?"

The Tamori courtier rubbed a hand over his bald head, almost as if he was running it over the hair he did not have. He blinked once before going back to his tea

[Kakita Asamura]

The Crane smirked. "I would not presume to unravel the mysteries of the Dragon in a single night, Tamori-san. I am only a humble bushi, after all. And, though I have studied the Tao for a time, I find myself drawn much more closely to the Fortunes. However, since you ask I will make an effort."

"You say you are protective of your interests. This is sensible; it flows from the rights granted the clans by Hantei himself at the Dawn of the Empire. A clan is protective of its interests so that it can best secure the means of its service to the Emperor."

"Our clan is no different in this. The Crane serve the Emperor as stewards of art and protectors of honor. These are the duties that were given to us at the beginning. However, the clans as a whole are expected to provide for the Empire as a whole. It is not an enumerated duty, but it is custom. In the matter of Three Sides River, the Crane are in the best position to make certain that the entire Empire benefits from its produce."

"I imagine that there are situations that present themselves to the Dragon, as they do to all clans, that make the optimal execution of one's secondary duties more challenging. The Crane have always been of the position that the better all clans operate, the better the Empire operates. It would behoove us to assist those who ask it of us, and we intend to do so with those resources we can spare. The greater our surplus, the more widely we can spread it."

He smiled, extending his hands.

"But that is speculation only. I can offer much more concrete answers on proper flower arrangements for the festival of Fukurokujin, if you had questions of that nature."

[Kitsuki Yuushahime]

The Tamori merely smiled, a slight curl of the lips though it still looked very unfamiliar to him "Thank you for your words. I find myself reiterating the same things about a lack of understanding. How amusing when we are portrayed as the serious ones; I was certain I had asked a question moments before but it is lost now..."

The man nodded at that and rose "My apologies; I must be elsewhere. Please use the Shirumoto training grounds as you see fit. Lord Takezo wished it. Tomorrow, when you are ready, you may begin to journey to Shiro Kitsuki. You may find Dragon there that have an easier time in bridging an understanding between us"

He bowed very low out of respect and left the room. The remaining couriers seemed slightly fazed but moved swiftly to cover, offering the Crane visitors information on the guest facilities that were available and asking if they wished to have anything else food or drinks wise.

[Kakita Asamura]

Asamura bowed graciously in return and spent the rest of the time exhanging pleasantries with the remaining courtiers.

[Kakita Asamura]

At the hour of Hantei, Kakita Asamura no Naoru arrived at the dojo of the Mirumoto. After kneeling and offering a prayer to the little god of the dojo, the Kakita rose and entered. Carefully entrusting his ancestral sword to the polisher, he selected a bokken and assumed a wide, defensive stance.

There was a significant moment as the Crane exhaled, inhaled deeply, and began to make long, slow, almost disappointing sweeps with the bokken, carefully maintaining a rhythm. Then, almost imperceptibly, the tempo began to increase. The bokken began to whistle as it hurtled through the air and, suddenly, the Kakita lifted his right leg, tucking it behind his knee as he made twelve strikes in a perfect circle around him at such speeds that his arms became twin blurs, the bokken practically invisible.

Then, with a satisfied sort of smile, the Crane tucked the bokken into his obi with a flourish and knelt to return to focus.

[Takezo]

"An excellent display of skill... Kakita Asamura, I presume?"

Asamura turns around quickly to see the speaker, surprised that someone was able to enter the room undetected.

"My apologies if I startled you, Asamura-san" - Mirumoto Takezo offers a rueful smile - "I didn't want to interrupt your centering."

Takezo is a surprisingly tall man, thin but with an efficient musculature; his face, thin and impassive, looked as though it might be carved of stone. His eyes, deep-set and black, are best described as piercing. The smile, though, carries a sincerity which softens the warrior's features.

Takezo walks over to the outer wall, and slides the screens open, letting the noon light flood in, rays of light flashing off motes in the still air of the dojo.

"As a young man I studied extensively at your Dueling Academy - in those days I was very keen on learning techniques which I might someday have to counter - and I always liked the open-air dojos there in the Springtime; it's too windy up on this mountain for such a thing... it would blow all the decorative sumi-e scrolls around" says Takezo, bemused; "we can still enjoy the light's purity, though."

[Kakita Asamura]

The Crane rose from his deep bow and nodded. "That is very pleasant, Mirumoto-dono. I confess myself somewhat surprised that you saw fit to attend the Academy. Most followers of Niten eschew the Kakita techniques, a symptom of the rivalry between our schools. I am pleased that that served no barrier to you."

He approached the open screen, letting the moonlight reflect off of his silver hair and pale skin until it seemed as if he was a part of it before turning and regarding the Champion with eyes the color of the sea off of Kyuden Doji.

"However, I imagine that you did not come here solely for the view, Mirumoto-dono."

[Takezo]

"No, Asamura-san, indeed I did not"

Takezo walks over to a long box on a bench by one wall, opens it, and withdraws a long cloth-wrapped bundle. Unwrapping it, he produces a long bokken, nearly the dimensions of a no-dachi, carved from a very beautiful, dark - almost black - hardwood. He assumes a stance, extending the bokken, admiring it in the light.

"I carved this bokken, oh... twenty years ago. It's carved of a quite rare wood called guayacan, which I obtained from a Mantis captain during the journeys of my youth. It's the hardest known wood, three times the hardness of hickory and four times that of red oak, the usual woods for carving bokken, and quite dense and heavy. But for all its exquisite quality and, if I may say, decent craftemanship, it cannot survive here without regular treatment with linseed and citrus oils, lest it will dry out and crack in the mountain air."

Takezo swings the bokken, and Asamura indeed detects a hint of orange scent in the air.

"It's a lethal weapon, really, being made of such hard wood, and it inappropriate for sparring. I used it to build strength, mainly, since executing kata with this bokken is quite intense exercise."

Takezo executes a couple of rapid kata, the sword whistling with a discernible inertia. "Youthful ambition!" Takezo grins, and rests the bokken on his shoulder.

"We samurai can take a lesson from this sword. We may be composed of the sturdiest stuff, crafted perfectly by our sensei or Lord, yet as soon as we leave our homes we are in a hostile element, even if that hostility if unintended - certainly the mountain bears no ill intent towards a jungle wood. It is simply the nature of difference that things are harmed. But as a swordsman cares for his blade, so do we allied samurai care for each other, even when we place each other in situations nature does not intend. It is this that necessitates the precepts of Bushido, correct protocol, and all the other tools of civilization we employ to avoid continuous strife among ourselves.

So we have the matter of the Three Rivers region. There is the impulse which nature intends - to do what feels right - and then there is the correct response to the matter. I have discussed - this very night over a rather excellent kaiseki dinner - the matter with my advisors, and happily what is "right" and what is "correct" are the same in principal, though there are differences in approach.

I will tell you that we have cordial relations with both the Lion and Scorpion clans - indeed, we granted the Scorpion a great honor by supporting their custodianship of the Black Scrolls, an act which cost us considerable political capitol from the Phoenix. That said, we would like to support the Crane in the matter.

It may occur to you that, after the Dragon, the Crane were the greatest contributors to the restoration of the Tonbo, and that this may have earned the Crane political favor from us - to this, I can only say that Bushido demands that the strong defend and assist the weak, and so it is only correct that the Crane would support the Tonbo. That is, honor demanded it, and honor cannot be cast as coin; while we appreciate and honor the Crane for their generosity, we do not consider that any favor is owed the Crane. You must permit we Dragon our philosophical bent. Like the bokken, the Crane ambassador must anoint himself with our brand of wisdom, and see this from the Dragon perspective.

And so it is we who must demand favor from the Crane; if you can promise us political support for a future issue of particular interest to *us*, you will have our support over the Three Rivers issue; moreover, we will publicly announce our support in Imperial courts, possibly influencing others to join us, as happened in several matters at Winter Court."

Takezo looks at the bokken a moment, and then grasps it by the blade, offering the hilt to Asamura.

"As you are a devotee of the sword, accept this bokken from me... both as a gift earned of skill and as a reminder of our limitations"

(ooc: we Dragon would like "role-playing" assurances from the Crane that Crane players will "vote" for a future issue on our favor, if possible ;D)