Tea (D7, LA)

[Otomo Saisei]

Being invited previously during the day, the Imperial checks at the Blue Bird House looking for both Kakita Masao and Konohamaru.

[Kakita Masao]

Kakita Masao is in his room, pulling himself back together after the hunt. When Saisei is announced, Masao calls for fresh tea in the sitting room and heads there immediately, waving at someone to notify Kakita Konohamaru. As he arrives downstairs, he greets the imperial as a friend.

"Good afternoon, Saisei-san. It's good to see you again. Please, come and sit. It has been... a day." He sighs and smiles.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Good afternoon, friend. Always an honor to be nearby." He provides a bow and takes a seat as indicated. He doesn't mention verbally about the day, but some sort of excitement and worry do cross his mind. Anxiety being just slightly controlled.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

The magistrate was... curious as to the nature of this meeting.

But storms always came when you least expected it, and so he was on his guard nontheless.

He appeared as summoned, taking a seat when directed as per proper decorum.

"An interesting gathering indeed, Kakita-Nikutai. What is on your mind with us specifically?"

[Kakita Masao]

The nikutai nods respectfully as the magistrate calls on him.

"I had concern, Kakita-sama, after the... curiously timed proposal of the Clan of Secrets this morning, and Otomo-san's ensuing questioning, that the Scorpion might be putting him in danger." He sighs. "This humble soldier has sense enough to know the dangers of court, and that the Scorpion may be the greatest of those dangers, so his wariness was peaked. And he is not the only one who would wish to keep Otomo-san safe, so long as honor and duty allow."

The look on the soldier is entirely concern, but the mention of honor and duty notes that not all of it is personal concern for Saisei.

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo narrows his eyes at the comment and explains, "Kakita-bugyo is a very important man, and this one is not under his direct –– or even indirect –– responsibility."

There's an apologetic bow to Konohamaru, "This one didn't know this would be the topic of the conversation, and is extremely grateful to have been in his friend's mind, but also quite humbled and completely unworthy of Kakita-bugyo's attention into that matter."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Huh - this was not he was expecting the meeting to be about. Still, there are valid concerns.

The Otomo narrows his eyes at the comment and explains, "Kakita-bugyo is a very important man, and this one is not under his direct –– or even indirect –– responsibility."

There's an apologetic bow to Konohamaru, "This one didn't know this would be the topic of the conversation, and is extremely grateful to have been in his friend's mind, but also quite humbled and completely unworthy of Kakita-bugyo's attention into that matter."

The magistrate dismisses the apology, as it was misplaced and unneeded.

"You should be thanking Kakita-Nikutai rather than I - the first I heard of this meeting was when he invited you to it. I have a theory on the concern - if I may?"

[Otomo Saisei]

"Of course." He replies to Konohamaru, after a long moment waiting if Masao would say something.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"I believe the two are not connected. Bayushi Ijihime works with Otomo Yusuke, if I recall, and the Scorpion and Otomo have close ties. Otomo Saisei is also a noticeable local hero right now. Naturally, if the Lord Consort was an Otomo the Scorpion would be in a good position."

It was noticeable that the line of questioning was not discussed.

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo provides another bow to Konohamaru, "I am grateful for the compliment, yet I have to say I wouldn't have had such praise if it were not for Kakita-bugyo himseld and the rest of the entourage that both investigated and confronted the spirits."

With a nod, he says, "I didn't have worries about Bayushi Ijihime-san, or any potential danger. Yet, I wasn't fully aware she had close ties with my master."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

With a nod, he says, "I didn't have worries about Bayushi Ijihime-san, or any potential danger. Yet, I wasn't fully aware she had close ties with my master."

Konohamaru, noticeably, sours as he discusses Ijihime. Like when one discovers a goblin corpse gathering flies in your hotel room, for example.

"Well I did try to make an inquiry with her, but when I asked she demanded I book an appointment with Otomo-sama. She may not be a danger, but I have found her unpleasant."

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo narrows his eyes for a moment. "Strange, indeed. I confess I have never had much interaction with her myself. If any."

[Kakita Masao]

Masao interjects at that. "Thus my concern at her effort to bring attention to you. In complicated times, attention -- especially on a humble servant of the throne -- can be most unwelcome."

[Otomo Saisei]

"I welcomed her words." He says, confident.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

"So would every Otomo and Scorpion, had she succeeded. But to proposition a marriage when the Empress is but a day of being nominated, not even coronated yet..."

His disgust is clear.

"I have no kind words for such an act."

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo nods, "So it means I wouldn't have Kakita-bugyo's support, in case such suggestion is brought forward again."

Saisei looks to Masao and smiles. "Thank you for the invitation, friend. Are there other matters?"

[Kakita Masao]

Masao raises an eyebrow, but it relaxes with a breath before he speaks: "I am relieved that my friend feels no concern about this matter, though I will share candidly that Kakita-sama is surely not the only one who struggles with the timing of this suggestion. I think others might wish to be able to be supportive, but that is a challenge when time is not available for due consideration." The soldier's eyes look hopeful.

[Otomo Saisei]

He nods, saying, “My friends words have become so courtly out of a sudden. I hope that alliances are kept, even the smallest ones.”

With that, he bows, saying, “I wouldn’t like to importune the cousins of my cousins any longer. Seeming that they are at odds with a potential grace suggested upon this humble one. I am unworthy of their presence.”

Then, the Otomo lifts up, and departs.

/exit if not stopped.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

He nods, saying, “My friends words have become so courtly out of a sudden. I hope that alliances are kept, even the smallest ones.”

With that, he bows, saying, “I wouldn’t like to importune the cousins of my cousins any longer. Seeming that they are at odds with a potential grace suggested upon this humble one. I am unworthy of their presence.”

Then, the Otomo lifts up, and departs.

/exit if not stopped.

Before the Otomo departs, Konohamaru makes a small gesture to stop the Otomo.

"Let me clarify. I think you are a good person, and if the Empres did make you Lord Consort I would have no problems."

"But this is barely the infancy of her Majesty's reign. To ask her this early into her reign is like asking a fresh from gempuku samurai to decide between two testimonies with lives on the line and no time to investigate. My problems are with Bayushi Ijihime-san's actions, not your character and potential as Lord Consort. Should you ask me for support in three to five years time, I would not oppose the union."

If the Otomo wishes to leave after that, he offers no resistance.

[Otomo Saisei]

He provides an appreciative bow to the Magistrate once more, and says, "Honor is ageless."

/exit if not stopped[2]

[Kakita Masao]

"Otomo Saisei-san, may I walk out with you?"

The words come after a fair silence from the soldier. His eyes reveal little, but perhaps still hopefulness.

[Otomo Saisei]

"Mochiron." Confirms the Otomo, as he straightens from his bow and waits for Masao to guide the path to the nearest exit.

[Kakita Masao]

Rising, and bowing respectfully to the magistrate, Masao leads Saisei out via the modest "garden" that the Crab had provided. But it was more private than speaking just outside the front door.

"Saisei-san, I have offended you, and I apologize. That was not my intent, as you surely know, but even still it pains me to have strained our relationship." The Crane sighs. "Tomorrow we will celebrate the wedding that brought us here, and I hope after that a more modest level of concern will accompany me everywhere I go." He smiles weakly -- tiredly? -- at the other man.

[Otomo Saisei]

Imagining the Kakita would have to comply to higher status, the Otomo nods a couple of times, simply saying, "I do understand. I won't even consider changing your mind. Were you not my friend, I would invest time in doing so to find your support. I hope the strain can be solved in the feature with actions of friendship, and not just mere words, that prove themselves to be the opposite when recalled."

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Unaware of what direction Saisei and Masao's conversation was going outside, Konohamaru sighed as he looked into his tea.

"Honour is ageless he says... Even if it was, it is not oblivious to time. In time, I hope he will see that."

The Scorpion's intent to bury the Otomo conspiracy under the rug was, to him, obvious and insipid. That Saisei be dragged into it didn't help his feelings for the situation, but he steeled his resolve nonetheless.