The New Winds

Yotsuo had sent an invitation to one of the first people he had confided in about his ability back at Hirosaka. The instructor that he had many conversations with during their walks to the temple. She had been a very helpful sensei and he had appreciated her guidance. He waited with tea for Shosuro Tomoe-sensei at the tea house.

The actress arrives and scratches at the door.

"Kuni-san? You requested me?"

"I did," he says with a bow. "I am glad to see you again Shosuro-sensei. Please come in and join me for tea?"

He moves to pour a cup of tea for each of them.

She nods and takes a seat.

"That would be nice. How have you been? "

"I have been well. Continuing training and receiving my appointment," he said with a nod, passing her a cup.

"I've been exploring the realms more, since my new position grants me the autonomy to use my gift freely," he explains. "How about you? How have you been?"

"Quite well. After our time in Hirosaka, I returned to an acting troupe and got to perform many a wonderful number. Then Winter Court, which saw me take on another role. Quite interesting, I must say."

"I m glad to hear it. Imperial Winter court? That must have been exciting."

"Very much so! Oh, the stories I could tell you. But, I have a feeling that you didn't ask me here for that"

"That is true, but that doesn't mean I am not interested in hearing them," he says with a smile. "Perhaps in a bit? I actually was curious about a particular participant here, the Mantis named Hitoshi. I noticed that some of his scoring didn't match his performance. You are aware of my ability and I visited with Doji Satsume in Yomi yesterday. He has concern for this individual, and spoke of his importance to the fate of the empire in the future. I am not entirely certain what is going on with him, but when an honored Shiryo from Yomi says such things, and I see him performing adequately but being penalized for it, it makes me feel concern for more than just this young man."

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D5 LA, Sincerity / Awareness: 6d10o10k4 41

Sincerity for Yotsuo truly spoke with the former Emerald Champion and truly feels concern for the boy and the empire

She nods, and clicks her tongue.

"There is something strange going on, Kuni-san. Something that makes me uncomfortable. Who is Hitoshi? For all I knew, he is just another run of the mill Mantis, nothing special.."

"He is of particular importance to the former Emerald Champion. When I asked him for clarification he said that it would be shameful for someone if he did not pass, an implication that it was not only Hitoshi's shame he was concerned about. As such I did not wish to pry and offend an honored ancestor in Yomi. But I took from that that it was likely some sort of familial concern. So it is possible that someone of great importance in the empire is related to him. It's not a subject I'm versed in speculating on. But if someone involved in these events knew of that connection and was intentionally sabotaging Hitoshi to try to force that shame on them... using a boy unaware of his situation who simply seeks to prove his worth but denied the chance because of political machinations to harm someone of importance to the Empire is repulsive."

"Quite. But who could this puppet master be? Who is so bent on bringing such ruin to light?"

"I suppose that if Doji Satsume knew he likely would have said who it was. It would make the protection of Hitoshi's endeavor much easier. But it seems at least that the person has some sort of influence over at least one, possibly more, of the judges. Which indicates a person that would be out of reach of the participants, since they would be subject to that same influence."

“It seems there is quite the powerful player behind this all. Have no fear, Kuni-San, I will do my best to ensure the Mantis boy makes it to gempuku.’

"I appreciate it. There is not much that I can really do other than share what little I know and trust in those with the means. So that is what I will do," he says with a deep bow in thanks.

She returns the bow.

“If you learn anything more, please keep me informed. “

"I will," he says with a polite smile, topping up their tea cups. "No use letting good tea go to waste, no? Other than my concerns, how do you think the events have gone so far?"

"Quite well. I think the dojo in Hirosaka did well to prepare you all, and those who did not attend have proven they are equally as capable. The Ruby Champion's concern about the Empire's schools not teaching the things a samurai should know have been put to rest, so that is a relief."

She takes a sip of the tea and relaxes a bit.

"What about you? Anything you felt like you needed better instruction on?"

"There is always more to learn. I've found that I lack in the area of artistic expression which can only hurt my ability to relate stories of my visits to the other realms," he says with a nod. "It's something I need to definitely work on."

"Is there a certain form of expression you wish to learn? Acting may suit you well, it has certainly done me many favors over the years."