[Day 9, Late morning] Imperial consultations (expecting?)

[Matsu Inori]

Inori had to pause and consider. She avoided thinking about that time for the most part.

"Yes, I would say it plays a part - although it is as much, if not more, the lead up to the...unpleasantness that would prompt this than the unpleasantness itself. Frankly I should have fought to the last that day. We all should have, and did not. What I plan to do now would not have changed that though. It might have prepared someone else in my position better, but...you know.."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"I do," Gaitsu affirms. "As do some others.

"And you are not wrong, truly. That one Crab girl had the right of it, even if her mouth was ill-suited to speaking it."

[Matsu Inori]

"Quite so" Inori said "Still, with things happening the way they have...I suppose there is no point in stewing in regret. Me being still around - I want to make a positive impact"

She took one of the Dango and nibbled one of the small, sweet and chewy balls on it.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Good," Gaitsu says.

"Kyuden Seppun will appreciate that attitude, I believe. And the new daimyo may even be interested in what you have to say."

[Matsu Inori]

New Daimyo? Inori was a bit surprised, and more than a little curious, but also almost afraid to ask

"But...surely...I mean would be strange for one such as myself, Sapphire Ambassadorship notwithstanding, to even come directly to the Seppun Daimyo's attention."

There was surprise and a little alarm in her voice.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"It would, perhaps, yes," Gaitsu says. "Had it happened.

"Yet."

He sips at his tea again.

"The opportunity may present itself, I think."

[Matsu Inori]

"If I may be entirely frank...of course I am honoured" Inori said "But also...worried. This is as one would say colloquialy far above my pay grade. Always a chance, but..."

She couldn't help who she was, after all. Sometimes she envied the easy confidence of others, for example that one very self-absorbed Scorpion.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Much less so now, I think," Gaitsu replies. "And the new Lady Seppun has been...more actively engaged in affairs than her predecessor, Fortunes rest him."

[Matsu Inori]

"Fortunes rest him" Inori replied, semi-automatically. "Forgive me for saying this, Otomo-sama, but this is a lot to take in. My mind is still playing catch up"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Understandable," Gaitsu says. "And you have yet much to do today, as well."

[Matsu Inori]

"I do, indeed. But....thank you, Otomo-sama" she said, doing the entire Dogeza.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Thank you for the tea," Gaitsu replies, returning the bow--but not so deeply.

It'd disturb his hat, after all.

[Matsu Inori]

Which concluded, we think, this particular round of consultation.

Scene?

[Fukurokujin]

Scene!