Sapphire Ambassadors

GM Note: This thread is an exception to the one per location per slot rule. That is, there may be another D0EN bar thread, but it will not interact with this one.

Why did I agree to this? Fuyujin thinks as the leering Akatupo heads back to his bar. I hate this place, and I always have.

But she sits and sips at the...drink...that has been poured for her, awaiting the others.

"No, I don't need you to pour for me, thank you. I'll be fine."

Akijin makes her way to her cousin's table, giving a nod of her head. "Cousin," she says, seating herself.

With a glance elsewhere, she adds "Why did we agree to meet here, again?"

There is a bright laugh from the bar.

"Oh, Aka-kun you are TERRIBLE. My husband would punch you into next week if he heard you say such things...so I'll be sure to stop back by in then." Natsujin said with a smile before making her way over towards the grimmer cousins.

"Ah, it's been too long cousins! When was the last time we got together for a drink? Sachi-chan's wedding wasn't it?" she said sitting down at the table.

"Eh? Haru-chan's not here yet? I thought she would be the first to the table with her calling for the meeting." she added.

"Gomen Gomen Gomen" came the rushed reply from a somewhat out of breath Harujin as she hurried to the table. "Ai-chan tripped and twister her ankle, so I had to get her to the healer, and obviously she couldn't walk very fast, but I couldn't just leave her, so I ran here as fast as I could, but the streets were really busy with all the new guests for the tournament, so it still took quite a while, so thank you for waiting for me."

Fuyujin sips at her drink, keeping her face impassive as she does.

"We are here," she says. "And it is good to see family, of course. But why here, and why now?"

Akijin nods.

"Good questions," she affirms as she makes to pour for the Natsujin and Harujin.

"But it is good to get to talk with the three of you."

Natsujin accepted the poured drink with a smile before pounding it.

"Ah, such things are better taken all at once, don't you think? The same is true for news, isn't it? I believe Haru-chan mentioned something about helping out grandmother more?" she prompted from the youngest.

Harujin nodded in appreciation of the drink, but took a moment to center herself rather than follow her cousin's example.

She offered forth the words she had been considering all day.

"Grandmother has been a wonderful teacher to us all. Her wisdom and experience has led to the town having four very successful tea houses, four of the best in the Empire I would say.

However, even for a woman as strong as her, the years continue to weigh down upon her, just as her responsibilities as the head of the household. She deserves a reward for all her hard work for us for all these years, she deserves to enjoy her remaining years. So, I think that were we to come together and suggest her stepping down, I think this is the year she would agree to such. And with the support of you all, I think I could be an excellent replacement for her. While I might lack her experience, I would devote all my energy in to continuing to make sure our town's tea houses are the best." she proposes.

Fuyujin sets down her cup.

"Who are you," she asks, flatly, "to make a decision for Grandmother? She knows her own mind, as each of us knows.

"No." She shakes her head. "This is not as it should be."

"Besides," Akijin adds, "even if we did agree that Grandmother should name a successor--and it may be too early for that, even now--why would it be someone who offers no promise of continuing the family?"

Natsujin whistled a bit.

"Geez, did you two have a really hard day at work, or what?" she offers to her elders. "Grandmother would be really disappointed seeing you treat family worse than your pets."

She shook her head.

"Or perhaps it's just that you two are truly unready to accept such responsibilities. But our family has always been about service, whether it's to our customers, our lords, or our family. I agree that grandmother has earned herself a rest...though I do think that Harujin deserves a chance to start her own family before taking on such responsibility."

She nodded to herself.

"Very well then, as the only one ready to take on these responsibilities, I'll put myself forward as her successor. Once she makes it official, I'll meet with each of you. Be sure to have your records in order, neh?" she decides.

Haruijin stiffened at the violent dressing down the elders gave her....but if she couldn't deal with this level of rudeness, she wouldn't be capable as head of the family, now would she?

"I appreciate your concerns....but it's not a matter of making a decision for Grandmother. It's a matter of letting her know we're ready to take on the mantle. Grandmother would give her last breath for us if we needed it....but shouldn't we be willing to repay all she has given us by showing her how we've matured and are ready to take her place?"

She shakes her head.

"I don't view my lack of children as a weakness, but as a strength. Of the four of us, I can devote the most time to making sure our tea houses remain strong."

"Being eager isn't the same thing as being ready," says Fuyujin.

Her cup remains on the table.

"And claiming readiness doesn't make it so. It hasn't been that long ago that I was having to help fish certain people out of their own pond, after all."

"Oh, you're right, cousin," Akijin puts in. "And experience will certainly matter if and when Grandmother decides to step aside. But customers want to see smiling faces when they sit to tea, too, and not have to worry that their cups will be overturned by errant paws. And offering food drives sales further than tea alone can do.

"I'd be happy to share recipes with you to help you all along, were Grandmother to choose me to follow her."

Natsujin snorts at the pond comment.

"Ah, so you'd like me to pay you back by becoming the head of the family, Fuyu-chan? Very well, I accept your support in the spirit it is given." she proclaims.

She grins a bit.

"Which is to say out of obligation and necessity. But I'll take it nonetheless."

Haruijin shakes her head at Akijin's assertion.

"See, that's why I'm more suited to lead. When I take over for grandmother, we'll work together for us all. We should be sharing what we've learned, not hoarding it for our personal benefit." she said.

"You all seem so intent on shoving Grandmother aside."

Fuyujin sighs heavily.

"Coming here was a mistake. This discussion was a mistake.

"Squabble among yourselves if you must. One of us, at least, will remain loyal to Grandmother."

"Nobody's shoving, cousin," Akijin says. "But you know better than the rest of us what happens when things...change suddenly. And none of us wants to be caught like that again, do we?

"No, this is about looking to a future we know will come and being ready to face it--with one of us at the forefront, yes, but still together."

Natsujin nodded with along with Akijin.

"Aki-chan's right." she agreed readily. "Someone must lead, but we're family. It's about supporting each other and honoring grandma's legacy, not advancing ourselves personally."