Kyuden Shika

Akimoro shrugs. "No worse than a dozen other clashes since the return of the Unicorn," opines the Otomo, "and likely just as easily solved once the bravado and posturing is settled and cooler heads can step in. Mind you, the current proposal of effectively merging the Shinjo and Ikoma families is a ...

"A gift from an esteemed mentor," replies the Otomo, "who showed me a path to follow when I had none, and by doing so made me who I am today. I'll have to introduce you to him when I'm next in the capital."

"'Helping' might be putting it a bit strongly," Akimoro says with a sigh. "In order to actually assist in negotiations, there would have to be two parties willing to compromise on a single solution, and therein lies the problem... It's not going to be easy going, but I'm forcing myself to remain opt...

"That sounds marvelous, yes," replies Akimoro. "I'll not hold up your training any longer, but perhaps at some point in the coming days I might seek your input on my technique? I've learned something of the way of the blade, mostly in passing, but I could certainly do with some more formal instructi...

Work's going to be killer for the next week - our fiscal year started August 1, and we've still got a lot of work before our records from last year are in order, so there's been an all-hands-on-deck call. I'll be in and out, but probably not posting much.

"I maintain a home there, but I've little time to visit it," replies the Otomo. "Most recently I've been in Toshi no Meiyo Gisei, representing the Throne's interests in the ongoing diplomatic efforts between the Lion and the Unicorn. That's the reason I've arrived so late, in fact, as it took some t...

"An admirer, yes," Akimoro confirms, "but little more than that, I'm afraid. I've often found myself wandering in formal gardens - indeed, I've found that an incredible amount of political work occurs within them - so I've picked up a taste for the various arrangements and displays. Little practical...

"Less refined and stylized than one might find in the grander cultural centers of the Empire," comes a voice from a side path, "but not without merit. There is something to be said for letting nature set the structure and tone, then building upon its framework." The newly-arrived Imperial emerges an...

"Anything I might be able to do to help?" offers Akimoro.

Minae tapped her fan. "Hmm, unfortunate that Otomo-sama. The theater should always surprise one if even only a little bit." she remarked. "Was there a specific part you felt was too predictable?" "It followed the standard framework of the 'comedy of errors' from start to finish," replies Akimoro. "...