[fieldbox="Lore Among Leaders, #33cccc, solid"]
A collab between Alice and Zane
Summary: A small talk ensues, before some lore gets talked about. Also Kiyomi is mad no one broke her vase.
A few laughs would resonate among the little group Leo found himself in, with himself chuckling along with the rest. Apparently one of the leaders child broke a vase accidentally and tried covering it up with a blanket. It was an adorable story on the naive personality children had, well some anyway. Taking a sip of his crimson red drink, the others would excuse themselves to go eat. Leo would give them a open hand bow, before walking away himself in search of new conversations partners. He wondered if a Hanta representative was here, a converstaion with them might amuse him knowing where they were currently. He smiled at his own humor as he took anoter sip from his drink before spotting some potential conversation. Might even prove intriguing considering one was her grace, who was chatting away with some other nobles from what he could assume. He would proceed to walk over to the group with a smile on his face, he would do a clenched fist bow to the group although it was more for Kiyomi.
"Greetings everyone, I hope you don't mind if I join the conversation?"
It became briefly silent as Leo would join the group. The one who had spoken before threw a slight annoyed glance at Leo, but before he could say anything somebody else spoke up.
"Lord Tokuwaga, you're free to join," Kiyomi answered as she gestured to the man who had thrown an irritated look into Leo's direction,
"Sir Naohoki just told us about his last plans to make the infrastructure in a few regions better based on a trip he had last time visiting the Grass province." The teen had clearly not missed the annoyance as it was clear that there were people who were seeking to win attention, only growing amused by the appearance of what could be a new 'player' in the the attention game.
"I hope that the travel from Vindex was a comfortable one, my lord?"
Leo caught the look that Naohoki threw his way, yet he kept his calm exterior with the same smile, which only grew when Kiyomi said he was free to join.
"Thank you your grace." he spoke standing up straight as she told him what Naohoki was just talking about. Making some regions better did sound pretty interesting.
"Is that so? I would love to hear about it in more detail later sir Naohoki." Leo said giving the man a polite smile as he sipped from his drink, turning his gaze to Kiyomi who asked about his travels from Vindex.
"They were fair your grace. I arrived yesterday so I had time to get ready for the event today. You should come visit Vindex one day. I recommend our fields where our fruit trees grow for Bloody Victory. It's a place where my people cherish as a stepping point."
"I can't say that I had ever the pleasure to visit Vindex," Kiyomi replied back. She thought about it for a moment and slightly tilted her head to the right,
"I did have the pleasure to enjoy some of your clan's... export. Am not certain how well received it would be here, but I must say it has a... rich flavour." The teen's left eyebrow perked up slightly. She noticed that Naohoki wanted to speak further, but she was frankly done with listening to the man's rambling. While it all sounded it would provide some beneficial effects for the regions, improving the infrastructure in the said areas would just do his trade network better. Not something she had effort to see through.
"I apologise mister Naohoki, but I am afraid we will have to talk later about your plans. Or you can send them tomorrow and I will make sure that I will try to read and write you a response back," the friendly comment was met with Naohoki making a deep bow while voicing his gratitude. He flashed a smile towards Kiyomi but as he turned around, the man shot a quick glare at Leo.
"So, Lord Tokuwaga," Kiyomi only said as she would wait.
"Ah did you now? Well I'm glad you enjoyed it. My people work hard to keep it's legacy going strong, yet I can understand why some may not be very pleased about it's appearance here." Leo would reply back when he noticed Naohoki trying to get a word in, which would be shut down by Kiyomi with a talk later. he resisted the urge to show amusement at this, yet she said he could also send the plans to her and she would respond back to him. That seemed enough to please him for now, although he caught that quick glare from him, which Leo responded with a wave goodbye to the man. Her grace would then speak his name, and as he turned his attention to her, he noted thats where she would stop. Well that was of no issue, he was decent enough at making conversations. Besides he didn't need to improve anything for his own benefit, so he didn't need waste her time with so trivial matters.
"How are you feeling as of late your grace? I heard about what happened."
Kiyomi's facial expression wouldn't show any chance, but the jade colour of her eyes would darken by a bit as Leo asked the question.
"I am okay, thanks for asking," the teen answered. There was the brief thought on what the question would lead up to, what he would want to ask or request from her.
"Luckily the culprit was quickly found and the matter solved," Kiyomi added as she would lightly shrug afterwards.
"What are your plans now, though? Going back to Vindex soon, now that the clan meeting has ended?"
"I see, well I'm glad to hear that." He would state as she would try to play the situation off, which caused him to chuckle.
"Indeed a lucky criminal he was to be caught by others instead of you." He responded with before she asked what his plans were.
"Well I have some plans with some minor nobles, so I will be spending possibly a week or two here before heading back. I trust my advisor to keep Vindex running for that long. Simple plans really. Just talks of trade and ideas to improve relations and all that, the typical life of a clan leader. I've in fact been trying to run into a Hanta representative to attempt to get our two clans on friendly terms again, yet alas I haven't meet one yet." Taking a sip from his drink, he would swallow the liquid before raising a finger.
"Speaking of the clan meeting, I apologize for not being there in person. I do hope my representative stayed in line."
The fact that he wanted to better the relations between his and the Hanta clan made Kiyomi unsure of how much she should believe of that. Perhaps it was her growing pessmisme that was getting the better of her, but she couldn't fathom a reason why the Tokuwaga would value a better relationship with the Hanta. Seeing their history, which had led to the expansion of the Hon and Tokuwaga on behalf of the Hanta. Something that she didn't think that the Hanta had forgotten yet after all this time.
"I am aware that the leader of the Hanta clan is present," Kiyomi started,
"Or at least, attending to the meeting. Am not sure where he is now," she further added as she thought about it. It was certainly interesting to see to how a meeting between the leaders of the Tokuwaga and Hanta would transpire.
"Though, I doubt that drinking Bloody Victory would be appreciated by Lord Hanta, Lord Tokuwaga."
"Are they now? I'll have to ask around for them then. Yet rest assured your grace, I know they dislike the drink. I'll be sure to finish it before I talk with them, if I even find them that is." He spoke with an amused smile, not hiding the fact that even a simple drink can be used to bother people. Yet he did mean it, since if his people were willing to let go of that past event. Then the least he could do is try to get their relationship on better terms, even if teasing them about the past was amusing to him.
"So how has today been treating you? Bet you've been hearing a lot of ideas on how to improve certain areas from various people no doubt."
"I would appreciate that Lord Tokuwaga. Am not really keen on solving a dispute over a drink this evening," Kiyomi replied back, not hiding her amusement,
"As for today? I suppose it has been rather good. The clan meeting was a success seeing that nobody had the urge or nerve to walk away or insult another. Something that had me a bit worried due to the first clan meeting but suppose it is fair to say that some... people don't know how to do politics," the teen further added as she bitterly reminded how the first clan meeting had been both a certain success and disappointment for her,
"Luckily indeed I have been hearing such good ideas lately." There was a sliver of sarcasm and amusement ringing through the comment.
"Yet what a story to tell guests." He spoke chuckling as he listened to her say the clan meeting went well, without anyone throwing insults or leaving during it. She didn't say the name but he knew who she was reffering too, it was afterall quite a spectacle to witness.
"Well thats good to hear, meeting always have some success when a finger isn't being pointed at you followed by vulgar words. I hope the next one goes just as well." Leo would say as he once more listened to some sarcasm coming from Kiyomi, it was pretty amusing to listen to her. She always knew when to subtly insult people and when to pubically do it.
"The perks of being a leader, all the good ideas just magically float your way." Leo said a slight smirk on his face as he spun the red liquid in his glass slowly.
"Alas, I have no good ideas to throw your way. All I can throw your way is some war stories or gossip. Spoiler though, if sir Ren comes over. He may tell you about his child covering a broken vase with a blanket."
Kiyomi scoffed in an amused fashion,
"Perhaps not now, but it seems lately that I have acquired the ability to inspire ideas for people to share," the teen replied back. Upon hearing that a child had broken a vase, Kiyomi threw a look right and left, as if she was already expecting the Ren to come over and apologise.
"Well, suppose that the phrase that shattered pieces can bring luck might help to cool down any frustration sir Ren could have from the loss of a vase," Kiyomi said as she would lightly shrug with her shoulders,
"But I wouldn't mind any stories of war or gossip. If I understand it correctly, doesn't the Tokugawa have a small community of Hons in their midst? Is there even a member of the Agnarr lineage still present?"
"He seemed rather amused by it, so maybe it shall. Also could be a story to use against said child later down the line. The amount of times my mother held the I gave birth to you card over me, whenever I didn't do something. I might be on the same wealth level of the Cho." He said chuckling a bit, before she would prompt him with a question. This raised a smile as he nodded.
"Indeed, they are still pretty large in number as well. They make up some of my finest soldiers, in fact Mikoto Hon Agnarr is currently the best general I have. Holds our prestigious rank Megalodon. Stories of the Agnarr lineage are plentiful in my lands, in fact during the Tokugawa conquest back in the warring clan period. Mikoto's ancestor Assur, managed to break past even the hardest defense. Something that my ancestor Keiji couldn't achieve. They live up to that name of theirs, they truly are a terror to face."
She flashed a smile, though actually wondering who would be wealthier. The Tokugawa clan wasn't either a small or weak clan. Then again Kiyomi was more than aware of the dangers the peaceful appearing Cho could boast. Hearing the answer on her question, Kiyomi couldn't help but to snicker for a moment.
"Heard some stories about the Agnarr lineage. It doesn't surprise me that they are living up to their name even to this date. Am curious to meet some of them, which might just be a good excuse to visit Vindex other than also just taste some good quality of Bloody Victory," Kiyomi replied, not hiding both her curiousity and slight amusement on how Leo praised the Hons.
"Though, I haven't managed to hear or learn much about the rank of Megalodon. Would you perhaps be so kind to inform me about it, Lord Tokugawa?"
"I'm sure you would honor them with your presence. They speak highly of you, in fact Mikoto herself probably has the most respect for you. Just a warning though once the Agnarr lineage gets going, its damn hard to control them. So they might be assertive drunks, mostly Bei. I never seen such a small man become that more terrifying with a few drinks." He would state remember the last time the Agnarr lineage invited him to drink with them, was probably the most terrifying moment of his life and he was their at Magnhild when Shoji attacked. She then stated her curiosity in the rank of Megalodon, which made him happy, he was always proud to inform others about his clan's heritage.
"You know how my people consider Sharks sacred correct? Well stories have it that Mercury Tokugawa one day while near the water, after a long fight against a minor clan saw this shadow in the water. It was around this time, where my clan didn't really have the generals it does today. Being led by just the clan leader himself. Yet as he stared at this shadow in the water stained red. It would grow, and continue to grow. It was bigger than any water creature he had ever seen, then the corpses of the enemy that floated at the top of the water were suddenly engulfed by this massive shark. It was bigger than any shark he had ever seen, possibly seven times the size of one. He knew just by seeing it, that this creature had to be the strongest shark in existence and would bestow the name Megalodon upon it for its sheer size and strength. Something he thought would be befitting the strongest person in his army. The Megalodon gave rise to the thought of multiple laders during war. To carry the rank means you are thought to be the strongest in the army, possibly in the entire lands. Its a rank my people look up to, as the person who holds it, needs to have no fear of battle." Leo would explain as he paused for a moment giving her a smile.
"Yet of course some people think it to be a made up story, as none have seen this massive shark in their lifetime. No sailors have seen it so some think the story to be just that. Yet I know that somewhere out there, the beauty still swims knowing hes the king of the sea."
If anything it was amusing to hear that the Agnarr lineage and the Hons who had decided to stay at the Tokugawa hadn't lost the habit of drinking. Though she was certain that Katashi, Hiron or Iroh would ever condone her to drink herself drunk, it was a most tempting idea to share a drink with the Agnarr Hons. As Leo Tokugawa continued about the Megalodon, Kiyomi wasn't sure about what to think of it. It sounded surreal. A sea creature that large, it was just something she couldn't imagine. Then again she had never seen a large shark. The memory of Masuba briefly drifted up, but she couldn't imagine a shark just engulfing a man with one bite. But Kiyomi wouldn't question if the story was made up or actually true. It was, at least, quite interesting to listen how the rank of Megalodon had came to be. A small smile crept back on her lips as he continued on how some people considered it to be made up.
"Can't honestly imagine a sea creature that big. I like to think I have seen some big creatures, but a fish that can make a man vanish? Sounds quite dreadful, Lord Tokugawa," Kiyomi said as she imagined how it would be to sail on a ship and knowing that such creatures could perhaps lurk in the dark of the water, just waiting for you to make a mistake. To drag you into the dark of the sea, to never return to the surface.
"Would be pretty interesting to see what the Tokugawa Megalodon is capable off. Though doubt that I am allowed by my advisors and councillors to participate in a spar against anybody really."
She had some doubts which was fine. it wasn't everyday you hear about shark capable of eating a man whole, that and no one but a deceased man has seen it.
"Thats fine your grace, I can see how it may be hard to believe. Yet it inspires my men so who am I to tell them no? Although I must agree seeing such a creature while out on sea would make even the most brave probably accept their end." He replied to her not upset about the bit of disbelief, for all he knew it very well could be a fable, yet he liked to think it was the real deal. Yet she then said it would be interesting to see what Mikoto was amde of, yet ended her sentence with her advisors and council wouldn't allow it.
"Is it out of fear for your safety? Or the possible word getting around about such a spar?"
"Perhaps a bit of both," Kiyomi answered, unable to resist to flash a smile,
"Would certainly make an interesting gossip if an empress would decide to have a friendly spar against the Megalodon of the Tokugawa clan. But perhaps in the future at a tournament, we could find an excuse to see what your Megalodon is worth. I for one hope there won't be any huge fish that will devour men in one bite. Doesn't sound that pleasing," Kiyomi further added. Now that she thought of it, she wondered if the Hons under the service of the Tokugawa were any different than the other Hons. Not to forget, what kind of fun it would be to have the next clan meeting at Vindex. It wouldn't be a pleasing experience for some people, but perhaps that would only work in a beneficial way for both her and the Tokugawa.
"Well that tournament is a few months away from now, yet I'll make sure to invite you to it when it comes around. Yet I'm sure Mikoto would love to have a spar against you, if your advisors and council ever approved of it in the future. I can guarantee some Agnarr Hons will partake in the tournament. They usually do,although part of me feels they enter just for the combat part. Yet it should prove entertaining. Yet rest assured, there will be no giant shark that I promise." He said laughing lightly at her comments. He could tell she was a bit intrigued which was good enough for him, not everyday your empress spoke about visiting your lands for a tradition you hold.
"Good. Would hate to take a bath to then be surprised with some giant shark. I prefer my baths and swims without any shark in the waters," Kiyomi answered back. The prospect of facing some Hons of the Agnarr lineage was quite fun and exciting. While she had never met one and wondered if they had taken or accepted some of the traditions and manners of the Tokugawa clan, the idea that she was able and allowed to spar or duel was enough to already craft a smile on her lips.
"Anyways," she wanted to continue but noticed that there was a pair of people that came towards her.
"I am sorry, Lord Tokugawa. But I would like to talk later more about the Agnarr Hons and visiting Vindex," the teen flashed a smile as well bowing with her head towards the clan leader before taking her leave.[/fieldbox]
