What was will be again. What will be was once.

Over one thousand years of Rokugan history, the major clans have always kept an eye on the minor clans within and next to their territories. While such relationships are often very much unbalanced in favor of the great ones, it was unlikely there never was a precedent of the bigger fish having to pay, respect or money, to the small one.

Maybe the Scorpion had had to arrange for unpleasant deliveries with the Tortoise. Maybe the Crab had had to bow its head for the Falcon's help.

Not events that would make big splashes in history, as everyone would like to forget them. But there are always some stains left when you search hard enough. And Kaoru was going to find them. And to hopefully learn a lot about the present situation from how these stories unfolded.

For the moment, she was skimming through a book about the history of the Sparrow clan, as she had to start somewhere and this was the "most Crane" minor clan...

And might have gotten sidetracked by unrelated but so interesting historical facts.

---

Clearing the morning's strife with Passion: History

Another figure strode into the library. After some sifting through scrolls and a quiet question (as quiet as the clear voice of a Lion can be) to the keeper, eventually Michi found herself reading through a scroll about the third century exploits of Doji Yamakura, someone she had never heard of before.

Unsurprising, as this was a Crane library.

It took one pass of the library as she grazed for knowledge at a slow pace to note the Scorpion also similarly studying. The Lion stood straight and rolled up the scroll properly, offering a bow.


(also engaging in Passion)

Kaoru returned the bow.

"Akodo-sama. How does the day find you?

You seemed quite at ease on the ship this morning when most of us were having a hard time simply dealing with its rocking. Would you happen to be of the Lion's marine by any chance?"

"Some lords of the Lion clan keep river boats, but we do not train for combat on them, they are used for transport in certain cases", she answered, keeping the volume of her voice controlled, but clear. "We are a land army, most certainly. I am Akodo Michi, who do I have the honor of speaking to?"

"Shosuro Kaoru, daughter of Shosuro Nagisa, currently undergoing scholarly training to eventually become an advisor for my lord. Nice to meet you Akodo-sama.

How did you find your stay in Tsuma so far outside of the championship itself? I must confess I'm delighted to find the local library so well-stocked."

"it is as my people tell me the Crane are", the Lion replied without hesitation. "Despite the relaxed appearance, there is order here, everything one could expect of a samurai culture resides within this place, if one seeks it. Yet to look upon the face of it, you would think yourself on holiday. I find the idea of disarming guests in such a way...", there was a great pause here, until her lip curled in a smile. "...amusing."

"Tsuma is an oddity because it's a small city with limited strategical importance that still manages to thrive solely from its symbolic importance.

The town is not on a trade road, not a source of natural or manufactured resources, not a critical border outpost. But it is the home of this very academy and of the Topaz Championship, and as such has an aura most bigger cities would dream of.

And to keep it, Tsuma has to ensure it always keeps a pleasant facade. The academy and the championship could after all very much move elsewhere if the reputation of the place was to turn sour. So everything will be done in order for such a disaster to never happen.

I'm not saying people are nice to us, like in granting us free access to this library, solely because they have to. But the context leaves them little room to be jerks to guests."

"Perhaps, but the Crane are not so simple of a people", Michi replied and sat down across from the Scorpion. "The veil of our culture is important to us, it is tradition to act with courtesy, not simply for fear of reprisal, but because we should be guided by righteousness. If one acts only in their interest of survival and assurance of holding their position, they are being as animals."

And it was clear she saw the Crane as more than that. They had to be, they have won battles against the Lion.

"It's a circle. Being a samurai is living up to an ideal, and thus we shape samurai's society the best we can so that following that ideal ends up having positive consequences for all involved.

We show compassion to a wounded enemy both because it's the right thing to do and because we would like to be showed compassion if the roles were reversed. And we cannot expect it if we don't live up to these standards ourselves.

We don't lie because it's the right thing to do but also because each person knowing the other isn't lying thanks to their own adherence to bushido lays the foundation of a mutually profitable relationship.

Etc. Honor has infused our society so much over 1,000 years that that forsaking honor is not only morally wrong, it's also materially stupid."

"Yet despite knowing this, many chose a dark path", the Lion observed quite openly. Though there was not seeming to be any accusation in the words, her gaze was still expectant.

"Want for me to find a fake mustache so I can twirl it?

But for real, while a lot of Scorpion are very good at suggesting they don't really care about their honor, as part of a courtly show with the Crane for example... The ones that really don't care are as much of rabid dogs as in any other clan, and treated the same way. Because how can you trust someone without honor, even if they're family?"

"I trust no one in my own family, despite their honor", she replied, equally openly. "It is not a matter of insult to their honor, but I would prefer those under my command be distant from me. In the case you state, I find it agreeable the Scorpion punish those who act unjustly. Tell me more of your people, if you would then. I have studied history well, but to speak with a member of a neighboring clan is a boon I cannot squander."

"I thought having trusted advisors was the mark of the great general?

And as someone who is hoping to become just that, a trusted advisor not a great general, I feel I'm in my right in asking you to expand on your thoughts on the subject.

As for the Scorpion... Well, what do you want to know about exactly? We're not a curious animal species renown for its racing speed or keen smell, but samurai just like you. There isn't much that can be said of the Scorpion that isn't true of humanity as a whole.

I could discourse on culinary specialties or mask fashion of course, but that would be a bit cliché, wouldn't it?"

"I trust the honor of one's ancestors", she replied sharply. "If one advised me, I would take the worth of their blood as a matter of their trust and motivation for such council."

She looked the Scorpion in the eyes for a long moment. In her could be seen someone who can stare without unease for a very, very long time.

"The Empire is ripe with tales of your clan's villainy, Shosuro-san", she went on, not checking her gaze at all. "That you say there is all that you see among humans within it I do not believe is a lie, however such amounts of order and disorder, heroism and villainy, differ greatly from clan to clan. Where would you say yours falls among them?"

"At barely sixteen, I do hope I have yet to become Rokugan's worst villain.

I would say my honor punches in the same category as yours. My ancestors may not be as glorious, but blood is like any other gift: Wise people make the best out of an inconspicuous one, while fools squander even the very best."

Michi simply nodded. "Wisdom, but not the answer to my question. We are all at the mercy of what has come before us, Shosuro-san. Our own honor is yet to be proven."

"On that we agree.

And this tournament, no matter how prestigious it may be, is unlikely to help with that issue. True honor, or lack thereof, only reveals itself in dire times. Everyone's courageous as long as there's no real danger.

Here, we're just going to get through a set of academic trials. Especially difficult and well-designed I'm sure, but still a long shot from the situations will have to face as actual adults."

"Do you see these proceedings as some manner of game?" She asked lightly.

"Uh? Why would you think that? I just pointed out the fact there was a world of difference between training, not matter how hard, and the actual battle. This does not change anything to the fact that if you don't take your training seriously, the real battle will take a sour turn."

"Apologies, Shosuro-san, but what do you know about it to state such as a fact? What combat have you fought, what training course have you risked your body, and therefore your usefulness to your lord, to gain strength in the field for?" She still had not looked away from the Scorpion, but her face had not become any more harsh, in fact there was honest curiosity to be seen there.