realpolitik | Ishida Mitsunari | Saika Magoichi

[ The woman leans forward, amber eyes unflinching as she observes those minute reactions.

Then she lets out a soft 'hmph,' stepping back and waving a hand at him. ]

Have a seat. This seems it might take a while.

[ Then she promptly sits herself on the wood of the platform without bothering to wait for him. Magoichi has perfect confidence in her authority; she does not feel a petty need to assert herself by making sure he kneels first.

Her men relax a bit themselves, going from their straight-backed attention to lounging around the perimeter, though their gazes make it obvious their guard has not truly lowered. ]

[He just nods quietly and joins this intimidating, powerful woman, sitting neatly before her, hands tidily in his lap.

He is used to this; this does not surprise him, even if Magoichi, in a way, does.]

...It would appear so. I'm afraid I must admit I have no idea what is going on.

[ This man is so... quaint. It is almost cute.

One had to beware the quiet ones, however. ]

Let us say that there is a possibility you are who you say. Do you have any evidence of this aside from your words?

I...do not.

[A bow of his head, hair falling to frame his face.]

I have nothing but my words, I'm afraid, and the invitation from Tokugawa Ieyasu on me.

I want to see this invitation.

[ Magoichi holds out her hand, expectant. ]

[And he reaches into a pocket, removing it quietly, handing it over equally quietly.

It is certainly Ieyasu's crest, and signed by the same, but the political nature of it is likely new; Tokugawa Ieyasu, doing the political dance.]

[ It certainly looks legitimate. Yet all of the political subtext dripping from the words is almost sickening. Nothing like the Tokugawa she knows would write... just yet.

If he were settled into power, however, and his ambition truly shone through... ]

Interesting.

[ She returns it to him, a look of distaste plain on her face. ]

[He reads the distaste, and he chuckles, shaking his head.]

Interesting is one word for it, most certainly. There are others I could think of, however.

[ His chuckle is reflected in a flash of amusement in her eyes. ]

You seem too delicate for the kind of words I would choose to use.

[He meets her gaze with some amusement, tilting his head.]

They are words I would merely choose not to use only because of the consequences.

But someday, I am quite certain there will be a cowardly Tanuki who will receive an earful.

Hmm. Your words are nothing like the Ishida I know would speak, but the sentiments... those are quite similar.

[ Which makes him even more interesting now. Part of her is still stuck on what in the world was going on, but she is beginning to sense this is not merely a case of a simple madman. Something bigger was going on here. ]

[He tilts his head, glancing around.]

Likewise, this is not the Saika faction I know--

And yet the competency here is refreshing.

[It's not flattery so much as honesty--if he had negative to say, he would say it. He just does not--yet.]

If you know of any Saika who are less competent, I am afraid I shall have to have words with them.

[ Magoichi chuckles to herself, before motioning to him again. ]

Tell me more of the world as you know it: of yourself and Hideyoshi...and Tokugawa. What is that boy playing at with his tea party, besides a chance to blow sunshine up his own hakama?

[...heh. He tilts his head, considering.]

Hideyoshi-sama was a very strong man--Tokugawa Ieyasu and I both served him, though we rarely interacted.

[because ieyasu is an old man.]

The illness that struck him was devastating, though...After his death, Tokugawa-dono-- [it's a sneering tone, that honorific--] appears to have come to consider himself ruler in Hideyoshi-sama's stead.

[A pause. He breathes out and his cordial nature is for one utterly absent as he clenches a fist.]

...He would aim to destroy the Toyotomi, but I will not allow it!

[ It is as if someone took Ishida, wrapped him up in pretty paints and flowery fabric, and set him down in front of her. It was a surreal experience, but she could hear the emotions now that were so fundamentally Mitsunari. ]

I see.

[ She placed her hands on her thighs as she thought how to continue. ]

From where I sit, things are a bit different. Both Ishida and Tokugawa served Hideyoshi, yes. I was employed by him for a short while myself.

[ Before he was a douche, but she would let the dead rest in peace in this case. ]

Shortly before Hideyoshi had the entirety of Japan under his rule, Ieyasu turned on him, stating that he was leading the country in the wrong direction. They battled and in the end, Tokugawa was victorious.

Since then, Ishida has wanted nothing more than revenge on his lord's killer; on the other hand, Tokugawa is trying to win many to his side with talk of a great bond between brothers that will unite the land.

The country is splitting in two under the banners of the Tokugawa and the Toyotomi, and all too soon their armies will clash.

[He listens quietly, gazing at her with a slightly tilted head.

It is too similar to what he himself is experiencing for him to dismiss it.

...]

I too...have been gathering allies. It is not for vengeance, however.

It is to defend against Tokugawa's ambition.

So we have a matter of two very different histories.

The question is now is one of us wrong, or is there somehow a third option?

[...a quiet sigh.]

I do not lie.

...It does not sound as though you do either.

[...that leaves them with only the third option, right?]

So how is it that they could both exist as truths at the same time?

[ Magoichi is not one to believe easily in the fantastic, but she has seen magic and demons enough to know there are plenty of possibilities. ]

[He just blinks at her--and shrugs.]

I haven't the foggiest idea.

[And--]

I still do not know how I got from Osaka to here without moving a step.

And I do not know how you showed up in the middle of my camp without anyone noticing.

[ Magoichi scowls to herself. ]

Which means some fool is playing around with something they should not.

[whoops fourth wall what fourth wall--

I mean.

He nods, bringing a hand to his chin as he ponders this.]

It would seem so. I will have to find a way to return home, soon--my place is with the Toyotomi.

Of course. We shall just have to see what we can do about that.

[...a slow nod.]

I would appreciate your assistance, Saika-dono.

[There's a fair amount of respect for this woman there.]

[ Magoichi gives a soft snort of amusement and waves her hand. ]

Do not be so polite. I just object to anyone dropping random men in the middle of my camp.

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