<strong>Oshiro Midori (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=274532.msg13508458#msg13508458)</strong><br/><strong>Location</strong>: Oshiro Clan Estate<br/><strong>Tagged</strong>: Itakura Tametane (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=274532.msg13520213#msg13520213); Emiko Oshiro (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=274532.msg13526898#msg13526898)<br/><hr/><br/><em>Thwack.</em><br/><br/>Midori lowered her bow to observe her marksmanship. The arrow jutted out from the man-shaped dummy's chest, slightly to the right of the heart. Midori didn't sigh, didn't narrow her eyes or give any indication of annoyance for her missing. Instead, silent, she drew her next arrow, slowly nocked it, raised the bow and then lowered it as she drew the bowstring back.<em>Thwack.</em>If she hadn't been using her bow, she could have been mistaken for a life-like statue. Her focus was razor sharp when she had a bow in her hand. It kept her body preoccupied, and her painted chestguard kept her breasts from being stung by any errant bowstring. It defined her upper body, implying the shape and size of her breasts. Her white Gi and lower brown skirt kept her appearance tastefully conservative, and functional.<br/><br/>She practiced several more shots, then stopped. It was enough for today -- there was so much to do. The Emperor was dead. The Krai Folk, the Hachisu, the Aka Ka all needed to be spoken with within the next few months. Too much for her to accomplish alone. She spun on her heel, and placed her bow back on its rack. Midori would allow a servant to fetch the arrows. From there, she crossed the wooden floor of the family's archery dojo to the door that would lead her inside. At the door, she slipped on her sandals, kneeled, opened it, and then crossed the threshold.<br/><br/>Along the covered walkway, past the courtyard, and straight into the main building of the estate. She ignored the servants and the soldiers she passed, even as they bowed to her. Finally, she made it into the small tea room where she would soon be meeting those she felt most loyal to her: her top general Itakura Tametane, and her sister Emiko.<br/><br/>There was so much to discuss. Itakura especially would need to be reined in, lest he ruin the tentative relationships she was forming with her neighbors. When the time was right, she would let him loose as her personal wardog on her enemies. For now, it was a time of negotiation. She only had today to do it, too, before she rode off with a small contingent to secure a way-ward province to the south.<br/><br/><hr/><strong>Letters</strong><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">To Gunba Takeda</div><div class="spoiler_body">Gunba Takeda,<br/><br/>The sakura trees have bloomed with the first spring wind, here. They remind me of my youth where up in your mountains my father took me past your vast forges. The craftsmanship of the Gunba clan is renowned throughout all of Shindo. Your family's reputation convinced my father to replace our broken family sword with one of Gunba steel. I carry that sword now, and it still holds its edge.<br/><br/>My family fed Shindo for generations; It still feeds the Emperor's people. I see no reason for that to change, so long as Gunba steel is carried north then Oshiro rice shall be carried south.<br/><br/>What does Gunba Takeda remember of the trade between our families?<br/>-Oshiro Midori</div></div>