"Huh. Always knew they had it in them. Alright, well, I'm satisfied that we're not committing to relieve any sieges or throw armies around where we might not want to. This has my approval."

"Reading this," Lord Kaiu begins, "I see an agreement to address pirates and assist the Emerald Office. Are there sub-clauses or understandings here which are not immediately apparent that tie us more closely to the Lion and Scorpion in other matters?"

"Then it seems to me that we don't need to get involved. It's a mess, and someone else should lie in it, if anyone's going to."

"Hm. Interesting. Is that enough to reach down and push him off his seat? I'm not sure that it is. After all, she already runs the place. What's she really worried about? Got to be a pride thing. Or an inheritance thing. I wonder if he has a kid? Not that I'm asking you to go find out."

"Alright. What did he have to say?"

"Come in!"

"You could suggest a maintenance of peace against troublemakers or something generic, but I think that will probably do. Just so that there is some couching of the material exchange. Thank you, Yasuki-san. That will do."

Masahiko rose. "I believe that the court does not possess enough information to commit to a drastic action such as this. The precedent is troubling. The consequences if we are incorrect are significant. Is the court required to request troops to enforce its writ and install Kitsune Aiko and maintain...

"The Mantis deal poses no obstacle to me. Is there a fig leaf for the Sparrow deal so it doesn't look like just a material exchange? We've pushed them through that way before, but thigns go down smoother the other way."

"Come in!" calls the Kaiu.

"That's possible. The river does go down through Fox lands. You might even get a better idea of things on the ground that way."

"I'm right with you. He might be completely sane and running the show. I wonder if there's records here from visitors to Fox territory that may have seen him or interacted with him?"

"Is she saying we can get the court to issue a writ? Because the average Fox is gonna love that coming from a Lion."

"That's the total of it? If so, I don't see a problem."

Masahiko returns it.

"Those are two very different topics." Masahiko said, somewhat less warmly. "I'd need specifics with either, but you should pick one and see it through to the end. Then we can handle the other."

Hikaru is escorted into the Crab's receiving room, which is interesting in part because the rear wall of the room is host to a number of strange machines, all relatively small, but each looking devilishly intricate. After a moment, Lord Kaiu enters, his expression the definition of pleasant. "Doji-s...

"Then squeeze them hard, Hiruma-san. Get all the goodies and as many people in the capital as you can."

"Huh. Well, it'd be too bad to lose him. Man can court, and no mistake. Sure we can't tell old Mariko to take a hike?" "But yes, the Imperials have little to offer but money and prestige. If she's really after it, and if the Miya are really interested, squeeze 'em for an Imperial job or two. Imperia...

OOOOOOH! A DEEEEEEEEAAAAAAL!

Having mustered up the enthusiasm, Kaiu Masahiko greeted Daichi with the customary nod and friendly smile. "Good morning, Hiruma-san" he said.