Hikaru has hoofed it out, but to him, even the sight was worth it.

"When you look at the sea, you forget the power of a river."

"Sea ain't got power without rivers feedin' it," Aiko says around the stalk of dry winter grass between her teeth.

She gives Hikaru a nod. "What all c'n I do you for, Doji-san?"

Hikaru thinks for a minute and settles on bluntness. "There's a rumor that the Kitsune have dyes and paper to trade. I was wondering if there was something to it"

"Rumor's a little dated," Aiko replies around the grass. It waves thoughtfully from between her lips. "Dyes're spoken for. Paper, though, might could still have some o' that about.

"How much're you lookin' t' trade, an' what've you got f'r it?"

"Four paper, though that might be a bit out of date." Hikaru thinks on it.

"Though...if you have previously held dyes, perhaps an arrangement could be made if you know who else might have extra to offload"

"Four paper, we c'n do," Aiko affirms. "Less too, obviously. Y'all got rice or veg? Could stand a couple ' each.

"Far's dyes, Scorpion might have 'em. Can't swear to't, but seems likely."

Aiko looks Hikaru over, chews her grass-stalk a little more.

"We've got rice, but no vegetables to be had. Would fish satisfy your needs?"

Hikaru nods at the information given. "That was very friendly. How can I be a friend to you?"

"Four paper f'r two rice an'...y'all ain't got sake, do you? Be just one o' them, if'n y' do. A tea, too," Aiko says.

"But f'r friendliness an' all...I wonder if'n you c'n get behind somethin' f'r me."

Hikaru thinks on it "I think that's a reasonable deal." Then his eyes narrow a touch.

"What is it that you have in mind? "

"So, four paper f'r two rice, a sake, an' a tea; sounds good," Aiko says.

"Got an issue with my brother, Crane might could help with it. Maybe. Don't know if'n y'all c'n swing it."

"I shall present it to my Diamyo. It may take some time to present if she approves. Arrangements have been backed up with" Hikaru pauses, selecting his words "matters of state that took precedence*

He pauses at the second part "The Doji are known for their ability to broker disagreements. What kind of issue are we talking about 'ere"

"Funny you'd mention y'r Champion," Aiko says. "See, I'm here standin' in f'r mine--my brother. Good man, but, well, focused on other things'n runnin' a Clan. Even f'r as small a group as th' Fox, leadin' takes full-time dedication, an' that, well, he ain't got f'r th' work as needs doin'.

"I'd love t' let 'im do his thing, but I can't rightly do that. He's the Champion, after all, an' it takes recognition t' remain so--or t' change things as need changin'."

"Ahh." Hikaru strokes his chin "Forgive me if I am putting words in your mouth but it sounds like you feel a need a way to place yourself as Champion, for all the right reasons of course, but you don't want to be forcing him out both because he's your brother and that doing so would cause friction within your family"

Hikaru thinks. "Might I ask what has him so otherwise engaged?"

Aiko sighs a little.

"How much you know 'bout Spirit Realms?" she asks. "'cause if I gotta 'xplain 'em to you, we ain't gonna have time t' talk 'bout nothin' else."

Hikaru does his best to suppress a wince. "Is it fair to say that it's quite important to the Emerald Empire, and he's very good at it but it's taking all of his time?"

Aiko nods.

"An' attention," she adds. "Which, ag'in, don't leave much f'r Championin'. I do what all I c'n do, but I'm a regent at best; get that changed over so he c'n do his thing an' I c'n do f'r the Fox, an' matters'll improve all 'round."

Hikaru begins to slowly nod to himself.

"So if there were was a hypothetical proposal at Court that would require someone to be tasked as an advisor to the throne regarding the Spirit Realms, and someone nominated your brother for it, that would be something you believe he would be interested in?"

"Not sure that'd do anyone much good," Aiko replies. "He's hyper-focused on his thing, an' he's got 'nough trouble talkin' 'bout it even t' those of us as took th' same schoolin' he did. I'm thinkin' it'd be better f'r folks ifn he were released from his Championin' duties in favor of pursuin' what's already taken up his 'tention an' all."

"That's roughly what I was going for." Hikaru nods. "I am trying to think of a way to give him a way to focus on that job while making it an honor for him to take, and then giving you the chance to take the formal role of what you've been doing anyway. Unless you just want to try to make it official by a motion in Court"

"Wouldn't be a stretch t' say he's bein' called by th' Realms t' serve 'em," Aiko agrees. "Swear he lis'ns t' Chikushudo more'n 'bout anythin' else."

The end of the grass-stalk bobs about.