D12 LM - Fish and Ships

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki had sent a short letter to the Minor Clan House some hours back, inviting the Mantis daimyo for a meal before the start of court procedures at the Inn of the Golden Mane.

Arriving relatively early, she had asked the servants for rice, some vegetables, and a few plates with different types of fish - mackerel and salmon, but also some freshwater amago that would probably be fresher here. Sake and tea cups were also on the table, although not served yet.

For now, she waited.

[Gusai Rioshida]

The Mantis rolled into the room, looked at the spread, and executed a quick bow.

"Gusai Rioshida," he said. "Nice to meet you."

[Yasuki Masaki]

The Mantis rolled into the room, looked at the spread, and executed a quick bow.

"Gusai Rioshida," he said. "Nice to meet you."

Masaki stood up to execute a proper, respectful bow. "It's a pleasure, Gusai-sama. This one is Yasuki-ke no Kawagoi Masaki. Hiruma Daichi-sama told me only good things about Gusai-sama as we talked about possibilities for further collaboration with our Younger cousins in the Mantis."

She gestures to the seat opposite where she was and the food. "Has Inari-no-kami blessed Gusai-sama this morning? And would you like sake or tea?"

[Gusai Rioshida]

"Your younger cousins, hm? And how long have the Yasuki been in the Crab? Acting like I'm your little baby child isn't gonna get you very far with me, however much the other daimyo like to be patted on the head by the Great Clans. Lay out what you want in plain terms, and then give me rice, weapons, and iron for it. I've got all the tea I need."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Your younger cousins, hm? And how long have the Yasuki been in the Crab? Acting like I'm your little baby child isn't gonna get you very far with me, however much the other daimyo like to be patted on the head by the Great Clans. Lay out what you want in plain terms, and then give me rice, weapons, and iron for it. I've got all the tea I need."

"Very well", she says, "Gusai-sama will hopefully understand I meant no offence. I generally find 'Younger' a better wording than 'Minor' for the clans created after the Kami's fall - if Gusai-sama prefers otherwise, just let me know. One way or another, the Crab do hope to keep oue ties with the Mantis close and friendly." Her tone and expression are both gentle, regardless of the Gusai's curt tone.

"Our last arrangements granted Gusai-sama some of our weapons. Unfortunately, we are not in a position that would allow us to provide more equipment or iron at the moment, but we should have a small surplus of rice available that we could send to the islands. We might have some dye and a few other things as well, if those might be of interest."

She will offer the seat again, so that they may talk more comfortably. "The main hope I bring to this second talk is not a simple trade of goods, however, but closer cooperation - specifically naval cooperation, as you will probably expect. Although I would also want to talk about the same sort of 'fish' Gusai-sama offered during your talks to Hiruma-sama."

[Gusai Rioshida]

"Look, I'll cut right to the chase. You want what I think you want; I got a load of it. We'll call it 5 "fish." I want the rice. I want 2 Jade. I'll throw in the naval stuff. Fighting pirates is no problem for us."

[Yasuki Masaki]

She nods once. "The rice we can send your way." Her expression then seems pensive for a moment. "Jade... as Gusai-sama probably expects, it is generally hard for thr Crab to part with jade, as it's needed to fulfill our duty and keep the Empire safe. But..."

She looks into the Mantis' eyes for a moment. Her expression is serious and earnest, but serene. "Might I assume Gusai-sama's Jade needs are not meant for artworks? If travel to directions where it may be needed is your goal... we would have to warn against it, given the dangers involved to safety and soul"

She gestures to a servant. "Tea, Gusai-sama?"

She looks at the food, places some rice and fish into her bowl.

"If your endeavours are such that crossing these dangers is unavoidable... the support we found this year does make it possible to provide you the protection you ask for. With some additional terms."

"If we declare in court that we will hand you Jade, others are likely to wonder. So it might be best if rhw discussion in court is limited to our offer of rice and naval collaboration - much like the 'fish' is not discussed at length in court. Besides... if you do need to travel to such directions, we believe an offer to train some of your people in Crab schools might be to everyone's benefit. To avoid prying eyes, that might be expanded to a proposal to exchange students between our clans - which could likewise benefit both of our peoples."

"Finally, on the collaboration we were hoping for. This would ideally involve joint action against pirates, as Gusai-sama said, as well as against foreigners in the waters we share, and shared efforts to rescue distressed sailors or vessels, especially in the Empire's southern seas. We would of course be acting jointly against pirates as officially defined - which is to say, ships declared as such by Emerald Magistrates, or specifically seen attacking other Rokugani ships in southern waters."

She gestures to the food again, as if waiting the Mantis to serve himself as well before she starts eating.

"Would such terms fit your needs, Gusai-sama?"

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OOC: Just to be sure - the 'fish' would come along with the fish already traded before, or would more "actual" fish be involved here as well?

[Gusai Rioshida]

"Right. Terms. All good for me. 5 "fish", bailing you guys out on water, 1 rice, 2 jade--only for the proper uses. We get access to the Crab schools. You get access to my schools."

****
no actual fish.

[Yasuki Masaki]

"If those terms are fitting for Gusai-sama, we have a deal", she says with a faint, but happy smile.

"Again, only rice, naval collaboration and school exchanges will be discussed in court - but count on our help for your protection... which we will hope you will not need, of course."

A nod. "We do hope this may bring our clans to closer collaboration and great success, Gusai-sama."

[Gusai Rioshida]

"Likewise, I'm sure."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Likewise, I'm sure."

"I will bring this to discuss with Kaiu Masahiko-dono, then. Hopefully we can being this to court tomorrow. Thank you, Gusai-sama" She nods, a kind smile on her lips, then she gestures to the food again. "Shall we eat, then?"

[Gusai Rioshida]

"Sounds great." And eat he does.