[D8, LA] More market (Expecting)

[Agasha Yuna]

After seeing Seppun Tomaru-sama back to court, bucket in hand, Yuna changed out of her rumpled kimono into a fresh one and returned to the market.

She wanted to thank several shopkeepers and other individuals who she thought had been helpful in controlling the crowd and making sure they were able to pass through, and to courteously apologize for the disruption.

As she was retracing her earlier steps, she noticed Kasuga-sama.

Ah! She had been hoping for a chance to introduce herself to her.

She approached her and bowed low. "Kasuga-sama, I am Agasha Yuna, part of the Dragon delegation here. Do you have time to speak? Or, to arrange a time at your better convenience? I am hoping for a chance to discuss opportunities for trade between our clans."

[Kasuga Izumi]

Izumi gestures, and Yuna is suddenly very aware of a scarred and hulking man all too close to her. She looks Yuna up and down for a moment, then nods her head, saying "I'm happy to talk with one of the Tortoise's elder cousins, of course. But I am surprised not to see Mirumoto-san; is he ill?"

[Agasha Yuna]

Was he ill? A good question. She had started the morning patching a hole he had apparently made sleep-walking through a wall.

And what had he said, suggesting Yuna talk to the Tortoise... Oh, right. That! Could she repeat that? Perhaps a greatly more courteous version?

"He is well. He said he finds you too beautiful to attend to thoughts of business in your presence, and it might be best that I took care of matters of trade between our clans, so he might be free to simply enjoy the moments he finds to speak to you."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"A shame," Izumi says. "I know that my men certainly enjoyed his company that night."

She looks at Yuna and smiles. "So, what brings you my way this afternoon, Agasha-san?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"If you have time and interest, I did want to inquire if we might make a mutually satisfying exchange of goods. Or of goods and services."

"Is this a time and place you would enjoy such a discussion? I am happy to go somewhere else, or meet at a planned time, if you prefer."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"There is always time to better my Clan's fortunes, Agasha-san," Izumi replies. "What all did you have in mind?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"We find ourselves seeking sake (1 unit). Do you perchance have any to trade?"

"If so, I could outline what we might offer in exchange."

"And there is always also the possibility of inter-marriage or other closer walk. Perhaps support of something important to you."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"We have [1 unit] of sake, yes," Izumi affirms, "and we could find use for gold, jade, or stone in at least equal measure. We also have tea to trade, as much as [5 units], and I have heard that many on the northern mountains drink much tea."

She looks Yuna up and down again.

[Agasha Yuna]

"I can give you gold for the sake. That is a good match. Let's plan on that."

"Ah, it is very good to know about your tea. That is something we have on-going need of. It happens that we found other sources for this year, but the knowledge that you have the resource... It is a good plan for next year. A reason to walk more closely together. Perhaps we could plan a deal for next year, some gold for some tea, if that is of interest."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"A pre-purchase of, say, three more units of tea at this year's rate would work," Izumi affirms. "So, four gold for one now and three to come--a reaffirmation of our kinship."

She nods.

"I think that would be well."

She smiles warmly.

"I think that would be well, indeed."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Agreed. 4 gold now that purchases 1 sake this year, and 3 tea next year. Excellent."

She smiled also.

"I think that signals the enduring nature of the relationship, the trust, though we could add a marriage also if you would like."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"I thought you were already spoken for, Agasha-san," Izumi teases.

At least, it seems she teases.

"Whom did you have in mind?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"Hmmm... most of the candidates remaining on our slate need to stay in the Dragon. But it is because they are in prestigious roles."

"There is a possibility that might interest you. An Agasha researcher. He is a shugenja. Very talented. He needs to stay in the Dragon. Agasha-ke no kashin Hasegawa Gazan (Male, Status 5, age 27). Only 27 and already highly esteemed. He is famous for developing a more efficient lacquering process. It's a good opportunity to partner him for someone of rank just below his."

"That said, and I want to be honest about this, he could rise so much higher if he could curb his ... struggles to give time or attention to others' insights. A tough bride who could stand up to his arrogant ways and teach him to bend occasionally could rise with him. His potential is absolutely enormous with the right partner. He'll be stuck where he is - which is still a fine station - if he doesn't have the right gardener pruning him."

"I don't know if you have someone like that on your side. I understand if you don't. But I thought... this needs a tough shell."

[Kasuga Izumi]

Izumi smiles again.

"Your sensei have taught you well, Agasha-san," she says.

"Kasuga-ke no kashin Sone Harumi might work. She's 26 and [Status 4], so she's had authority and knows how to use it. She's also quite charming and engaging, so she knows how to guide well.

"Some of that last, I know for a fact, because I'm the one who taught it to her."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna smiled.

"That sounds like precisely the match needed, and your own example speaks well for her."

"I think we have a complete deal, and one beautifully sealed."

"It might be a day or two before I can get Togashi-ue's approval, and alert the Imperial Matchmaker so that she is on board also. But I'll assume it is good to proceed, and alert you as soon as all is signed off."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Oh, well done, Agasha-san," Izumi says. "You might've made a good Tortoise."

She smiles.

"I have heard, though, that the Dragon have insights to share. Did I hear the truth of that?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"It is true that we have spiritual services we could provide. I could describe them if you are intrigued, though it might take some exploration if you want to adapt or add to the deal planned so far. But, for example, a spiritual service could replace the gold as the pre-payment for the tea. If you found equivalent value in it."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Let's call it a separate matter, " Izumi says. "Describe these services to me, if you would."

She smiles again, showing a hint of teeth. "We also have insights to offer," she adds, "so I need to know if they're a different sort. No sense swapping what we already have."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"An exchange is always a possibility."

"We could provide training in the mastery of the void and path of enlightenment to a single individual."

"We could provide a wise suggestion as to a successful resolution to a problem a clan might have."

"We could provide healing and restoration to one individual in a spiritually disadvantaged position. For example, aiding one cast out by a monastic order."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"That second one might be of interest," Izumi replies. "And maybe it could be helped by another source of information, ways of knowing things from the ground up, rather than from the peaks down."