D11 MA - Wily, Wonky (Open to Crab)

[Yasuki Masaki]

A while after returning to the Crab House after the day's court session, Masaki will stand at Masahiko's door, politely make her presence known, and bow deeply, some notes in hand.

[Kaiu Masahiko]

"Well, what do we have, Yasuki-san?" Lord Kaiu drummed his fingers on the desk in anticipation.

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Well, what do we have, Yasuki-san?" Lord Kaiu drummed his fingers on the desk in anticipation.

The Yasuki handed Masahiko the same note with the information on the trade deal with the Fox as in the previous day. It's possibly the third time he sees the same thing now.

Crab offers Fox:

• 2 Arms (our last 2)
• 2 Stone (our last 2)
• 1 Iron (our last 1)
• 1 Tea (our last 1)

Fox offers Crab:

• 1 Dye (fills our needs)
• 2 paper (fills our needs)
• 2 rice (leaves us with a surplus of 1)

"Those should fill all our outstanding needs, so it could be an important one for us, even if slightly lopsided."

"Plus... the other thing. Kitsune Aiko-sama has been quite insistent in vying for our support in Court to make her Daimyo in place of her brother. I've asked quite a few of the most obvious questions - it seems like he's spending longer and longer in his forays in the forest, apparently enough that Aiko has in effect been handling most or all of the work as Daimyo. She's mentioned the difficulties this brings a few times - it makes keepin' the Clan runnin' th' way's s'posed t' a sight challengin', and Leaves th' rest o' us scramblin' t' no good end - in her own words."

Her face is serious, even as she tries to reproduce the Kitsune's exact words.

"I told her I understood that this could cause difficulties, but that it is not a matter I could decide for the Crab by myself. I tried advancing other offers - training for their Bushi, exchanging research with their shugenja - but it seems that she won't budge, excelt for the items being traded, unless this support happens. 'Can't do much before this is sorted out', she said."

She purses her lips slightly for a moment. "I asked if her brother had expressed the desire to focus on the spiritual matters he's dealing with and leave the leadership for her. 'Can't even get that much out of him these days', was the answer. So I imagine she may be angling for advancing that he's... maybe ill, or somehow incapable of handing the duties of a Daimyo".

A pensive face. "Now. We've expressed good will to all Minor Clans, and I think we've been generally successful at putting ourselves forward as supporters of the Younger Clans. And the Fox are our neighbours. So I believe it would be to our benefit to keep closer ties of friendship with them. But this matter... I believe a steady position would be important here, given the possible ramifications, ne? And Kaiu-dono's opinion is an essential part of that."

[Kaiu Masahiko]

"My opinion is that we cannot trust her, because she is the one that benefits if we commit. She is the only source for any of this information. Heck, we don't know if her brother has any issues at all. But that said, it looks like we need her rice, her paper, and her dyes. So my question to you is this: how much do you care if we overthrow a guy who might be a right and proper lord of the Fox if it gets us these commodities?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"My opinion is that we cannot trust her, because she is the one that benefits if we commit. She is the only source for any of this information. Heck, we don't know if her brother has any issues at all. But that said, it looks like we need her rice, her paper, and her dyes. So my question to you is this: how much do you care if we overthrow a guy who might be a right and proper lord of the Fox if it gets us these commodities?"

"Kitsune-sama did say she was willing to trade even regardless of any support in other issues - which at the very least suggests to me that she cares about her people, as she would be taking home a fair amount of resources it seems her clan needs. So that is fortunately a trade-off we may not need to make"

She tilts her head. "Unless she changes her mind during court, or course. But she did not condition this trade on us supporting her play when we last spoke."

She gets another note. "Hiruma-sama had mentioned something else as well... the Scholarly help the Scorpion offered us [OOC: and which is now in court, so keeping this a bit open here as to whether or not thie was passed already] - he believes it *might* be able to uncover some information on Kitsune Fumihito-dono. That might help us know where we'd be stepping with Aiko - although it's a service that could be of much use to us in other ways, so... what do you think?"

[Kaiu Masahiko]

"I am uncomfortable getting good Crab mixed up in a coup in Fox territory. Lots of trees, poor maneuvering, guys familiar with the terrain. If we can get the commodities without committing to that, I think we should. If we've got other ways to use the information, then those are probably best."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"I am uncomfortable getting good Crab mixed up in a coup in Fox territory. Lots of trees, poor maneuvering, guys familiar with the terrain. If we can get the commodities without committing to that, I think we should. If we've got other ways to use the information, then those are probably best."

"That much Kitsune-sama had agreed to do regardless of anything else, as I said. If Kaiu-dono is in accordance with that deal, it can be brought forward to court tomorrow."

She shakes her head slightly then, her look worried. "A guerilla war, though... that certainly sounds awful." She looks at Masahiko. "Kaiu-dono does believe that is what this will lead to, then? Even with proper support and proper arguments at court? There seem to be some truth to the fact that Kitsune Fumihito-dono is having a hard time leading the clan with his current dedication to the forest" she seems thoughtful, almost somewhat wistful "...but if it is seen as a coup, that should hardly do the clan any favours as well...."

[Kaiu Masahiko]

"I don't really know. That's certainly a circumstance that could happen. And you'll remember of course, that the court was happy to sanction the Lion Clan's displacement of the Fox following their request for military help against bandits. The average Fox samurai will definitely remember. I'm not sure how much intervention by the Imperial Court is going to be looked on as legitimate if Aiko doesn't already have rock-solid support."

"But that shouldn't stop us taking her commodities. So let's get that treaty done, for sure."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"I don't really know. That's certainly a circumstance that could happen. And you'll remember of course, that the court was happy to sanction the Lion Clan's displacement of the Fox following their request for military help against bandits. The average Fox samurai will definitely remember. I'm not sure how much intervention by the Imperial Court is going to be looked on as legitimate if Aiko doesn't already have rock-solid support."

"But that shouldn't stop us taking her commodities. So let's get that treaty done, for sure."

She gives him a deep nod. "The trade will be brought to court tomorrow, then. And I'll definitely be very careful about the other matter. If I learn anything else on it that sounds important, I'll let you know - but using the Scorpion Scholars for another matter does sound more productive. Thank you for your time and attention, Kaiu-dono."

[Kaiu Masahiko]

"And thank you for your diligence and attention to detail. They're both a real asset to the delegation, Kawagoi-san."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"And thank you for your diligence and attention to detail. They're both a real asset to the delegation, Kawagoi-san."

"Your words are too kind, Kaiu-dono", she says bowing deeply again, a small, but bright smile growing on her eyes. "But I value them greatly. I'll keep tryinf to do my best efforts to serve our clan."

(/scene?)