Seeing Yuna's guest had departed, Sanjuro assisted in tidying up and prepared a hearty tea on the hearth to prepare for his visitor.

He chose the shiny black set of tea cups and placed the remaining mochi on the low table for his guest.

All was ready for his arrival.

Gusai Rioshida, Lord Mantis, rolls into Dragon House like a boat running aground. The heavy tread of his feet shake the very temporary floors of the building.

After he rounds the corner and enters the space, he calls out in a great voice: "Konbanwa, Agasha-san! OOOH! MOCHI!" He is sitting across from you immediately, his smile stretching from ear to ear.

"You know how to get a person in a dealing mood, Agasha-san. Yes, indeed!"

"This one congratulates you on your energy, Lord Mantis. Thank you for joining me."

Sanjuro pours two cups of the strong tea, offering the first to his guest. He inhales the strong scent and takes a sip, looking to see his guest's reaction. He serves the largest piece of mochi to him, and chooses another for himself.

"To your point, we may have needs that we might consider fulfilling for each other if fortunes lean the right way."

"Then it has been my lucky day. First the Scorpion, now the Dragon. I wonder when the others shall come calling! Will I have anything left to give them?"

"Congratulations." Sanjuro nods.

"Hmm. I will be direct. We are in most need of dyes and tea. What is of interest to you that we might be able to meet your needs?"

"Well, it's your lucky day, because I have those things, Agasha-san. Here's what I want for 'em. Copper. Iron. You got 'em?"

We certainly do. We have 3 units of copper and 1 of iron remaining.

We have also available gold, stone and jade if you are interested.

Sanjuro pours second cups of tea while Lord Mantis thinks over the proposal.

Agasha Sanjuro wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:38 pm

We certainly do. We have 3 units of copper and 1 of iron remaining.

We have also available gold, stone and jade if you are interested.

"I'll take 2 of them copper and the iron and Jade...let's call that 2 units. In return, I've got tea, I've got...other stuff." He winked. Hugely.

I propose 2 copper, our last iron, and 5 stone in exchange for 2 dyes and 6 tea.

He frowned. "Well...that'll work. Got a fig-leaf for this? Maybe a marriage? Or some kind of school exchange program?"

"We've got Mori Mitsuko, a dashing kobune captain. Also we've got my nephew Gusai Shiro who understands the flow of coin. Neither of them have any downsides, take it from me!"

Wonderful! We do have a marriage candidate. The lovely and wise Togashi Manzaburoko, who is but 22. She would be a wonderful candidate for your nephew and to marry into your clan.

"A monk lady? They cool with that, now? Well, I guess you'd know. Anyway, I'm sure it'll work itself out. Always does."

Yes, I was initially surprised by that too; but, I have been reassured that she is a candidate for marriage on this court.

Sanjuro bows and accepts the offers. "I will take this to Mizohachi in the morning and be prepared to present as early as tomorrow if the fortunes allow."

They continue to tell stores for the next half hour, until they both have other places to be.

"It has been an honor to meet you, Lord Gusai." Both men bow, and Lord Gusai takes his leave.

//End//