Having put the final touches on the deal, Honoka had made the arrangement to meet with Sanae and get the deal all checked out! She had a feeling this may not go as well as it could when presented because of one specific part, but thankfully she wasn't needing to ask the Matsu.

Honoka had prepared tea while she waited for the very busy champion to arrive.

Lady Akodo and Lord Ikoma were both in attendance today, having a late breakfast and talking over some papers. It seemed Lord Ikoma was much less agitated than he had been in the past. As Honoka walks in, each turns their attention to her.

"Ikoma-san, how lovely to see you. What do you have for us?"

"Akodo-dono, Ikoma-dono" Honoka bowed, a smile on her face "good morning! I hope you're both well? Forgive me if I'm interrupting, I come with a trade arranged with the Scorpion that I wanted to present for approval but I can wait if there are other pressing matters."

Ryota shook his head once. "No, this is important enough to change the subject. Bring it over, Kamoshita-san. Let's have a look."

"Of course" Honoka nodded, moving and sitting then taking out her notes.

"The Scorpion have taken an interest in our pottery tech, with our situation on commodities currently I was able to make an arrangement based entirely on services rather than resources. The Scorpion have offered our entire requirement on silver and dyes, the majority of our sake requirement and a unit of weapons and armour in trade for teaching them about the pottery tech, and a work of literature. Specifically about Bayushi Kaguya."

There was a small pause before she added "and also an agreement of no military aggression between our two clans for one year."

(ooc:

Scorpion:
Lion give: Pottery tech, 1 Lion art(option B) targeting Bayushi Kaguya
Scorpion Give:1 weapon and armor, 2 Dyes, 4 sake, 2 Silver
Furthermore, the Scorpion and the Lion agree to no military aggression against each other for one year

"That provision is no hardship to me, though I understand your hesitation. I hesitate only in making an assumption about the book...presumably, this negotiator wants a positive representation of Lady Bayushi?"

"Hai that's correct" Honoka nodded "I get the impression that Bayushi Kaguya-sama would benefit from having a positive propaganda. "

"Then let us make her a star. This deal has my approval."

Honoka smiled at that.

"I'm glad this meets approval! I'm also meeting with the Boar in the afternoon so I should hopefully have another deal to present to you tomorrow morning. Our commodities are stretched thin but the Boar are a young clan still finding their feet so I'm confident I can find something to appeal to what they need to grow."

"That is good. I was concerned that Heichi-san was farming out his foreign policy to Ichiro Himari. I am glad that he is seeing people directly."

"Perhaps he was unsure of how to approach at such a prestigious? The Boar seem to be relatively reclusive prior to Heichi Batsuda-sama from my limited knowledge of the clan. Winter court can be an intimidating place for some first time people" Honoka smiled "not all of course, but some. I'll make sure the man feels welcome and show him that the Lion are friendly partners to trade with."