Ryusei had another treaty to present... and he wasn't at all sure his Champion would go for it.

But still, the morning routine was comforting. He would miss it when Court ended- his Champion was not a warm person, and hardly generous with her praise, but what some didn't seem to understand was that it was a good thing. Her strength and steely resolve were what mattered.

Besides. If he wanted warmth or effusive approval, his Clan Champion would be a wholly inappropriate choice.

Still.

He wondered what she would make of the Mantis proposal.

[[Shibatron, engage morning protocols! Execute! Execute!]]

Another morning, another treaty. The efficiencies of the Phoenix delegation were a thing of beauty.

"Good morning, Shiba-ue. To begin with, Ikoma-ue has granted me permission to use the Ikoma Libraries, so I will be able to look into the history you inquired after at our last meeting. I will also attempt to see if I can consult with the other daimyo during Court..."

Because progress reports made the world turn.

"The other matter I have to report concerns a potential agreement with the Mantis."

Unlike the Sparrow, he didn't talk up their character. He rather doubted Higashime would be equally impressed.

"Mantis." Shiba Higashime nodded. "Sometimes, one must deal with the unsavory. The Tortoise are, of course, equally base. It amazes me that they seek to impair each other, but one cannot help but feel pleased that they do so."

"I approached Gusai-sama because the Mantis and the Crab had sealed a naval agreement- better to consult with an ally of an ally, I presumed."

He described the agreement- brief in scope.

"They stand in need of iron, and we can provide some. They stand in need of food, and we can bless their fields, modest as those are. We could make use of some of their ports, and they could make use of some of ours, with mutual aid for distressed mariners. And they would provide us with maps and navigational tools- which might be useful simply in knowing what they've been up to and where they've been."

He frowned.

"And possible avenues of danger if their foreign... trade becomes more hostile. We would know which sea lanes to watch."

A pause.

"There is also a standing offer of military service, which... I entertained mostly because if they owe it to us, then it won't be used... unwisely."

--
EDITED for Sea Dogs Wrapping!

The Phoenix Provide
1 Iron
The last Phoenix Spiritual Service for the season, to bless their harvest.
Mutual Naval Cooperation between Mantis and Phoneix against gaijin and pirates and to aid distressed Mariners
Access to select Phoenix ports.

The Mantis Provide
Mutual Naval Cooperation between Mantis and Phoneix against gaijin and pirates and to aid distressed Mariners, with the Mantis to provide more targeted assistance against said gaijin or pirates if so requested.
Access to select Mantis ports.
Maps and navigational aids

"Anything that makes the Empire safer against pirates and gaijin is likely a good thing. Has the nature of the maps been discussed?"

"Gusai-sama says that they are original to the Mantis- and thus, no doubt, won't give away anything the Mantis want hidden. But I believe they cover some of the acknowledged voyages of the Mantis, and might well provide, if nothing else, useful updates to our own maps. It's also possible that they will apprise of gaijin shores, which, while not a place we would ever care to go, would alert us to possible avenues of attack."

"That would be useful knowledge. Thank you, Shiba-san. This treaty has my approval."

He bowed.

"Then I shall present it today. I might also approach Otomo Mariko-sama about our remaining marriage candidates. In truth, with our needs broadly met, and with marriages between us and every Great Clan, I might look into some Imperial connections."

"You may do so. Carefully. The capital is a forest of entanglements at the moment."

"I will make no promises to Otomo-sama without clearing them with you, Shiba-ue."

"Very well, see to it, Shiba-san."

He bowed, and made his [/exit]