A Visitor to Phoenix House (1EA, expecting)

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

A slim Crab in a navy blue kimono came to the door of Phoenix House that afternoon.

"I'm looking for the honorable Shiba Ryusei," the Crab explained to the door attendant. "I believe he is expecting me? I am called Yasuki Ryoichi."

As the attendant presented a piece of paper, Ryoichi produced his personal seal and made his mark upon it.

[Shiba Ryusei]

In short order, the Yasuki was ushered into a room with a goban, a tea set, and seated Shiba.

Ryusei rose and bowed to his guest.

"Yasuki-san, it's a pleasure to finally meet in person. I trust you've had rice? There's tea-"

He adopted a stage whisper.

"I have no idea if the blend is anything special, I'm not used to caring one way or the other."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

“I’m honored to meet you in person as well,” Ryoichi replied as he bowed and took a seat. “I am sure the tea will be fine. Though, if you are concerned about it, we have some very fine teas from the Yasuki provinces that I can certainly recommend…?”

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei arched an eyebrow.

"I would certainly be remiss if I didn't take notes. After all, in the interest of cooperation, some tea from the Crab lands might be an exotic taste to take home."

He poured a couple of cups of what was on hand- a thoroughly unremarkable blend from the Shiba provinces.

"It seems a fashionable question, so I'll ask how your journey to Court was. Any undue excitement?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

“Uneventful, I’m afraid,” Ryoichi admitted ruefully. “We came along the coast and up the river in a great big barge filled with Hida marines, and not even the most foolhardy of gaijin pirates dared to challenge us. A little excitement would’ve been nice, but at any rate we made good time, traveling by sea. Better than a forced march, to be sure!” He chuckled and sipped at the tea. If the flavor was unexciting, he was too well-mannered to say so.

“What about you, Shiba-san?” Ryoichi inquired politely. “How was your journey?”

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Furthest from home I've ever been, but it was good to be on the sea again. I'm not half the mariner some of my ancestors were, but, well, we still have our pride, neh?"

Sip.

"And since the shores we passed were quite new to me the second we left Phoenix waters, I had plenty to interest me. We put in at Shiro Daidoji- I gather the captain had family connections there- and came overland the rest of the way. So I saw a great deal more than I'm accustomed to!"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I do think travel by sea - seeing many distant shores - is broadening to the mind," Ryoichi commented politely. "It gives one a certain open-mindedness, allowing one a better understanding of people from other lands. I'd like to think that's something our two clans have in common."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Oh more than just that... although I'll admit it's an aspect many might overlook, since we're not exactly as renowned for our navy as we might."

Sip.

"We also both have duties to the empire that touch on spiritual matters. I know the Crab's duty isn't always the most... polite topic of conversation, but rest assured, some of us appreciate a bit of what is involved there. So!"

Another sip.

"I doubt either of us is here simply to swap bland pleasantries. How can we help one another, Yasuki-san?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Ahh, down to business then?" Ryoichi nodded and set down his teacup. "Today, I am mainly trying to meet people and perhaps establish good relations, if possible. It seems like it would be valuable to have friends and allies in the court - I hope you agree."

"If that goes well, there's the possibility of making some larger arrangement," he added. "I'm sure both of our clans could benefit from trade, or other cooperation."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Oh, very much so. Not that either of our superiors would wish us to tip our hands too soon, neh?"

He smiled.

"I think I can safely say that you are succeeding at your initial objectives Yasuki-san. Anything in particular you're looking forward to this season? I plan on getting absolutely demolished in the Bowman's Wager..."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I don't know that much about the events that are planned, aside from court itself," Ryoichi admitted. "What is the Bowman's Wager? An archery tournament?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Oh yes, the most prestigious in the Empire."

The Phoenix grinned.

"I'm honestly a pretty lousy archer, but I have my moments. And I'll get to see some masters at work, I have no doubt. Should be educational, anyway."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I am not the best archer, but I should be most interested in seeing who does well at this tournament," Ryoichi agreed. "As for my part, I must admit to some curiosity as to how Imperial Court itself will work out; I'm told that even trade agreements must be blessed by the court, which is quite a bit more formal than I am used to."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Well, all pacts between Clans technically fall under Imperial purview, it's just more ritualized here."

But then, everything in their culture was a ritual of one kind or another.

"After all, we've, uhm.... seen what happens if too little oversight is exercised on Clans working in tandem..."

The Crab, of course, hadn't been in the Gozoku, but the matter was still germane.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Oh, I understand the necessity," Ryoichi said with a small smile. "It will just take some getting used to, I suppose. I'm sure it will all seem perfectly normal after a few days, and I'll wonder how I ever thought it could be another way."

"Are courts in the Phoenix lands quite as ritualized?" he asked. "Perhaps you are more familiar with this sort of thing."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Yes and no... we're.... very focused on the spiritual, of course, so our rituals tend to be pretty literally rituals. That said, we also have the luxury of conducting our business internally, which allows for some shorthand- you know, House to House, Family to Family. We have even more cultural commonalities than we do with the rest of the Empire."

He sighed.

"Not that our courts are always serene, of course."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Of course," Ryoichi said with a smile. "Any time three people get together, there can be politics, and the politics can get ugly. Even among the Crab courts, where we pride ourselves on being straightforward and honest, there's the occasional, ahh, disagreement that has to be settled - sometimes with great vigor." He chuckled.

"Perhaps it's different in a Shinseiist monastery. Or not... who knows?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Given how much effort some monks put into being irritating, not sure..."

He was joking. Right?

"But yes, this Court is... a big one. No pressure, right?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi chuckled. "No pressure, indeed. I'm sure both of our clans have high hopes for court this season. Perhaps we should talk about those after all."

"Are there ways that the Crab, or the Yasuki, could be of some help to your goals?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Well, we have a few things on our list, some commodities we're after. I imagine the Crab have the same. And even if we can't help each other with those, we could perhaps act as middlemen to assist the other. For example, we stand in need of copper... temple bells, you know. Oh and, iron. Among other things."

Sip.

"Then there's the matter of less... tangible objectives. It would be helpful to know if we could back one another in that respect, or if we could at least smooth areas of potential friction. Living on opposite ends of the Empire, I doubt we have have too many areas of direct conflict, but it might be useful to see if we have any indirect conflicts of interest."

He made a bit of a face.

"And the Elemental Council has some requests, not all of which seem, uhm. Feasible. But one must try."