With the negotiations with the Crab clicking along smoothy, Ryusei had one last thing to get to-

The approval of his daimyo for the transaction.

Kenicbinwaited patiently with him. "It's a good deal Shiba-san."

He stated simply, waiting alongside the bushi.

"You think so, and I think so. But if Shiba-ue disagrees, well... we'll have to think again, won't we?"

The screens of the chamber open and a pair of Shiba emerge from Lady Shiba's office.

"You may enter, gentlemen."


Lady Shiba was sitting on her platform looking over what appeared to be a letter, but she looked up and fixed her delegates with her customary stare as they entered, just as intense as ever.

Ryusei was... well, not used to it, you didn't get used to this sort of thing, but perhaps "accustomed" was the right word, and he simply bowed to his daimyo as protocol dictated.

"Shiba-ue, greetings. I know you have many demands on your time, so I will endeavor to keep this brief."

--

OOC: In the name of sanity and posting times and maybe getting this on the Dais in Day Three, Ryusei is presenting the following trade with the Crab:

Crab trades:
4 iron
5 sake
3 stone
6 tea

Phoenix trades:
3 naval supplies
10 lumber
1 paper
4 jade

"This is a great deal of lumber, but I am pleased to see that it goes to filling so many of our needs." She looks up. "I think that you have done well with this arrangement. Have any marriages or other exchanges been discussed?"

He bowed again.

"Not as of yet. Both Yasuki-san and I have hopes that this will not be the final agreement between the Crab and the Phoenix this season. If Shiba-ue wishes, I can amend this agreement."

He paused.

"More informally, Yasuki-san and I have agreed, within the confines of our duties to our clans, to help one another seek suppliers for needs that we cannot meet for each other."

"Hm." Shiba Higashime nods. "Clever." She nods her head. "It is good to have a close contact in another powerful delegation. Perhaps he can help with this marriage slate. Lord Miwa has already written a letter."

"Hai, Shiba-ue."

He bowed again.

"With your permission, this one will present the trade agreement as it stands at Court today, and continue to work with Yasuki-san on other areas of mutual cooperation- marriages included."

"That seems reasonable. Thank you, Shiba-san." Higashime nodded firmly, in that way that bushi sometimes do as punctuation.

"Good work Shiba-sa." Kenichi smiked warmly.

Turninf towards his Champion, Kenichi bowed again. "Shiba-ue I wpuld like to ask for some guidance. Cureently from my understanding the Imperiap Chancellor is in line for succession... I just worry about similar uncertainty following in the next few decades. What is Shiba-ue's opinion on thebmatter?"

"The Imperial Adviser, Otomo Keihime, is the most likely heir, and the most likely to guarantee the continuation of Hantei Retsuhime's policies for the next decade or so. Keihime will also likely adopt an heir for herself that shares her way of thinking." Shiba Higashime blinks once. "And her way of thinking does suit us, for the moment. That may change, if she feels that she must reach out to other allies."

Kenichi nodded. "That that is for certain, that she will intend to arrange ah heir, Shiba-ue? What about the others....potentially Doji-sama? Shoukd we cuktivate relationships just to be safe?"

"Why? Doji Noriko will be dead within two years, Otomo Gorobei much sooner than that."

Higashime shook her head. "It does not do to be almost an Empress. Unless something changes very quickly, Keihime will resolve this issue permanently, and then there will be a reckoning. I will not bind the Phoenix to a sinking stone."

She paused, her jaw tightening for one moment. "No. Shira ga nai."

Ryusei kept his On.

He had yet to personally speak with any of the candidates except for Seppun Tomaru, so perhaps he was biased, but if Keihime were to be the stone to sink...