[Day 3, Late Afternoon] War and Peace (Expecting)

[Shiba Ryusei]

If the weather had been nicer, Ryusei would have enjoyed playing outdoors-

But asking his new Lion contact- hopefully a friend, in time- to sit in the drizzle was asking a bit much.

So instead, he set up his nicer (larger) goban, had some tea prepared, and sent a missive to Akodo Kenji.

[Akodo Kenji]

It did not take long for Kenji to appear. His wide brimmed hat had kept the rain off and he approached the spot with a warm smile.

"Good afternoon Shiba-san, so good to see you again." He bowed and produced a go board from his pack. "My apologies for missing you yesterday, there was much to be done and I lost track of time in the stacks! Have you been well?"

There had been that earthquake but the less said about that the better.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei rose to greet his guest, bowing as was appropriate.

And smiled.

"Despite how the day began, I can say it's the best day of my life so far. I will try not to be too obnoxious. And you need not apologize, Akodo-san, the first day of Court... rather ran away with my sense of time as well."

[Akodo Kenji]

"The best of your life? Is this a philosophical point Shiba-san or have you been blessed in some way?" He took the offered seat and began to set up the board.

"I just had a fascinating encounter with an odd monk in the dojo. Otherwise I look forward to seeing what the day may bring."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"You mean the old guy with the stick?"

Ryusei chuckled.

"I couldn't think of anything to say! But yes, you could say I've been blessed. Nothing to do with the monk, as such."

[Akodo Kenji]

"That's the one. Of course that describes a lot of Monks. This one had a stick and was quite rude." He flashed a smile.

"White or black? Perhaps I will discover more about your blessing as we play. At some point we should talk about what our Clans need this year as well, perhaps we can find a way to aid each other in a mutually beneficial way?" It was Winter Court after all.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Only at Court can only truly mix business with pleasure in this way... oh, I care not, Akodo-san- neither of us knows the other's skill well enough to make the choice particularly meaningful! Once we've had a game, we'll know, going forward..."

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji nodded. "Of course Shiba-san, we can hardly go backward. Well then I shall start with white I suppose!" He passed the black stones over to the Phoenix.

"So, I shall not pry into the source of your happiness. More generally though, has the year been kind to your Clan?"

He looked at the board and awaited Ryusei's first move.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Overall, it's been a good year. We have some resources we're looking to shore up, like everyone else, but overall? No major mishaps, solid leadership dedicated to law, and more personally, Imanaged to get an invitation to Court, which is..."

He chuckled as he played his first stone.

"I hope I do credit to the Phoenix."


--
Game roll-
Friendly game of Go with Akodo Kenji | 5k3 ⇒ 23

[Akodo Kenji]

It was going to be an incredibly close snd well matched game that the Phoenix would eventually win!

"Indeed, I am rather in the same position Shiba-san. Hoping to do credit to my clan, from within the shadows of my kin." There was a small smirk at the remembered conversation with the Lady Matsu.

"The Lion are also in need of some resources. Fortunately our rice harvest was particularly good this year."

He placed a stone.


Roll
D3. Go with Shiba Ryusei. Game 1. | 5k4 ⇒ 22

[Shiba Ryusei]

[.... I swear I thought I had replied to this. Holy crap, my apologies]

"Indeed? That's good to hear. I think the Dragon might have some interest in your surplus, or perhaps the Crab... I confess, my own conversations have been limited in scope thus far."

He eyed the Lion's play, appreciating the simplicity of the game for a moment- simple rules, incredible tactical variation being possible.

"Our own needs are a bit more... well. I hesitate to call them luxury items, because many of them are important, but you saw some of it in our arrangement with the Crab earlier today."

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji nodded, it was shaping up to be an interesting game. "Well, we are looking for lumber, which you might have in abundance? Also a small amount of silver and paper? Arms and Equipment to replace our stocks."

He placed a stone. "A few other supplies too but I thought those seemed most likely to be in abundance in Phoenix lands?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"It might surprise you to learn that we are also in need of silver... and a small amount of arms and armor."

Oh, this game was going to be good, he could feel it! Ryusei placed his next stone, uncertain if he wanted it to be a good or a bad move...

"But we have paper in abundance, and while our lumber has been in fairly high demand... we have some of that left as well. Our chief needs that we haven't yet found someone to even ask about are for copper and dyes. As far as your need for arms and armor goes... I believe the Crab have some- and Yasuki Ryoichi-san is a straightforward man when it comes to trade. We cannot help you in that matter, but perhaps they can."

[Akodo Kenji]

"Ah, well I can at least say that our copper mines have been productive this year! We would be interested in 4 units of paper, and would be interested in as much as 10 units of lumber if you still have that much available?"

He looked at the board and the possibilities opening up for both of them. It had the potential to be an exciting game!

"Our artists have been rather busy too, perhaps you might be interested in some artworks?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei chuckled.

"While I would love some artwork- again, mother was born to the Ikoma, and I therefore have some appreciation for the Lion's artistic styles- I am uncertain I could persuade Shiba-ue of our need. but we need a great deal of copper. We can easily provide the paper- lumber... I believe we might have six units remaining uncommitted. At most, allowing for a... special request, we require eight units of copper, if the Lion have that much available."

He played another stone, and watched the contest unfold with the growing realizaiton that this was the closest- and therefore the best!- match of his life to date. The margin of skill was razor-thin, as opposed to the comical mismatches he often encountered against either vastly superior or vastly inferior opponents.

"I am most uncertain that Shiba-ue would approve of our providing ten units for eight, but I am open to making an attempt. Perhaps I could suggest two units of artwork- on the possibility of our finding another interested party. Or I imagine the Lion Clan could make some other offer- I know we also have certain spiritual services available."

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji looked thoughtful as he observed the latest moves on the board. "Perhaps I explained it poorly Shiba-san. This is more of an artistic service than simple pieces of artwork. A literary work from the Akodo could be put to several uses, and the skills of the Ikoma can raise one's reputation."

He picked up a stone. "Eight units of copper is entirely possible." He placed his stone. The match was finely balanced now and either player could push it one way or the other.

"Please do tell me about these spiritual services!"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ah, well. The Isawa and Asako are nothing if not... adept. We can bless farmlands- but it sounds as if the Lion are already abundantly blessed in that respect! The Asako can consult their libraries to answer a question for you, although with the Ikoma libraries right at hand, that seems perhaps less... applicable."

Kenji had pounced on one of Ryusei's errors- but it wasn't a fatal one, and perhaps could be turned to advantage. He placed his next stone with great care.

We will need to play again, that much is certain, whoever wins!

"We can also call for the blessings of the Seven Fortunes upon individual samurai. I flatter myself that such a service is potentially of interest."

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji smiled at that. "Well, my House has a long association with one of the Seven Fortunes." He scrutinised the board and wondered why he suddenly felt as though he were playing against his older brother.

His next stone was placed too quickly. "Very interesting nonetheless Shiba-san! I take it you are favored yourself? I will discuss the possible services with my clan. To be perfectly honest I find the whole business of trade quite tiring. I would rather be writing about it than puzzling it out. Does that make sense to you, or do you enjoy all these deals that must be made?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"House Shigi made its name through shipping. And while transporting warriors and refugees is both more glorious and more honorable, the fact remains that we've had to know how to arrange the odd trade more or less since our inception."

Oh, Kenji's gonna wish he could have that move back. He won't make the same mistake next time.

But Ryusei didn't insult the Lion by coddling him, and ruthlessly capitalized.

"I will say, though, that I'm quite glad we have the game to occupy us, because trade at the frantic pace that seems likely this winter is a bit draining. And it makes my letters home dull if I dwell on it too much. Whereas this..."

He indicated the board.

"Is anything but dull."

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji smiled as he spotted the trap that he had ended up in. Clever move.

"You know Shiba-san I think that this is going to be a much more pleasant court with a new friend to play Go with. Of course I am going to have to up my game somewhat."

He placed a stone that would draw the game out a bit, but that previous move had sealed it.

"You are going to win this one, but let us play it out. Fight it out to the last as it were."