(D3, ME) You look different with your clothes on

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"I do not question the honor of the Master of Air or Shiba-ue, just as I'm sure they would not question the honor of master of the Yogo Library or Bayushi-ue. Still, it's good to have details laid out plainly, to avoid any potential misunderstandings." he said with a firm nod.

"Hmmm, is the Master of Air at court this season? Would it not take some time to assemble the sealed research proposal if they are not?" Eiji questioned, trying to get a sense of the timeline for the negotiations.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Isawa-sama will not be joining us this season, so far as I know. Perhaps the detailed correspondence should between the Master of Air and the Yogo Daimyo? Ordinarily a functioanry could handle the basic,s but this is a matter of Clan secrets..."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded considering.

"That could work, though the protocal is a little difficult to navigate. As I understand it, the elemental council rules the Phoenix with the champion serving to enforce their will. Whereas Bayushi-ue rules the Scorpion alone. So in essence, this is a request by another clan's ruler to work alongside the subordinate of our clan's ruler, or at least within their domain. I believe that the correspondance would need to be routed through Bayushi-ue to conform to protocol. So from the Master of Air to Bayushi-ue to Yogo-sama then from Yogo-sama to Bayushi-ue to the Master of Air." he suggests.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"You would know best... and Bayushi-ue would by rights be informed at every step anyway."

[Soshi Eiji]

"You would know best... and Bayushi-ue would by rights be informed at every step anyway."

Eiji nodded.

"Excellent. I guess the last little bit of minutia would be on the timing of trades while the details of the research project are hammered out. We don't want the goods held up while the minutia of the research project are discussed, nor do we want to bind either party should the either side not to be able to come to terms with them. So perhaps we title this item 'Agreement to discuss via correspondance research project beween the Phoenix and the Yogo'

So the final trade would look like this:

The Phoenix will provide (6 units) of paper to the Scorpion. In exchange, the Scorpion will provide (2 units) of weapons and armor to the Phoenix, and agree to discuss via correspondance a research project between the Phoenix and the Yogo. This treaty iis bound by the marriage of Shiba Ryusei's younger brother into the Scorpion clan, with Shosuro Bibari-san as their spouse."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"That is absolutely something I can bring to Shiba-ue for consideration."

He smiled.

"If she has any concerns, of course, I will bring them to you for further discussion."

[Soshi Eiji]

"That is absolutely something I can bring to Shiba-ue for consideration."

He smiled.

"If she has any concerns, of course, I will bring them to you for further discussion."

Eiji nods.

"Of course, Shiba-san. Nothing is final until we present to the court. But you can consider the weapons and armor and the marriage prospect reserved for the time being. I'd reserve the research correspondance, but well, I doubt we'll give up the Yogo library before you give up the Master of Air." he said, wantng to end the meeting on fun note.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Eiji nods.

"Of course, Shiba-san. Nothing is final until we present to the court. But you can consider the weapons and armor and the marriage prospect reserved for the time being. I'd reserve the research correspondance, but well, I doubt we'll give up the Yogo library before you give up the Master of Air." he said, wantng to end the meeting on fun note.

He succeeded- Ryusei actually chuckled, and it was plainly an effort not to laugh aloud.

"Likewise, the paper is in reserve for the Clan of Bayushi for the time being."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji rose and bowed respectfully to the Phoenix.

"A very productive negotiation Shiba-san. Thank you for your efforts." he offered, ready to wrap the scene.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"And to you as well, Soshi-sama. May all of our dealings go as smoothly."

Ryusei rose, and returned the bow.

[/Scene here, methinks!]

[Soshi Eiji]

/scane and thank you!