(D8, LM) Tea after and before the storm

[Soshi Eiji]

"All three it is then." Daichi confirmed with a nod they would need permission to broach the subject but that was probably just a matter of course. "Would there be any among them in particular you would prefer to approach? Or should we do so as a group?"

Eiji considered that.

"Hmmmmmmm. So much to do in Winter Court, so little time. Approaching them together might work well at a place we're all gathered anyways, such as the galleries in the court. But otherwise, it might be more efficient for each of us to approach alone."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Separate it will be then." He paused. "Is there a preference on those you wish to approach then?" It was plain by his words the Crab didn't care, but the Scorpion might be of a different mind.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Separate it will be then." He paused. "Is there a preference on those you wish to approach then?" It was plain by his words the Crab didn't care, but the Scorpion might be of a different mind.

Eiji shook his head.

"While Hiruma-san might not be a creature of the courts, I think his name is more well reguarded and might have doors opened to him more readily than myself. I cannot speak of Hiruma-san's availablity but as for my own...."

He spared a glance down at the papers.

"...I have alot of duties already assigned to me. I might not be able to meet with people as quickly as Hiruma-san can."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I have a number of things to attend to myself, but you have a good point in a lot of ways." Daichi mused thoughtfully. "I need to plan a meeting with Miya-dono already anyways, so adding another thing to that would meeting would not be difficult either. I can maybe manage both of the other meetings as well. Though I admit only having to worry about one more would be helpful."

"We can send work about the exact details there after we brought the proposition before our Lords though."

He took a sip of his tea. "Which means we should bash out the rest of our agreement so to not have to bother them multiple times."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji chuckles at that.

"I'm sure Bayushi-ue is tired of seeing my mask on a daily basis. If I attempt to boost that to twice a day, who knows what she would do?" he joked.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Probably find you more work and less reasons to see her." Daichi observed with a light laugh. "That might just be in my experience though."

"We already have an understanding on a potential peace treaty between us. So that leaves the other matters to discuss. You mentioned interest in a mine if i recall."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Probably find you more work and less reasons to see her." Daichi observed with a light laugh. "That might just be in my experience though."

"We already have an understanding on a potential peace treaty between us. So that leaves the other matters to discuss. You mentioned interest in a mine if i recall."

Eiji nods.

"It is interesting, but I think upon reflection, Hiruma-san might be right. Perhaps the plague aid should go elsewhere. Not that the Crab are unworthy of it, but perhaps it is wiser to trade it to a clan who is not nearly so sturdy as the Crab. Simply to ease the suffering of as many people as we can." he offered.

"The talk of peace and the imperial law enforcement settlement are of roughly equal benefit to us. So the scales don't seem quite even if we add the mine." he mused.

"Hmmm. From what I've heard, an offer of troops would be more of a burden than a blessing to the Crab.."

He drummed his fingers on the table considering.

"What if....we were to expand the size of the Crab embassy in Ryoko Owari Toshi? You'd have a comparitively easy duty to rotate some of your bushi to that could use some time enjoying what the city has to offer, as well as expanded opportunities for trade with the city?" he spitballed.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"That could be of interest." He mused thoughtfully. "Especially if the Manor we have talked about comes to fruition."

"Perhaps it could include the use on one of your scholars as well? To answer some of the questions we have encountered here? Or would that be too much?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"That could be of interest." He mused thoughtfully. "Especially if the Manor we have talked about comes to fruition."

"Perhaps it could include the use on one of your scholars as well? To answer some of the questions we have encountered here? Or would that be too much?"

He shakes his head.

"I think that is more than acceptible, Hiruma-san. I still have a scholar or two who have yet to find their field of research. Those I have spoken with tend to get lost on exactly what you should ask. The Mantis had a question, and the Dragon took one scholar...not with a questio in mind, just to enjoy debating what to ask, I think." he admits.

He titles his head curiously.

"But not counting what your clan will actually ask, what would you ask, Hiruma-san? If you had the chance to get an answer to any single question not of a spiritual nature?" he asked, curious.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"That sounds like the Dragon." Daichi replied with a chuckle. "Or at least what I've heard of them before I visited here." He shook his head. "I'll discuss it with my Clan though. They'll likely want a few more details on what expanding the size of the Crab embassy entailed exactly. Could we add an outpost for the Yasuki merchant bank for example? "

"As to my own question, that is a bit of a big question." He said with a small chuckle. "There are a few avenues I'm pursuing for my clan that could do with an answer. That's not what you are wanting exactly though." A small pause. "My mind mostly veers towards recent events though, I've wondered recently why wasn't there a Will for example."

"Though the answers there probably border on the spiritual. So likely something more directly related to me." He pursed his lips. "Could I perhaps think on it for a bit?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"That sounds like the Dragon." Daichi replied with a chuckle. "Or at least what I've heard of them before I visited here." He shook his head. "I'll discuss it with my Clan though. They'll likely want a few more details on what expanding the size of the Crab embassy entailed exactly. Could we add an outpost for the Yasuki merchant bank for example? "

"As to my own question, that is a bit of a big question." He said with a small chuckle. "There are a few avenues I'm pursuing for my clan that could do with an answer. That's not what you are wanting exactly though." A small pause. "My mind mostly veers towards recent events though, I've wondered recently why wasn't there a Will for example."

"Though the answers there probably border on the spiritual. So likely something more directly related to me." He pursed his lips. "Could I perhaps think on it for a bit?"

Eiji nodded.

"Of course, Hiruma-san. I would need to run these suggestions by my clan as well. As for the outpost for the Yasuki bank...anything is possible, ne? But if it means more trade with our neighbors, I think it's possible..after we hash out all the details of who builds it, and such. We are interested in expanded mining opportunities, but not quite so much that we'll agree to the Crab building their own castle in the heart of the city." he said good naturedly.

He grinned a bit.

"Ah see, they'll make a Dragon out of you yet, Hiruma-san. Already you're pondering the nature of questions. But, of course you may. I'm sure you've heard many a story about a foolish samurai being offered a great boon by the spirits or the Heavens, only to waste the boon because they could not grasp what they should ask for." he said.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I don't think we'd need an entire castle in the city." Daichi replied with a chuckle. "I believe we'd be much more interested in things that elevate trade as you mentioned. Perhaps an outpost for the bank I mentioned or a facility on the docks where we could make repair to our ships." Either could be good. "The details of who builds what would be need to be worked out as you said. But I'm sure we can."

"Maybe." He said with a smirk. "I think it's as you said though at least to a degree. Turning my mind from what's good for the Clan to what I'm interested in doesn't help much either. As my thoughts of late have been solely on the clan's interests. But as you said some things seem like a waste too."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"Good ideas as well, Hiruma-san. I will add them to the list and see what can be made to happen. It feels like this has been a productive meeting, I am truly hopeful we can really strengthen the bonds between our clans with our efforts." he offered.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Likewise." He agreed with a nod. They'd gone over a lot of good ground.

"Did we want to bind things with a marriage as well? Or leave things as they are?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji looked thoughtful.

"Hmmm, possibly, although alot of my candidates are already under serious consideration in various treaties. I do believe Yogo-san and his cousin are still available though. He's a good man looking to marry someone in to secure his position, and marry his cousin out for the same reason." he admitted.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"We do have that young Kuni we are still looking for a match for." Daichi mused thoughtfully. "As well as another man, a Kaiu who is a widower and already a father of two. I'm unsure if Yogo-san has any interest in a match with a man though."

"And I can't recall if you said his cousin was a young man or young woman."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji titled his head at the question.

"Ah, she is a samurai-ko. Although, I would think that would matter little. Though perhaps consorts are not as popular in the lands of the Crab?" he asked, uncertain.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Consorts are a common thing among the Crab." Daichi admitted. "And adoptions exist too, I think the number of children one can has is also quite important though, and when matching Shugenja is something that must be considered. As I understand it such things are passed down by blood, and the more blood the better."

"Though I also admit having met Yogo-san, he has also seemed to have held an interesting life, so if he would prefer to have a wife over a husband I wouldn't pursue matters there."

[Soshi Eiji]

A small shrug from Eiji.

"I'll speak with him about it. It's nice when one can build a solid bond with matching preferences, but it's not always an option in these arrangements. If one's happiness must be sacrificed for the good of the clan, so be it." he offered.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"True enough." He agreed with a nod. "There is also always the option of our young Kuni to Soshi-san's. Cousin too. If you think that would be acceptable."