Kiuchi waited for his guest. He never met a Badger before and didn't know much about them. Ah well. It should be fine.

Himari soon arrives, his mountain of a yojimbo taking a place beside the door.

"Yogo-san," he says, bowing after his sandals come off. He seems to fill the room.

"Good afternoon. I take it you've had rice today?"

The Scorpion bows. "Welcome Ichiro-sama. I have. I hope Inari-sama has kept your belly full as well." He gestures to a seat with tea already prepared. "Would you please join me for some tea? It is a local blend that I am told is quite good."

"That'd be lovely, Yogo-san," Himari replies as he seats himself with surprising delicacy at the table. Even seated, his bulk dominates the space.

A meaty hand places a small package on the table, and the Badger says "For the courtesy of the house," offering the traditional guest-token.

Kiuchi shakes his head. "I think you for your gift, but it not necessary. Having you here is gift enough."

"But I won't be here forever," Himari replies, "and this, you can take with you. So please accept it."

"You are like a beautiful haiku. The memory of you is all I need in my heart."

Himari laughs, the sound like an avalanche coming down the mountain, not minding the sun sometimes.

"Come now, Yogo-san," he says. "A man like me is at least a bussokuseki!

"But I must insist that you accept this gift--something has to inspire your verse!"

When and if opened, the package contains what looks like musical notation. "My father wrote it," he says, "and I copied it out. It's a good piece."

"I thank you for this wonderful gift. I don't play myself, but a few of my cousins. I will have one of them play it for our House when I return home." He sets aside and jumps right into business since his player is behind. "I have invited you because the Scorpion Clan is interested increasing friendship with the Minor Clans. So, let us talk about how we can help each other."

"Friends are always good to have," Himari says, "and it's always good for friends to help one another.

"What all does friendship look like from your side of things?"

"Hmm... Well, I think the things that the Badger Clan would be most interested in are gold, sake, and we do have some or our arms available."

"Those're friendly, indeed," Himari affirms. "Shame that we've got plenty of friends like those this time around.

"But there might be some other friendships to cultivate. Group of folks with the kind of connections the Scorpion have have got to know some things, after all."

"Oh. That is something we surely have for our friends. Though if you don't mind me asking, what does friendship of the Badger look like?"

"Copper and iron, perhaps," Himari replies. "And there is always the opportunity to refresh bloodlines, as well."

"A wonderful friendship indeed. Particularly copper would be of interest to us. [3 units] of copper and we can provide whatever knowledge you seek. Knowledge is invaluable after all.

"We have several fine selections for marriage candidates. Yogo Yoshie is sister of a hero who saved a village from a landslide. Shosuro Toru has a loving father who watches out for his family. Among the delegation, I, the heir to House Itoh, am looking for a wife, and Shosuro Reiko is looking for a husband. Though I would need to discuss any details with her. I also have a cousin Yogo Eiko who is next in line behind me. Due to her status, she was trained to run a House and would perform admirably in the Badger if you choose to have her."

"I think we can send 3 copper as a wedding present to our good friends," Himari says. "And I've got both a good, strong woman who could use a husband joining the Badger, and a strapping young lad who could use a wife outside of the Clan."

"I think that is a wonderful basis of friendship. Yogo Yoshie could use a strapping young lad for a husband, as can our Clan."

OOC: So, 3 Copper for 1 Information Service and a strapping Badger lad marries into Scorpion with Yogo Yosie.

"It's a good start to a friendship," Himari allows. "I'd like to build on it, if we could, but I can understand that such things take time."

(OOC: Yes, although Himari does have another marriage candidate and a trade deal that can be done.)

"My apologies for my hastiness. I admit, I was interested in learning more about your home. I know only a little of Clan. The wonderful thing about attending this Court is learning about what life is like outside of the Scorpion lands." Kiuchi drink a sip a of tea. "And on a personal level, I am curious about the dogs, if any your Clan has. House Itoh breeds guard and hunting dogs. This is not a question from the Scorpion representative, but from Yogo Kiuchi."

Kiuchi cursed himself. Never seem too eager with a deal. Maybe his mother was right. He was a waste of 9 months.

"It's good to learn about others," Himari agrees. "It's been something of a project of mine to do so, in fact. If you can believe it, a great many people think of the Badger as not only untutored, but uninterested, simple lumps of muscle prone to gambling."

He laughs, again a booming sound.

"There's some truth in some of that, I suppose," he adds. "But, as with all things, there's more to it than that.

"But dogs are a surprise, Yogo-san. We have some, of course; who doesn't appreciate the love and loyalty of a good hound? But we don't do much special breeding of them, no.

"I'd love to hear about yours, though."

The massive man leans forward, and there's an impression as of a boulder perched precariously.