D2 LM - The Sun's blessing and the spirits

[Moshi Akane]

snip

Akane nods again.

"Indeed. We have a surplus this year of [2 units] of rice. And we have uncovered a small lode of jade, which we are pleased to report has given us [1 unit] that we might trade.

"There are other things, as well, but, again, one suits the message to the audience."

She eats more of her rice and egg.

[Yasuki Masaki]

Akane nods again.

"Indeed. We have a surplus this year of [2 units] of rice. And we have uncovered a small lode of jade, which we are pleased to report has given us [1 unit] that we might trade.

"There are other things, as well, but, again, one suits the message to the audience."

She eats more of her rice and egg.

"One does, as is proper", the Yasuki answers with a nod. "The Crab would indeed be interested in both, as Moshi-dono expected. Inari's blessings are not always as plenty as our people might hope in the south - and jade is always essential to protect the Empire's soul."

She takes another sip of the miso before continuing, a pensive, but generally pleased expression unconsciously finding its way to her face as she speaks again. "Might this one ask how much sake and iron the Valley needs? This one believes nourishing our relations with Lady Sun's most devout followers is a promising perspective. And if we can cater to the needs of Moshi-dono's people, it's possible we might have reason to speak about your other surpluses - present or future."

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"Our needs are small," Akane says, "Thank the Lady. We need [2 units] of iron and [1 unit] of sake if we are to continue as we have been. And that should be no difficult thing to provide for so mighty a people as the Children of Hida."

She drinks of her tea.

"And as our other abilities are available, it may be that there are other things that can come from the southern samurai to our fair Valley, as well."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Our needs are small," Akane says, "Thank the Lady. We need [2 units] of iron and [1 unit] of sake if we are to continue as we have been. And that should be no difficult thing to provide for so mighty a people as the Children of Hida."

She drinks of her tea.

"And as our other abilities are available, it may be that there are other things that can come from the southern samurai to our fair Valley, as well."

Masaki sips her tea as well before her next answer.

"If those are all the Valley's needs, we shall be glad to provide, Moshi-dono", she says with a nod. "And there are in fact other services we might provide. As Moshi-dono may likely expect, they are of a rather practical nature - if that may be of interest to your people, I would be similarly interested in learning more about the Centipede's other abilities. Your people's devotion to the Lady Sun is well known, of course, but the extent of your rituals and lessons is not as widely discussed in the southernmost part of Empire."

[Moshi Akane]

snip

Akane seems to have finished eating while Masaki speaks.

"That devotion of which you speak allows us to, shall we say, borrow a small fraction of the Lady's glory," she says. "It is as if the Heavens themselves attend upon one for whom such devotions are made. For a year, with our prayers, that person is as one touched by Tengoku itself."

She smiles.

"It might well avail one of your Clan who must face the darkness. But it is not an easy thing to maintain; those in such prayer can, in effect, perform no other duty, and it is often some time after before they can undertake regular duties again."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Akane seems to have finished eating while Masaki speaks.

"That devotion of which you speak allows us to, shall we say, borrow a small fraction of the Lady's glory," she says. "It is as if the Heavens themselves attend upon one for whom such devotions are made. For a year, with our prayers, that person is as one touched by Tengoku itself."

She smiles.

"It might well avail one of your Clan who must face the darkness. But it is not an easy thing to maintain; those in such prayer can, in effect, perform no other duty, and it is often some time after before they can undertake regular duties again."

She takes the last sip of her miso, then nods.

"I can only imagine the effort needed for such a heavenly blessing. I will have to discuss the possibilities with my people, as if it is received it would have to be granted to one most able to use its effects against the darkness. It is worth asking in advance, however - is this blessing one Moshi-dono would be interested in exchanging for one of the Kaiu Engineer's well known services?"

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"The works of the Kaiu are many," Akane says, "and rightly acclaimed. Of which sort does Yasuki-san speak?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"The works of the Kaiu are many," Akane says, "and rightly acclaimed. Of which sort does Yasuki-san speak?"

"Kaiu-dono has informed us of two types of service we might be able to provide this year, both of a rather practical bent, as I mentioned: feats of engineering, of varying types, or a custom suit of armour."

She takes the last sip of tea in her cup.

"The generous and interesting offer of a blessing is one I would have to discuss more widely with the clan, and an offer of one of our Engineers or Armourers services would have to be similarly discussed, as I'm sure Moshi-dono will understand. So that I may best lead such a discussion with my clansmates, I would like like to ask Moshi-dono one more question - might there some other offer that Moshi-dono would be willing to consider for the blessing? Some of our delegation may have cousins who might be interested in seeking Musubi-no-kami's blessing outside the clan. Or perhaps some of the other needs you mentioned, if we do acquire such strengths? Or maybe investments of another sort?"

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"Such a conference is right and proper," Akane allows, nodding. "And it could be that prayers might be said for a person in exchange for [2 units of gold or silver], the provision of which would make it all the easier to maintain the accoutrements such prayers demand.

"But as to marriages...nothing has been arranged for my younger children, as yet. But there are some here who could wed, although for two, their spouses would have to come to the Valley. One, at least, will make a fine husband for some lucky person."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Such a conference is right and proper," Akane allows, nodding. "And it could be that prayers might be said for a person in exchange for [2 units of gold or silver], the provision of which would make it all the easier to maintain the accoutrements such prayers demand.

"But as to marriages...nothing has been arranged for my younger children, as yet. But there are some here who could wed, although for two, their spouses would have to come to the Valley. One, at least, will make a fine husband for some lucky person."

"Conference on the trade of material goods we discussed earlier shall be done soon, Moshi-dono. We should be ready to take the offer for official approval, if that is acceptable. Unless of course you want to bring it up yourself." A polite nod, then a pensive look for a moment.

"As for the blessing. The Lady of the Valley herself noted, Gold and silver are not known strengths of the South, but I will keep the offer in mind, as it is an interesting one, and discuss all the possibilities with our delegates. I do believe we might have interested parties as we, although that is also something I'll have to bring up with the others in the clan. I don't assume marriages are something Moshi-dono was considering as part of a deal involving the blessing, though?"

[Moshi Akane]

snip

"Marriage is an auspicious occasion, indeed," Akane replies. "Prayers for such might well be in order, and what prospects are available for my kin...I am interested in learning.

"As to the material, I shall look forward to knowing that your lords concur that the agreement is reasonable.

"More tea?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Marriage is an auspicious occasion, indeed," Akane replies. "Prayers for such might well be in order, and what prospects are available for my kin...I am interested in learning.

"As to the material, I shall look forward to knowing that your lords concur that the agreement is reasonable.

"More tea?"

She nods again, at both the Centipede daimyo's assertions. "This one shall keep Moshi-dono informed, then, on both accounts." As her eyes then find the teapot, her expression is somewhat warmer, as if touched by the tea itself.

"If Moshi-dono would share another cup with me, I would be glad to."

(/scene? Or does she want to raise something else?)

[Fukurokujin]

(Sounds like /scene, and thank you kindly!)