(D9 LM) Tea and Chatter

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka picked up her tea, sipping it while food was cleared away.

"Thank you Suzume-sama, breakfast was a lovely idea. That will help with keeping going through the day."

She put her cup down, and smiled.

"With that, shall we discuss trade? I would like to learn how our clans can mutually help each other."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"That would be well," Ryobu says.

"I can say that the harvest has been good," she continues. "We have an abundance of vegetables this season."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"It's good to hear that the Sparrow harvest is doing well, Lion has been equally blessed with our rice harvest which has had a lot of interest" Honoka nodded "the Lion are also interested in hearing about the natural resources of the Sparrow also. Such as stone, lumbers, iron. "

[Suzume Ryobu]

"Unfortunately," Ryobu replies, "the Sparrow are not blessed in those ways this year."

She sighs.

"We praise the Heavens for the blessings we have. But they seem to have taken our founder's views on honorably poverty quite seriously."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"The Sparrow perform their duties diligently despite hardships" Honoka offered with a smile and a nod "I will discuss with my kin regarding the vegetables. We have covered our food allocations but it never hurts to look into further advances for the future ne?"

[Suzume Ryobu]

"That is very much the case," Ryobu replies with equanimity.

"I have seen what happens when such care is not taken."

She does not elaborate.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Suzume-sama is wise" Honoka nodded "I'll make sure to take your advice on board. May I enquire as to what the Sparrow are in need of?"

[Suzume Ryobu]

"Rice is always dear," Ryobu replies. "Copper, lumber, stone, and tea to a far lesser extent. Iron would be welcome in small measure."

She drinks of her tea again.

"Ikoma-san did ask, and honesty is a virtue."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I did indeed" Honoka agreed with a smile "I believe our resources are stretched quite thin but I can enquire. The Lion are also opening up spaces in our dojos for potential candidates in trade of resources or other agreements, should such a thing be of interest to the Sparrow."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"Provisionally," Ryobu replies. "It would, of course, depend on the School and the dojo."

Another sip of tea.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka nodded.

"There are spaces in the Ikoma dojos, the Akodo dojo and potentially both the Kitsu and the Matsu dojo. Of course both the Kitsu and the Matsu have more specific requirements as I'm sure Suzume-sama understands. I would be curious to hear if there is anything beyond resources that the Sparrow have to offer as well of course."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"'Beyond resources,' Ikoma-san?" Ryobu asks. "What is meant by this question?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Ah forgive me, I mean as an example the Lions offering of places in our dojos. Something beyond natural resources, more akin to services or such" Honoka lowered her head in apology

[Suzume Ryobu]

Ryobu waves off the apology.

"We could agree to an exchange of students," Ryobu says. "Host Lion in the Suzume dojo and send Sparrow to the Akodo, perhaps? Or maybe your own School, Ikoma-san?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I'll raise the idea with Akodo-dono when I speak with her" Honoka offered with a smile "either the Akodo or the Ikoma would welcome the students of the Sparrow I'm sure."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"That would be welcome," Ryobu replies. "It is always good to learn, is it not?"

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Hai agreed" Honoka nodded with a smile "thank you for your time Suzume-sama, and for breakfast. I won't take any more of your time though, I'll bring the offers to Akodo-dono and see what she thinks."

[Suzume Ryobu]

"That would be well," Ryobu says. "Carry the Fortunes."

She bows.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka rose and bowed.

"Fortunes watch over you also Suzume-sama. Have a good day!"

With that she made her /exit (thank you for the thread!)

[Suzume Ryobu]

(Of course; it was a good /scene!)