D9 ME - Kit and caboodle

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki looks somewhat tired today as she reaches the door of the Minor Clan House, a white fan with a red-and-blue koi pattern matching her kimono open, apparently more for emotional support than any other reason.

After bowing to those who receive her, she'll politely ask for Kitsune Aiko.

[Kitsune Aiko]

A harried servant nods and escorts Masaki to the Fox's suite. Sounds of other conversations pervade the room.

When the servant slides open the door, it is to the figure of Aiko reading intently, a stalk of grass between her teeth.

"Yasuki Masaki to see you, ma'am."

Aiko very nearly drops the scroll as she turns and bows.

"Oh, good ev'nin'," she says, the grass swaying with her words. "Come on in, wontcha?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

A harried servant nods and escorts Masaki to the Fox's suite. Sounds of other conversations pervade the room.

When the servant slides open the door, it is to the figure of Aiko reading intently, a stalk of grass between her teeth.

"Yasuki Masaki to see you, ma'am."

Aiko very nearly drops the scroll as she turns and bows.

"Oh, good ev'nin'," she says, the grass swaying with her words. "Come on in, wontcha?"

"Good evening, Kitsune-sama. And thank you for having me", she answers with a deep bow, then steps in as requested. "Hiruma-sama has informed me of the current state of the talks between our peoples. I was glad to hear things have been progressing well" A warm, hopeful smile. "Hiruma-sama is unfortunately taken with other duties this evening, so he asked me to continue the talks with you in his stead. I hope that won't be a problem, Kitsune-dono

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Hiruma-sama? Y' mean Hiruma Daichi?" Aiko asks, her grass waggling. "Shame he's tooken with other things, but I c'n confab with you, sure."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Hiruma-sama? Y' mean Hiruma Daichi?" Aiko asks, her grass waggling. "Shame he's tooken with other things, but I c'n confab with you, sure."

"Hiruma Daichi-gunso indeed, Kitsune-sama. I hope it's not a problem if I take up the talks today. I trust Kitsune-sama will understand that we collaborate in our political deals as we learn to do in other things, so Hiruma-gunso has informed me about the previous talks."

She lowers her head, as if making a request "But if Kitsune-sama will allow, I would like to confirm the scope of the agreement under discussion directly with you."

She produces a sheet with notes, which she will offer to go over with Aiko as she wants, or allow her to look at herself.

When those terms have been looked into, she'll speak again, her eyes on the notes.

"There were some additional things I would like to discuss, Kitsune-sama allowing." Her voice lowers a bit. "I understand there was also... something else you had discussed with Hiruma-gunso?"

[OOC: The terms being discussed were, according to Daichi on the Crab chat:

[1 dye, 2 paper, and 2 rice] f'r [2 arms, 2 stone, 1 iron, an' 1 tea]. Sounds right good.

[Kitsune Aiko]

Tag, you're it!

Aiko nods. "Them were th' terms, yeah. I hope they're still good on y'all's end. They're good on mine.

"But as t' other things," she continues, "what else'd you mean?"

~~~~~
Fox give 1 dye, 2 paper, and 2 rice
Fox recieve 2 arms, 2 stone, 1 iron, and 1 tea
Affirmed.

[Yasuki Masaki]

Aiko nods. "Them were th' terms, yeah. I hope they're still good on y'all's end. They're good on mine.

"But as t' other things," she continues, "what else'd you mean?"

~~~~~
Fox give 1 dye, 2 paper, and 2 rice
Fox recieve 2 arms, 2 stone, 1 iron, and 1 tea
Affirmed.

She nods. "They're good on our side as well, Kitsune-sama. Although we would like to discuss some possible additions, as I said."

The note folded and tucked back inside her sleeve, she takes a couple steps to the side, as if pensive. "Well, for one thing. Kitsune-sama seemed worried about our agreement with the Boar at first. A worry I hope the discussions at court helped dispel, but..." she turns to the Fox with a warm, gentle - maybe beguiling - smile. "We would like to assuage any such worries in our neighbours and friends, if possible. Ties of friendship blessed by Musubi-no-kami might be a first step in that regard, I believe. But also... Hiruma-gunso mentioned there were other matters you had discussed?"

[Kitsune Aiko]

Tag!

"Glad t' know th' material concerns're addressed," Aiko says, nodding. "An' as t' th' Boar issue, Hiruma-san an' I had a palaver 'bout that. Seems some other folks're gettin' ideas, which is what I's afeared of.

"An' I'd be better able t' deal with all that mess if I weren't holdin' space f'r m' brother while he's enraptured by Chikushudo. O' course, that can't get fixed without recognition, here, o' what all's been in effect true back t' home."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Glad t' know th' material concerns're addressed," Aiko says, nodding. "An' as t' th' Boar issue, Hiruma-san an' I had a palaver 'bout that. Seems some other folks're gettin' ideas, which is what I's afeared of.

"An' I'd be better able t' deal with all that mess if I weren't holdin' space f'r m' brother while he's enraptured by Chikushudo. O' course, that can't get fixed without recognition, here, o' what all's been in effect true back t' home."

She nods, pensively. "Un... I understand Kitsune-sama's worries, of course. And we'd like to help put these worries to rest if we can. Although... I'll admit there are some things we feel we don't understand enough about here. We would be happy to reach agreements that may be able to help with those worries - peace along our borders among them, of course, but possibly other things as well. I would have to ask for Kaiu-dono's blessing, of course, but I could see shared knowledge between our libraries, or even training your Bushi along with our scouts as possibilities that might help the Fox, if you'd be interested. Although if Kitsune-sama would be willing to tell us more about these ideas, perhaps we could have a clearer idea of what other offers we could make."

She tilts her head a little. "Your brother being enraptured by Chikushudo... does Kitsune-sama think there might be somethign amiss with him?"

[Kitsune Aiko]

"In itself, no," Aiko replies. "A fair number o' Fox go that way. Part of our connection t' th' Forest, you might could say. But when it's the Champion as gets s' took by it, well, that makes keepin' the Clan runnin' th' way's s'posed t' a sight challengin'."

Aiko nods to affirm her own words.

"Leaves th' rest o' us scramblin' t' no good end."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"In itself, no," Aiko replies. "A fair number o' Fox go that way. Part of our connection t' th' Forest, you might could say. But when it's the Champion as gets s' took by it, well, that makes keepin' the Clan runnin' th' way's s'posed t' a sight challengin'."

Aiko nods to affirm her own words.

"Leaves th' rest o' us scramblin' t' no good end."

"Un." It's an affirmative answer, if rather pensive. "And... he'd made the desire to focus more on these matters and leave the Clan's leadership to Kitsune-sama, then? Would he step down? It doesn't sound like he would be planning on shaving his head?"

Her eyes shift around for a while, not quite focusing on anything in particular. "The other offers I mentioned - shared access to libraries, or training with the Hiruma. Is that something Kitsune-sama would be interested in, as a way to draw our peoples closer?"

[Kitsune Aiko]

Tag

"Can't even get that much out of 'im, most days," Aiko says. "I mean, ain't nobody pushin' a razor at 'im, neither.

"Now, I'd like t' help. I would. But I got t' get things straightened out afore I c'n do a lot more'n's been did already. An' I need help on that."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Tag

"Can't even get that much out of 'im, most days," Aiko says. "I mean, ain't nobody pushin' a razor at 'im, neither.

"Now, I'd like t' help. I would. But I got t' get things straightened out afore I c'n do a lot more'n's been did already. An' I need help on that."

She nods again. "Hai... I understand, of course. It seems Kitsune-sama's hands may be somewhat tied with the current situation, ne?"

She thinks for a while again. "I would ask that you consider those offers, Kitsune-sama, if you think you may be interested and your current situation allows a decision on them - sharing work and research of our shugenja and training with our scouts, as I said. Our promise to keep peace among our borders Kitsune-sama can rest assured of - we want to keep friendly relations with our neighbours in the Empire, as one of our border needs our continual watch, as I' sure you understand."

A small pause.

"For now, I will discuss the terms of the trade agreement with our Daimyo, and we would be happy with a marriage to seal that deal if Kitsune-sama is willing. On this other matter... I'm empathetic to your plight, Kitsune-sama, that I am. But it is a matter I'll still have to discuss further with my clansmates. I hope you understand. On that, we may be able to come back with an answer to you in some days."

And another pause, her hand touching her forehead for a moment. "Just so I know how to discuss this with my delegation. How would Kitsune-sama expect this support to work? I don't assume this is something you expect to bring to court?"

[Kitsune Aiko]

"Keepin' th' peace's already part o' th' law, Yasuki-san," Aiko replies. "Great Clans ain't 'lowed t' make war on th' Younger. Been that way since Shinjo left an' we relocated. Unless you think someone's gonna start goin' 'gainst all that?"

She shrugs.

"Might could happen.

"But as t' my sitchiation, I ain't gonna bring it up if I ain't got support. Gettin' shut down hard ain't gonna help nothin''. But it ain't like you take a deal t' Court afore gettin' it cleared on both sides, neither, is it?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Keepin' th' peace's already part o' th' law, Yasuki-san," Aiko replies. "Great Clans ain't 'lowed t' make war on th' Younger. Been that way since Shinjo left an' we relocated. Unless you think someone's gonna start goin' 'gainst all that?"

She shrugs.

"Might could happen.

"But as t' my sitchiation, I ain't gonna bring it up if I ain't got support. Gettin' shut down hard ain't gonna help nothin''. But it ain't like you take a deal t' Court afore gettin' it cleared on both sides, neither, is it?"

"I certainly hope noone does, Kitsune-sama. I meant keeping peace in a more general sense though - including bandits and the like. Calm borders, if you will, a comfortable environment for all of us." A friendly, reassuring smile".

"As for your situation - of course, deals wouldn't be deals if those involved didn't agree, ne?" Her smile changes a bit, becoming almost a grin of sorts. "To that effect - may this one assume Kitsune-sama would be ready to accept the trade agreement that had been discussed? As I said, we would be happy to seal that and affirm our friendship with a match, if you would as well."

"As for support - if I understand you correctly, taking the matter to court is what you intend to do when you have support for that? I ask so I know what that support entails, so that I can discuss it in more depth with our delegation head."

[Kitsune Aiko]

Tag

"O' course th' trade deal's good," Aiko says. "Done said so, didn't we?

"An' as t' support, well, th' more o' th' Great Clans as affirm th' change in leadership, well, th' more likely th' court is t' validate it, ain't it?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

"O' course th' trade deal's good," Aiko says. "Done said so, didn't we?

"An' as t' support, well, th' more o' th' Great Clans as affirm th' change in leadership, well, th' more likely th' court is t' validate it, ain't it?"

She nods. "Hai... hai, Kitsune-sama."

Her eyes seem to be a bit unfocused for a moment. Maybe thoughtful, maybe uncertain. One could almost say whe didn't expect something like that to be brought to court like this. But of course, if that was something her brother agreed to, it wouldn't be a big deal... would it?

"I shall get back to you on that, then. I assume you've talked to other clans about it already?"

A small smile. "Oh, and... would Kitsune-sama be opposed to adding a marriage to our agreement? It's a good way to keep our clans closer."

[Kitsune Aiko]

Your move!

"You volunteerin'?" Aiko asks, grinning.

"Ain't sure I've got anyone as isn't already in talks, t' be honest," she says. "An' I'm already possessed'f a husband, so I'm out."

[Yasuki Masaki]

"You volunteerin'?" Aiko asks, grinning.

"Ain't sure I've got anyone as isn't already in talks, t' be honest," she says. "An' I'm already possessed'f a husband, so I'm out."

"I am volunteering, Kitsune-sama!" The Kitsune's grin is answered with one of the Yasuki's. "To talk this matter over with our Delegation Head, presenting it in the best light possible. Kitsune-sama will understand that this might be seen as a delicate issue by some parts, so it needs proper care, ne? But, depending on where that leads, I can also volunteer to talk this over with other acquaintances, again putting the case in the best light possible."

"And a shame on possible marriage ties, but I understand, of course. We're closer to the end of court than its start now. May I ask Kitsune-sama to let us know anything changes in that regard?"

"I will try to speak to Kaiu-dono to validate the agreement tomorrow, Kitsune-sama. Also on that other matter, of course"

(OOC: we're almost there, I think.... xD)

[Kitsune Aiko]

"I'll look for'rd t' knowin' what all y'all say," Aiko says, nodding. "An' I'll let you know if'n things change on my end, I promise."

(Yeah, it's getting to be that time.)