Tortoise Talk (9ME, expecting)

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

That evening, Ryoichi stepped through the doorway into the Old Man's Stump and looked around for the person he was meant to meet.

Spotting Kasuga Izumi's table, the slim Crab approached and bowed politely. "Kasuga-sama? I'm Yasuki Ryoichi. Could I buy us a round of sake?"

[Kasuga Izumi]

"A handsome young man like you," Izumi says, "I'll certainly let you buy."

She raises a hand, and the slab-faced men surrounding her make themselves somewhat scarce.

Sake is delivered and poured, and as she takes up her cup, Izumi asks "What brings you to me here, Yasuki-san?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The Yasuki grinned at the praise and signaled the server to bring the promised sake.

"As it happens, the Imperial Matchmaker recommended to me that a young lady by the name of Kasuga Mineko could be an excellent match for a clanmate of mine by the name of Kuni Eijiro," Ryoichi explained. "I was hoping to discuss this subject with you - along with any other opportunities for cooperation between our clans that we might discover."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"She did, did she?" Izumi says. "Well, that's news to me."

She sips from her cup.

"Now, she'd be a fine match for many a man," Izumi continues. "Knows how to work--and how to work a coin, which I'm sure you can appreciate."

She points to his mon, her index finger lifting from her cup to do so.

"And I'll say it's a relief to be able to speak plainly about such things and not be misunderstood. The metaphors get tiring."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"She sounds like a fine woman," Ryoichi nodded. "And yes, being able to speak plainly about the value of money is important, eh? It's certain that miscommunication between clans causes no end of trouble."

"Speaking of which, are there ways the Crab could perhaps help the Tortoise?" he inquired. "In addition to the lovely Lady Mineko, I think my superiors would be interested in some naval cooperation, and perhaps other things."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"What kind of 'naval cooperation,' Yasuki-san?" Izumi asks, and it might be that her eyes narrow just a touch.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Cooperation against pirates, mainly," Ryoichi replied. "And rescuing each other's distressed ships and shipwrecked sailors. As a Yasuki, my primary interest is to make sure our merchant ships can ply their trade safely. I hope that is something we have in common?" He raised an eyebrow to invite her response.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Your hope is not unjustified, Yasuki-san," Izumi replies. "Active merchant fleets--brown-water, green-water, and blue-water alike--benefit the Empire as a whole. And mutual distress response is a worthy objective, to which no right-thinking person could object.

"But I'm curious about your comment about pirates," she continues. "I hadn't heard that the Crab had much in the way of that problem, Kaiu ingenuity and Hida brawn doing much to dissuade such from your waters."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"We don't have many problems with pirates in Crab territorial waters, to be honest," the Yasuki agreed. "But our merchant ships travel to many distant waters and foreign ports, some of which are not nearly as safe."

"Pirates are a scourge on all trade by sea, and it could be beneficial for both of us if Crab and Tortoise ships could call upon each other for aid," Ryoichi said. "I hope you may see it that way, as well?" He tilted his head, inviting her response.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Foreign ports, Yasuki-san?"

Izumi arches an eyebrow.

"There are laws about that, you, know."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Ahhh! I misspoke," the Yasuki said with an apologetic gesture. "Of course we all obey Imperial Law; I should have said, ports of other Clans. Some of those are not as safe as others."

"But if a naval agreement is not a priority for the Tortoise, perhaps there are other areas in which our clans could cooperate," Ryoichi suggested.

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Oh, a naval agreement is very much in the interests of the Tortoise," Izumi replies. "But it has to be one that respects the foundations of law, as I am sure Yasuki-san knows. And as there are some who seek to flout those laws, thinking themselves exempt from Imperial Dictate because they pass beyond the horizon, one has to be sure that all are operating from the same foundations to move forward in faith.

"Wouldn't you agree?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Legitimate trade prospers when and where the law is strong," the Yasuki said cautiously, sensing the hidden shoals. "I believe we all have a common interest in supporting Imperial Law."

[Kasuga Izumi]

Izumi smiles.

"Would that it were so, Yasuki-san," she says.

"I do not doubt your commitment, of course," she continues, "but I am told that you are engaging with all sorts of people at this court, and I know that not all of them are the most seemly sorts. You, of course, would have no way to know as much, being a young, upright man, but it is the unfortunate truth that not all show the regard for the law you do."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi grimaced at the reminder that some people, even some people with important titles, were shockingly dishonest.

"It's true. Would that everyone we dealt with was honest and true," the Yasuki commiserated. "Sadly, such does not seem to be the world we live in."

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Just so," Izumi says.

"Now, how might we motivate people to be both more in accord with the law and more apt to cooperate with one another across our Clans' lines?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Although we'd all like a more rule-based environment, I'm afraid enforcement of the law is beyond the role that has been entrusted to me," the Yasuki protested delicately. "Such matters are the responsibility of the Emerald Magistrates."

"Unless, perhaps Kasuga-sama has something specific in mind...?"

[Kasuga Izumi]

"She might," Izumi replies.

"Some things, we can readily address. Mutual aid for distressed mariners is no problem. Mutual aid against piracy is also no problem. Determining who and what is a pirate can be harder, for some. The Throne has entrusted the Tortoise with much of that determination, particularly as regards those from further east. Now, our waters are only our own; there is much coastline that we do not control. But it is not less the case that those who traffic in illicit gains from away east make for other shores because we do not control them.

"Perhaps that is something with which the Crab could assist? At least as pertains to their own coasts, of course. And perhaps a Tortoise presence to help ascertain what is and is not within the area of the Tortoise's specialty would help with that?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

The Yasuki looked thoughtful at this. "We certainly have no desire for pirates and smugglers to operate in our waters," he said carefully. "And, given your clan's responsibilities, the testimony of a Tortoise magistrate could be of considerable assistance when determining who or what is a pirate or smuggler. But I must consider the interests of the Crab customs inspectors, whose duty it is to confiscate contraband cargo; I would not like to slight these loyal servants of the clan. Is there perhaps some way we could arrange for them to be compensated?"

[Kasuga Izumi]

"A bounty system would do much," Izumi agrees.