(D8 MM-closed) Chop Wood, Carry Water

[Asahina Hoshiko]

As much as it felt like the world should freeze and stand still when someone important in one's life died, it didn't. The sun kept coming up, and thus the everyday business of keeping things running had to continue.

In the winter, that meant settling endless agreements for trade and marriages. So Hoshiko comes again to see her Champion, glad of the chance to observe the process previously. Of course, she also comes with warnings of supernatural dangers that seem to be growing...multiplying?

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae's warning of supernatural danger were mostly all second hand. But she sure had a lot of them.

May you live in interesting times indeed.

She had quietly accompanied Hoshiko, glad to have another Crane to present to her Champion alongside, her cousin to be seemed very insightful, all things considered.

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru joins them, hanging back patiently.

[Doji Minehime]

They are shown in to see Doji Minehime, who looks up from the letter she is composing to smile at their arrival.

"So many! I hope this is an auspicious sign?"

[Daidoji Sae]

They are shown in to see Doji Minehime, who looks up from the letter she is composing to smile at their arrival.

"So many! I hope this is an auspicious sign?"

"We believe it is so Doji-dono"
Sae bows low to her champion and waits for pleasantries to finish before choosing her moment to present the treaty with the Crab.

Crane offer:

1 Art Service
Court support for Yasuki Investment Bank project, staffed by Crab (outside of Crane lands) and based on the docks of Otosan-Uchi
Daidoji Fumiko marries into the Crab, specifically to Yasuki Chieko (status 5, head of house Higashiyama)
Doji Haruo marries into the Crab
A mutual naval base to be jointly constructed, funded and staffed that allows Crab & Crane ships to dock at it (for trade, resupply, anti-pirate patrols, but not for major war fighting unless it’s a joint Crab/Crane operation), located at 073.064 (House Miyahara lands), across the river from Yufuku Heigen Toshi. This is a clan project, not a Kaiu service.

Crab offer:

1 Kaiu engineering project of Crane choice (cannot be anti-Crab)
1 Kaiu engineering project of Crane choice (cannot be anti-Crab)
Option for the Crane to provide up to a 35% share of the capital for the bank project, earning back a commensurate share of the profits from the bank

Mutual:

Non-aggression pact on the Crab/Crane border
Naval cooperation against pirates and gaijin, and to rescue distressed ships of either clan

"Negotiations on the finer details were arduous, but I thank my Daidoji cousins for their insight into the finer points of the Crab proposal. While an expansion of Yasuki banking would usually not be in the Crane interest, this is a deal we believe benefits both Clans."

She pauses for a moment before continuing on.
"And should the mutual naval base prove problematic, in Miyahara lands it is unlikely to damage core Crane interests."

[Doji Hikaru]

They are shown in to see Doji Minehime, who looks up from the letter she is composing to smile at their arrival.

"So many! I hope this is an auspicious sign?"

"Likely in both senses of the word Doji-diamyo-sama." Hikaru interjects wryly. "Once again, I have the dubious honor of presenting a smaller piece. The Mantis have agreed to trade 1 unit of naval supplies for 2 units of rice. It is an inequal exchange but it satisfies our needs"

He clears his throat at Sae's presentation. "The Crab appear eager to move it in Court today."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

(apologies for the delay. Set up and appt. turned into appt. Dropping this so Minehime has the whole field of stuff at once. Efficient!)

"I've been speaking with Shiba Ryusei. We have little in the way of commodities that the Phoenix are interested in, so we tie up this match...possibly matches...with less tangible aid."

Commodities

4 paper from Phoenix and 1 silver from Crane

Crane support item

Crane support for establishing a centralized Imperial Library in Otosan Uchi under Asako management.

Pending GM questions: looking to add a Crane appointee to the library management

To be worded before court as (probably) "Crane support for Phoenix library proposal in the works" as this proposal is unlikely to be ready at the time of clearing trade agreement.

Phoenix goal item that Crane assistance would move forward

Attempt to convince Doji Minehime to send Asahina Junpei to visit Kyuden Isawa sometimes in the next year. Which would then go into the agreement as sending Asahina Junpei with a delegation (they wouldn't travel alone) to visit Kyuden Isawa to meet with the Elemental Council.

Stretch goal: since we can't commit to Minehime's agreement ahead of time

Marriages: 1st one definite, 2nd as stretch goal.

Marriage into the Phoenix:
Isawa-ke no kashin Tsukamoto Keiko (Female, Status 1, Age 28). This shugenja, from a good family with an affinity for the water kami, is in danger of becoming an old maid. However, she is wonderfully observant. It is said that her diary, which she faithfully writes in every day, contains all of the secrets of Kyuden Isawa.

to

Asahina-ke no kashin Saito Tatsuo (Male, Status 1, Age 26) Saito Tatsuo is an experienced medical man who, fortunately, has evaded the god-complex that sometimes plagues doctors. [Bit of a temper...fits right into the Isawa]

Possible Marriage into the Crane

Doji-ke no kashin Egawa Ureo (Male, Status 6, age 18) The lord of the House of Egawa, Ureo is another first cousin of Doji Minehime. Does not like Scorpion.

to

Asako-ke no kashin Kamiki Arashi (Male, Status 2, age 21) Kamiki Arashi is the estate manager for the Sasaki family. He has a reputation for being fun at parties. Most people his age find him endlessly charming.

"For that last match, Doji-sama, as he is your cousin, I wanted to particularly check if such a match would be acceptable to him. Asako-san seemed near in age and already managing an estate--even a small one--indicated the ability to take on some responsibility.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

(adding the supernatural issue separately for ease of quoting)

Hoshiko looks somber as she adds, "and one matter of...security? spiritual danger? One of those. I was meditating at the shrines here and a spirit with a voice of hatred spoke to me. It disdained all here. It offered no specific threats, only menace. And when I called up on the air spirits to try sweeping it away, they simply stopped. It wasn't as if they strove against it and failed, they just seemed to shut off."

"Combined with the angry earth and the screaming spirit winds of the other day, I fear that the Empress's passing is just one ill omen in a fraught time, and there are spiritual dangers that may still assail us."

[Doji Minehime]

Crane offer:

Court support for Yasuki Investment Bank project, staffed by Crab (outside of Crane lands) and based on the docks of Otosan-Uchi

Doji Minehime frowned as she read the location of this investment bank. "Crab staffed, you say?"

They are shown in to see Doji Minehime, who looks up from the letter she is composing to smile at their arrival.

"So many! I hope this is an auspicious sign?"

"Likely in both senses of the word Doji-diamyo-sama." Hikaru interjects wryly. "Once again, I have the dubious honor of presenting a smaller piece. The Mantis have agreed to trade 1 unit of naval supplies for 2 units of rice. It is an inequal exchange but it satisfies our needs"

He clears his throat at Sae's presentation. "The Crab appear eager to move it in Court today."

She smiles. "Not so unequal. They value rice much more highly than we do, needing so much of it. We cannot help the fact that we did not need many naval supplies. The important thing is that we did not get entangled in their dispute with the Tortoise. No good can come of that.

(apologies for the delay. Set up and appt. turned into appt. Dropping this so Minehime has the whole field of stuff at once. Efficient!)

"A few questions on this, if I may. What is the nature of this library, that it would require us to vouch for it? And what is expected of Asahina Junpei at Kyuden Isawa? As for Ureo-kun, I think he may prefer a husband over a wife, so a charming man of the Asako should not be a hardship."

[[We'll handle the spiritual disturbance after the treaties. It's important, but I think treaties first is probably more efficient.]]

[Daidoji Sae]

Doji Minehime frowned as she read the location of this investment bank. "Crab staffed, you say?"

"Yes, in fairness I cannot imagine we would allow another Clan to staff one of our flagship operations."

Dropping her voice slightly. "I understand support from the Otomo has been obtained in this matter."

[Doji Minehime]

Doji Minehime's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. "Oh? Tooru must be frightened about his normal revenue streams. Not a good sign." She frowned again, thinking the matter over. What was Masahiko planning? Would Sanae and Higashime see Tooru tipping his hand? Was that worth the risk of the Crab having an armed unit in the capital?

"I approve this deal. However, I am also authorizing the expansion of House Imagawa's villa in Otosan Uchi. We will need to match the Crab for strength in the capital. And this naval installation will need to be closely watched. Obviously, the Crab need know nothing of either corollary."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"Shiba-san felt that a suggestion for an Imperial library would need support for something under Asako control to be recognized as "Imperial"..and possibly as central. I suggested we would have more stake in that with some Crane administrative control. It might truly be more of a central library with more clans having administrative roles within it, but that's yet to be organized." (PM in the ether with a question on the topic)

"I fully expect greater detail when they have a full proposal. We are not asked for or agreeing to unconditional support, so I think we may readily offer support for the library as a whole, while objecting to revealed parts if they are...well, objectionable."

"As for the request for Asahina-sama to visit, it came along with a few other names, with this the only one I felt we could reasonably offer to sway. With the others being the Dragon champion and Seppun Tomaru, I suspect spiritual shop talk is the intent, though Shiba-san wasn't certain."

" As delegations visit other clans regularly for courts, marriages, and other reasons and the agreement called for attempting to convince Asahina-sama...who is of course not present to accept or refuse...it seemed a reasonable addition." She offers something between a nod and a bow to Minehime, "of course I am less aware of the politics. If this is a case of the Isawa trying to look important by making everyone come to them, rather than a genuine attempt at expert consultation, I expect you will have a better feel for those currents."

[Doji Minehime]

"I expect that it is more likely that Orimitsu needs help from someone who can conciliate with powerful individuals. The Elemental Council is a wreck at the moment. I...hesitate to expose Junpei to Isawa Takao, but he may be able to do them some good up there."

She sighed. "As for the library, if it is meant as a central research site, I think it is a good idea. I am also relieved to hear that it doesn't come with its own military unit. Subject to that remaining the case, I agree to this deal with the Phoenix."

(adding the supernatural issue separately for ease of quoting)

Hoshiko looks somber as she adds, "and one matter of...security? spiritual danger? One of those. I was meditating at the shrines here and a spirit with a voice of hatred spoke to me. It disdained all here. It offered no specific threats, only menace. And when I called up on the air spirits to try sweeping it away, they simply stopped. It wasn't as if they strove against it and failed, they just seemed to shut off."

"Combined with the angry earth and the screaming spirit winds of the other day, I fear that the Empress's passing is just one ill omen in a fraught time, and there are spiritual dangers that may still assail us."

Minehime rested her hand on Shukujo. "That is unwelcome news. I have tangled with angry spirits before, but nothing that could simply thwart the air itself. I understand that there is a Kuni, here? Perhaps..." She waves a hand helplessly. This was a little out of her lexicon.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"hmm...yes, I've spoken to her in the past, and hoped to consult with her again soon. I've reported it to Kitsu-sama, as the Lion's main spiritual leader here [ongoing thread], so they might be appraised of the danger."

She pauses. "And after the earthquake, and the spirit winds of the other day, I do think we should consider that this is a possible danger for the delegation...all of the delegations. I'm not entirely certain what we, or the Lion, can do to entirely protect those here. The angered spirits cannot be calmed without knowing why they are angry. I apologize that I do not have a solution, but the delegatio should at least be warned."

[Doji Minehime]

"Hai, that is wise. If she does not already know that this spirit is persistent, you may wish to inform Seppun Sadako as well."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru pauses, taking in Hoshiko's comment.

"Doji-sama, Hoshiko-san's words have reminded me. The Fox are looking at a particular issue they are quietly attempting to work around. It would seem that their Champion has been neglecting Clan duties to address matters with the Spirit Realms. If we are to assemble a team to face this danger, a" he chooses his words. "secondary benefit may follow us were he to be included"

[Doji Minehime]

"Court will be over by the time he could arrive, I am afraid, and...have you met Lord Kitsune?"

[Doji Hikaru]

"Court will be over by the time he could arrive, I am afraid, and...have you met Lord Kitsune?"

"I believe that was their regents concern Doji-sama. As you say he will not effect those matters. However as his regent, his sister, is in attendance and might shed light on the matter. But.."

He thinks how to phrase it "She wants to be Champion. It could be an excellent ally to make, and if she is a hero for helping uncover this mystery it such a change might be done. Whether we should try this is another matter"

[Doji Minehime]

"Does Kitsune Aiko strike you as a hero?" Doji Minehime raised an eyebrow, extending the question to the others at the table as well as Hikaru.

[Daidoji Sae]

"Does Kitsune Aiko strike you as a hero?" Doji Minehime raised an eyebrow, extending the question to the others at the table as well as Hikaru.

"Heroism can take many forms, Doji-dono" Sae replied in a tone which meant 'No'.