Use Your Noodle was a cheap noodle shop that had local buzz to it. It was the kind of place that Osamu had dug into when visiting on holiday. Starfall wasn't far away, the World of Dreams was the bright shiny light that had attracted him to begin with.

Securing a back room had been about as ready as putting down a bunch of bu on the counter, ordering a round of the house specials and asking the heimin to keep it private. He had put out an offer to a group who were considered go getters.

Now, the question is if anyone shows up.

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 11, 2022 12:05 pm

Use Your Noodle was a cheap noodle shop that had local buzz to it. It was the kind of place that Osamu had dug into when visiting on holiday. Starfall wasn't far away, the World of Dreams was the bright shiny light that had attracted him to begin with.

Securing a back room had been about as ready as putting down a bunch of bu on the counter, ordering a round of the house specials and asking the heimin to keep it private. He had put out an offer to a group who were considered go getters.

Now, the question is if anyone shows up.

It had been a somewhat suspicious invitation to a meal. But while the Scorpion could be using guile to gather those they could label as criminals....they had no reason to. If they wanted to simply round up all the convenient ronin they needn't spent a single zeni. So a combination of multiple hungers drew Hato to the noodle shop. A hunger for food, curiosity about the invitation, and the hope that perhaps Okuri would be in attendance. It would be ice to see him again, perhaps they could go and sing together later.

She bowed deeply upon being direct to the Phoenix.


"Good afternoon, Lord Phoenic," she offered deferentially. "This one was very honored to receive Lord Phoenix's invitation to dine with him."

"Hmm" A look of confusion crosses Osamu's face. "Lord Phoenix? Right! That's me." He waves a hand dismissively. "Titles are only worth shit when they can get you something, but it's convenient enough for now. I'll go through full introductions once we get a full party, but Asako-san is fine."

He motions to the food. "Please, help yourself. I'd rather everyone not be distracted once we all arrive and get started."

His eyes glitter. "Are there any other hidden gems for food like this? It's so annoying to have every Clan event at the same tourist traps designed to bleed a man dry."

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 11, 2022 2:38 pm

"Hmm" A look of confusion crosses Osamu's face. "Lord Phoenix? Right! That's me." He waves a hand dismissively. "Titles are only worth shit when they can get you something, but it's convenient enough for now. I'll go through full introductions once we get a full party, but Asako-san is fine."

He motions to the food. "Please, help yourself. I'd rather everyone not be distracted once we all arrive and get started."

His eyes glitter. "Are there any other hidden gems for food like this? It's so annoying to have every Clan event at the same tourist traps designed to bleed a man dry."

Hato took the offered seat and food.

"Lord....Asako-san is very wise. There are many places where one is paying a great deal for atmosphere, prestige, and a tourist tax....instead of the quality or quantity of food. Of course, sometimes that is important too. Holding a formal dinner for the Crane at Use Your Noodle may not give the proper impression to some." she offered

She considered the question though.

"If Asako-san were to look for it, there is an old couple who run a pop-up stall selling roasted potatoes. It is humble food served by humble folk. But on a cold night the warmth of the potato and the warmth of their smiles could melt even a snow maiden's heart." she offered.

"Of course they would. Nothing says Crane like spending far more than something is worth and having less fun while doing it." Osamu takes a big slurp from his own bowl, blowing on the noodles. He positively beams, both at the taste and for the information that Hato has provided. "See! Already my hosting has paid dividends."

Hitoko, who is assuredly a go-getter and is still preening visibly from her latest success, arrives without hesitation about consuming a free meal. In a nicer place like this, where there are plenty of witnesses.

Coming into the room, Hitoko stops and bows politely but not very deferentially. "Good afternoon, Asako-sama. This one is Hitoko, and very pleased to accept your invitation to discuss business. And kind Hato-san is here as well. Good afternoon, Hato-san." When Hitoko straightens, she is smiling the bemused, slightly predatory smile that is somewhat signature to her.

Hitoko wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 11, 2022 5:50 pm

Hitoko, who is assuredly a go-getter and is still preening visibly from her latest success, arrives without hesitation about consuming a free meal. In a nicer place like this, where there are plenty of witnesses.

Coming into the room, Hitoko stops and bows politely but not very deferentially. "Good afternoon, Asako-sama. This one is Hitoko, and very pleased to accept your invitation to discuss business. And kind Hato-san is here as well. Good afternoon, Hato-san." When Hitoko straightens, she is smiling the bemused, slightly predatory smile that is somewhat signature to her.

Hato had taken a moment to enjoy her noodles, and see who else showed up to this meal, beyond the Phoenix. She bowed politely to the arrival of her felllow/rival ronin.

"Good afternoon, Hitoko-san. This one hopes that this day finds you well." she offered politely.

Osamu nods and motions to a bowl for Hitoko. "There's no need to stand on formality. Go ahead and eat. I'm not the type to torture anyone by asking you wait for people who might not show up."

He checks a clock on the wall. "You two were the only ones I heard back from, other someone stating that they can't. I'll give a minute to see if they manage to show up before I begin the pitch"

Hato nods

"This one is hopeful Okuri-san turns up before Asako-san makes his pitch at the very least." Hato offered, sipping her tea.

Hato wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:00 pm

Hato nods

"This one is hopeful Okuri-san turns up before Asako-san makes his pitch at the very least." Hato offered, sipping her tea.

Having tucked into the noodle bowl quickly, Hitoko does pause to say, "Mmm. Okuri-san, like good Hato-san here, is quite kind for a ronin. I do hope he knows Asako-sama is more than up to his high moral standards," she says in an incredibly obvious style of pandering.

"Hmm? Isn't he-?" Osamu offers a look of confusion, pulling out a personal computer. He taps on a few keys. "Dead. Yup. Got into a gunfight with local Scorpion magistrates yesterday, it seems." He shrugs. "I didn't include him in he list, since I assumed that information was correct."

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:15 pm

"Hmm? Isn't he-?" Osamu offers a look of confusion, pulling out a personal computer. He taps on a few keys. "Dead. Yup. Got into a gunfight with local Scorpion magistrates yesterday, it seems." He shrugs. "I didn't include him in he list, since I assumed that information was correct."

Hato's eyes widened a bit in shock at the news.

"This one...had not heard that. That is very unfortunate. He was nice to sing with. May Emma-O judge him kindly." she offered quietly.

Hitoko freezes, then nods in agreement with Hato.

"Hai, most unfortunate. Okuri-san... Doesn't seem the sort to get sideways with magistrates." Her face scrunches, the news not fitting her expectations, but after a few moment's she shakes it off. "Most unfortunate," she mumbles a couple more times before seeking refuge in her noodles.

Hato shakes her head.

"When one lacks the protection of a mon, one is never more than a single misstep away being an object lesson, a practice dummy, or a guilty party for a magistrate." Hato adds. "They did not know about his hopes, and dreams, or his hurt and pains. They did not hear him sing. And now no one shall ever again."

"Yes, yes, indeed." Osamu pushes on. "The relative insecurity of those unaffiliated with Clans is at least part of why I called you here today."

Osamu looks at the clock. "I think we've waited enough. I was hoping for more, but if any others arrive I will tell them the same thing." Osamu pushes back the table to stand and clears his throat.

"You know two probably know better than anyone the unique ecosystem of the World of Dreams. The intrigue and information flow on the planet has created a demand for information gathering that cannot take place under direct control of a Clan's personal intelligence services. And the Men of Waves...and Women" Osamu quickly amends "have risen to fill that need. You product both a product, and a service. Yet, in spite of the fact that it is an open secret of what you provide, and the necessity therof, how are you treated? Are you invited to the swanky party tonight?"

Osamu shrugs. "I don't think I can change how you're seen. But, to put it simply, I believe that the people I called are professionals, experts in their field and I believe in treating them as such. Bidding to the bottom is not a sustainable model, and blind negotiations only serve to benefit those who currently hold all the cards." He looks wryly at the pair. "I doubt any of us fall into that category."

"I want to begin with a simple question: what do you think is fair compensation for an occupation that risks life and limb on a regular basis? How do you feel you should be treated for extraordinary service." Osamu sits once more. "I am serious. Compensation takes many forms, and I don't want to assume that I know them all: floors on pay for work? Pay escalators? Advances in the form of equipment? Proportional allocation of a large lump sum based on results. Safe passage offworld?" The Phoenix lays his hands out. "I don't consider anything off the table, so I would wish to hear it."

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 12:29 am

"Yes, yes, indeed." Osamu pushes on. "The relative insecurity of those unaffiliated with Clans is at least part of why I called you here today."

Osamu looks at the clock. "I think we've waited enough. I was hoping for more, but if any others arrive I will tell them the same thing." Osamu pushes back the table to stand and clears his throat.

"You know two probably know better than anyone the unique ecosystem of the World of Dreams. The intrigue and information flow on the planet has created a demand for information gathering that cannot take place under direct control of a Clan's personal intelligence services. And the Men of Waves...and Women" Osamu quickly amends "have risen to fill that need. You product both a product, and a service. Yet, in spite of the fact that it is an open secret of what you provide, and the necessity therof, how are you treated? Are you invited to the swanky party tonight?"

Osamu shrugs. "I don't think I can change how you're seen. But, to put it simply, I believe that the people I called are professionals, experts in their field and I believe in treating them as such. Bidding to the bottom is not a sustainable model, and blind negotiations only serve to benefit those who currently hold all the cards." He looks wryly at the pair. "I doubt any of us fall into that category."

"I want to begin with a simple question: what do you think is fair compensation for an occupation that risks life and limb on a regular basis? How do you feel you should be treated for extraordinary service." Osamu sits once more. "I am serious. Compensation takes many forms, and I don't want to assume that I know them all: floors on pay for work? Pay escalators? Advances in the form of equipment? Proportional allocation of a large lump sum based on results. Safe passage offworld?" The Phoenix lays his hands out. "I don't consider anything off the table, so I would wish to hear it."

Hato listened to not just the words, but how the words were spoken. She wanted to understand not just what was being said, but to understand the man behind them.

Who was Asako Osamu?

On their initial introduction, his initial praise of the food had put her in the mindset of the Whirling Neon Otomo. But the brushing off of Okuri's death and the blitz of an economic lecture washed that away as easily as a firehose sweeping away Okuri's cooling blood off the uncaring streets of the city. The Whirling Neon Otomo would never brush off a death like that. He would have wept. He would have offered comfort to two obviously discomforted women.

Who was Asako Osamu?

Was he perhaps some sort of smooth tongued charlatan? If his initial words were a lie, could the rest of them not be as well? However, the emotional beats of his speech were...off. Mentioning their non-welcome to the fancy party only to immediately brush off the very idea he could do anything about that. It was striking a taika drum without letting it sound. He was not offering enticements, or making suggestions, he was laying thinks out in a straightforward a manner as he could without literally shouting 'I am asking how much for one crime please?'

Who was Asako Osamu?

The mind suggested that his manner was that of an eccentric scholar. He was very passionate about his peculiar theories. He had obtained access to the means to test his theories, and he did not care about those who he took the funs from and what they wanted, nor what happened to those he gave them to. The theories was all that mattered.

Hato set her cup down.

"Asako-san raises many interesting points that this one would be most interested in discussing, along with this one's fellow ronin. " she offered. "Unfortunately, this one must start with a negation. Asako-san's first question is anything but simple. 'What is fair?' has been a topic bandied about courts and temples for generations untold. But to narrow the focus of our question, 'What is fair for this specific service?' is more manageable with more real world applications. Are you merely compensating for time spent? After all, you are potentially buying the rest of someone's life. Perhaps even more than that. After all, will Emma-O look kindly upon what we do in exchange for coin? Will our next lives be spent in even worse conditions for a moment's comfort in this one?"

Hato shook her head.

"However, moving past that, we must analyze Asako-san's point of 'blind bargaining' Asako-san, after all, is negotiating from a position of strength. This one knows the price of a dango in the streets, but this one can scarcely guess at what resources Asako-san has mastery of. Asako-san, on the other hand, knows both...or at least he could at least discover the price of dango much more easily than this one could learn what he knows. If we are to discuss what is 'fair' we must all first understand what is possible." she offered.

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 3:55 am

"Asako-san raises many interesting points that this one would be most interested in discussing, along with this one's fellow ronin. " she offered. "Unfortunately, this one must start with a negation. Asako-san's first question is anything but simple. 'What is fair?' has been a topic bandied about courts and temples for generations untold. But to narrow the focus of our question, 'What is fair for this specific service?' is more manageable with more real world applications. Are you merely compensating for time spent? After all, you are potentially buying the rest of someone's life. Perhaps even more than that. After all, will Emma-O look kindly upon what we do in exchange for coin? Will our next lives be spent in even worse conditions for a moment's comfort in this one?"

Osamu seems rather pleased. "Excellent question. I would say yes to all of the above. Not only time, but risk involved both in terms of mortal affairs...and for the life beyond. Please, price yourself accordingly. Take that into account when deciding whether my terms are fair."

Hato shook her head.

"However, moving past that, we must analyze Asako-san's point of 'blind bargaining' Asako-san, after all, is negotiating from a position of strength. This one knows the price of a dango in the streets, but this one can scarcely guess at what resources Asako-san has mastery of. Asako-san, on the other hand, knows both...or at least he could at least discover the price of dango much more easily than this one could learn what he knows. If we are to discuss what is 'fair' we must all first understand what is possible." she offered.

Osamu inclines his head. "That is fair, I grant you. I had held off of specifics, as I wished to hear what you had in mind. And I do want to emphasize this: I am very flexible, so long as the job gets done. But if hard and fast data is preferable, then you are already speaking my mother tongue."

Osamu spins his computer around, bringing up an actuarial table.

"This much koku is in the till for information purchases. In addition there are three passes off of the World of Dreams. I have a few other items that can arrange to "fall off a hovertruck" that could be pawned for quick cash advances."

"In a little less than a week, that pot will be distributed proportionally based on the terraflops of data each of the ronin I have invited provides. I believe that a minimum bid of 20 would provide an excellent floor for an reasonable offer to the seller."

"If you two were the only ones to submit offers, and you both provided the same quantity of data, the account would be split equally. Providing more than your rival would increase the stake of the total prize you would be awarded, and decreasing theirs."

Okuri looks at the pair. "You are free to offer as much as you like, and a minimum of a floor that we can negotiate on. I will not ask that you refuse to service others, just that if you offer the minimum, there is always the chance that your services will be outbid like another. I hear that Delvin Dai and Akuta are still operating, and might take an interest."

He leans back in his seat. "As I said, I am flexible. I simply thought this as an equitable way to be transparent to all parties about the potential gains. You are free to suggest other pay structures, but I have let you know what I believe my ceiling is."

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 4:33 pm

-snip-

Hato had waited for Hitoko to voice an opinion on the plan, but one could not waste all of Lord Phoenix's day waiting for such.

"Hmmm, this one appreciates Lord Phoenix's thinking. However, this one cannot help but notice how these terms go beyond merely protecting Lord Phoenix's interests, but benefit him greatly. One could even say unfairly." she admitted.

She took a sip of tea

"Assuming one hard working ronin was the beneficiary of Lord Phoenix's generosity, that is an amazing deal for them. However, were another to take up Lord Phoenix's cause and work similarly hard, now both are rewarded half as much. If two more join in, now they are being compensated a quarter as much as a solitary wolf would have been. Meanwhile Lord Phoenix has quadrupled his acquisitions at no extra cost. Selling one's life for coin is one thing, having one's life included as part of a buy one, get one free deal grates even harsher."

She shook her head.

"But it is a quandary. If one, and one alone accepts, that is a win for them. Stepping away means that the windfall goes to another, but staying means the windfall goes to neither. Were we a group in any way, this deal would make sense, but we only serve ourselves in the end." she admitted.

Hato wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 15, 2022 4:41 pm

"Hmmm, this one appreciates Lord Phoenix's thinking. However, this one cannot help but notice how these terms go beyond merely protecting Lord Phoenix's interests, but benefit him greatly. One could even say unfairly." she admitted.

"Assuming one hard working ronin was the beneficiary of Lord Phoenix's generosity, that is an amazing deal for them. However, were another to take up Lord Phoenix's cause and work similarly hard, now both are rewarded half as much. If two more join in, now they are being compensated a quarter as much as a solitary wolf would have been. Meanwhile Lord Phoenix has quadrupled his acquisitions at no extra cost. Selling one's life for coin is one thing, having one's life included as part of a buy one, get one free deal grates even harsher."


"But it is a quandary. If one, and one alone accepts, that is a win for them. Stepping away means that the windfall goes to another, but staying means the windfall goes to neither. Were we a group in any way, this deal would make sense, but we only serve ourselves in the end." she admitted.

"Well of course, if I propose an idea, it is one by which I indeed to gain." Osamu replies bluntly. "And the leverage in the situation is designed to look out for my interests. But you do have a point, and there is a greater target afoot."

He motions around. "I want to be a long term resident of this planet. And, if one seeks to set up a sustainable business relationship, it behooves me to have as many sides satisfied with the bargain if possible. There is no reason why a victory for myself must mean irreconcilable loss for yourselves."

Osamu strokes his chin. "How about the following alteration: I would open the floor to all bidders. The top two bids would receive the prize I mentioned before, similarly allocated. This would mean that the sum is allocated in fewer ways, and thus a successful bid yields more for you. I am protected in that the bids are competitive, but if you are not one of the final two offered, that ronin will still have opportunity to sell to another buyer."

"Does this satisfy your concern?"

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 18, 2022 12:10 am

"Well of course, if I propose an idea, it is one by which I indeed to gain." Osamu replies bluntly. "And the leverage in the situation is designed to look out for my interests. But you do have a point, and there is a greater target afoot."

He motions around. "I want to be a long term resident of this planet. And, if one seeks to set up a sustainable business relationship, it behooves me to have as many sides satisfied with the bargain if possible. There is no reason why a victory for myself must mean irreconcilable loss for yourselves."

Osamu strokes his chin. "How about the following alteration: I would open the floor to all bidders. The top two bids would receive the prize I mentioned before, similarly allocated. This would mean that the sum is allocated in fewer ways, and thus a successful bid yields more for you. I am protected in that the bids are competitive, but if you are not one of the final two offered, that ronin will still have opportunity to sell to another buyer."

"Does this satisfy your concern?"

It was an admission of character, and an incredibly tiny concession.

"Hm, this one wonders if it might not be better to approach Lord Phoenix with information in hand later, rather than agreeing to a lengthy complex agreement now. This one is happy to consider Lord Phoenix as a potential buyer, among many." she admitted.