Inasa... or "Tarou", rather, here, waited, nursing a cup of tea and some genuinely decent soba as her waited for the person he was waiting for to appear.

"Greetings, Taro-sama," the almost arrogant tone rolls in ahead of an almost ebullient Hitoko. "So good of you to come by for an update."

Sitting across from her employer, the ronin beams in triumph. "You may be pleasantly surprised at my level of progress," she says with a cheery smile.

"I hope to hear so. I take it everything went well, then?" He asked, leaning back.

"Of course," Hitoko responds with a bright smile. "You hired someone who's very skilled." Reaching into a jacket pocket at the same time she reaches for a napkin to cover a sudden cough, a pair of data sticks are stealthily placed under the napkin that she pushes toward the center of the table.

"Someone who's actually so skilled that you'll be wanting to increase that... Let's call it a retainer... Significantly. It turns out your potential friends are very popular. Or, at least trusted with a lot." Hitoko can't help but smirk pridefully after her work has turned out so well.

"Yes... Word on the street is that the standard is somewhere more in the range of a hundred," he agreed. "Despite other considerations, I am inclined to pay fairly."

The ronin smiles approvingly and winks at her companion.

"It's just best for everyone. Lack of fairness does breed mistrust and... complications." Giving a small sigh and nod, she reaches into a different, hidden pocket, and repeats the delivery of another two data sticks.

"In that spirit, ah, full disclosure of how successful my... event planning... has been. Just had to make sure we were on the same page first. You understand, I'm sure," she says mildly, clasping her hands in front of her on the table.

"Two seamless projects, well-documented, seems like at least 160 to me. Having assumed all the risk, as I have," she says, grinning.

"125 and an MHI Conqueror sidearm," he offered in reply.

"Aw, Taro-sama is concerned about my safety. That's much appreciated after I've been working so hard for you," the ronin says with the slightest edge of flirtatious tone alongside a broad smile. "How about 150 and the sidearm? Since I'm not even charging you for being out four data sticks," she says sweetly.

If he noticed the flirtation at all, it didn't register on his face. "Of course I'm concerned for your safety. 130 and I'll throw in a high end combat knife, as well as the sidearm."

Hitoko giggles, evidently enjoying herself. "Oh, Taro-sama says the sweetest things," she says sarcastically, shaking her head.

"There are people who would have put a high-end combat knife into some very uncomfortable places of mine for doing such good work, I will remind you. And probably people who'd hate to see me letting such hard work be rewarded with a glorified chef's knife. Hmm..." The ronin had seemed to start talking to herself, then pauses as she's obviously deeply considering.

"You know, Taro-sama, I know some clans, especially... tradition-minded ones," she says, giving him a pointed look before continuing. "They can be uncomfortable with the potential success associated with working with a superior event planner like me. Maybe I shouldn't burden you with so much success? I suppose I could take your price for three-quarters of the work I've done. Maybe find a more... indulgent home for the rest," she says, looking at the hidden data sticks with a pout, then looks at Inasa with soulful eyes that say, You don't want to do that, do you?

His expression hardened to stone and he leaned forward on the table. "I'm sorry, I'm sure I misunderstood a ronin referring to Lion Clan craftwork as a 'high-end chef's knife'. A wise person would recognize that combining that with attempting to strongarm a Clan samurai without backing would be a path better left untraveled. I am going to assume you are a wise person, Hitoko-san, and I hope we can continue this negotiation in better faith. Yes?"

Hitoko immediately bit her lips, cursing internally that she'd gotten too cocky from the successful mission. Damn it.

"Ah, indeed, Taro-sama. Most humble apologies," she said very sincerely, bowing her head deeply and staying there a time. After long enough to ensure her thoughts were clear, she opened and raised her eyes to look at Inasa's rather inscrutable face.

"To speak more appropriately to the situation, while the offer of high quality equipment is compelling, the amount of information here is... Well beyond expectations for the short amount of time spent on the project." She looks at him, serious and earnest. "Perhaps Taro-sama's generosity extends to 145 and the fine sidearm?"

He leaned back to his previous position, decidedly less stoically menacing. "I would prefer 140, if possible, as I only have your word to go on. But I will include the sidearm. Is that acceptable?"

The ronin smiles again. "140, sidearm, and the really cool knife you want to show me?" She asks very sweetly.

He raised and eyebrow and shrugged. "Sure."

"Excellent. Oh that's so... Hahmmm" Hitoko fakes a yawn, covering her mouth with one hand while the other semi-naturally pushes the data sticks so they're clearly on the Lion's side of the table.

"Oh, excuse me," she says, smiling then giggling. "Ahem. And asap on that fee, yes?" She grins as sweetly as she can.

------
I assume we can off-screen delivery of the payment, unless Inasa has it all with him? So we can probably wrap this scene.

"Of course," he agreed, slipping the datasicks away somewhere. "I'll get it to you ASAP. Thank you for your help, Hitoko-san." With that, he rose and stepped out of the restaurant.

/exit

"Uh, yes! So glad I could be of help! Taro-sama!" Hitoko's voice was a bit urgent as Inasa left without further ado.

"Wow, some samurai," she grumbled as she waved to a server whowould recognize her and know exactly what she'd be eating. "All honor or all business, I guess..."

/scene