Use Your Noodle was typically not open at this hour, but a knock on the door from a samurai and a few zeni had prompted an early private opening. Osamu waits in the back room with some cheap tea for negotiation to really begin.

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:21 am

Use Your Noodle was typically not open at this hour, but a knock on the door from a samurai and a few zeni had prompted an early private opening. Osamu waits in the back room with some cheap tea for negotiation to really begin.

Having washed the previous night away, and packed it away mentally, Hato made her way to the closed noodle shop. It was a break in the daily pattern of things but thus far she had managed to stay beneath the Scorpion's notice. Still, she couldn't help but think of the old vid with the evil manager saying 'oh no, he'll just keeping quietly taking the rice out of our mouth,' only to look out the window to see a ronin in a brand new car careening around the parking lot.

Koiyuki had treated her well, now she had to put her trust in another. With a quick tug on the jade amulet beforehand, she made her way into the back room. She offered a deep bow.

"Good morning, Lord Phoenix. This one hopes you have had rice today." she offered.

"Noodles, mostly." Osamu replies before taking an airy slurp, stands of noodle vanishing into his mouth. "And don't worry about the Lord part. Asako-san is fine."

He pauses, as if a thought has occurred. "And help yourself to some food while we are here."

Osamu clears his throat. "Well, after some thought I concede that my attempt at more complicated payment systems is not working at this time. I do hope that we can come to a more direct, one on one arrangement to procure your services and all sundry assets you have available."

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:21 pm

"Noodles, mostly." Osamu replies before taking an airy slurp, stands of noodle vanishing into his mouth. "And don't worry about the Lord part. Asako-san is fine."

He pauses, as if a thought has occurred. "And help yourself to some food while we are here."

Osamu clears his throat. "Well, after some thought I concede that my attempt at more complicated payment systems is not working at this time. I do hope that we can come to a more direct, one on one arrangement to procure your services and all sundry assets you have available."

Hato nods.

"This one agrees, Asako-san." Hato said taking the offered seat. "Theory is the basis for rational thinking, but one must be willing to face the harsh realities of the day rather than spending one's limited amount of time in this world endlessly considering the whatifs in a monastery."

"I offer this to Asako-san then. Information gathering over the next week, including two fishing expeditions of Asako-san's choosing. The information will only be conferred to Asako-san. Payment at the end of the week with a floor of payment to be negotiated now, and a bonus depending on results."

"I've never been content to remain in a monestary." Osamu replies with a nod.

He offers a long "Hmmm" at the proposal.

"I can agree to the overall shape.Am I correct in assuming that you currently have no information in to sell? And that you would be offering two specific target hunts? " He strokes his chin

"If so, I have an added enticement: I happen to have three sites for you to choose from, all of which should be lucrative options, though all carry different risks. And what do you say to...125 koku, with potential bonus of 50 koku at 60 terraflops ?"(60 information)

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:59 pm

"I've never been content to remain in a monestary." Osamu replies with a nod.

He offers a long "Hmmm" at the proposal.

"I can agree to the overall shape.Am I correct in assuming that you currently have no information in to sell? And that you would be offering two specific target hunts? " He strokes his chin

"If so, I have an added enticement: I happen to have three sites for you to choose from, all of which should be lucrative options, though all carry different risks. And what do you say to...125 koku, with potential bonus of 50 koku at 60 terraflops ?"(60 information)

Hato shakes her head.

"Not entirely correct, Asako-san. This one complied 5 before meeting with you here. However, the more times the data changes hands, the greater likelihood the Scorpion will take notice of this. Asako-san has an ambassador to shield him from harm should he anger the Scorpion...this one has no such person. This one's best chance for survival is to remain undetected, so this one will not be transferring data until the end of the contract." she explained.

Hato considered the offer. It wasn't as good as the deal with the Kuni....but the Phoenix wasn't her, and this deal was much better than his previous scheme.

"I will agree to these terms, Asako-san."

Osamu drums his fingertips against the table, apparently lost in thought for a moment before turning back.

"You are right about the potential concerns. That was a factor in my proposal earlier: payment at a single time from burner accounts would have far less risk of trace."

Osamu slides over a trio of files, incongruously actually printed out on paper, and thus impossible to hack.

"Please review these and select the two you wish. Also, I am curious: what are your plans for afterward?"

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:26 am

Osamu drums his fingertips against the table, apparently lost in thought for a moment before turning back.

"You are right about the potential concerns. That was a factor in my proposal earlier: payment at a single time from burner accounts would have far less risk of trace."

Osamu slides over a trio of files, incongruously actually printed out on paper, and thus impossible to hack.

"Please review these and select the two you wish. Also, I am curious: what are your plans for afterward?"

Hato studied the paper, nodded, and slid them back, lacking a more dramatic way of disposing of them.

"The wave returns to the ocean, Asako-sama, and only the ocean remains."

"But if this one had the freedom to choose, this one would wish to book passage on a firefly ship, and travel to the furthest possible reaches of the Empire. But that is, alas, but a dream." she admitted.

"It sounds like a trip of a number of good places." Osamu nods. "Honestly though, after spending so long to even get here I would like to be awhile."

"I ask, because my spending is to show a proof of concept. I would think that my superiors would find use of putting on regular payment to those who have shown they can be trusted." He drums his fingers on the table in thought. "I just need to figure people who are willing, and how to frame it"

Hato tilted her head a the Phoenix's theorizing.

"That is an interesting question to considered, Asako-san." she agreed. "At it's most abstract level, one can consider the similarities and differences between paying a ronin for services and a lord taking care of those samurai sworn to them. Many would argue that it is because the sworn samurai serves because of honor, while the ronin serves for mere coin. But there are dishonorable clan samurai, and honorable ronin, so this alone cannot explain it."

She took a sip of water.

"Others would argue that it is the will of the Heavens. The path your life will take is predetermined, you may merely walk it. But one cannot know the will of the Heavens, nor see the path that is laid out for them. Can it not be destined that one's service dictates an improvement in one's life? "

"Here's the thing, Hato-san: I don't see any difference at all." Osamu shrugs. "I am perceived as honorable, because I have mostly played by the rules. I played by the rules, because it has been the most effective way to get what I want. One who does not have the hand I was dealt must follow a different path for lesser success, regardless of innate ability, and be called a dishonorable dog for it."

"For me, the only question is: what is going to stop me? And so, what would stop me from acting as patron to a ronin band, or accepting a ronin as a retainer. One: resources" Osamu extends a finger. "And two: perception. I only include the second because I must decide how best to twist it to obtain the first"

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:17 pm

"Here's the thing, Hato-san: I don't see any difference at all." Osamu shrugs. "I am perceived as honorable, because I have mostly played by the rules. I played by the rules, because it has been the most effective way to get what I want. One who does not have the hand I was dealt must follow a different path for lesser success, regardless of innate ability, and be called a dishonorable dog for it."

"For me, the only question is: what is going to stop me? And so, what would stop me from acting as patron to a ronin band, or accepting a ronin as a retainer. One: resources" Osamu extends a finger. "And two: perception. I only include the second because I must decide how best to twist it to obtain the first"

Hato considered the problem.

"Perhaps it would be wisest to seek the council of those who have already found a solution? The Spider clan are fairly open about their recruiting of ronin into their clan at the Shrine of Passion. Alternatively, some of the other important samurai here for the season might have good insight into this as well. Minor clans typically are more accepting of adding ronin to their ranks, and I believe the Crab have a long tradition of at least adding them to a vassal family, though you'd need to consult with a Crab for more knowledge about that." she suggested.

"Ahh, but those groups prize, or at least accept a degree of pragmatism. If I might slander my own people, they do not. " Osamu taps the table. "There is a challenge in that. But that is mine to face "

He looks at the files. " Have you chosen your targets? "

Asako Osamu wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 21, 2022 11:44 pm

"Ahh, but those groups prize, or at least accept a degree of pragmatism. If I might slander my own people, they do not. " Osamu taps the table. "There is a challenge in that. But that is mine to face "

He looks at the files. " Have you chosen your targets? "

Hato nods.

"I have Asako-san." she confirmed.....but said no more on the matter.

It might be a small shield, but if the ASako could truthfully say he didn't know that Hato was going somewhere, then he was at least a little better protected.

"A lovely chat, Asako-san. A great pity you shall be too busy to see me for the next few days. But you have my communicator code should an emergency arise." she offered.

It did seem like it was time to get to work.

Osamu thinks for a moment and then nods.

"Good hunting Hato-san, and may the Fortunes bring us both a bounty of knowledge."