[D7 ME] Under the Wire (Chiyoko's, expecting)

[Asako Osamu]

The place is pleasant enough. It seems that the overly ambitious project and double teaming Ronin had been a mistake. It was turning out much more efficient to work individually.

Osamu sits and waits for his prospective contractor.

[Hitoko]

Hitoko doesn't keep him waiting long since that might be bad for business, and is smiling cheerily as she approaches. She's in a noticeably good mood, grinning at the Phoenix as she sits and then bows her head respectfully. It's an interesting mix of traditional and cavalier.

"Good evening, Phoenix-sama. It is lovely to see you again."

[Asako Osamu]

"And I to see you Hitoko-san." Osamu spreads his palms flat on the table. "Shall we get down to business? I would like to hear if you have a number in mind"

[Hitoko]

"Of course, Asako-sama," the ronin says, smiling and bowing her head just slightly.

"I'm not sure if you've heard my reputation, but I'm a very efficient... event planner," she says euphemistically, looking at him seriously. "Getting your event all in order... 90 is a good number, I'd say," Hitoko says, voice a little airy like she's just opening the negotiation.

[Asako Osamu]

"I appreciate a surprise in events. I am open to fairly anything you may plan." Osamu continues the metaphor. "So long as discretion is included in the package. I wouldn't know. I wouldn't want to know until delivery. "

"As for your fee." For the moment the mask slips and there is a moment of hesitation. " The number is possible , but relies upon a colleague of yours not hitting their bonus numbers. I can promise 75 and a pass off world to your choice of Ujimitsu or Asakaze"

[Hitoko]

Hitoko purses her lips and nods thoughtfully while looking at the table. Then her eyes flip up to study Osamu seriously. She's quiet for quite a while.

"Asako-sama, I like your candor. So I'll take this deal, on condition that if my work is done in detail, that something more may need to be added on at delivery to, ah, satisfy expenses." The ronin looks like she's being as transparent as the Phoenix, and maybe a touch tired behind several layers of defenses.

[Asako Osamu]

"And I appreciate your flexibility." Osamu regards the ronin. "And I believe that I have a solution that may satisfy both issues. While the limits of untracable accounts might be close, I have another avenue available to you. It is possible that some equipment sent out from the Phoenix embassy might be, shall we say, "misplaced". A bag full of things such as a sidearm or two, a densai, night vision goggles. It would be something that an explorer to the Desolation might take with them and tragically lose. This would be presented to you as an advance. I believe these items would more than make up a difference. How about...25 koku worth, considering that you would need to take on the task of liquidating the assets you do not wish to personally use."

[Hitoko]

Hitoko freezes at mention of the Desolation, staring at the middle of the table so intensely it seems like a hole should begin to appear.

"The um. Right. Um." The ronin forces herself to close her eyes and breathe. Keep it together, Hitoko. This is just business. He's not talking about you going anywhere near it.

After a few moments, eyes still closed, she nods her head at Osamu. "Yes. Hai, Asako-sama. The advance is, uh, appreciated. A, um, sign of goodwill?" The ronin woman still looks spooked, though at least it seems something she can control. She musters up a fairly wide smile, though it's clearly forced. The things we do for business, she groans internally.

[Asako Osamu]

Osamu nods. "Provide me a location. The equipment will be dead dropped there. Do we have an accord?"

[Hitoko]

"Hai, Asako-sama," the ronin says, stronger and clearer this time. "An unknown communicator will text you a location near the Shrine of Passion. Reply with the drop time and then delete the messages. I'll make sure everything gets on track with your event." Hitoko's face shows the kind of confident grin that she'd walked in with, things clearly back in order in her mind.