The night was upon them and Kazuminwas where they could be found many nights in this city. They were behind a dj table creating the life blood of any club. Music.

The beats moved and jumped through he crowd, it was one of their more clubby songs. Simple words and strong beats a rise and fall that energized the crowd.

Kazumi loved it here, the bass reverberating through their chest, the energy of the crowd. It didn't matter what was happening outside these walls, for these few hours Kazumi could let it all go and just be in the moment.

Okuri has grabbed a quick change of clothing from earlier. Still relatively lowly, he appears to be a hard on his luck merchant. He approaches the Mantis he had been following earlier in the night and fully prostrates himself

"Forgive the intrusion Mantis-sama, but I find myself in desperate straights. There are certain other, rivals of mine. I find that I am cannot compete with the favored traders on the local routes." Okuri peeks up, face filled with worry " I beg of you, if you were to offer those services I would reward more than you are due."

None of those particular statements was even a lie if you broke them down right.

The Mantis motions him to continue and Okuri seats himself and leans in the close.

"Mantis-sama, I don't know if you have ever found yourself outbid while" Okuri offers a theatrical gulp "a tad over- extended financially. There are costs to ensuring that cargo reaches its destination safely. Not bribes. Security fees. Especially if the True Scions of Gusai were to, how do we say, "make an example" of them"

The Mantis raises his hands wide.

"Of course! What do you take me for. I am connected around here. Don't you worry merchant-san, Daikoku will surely smile upon you, and the Scions of Gusai shall frown upon your rivals...as long as I get my cut."

"Do you really mean that?" Okuri desperately forces a smile off of his face.

"You dare question a samurai's honesty?"

The Mantis' smile takes a hard edge, but it is nothing compared to the grin of a wolf baring its fangs.

"Oh no, I just wanted to make sure I got a good take." Okuri rises and plucks the holorecorder he had placed at a nearby drink stand during his time pretending to be a waiter. "Tsk, tsk, tsk" The ronin wags a finger. "Someone has been getting up to the sort of trouble that system authorities."

Color drains from the courtier's face. "I...I, no I don't know them! How could I know them?"

Okuri turns his head to the side and offers a condescending glance. "So, you were willing to take a merchants money and string him along, cheating him?"

"Well I-" The Mantis opens his mouth, but then shuts it.

"It's alright" Okuri replies, his voice polite and reassuring. "It's the way of things. You could, so you did. And just like I'm going to do."

Okuri sits back down. The Mantis glowers at him sullenly.

"This doesn't prove anything."

"Of course it doesn't" Okuri smoothly provides. "But it would make an excellent club to brandish for anyone who dislikes your Clan. Sure, they would be able to pass it off and weather the storm...but the easiest way to cover themselves would be to purge you from the ranks."

The Mantis goes an even paler shade.

"What do you want?" He finally manages.

Okuri taps the table. "Your personal computer."

The Mantis waits for a moment before sliding it out. Okuri slides it back behind him.

"Call in sick tomorrow. The day after that, let them know that you've misplaced your computer and you don't know where it is. It will be remotely locked at that time. It will be a minor breach, to be sure, but keep your head down and things will blow over soon enough. If you let someone know, or you lock it out, or I even think that you are trying to trace me...and a copy of this will be on every local news network by the end of the day. Do I make myself clear?"

The Mantis sullenly bobs his head.

"Good. A pleasure doing business with you." Okuri swipes the mans drink from the table and sips it, heading for the bar.

Soshi Kazumi wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 03, 2022 5:58 am

0snip-

Okuri heads for the bar, not wanting to draw attention by bolting outside. He lifts the stolen drink in salute to a Scorpion he sees going by, offering a nod.

Kazumi was taking a break from playing and let one of the house DJs take over for a minute. As the Soshi approached the bar they ordered a water and saw a ronin gesture towards them.

Kazumi nodded back politely "Ronin-san. Seems to be a good night for business." Kazumi noted over the noise of the club, lessened a bit by the distance the bar was from the stage. Their voice was interesting, mid register not exactly masculine or feminine and with a touch of rasp to it that many describe as pleasant.

"As much as such work can be pleasant" It was a bit of an non-answer, but the man was Scorpion. He probably expected as much. "It seemed unwise for one as lowly as I to ignore your august person. Please treat me kindly." Okuri offers a bow. "Are you working as well?"

Kazumi snorted "Stow the formal speech Ronin-san. I'm a DJ not the Governor."

The bartender delivered a glass of clear liquid Kazumi took a drink through the mask though it was hard to tell exactly how it worked. Kazumi set the glass down and shrugged "I guess you could say i'm working, though playing music is more like my hobby. Helps earn some koku on the side."

"Fair enough." Okuri drains his stolen drink. "I am not one to criticize anyone for side work they enjoy."

Kazumi nodded "I don't much criticize anyone making their way on this planet." Kazumi replied.

"What sort of work do you lean towards Ronin-san?"

"I've heard it called" Okuri coughs "Souvenir acquisition mostly. Other times, a guide to those outside direct protection on who to see to prevent their brake lines from being cut on delivery trucks...or at least a target for their retribution."