Yamako requested a private room at the house and let the proprietor know who would be coming. The sheer was vanished with a sufficient clink of coin and refreshments. Now, it was time to wait.

This was not one of Hitoko's usual haunts and she looked uncomfortable about it, but the Unicorn had said to just be there, so she was. She tried to look a little more respectable than was typical for someone who definitely put function ahead of form, and while it didn't hide her humble station, at least the ronin felt somewhat appropriate as she entered Yamako's presence.

"Good morning, Ide-sama," she said warmly as she bowed deeply. "It's so kind of you to invite me." When she straightened, she was smiling brightly, hands clasped in front of her.

The Ide nodded at her, staying seated for the time being. "Hitoko-san, I am glad to see you had no trouble coming. Please, sit, enjoy some refreshments."

"Thank you, Ide-sama. Of course."

The ronin looks a bit jumpy, even after she's had some tea. Be cool, Hitoko. Just a little bit of business, she reminds herself, absent-mindedly touching the hidden pocket in her pants that holds a data stick.

Forcing a smile, Hitoko says warmly, "It was a pleasant surprise that Ide-sama reached out. I hadn't realized how much of an impression my dance moves had made." She laughs lightly, willing herself to be comfortable.

Hitoko wrote: ↑

Sun May 01, 2022 10:31 pm

"Thank you, Ide-sama. Of course."

The ronin looks a bit jumpy, even after she's had some tea. Be cool, Hitoko. Just a little bit of business, she reminds herself, absent-mindedly touching the hidden pocket in her pants that holds a data stick.

Forcing a smile, Hitoko says warmly, "It was a pleasant surprise that Ide-sama reached out. I hadn't realized how much of an impression my dance moves had made." She laughs lightly, willing herself to be comfortable.

She smiles, though those who know her would note it is a cooler one than her usual. “Your moves made it clear that you were an agile and inventive competitor. That seemed like just the sort of person I needed.”

Hitoko gives a clenched smile and nods knowingly. "I do have a certain ability to move the way I need to to... get things done," she says, a prideful smirk sneaking part-way onto her face. She takes another sip of tea, calming slightly and then saying softly, "I sense that Ide-sama may have heard that I don't only have moves for dancing games." She lifts her eyebrows lightly, suggesting that as answer to the question of why she was summoned by the Unicorn.

She nods. “Little rumors that flit here and there. I enjoy listening for the tidbits I might find useful. I think we can serve each other well.”

She pulls a small bag from her purse, clinking with coin.
“Someone told me you might have something I could use. And it seems like someone who is continuously competing could use something to help keep them afloat.”

The ronin grins, though there's a cockiness to it. This. This I understand.

"Hai, Ide-sama. We can be helpful to each other. I have been picking up some... interesting little rumors around the city. About... 35 koku worth?" Hitoko says, raising an inquisitive eyebrow as she brings a data stick out of an unseen pocket and places it on the table in front of herself.

She raises an eyebrow back. “I would have to see what kind of information this is first. Wouldn’t want to throw away koku on just…little bits.”

She pulls out a small comm, clearly a burner. “Will this suffice for viewing or should I arrange for a densai to be brought?”

The ronin rolls her eyes just a little. Kami, no trust in this world. I'm a professional, dammit.

"Ahem. Try this, Ide-sama," Hitoko says, fishing a densai from her bag and passing it over with data stick included. "Wouldn't be a proper professional if I wasn't keeping things secure until terms are agreed. You understand," she says with a polite but firm smile.

She smiles. “Glad to see you came prepared. Let’s see this.”

She sets up the densai and inserts the data stick. Clearly not a pro but vaguely familiar. She opens the documents and scans what’s inside. After a few moments, she pushes the sack of koku towards the ronin without looking away from the screen.

“There’s more whether this came from if you find more. We’re very interested buyers.”

Ooc: 30 koku in bag.

Hitoko hefts the bag, giving it a gentle shake, then smiles at the Unicorn.

"Excellent. I'll be happy to keep in touch then." She places the bag into her pack with one hand while holding out the other. Looking back up at Yamako, she says warmly, "Densai's not a free bonus." Her hand remains outstretched as she smiles widely.

-----------
30 koku for 3 info agreed.

She ejects the drive and puts it into a pocket. “Of course, my apologies for my absentmindedness. If you would wipe that information off after you leave, I would appreciate it. Wouldn’t want it falling into other hands.” She said with a raised eyebrow as she stood and handed the densai back.

She gave a shallow bow. “I hope we may be of service to each other again soon.”