Father Long-Legs Knows Best? (D5, LM) [Closed]

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Not as such yet, but..." she sighed, "I consider the actress Shosuro Hashinako a friend, and I know she's had a very bad run with some overzealous fans. Let's say I am more being cautious ahead of time to prevent any such thing from happening in the first place."

Especially since she wasn't here with her usual Imperial goon-squad that saw to security at her concerts.

"I'm sure he'll make a fuss over it, but it's not like it will hurt the Scorpion politically if they deny just that one creep."

[Susumu Yuji]

"No. But it's prudent to be safe than sorry." He set the cup on the table. Relaxing his posture, and just watching the idol. The Deceiver was... surprised... at how he wished he could command the resources to have armed Daigotsu bushi to keep her safe.

Yuji looked away slightly, trying to remember himself. Clearing his throat slightly. "But my presence and support at the concert? You'll have it, Yakuma-hime, without question." The smile slipped back onto his features.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Mm, agreed," she nodded, "I'll have a word with the owners of the club. I'm sure they'll be accomodating, probably out of fear that I'll back out now. They're standing to make a neat profit off of this, and well... one angry Crab doesn't make a difference to that, as they'll probably just give him some empty apology afterwards for his inconvenience."

Status and alliances were nice, but money was the true power in the galaxy most of the time.

"And thank you! I hope to make it a truly memorable show for you, perhaps you'll find a new favorite song there. But! How have you been doing? How are our efforts moving along for the season so far?" She was eager to be of help, bless her (frail) heart.

[Susumu Yuji]

"Mm, agreed," she nodded, "I'll have a word with the owners of the club. I'm sure they'll be accomodating, probably out of fear that I'll back out now. They're standing to make a neat profit off of this, and well... one angry Crab doesn't make a difference to that, as they'll probably just give him some empty apology afterwards for his inconvenience."

Status and alliances were nice, but money was the true power in the galaxy most of the time.

"And thank you! I hope to make it a truly memorable show for you, perhaps you'll find a new favorite song there. But! How have you been doing? How are our efforts moving along for the season so far?" She was eager to be of help, bless her (frail) heart.

"Well, we are glad to have all season. These things aren't anything that can be rushed along, or be over and done with only one meeting. I feel things are moving swimmingly, though. Our efforts should be rewarded, and hopefully, we come away with stronger ties than we entered." He smiled to Yakumo, nodding along.

"There's still much work to do. And it will require all of our efforts. I'm feeling... good, yes, good... about our dealings with the Mantis, however."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Mm, yeah... I know the Mantis representative, Yoritomo Seika. She was on New Kalani at the start of the year same time as me." She held back her urge to grimace, but some of it still slipped out. "I don't think she likes us, or the alliance a whole lot."

"One of ours ruined her Musha Shugyo by outing her, and in the end her friend Moshi Wakana ended up married into the Spider. As part of the final push to formalize the Spider's alliances. Seika was very vocal and against the marriage."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Mm, yeah... I know the Mantis representative, Yoritomo Seika. She was on New Kalani at the start of the year same time as me." She held back her urge to grimace, but some of it still slipped out. "I don't think she likes us, or the alliance a whole lot."

"One of ours ruined her Musha Shugyo by outing her, and in the end her friend Moshi Wakana ended up married into the Spider. As part of the final push to formalize the Spider's alliances. Seika was very vocal and against the marriage."

Yuji tsked at that. "Wish that had arrived in the brief prior to my meeting with her." He wondered what kind of chicanery thought that was a good idea. "But still, she has a good head on her shoulders from our talk. Speaks plainly and on the level, and I extended her the same courtesy. It's when things are strained that makes my job more difficult, but that is the task." Shaking his head, he sat up taller.

"Having known her prior, would extending an apology for one of ours outing here be worthwhile?"

[Susumu Yakumo]

"I will accept fault for that," she offered with a bow of her head. "I didn't know she was here until the Oshidama games, and I foolishly didn't think of it until now."

Yakumo did think about it for a good while. "Maybe? But I think she'd only appriciate it if it was a sincere apology... in fact, I think she might be more amenable to it if we could get some word from home on how the former Moshi Wakana, now Daigotsu Wakana, is faring? Knowing her friend is doing well might be helpful for her?"

[Susumu Yuji]

He smiled at that. "Yakumo-hime. When I offer an apology, it is always sincere. But you are one hundred percent correct." He tapped a long finger against his lips. "I'll have to see if we can get word quickly from the Embassy. Checking in." He nodded.

"Not a condition I would have thought of considering. Truly. You're insights are a blessing to us here."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"I am only happy to be of service, Yuji-sama. Maneuvering the courts like this is still something I am getting used to, as it was only secondary in my training, though our lords seem to believe I am suited for it," she said with a bow. And many of the Spider courtiers thought she was still too much Crane-like in her thinking and way of doing things.

"Do feel free to call on me whenever needed, of course. After the concert tomorrow, I imagine I will have much more time available to do what is needed of me - even if it's just more attempts at performing a tea ceremony."

[Susumu Yuji]

Yuji was not of that mindset. Perhaps due to his time on the World of Dreams, or maybe just something in that hallowed (desecrated?) blood of Susumu running through his veins, the latest scion of that Dark Lord.

"Please. You don't have to call me -sama, Yakumo-hime. I would hope that after all is said and done, I could be so lucky to consider you a friend." His voice was soft, yet warm, his eyes remaining on hers.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"A friend, hm?" she smirked, a small glint in her eyes as she did. "I like the sound of that, Yuji-san. There's no need to be strangers to one another when we'll be working alongside eachother this winter court season, mhm?"

"Do let me know when I should come over for a visit sometime, yes? I do want to give your darling daughter a gift, as you said she is a fan."

[Susumu Yuji]

"I didn't want to presume before the end of everything. But knowing that you like the sound of that? It makes me glad." He bowed his head slightly, then looking back to her, his smile bright.

"Absolutely. A few days from now, when we all have less on our plates. To host you at our home, just something casual. A chance to unwind." He nodded.

"Ichiko... she'll be ecstatic. Though I may strive to keep your visit as a surprise for her."

[Susumu Yakumo]

"You're a father, I'm sure you'll think of a way," she chuckled, imagening that Yuji was a doting father. He very much sold that impression.

"Thank you so much for coming over though, I really did appriciate it, especially given the short notice."

[Susumu Yuji]

"I am at your service, Yakumo-hime." He nodded, before standing. "Anytime you need me, please do not hesitate. Thank you for having me, and for the tea. I look forward to the next time."

And with that, the Deceiver took his leave.

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo of course was a good host and showed Yuji to the door, bowing respectfully to him. "As do I, Yuji-san. Fortunes keep you safe until then."

Sadly, Yakumo would learn later that day that there was something much more nefarious about the Lord Magistrate than merely him wanting to bed her.

/scene (thank you <3 )