Yamako bustled, working to make the conference room more inviting. She suspected Yurei would find anywhere inviting as long as it had snacks but it never hurt to add an extra touch.

With a lovely array of snacks and the drink machine ready to go, she was prepped for the most intriguing of all battlefields: negotiation.

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:38 pm

Snip

Yūrei precisely at the agreed upon time, and after only minimal hassling from the guards at reception. She always finds the Unicorn embassy a bit of an assault on the sense, and with a distressing lack of shadows to hide in.

Dressed neatly in her cleaned tunic she enters into the conference room and bows low until acknowledge. A close observer would see the ronin's eyes latch onto the snacks with a singular intensity.

"Ide-sama."

She returns the bow, honoring the formality of the occasion. Seeing the eye movement, She laughs. “Do not let me get in the way of you and snacks. I know better.

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 15, 2022 10:45 pm

She returns the bow, honoring the formality of the occasion. Seeing the eye movement, She laughs. “Do not let me get in the way of you and snacks. I know better.

"Ide-sama is very kind, especially after I rescheduled."
Pause
"But they look delicious."
It's like there's a blur and suddenly the ronin is sitting at the table with two biscuits in one hand.
"May I pour you some tea?"
Another blur and one of the biscuits performs a vanishing act.

She chuckles again. “Of course. I am eager to see your technique after that display.”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 15, 2022 11:57 pm

She chuckles again. “Of course. I am eager to see your technique after that display.”

With a slight cheek reddening Yūrei pour first for Yamako and then for herself before daintily placing the cup before the Unicorn.
"Just from years of experience nothing too fancy. I uhh, eat..and drink...more often than usual?"
It certainly seems supported by the facts as she leans back happily on a couch doing both nigh simultaneously

“Fear not, I have no intent of critiquing such a useful skill. It would serve you well if you chose to follow a different path.”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 1:14 am

“Fear not, I have no intent of critiquing such a useful skill. It would serve you well if you chose to follow a different path.”

"Of course, I imagine diplomats who can't pour tea never get far. Or perhaps they're the most fearsome of all?"
As if to demonstrate her diplomatic credentials

"I hope you're well?"
Hmmm, and what was something else diplomats say...
"And this weather, it is quite...something?"

Yamako keeps herself from laughing with effort, sipping the tea. “Indeed. One can never know what it shall be from one moment to the next.”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 2:27 am

Yamako keeps herself from laughing with effort, sipping the tea. “Indeed. One can never know what it shall be from one moment to the next.”

"Yes, quite." Sip
Well, no doubt about it, diplomatting was hard.

"Ummm, if I may Ide-sama. I understand that I might be able to assist the Unicorn Clan in some way?"

She smiled at Yurei, proud in an odd way of watching someone try something that was difficult for them. “Yes. We have need of someone with particular skills and I think you may be just the person. But I wanted to meet in person, as it’s a complex matter.”

She sipped her tea. “The compensation would be substantial and could possibly include passage off world if you were interested. But it all comes down to you and your skills.”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 3:52 am

Snip

"Right."
She straightens her back, looking Yamako in the eye.

"Well, you know me, if I may speak a little about my skills?"
Continuing on.
"I'm an extremely proficient operator, you can ask anyone in the field about my track record. My specialty is information recovery, but I've also returned physical goods and in some cases, people. I am confident operating almost anywhere on the World of Dreams from the highest security Scorpion facility to a slum flophouse."
Leaning forward and winking
"Although they can often be one and the same. Oh, and I'm extremely stubborn, so if I say I'll do something I won't stop until it's done."

Yamako steepled her hands together, the laughing smiling courtier gone in a flash. “And what if the mission requires it? Can you hide, sneak and skulk? Can you keep a secret between your teeth? And will I find you selling what I asked for somewhere else?”

She reached out a hand and sipped her tea. “Do not mistake my generosity and open hand for foolishness. Others have made that mistake before.”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:22 am

Yamako steepled her hands together, the laughing smiling courtier gone in a flash. “And what if the mission requires it? Can you hide, sneak and skulk? Can you keep a secret between your teeth? And will I find you selling what I asked for somewhere else?”

She reached out a hand and sipped her tea. “Do not mistake my generosity and open hand for foolishness. Others have made that mistake before.”

Bowing her head
"All of that and more. A ronin has no clan, no family, no power. But I do have my word, and if I give it to you it is like iron."
Turning her palms up.

"Your family is know for its sincerity, and some have told me they consider it weakness. But I have always thought it the greater strength to mean what you say and do what you mean. I would never think you foolish."
Raising her gaze slightly but keeping it respectfully averted.
"I don't do business with foolish people, it is unsafe for me as well."

She looks at Yurei, searching deeply for something.

And then she laughs and slaps the table with delight. “Kami, I knew I liked you! Bold as a Moto! Didn’t move an inch.”

She slides a data pad over to Yurei. “Take a look at that and tell me if we can do business together.”

Outlined on the padd is the intended target and the compensation.

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:33 am

Snip

Smiling slightly Yūrei takes the pad and examines it.
"No lie Ide-sama, I was tempted to flinch. You are most forceful when you wish to be."

She leans back slightly now, eyes on the pad, humming a little to herself, one had unconsciously taking snacks and slowly pushing them into her mouth.

"Hmmm, this is quite interesting."
Munch munch
"Forgive my ignorance, but what is Kuwagata like?"

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:36 am

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:33 am

Snip

Smiling slightly Yūrei takes the pad and examines it.
"No lie Ide-sama, I was tempted to flinch. You are most forceful when you wish to be."

She leans back slightly now, eyes on the pad, humming a little to herself, one had unconsciously taking snacks and slowly pushing them into her mouth.

"Hmmm, this is quite interesting."
Munch munch
"Forgive my ignorance, but what is Kuwagata like?"

She smiled. “Well clearly, my hard work has been paying off. My kin said small kittens were more frightening than me before.”

Yamako snags a snack, feeling a little lighter now. “Plains mostly, it’s a great place for horses. The Moto love it and there are giant riding beetles there that their carapaces have value.”

She chews another piece of the soft cakes before continuing. “My father raises horses there. Quiet work but well regarded by the clan. My mother is a diplomat as well. Depending on your thoughts…it could be a fresh start for you. Or a way to utilize your skills for a broader purpose, depending on your thoughts.”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:44 am

Snip

"I have ridden bikes, but not beetles. I could only hope the Moto there would be understanding of newcomers who know how to fall."
She pauses for a moment and nods at Yamako's suggestion
"mmmmhm."
Is added, before she returns to the target
"I know this place, the security is considerable, but for this price and your generous offer I would consider it."
Looking across at the Unicorn.

"What is your timeframe? Regrettably I am busy for the next couple of days but can then turn my attention to new things."

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:51 am

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:44 am

Snip

"I have ridden bikes, but not beetles. I could only hope the Moto there would be understanding of newcomers who know how to fall."
She pauses for a moment and nods at Yamako's suggestion
"mmmmhm."
Is added, before she returns to the target
"I know this place, the security is considerable, but for this price and your generous offer I would consider it."
Looking across at the Unicorn.

"What is your timeframe? Regrettably I am busy for the next couple of days but can then turn my attention to new things."

“Have no fear, the Moto love nothing so much as a newcomer who wants to learn and loves to eat. I suspect you would do well there.”

She ponders for a moment. “The sooner the better, but I understand other commitments. Perhaps in 3 days?”

Ide Yamako wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 16, 2022 4:58 am

Snip

"Oh yes, Moto cuisine is..."
she prevents any drooling by nibbling on another snack.

"3 days is very workable, I generally perform some basic reconnaissance. Forewarned is forearmed, and I prefer to be both."