Still in the lobby, Nishida waited for his next guest. This time it was again in an area that corresponded to his duties: doing business.

He still had his suit on. Nishida thought that the pomp of the lobby was enough to impress his coming guest. The Y4SUK1 bot ran a few routines to test the newly coded lines and occasionally beeped.

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:03 am

Still in the lobby, Nishida waited for his next guest. This time it was again in an area that corresponded to his duties: doing business.

He still had his suit on. Nishida thought that the pomp of the lobby was enough to impress his coming guest. The Y4SUK1 bot ran a few routines to test the newly coded lines and occasionally beeped.

Yūrei enters exactly at the meeting time dressed nondescriptly and makes a show of going to the receptionist and being turned away before casually finding a spot to stand near the Miya.

"Miya-sama, blessings upon you."
She inclines her head respectfully but doesn't launch into a full bow which might draw notice from any watchers.
"And Y4SUK1 bot as well."

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:10 am

Yūrei enters exactly at the meeting time dressed nondescriptly and makes a show of going to the receptionist and being turned away before casually finding a spot to stand near the Miya.

"Miya-sama, blessings upon you."
She inclines her head respectfully but doesn't launch into a full bow which might draw notice from any watchers.
"And Y4SUK1 bot as well."

The robot bowed after being greeted and gave a happy beep. Nishida, on the other hand, noticed Yurei's attitude, but didn't let on, except for raising an eyebrow, because he would still need her for the job.

"Greetings Yurei-san. I hope you had a pleasant morning." he nodded his head slightly. "Did you already have rice? The servants are ready at any time, should you feel like eating or drinking." he offered

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:41 am

The robot bowed after being greeted and gave a happy beep. Nishida, on the other hand, noticed Yurei's attitude, but didn't let on, except for raising an eyebrow, because he would still need her for the job.

"Greetings Yurei-san. I hope you had a pleasant morning." he nodded his head slightly. "Did you already have rice? The servants are ready at any time, should you feel like eating or drinking." he offered

For a moment there's a genuine battle playing across Yūrei's face. But finally, with a tone that suggests she's giving up her firstborn.
"That is very kind but no thank you Miya-sama, I have already been blessed."

The hard choices ronin have to make.
"I am ready to discuss business at your convenience."

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:46 am

For a moment there's a genuine battle playing across Yūrei's face. But finally, with a tone that suggests she's giving up her firstborn.
"That is very kind but no thank you Miya-sama, I have already been blessed."

The hard choices ronin have to make.
"I am ready to discuss business at your convenience."

"Perfect" replied Nsihdia joyfully. "Please follow me"

He led Yurei not far from the lobby to a small conference room, as luxuriously appointed as the lobby, a few cushions lay around a low table on which a pot of tea was ready to be served. It also had a large glass window that showed the city slightly from above.

"Here we have the necessary privacy," Nishida said in a tone that made it seem as if he actually believed it himself.

"Have a seat," he said, pointing to the opposite side of the table and sitting down so that Yurei could see the city behind Nishida.

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:05 am

Snip

She nods and looks around with interest before sitting where she was old, the bright morning sunlight behind Nishida leads her to squint a little.

"May I pour you tea?"

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:11 am

She nods and looks around with interest before sitting where she was old, the bright morning sunlight behind Nishida leads her to squint a little.

"May I pour you tea?"

He nodded and waited until Yurei had served the tea.

He took a small sip, cleared his throat, and began, "Now, you mentioned yesterday that you had a special request."

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:15 am

He nodded and waited until Yurei had served the tea.

He took a small sip, cleared his throat, and began, "Now, you mentioned yesterday that you had a special request."

"Hai. I believe it may be to both our benefit. Miya-sama mentioned that the IRS is seeking information on tax evaders or potential tax evaders. And I am sure that there are many on the World of Dreams. Doubtless everyone from the humble heinin to the largest corporations is hiding tax of some form or another."

Gesturing at the city behind him.
"Such information could be gathered piecemeal, you could obtain data from a corporation here and there, or maybe pursue a notable family. However, there is one group that holds all the information on any tax avoidance."

Leaning forward in her seat as if sharing a secret.
"The Scorpion Clan. If you were to obtain their information then in a stroke you would have extensive records of tax evasion at all levels. It could be immensely valuable."

"You are brave" was his first response. Facilitating information to the clan that owns this world was either suicidal, naive, or incredibly brave.
Other Imperial Samurai would probably have kicked Yurei out immediately. But Nishida had a certain animosity with the Scorpions.

"It's true that the Scorpion's information would be quite valuable." Another sip of tea.

"I am surprised, however, that you would want to venture directly into the Scorpion's nest. My impression of you so far has been that of a survivor, not a daredevil."

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:40 am

Snip

"No masterstroke is achieved without risk, Miya-sama. If it were easy than one of the millions of samurai on this world would already have done it."
Firmly, looking him dead in the eye.

"And I need information from the Scorpion as well. So instead of having to pay me suicidal rates, you get survivor rates. Minimal investment on your part, but maximum rewards."

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:44 am

"No masterstroke is achieved without risk, Miya-sama. If it were easy than one of the millions of samurai on this world would already have done it."
Firmly, looking him dead in the eye.

"And I need information from the Scorpion as well. So instead of having to pay me suicidal rates, you get survivor rates. Minimal investment on your part, but maximum rewards."

Nishida's calculating gaze met Yurei's determined one, for a while there was only silence and staring until he continued:
"I respect that, you have a goal, understand how to align your goal with another's to create the only form of trust: shared goals."

A small smile formed on Nishida's face, "You're not the only one with a bone to pick with the scorpions. What are you asking for in compensation?"

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:55 am

Nishida's calculating gaze met Yurei's determined one, for a while there was only silence and staring until he continued:
"I respect that, you have a goal, understand how to align your goal with another's to create the only form of trust: shared goals."

A small smile formed on Nishida's face, "You're not the only one with a bone to pick with the scorpions. What are you asking for in compensation?"

She bows her head.
"For this I would say...150 koku."
An obvious highball.

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 11:30 am

She bows her head.
"For this I would say...150 koku."
An obvious highball.

He looked intently at Yurei. "Fifty koku and I don't ask questions about what information you want from the Scorpion for you."

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 8:39 pm

He looked intently at Yurei. "Fifty koku and I don't ask questions about what information you want from the Scorpion for you."

The picture of innocence
"125 Koku, Miya-sama. Because, that's well below Scorpion rates, that's nearly Lion rates."

She has got balls.
"You sell yourself high, Yūrei-san, but I think 75 koku and the promise to 'forget' your tax bills for the next few years should be good enough, no?"

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:36 pm

She has got balls.
"You sell yourself high, Yūrei-san, but I think 75 koku and the promise to 'forget' your tax bills for the next few years should be good enough, no?"

"Done."
Yūrei refills his cup.

"I will collect the information shortly, Miya-sama. Once we begin to reap the benefits of this arrangement I hope our relationship will only continue to grow."
Warmly
"You are far better trained in commerce than most Imperial-samurai I have met."

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:44 pm

"Done."
Yūrei refills his cup.

"I will collect the information shortly, Miya-sama. Once we begin to reap the benefits of this arrangement I hope our relationship will only continue to grow."
Warmly
"You are far better trained in commerce than most Imperial-samurai I have met."

"I look forward to deepening our business relationship in the future." he said with a smile, then he accepted the cup and took a sip

"Even in my youth, when I was still a Yasuki, I was told that Daikoku must have blessed me. I think there must be some truth in that, though admittedly my education played a big role."

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 9:59 pm

"I look forward to deepening our business relationship in the future." he said with a smile, then he accepted the cup and took a sip

"Even in my youth, when I was still a Yasuki, I was told that Daikoku must have blessed me. I think there must be some truth in that, though admittedly my education played a big role."

"I can see why you are now a member of the honoured Miya family, such talent does not go to waste."
She's tempted to ask him how his new family is, how he's adapted but perhaps that should be saved until later.

"If I may ask, what do the Yasuki teach about negotiations?"

Yūrei wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:12 pm

"I can see why you are now a member of the honoured Miya family, such talent does not go to waste."
She's tempted to ask him how his new family is, how he's adapted but perhaps that should be saved until later.

"If I may ask, what do the Yasuki teach about negotiations?"

"Too much to explain briefly, but contrary to popular belief, the Yasuki don't teach one to rely only on koku, everyone has something they need, something that usually can't be offset with koku. They also try to meet the needs of their business partners. In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on reliability, once a contract is made, it is honored, anything else would be a breach of family honor," he explained proudly.

He adjusted his glasses.

"So you can be sure that we will fulfill our part of the contract, Yūrei-san."

Miya Nishida wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 07, 2022 7:39 am

Snip

She nods, recalling the stories of what happen to people when they don't fulfill their part of the deal with a Yasuki.

"I have never had any doubt of that. And I mine, the information will be in your hands shortly."
A pause, looking out into the city.

"For the purpose of discretion, might I tell people you have hired me to guide you around parts of the city? It is hardly a fiction."