(D2, EA, Expecting) Ronin Calling

[Dai]

He ponders for a little bit, "Hard to say since I don't know how or what to compare it too. Brutal, dangerous, tough... but I imagine that's the same everywhere for ronin. It has its nice points though - the beaches, the gardens, basically anywhere that doesn't charge a cover...."

[Susumu Sumiko]

There was a chuckle at that.

"Have you never considered or been offered a chance at a better life in the clans? With your talents I'm surprised the Scorpion has offered something."

[Dai]

A soft sigh, "I mean I've definitely thought about it. What ronin doesn't? But it's not likely. Why bring us into the family when they can keep us desperate and starving and have us use those same skills with even more deniability?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

There was a frown at that.

"The Spider have offered stability and fealty to many Ronin here from my understanding. I don't hold a lot of sway within my clan here but if you would like I could recommend you. There may even be a chance to prove yourself. Would such a thing appeal to you?"

[Dai]

There's a somewhat surprised pause. The Spider obviously did not have the best reputation... but it was still vastly superior to the reputation of ronin. It's not like his soul wasn't risked on a weekly basis anyway.

"I...you would do that?"

[Susumu Sumiko]

"Quite a few of those who guard the embassy here are former Ronin Dai-san, given a chance to prove themselves. A chance they grasped with both hands. I can put the word in with my superiors, but it would be up to you to show the worth that I can see in you Dai-san. So the question is..."

Sumiko looked back at the computer, paused on the final part of his video, then back at the man with a serious look.

"Are you willing to grasp the chance with both hands? I will think no less of you if you don't wish to take it, however I think you understand this opportunity isn't going to come around again."

[Dai]

"I guess it depends on what they'd be expecting when it came to the test." She might have picked up on the change in speech patterns now that 'Business Dai' had replaced 'Delvin' Dai', "As we've discussed I'm not muscle. Bravery I have, if for no other reason than I can't afford not to, but I'm no fighter."

He looks to her computer, "But there are other talents we haven't discussed I suppose. If you want a demonstration, and with your permission of course, if you want to lock that down."

[Susumu Sumiko]

"Don't worry, I'm not expecting you to take on a Gakimushi as a trial, we're not the Crab sending people to their deaths and if they survive give fealty" Sumiko said with a laugh "the Spider wants resourceful people, not meat shields. While the Daigotsu has use for those, the Susumu does not."

She looked to her pc, then back to the man.

"You want to do something on a computer? Or does it just require computers to be off?"

[Dai]

"Well it requires the computer to be secured as a basic demonstration. I suppose I could just use it to access other systems but then if my mouth is greater than my skill you would be the one at risk."

[Susumu Sumiko]

Sumiko nodded, closing her computer with a smile on her face.

"Well, I'm the perfect person to judge you on this then, being the studious one in the group we have here. We have some terminals in the embassy that you can use. Come, follow me" she rose and motioned him after her. If he would follow, he would find himself lead through bleak looking walls with very little in the way of art until they found another room - one that looked like a sleeping area, but had some computer terminals in.

"Time to show your skills off Dai-san" Sumiko said, stopping by one of them and looking at him "impress me."

[Dai]

Dai nods, cracks his fingers, and quickly accesses the terminal - sans login or password - leaving little trace of his presence in the login system.

"With time and preparation it can be better and smoother, of course."

(D2, EA: Computer Use/Intelligence, Raise called - cover obvious tracks | 9k4 ⇒ 32 (TN: ?)
Heists are a TN25 for sensitive systems so I'd say that would be a success for a basic terminal

[Susumu Sumiko]

"Hmm...Impressive. You know your way around a computer" Sumiko nodded with a smile "and how to cover your tracks. It was something I learnt very early on too. Now..."

She moved closer, leaning over the man as he sat at the computer and whispering softly in his ear.

"With time and preparation sure, but what about under pressure? Time not on your side. Could you keep calm under pressure, Dai-kun~?"

[Dai]

His previous fluster seems gone though his statement is more simple fact than braggadocio, "I'd have been ghost food last night if not."

[Susumu Sumiko]

There was a grin.

"Good. I think we can come to a deal then."

She stepped back, giving the man some space as she settled back to a normal smile.

"The World of Dreams has a currency beyond koku as I'm sure you know, because information can earn far more than few glimmerstones. From both your video and your demonstration, I think you'd do very well. I'm convinced enough to put your name forward to my superiors, but bureaucracy is slow and information is fast. Perhaps we can come to a deal, Dai-san? Employment here would certainly hasten the process. You'd also get to spend more time with me, which is the best part right?" she winked at him.

[Dai]

Dai raises an eyebrow but acknowledges the last part with a slight grin, "The Scorpion aren't too fond of people snooping around but I won't lie and say it hasn't happened before. But it does mean some proper compensation will be required, not just promises of possible futures, as lovely the lips that speak them may be."

[Susumu Sumiko]

"That."

Sumiko grinned.

"Is the correct answer. Come, let's go back to the common room."

She moved to the pc, hitting a few keys to relock it with a very cute looking moving wallpaper of little spiders on a Carousel, then turned to lead him back to the common room. Giving her a few moments to think as she did so. She motioned the man into the room, and spoke quietly to the guard outside, before moving in and closing the door before moving back to where her plushie spider was sat and sitting down, picking it up and looking at the man. The plushie was looking at him too.

"What I propose is a three tier deal. For secrecy and working with us, we will pay two koku. This is regardless of you succeeding, but you understand that if you fail on your first attempt to gather information it will be a one-time payment. I'll accept I had acted hastily and pay that myself. Should you bring us information, you will receive that two koku for secrecy as well as a minimum of four koku for the information, which will be increased depending how good the information is. While street gossip is wonderful, there are some things you can only find by delving deep into more dangerous locations, and we have a list that I think you would find very useful in your searches. Therefore, for every time you're able to bring us information, you'll receive a minimum of six koku, with a potential to increase that. Quite a good amount I think."

There was a pause, before she continued.

"If you're able to continue showing this, then you'll be further rewarded. If you're able to prove the worth I see in you more than one occasion is correct, I will personally make arrangements for you to be able to become more than just a Ronin. After this winter has finished, I will more than likely be returning to Whispers, the home world of the Susumu to report on the success of the winter here to the daimyo. There is room for another" she winked "for someone who proves themselves."

She then looked to her computer, and motioned to the data stick.

"If you agree to work with us also, I can make arrangements for you to no longer need to find a black market for your Desolation ventures. A safer avenue to sell your stones with no repercussions or risks. I can say I'd personally be interested in any relics you may discover there as well."

She motioned to the man.

"Tell me, do you want to grasp this opportunity with both hands? Money, a market, and a future for you and your future children."

[Dai]

Dai is quiet as he contemplates the offer for the moment - taking in the plushie and the room.

If it was me I'd have a holorecorder in the toy... possibly others or microphones in the room as well.

(Paranoia time:
Investigation/Perception for recording devices = 20 or 22 if Wary would apply)

[Susumu Sumiko]

The plushie looked just like a normal strange spider plushie. Well, maybe not normal, as it wasn't a commonly found plushie on Scorpion worlds. it looked very looked after though. No reporting material in there that he could see, the eyes looked entirely plushie-like and the smile had nothing electronic in it. The room also was a standard common room with nothing out of the ordinary.

Sumiko sat there, smiling at the man. Saying nothing, and letting him think.

[Dai]

Seems clear...

"That... could be amenable. The Scorpion love watching for patterns so repeat transfers is always a dicey game. I hope that will be kept in mind if deliveries of information are fewer but of greater quantity and quality - seeing how the system, as described, better rewards many smaller transactions."

He ponders what equipment and contacts he has on hand, "We would also have better odds of success if the initial outlay is three koku. I'm not trying to nickle and dime, if I was haggling I'd say higher, just thinking ahead."

(D2, EA: Sincerity unskilled - just being honest and not haggling | 3k3 ⇒ 9 (TN: ?))

[Susumu Sumiko]

There was a slight tilt of the head, and a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm....so three koku for initial, and three koku with potential increase for better quality information, Dai-san? A bigger initial payout, and as you say better quality information will increase your payout. The reason I speak of multiples is not so you can go for a lot of repeats, that wouldn't be wise and would quickly get you found out, and I so would miss seeing your show in the future. I offered tiers to make you consider making this a permanent deal, rather than a one off solution. I'm the kind that likes things to not be temporary. I plan for the future, not for the moment."

(ooc:
D2 EA investigation + prodigy vs sincerity. TN9 | 6k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 9))