Yakumo, sitting in one of the nicer conference rooms, glanced over the reports the now-shaking assistant was giving her, having wisened up to her displeasure with him earlier. It seemed her one good decision had been to demand that they call the ronin agent that Sumiko had worked with.

And unlike Sumiko who was used to working on the shoestring-budget low-ranking Spider had to work with, Yakumo was a generous soul when it comes to rewarding good work.

Mostly because she had no idea what money was worth sometimes. And this ronin had done good work. "All right, send him in here. I'll have the tea prepared."

-------

OOC:
Dai's payment (as agreed upon in PMs, and spending approved by Spider)
50 koku for showing up for the job
50 koku for scoring Information
50 koku bonus for scoring 3 or more Info in the Event

Offered as well (Dai's choice on any number of these he accepts):
Writ of travel to either Nightfall or Whispers
1 Daigotsu Iron Industries Aggressor sidearm
1 Kuchiki Forges AlterEgo

Also to for tracking's sake: D11 LE. Tea Ceremony/Void. TN 15 | 5k3 ⇒ 28 (TN: 15) (+1VP to Dai and Yakumo)

As bidden Dai entered the room. He had tried to freshen up in a washroom while the servant was interacting with Yakumo but it was really a futile task given what he had been through.

His cloths were covered in claw marks and even stranger gashes through which some scratches and bruises still showed on his thin form. The missing cloth was likely less offensive than what was present caked as it was in unnatural ichor... especially his right arm that seemed as if it had been marinated in the stuff.

Still, in spite of all that and likely to great surprise, the delvin', hackin', gaki-fightin' ronin was a picture of etiquette in his bow to Yakumo.

"Thank you for your graciousness, Susumu-sama, my apologies as to my state."

(D11, LE: Fluff Etiquette/Awareness | 4k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: ?)

Dai accepts the sidearm and alterego in addition to the koku, he passes on the writ)

The Susumu did blink in surprise at the state the ronin was in. "Goodness," was her first word. Truly, fighting in IT was a much more challenging task than she had been led to believe, if this was the state the ronin was left in.

"I am... so sorry, for what you had to go through to help us tonight," quick glance to densai, "Dai-san. Please, have a seat."

Standing, she gestured for him to join her at the opposite side of a low table. It wasn't the best cushions available, but hopefully a ronin wouldn't notice.

"Would you care for some tea perhaps, before we get down to the business of your reward?"

Dai offers a wan smile, "If it soothes Susumu-sama's conscience my state is from another matter. But with the urgency of the summons I did not have time to..." He shrugs and gestures at himself, "Well 'make myself presentable' is a bit of an understatement I suppose."

He settles, slowly and somewhat stiffly, across from her, "That would be most appreciated."

"Ah, I see. Well, that is good," she nodded thoughtfully. Still she'd ask that useless assistant to get the poor ronin a clean shirt or something. Not like shirts were expensive.

While the diva was casually dressed herself, Yakumo was still a stark contrast in comparison. Clean, tidy, pretty, skin that seemed unbothered by harsh living on the streets. It was almost as soothing to look at her as it was to look at the movements of her gloved hands as they went elegantly through the steps of the traditional tea ceremony.

For a moment it felt like they were in another time and place than a conference room in a busy embassy, on the World of Dreams with all its dangers. It was a rejuvenating moment of peace.

The matcha was served nice and frothy at its conclusion.

"Really, I must express our gratitude for coming to our assistance at such a short notice. I was looking over the report of how well you handled the bothersome issue of that... hacking-attack," her nose wrinkled a bit in distaste. "Likewise, I see in Sumiko-san's notes on your name that you do good work, but I feel like she criminally underpaid you. I mean, dear kami, we're not poor and we're certainly not miserly."

Well, maybe she wasn't. "I'll be compensating you extra today, not only for showing up at short notice and doing such a job well done, but also to cover up for my kin's probably well-meaning attempt at balancing a budget." Yakumo had no idea how to balance a budget either. "Though, I must say, you do good work. Your compensation could contain more than just monetary value, Dai-san, if you are someone looking for a future with a clan."

"I am certain Susumu Sumiko-sama dealt with the best of intentions. But I certainly will not argue with the correction of any... oversights... that may have occurred if you feel they do not properly represent the face and generosity of your clan." He smiles and nods.

At the rest there is a long moment of contemplative silence as he carefully considers what is being offered and how best to answer.

"That... that is an astounding offer, Susumu-sama. Something so many who ride the waves dream of yet never come close to even glimpsing let alone attaining." Another pause is the only sign of the struggle within, "Had you offered this yesterday I would have jumped at the chance likely without a thought. Now... now I feel that my future still lies upon this world. There are tasks that must yet be done here. Wrongs that must be righted and hopes that must be restored. I do not know if binding myself to the duty of another would allow that to occur."

"Mmm," she nodded, seemingly thinking over what he was saying. "Well, it is something to keep in mind at least. I'm told that many of those who work at this embassy were once wavemen like yourself some time ago too, who found their place within the Spider. We tend to not view those of a different background with the same disdain other clans often do."

At least from her time among the Crane, Yakumo knew just how poorly the other clans viewed anyone who wasn't from a perfect background like them.

"Far be it for me to dissuade someone from what they feel is their calling," Yakumo's lips quirked into a knowing smirk at that. Reaching over to her densai and some data-sticks, the kind used to store digital currencies. Judging by their make, they seemed to be the kind that had been scrubbed of anything that could trace their origin, which included any fabricator-markings.

"I believe you'll find this to be most satisfactory payment, Dai-san. You may confirm them for yourself here and now, so you know I'm not pulling a fast one on you." Three sticks in total. 50 koku stored on each, with no trace of their origin.

"If you are interested in keeping a friendly working relation with the embassy here, without any strings attached, I could offer you some tools for the jobs you might be... commissioned for?"

"It is something I will keep in mind, Susumu-sama, and I do wish to make it clear I understand the weight and importance of what was offered and am most grateful for it."

Dai tucks the datasticks away unchecked, "I have faith in your word and your deed until proven otherwise." He offers a grin, "Besides, we've seen what I can do in your systems. If I felt intentionally cheated I would have ways of insuring restitution."

Nor would you be offering extras if you intended to stiff me on the basics.

"So far I have found much benefit in good relations with the Spider and our cooperation together. I would certainly not be opposed to seeing that relation grow further."

"Quite so," she said with a small laugh as she seemed mostly untroubled by the idea of such a prospect. IT was magic anyway to her. And it wasn't going to be her problem if it did happen.

After taking another sip of her tea, Yakumo opened up a drawer on the low table, taking out two closed boxes. One was clearly a box intended for a radiant firearm, of the sidearm-variety. The other one was probably more of a mystery, but someone who made hacking a part of their life would probably recognize an AlterEgo device (once the box was opened).

Gloved hands slid them across the table. "I like the sound of that, Dai-san. You're someone blessed with Knowledge to not be fooled by what others say about us, and have learned for yourself that we can be quite friendly and helpful. Knowledge and Insight are virtues we place highly, and reward as well. These two, well, I won't ask what else you use them for, but I'm sure you'll find use for them when the Spider seek you out in the future. Feel free to take a look."

This time Dai does examine the boxes. Not out of any doubt but simply as they were not models he had a chance to have his hands on before.

Though his current sidearm served him well... so very well apparently... it never hurt to have a backup. The alterego, in turn, was something he had always drooled over but could never justify the cost.

"A very strong start to a relationship indeed."

"We take good care of our friends."

Without having checked the total amount of koku, it was clear that this Spider was much more the generous type. Or just had no clue what to do with money. She took another sip of tea. "So what is this destiny that binds you to World of Dreams, if I may ask, Dai-san?"

"Souls, spirits, and lives thought lost."

He shake his head a little, "Sorry, not trying to be cryptic. I used to make most of my living in the Desolation. An expedition, which your Susumu Sumiko-sama was part of, managed to recover samples long thought lost in the destruction of extinct species. It seems the hungry dead do not enjoy us trying to return those lost back to live again." He gestures at the mess, "My state the result of one such encounter. But there were labs, and likely other samples, we could not retrieve on the first trip... and which will likely take many more. Nor are they the only lost souls being misused that may yet find peace."

Yakumo looked at him with a different kind of interest now, violet eyes studying him carefully. "Wh... what do you mean 'returning those lost back to live again'? I'm no priest, but... I don't know, isn't that kind of," she didn't say the word blasphemy, but its presence was felt in the room.

"I have heard of the true nature of these glimmerstones though, so I'm not completely unaware of what you speak of."

"Oh... ah... nothing like that. I mean the work that the sanctuary is doing to return and reestablish extinct animals. Not individual souls or bodies but species... if simple ones."

"Ahh..." she seemed visibly relieved at that clarification.

"Well, that's good work yes." An approving nod, especially now that she didn't think they were trying to do some sort of heretical and highly illegal experiment to resurrect the dead. "But yes, you're right that the hungry dead are a pest and a problem here," Yakumo huffed, "but maybe that will change soon. Hopefully."

Dai nods, "I don't know if it will be within our lifetime... but it is something I'll keep working towards. Most did not deserve the fate they have. They weren't trapped due to sin or vice but just the nature of the explosion. They deserve the chance to reenter the cycle and have their proper judgment."

"Absolutely. I am very much agreed with that, Dai-san. It's... unnatural to keep people from their natural path in the kharmic cycle." Like the Traitor's Grove also did.

Scorpion did seem to have a fondness for light heresy, it seemed.

"I hope your continued work here will bring some peace to those poor souls. It doesn't seem like many others are willing to take on that kind of task"

He considers that quietly for a moment, "I suppose in a sense there is some kinship there with those of us born on the waves. The sense of a destiny and duty denied... even if I suppose most would argue that we deserve our fate."

"Maybe some do, but not all. Maybe some did, and then redeemed themselves." That was about as philosophical she could get on the topic. Ronin weren't a regular sight in Spider territories, and certainly not on Isora's Rest. "It's not really for me to judge someone on their past lives, only the life they lead now. And you seem to try to be just and good, Dai-san, from what I can tell. I hope that leads you to better days ahead."

He nods, "I mean I'm no saint but I guess I try to do the right thing when I can tell what that is... not always easy on this planet. Hopefully I've made the right call about where I'm supposed to be."