(D8 EE) It's too hot for Tea

[Miya Nishida]

Even a stubborn man like Nishida admitted that it was much too hot to sit in the heat and drink tea during the day. He therefore reluctantly postponed his visit to the garden until early evening, hoping to enjoy his tea in the milder evening heat. This would also give Hato a little more time to gather the information Nishida had requested....

[Hato]

Even a stubborn man like Nishida admitted that it was much too hot to sit in the heat and drink tea during the day. He therefore reluctantly postponed his visit to the garden until early evening, hoping to enjoy his tea in the milder evening heat. This would also give Hato a little more time to gather the information Nishida had requested....

Fortunately, a ronin's time, though short, was often very flexible. Hato had received the update from the Miya before she had committed herself otherwise. She had completed her work for the day, and was looking forward to having tea once again iwth the Miya. The ancient tradition of the tea ceremony was not one that she could enjoy often in her current life. So she was more than happy to relish the experience.

Hato bowed deeply to the Miya after making sure his guards were completely aware of her presence.

"Lord Chrysanthemum, this one is honored to be in your august presence yet again." she offered politely.

[Miya Nishida]

Fortunately, a ronin's time, though short, was often very flexible. Hato had received the update from the Miya before she had committed herself otherwise. She had completed her work for the day, and was looking forward to having tea once again iwth the Miya. The ancient tradition of the tea ceremony was not one that she could enjoy often in her current life. So she was more than happy to relish the experience.

Hato bowed deeply to the Miya after making sure his guards were completely aware of her presence.

"Lord Chrysanthemum, this one is honored to be in your august presence yet again." she offered politely.

"Ahh Hato-san, I hope the sun was kind to you today," replied the Imperial Samurai showing the first signs of sunburn on his face, "It seems the planet wants to cook all the Samurai on this planet alive, and I thought the last time that happened was in 1487 on Old Rokugan," he quipped about the old execution method.

He pointed to the pillow next to him, between which again lay the tea set.

"Why don't you take a seat?"

[Hato]

"Ahh Hato-san, I hope the sun was kind to you today," replied the Imperial Samurai showing the first signs of sunburn on his face, "It seems the planet wants to cook all the Samurai on this planet alive, and I thought the last time that happened was in 1487 on Old Rokugan," he quipped about the old execution method.

He pointed to the pillow next to him, between which again lay the tea set.

"Why don't you take a seat?"

It was a....slightly sinister greeting very similar to a certain smiling Scorpion magistrate, even if Hato possibly didn't catch the full reference. She hoped that the sunburn had put the Imperial in mind of killing ronin for minor offenses.

Still, arguably the best response to such an invitation was swift obedience. The argument being between that, running away, or offering a bribe.

Fortunately, swift obedience seemed to be winning the day today.

Hato took the cushion.

"Truly, Lord Chrysanthemum. It is said that a samurai must be a master of Winter and Summer. Being a master of both at the exact same time does provide both unique opportunities and challenges." she offered.

[Miya Nishida]

It Does, It Does. Back on the Green Carp, it was the hot humidity that could bring you to your knees. There was never any talk of winter there, but that's a thing of the past."

He fanned himself a little, "I see you are also still in one piece, would you care to tell me what you have learned?"

[Hato]

Hato produced a data chip, and slid it across the table to Nishida.

"There is the research of the individual you had an interest in Lord Chrysanthemum." Hato offered politely.

(Info sent via PM)

[Miya Nishida]

"Very good, very good" he replied. "You are quite capable Hato-san, that earns my respect." he said nonchalantly and began to put on his tea.

D8 EE Tea ceremnoy 2 / Void 3 | 5k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: 15) +1vp for Hato & Nishida

The tea he put on today was a bit spicier than usual, something that would probably be served more in the Manits clan. Nishida thought that this would suit the weather and the extra spiciness would help a little with the weather.

"As promised, you will receive the rest of your prize".

Once again a bag of 7 koku was handed from Akechi to Hato, "But if you want to stay a little longer than just drinking tea, I have an offer for you."

[Hato]

"Very good, very good" he replied. "You are quite capable Hato-san, that earns my respect." he said nonchalantly and began to put on his tea.

D8 EE Tea ceremnoy 2 / Void 3 | 5k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: 15) +1vp for Hato & Nishida

The tea he put on today was a bit spicier than usual, something that would probably be served more in the Manits clan. Nishida thought that this would suit the weather and the extra spiciness would help a little with the weather.

"As promised, you will receive the rest of your prize".

Once again a bag of 7 koku was handed from Akechi to Hato, "But if you want to stay a little longer than just drinking tea, I have an offer for you."

"This one would be most honored to drink Lord Chrysanthemum's most excellent tea and entertain his most excellent words. " she offered, letting her guard down a little bit as the money was produced.

[Miya Nishida]

"You're welcome, you're welcome" he handed Hato a cup and took one for himself, "Let me make a claim yes? You said you have a lot of work right now? So much, in fact, that you consider a mission from an Imperial Samurai a 'sideline'? I would make the assumption that you are working on something very lucrative, am I correct in my assumption?" he asked and took the first sip of tea.

[Hato]

"You're welcome, you're welcome" he handed Hato a cup and took one for himself, "Let me make a claim yes? You said you have a lot of work right now? So much, in fact, that you consider a mission from an Imperial Samurai a 'sideline'? I would make the assumption that you are working on something very lucrative, am I correct in my assumption?" he asked and took the first sip of tea.

And back up the guard went.

"Lord Chrysanthemum is very shrewd." she commented. "This one apologies if this one has not given proper deference to Lord Chrysanthemum's requests. This one gives their effort to that which is assigned to them, as a Dutiful samurai should. But while a single meeting with a member of the Imperial families does hold more significance than a year of toil would to one's soul, this one finds it best to measure things in actual units of time, and not let the flowery language of the courts overpromise what this one cannot deliver."

[Miya Nishida]

"Well, hypothetically speaking, let's say another clan hired you to do something for them. Something that you probably intend to accomplish with your abilities." he put on a wolfish grin "And let's say, hypothetically, that I could offer you something better? More koku? Or maybe there's something else your heart desires?"

Using Yasuki R1 against Hato: D8 EE Yasuki R1 - Commerce 3/ Perception 3, Daikokus Blessing +1k1, 1FR from Yasuki R1 | 7k4+5 ⇒ 38 (TN: ?)

[Hato]

Awa/Etiquette to resist: 21

Hato sighed a bit.

"This one wishes for many things Lord Chrysanthemum, and when combined with the authority of the Chrysanthemum one could easily allow themselves to dream. Protection from one's enemies, say, or passage on a ship hurtling so far away from them, even the protection of a mon that could shield them from retribution."

She inhaled the scent of the tea.

"But much like the steam from a cup of tea, it is but a pleasant, temporary experience. One cannot wrap their hands around it no matter how tightly they clench their fist."

She shook her head.

"This one's honor may be torn into pieces so tiny Lord Chrysanthemum could feed them to his prized koi, but the price of them is not measured in a handful of more koku." she said.

[Miya Nishida]

He sat back with a heavy sigh "For a world of business, surprisingly few samurai here have any business sense." He enjoyed the slow sunset and took a sip of tea, "At least you've kept your loyalty, that's a big plus somewhere too I suppose."

[Hato]

He sat back with a heavy sigh "For a world of business, surprisingly few samurai here have any business sense." He enjoyed the slow sunset and took a sip of tea, "At least you've kept your loyalty, that's a big plus somewhere too I suppose."

"Lord Chrysanthemum is correct. But few can balance business sense with bushido. A great deal of bloodshed could be prevented if things were only considered as far as their economic impact goes. Then again, Loyalty has value that is best beyond koku, this one feels. Lord Chrysanthemum could find themselves most distressed if Lord Chrysanthemum's guards' loyalty were for sale." she said. "But fortunately, they are not."

She reached into her pocket producing another data chip.

"Honesty pairs well with Loyalty this one finds." she said sliding the chip across to the Miya. "You had questions about a place as well. The start o the answers are there."

(PM Sent)

[Miya Nishida]

"You're pretty sassy for a ronin" he returned. He gratefully accepted the second data disk, "But I guess your reliability means you can afford it."

He leaned back, "Too bad you won't change your mind though," he shook his head slightly, "I do have one question: What are you going to do with the money? Leave here? Don't you have a family here?"

[Hato]

"You're pretty sassy for a ronin" he returned. He gratefully accepted the second data disk, "But I guess your reliability means you can afford it."

He leaned back, "Too bad you won't change your mind though," he shook his head slightly, "I do have one question: What are you going to do with the money? Leave here? Don't you have a family here?"

Hato tilted her head at that.

"This one hopes that Lord Chrysanthemum will not find it too sassy if this one points out that that is two questions. As to the former, 'the wave returns to the ocean and only the ocean remains.' she offered.

She paused a moment, considering the tea cup.

"As to the latter this one must express genuine confusion. This one is unsure how Lord Chrysanthemum came to the conclusion this one had family here. When this wave crashed upon the beach, any such persons were left beneath the ocean's surface, crushed by the rock that sent forth this wave."

[Miya Nishida]

"Well you wouldn't be the first ronin born in the waves" and not the last to die in them either, he thought to himself, "It's just that I'm wondering what your big goal is? The amount of money you make has to serve some purpose, doesn't it?"

[Hato]

"Well you wouldn't be the first ronin born in the waves" and not the last to die in them either, he thought to himself, "It's just that I'm wondering what your big goal is? The amount of money you make has to serve some purpose, doesn't it?"

"Does it, Lord Chrysanthemum? One could always shave one's head and join the brotherhood. Receive their two bowls of rice a day, and a small futon in a cell to meditate upon the universe." she pointed out.

She shook her head.

"But that is not the life this one has chosen. If this one could raise enough funds, this one would found their own mercenary band. A small group of wolves who could take care of each other since none will care for us. That is a dream that takes a great deal of koku now and in the future. We would, of course, need the patronage of some faction lest we be branded bandits." she explained.

[Miya Nishida]

"Ahh I see" he said and took a sip, "I didn't know you had the bite to lead, Hato-san. You surprise me once again."

He looked at the young ronin in front of him. He tried to put himself in her shoes, with no real success. The thought of not having a lord was too abstract for him.

"And what if this doesn't work out? With the money, surely you could settle on another world? Maybe you could even acquire a piece of land from an minor clan and swear allegiance to them? Wouldn't that be better? A clan behind you and lands to manage?"

[Hato]

"Ahh I see" he said and took a sip, "I didn't know you had the bite to lead, Hato-san. You surprise me once again."

He looked at the young ronin in front of him. He tried to put himself in her shoes, with no real success. The thought of not having a lord was too abstract for him.

"And what if this doesn't work out? With the money, surely you could settle on another world? Maybe you could even acquire a piece of land from an minor clan and swear allegiance to them? Wouldn't that be better? A clan behind you and lands to manage?"

Hato frowned a bit at the thought. It was simply too dangerous.

"A wave, by it's nature, cannot remain in one place overly long, Lord Chrysanthemum. Is it truly better to be a shallow pond than a wave? The wave is ever-changing, ever refreshing. One may harness the power of the waves, but no one can truly own the waves, only the ocean." she remarked. "The pond, however, has no such protection. It can be owned, polluted, drained away until there is nothing left but dust. Those who hunt for waves may find them but never catch them, not so for those who hunt for ponds."

Hato studied the complexity of the Imperial before her. Which of his aspects would respond to such a statement?