Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 25, 2014 17:52:55 GMT
It took a grin from Bayushi Komiya, as from the other Scorpions in the room.
Who could deny it?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 25, 2014 18:51:30 GMT
"What I mean is, you scorpion will adapt," Rokuro said, "you always do. But others might not adapt that easy, giving those who can a certain advantage. But of course we understand that, should you support the Mantis' location for a winter court, you would want our support in some of your ventures."
Time to get the real negotiations started, he thought.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 25, 2014 19:55:10 GMT
Komiya didn't flinch. Case is, my dear Mantis, we aren't sure we like the idea. In fact, the relation between our clans kind has been ...cold in the last years. We are truly open to change this, forget and let any perceived offenses in the past, and have the cooperation with your clan fully recovered. Now, we aren't so sure the Mantis need us, want us, or wish the same as us. I am not sure what I can say to my Champion and advisors as to convince it is, in many ways, a safe route.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 26, 2014 7:04:01 GMT
"While I'm sure we have our differences, we are also in many ways alike," Rokuro said, "we are both clans who have duties which are sometimes misunderstood by the rest of Rokugan. As to convince you, I'm sure you know we Mantis have brought forth a candidate as Imperial consort, namely the first son of the Moshi Daimyo. He comes from a traditional, but matriarchal family. However, we are aware that as a young and small clan, they only chance we have is as a compromise candidate, so we are willing to support the Scorpion in their choice."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 26, 2014 15:32:39 GMT
The audacity...!
Oh, dear Rokuro-san, we don't wish to simply offer the Empress a token candidate. Shosuro Sezaru-sama advised us about the preferences of his sister. Our clan is more than willing to give her whatever consort she'd like, but she shall name him by herself, if it's her intention. We wouldn't suggest anyone she may consider too low and beneath the honor of sharing her glorious company. the Bayushi beatifically replied.
Oh yes, that's not what we want from you, Mantis. Show us what you got.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 26, 2014 21:08:39 GMT
Right, and if I don't believe that, you'll tell me another story.
"I'm quite sure that the great clans will have some say in it," Rokuro said, "even if it's only which clan. That our Empress, may she live forever, can choose who she wants from that clan can be true, but the clan itself will be decided by others, if only to keep some balance in the Empire. It's always been like that during the Hantei dynasty and I don't think the Otomo are going to allow a change in that tradition."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 26, 2014 21:34:42 GMT
Komyia's eyes narrowed in amusement, the rest of his face behind his fan.
Well, if the Otomo have their say in what the Empress Toturi II will do, it's another entirely different thing. We live under a new dynasty which have a peculiar modus operandi, quite dissimilar to Hantei dynasty, Rokuro-san.
The Scorpion hasn’t a name to propose, that's all. Other Great clans do, though. She can choose amongst them, or choose from a Minor Clan… Or choose your Moshi mysterious suitor. You talk about tradition but MantisClan's existence as Great Clan is only possible because someone, someday, dared to defy tradition. Don't you think Toturi II, may she live forever, is such the visionary and enlightened personage?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 28, 2014 9:25:16 GMT
"Well, there might be something else then," Rokuro said. He wasn't pleased his first ploy had failed, but such was diplomacy. Luckily he had more arrows in his quiver. "I've come to understand that not too recently the scorpion have entered an agreement with the Dragon to supply rice and other food stuffs in exchange for dragon ores. If you're going to transport this overland it will take a long time and cost a lot in tolls to both Crane and Lion. We can transport them far easier and cheaper by sea and river and a kobune can load more than a wagon, especially when we're talking about heavy metals."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 28, 2014 12:00:27 GMT
But, Rokuro-san… We understand that Mantis is having… how can I say? Hard time dealing with theft, smuggling and piracy in their by river enterprises. At least is what Crane has been claiming to the authorities, as you may already know. If you aren't able to deliver our goods to Dragon and theirs to us, for any reason, will there be a clause compromising the Mantis to pay our losses?
So many possibilities…
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 29, 2014 7:53:40 GMT
"I've heard those rumours as well," Rokuro said, "and while piracy has been a problem in the Mantis clan before, no Mantis will attack another Mantis vessel. But we understand your concerns and we have taken some measures. We have placed extra samourai on our ships traveling on the river as protection and the Clan Champion himself is looking into the matter. I assume investigators will be dispatched soon to look into this, as it is a slander on the honour of the Mantis, whether the rumour turns out to be true or false."
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 29, 2014 11:37:12 GMT
Komiya let slip an indignant huff.
So, "and while piracy has been a problem in the Mantis clan before, no Mantis will attack another Mantis vessel"? Forgive me, Rokuro-san, but your words as Mantis diplomat sound more like proof of lenience towards such criminal activity. Is it the Mantis official position about the matter? Will the Empire become hostage of such activities, promoted by Mantis internal politics?
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 29, 2014 12:23:41 GMT
"I was referring to official history, Bayushi-san," Rokuro said icely, "back when the Mantis was a minor clan it has happened. It is documented and the Mantis have admitted this, although it always has been a minority of the clan. But since we have become a great clan, every Mantis captain who was found to indulge in such activities has been stripped of rank, executed or, if he had run away, kicked out of the clan, made ronin and refused entry in our ports. Our duty is to guard the empire's borders where they are oceans and we take those duties very serious, just as every clan does with their own duties. I have heard that there is a problem with pirate activity and that there are rumours of Mantis involvement. Those rumours will be investigated and if there is indeed Mantis involvement, the perpetrators will be severely punished. In the meantime to honour our commitments to those who have contracted Mantis vessels to move their cargos, we have taken measures to avoid loss of said cargos by placing extra soldiers on our vessels. Measures all current customers have agreed are sufficient."
Lucky for the scorpion he wasn't a Crab, or he would have planted a Tetsubo in Komiya's face for that remark. But Rokuro understood Komiya was just trying to bait him. This of course didn't meant that as soon as he was back in the embassy, he would do an emergency dispatch to the Champion. Apparently these rumours were starting to get out of hand and needed to be investigated immediately. Maybe he could ask Kasumi to check things out.
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 29, 2014 13:07:58 GMT
Komiya closed his eyes briefly. Of course, Mantis-san. Though, while the security measures Mantis has to offer aren't like we, not your current customers, think they must be, and in face of the crescent problems reported in the rivers where Mantis is majority, we probably will not change our plans about who will deliver our cargos. If you can't accept our... whims, as you may wish to call our demands, we probably should leave Scorpion business out of Mantis ships for now. The man could maybe call a duel for Komiya's statements, although the official reports didn't lie.
About the Winter Court, however... We'd like to come into an agreement, we can be generous in our support and even make sure nobody in the Empire will even think Kyuden Gotei will face the security problems Kyuden Meyo suffered. We have shugenja that are specialists in arts your shugenja are not, such as wards, among other things. We, as Underhand of the Empress can assure security consultants checked and approved Kyuden Gotei's security. Sezaru-sama may even take charge of a delegation able to assure the Empress the Island is the most secure place in the Empire, working together with Mantis shugenja and your champion's chosen in such task. Scorpion know how to be generous... but we of course need guarantees our full support will be reciprocated.
You, coming from a clan of skilled merchants, know it more than well.
Of course, in the moment the Mantis refused Scorpion's help, the negotiation was over.
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Post by tsuruchi kasumi on Sept 29, 2014 16:42:47 GMT
"I'll have to ask the ambassador, as it goes beyond my negotiation space," Rokuro said, "although I can give him a positive advice, it will be his decision. I'm quite sure there will be one condition I'm sure you won't object to: we will want your assistance to be discreet. I will talk to the ambassador and I'll send one of my yojimbo with a message as soon as matters are agreed. Would that be acceptable for you?"
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Sept 29, 2014 17:16:04 GMT
We don't have interest in making Mantis to lose face, Rokuro-san. That's something that only the involved, and the Empress, need to know.
Komiya seemed perfectly understanding of Rokuro's response.
But please, I'd love to receive you and some Mantis of your choice to a dinner. We surely can extend our alliance to other political issues which have been recently outlined in the Empire's horizon. Are you available for such an informal meeting in the next evening?
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