RP: Lobbying in the Mantis Lands

[vegandeathmachine]

[OOC: EDIT: Done and closed. Took place shortly before the wedding of Bayushi Senshi and Utaku Haruka]

A young man, a Yoritomo bushi, observes the bustle of foreign courtiers flooding into Kyuden Gotei. He is recently from gempukku, but has already seen action in battle. He wears a daisho, and a well worn pair of kama jut from his obi.

He is near a few younger bushi, on leave from Dojo Raiden. They are drinking sake, laughing, and talking causally.

We get derided as being merchants, not true samurai. But now we see them lined up, to buy our opinion on a trade route. Perhaps I speak out of turn, or the sake is stronger than I recall, but I would rather this business of trade be behind us.

[vegandeathmachine]

(OOC: Buehler? Buehler ...)

[Bayushi Senshi]

(ooc: I'm sorry I just saw this thread. NPC activate!)

Bayushi Rei had spent much time in her youth hopping between the Yoritomo islands, never on a task such as this however. The change in her responsibilities came from the ascension of her first born son to the championship. She had lived in the service of her lord for many years as a shinobi, but was courted and wed to Bayushi Jin, she bore him several sons, Bayushi Jun (now Bayushi Senshi) her only surviving child. But one to be proud of nonetheless.

She, wearing an extravagant kimono and bearing the escort of a pair of female Bayushi Bushi approached the table. "Gentlemen, the discussions near a close, but my son has tasked me to come and offer our thanks for your hospitality to as many Yoritomo as I can find on this night."

She bowed, as did her escort, "Your drinks for the night will be paid for in the name of my son, Bayushi Senshi. Enjoy."

[vegandeathmachine]

[ooc: many thanks, Bayushi Senshi-sama. Mantis lands feel a tad lonely of late].

Akihiko realizes he has been speaking too freely, and with the mother a Champion present at that!

He bows deeply to Bayushi Rei, briefly colors with embarassment,

A thousand pardons! I forgot myself among the rough bushi, and did not consider that more refined ears might be assailed by my coarse comments.

He ascends from the bow,

Yes, I had heard that the lobbying was nearly concluded; but I know not the balance of the matter. I have left that matter to those more skilled than myself; I realize that is an overlong list, but...

He smiles disarmingly,

I remember fondly my youth in Ryoko Owari Toshi; the culture and sophistication is unmatched by anything in Kyuden Gotei. I'm afraid I must refuse your offer; the Mantis' reputation could not stand if we were to be known as miserly hosts. No, I will see to it that your entire delegation is treated with unstinting attention and care.

A messenger loitering nearby is summoned,

Boy, please make sure the entire Scorpion delegation is seen to, however they may see fit.

The messenger runs off, headed towards the court proper

That said, if it is not too presumptuous of me, I would be honored to be a guest when I next return to Scorpion lands?

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Only if you accept my gift of sake will I consider entertaining you in Kyuden Bayushi. And sophistication asside, I would rather be in blunt company while here in Kyuden Gotei. I have spent far too long in the courtier schools and dojos as of late and would rather have the company of men not trying to impress me."

[vegandeathmachine]

(OOC: Will answer Sunday morn; off to a concert.)

[Bayushi Senshi]

(cause I'm eeeeeeeasyyyyy. I'm easy like Sunday mornin. {that was for you Shoju, I know you like your older songs})

[vegandeathmachine]

Akihiko bows,

I fear that by accepting your offer, I would be yet another man attempting to impress you.

I must admit you have me at a disadvantage. If I behave in a coarse fashion, I am attempting to impress you. If I instead behave in a more refined fashion, I am failing to treat my guest with the hospitality she has requested.


A mishcievious smile appears on Akihiko's face, and he bows slightly to Bayushi Sei

That said, Bayushi Sei-sama, would you care to escort me to a 'tea house'? I am assured that they serve no 'tea' weaker than sake, and that the most refined conversation to be found is vulgar cursing about the outcome of Fortunes & Winds. I would imagine we will encounter no refined courtiers or stuffy court ambience.

[OOC: Would that be the original 'Easy', or the Faith No More cover? I couldn't discern which from your typing...]

[Bayushi Senshi]

(easy)

"The name is Rei, and there is no reason to look for hidden truths or any other nonsense. I am no courtier. Enjoy the sake."

She smiled though at the invitation, "Sounds like the kind of place for my escort and I to complete the task presented. We accept."

[vegandeathmachine]

[OOC: Oops on the name gaffe; I'm distracted by the alarming crunchiness of my nose; I'm suspecting banged up cartilage, or perhaps another break. My bad.]

Akihiko bow slightly in apology,

My apologies again, Bayushi Rei-sama. I did not mean to imply an ulterior motive on your part; simply to convey my dilemma as a host.

I suppose I should invite my escort as well? I'm a tad new to the station of daimyo.

He calls over a couple of nearby loitering bushi, selecting those who appear more composed, and hopefully less likely to embarass him.

Congratulations, you have just been promoted to my escort for the evening. We are to partake of the lady's generous offer of sake, and accompany them to 'Osano-wo's Fury' [OOC: the 'tea' house, ie, drinking hall / gambling den].

'Suitably' escorted, Akihiko turns to Bayushi Rei

Shall we be off then?

[OOC: Gotta run; family time.]

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Lead the way, Yoritomo san."

(at your convenience.)

[vegandeathmachine]

(will reply tomorrow; brain too fogged for anything good.)

[vegandeathmachine]

Well then, may our reputations be damned, to Osano-wo's Fury!

The tea house is clearly NOT in a reputable area of Kyuden Gotei, but the presence of a Yoritomo Daimyo and his 'honor guard' of armed and armored Yoritomo rowdies deters any scoundrels from approaching too closely.

Akihiko, having been practicing at Dojo Raiden, is attired in well-worn light armor, with a pair of kama stuck in his obi alongside his daisho. All of his outfit is of superb quality, with no detail overlooked in it's craftsmanship. His honor guard is attired similarly; the quality of their gear is also better than that of the rank and file Mantis bushi; though of course not as refined as their daimyo's.

Upon entering Osano-wo's Fury, the proprietor, a middle-aged man with tough sinew and oft-broken nose of a barroom brawler, bows to the entourage of noble samurai. The crowd is primarily low ranking Mantis bushi, with a few of other clans scattered about, presumably the guard details of other dignataries.

Bayushi-samas, Yoritomo-samas, how may I serve you?


Kogi-san, we require a table, preferably that corner one over there (Akihiko gestures to a corner table, ample in size, that while not secluded, allows some measure of privacy.) , as well as dice, cards, refreshments, and, obviously sake.

Kogi-san shoos the grumbling bushi from the now unoccupied corner table; while they resent it, upon seeing who has claimed it, their grumbling subsides. Kogi escorts the party to the table, wipes is with a mostly clean rag, and calls one of the geisha over:

Umiko, please see to the Bayushi-sama's and Yoritomo-sama's needs. They need cards, dice, refreshments, and our finest sake.

Umiko fetches the desired items, then pours sake for the group. She then begins to play the biwa to entertain.

Akihiko raises his sake cup in toast

To our noble Scorpion cousins!

He smoothly drains his cup, and Umiko summons another geisha to attend to drinks while she continues to play the biwa.

Akihiko holds up cards and dice, and says with a smile:

Shall we play, Bayushi Rei-sama, or would you rather discuss the task you were presented?

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Oh I'm no good at games! But I am more then happy to watch you lot play. Truth be told I am far more interested to just relax, enjoy sake, and good company. I hope I can enjoy the candidness of the mantis as they travel through my lands to the burning sands though. Travel makes me a tad sick in my older age."

[vegandeathmachine]

You need not worry; for professional gamblers you would have check with the Tortoise. I would be more than pleased to teach you Fortunes & Winds, if you would care to learn.

Offers the dice and cup, unless refused.

Seems a bit unkind to have you traveling if it bothers you. I must admit, I am personally hoping for the southern route. Of course, not being a courtier, I will leave that matter to the worthies assembled in the palace.

He takes another sip of sake.

Alas, my curiosity has been piqued. Are you here merely on the business of trade negotiations, or does some other business call you here? No offense intended, but you had requested bluntness...