D7LE, Searching for a Certain Kind of Someone (Sneaky)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:10 pm

Seitouna sips at his tea again.

"One might wonder about the currents driven by such storms, however, and the debris the winds cast into the Ningyo's waters. Even the depths would be affected by such, as they would by anglers using tighter nets with heavy weights upon them."

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:55 pm

"Very true. It is a good thing to wonder, but not, perhaps, something the sailor worries about. It is not the sailor's place. And, the Ningyo remember well being hunted, including by those who posed as friends."

He has not yet touched his tea. You can feel his attention on you, but he's not tense or staring.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:01 pm

"Ah."

Seitouna settles back slightly.

"Certainly understandable. And it invites the question of how someone might befriend the Ningyo as the stories say the first Shiba did. 'Any port in a storm' is not as good an adage for those who have been in hostile harbors."

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:12 pm

"Do you take the time to befriend the warbler as it swoops above your head? I'd imagine it is much the same for the Ningyo. The sailor might find himself in her waters, but the boat is unlikely to drop anchor, so any friendship is necessarily short lived."

There is a slight shrug of his shoulders. "So why make friends at all?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:16 pm

"For the company, and because it might well be the case that a boat will drop anchor, were there cause to do so. Many sailors find ports other than those from which they set out congenial and end their voyages therein."

A reply shrug.

"But that might be a thing towards which a sailor could set a longer course. For now, perhaps, it might be enough to stroll the nearby docks and see what other ships have brought into port."

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:02 am

The man finally takes a sip of tea.

"Enough of that talk. Let us play a game: a man goes to a merchant and asks to buy something valuable, but he knows not what. The merchant offers him three boxes, each with a different thing inside, but the man cannot look in the boxes first. He may simply ask three questions."

He pauses for effect.

"What three questions should he ask?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:57 pm

Seitouna considers the question.

"Such a man might ask what the merchant finds to be of value, as not all men measure by the same standards. And such a man might ask, as well, if what is in each box is of equal value, or close enough as makes no matter. Such a man might also ask which thing the merchant himself would pick."

Of course, Seitouna's player is insufficiently caffeinated to know if this is a good response, though it is devoutly hoped.

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:21 pm

The man chuckles. "You are clearly the man asking the merchant, as you come to this place inquiring about my wares without knowing what they are. What you seek is things of value and to understand that value's relation to me, but you tell me nothing of yourself and what you offer."

The man waves his hand as if waving away an unpleasant smell.

"Perhaps, if he had asked what he could offer for the boxes, he would have discovered their value without asking directly while also finding out what the merchant may want. Perhaps if he had not asked what he did, he would not have revealed that he could only afford one box and was looking for the best thing."

The man cocks his head slightly, waiting to see if there is a reply.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:50 pm

Seitouna bows his head for a moment.

"A merchant is a clever man, though perhaps the client of such a man suspects that time is shorter than might allow for all things to be enjoyed. Or perhaps such a client would not invest all his resources in an unknown quantity.

"But it may also be that the client is in favor with certain others whose interests range far and deep, and it may also be that, should matters go as hoped and the initial investment, as well, that a longer-term arrangement could be discussed. For it may also be the case that the client has received something of an invitation to remain long, as has perhaps been noted. And someone who would remain would be in a position to remain in contact with current associates of some renown, as well as having an ongoing need for pleasant conversation and good tea.

"And the tea has been good here."

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 11:19 pm

"I would hope so."

He sits there silently for some time, sipping his tea. He doesn't appear to be looking at anything or concentrating on anything, at least not like you felt before.

"If you were to purchase one of the merchant's boxes, what would you like to be inside? What would please you most?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:59 am

Seitouna chuckles at the question.

"An upstanding man would hope to see a way to stop the storm that comes. A less scrupulous one might seek a distraction from it, perhaps something to dull the sound of thunder--or someone."

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:12 am

The samurai waits quietly until Seitouna finishes his cup, and then he quietly reaches over and takes it. He reaches under the table and, with the cup partially obscured from view, appears to drop something inside it. Then, he refills the cup with the dark tea Seitouna requested.

"What is in the bottom of your cup?"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 3:45 am

Seitouna strains his ears to hear what had been dropped in, looks at his tea when it is handed back.

(Presumably, I need to roll Investigation, for which 23. Please advise if a different roll is needed.)

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:08 am

You do not see anything in the bottom of your cup, being mostly concealed by the tea. You think there might be something down there... perhaps just some tea leaves?

"It is difficult, no? There are times when it is possible for something to be too opaque for its own good. At the bottom are merely tea leaves, but for all the tea you cannot tell."

He gestures toward you.

"You say many things, and perhaps we could be good friends in business. But you are so busy darkening the tea that I don't even see the leaves at the bottom."

In a quick move he knocks the tea out of Seitouna's hand.

"Enough tea. Leaves or leave."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:07 pm

Seitouna looks at the cup for a moment, then at his interlocutor.

"Three things, addressing all or some or one or none for now.

"One, a way out of the city, if one is available when the gates shut as they are going to do.

"One, if any who have entered the city seem to you to be agents of the oncoming forces, a name and a place would be appreciated.

"One, if you have information on the whereabouts of one Kasuga Saito, it would be appreciated by the Imperial Peafowl Supervisor, who is necessarily concerned for his kin.

"After, if there is an after, we will be setting up shop here, and it would be a pleasure to make longer term arrangements. But that is, of course, for after."

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:44 pm

"Ah. I'm afraid only the first box is filled with anything of value at this time."

He shrugs one shoulder.

"There are many things to keep watch on in the city, and I found no personal value in tracking the political affiliations of each. I watch the weather, not the drops of rain. This also is why I know not, or care not, about a Saito unless he comes to one of my businesses."

He looks at Seitouna closely, that eerie feeling of someone being fully aware of him returns.

"In the interest of possible friendship, I shall offer you a gift. The walls of this city are very sound. It is possible to sneak in and out over the walls, by rope, in specific places with specific guards who are paid to look the other way.

"I doubt there is anything you have of value enough for me to risk my operation by sharing more, however."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:57 pm

"Fair enough, and I thank you for it."

He inclines his head in a gesture of respect.

"And when the way out is needed, I shall be happy to have made the reservation."

He stands and bows.

"Thank you for the tea."

He will have left behind a suitable amount for it (GM, please advise as to the amount).

Lucidicide · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:02 pm

(You could be fancy about it and leave a bu for the filled box and two zeni for each that was empty)

"If the city gets to the point where you need it, it certainly wouldn't hurt me to share it. A pleasure to meet you. I'll be here if you have something of value to trade, or if perhaps there is something of value you discover you want."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sat Apr 18, 2020 9:13 pm

(Done! Noting in PF.)

"Until then."

Another bow and /exit, with thanks for the scene!

D7LE, Searching for a Certain Kind of Someone (Sneaky)

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