[Day 12 Early Afternoon] Network Technicians

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 4:37 pm

Seitouna chews, swallows, responds "We're not exactly in port, here, Miya-san, so I'm not sure how sailing will serve."

He gets more of the tofu. It's tasty, especially in the sauce.

"But I can say that the way some ships are steering now is because there are already firm hands on their lines, rigging their sails to catch specific winds they feel blowing. Their masters have already ordered their courses, and, as my cousin says, such stature as can command a ship's master is hard to come by."

And there, he takes another drink.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

Asakuro nodded at his cousin's phrasing. "Strong captains behind some of those very ships, explaining well why they sail the course that they do. Some, however, have sailed in one direction, only to have caught current and wind for another: know how and why and perhaps their course might be corrected. Others, however, drift with no heading at all: their course much more likely to be found with a guiding ship at the lead."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 4:49 pm

Seitouna adds "It is on the latter to focus, of course. And which pennants do they fly who drift so, have you seen, cousin, Miya-san?"

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2020 5:08 pm

Mei listens to the two men as she eats and waits for a few thoughtful moments before responding.

"I am a personal retainer for the Imperial Advisor. In that, I am looking to inform her the best I can, and the best I can often requires recognizing where my own abilities fall short, and thus correcting those failings be leaning on those who are more well versed than I"

She refills everyone's cup before refilling her own, and then takes another drink before continuing.

"As you have both just demonstrated, you have a much keener notion of the ships and weather than I, and that is what I require. As well as a means to change the course of some ships."

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

"A good sailing requires not just those at sea but those on land as well: a great responsibility the keeper of the light house has, for they can guide a ship to safety as well as draw them in upon the rocks," he noted with a knowing nod.

"The keeper sees much and can know of every ship coming and leaving port as well as their heading if their eye is keen enough. As Miya-san is freshly arrived in port, perhaps an accounting of where various ships are sailing might assist in her endeavors?"

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 1:34 am

“That is certainly one area that would make bookkeeping easier. Another would be to have a few captains fall overboard”

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 1:28 pm

She's catching on, Seitouna thinks.

"Unfortunate that the squall seems to have passed, now," he says. "But sounding the depths can still be done, indeed. I shall see about getting some rope to that end."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 5:50 pm

Mei gives a nod and finishes her rice, setting her chopsticks over the bowl.

"If things are favorable, there could be some long term contracts here. Shipping agreements, transportation, who knows, perhaps even some nice new routes to be explored. There is a large storm over a portion of the Empire I see clearing up soon, and in its wake, many things will have been ravaged, leaving the coasts ripe with opportunity. My captain however only has need for the most loyal of crews, she doesn't tolerate privateers. Her patronage more than makes up for it though."

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

He sipped down his tea as the other two talked, so much so that he did not realize even with the refill offered by the Miya he had seemingly slurped down almost half the tea in his cup already. Asakuro looked over to his cousin for a moment before looking back to the Imperial.

"We of the Tortoise know well that patronage, Miya-san. And though my cousin and I are but two sailors of the Shell, those that walk with the Shell all know that history has shown that our Captain has always answered the call when the Master of the Fleet requires it. Though Winter Court this season was cut short as tragic events unfolded as they did, the delegation for which I was party to wished to note that we continue to stand at the ready for when our more distant cousins need it." He paused for a moment and in a quick draw slipped down the other half of the tea before setting the cup down on the table and pushing it away from him to indicate he needed no more.

"Once the roads are more free and clear, I had plans on returning to the Hub Villages around the capital. The port where our Captain resides is not far from there: I might convey a message from our distant cousins if one wishes. But I believe one will find her to be be... quite on a similar sailing already, shall we say." He picked up his chopsticks, took and popped into his mouth a final rice ball, and then set the sticks back down for good.

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 10:37 pm

"No need to relay any message, these contracts are directly to the two of you and none other. There is concern about the loyalty of some in your fleet, and best to keep the offer close and only to those who I've met in person."

Mei then begins to describe how she is offering some direct reward from her if the two of you would be willing to do some tasks for her. The task are mundane information gathering mostly, focusing on finding out who all supports claims to the throne that arn't Hantei Tokiyo, as well as a need for some higher risk tasks such as eliminations of those who may be getting to vocal in their support for the usurpers.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2020 10:53 pm

Seitouna nods along, for the most part. When the discussion turns a bit more pointed, he does look about to see if there are others attending closely to their conversations. There seem not to be, which is to the good.

"Might be able to see about some of that, no trouble. The rest, take as comes."

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

He made sure his chopsticks were clean before he put them away as well as his teacup into his pack - a quick opportunity to also take a glance around before his attention turned back to the table. "Agreed. My time here will be limited once the roads are clear. But that still leaves much time for some things to be done."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2020 2:37 am

"It's my understanding that often a retainer is required for such tasks as these. To ensure your needs are met. What do you believe you will need to accomplish the things I've mentioned?"

Mei asks while placing a pouch on the table.

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

His hand in front of his chest, he leaned forward and made a small "pushaway" motion as his voice lowered.

"Put it away, Miya-san: no need or desire for that sort of thing here. I am well-resourced on my own as it is, and I take nothing for having done nothing. I understand what is being requested. If 'something' should happen positively in that direction, perhaps then we might meet again and discuss such a thing. And more privately."

Asakuro leaned back and looked over to Seitouna in case he felt differently.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2020 10:08 pm

"It is the kind of thing that settles after, rather than before, in most cases. If preliminaries are needed, they can be handled. And, yes, less exposed than this", Seitouna adds.

She'd been doing so well, too, he thinks. But while we work with ronin, we're not; we know our roles.

At a more normal tone, he says "It has been a fine meal, Miya-san. You show good taste, as could only be expected."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 12:21 am

Mei nods and casually puts the pouch away.

"I will be in the Imperial City once this is over. Letters may take a while to reach when one is out of port, I understand, but I will look forward to them, no less. Thank you for dining with me"

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 12:22 am

"Thank you for having me. And I shall look for your replies when I sail back to the Golden Sun Bay."

Kasuga Asakuro · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 12:13 am **Posts:** 274

"Yes, thank you for being a gracious host, Miya-san. The food was quite adequate. Unless circumstances should change, I should be reachable somewhere near the capital in some later season again, and if not, your correspondence can be sent to the Imperial Menagerie - my dear wife Yukari will know where it should go from there."

Miya Mei · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 12:57 am

"Very good. I hope the two of you have safe travels, wherever you end up."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2020 1:23 am

Seitouna stands and makes his bow. "Fair winds and calm seas to you, Miya-san, cousin."

[Day 12 Early Afternoon] Network Technicians

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