Kichiro again bows deeply in gratitude and waits to be dismissed so that he can go change into his new clothes.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 188):

The Omo bows and returns to tend to his bonsai garden off to the side.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 189):

Saishi will seek a place to put on his new clothes.

Chou-Zhen makes his way to his assigned quarters, there to examine the Omo's gifts in detail.

Kichiro also retired to his quarters and changed into to his new clothes.  Wearing the Omo's sigil made him feel more accepted within the clan.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 192):

The neku girl raps softly on the frame of the shoji door to Kichiro's quarters.

"Coming."  Kichiro said, loud enough to be heard at the door.

Having changed and stowed all of his belonging, he had found time to relax for a bit.  He was about to light his pipe and enjoy a bit of fine tobacco.  He hadn't expected a visitor for a while. Kichiro set down his pipe and went to the door to see who it was.

"Miko-san. Would you like to come in?  I have tea and snacks.", , he Kichiro asked, recognizing his visitor.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Wed 03 Apr.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 194):

While ostensibly a servant of the household, you are fairly certain that Miko has some kind of ranking in the Omo's organization and has labored as a handler for the non Sahudese within the group.
"Kichiro-san, snacks sound delightful. I wish to discuss some things about our trip south, and about future missions there."

"Please make yourself comfortable, Miko-san.   Lord Sakemoko mentioned a trip back to Brouse but I didn't think it would be happening so soon.  Will you be coming with us?", Kichiro said as he started to get the refreshments ready.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 196):

"Unfortunately not; I will be relaying much information to Master Phuong upon his return.
The Omo has great faith in Chou-Zen Mou and Ales Konstantin, but they associate with elder things,
which are known to be less than helpful in negotiations.  The Elder of the village and the villagers all respect them, which is important
and appreciated by the Omo; they are to be his primary envoys to the village."
She pauses here and  bows her head.

Baron James, I observed directly to determine which of the group he admired most.
Sashai Jin he criticized for overuse of wasps, and he showed revulsion to Chou-Zen Mou.
I do not think he grasped the subtlety of Ales-san's aid in dispatching the champion of the former Baron,
which is a pity, as it was very clever working, and the Master is proud of him.
So the mantle of the envoy of the Omo to Brouse falls upon you, who were highly complimented by Baron James.

Kichiro instantly stopped what he was doing and turned to the Neko girl.

"Surely, this is a mistake, Miko-san.  I'm a scout, an archer.  Not a diplomat.  Regardless of what Baron James might say about me,  I have no place at the table to bargain in the Omo's stead.", he replied.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Thu 04 Apr.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 198):

"The Omo knows that negotiations will rely on the narrowest of margins,
and the simple goodwill the new Baron holds will be a foundation he can built upon.
Yeogja Matin will accompany you, and guide you."

Yeogja Matin is Aralaise, and has been, you recall, a liason with the guilds of Northport.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:40, Sat 06 Apr.

"I am grateful for Yeogja Matin's assistance, but I still wonder if I have the ability to carry out this mission to the Omo's satisfaction.", Kichiro answered.

He gently placed two cups of tea and a small plate of snacks on the table between them and took a seat opposite of the Miko. He took a deep breath and released it with a look of resolve, or resignation.

"I will take on this mission as it is my duty to Lord Sakemoko.  As always, I will carry out this mission to the best of my ability, but please convey my reservations to the Omo.   I believe I require much preparation to carry out this task before we leave for Brouse."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sat 06 Apr.

"Your dedication is noted.  I will request that Yeogja meet with you, but for now I must go, as I have to speak with your companions."

"I understand.  Tell Yeogja that I am available at his earliest convenience.", Kichiro said.

"Thank you for stopping by, Miko-san.  Feel free to come back again."

Miko bows and exits, and a few moments later there is another knock on the door.

"Kiricho-san, may I enter?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Fri 12 Apr.

"Of course, Yeogja-san. Come in. Please make yourself comfortable.  We have much to discuss.", Kichiro said pointing to a cushion on the floor next to the table.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Fri 12 Apr.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 204):

Graciously, the agent enters and sits.
"Kichiro-san, you and I are in the impossible situation of having to deal with the gaijin.
Though I am partly of that blood, on my father's side, those people have never fully accepted me.
The baron's folk will be just as unaccepting of all of us. I think they would have accepted Ales-san before any of us
but I believe h has work to do in confronting the old baron's wizard.  There seems to be something personal there."

"Oh, yes. It was personal for Ales.  He and the wizard have a history apparently.", Kichiro acknowledged.

He found a seat across the table from Yeogja.  He settled in and finally lit his pipe.

"First of all.  I am a warrior, not a diplomat.  We seem to have a difficult task ahead of us, Yeogja-san.  Like you said, we are not like them.  They are not like us either. That doesn't mean that we cannot be successful.  We just have to find something that we can use as leverage.  A common goal.", he said and took a puff on his pipe.  A trail of smoke and the smell of sweet tobacco trailed around the room.

I was told that Baron James spoke well of me in his message to the Omo.  I suspect that as a warrior, he has respect for my ability on the battlefield and I did caution him to guard his treasury and armory during the transition of power. Perhaps we can use that as currency during the negotiations.  James is an honorable man so I don't think he will try to cheat us but may be tough in his negotiation.  His underlings on the other hand may not be as trustworthy.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Mon 15 Apr.

OOC:  Back to you.   Congrats on 82,000 posts on the game.

In reply to Kichiro (msg # 207):

While Yeoghi goes over some basic strategies for impressing those with a chivalric code of the Verognese variety,
Miko visits with Ales and Chou-zen Mou.

The book that Ales has is forbidden, and allows him to add 2 points to Hidden Lore: Elder Things, with a +@ on rolls pertinent to his little pet.

In reply to Miko (msg # 208):

Saishi just meditates some, and reads about exotic animals at the local library then?

Chou-Zhen rises and bows when Miko enters, giving her the respect most would reserve for humans and those of the upper class, rather than servants.

"Miko-san, what brings you?"

"Chou-Zhen san. I merely mean to reassure you of the Omo's trust in you and Alses-san.  Kichiro has favor with the new baron, and as a result, he will be the face of the Omo's interests in the south."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Yesterday.

"That seems very sensible to me.  I am...what I am, and my talents do not run to diplomacy in any case.  Ales is not Sahudese, loyal and powerful as he is.  Kichiro is the better choice as a face for the Omo's liaison with Brouse.

"For me, it is enough to have helped bring about this favorable outcome and aided in gaining the Omo an ally."