Re: Chapter 8 - Helping Hands
Gong-Xue watches Kagehisa head off for a moment, then turns to Daidoji Sayuri, "While I am less than fully versed in the ways of Court Daidoji Sayuri-san," Gong-Xue rumbles, "I recognize the look of a negotiator when I see one. My superiors were a little short on the details when we were dispatched, so I did not get the full briefing. What, generally, are the Crane offering for Scorpion support in this matter?"
OOC: Gong-Xue definitely knows, as do you, that there was no formal agreement for Scorpion support. He's offering, in an oblique sort of way, to open negotiations with you. At this point the Scorpion are committed to your support, so unless you deliberately attempt to sabotage the negotiations, you'll still get Scorpion troops on your side, fighting the Lion. You still, however, must strike a careful balance--you don't want to offer them too much, since a) Winter Court is approaching and being tangled up with the Scorpion too deeply before the politicking starts is never a good idea and b) you don't know who the Scorpion plan to pick a fight with in the coming year; on the other hand, you don't want to offer too little, because: a) even if they're here to help you this time, next time they might be looking to make you pay for it and b) such dishonorable negotiations might come up again in Winter Court.