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 +2 on rolls pertinent to his little pet.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Fri 10 May.

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, Fri 26 Apr.

"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."

The neko-girl twitches here ears at something you cannot hear.

"A messenger has announced that a ship is come - Master Phuong may be aboard.
I will go and greet the messenger. If this is true we need to have a presentable envoy at the docks."

In reply to Miko (msg # 213):

Sakshi can make himself presentable, if invited.

To no one in particular (since Miko has gone off to greet the messenger), Chou-Zhen says "The last time we met a ship at the docks, it brought Tanaka -- and trouble, as someone tried to kill him and us before we could return to the Omo's compound."

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 215):

"Forewarned is. forearmed. We can be prepared..."

In reply to Saishi Jin (msg # 216):

Armed and ready, the one-eyed ashigaru comes to collect the rest of you to head to the docks

"True, my friend.   I doubt there will be trouble but we must be ready.", Kichiro said.   He straightened his new clothes and made himself presentable to the potential VIP.  Then his strapped on his falchion and grabbed his bow.

Sakshi will also make himself presentable as he departs, with his new garment and his faithful dog.

Ales wears the ornamental outfit given to him by the Omo some time ago, and after making sure he is presentable, joins the others to meet the delegation.

You arrive at the wharf, were the long awaited ship bearing Master Phuong is due to be docking.

The ship, flying Sahuidese colors, is being met by the local longshoremen and the harbormnaster.
The porters and dockworkers seem a little anxious, as they too remember what happened last time.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 221):

Sakshi will be checking out the dock workers, looking for any in armour or armed.

In reply to Saishi Jin (msg # 222):

A number of the dockworkers have crowbars or belaying pins, and most carry knives of some species.

In reply to dockworker (msg # 223):

Are any armoured?

None seem to be armored.  You note that the Harbormaster has two guards with swords beside him.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 225):

Someone expected to be friendly, but he will check with others anyway. Who would know?

The ship's captain comes down to chat with the harbormaster, who begins reading over the shipping manifest as the
stevedores start unloading cargo. Not too long a while later, and you spot the familiar figure of Lee Phuong!

The Omo's agent comes wearing fresh silk robes, no doubt part of the delay was him changing into them,
and guiding several trunks being ported down the gangplank.