[D1 LM, expecting] Kappas and Phoenices

[Agasha Sorato]

Now in possession of an umbrella, Agasha Sorato arrives at the gates of Kappa's Pond a little puffed out from the steep hill leading to the teahouse, but much less overheated than if he had still been relying on his waterproof poncho to ward off the thick-and-thin bursts of rain. A few strands of hair escaped from his plait are stuck to the back of his neck and forehead, but dry quickly inside the air-conditioned tearoom.

He settles his new umbrella into the crowded umbrella stand, making a mental note not to forget it later, and asks to be seated in a booth within view of the main windows--a compromise between having some degree of privacy and enjoying the view of the lower city and harbor, though that view is somewhat obscured right now by the rain streaking the glass panes and veiling the landscape beyond in translucent layers.

((expecting company!))

[Asako Hikari]

Snip

Having received an invitation from his fellow Phoenix to meet up at the teahouse, it would have been exceedingly rude for Hikari not to show up, even with the rain. Slipping into something a bit more rainy weather appropriate, the Asako calls for a modest car to take him to the teahouse. He arrives dressed in a modern cut but loose kimono, a muted orange-red patterned with white pines. Once he stepped in, he would quietly ask for the Agasha and once pointed in his clanmates direction, he would place an order for tea and snacks for them, quietly depositing his umbrella in the rack.

Once he arrives at the booth, he offers a light bow and a wide, earnest smile. "Agasha Sorato-san, I presume? Asako Hikari." He automatically goes to offer a handshake but then pauses, lifting the hand to adjust his hair. "Apologies, Ide habits die hard."

[Agasha Sorato]

"That's me." Sorato rises and bows as well--a shade deeper, since he'd been advised that Asako Hikari holds some status in his organization.

His brows arch in mild surprise at the unexpected hand-stuck-out. His train of thought rolls quickly through to the most obvious destination--right, that's how the Unicorn geologists on Ameburi IV did it--but by this point Hikari has already moved on, relieving Sorato of both the obligation and the opportunity of trying to remember how to return the gesture. This all leaves him standing awkwardly for just a a bit too long after his bow before his social reflexes kick in again.

"Ah, right, I saw you'd been some time with the Unicorn, Asako-san. No apology needed. It's not my first time off Ujimitsu either," he says, politely gesturing for the other man to take a seat. Hikari's travels have probably been more cosmopolitan than his own, though, he reflects,

[Asako Hikari]

"Yes, I trained with the Ide for my schooling at the...," he trails off for a moment, "request of my parents. And thank you. I took the liberty of ordering us some tea and snacks as I entered." He slides into the booth and settles into a relaxed position. So far, this Agasha was far more agreeable than he had thought they might be.

"I am somewhat surprised to see someone else here though, I must say. I had thought when I received the notice that someone was needed and there weren't...well any volunteers...that I might be the only member of the Clan to arrive. Not that I am complaining, of course. It is always nice to see a friendly face. Also makes me feel a bit less outnumbered in this sea of blue, eh?"

[Agasha Sorato]

"You must be used to being outnumbered, since you trained aborad" Sorato remarks, sliding into his own seat. His seated posture is upright and balanced, but not stiff. "I'm glad to have a colleague here too, though. I've represented my Family's interests here and there over the years, but never on a major world like this one." He opens a long-fingered hand toward the urban view outside the rain-splashed window. "As I understand it, I was sent because I was closest to a ship heading the right way. Otherwise, I was on my way back from delivering some spiritual equipment to the colonists on Starfall."

He nods with a polite smile to the teahouse server arriving with the tray of teapot, leaves, water, and other utensils. "Once I saw this place from the shuttle, I did understand why the family wanted someone to be here. That unspoiled jungle is intriguing."

[Asako Hikari]

"It definitely feels that way sometimes, indeed. But there was one particular Moto who thought that I should be his friend and that meant everyone else had to be my friend as well, so I quickly had to learn how to adapt to circumstances. I think I still have a lingering shoulder ache from all the times he slapped me on the back." A quick grin as Hikari began to steep the tea in the pot, going through the motions almost automatically.

"Well, we go where the wind takes us, eh? For good or for ill, but given this place, it seems to be more for the good...weather notwithstanding of course. It is certainly beautiful, even if jungle adventures are not particularly high on my list of choices for an excursion. I'd rather face a thousand Otomo in the courts than to find a mosquito the size of my head with a proboscis the size of a dagger."

[Agasha Sorato]

"A friendly Moto is a good thing, especially compared to an unfriendly one." Sorato's wide mouth quirks at the corners. He'd been vaguely prepared to handle the tea--not that he's a tea artist, but just because, all else being equal, the duty often fell to the lowest-ranked member of the gathering, and that's him at the moment. Since Hikari took charge of the teapot so quickly, he settles his hands on the tabletop instead.

"A mosquito the size of your head would be a unique discovery, though," he says, nearly but not quite deadpan. "The exoskeleton and wing membranes would have to be of incredible strength and lightness. I have cousins who would probably reward us handsomely for bringing them one to study."

[Asako Hikari]

"True, I have seen what unfriendly ones do to each other and they're not supposed to spill the blood of their fellows." A few moments longer and the tea would be ready. "If I should ever run into one, Agasha-san, I will be sure to find a very large net to capture it for you...but I get the feeling you might run into one before I."

As the tea finishes, Hikari pours it with a small smile, sliding a cup over to his fellow Phoenix. "Any thoughts on what we'd want to try and build here if we secured the Governor's favor?"

[Agasha Sorato]

Sorato's wide, mobile mouth quirks up at the corners. "You never know. We're on foreign territory where anything could happen. I'll keep one of the big sample jars free, just in case."

He taps his fingertips on the table in an old-fashioned gesture of thanks for the tea, then takes the cup and slides it the rest of the way toward himself. "I have only seen a little of the main island so far, but I've been told the province is agriculturally underdeveloped. Tropical climate, volcanic soil, ample rainfall, warm ocean--there should be a lot of potential for high-output terrestrial and aquatic farming, staples or exotics or both. Our methods for high-density, small-footprint cultivation are the best in the galaxy." For a rare moment, the classical Phoenix arrogance seems to make an appearance. "Also, these wild old-terraformed worlds are natural biological experiments. There could be medicinal treasures living quietly in those forests and lagoons."

He picks up the cup of tea--itself a local agricultural product--and samples it thoughtfully, taking a beat to notice its distinct flavors. "All that is a very Agasha-no-Atsumaru way of looking at Tango Province, though. You probably have differently balanced insights, Asako-san."

[Asako Hikari]

Hikari pulls out a holoslate and stylus, quickly scribbling down notes as Sorato gives his ideas, nodding slowly. "Alright...medicine, compact farming, perhaps some animal products. All things in our wheelhouse, certainly." A few more words and then he taps the tip of the stylus on the table lightly.

"These are things that they probably expect us to want. What could we ask for out of the proverbial box though?"

[Agasha Sorato]

Sorato leans in, shaking his head. "What I mean is those things are all sites of untapped potential. Our knowledge and abilities can help the Yasuki unlock them. More effective agriculture will make their province prosper. Whatever we ask for then, it would be in exchange for equipment and expertise that helps them grow." He visibly reins himself in and sips his tea again.

"Out of the box... do you think our hosts might be more interested in an offer they don't expect? The unexpected isn't always welcome." A corner of his lips curves wryly at that thought. "What do you have in mind?"

The Ide are said to be good at bargains and trades--undoubtedly better at it than a priest who is, when all is said and done, not particularly worldly.

[Asako Hikari]

"Well yes, of course...we help them develop and see the value and our equipment is certainly needed for such delicate operations. But I think we might need be careful. From what I've gathered from the local news reports, a good deal of the locals resent much of anything in the way of development, even with our compact infrastructure. They might see it as us trying to exploit them."

Hikari sips his tea as well now, affecting a look of contemplation while he pops a small piece of fish candy into his mouth, a sour thing that narrows his eyes for just a moment. "You've mentioned the intense natural beauty of the planet. Perhaps something along those lines. Less plunder and more wonder...media, perhaps. The Crab suffer from centuries of social stigma of being somewhat obtuse when it comes to finer things...our present company excepted of course," he adds, just in case someone was eavesdropping. "Expertise in marketing this place as something of a retreat. High-class, exclusive. Your skills in flora and fauna could be quite useful in this endeavor, helping point out prime locations that could integrate with nature."

[Agasha Sorato]

"Tourism, in other words?" Sorato's brows draw together slightly as he thinks this over. "That is one of their priorities here. Not ideal for the only pillar of an economy, but important enough. I don't know very much about media, though. Do you really think we can offer the locals more than the Crane or Scorpion on that point?" He sips his tea, ruminating. "Change is alarming for people anywhere, to a degree. It seems to be part of our nature. I've known people living in very beautiful places who were wary of tourism, too--did not like the idea of their home becoming a playground for wealthy foreigners. Courtesy and balance will be important no matter what we propose."

[Asako Hikari]

"In a way...something a bit less commercial, though that could certainly be accomplished. A more private experience. Small groups, maybe even pairs. Market it as an experience rather than simply a vacation or a mundane trip." When the point is raised regarding the Scorpion and the Crane, Hikari takes a sip of his tea and considers. "They might be able to push something for the market, but we can offer the Crab something the Crane and the Scorpion are loathe to: The truth. Unfiltered. Untethered to the lofty idealism of the Crane or the exploitation and ruthlessness of the Scorpion. The Crab have known centuries of war and hardship...who better than the Clan of peace and healing to help them?"

[Agasha Sorato]

"That's very literary." Sorato considers his tea. "You have Air in your nature, Asako-san. I've learned to stay grounded in Earth, for... personal reasons. Between us, we'll have balance and flexibility, whatever we choose to try."

He takes a bite of one of the little turtle-shaped red bean cakes as he lets his thoughts order themselves. "Before we offer the locals the truth, we'll have to understand it ourselves. Learning more about this place and what the islanders really want looks like the first step."

[Asako Hikari]

"Thank you...and I imagine that as a shugenja, you might find that grounding useful. Protection, peace, understanding. These are all of Earth from my extremely limited understanding...but I do agree that we will have to seek more information. I hope to establish some fruitful relationships with the locals. Hopefully I can convince them to at least open a door for us to step through, should my efforts succeed."

[Agasha Sorato]

Sorato finishes the other bite of pastry-turtle and nods gravely. "You understand the financial side of these matters better than I do. Do you have a plan as to where we should begin? If there is anyone you would advise me to speak with, I'll be guided." He brushes a crumb of red bean from his hand with a napkin. "On a survey, I would get to know the interests of on-site stakeholders. Farmers, foresters, food producers, healers."

[Asako Hikari]

Finally remembering again that there are snacks, Hikari spears a bit of puff pastry in the shape of a crab and bites into it lightly, giving a light sigh of contentment at the flavor.

"Mmm...good filling. Plum and something else I can't quite place." He'd take another bite and after swallowing, he'd clear his throat and take a sip of tea.

"Well, we might want to get a meeting with the karo if at all possible. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders and she'll be able to speak with at least a small bit of the governor's voice and karo tend to be more open to proposals than those they represent...I'd like to speak to the Governor, but I doubt I can get a meeting on short notice, even with the circumstances."

He begins to idly drum two fingers on the tabletop. "Not that I want to be deceptive, but it might be best if you speak with her actually. Her guard might be a bit more up around me as I'm quite obviously a courtier."

[Agasha Sorato]

"Me?" Sorato's brows arch in surprise. "It's true I'm not a courtier, but... well, I'm not a courtier." Dryly, he adds, "Phoenix shugenja are not galactically famous for our diplomatic instincts." Sorato might be a relatively mild-mannered specimen of his type, but he knows what he is.

"I can certainly see what comes of it, though."

[Asako Hikari]

"And Shiba was a Kami, and yet he bowed to Isawa. Don't sell yourself short, Agasha-san." That was probably some mild blasphemy there...

"I have complete faith in your ability to at least talk to her and not insert your foot down your gullet. Besides, think of it as a learning opportunity. No pressure, other than our Clan's future on the island."

He gives a smile and takes another bite from the pastry.

"In all seriousness, just be natural and let your earnestness work for you. You're passionate and I'm sure she'll see it."