Nagahide takes a seat at the table and has some of the proffered tea and bread. Nagahide looks at the girl and then at the cards facedown on the table. "Niwa is my family name. My given name is Nagahide, but my friends call me Machiyo." Machiyo sits back in her seat. She closes her eyes and relaxes her breathing. To the girl and everybody else, she may look like she is meditating.
After a few minutes, Machiyo reaches out and starts stacking the cards. Start with the farthest card on the girls left (No. 1). she stacks them in the order from top to bottom 1, 3, 2, 4, 5. Following the girl's instructions, Machiyo flips the top card revealing the royal figure. "I have stacked the cards. i am curious as to why you had me do this though." she ask the girl.
Watched casually as the man relinquished his sidearm, though genuinely unimpressed, something about the elderly figure brought about an unusual feeling, as if an attempt on his life would be seen as a relief, rather than a threath.
"Understandable as such customs may be, and while most younglings nowadays would consider me a fool, I stand by my opinion when I say that: A true warrior never parts with his weapon, thus also proving the propper constraint to use it only when necessary, as befits the said warrior."he spoke his words of wisdom with calm, then shortly after, bowed his head humbly while raising his hand slightly, a sign that Fuma's gift was appreciated, though Hashirama wished to politely refuse the offer of alcohol, for some reason he did not wish to mention.
"So then, as circumstances appear, we are here to talk. Now that we are doing that, tell me: What -are- we discussing exactly ?"he inquired curiously, obviously intent on business, as it seemed the matter at hand went against more than a few skeptical individuals' choices of action, the unease of the pressent times' oddities almost palpable within the atmosphere.
That is a fine opinion on etiquette. Showing either uncanny trust in other or else confidence in himself.
He pours the drink for his host, then sets the bottle down on the table.
"Simply put, I would like to see if there is any way we might help your organization, and perhaps you ours. The classic divide between the Blood Dragons and all Hogosha organizations has always been Samura. Samura, as you know is not what it once was. I was reading, if I remember correctly, Samura may even lose their military ship contracts within ten to fifteen years. They no longer run the government like they used to, and in the long game they have already lost their claim to power. Their only chance to reclaim power would be through organizations like mine . . . and I am not of the opinion that Samura control is in the best interests of Kusari moving into the future. So there you have it. Samura is not truly a controlling interest in Hogosha matters anymore, and I represent the coming of this truth."
"I understand where you're going with this, young one. I myself am one to quickly sieze such opportunities aswell. However, despite my lordship over this outpost, I am not the only one you must convince."his words presented genuine interest in the proposition of cooperation, despite the sudden pause in his speech. Hashirama drew what seemed to be a portable holo-com from his sleeve and immediately dialed to bring the Shogun up to speed.
"My appologies for making you wait, Yuki-sama. I've come to believe you will wish to hear what this man has to say. Please, join us in the backroom."and with that out of the way, he awaited for a reply, the guards on the way to where the two men were discussing were already aware and ready to assist her lordship reach the meeting area should she happen to loose her way.
He resumed his posture and gazed back at Fuma"You need only tell her what you have just told me. It makes for a strong case as it is. After that, we shall see."he ushered with a rather reassuring tone in expectance of the final guest's arrival.
"Excuse me for a bit..." the young girl stood and made her way into the backroom where the elderly man was...she paused and sat down soon after. From a first look she was unarmed to the Hogoshan man..but if he checked long enough, he could see twenty to thirty blades hidden all over her body. She noded to the man"I'm ready to listen then to what he has to say."
An armed little girl that this man answers to, or at least hold some sway. This bears further investigation, however stranger things have happened . . . I am not certain her rank, but the old man suggests that she is on his level at least, so I will have to act accordingly.He clearly notices the weaponry, his one eye dancing between the blades before coming to rest with this new entrant.
"Very well. As I was discussing, Samura has lost their grip over matters within Kusari. They no longer dictate what the Hogosha can do at large, and it is apparent to any with vision that they will ultimately lose their bid for reclaiming power. If they wish to reclaim power, it would have to be through the cooperation of groups like mine, but they are not the way forward for Kusari and so I do not find myself motivated to aid them in this quest. So, I come to you to see how we may genuinely benefit each other, in the spirit of these changing times. With things as they are, I would have difficulty finding valid reasons to consider the Blood Dragons as an enemy into the future."
He takes note that the old man not having taken a drink, nor did he pour one for his guest in turn.
Perhaps the old Dragon is a teetotaler after all. And now I'm really curious where they get their blades . . .
The man, who was guarding the Shogun, still sat at the table with the young lady. He sighs "The Shogun went off for a important meeting.... you will have to wait to find out what she meant with these cards" He looks at the cards and chuckles "Because I have no idea what to do with these cards" He looks back up to her with a smile "Gomen nasai... I did not introduce myself. My name is Hokama Kohaku and I'm the Roju of the Blood Dragons, its a pleasure to meet you Niwa-san"
Nagahide takes another sip of tea. "Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu Hokama-sama." Machiyo nibbles on the bread. "Excuse me for saying so, the Shogun seems to be an interesting person." she says, looking down at the cards before smiling in return.
Machiyo remembers what her father taught her about the different ranks."Roju... that would mean you have field command responsibility, correct?" she looks at Kohaku.
"It is true that the Shogun is a interesting person...." He seems to remember memories from the past with the current Shogun "...and sometimes really difficult to deal with" He says with a slightly annoyed sigh.
However he catches himself and smiles again "Hai, I mostly lead attacks on various government bases and system or transport raids. Also, as the Roju, I'm in charge of the new recruits. I keep an eye on them and watch out that they don't get themselves into dangerous situations. I also have command on some capital ships in our fleet as well as some logistic vessels. And since the work of a Shogun is sometimes really tiring, I try my best to take as much work as possible from Yuki-cha..." He coughs "...I mean Shogun Yuki" He rubs his chin "Not to forget that I'm Shogun Yuki's personal guard"
Another man had entered the bar, unlike the others he was still in his flight suit though it still had Blood Dragon markings though they were of a lower rank than Kohaku's. He ordered a tea before he had spotted Kohaku and moved over to him. "Kon'nichiwa Kohaku-san..." He said before he spotted the young women sitting next to him. "Kon'nichiwa..." He sat down and sipped his tea.