[D7 EM] Proper Veneration (expecting)

[Kaiu Tetsu]

It had not been a particularly restful night for Tetsu, with some difficult decisions to be made. While he believed he'd found his course, it was something he wanted to settle before he began the day. The Shrine of Wealth seemed as good a place as any, taking the time to pay the proper respects.

The small tea stand outside was nothing particularly fancy, but it would do.

"I assume that you got some good news last night"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"I assume that you got some good news last night"

"Nah he wants to take things slowly so we only-"
Pause.
"-Oh, you mean the Clan stuff? Oh yeah, saw everything come in."

Ochiba, wearing hiking chic and looking a little sleepy signals the stallholder for two teas as she yawns, lounging with her back to the cart.

"Far as I'm concerned a deal is a deal, I've broken a lot of things in my time, but my word only once or twice, and frankly they deserved it."
With a slight smirk.
"So, no need to worry. You do right by us, we'll do right by you."

[Kaiu Tetsu]

"Poor decisions on his part then, but I suppose that I'm not one to talk there"

Tetsu offers a chair to Ochiba.

"But I have to say I've been impressed at what I've seen from the Mantis' work in court, and above all else I'm interested in seeing commerce thrive." Tetsu takes his tea and sips. "And I appreciate not needing to deal with vague disdain and half apologies while doing so"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Poor decisions on his part then, but I suppose that I'm not one to talk there"

Tetsu offers a chair to Ochiba.

"But I have to say I've been impressed at what I've seen from the Mantis' work in court, and above all else I'm interested in seeing commerce thrive." Tetsu takes his tea and sips. "And I appreciate not needing to deal with vague disdain and half apologies while doing so"

She snorts.
"Ehehe, flattery appreciated."
She takes the chair and kicks back as the stallowner brings out two steaming cups, she pushes one over to Tetsu.

"Well, we've just got our eyes on the prize. I get that for some samurai it's a whole thing, but I think if the governor wants investments and hosts this big investment event then folks need to at least acknowledge it. But the Crab have been pretty chill with it so far, which I respect."

Looking over.
"Kaiu in particular, I mean you guys are pretty down to earth. Apart from the robot suits, which seem to be a real feature."

[Kaiu Tetsu]

Tetsu seems amused by the reply. "When graduation requires building your own armor from scraps and you grow up with Iron Crab as a pop culture icon, you get that. Don't worry, my real passion is far more expensive"

He sips his drink again and muses. "You aren't wrong. After five days of trying to contact a Phoenix, he showed up late and his pitch was changing Green Carp as little as possible when the entire point is to change it" he takes a deep breath. "I understood where he was coming from but well..." the edges of Tetsu's lips curls. "I heard a rumor about you and a mouthy Daidoji, so I believe you understand what it's like when you're trying to forge your own way"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Tetsu seems amused by the reply. "When graduation requires building your own armor from scraps and you grow up with Iron Crab as a pop culture icon, you get that. Don't worry, my real passion is far more expensive"

He sips his drink again and muses. "You aren't wrong. After five days of trying to contact a Phoenix, he showed up late and his pitch was changing Green Carp as little as possible when the entire point is to change it" he takes a deep breath. "I understood where he was coming from but well..." the edges of Tetsu's lips curls. "I heard a rumor about you and a mouthy Daidoji, so I believe you understand what it's like when you're trying to forge your own way"

"More expensive? I like the sound of that, really 'more expensive' is good in all contexts."
She sips her tea casually.

"I'm sure he meant well, after all. Some folks would describe this as a paradise. And the Phoenix I have met would hope to keep it that way. Buuuuut I understand why you might have a different view."

Raising a hand as if in defence.
"That Daidoji had it coming, nobody gets to order more than 3 songs on the juke box at a time, that's spacefaring law anywhere you go."

Taking another sip.
"So, what are these expensive tastes then?"

[Kaiu Tetsu]

"Ships. The say there are the two happiest days in a ship owner's life. I want both of them" He chuckles "I'm a Fundai Prime boy, what can I say?

He takes a moment to sip his drink.

"I'm not talking pleasure liners. I want to make freighters good enough for a merchant marine, and make them available to civilians. As much as every Clan makes their own ships, all of us began from the Katana-class. So, why not be the ones holding the market on the civilian class: well built but stripped down enough to be easily modified. If say, for example, one wanted customized cargo bays. Perhaps retractable weapon bays"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Ships. The say there are the two happiest days in a ship owner's life. I want both of them" He chuckles "I'm a Fundai Prime boy, what can I say?

He takes a moment to sip his drink.

"I'm not talking pleasure liners. I want to make freighters good enough for a merchant marine, and make them available to civilians. As much as every Clan makes their own ships, all of us began from the Katana-class. So, why not be the ones holding the market on the civilian class: well built but stripped down enough to be easily modified. If say, for example, one wanted customized cargo bays. Perhaps retractable weapon bays"

"Well, you won't find many Mantis who'd gainsay the value of a good ship. And Crab ships certainly have their merits."
Slight smile.

"So you're thinking modular mass-market. Sounds like plenty of hold space but also optional weapons fit outs? That's definitely gonna be expensive. Gonna need a couple teahhouses on Nakahama to pay for it all. Where do you come in, architect? Engineer? CEO?"

[Kaiu Tetsu]

"So you're thinking modular mass-market. Sounds like plenty of hold space but also optional weapons fit outs? That's definitely gonna be expensive. Gonna need a couple teahhouses on Nakahama to pay for it all. Where do you come in, architect? Engineer? CEO?"

"Yes." Tetsu blinks. "Exactly that, and straight to the biggest sticking point."

He is quiet for a moment. "Forgive me if I seem a bit taken back. I've tried to explain the concept to a lot of people I consider smart and savvy and no one has clued in on it that fast before."

"But to answer your question, CEO. I have a design that has worked out simulation testing, but I'm self aware that there are better engineers out there and even they don't work alone, but I also know that many of those would rather commit seppuku rather than attend a fundraiser. The one with the funds can pay the better engineer"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Yes." Tetsu blinks. "Exactly that, and straight to the biggest sticking point."

He is quiet for a moment. "Forgive me if I seem a bit taken back. I've tried to explain the concept to a lot of people I consider smart and savvy and no one has clued in on it that fast before."

"But to answer your question, CEO. I have a design that has worked out simulation testing, but I'm self aware that there are better engineers out there and even they don't work alone, but I also know that many of those would rather commit seppuku rather than attend a fundraiser. The one with the funds can pay the better engineer"

"I like to think my bluntness has its uses, particularly when nursing a hangover."
Ochiba yawns again before grinning.

"I'm not really a big picture commerce samurai, so I get hung up on details and stuff. I guess my first thought is where is the supply of trained navigators going to come from? If you end up truly mass market and increase the number of actual ships flying around...it's gonna be a lot of work to find the navigators, priests are precious and rare. And only a few of them even want the navigator gig."

[Kaiu Tetsu]

"I have some inroads with the Phoenix, but there's some simpler methods as well. First off, there's the part where I'm not creating pure white space here. Plenty of companies run their own private fleets, I'm just looking to make a product that is easier to tailor to their needs at a price they can afford"

"Second? Well I don't know how it is in the Mantis navy, but everyone dreams of manning the flagship and there just aren't enough flagships. I literally cannot count the people who are perfectly capable but don't have the right connection or pedigree and flounder. If offered a way to serve the family that isn't quite as honorable or glamorous but offers more freedom I suspect that sufficient compensation can be had."

"Finally...I don't know how much about ancient history you know, but the Crab once had something called the 20 Goblin Winter. Anyone, and I mean anyone who came back with 20 goblin heads was now a Crab. We can apply a similar logic. Oh, I expect tremendous dropout rates but we have volume on our side"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"I have some inroads with the Phoenix, but there's some simpler methods as well. First off, there's the part where I'm not creating pure white space here. Plenty of companies run their own private fleets, I'm just looking to make a product that is easier to tailor to their needs at a price they can afford"

"Second? Well I don't know how it is in the Mantis navy, but everyone dreams of manning the flagship and there just aren't enough flagships. I literally cannot count the people who are perfectly capable but don't have the right connection or pedigree and flounder. If offered a way to serve the family that isn't quite as honorable or glamorous but offers more freedom I suspect that sufficient compensation can be had."

"Finally...I don't know how much about ancient history you know, but the Crab once had something called the 20 Goblin Winter. Anyone, and I mean anyone who came back with 20 goblin heads was now a Crab. We can apply a similar logic. Oh, I expect tremendous dropout rates but we have volume on our side"

Ochiba nods.
"Huh, interesting! You know I hadn't even considered the 20 Goblin Winter thing,. Be interesting to see which ronin shugenja would risk it to be brought into the Clan. Course if that did result in a big new influx of priests you'd be responsible for quite the coup!"

Chuckling.
"I mean, got to be ambitious, right? Don't make change without a bit of a push. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on your project. If you need help training a great swell of navigators, well."
She jerks a thumb at her mon.
"You know who's got the most, and the best."

[Kaiu Tetsu]

Tetsu raises his cup. "Another benefit of partnership. I mean, that would place you are right of first refusal for the first units wouldn't it?"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

Tetsu raises his cup. "Another benefit of partnership. I mean, that would place you are right of first refusal for the first units wouldn't it?"

"Well, I'll leave those sorts of specifics for the big wigs and their fancy contracts. But I reckon if this does take-off":
She sniggers at the pun.
"We'd want to be involved from the start."

Raising her own cup.
"Would you like a toast perhaps?"

[Kaiu Tetsu]

"Why not?" Tetsu raises his cup. "To big ships and bigger stacks of koku!"

[Yoritomo Ochiba]

"Why not?" Tetsu raises his cup. "To big ships and bigger stacks of koku!"

"Stacks of koku!"
Ochiba enthusiastically clinks her cup against his.

((Fade to business? ))

[Kaiu Tetsu]

((Fade to Commerce ))