The Mantis captain thought it a good idea to present himself to the governor of the port, especially with the tension hanging in the air due to their fleet's arrival. He had brought two small gifts but thought it would be enough for a casual meeting, even with a man of this importance.

''Hola senior, I am Gusai Susumu and I am here to meet with the Governor if he is willing. I had sent word.''

The estate's butler eyed the Mantis skeptically, cringing at his foul accent and familiarising way of address. He replied with studied poise.

"Buenas tardes. The governor has other occupations tonight. We are unaware of the proper protocol where you come from, Senor, but here it is prudent to seek the governor's attention with at least two days' advance note and in the proper office hours when he receives petitioners at the Plaza. He may make exceptions for urgent matters of importance for the city affairs, but is your matter of this kind?"

Susumu smiled at the man, he had to rework his mereanese it seemed

''You have my most sincere apologies.'' he replied with a bow ''I merely wished to talk at the earliest convenience since the our arrival seemed to have stirred a commotion this morning. I should have taken greater care to get to know to the proper protocols used on this island.''

He presented his bottle of fine wine and a bottle of sake from his reserve, one of the last two remaining.

''May I offer these as an apology for the disturbance?''

He was not sure on how well the message got across

"Your kind souvenirs will be duly passed on."

The butler said after some reluctance.

"Who's that?"

A semi-familiar voice called from inside, followed by the sound of heeled boots.

The captain's head tilted to the side as he looked at the servant, waiting for him to answer the strangely familiar voice.

"The man is a from Rokugan, Senor. You'll tell better than me, I'm afraid. Perhaps come see for yourself."

And then, the man came into vision. The first glance was that of angry surprise, but then an artificial smile happened.



"Well well, who do we have here. It's been a while." Jose said in Rokugani.

Susumu's eyes widened in recognition but managed to smile without actual anger.

''Indeed, Senior Jose, it as been a while.'' he gave the Mereanese a bow ''Please forgive my accent, I do not speak your language often''

"Nor you should, for you befoul it. I will make it unnecessary for you." Jose's eyes narrowed, but he kept grinning. "I don't think we've ever been properly introduced. It may be the right time since it can spare you some costly mistakes. I am Don Jose Manuel Alfonso de Almeria y Pavo de la Estremaviedo. My house de Almeria are hidalgos, one of the great noble houses of the Kingdom of Merenae. This is my brother's home."

''Ah!'' he said calmly for the man's pride had been wounded, he understood the need for him to spit venom

''And I am Gusai Susumu, Captain of the Walrus'' he said with a proper bow

"I do remember a few more things other than that, Gusai-san. Why have you come here, to the estate?"

Jose waved the butler away as he gestured for Susumu to come in.

Susumu had no reason not to enter the Estate even with the clear hostility

''I had hoped to see the governor Hosei-sama. The fleet's arrival caused quite a stir so I thought he might want a word with one of the foreign captains anchored in his docks.''

"And you would be the first to come to mind from that lot?" Jose flamboyantly gestured for him to enter a large parlour.

He thanked his host and entered the parlor

''I would have guessed that I would be the first of the captains to come present himself...and I am the one most interested in conducting trade.''

"You may be forgetting I know the way the Mantis conduct 'trade'." Jose mused, approaching a decanter with wine and pouring two. "Jama has not brought you here so you could line up your pockets."

''Of course not...but I would not be an entrepreneur if I were to gave up on this opportunity''

He observed the decor has Pavo served himself a drink

''And I am fairly sure Mantises are not the only ones who ever dealt in the trade you are refering to''

"It changes nothing." Jose mused, approaching the table to furl the map of the world spread there before Susumu could take a peek. "I am not a perfect man of my religion. It recommends forgiveness, but I tend to hold grudges. Maybe my time in Rokugan has made me that way."

He had to admit, he knew the feeling ''Rokugan would not be recognizable if it did not leave men of ambition bitter.''

He shrugged

''But those are the games of the powerful.''

"I don't follow who you ultimately want to appear to me as, Gusai-san. Are we now compagneros in being mistreated by Imperials?" He gestured for Susumu to pick up his wine as he eyed him carefully, leaning against the opposite desk with his back.

''We might not be friends but I have nothing personnal against you either.'' He picked up the cup offered to him, thanking his host

''But it might be fortunate that I meet you here. Has Edogawa-san contacted you already?''

"No. My brother told me he's here. How does it matter to you? It won't give you any leverage."