Diplomacy with the Nezumi

[Nanzi]

He nodded to the interpreter and said, "When they have finished Nanzi has a proposal for Chief Great-Bringer-of-Peace, you and your people."

[Togashi Saruko]

Listening to the Nezumi speak amongst themselves was fascinating, and she wished she could understand the meanings of all the squeaks and chitters. Not that wishing helped much and it was just squeaking and chittering still.

"It's a great honor to stand in the presence of the great Chief of the North-North Mountains. Your city is awe-inspiring to behold," she bowed, showing her empty palms as part of the greeting.

"We understand that there has long been... difficulties between your noble kind, and the tribe that call themselves Seidou. I would like to say that the ways of the Seidou are not the ways of Shiba's Empire and his followers. We don't wish to bring harm or disrespect to you or your kin."

[Hantei Kinsen]

He then asked Kinsen, “What paint do?”

Kinsen inhales, prouder still, and with a sly look at her face, lectures them, "It strengthens nai... I mean.... talons. Protects them against cuts and from breaking. But ultimately, it makes hands... er... paws... look fabulous."

She nods.

Then, she lifts a finger, warning, "I use pepper on the paint, so don't touch your mouth or eyes. It is supposed to be used against an enemy. So they burn after being slashed."

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

“Golden-plating here says that it makes her... phalanges more resilient and that she laces the paint with some sort of cooking spice to make it slightly more irritable when she rakes her hands across someone... And also that hoomans find it sexually attractive.” He replied.

“Child-of-Monkeys appears to be overwhelmed by the achievements of our people’s architecture in comparison to their primitive attempts at it. And that these northern tribes also dislike the Seidou. She says that they don’t want to hurt us... As if they could.”

He then pointed to Nanzi, “What-zi says he has a deal.”

[Canary]

"Humans are strange." The older rat rubbed the top of his nose. "They couldn't, but fewer border skirmishes means fewer resources we need to dedicate to them and the better we can defend from the Crater."

"Bid the What-zi to speak his deal."

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

“Speak Nanzi of your deal.” He abruptly shifted the conversation from Ratling to Rokugani.

[Nanzi]

“Nanzi will be clear, the Seidou are monsters, what they did to your pups is not the way of the Empire under Shiba-dono. The Crane and all Honorable citizens denounce them. They should pay-pay for what is done and help defend your people, the Empire will make it known that this is the path to making good for what has been done to you and yours.”

“Nanzi knows Lord Hida and he will be a good neighbor as long as Nezumi keeps the peace. To that end, Nanzi knows of what this one labors under, it must not stand. He is free, consider this a token of our Sincerity. If he chooses to guide us we would be thankful, as an equal, if it chooses otherwise we will find the pit and do what must be done.”

“No creature, human or nezumi, should labor under bondage, that is not the spirit of the Empire.”

OOC: Free the rat, the Seidou will help defend your people or get no support from us and their borders forfeit, good-good deal help end bloodshed.

Temptation Bribery TN 22 1 Raise + Void + Dangerous Beauty: 8d10o10k4 32

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

Black Moonset followed as best he could.

“What-zi also says Smelly-Seidou are the scum of the Earth for their actions. He promises Giant-Brother of Fallen-Rock-Man would be a good hairless-one to reside near. He says the blue-artsy hairless ones and their collection of primitive communities would compensate us for the wrongs done to us.”

He paused for a moment to see where Nanzi was going. “He also says I am free. No longer obligated to accompany them on their suicide mission unless I deem to do so. Either way he says they shall do some... necessary thing with the pit. He then says no one should be a slave. Except maybe not our slaves... Somewhat confusing that last bit. I do not know how he came to that conclusion.”

[Togashi Saruko]

The Dragon woman nodded in agreement with Nanzi's words. "The Dragon who follow Emperor Shiba do not approve of the actions of the Seidou either, especially not their abduction of your pups. As a mother, I won't tolerate such acts to be continued."

"We acknowledge that human and Nezumi are different, have different needs and different strengths. But the threat to the south is a threat we have in common, and together we have a greater chance of stopping it. We want to see these lands safe again for all of us."

"A sage Nezumi have spoken with my family and travelled with us, named Ik..." she paused a little before pronouncing the name, albeit not perfectly and a little slowly, but she made a sincere effort, "Ik’tch'krit. He has travelled with us too as an equal. Not as a
captive, hostage, or prisoner, but as a valued ally."

She hoped that the Ratlings understood her honesty and sincerity.

----

D7 LM Diplomacy With The Nezumi. Sincerity/Awareness. +2k0 Tattoo. +1k1 Void. +0k1 Benten's Blessing. 3 raises. TN 37: 9d10o10k6 57

[Canary]

[4/6 Successes, 0/3 Failures, 7/10 raises]

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

"Child-of-Monkeys also denounces the actions of the Smelly-Seidou. Says their great chief, Four-Leafs, does not support pupnapping. As a bringer-of-life she also does not want her monkey babies stolen."

He paused to think and try to catch up.

"They say Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember and Hairless-ones are different, but both have strength. That strength can be put to use against the evil that comes from the pit. Wants to make our lands bu'lr. She says there is a Rememberer who has traveled with her pack of monkeys... They work together with him. As friend... Must be one of the early deserters to the Northlands pups... Anyway... She also is trying to express in her own primitive manner they will be helpful and friendly if we choose to be friends.."

[Canary]

"... The deal What-zi offers isn't a bad one. I am pleased to have you freed from their bondage," the chief said, rubbing his chin. "You were a prisoner of war. I'm not sure what point he's trying to make there, but... well, going back to humans being weird."

"Mm... That might be. A decent portion of North-West mountain fled. Perhaps he is one of theirs."

"Either way, it does speak well if they're willing to free you for this. Though if they truly felt that way they should have done so initially and not simply to gain our favor. I suppose it's a secondary concern either way. Do they have any further points to make?"

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

Black Moonset nodded at his father's thoughts but did not translate them aloud.

After a moment he said, "You have more to say?"

[Nanzi]

"Does he find the proposal to his liking?" Nanzi asked.

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

“He still think-think. He think your words show good meaning. He would enjoy my being free. But... you no know the fight we do for you. You no know how hard. Hard to fight the monsters. All but Brave-Warriors-Who-Remember go madness. If you go madness and turn to... enemy... maybe our fight harder.”

[Togashi Saruko]

"Are the noble Nezumi familiar with the events that led to the Kami's fall, including the one who fell to the south, and how it came to be that the tribes of the humans are now changing?" she asked, curious of they knew the circumstances surrounding what was happening.

[Nanzi]

"Nanzi sees the dilemma, we are not too proud to seek any aid your people can give, we want to make this better not worse, but we are committed to the task," he said to the Nezumi.

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

“Speak what change you think-think matter and I will tell Chief.” He replied and then whispered a brief synopsis to his father.

[Nanzi]

“Speak what change you think-think matter and I will tell Chief.” He replied and then whispered a brief synopsis to his father.

"You know your people is there anything that you are in need of, you are free now, how can we best assist you?" he responded.

[Ch’chit T’kkiri]

“He wishes to know what our needs are.”