Transformation (Gyokusho)

The arrival of this "Amane" had pleased him so much he could hardly contain himself; the very man he'd wished for an audience with had specifically sought him out. While he did not show it, his summons also gave him a short pause; he'd made no special effort to conceal himself, but he'd also not loudly announced his presence. Sure, the Stag had found him, but they also paid his bills and he maintained a working relationship with them. While it did not surprise him that the central administration had found him, he was not famous by any means and the most important achievements to his name were his employment and having - more or less - successfully ended an economically crippling worker's strike in the most recent slew of wars. Not nothing, but not much.

On the other hand, he had spent a good amount scoping out locations for a new club to open and had announced himself as a merchant to two of the legendary swordsmen of the village of his status as a merchant, so perhaps the active leader of the village wanted to purchase something!

While he'd felt a wave of elation, he had also insisted on changing into something a bit more appropriate. Thus, when Amane and Gyokusho arrived to Valen's office, they had delayed slightly for his outfit change. He wore a deep navy, nearly black set of coveralls, opened and overturned such that the inner side of the shirt component hung around his waist to roughly the knee, creating an affectation almost like a skirt. In place of a simple undershirt, he had buttoned a delicate, matching blue button up shirt all the way up to the collar, the delicate lace of the shirt falling about in layers of and layers of ruffles. The cuffs extended well past his fingers nearly to the point of proving a problem. He wore, with no need whatsoever, matching deep navy suspenders.

The man also donned a snow white, stiff cape, almost like a poncho, draped over both shoulders and open at the front, replete with delicate silver stitching. Fanciful silver buttons and chains held the cape roughly together, adding a light flair to elevate the outfit. His fingers appeared as if he'd dipped them directly into molten rose gold, each ending in a perfectly manicured, short claw of a nail. Taken together, this gave of a kind of mixture between subtle French-maid and overt schoolboy, depending on one's preference.

While his costume was, as always, elaborate, his wardrobe shift took almost no time at all, and in short work they arrived within the very heart of village's administrative center. Gyo's many-hued eyes took in all the sights, comparing it idly to the massive scale of the ostentatious palace of Kumo he had entered but one time. The Princesses' digs seemed almost as equally elaborate and formidable. The assistant showed him in, the man giving the room a once-over and then giving this other fellow, "Valen," he presumed, a polite bow. Valen-san, I must assume? It is a pleasure to meet you! To what do I owe this honor, if I may ask, of someone of your station reaching out to a meager merchant such as myself? The high tenor of his voice carried a jovial, though professional tone with it, and his nearly immovable smile persisted. He'd noted, of course, an extremely famous implement wielded, allegedly, by one of the three rulers of the nation, as well as the other sword present upon the desk, but kept his eyes mostly under control.

Analyzing Valen

The ever-present, ambiently polite smile of the man's face took on a wry edge as Valen identified Gyokusho to himself; either he'd been expertly informed or had already conversed with Stag regarding the blonde's employment. Perhaps a sighting when Osho had recently been asked to secure an alliance? No matter of great importance currently, but he felt the game begin and a spike of excitement raced through him. What else did this man purport to know after a bought of recent absence to places unknown?

He gestured then to the blades before him, drawing the conversation to the presumed purpose of the meeting. The Love Bullet raked across them as the dark haired man spoke. The Hai no Ha, as he had named it, was a blade Gyo knew of, but had not seen. He picked it up at the offering, inspecting the weapon prior to delicately unsheathing it to get a better look at - and feel for - the blade. He'd never personally touched the famed midnight ore, though had studied it intensely in writings and first hand accounts. A marvel. Ah yes, I recall the raffle, as well as the revel, of Okane-sama's birthday. What an incredible piece. The colors of his eyes began to swirl slowly, narrow pupils narrowing further, as he studied the sword in question, Valen continuing to explain his desires for the weapon. An update, really, preserving the craft of the sword but altering it for a changing time; perhaps a changing body. Gyo shifted his gaze to the man for a moment, noting that while the sword certainly would work, he'd perhaps grown a bit since receiving it and, as a main armament, he may want a slightly larger piece. He nodded, sheathing the sword and accepting the diagram the man handed him, quickly looking it over and reading through the various notes.

His smile widened for a moment, not so much impressed by Valen's competency in drawing up a workable model - he expected that from someone of such prowess with the blade - but more excited to work on the blade and happy to alter the weapon to better fit the man's beautiful drawing. Beautiful. Yes, more than workable, we can surely update this treasure to your liking without issue. Perhaps he sounded a touch cocky, for Okane's skill far outstripped Gyo's, but barring him the blonde stood as one of the most proficient weapon smiths currently working. This would pose no issue.

They moved then to the other weapon, the cane. This item he knew of in much greater detail, due mostly to its great fame. In recent years held by one of the three princesses, Okane had changed it to a bow-cane hybrids of sort. He immediately understood the ask: simply change it back. He accepted the drawing of the original form, but knew he would not really need a reference for this one. He picked up the cane, flicked a switch, and transformed it to its bow state, giving it a once over before transforming it back. The ability to have altered it so extensively impressed the man, but undoing the changes should not prove especially different; Okane had added much more than the original model held. Setting the implement down, he spoke once more, The restoration of this should also prove no special difficulty for me. Fear not!

His face fell almost imperceptibly when Valen began speaking of the timing of this request. The  changes requires presented no special difficulty, and working with a base model would cut the time down for the fabrication to almost nothing. No, he'd looked forward to a bit of bargaining, a bit of cat and mouse, but he also understood the need for swiftness; Valen could not be without his chosen implement for long, and he may have already promised the blast sword to another. A slight diminishment of fun, but now should prove opportune for securing the ties between Kiri and Stag.

Yes Valen-san, I can meet both of these requests without much trouble. As for the speed of these, I can get to work right away. I'd estimate I can finish the first by this afternoon, and the second either by late tonight or early tomorrow. I'll likely be up late working though; I'm a bit of a creature of the night. He said with a wink. The smile faded just a touch as his face took on a marginally more serious look. As for payment, we have two pieces here. He fanned both hands out, gesturing to a different weapon with each.

For the first, I would make a request on behalf of the Stag: We'd like to create a partnership here in Kiri and open up shop. If you can provide us with some land, we will build up the area and provide wares and commerce. Additionally, we will build one of our advanced forging facilities and chemical laboratories, which will remain open for free use by any crafters or artisans you have here. As a show of our partnership on this, we would ask that Kiri provide half the cost for these two buildings. We will naturally cover the remainder of our costs.

For item two, I would have a personal cost. I would like to open up a personal shop here as well. My prior headquarters are in a bit of a limbo as of now. I'm more than happy to dwell within the space provided for Stag, but I'd like your blessing regardless. As for costs, the total for me to get up and running is 725,000 yen. Obviously I'll be open for business for any Kiri shinobi, and can serve as a resource for you and the village as well, should either need.

Should Valen find those terms agreeable, Gyo would pick up the two weapons and get to work immediately. He currently rented out a small forge locally, but the admin center may also have one free. Regardless, the project would end up keeping him up late into the night, partially due to the time pressure of the rush order, bust mostly due to the excitement and pleasure of the work. If Valen indicated he should wake him, he would return in the small hours of the night; otherwise he would simply arrive early in the morning to present the restored Shibuki and modified Hai no Ha. On the woven handle cover of both weapons, he had embordered a few regularly spaced, tiny white lily-of-the-valley flowers with golden stems. These small additions would display his hand in the alterations, but their impermanence would mean anyone could remove them if they found it too offensive.

Brief flash forward

Oooooooh Valen-san! Special delivery! These both proved an interesting challenge, and I thank you once more for your knowledgeable diagram on your modifications to Hai no Ha. I hope these are exactly to your liking, and feel free to call on my for any other modifications you require. He gave a small bow, but would continue briefly. By the by, as both myself and the greater Stag will have a presence here now, you may be interested in some contracts we can provide. If you already have something of this nature, please forget I said anything; but if you're suppling the troops with some of the standard-issue items off the open market, you may find some value in higher quality items. Happy to discuss, but also please take your time in contemplating. You'll know where to find me He winked again, grinning widely. Should Valen wish to discuss his proposal, or anything else, Gyo would happily stay. However, he would not hover around the busy man if he had other matters to which he needed to attend.

Done Analyzing.
Possible Exit