Description: A businessman and a businesswoman talk business. Numbers, numbers, math math math!
Aahh, the Osaka skyline. The view from the floating gardens are always fine. The air is fresh, the sky clear, and the sun is shining in full!
Which is precisely why Mr.Burr made a generous donation in order to have the area kept clear for a few hours, with a list of 'exceptions'. Set up near the railings to allow for one to take in the view is a small table with a cloth covering, and 2 chars, one of which Burr is sitting in, on either side. He takes a sip of what smells like a warm chocolate-based beverage with prestine manners, his suit pressed and clean, shoes shined, and hat straight.
Yes, it is a very nice day for a conversation.
Burner phones are so cheap these days. Honoka isn't exactly high profile, but she -is- a publicly-known personality, and she can't take any chances whenever setting up these sorts of deals.
Even though she'd set up the time and place for this meeting, she seems rather surprised at the arrangements that have been made over and above her selection. Could be a setup, she surmises, but while she is going up the stairs by herself, it's a virtual guarantee that she's not here alone.
The young performer has taken the opportunity to dress up a bit. Aware of her contact's reputation, she's put on a black sport jacket, pinstriped blouse and skirt, and sensible shoes. And dark black sunglasses, of course, which she doffs upon rising to the sky garden.
Striding confidently to the small table Mr. Burr has set up, she bows honorably before him, offering a brief smile.
"Your reputation precedes you, Mister Burr. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Aahh! If it isn't the guest of honor". Mr.Burr stands, taking off his hat, and offering a hand "You look stunning m'lady". If allowed to shake hands, he gives a kiss of the back of her hand as well, before motioning to the other chair. "Please, sit and relax. Would you like someting to drink or a snack of some kind?" he asks as he redons his hat and sits down himself, giving a smile of his own, his cane held loosely in his hands at his lap.
Honoka is passingly familiar with Western customs to know what he's doing to her hand, but she's still taken aback for a moment just the same, bowing her head in thanks for the compliment. In response to the question, she gives a brief shake of her head: "No thank you. I ate just before coming up."
Seating herself, she rests her palms lightly on the table, steepling her fingers. "I... understand that you may be able to help us with... certain tasks."
Indeed, Burr is an odd one, but a polite one. Most of the time, anyway.
He merely nods, his piecing gaze locking eyes with Honoka, coupled with his easy smile "I admit to a degree of uncertainty. That is a very broad statement. What is the nature of these 'tasks' you need doing?
Meeting Mr. Burr's gaze with a smile, she gestures to the skyline surrounding her. "This is a pretty skyline, isn't it?" Steepling her fingers again, her expression darkens. "But I never liked it. I want it gone, flattened. Every time I see this building I'm reminded of... things I dislike. The shameful history of this city."
Closing her eyes for a moment, she takes a deep breath. There is an awfully nice breeze up here, after all. "Up here I can barely sense the soot in the air. The filth. But... baby steps. I have a job."
Reaching into her jacket, she pulls out a simple envelope, and slides it across the table to Mr.Burr. In it... are detailed plans of the Umeda Financial Building, with several red X's marked on key structural elements. "This building. You can take anything you like off the first floor and basement levels, but..." She flattens her hands on the table, at this. "... I want it gone."
With an even pace, Burr opens the envelope, looking over the details she has provided. "This is very detailed stuff. You have done your homework, m'lady". He returns it to its envelope, and puts it in his jacket "Very well. I shall make my fee reasonable. However......"
His own expression darkens a bit, a small hint of madness, or mania, now visible in his gaze, though his posture has not changed in the slightest "... i would like to know WHY you want this done. What chain of events lead to you deciding on this course of action". His smile widens ever so slightly "I would be willing to cut my fee in half if you decide to indulge me this curiosity".
Honoka smiles faintly. In Japan, smiling in a business deal is not typically a good gesture. But then again, criminals aren't that good either.
"Mister Burr... you drive a hard bargain." Honoka pauses for a moment, lacing her fingers together and drawing them close. "Let's just say... this is a generational difference. You may be aware of the plight of the Burakumin, or Eta. Back before the Meiji Restoration, there were certain professions considered... unsavory. And Japan had a notorious caste system, it was simply horrid. People who engaged in these professions, thought to be low and beneath others -- executioners, butchers, to name just a couple -- were given only a fraction of the rights of the common citizen."
Honoka breaks her gaze for a moment, looking off into the distance. "They would never be allowed on this floor of the building. Or any of the floors of this building, or... likely, anywhere within six kilometers of it."
Turning back to Mr.Burr, she flattens her hands on the table again. "Mister Burr, even though the caste system was erased in the so-called Restoration, this caste system still exists. The status of Eta is passed down by blood, so anyone whose ancestors were Eta... is still Eta. Unofficially, of course. Treated like pond scum based on some feudal-era decision."
Honoka closes her eyes, taking another deep breath. Clearly upset, and calming herself. Opening her eyes again, she exhales slowly. "Forgive me. This is dear to my heart. Japan was built on the backs of the Eta. Japan. Deserves. None. Of. This."
That's Ok. Burr isn't japanese, so he could care less. He's also evil, so he cares even less than less! He smiles BROADLY at this information. "Fascenating! I was unaware of this detail of Japanese history...." he slowly looks out over the skyline, the gears almost visibly turning in his head. After a moment, he turns to look back at Honoka "Very well. I will as promised cut my fee for this job in half. I shall send you the details tonight"
Without missing a beat, just when you would think things done, he continues "I have an offer of my own to make. One you may find to your.... liking". He leans forwards evenly, weight on his cane "You have goals. You have ambitions. You seem, however, to be having trouble fulfilling them to an extent. You had one run-in with a certain albino of significant stature, i believe".
His head tilts to the side a bit, almost as if he's TOO interested, or maybe even some sort of sizing up "What if i told you that, for a modest fee, i could give you something that could help you more easily attain those goals when things get, shall we say...." he stops and seems to consider a word, before suddenly looking back to her with that same expression "..... overwhelming."
It doesn't help that the sun slinks behind a cloud as he says this, darkening them both just long enough for his proposition.
Honoka seems to have calmed herself by this point, and seems to be just about ready to stand up and leave -- when Mr. Burr brings another offer to the table. "I'm listening."
And, as she listens, she nods slowly. Mr. Burr's language is, by nature of the beast, vague... but it may be a bit too vague. And if she's going to pay money, she wants to make it worth her while. "I need you to help me to understand something before I sign you a blank check, you realize. But do understand me when =I= say..." Her smile darkens, nowhere near as dramatically as Mr. Burr's, as she continues: "I'm not interested in the albino. So is this a personnel offer, an information offer, or...?" She may be standoffish in her response, but her body language shows the deal isn't off the table... yet.
Burr gives an amused chuckle "Oh, you misunderstand, m'lday. There is no blank check. There is only free choice! What i can offer you is a way to, very simply stated, give yourself a boost, of sorts, to your fighting ability. Make yourself a bit faster. A bit more intuitive. A bit stronger. Potentially able to more easily overcome these hardships you frequently find yourself mired in".
Honoka raises an eyebrow at this. What Mr. Burr is offering is... tempting, to some very, very small part of her. Faster? She could use that. More intuitive? She's done alright for herself. Stronger... fascinating.
"How long would these... boosts take? And are they permanent?" The answer may explain what she'd be getting into.
Almost on a dime, Burr becomes less mad looking, but very serious. His smile lessens, though still remains in a small form "Free will is key, so i shall not lie to you. It is called 'Pledge'. It won't SOLVE your problems or situations, merely give you better potential in your battles. It is a temporary boost, so should be used sparingly. Once purchased, it will last until you utilize it to it's end".
His head tilts sideways again, though never losing his serious air "There is..... sometimes a small sideeffect of enhanced aggression, but i've noted it to be rather small in those with significant training. All i require is payment for the service on delivery, and if you would prefer, i can see to it that the object of storage is from something personal should you be willing to temporarily part with whatever the object in question would be".
Honoka seems... fascinated by this idea. If it can be placed into an object...
The young woman can be a bit eccentric when it comes to criminal action -- sometimes she takes a really long time to decide. This is not one of those times. "Okay. Name a fee, I'll see if our bean counters can work it into our budget." Honoka reaches into her jacket again, and this time produces a small yo-yo. Turning it about in her hands, she examines the object for a moment, before placing it on the table. "A, is this large enough, and B, is it going to impact the balance? If it doesn't spin I can't make use of it."
At this, Burr's wider smile returns "It won't effect the balance whatsoever, and should easily be large enough" he pulls out a pen, and on the napkin that rests under his teacuts saucer he writes down a number. Sliding it over, he looks back to her, making eye contact "That is my price for a decent charge. To utilize it, merely hold the item to your heart and focus on the energy contained therein to transfer it to yourself". He holds out his hand for her to put the yoyo in "I can have it back to you via courier in a few hours. If payment doesn't arrive, i will return it undamaged through the same means".
"Agreed." She smiles firmly -- she's still got -some- reservations about this business transaction, but the less information shared, the better. One thing in Mr. Burr's favor though: he seems to understand the concept of professional courtesy -- a concept she could stand to impart to the aforementioned albino.
Nodding her head once more, she folds her hands in her lap. "Well, I believe we have an understanding then. Pleasure doing business with you, Mister Burr. If you should need to contact me again..." She withdraws a small business card from her jacket, and slides that across the table. It has nothing but the kanji for 'fire' and a Southtown telephone number. "Same as last time, leave a message." A brief wink, and the young woman rises to her feet.
With a glance, Burr nods and puts the card into his jacket. He too rises, and gives a bow and a tip of the hat "A pleasure, m'lady. You shall be hearing from me shortly". He pulls out an antique watch, flicking it open, then closed once read. "May you find the rest of your day a pleasant one" and there is his former polite smile, all sense of madness in his eyes gone.
Honoka bows again, formal as can be. She can be crazy... just not here. Not now. "And you as well. Looking forward to a successful operation." Honoka backs away a step, then turns and walks, confident with the knowledge that the cogs of the larger 'operation' are starting to move.
Log created on 18:10:03 09/04/2014 by Honoka, and last modified on 21:06:39 09/04/2014.